The Power of Stones

Since the dawn of time, civilizations all over the world have put stones, minerals and fossils to different physical and spiritual or religious uses. There are many ways these natural elements can be utilized; some Native American groups utilized stones for healing, the Egyptian included their use in funerals and in magical rituals, while the Romans wore protective stone amulets to guard against danger and bad luck. If you’re interested in utilizing or observing nature’s energy it’s a good idea to pay attention to the energy of different stones, as they are closely connected to the Earth, and can prove useful for many purposes.

The majority of stones are formed beneath the Earth’s surface and are mined from the Earth’s crust. How these gemstones and minerals are created differs greatly resulting in different patterns, textures and colors. Many stones are formed when minerals & water react below the Earth’s surface, then dissolve. This mixture evaporates and cools, and minerals are formed. Other stones, like rubies, are created by volcanos when magma or gas bubbles crystalize. There are accounts of gemstones and minerals being discovered, mined and put to use since prehistoric times.
Lapis lazuli, serpentine and turquoise were used by the Ancient Egyptians, the Romans collected agate and pearls (which are actually made by oysters, mussels, or clams), and jade was traded throughout the Orient. Precious to some Native American groups are obsidian and jasper, the Greeks offered jet to their deities, and amber has been found in graveyards as gifts in northern Europe.

Each stone has its own energy with individual traits, almost like a personality, that can influence the energy around it, and be kept close or made into jewelry for this purpose. The energy of these stones can be worked into spiritual practices, rituals, or meditation. Stones have also been utilized for divination, as is the case with the ancient Aztecs, who used polished obsidian mirrors to commune with their deities and see future omens. Stone wands are therapeutic when used in massage, as well, smaller formations can be places over the chakras and other energy centers to activate and cleanse the energy. Stones can also be “steeped” in water so that the water absorbs the energy creating a potent, drinkable gem elixir.
It’s also important to note that the color of the stone will enhance certain attributes of that stone’s energy and should be considered when choosing which to use. There are stones, like Lapis Lazuli that don’t typically form in other colors, but when dealing with stones like turquoise, fluorite, jasper, quartz and jade, or example, this must be taken into consideration; red for love and power, green for healing, purple for dreaming etc.

For an idea of where to start, explore these stones for the following purposes:

Courage: Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Diamond, Sard, Sardonyx, Tiger’s Eye, Tourmaline, Turquoise
Divination: Azurite, Flint, Hematite, Jet, Mica, Moonstone, Obsidian, Tiger’s Eye
Dreams: Amethyst, Azurite, Moonstone
Friendship: Chrysoprase, Tourmaline, Turquoise
Gambling: Amazonite, Aventurine, Cat’s Eye, Peridot
Gardening: Agate, Jade, Malachite, Zircon
Grounding: Hematite, Kunzite, Moonstone, Obsidian, Salt, Tourmaline
Happiness: Amethyst, Chrysoprase, Zircon
Health: Agate, Amber Amethyst, Aventurine, Azurite, Bloodstone, Calcite, Carnelian, Cat’s Eye, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Crystal Quartz, Diamond, Flint, Garnet, Holey Stones, Jade, Jasper, Jet, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot, Sapphire, Sodalite, Staurolite, Sugilite, Sulfur, Sunstone, Topaz, Turquoise, Zircon – It’s important to note that most, if not all stones has some sort of healing energy.
Love: Agate, Alexandrite, Amber, Amethyst, Beryl, Calcite, Chrysocolla, Emerald, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Malachite, Moonstone, Olivine, Pearl, Rhodocrosite, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Sard, Topaz, Tourmaline, Turquoise
Luck: Alexandrite, Amber, Apache Tear, Aventurine, Chalcedony, Chrysoprase, Cross Stone, Jet, Lepidolite, Olivine, Opal, Pearl, Sardonyx, Tiger’s Eye, Turquoise
Meditation: Geodes, Sapphire, Sodalite
Money, Wealth: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Calcite, Cat’sEye, Chrysoprase, Coal, Emerald, Jade, Mother-of-Pearl, Olivine, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Salt, Sapphire, Spinel, Staurolite, Tiger’s Eye, Topaz, Tourmaline, Zircon
Nightmares (to protect against): Chalcedony, Citrine, Crystal Quartz, Holey Stones, Jet, Lepidolite, Ruby
Peace: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Calcite, Chalcedony, Chrysocolla, Diamond, Kunzite, Lepidolite, Malachite, Obsidian, Rhodocrosite, Rhodonite, Sapphire, Sardonyx, Sodalite, Tourmaline
Protection: Agate, Amber, Apache Tear, Calcite, Carnelian, Cat’s Eye, Chalcedony, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Crystal Quartz, Diamond, Emerald, Flint, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Zircon
Psychic Energy: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Azurite, Beryl, Citrine, Crystal Quartz, Emerald, Holey Stones, Lapis Lazuli
Purification: Aquamarine, Calcite, Obsidian, Salt
Sexual Energy: Carnelian, Sunstone, Zircon
Sleep: Moonstone, Peridot, Tourmaline
Spirituality: Calcite, Diamond, Lepidolite, Sphene, Sugilite
Success: Amazonite, Chrysoprase, Marble
Wisdom: Chrysocolla, Jade, Sodalite, Sugilite