Amethyst Symbolism & Meaning

  Amethyst (purple quartz) carries a tremendous amount of spiritual and metaphysical power. According to crystal healing experts, it emits a high vibration, infusing it with divine energy for purification, wisdom, balance, and tranquility. It truly belongs to the passionate lovers of February, as well as to those in pursuit of divine connection and peace. Indeed, the ancients held many of the same beliefs about amethyst that endure today.  

Ancient Beliefs About Amethyst

Most appropriate to those who wear amethyst as their birthstone, this gorgeous purple quartz remains closely associated with St. Valentine. Legend holds that the saint most closely associated with love wore an amethyst ring featuring a carving of the likeness of Cupid. He believed that marriage belonged to the saints of God, despite strict laws forbidding young men to marry in hopes they would serve as soldiers instead. As such, St. Valentine wore the ring as a sign. It signaled to young Roman soldiers that St. Valentine would perform a secret marriage ceremony for them if they so desired. (source) Meanwhile, the Greeks believed that amethyst protected against drunkenness, while at the same time promoting sobriety of thought and connection to the divine. Travelers wore amethyst to protect them against ambush, and soldiers wore amethyst amulets to ward off harm and grant them victory in battle. (source) Tibetans fashioned prayer beads out of the sacred purple stone. (source) Ancient and modern crystal healers believe amethyst possesses a unique frequency that stills the mind in preparation for prayer and meditation. Furthermore, it encourages surrender and humility, opening the mind to receive wisdom, insight, and guidance from the heavens. (source) As a result of this quieting of the mind, amethyst also imparts peace.  

A Stone of Peace

Crystal healing experts promote amethyst as a stone of peace and calm. They recommend using the stone for meditation to combat nervous energy and anxious thoughts. Its unique vibration centers and balances the emotions and thoughts. It eases fear, promoting hope and joy. By stilling the mind, it leads the soul toward greater self awareness and access to wisdom and understanding. As it imparts harmony and balance, it also guards against our shadow selves and the passions of anger and strong emotions. By bringing attention to the inner self, it opens the pathways to discover the primary reasons for negative behavior and toxic cycles in one's life. Furthermore, amethyst clarifies the intellect, bringing all the powers of your mind to bear on important decisions and plans. (source) Offering power to rightly divide between emotional fog and intellectual clarity, this powerful crystal provides unique powers to analyze emotions and determine their value in taking action. Its powers to ease emotional turmoil makes February's birthstone the perfect gem to rely on for easing sorrow and grief.  

Easing Sorrow & Grief

Purple quartz eases the process of grief, helping people pass through the pain of loss gently with tremendous spiritual support. Crystal healers recommend its use for dealing with the aftermath of emotional trauma. It also serves those navigating the death and dying process. For one thing, its specific vibrations promote a release of sorrow, transforming grief into the celebration of life and release from the confines of the human body. (source) Furthermore, it provides a sense of comfort, offering an important reminder. That life is a series of beginnings and endings, and fear holds no power over the process. (source) Basking in the support and comfort offered, those grieving find their way to hope. Rather than dwelling on the loss, they remember the hope of new beginnings and start planning for the future with hope and determination. (source) Clearly, this richly colored stone provides tremendous benefits to those who wear it. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews