Bacchus, Diana and Amethyst?
The name Amethyst derives from the Greek word ametusthos, meaning “not intoxicated,” and comes from an ancient legend.
Eaten by tigers?
According to the myth, the wine god Bacchus was angry, and had vowed to descend a hoard of tigers upon the first person who crossed his path. The unfortunate mortal happened to be a beautiful maiden named Amethyst on her way to worship at the shrine of Diana.
Saved by Diana...
Before the tigers could eat Amethyst, she was saved by Diana, who turned her into a clear crystal. Bacchus, regretting his cruelty, poured the juice of his grapes over the stone as an offering, and thus bestowed the crystal with its unique purple coloring.
What is so attractive about Amethyst?
Whether its crystals are left natural, polished as tumblestones, or faceted into magnificent jewels, Amethyst is a gemstone whose beauty transcends its commonality.
Why is this stone revered?
Ancient Greeks and Romans used amethyst in several ways from beads in jewelry to amulets. These ancient civilizations placed a high value on this stone.
Their belief was that the amethyst crystal meaning was synonymous with luxury. As such, it was highlighted as part of their crowns, scepters and rings.
Christian significance:
Christian bishops once wore amethyst jewelry in the form of a ring. It’s color was meant to symbolize royalty and an allegiance to Christ.
Members of the Catholic clergy wore amethyst stone in their crosses because their amethyst meaning was one of piety and celibacy.
Amethyst legends
The use of Amethyst can be traced as far back as 25,000 B.C. to the Neolithic people in Europe. Its spiritual and legendary energies made it popular for beads and amulets in many cultures.
Ancient Egypt:
Ancient Egyptians used Amethyst as a healing stone to ease fears and guilt, and as a strong protector while traveling.
Greeks and Romans:
Greeks and Romans used it constantly to protect themselves from excesses of overindulgence with food and drink.
Witchcraft in Peru?
The Peruvians held a belief that if the names of the sun and the moon were engraved on an Amethyst and hung around one’s neck with a baboon’s hair, or a swallow’s feather, it would act as a spell against witchcraft.
To summon love?
It was once believed a person could summon any love by speaking his or her name in an Amethyst, even if the person was committed to another.
Amethyst healing properties
Amethyst healing properties include acting as a natural form of stress relief. This crystal attracts positive energy while ridding your body of any negative emotions—feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, depression and more.
What about mala prayer beads?
A mala is a string of beads which are used as a meditation tool while chanting, reciting or silently repeating a mantra. Malas help the wearer focus their mind and are often used to recite mantras in sets of 108 repetitions.
When not used for meditation, malas can help wearers carry a sense of peace, calm, mindfulness and focus with them throughout the day.
Why 108 beads?
In traditional Tibetan Buddhism, mala beads are often created using 108 beads, as a 108-bead mantra repetition represents the 108 worldly sins in the Buddhist doctrine.
How to choose your mala?
Wearers can choose their mala beads based on what they’re seeking from their meditation. Amethyst, for example, promotes spirituality and helps the wearer stay centered, spiritual and serene.
Amethyst emotional healing
Amethyst is cleansing. It brightens the outlook on life and raises one’s spirit. The virtues of amethyst include beauty, calm, fulfillment, humility, a loving demeanor, piety, sincerity, spiritual balance, tranquility and wisdom.
Keep a sharp mind?
The stone also helps sharpen the conscious mind and enhances the mental powers. It is used to improve memory and keeps thoughts in line with life goals. It is a stone of pure, true, emotional love.
Attract Love?
It is often exchanged between two lovers to strengthen their commitment. It is supposed to be one of the few stones specifically prescribed for men to use for attracting women.
Overcoming addictions:
Amethyst is a marvelous aid in overcoming addictions by counteracting the effects of drugs and alcohol on brain function, while imparting its own peaceful sustaining energy.
Meditation with amethyst
Amethyst crystals are exceptional for providing spiritual protection, inner strength and clarity of mind, making them a classic meditation tool. Meditating with them can help you to become more in tune with your feelings, helping you to get to know yourself on a much deeper level.
Vibration of the Third Eye:
The amethyst color stimulates the highest vibration of the Third Eye to usher in a serene meditative state that stills conscious thought and guides the mind toward deeper understanding.
What is your mantra?
Whether you are looking to meditate for relaxation, abundance, protection or communication, a good mantra is:
“I trust myself, I see what I need and it will come to me."
To meditate with amethyst, visualize what it is you want. Allow the mellow energy of the amethyst to bring a state of clarity. Imbue your soul with confidence and feel the amethyst radiating its protection into your spirit.
Amethyst Chakra balancing
Amethyst carries a high, sweet energy, particularly stimulating to the Third Eye and Crown Chakras. They represent personal identification with the Infinite, and oneness with God, peace and wisdom.
Third Eye Chakra:
When the Third Eye Chakra is in balance, we are open to new ideas, dreams, and visions, and can control the flow of energy within all the chakras.
The purple crystals are used to treat imbalances of the Third Eye Chakra. It is a quiet color, one of mystery and wisdom and judgment.
Crown Chakra:
The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head, and is our gateway to the expanded universe beyond our bodies.
When the Crown is in balance, our energies are in balance. We know our place in the universe and see things as they are. We are unruffled by setbacks, knowing they are an essential part of life.
Amethyst spiritual energy
Amethyst carries a high spiritual vibration of humility and devotion to the Divine. It is highly conducive to stilling one’s thoughts in prayer and meditation, and surrendering to that which is greater than the self.
Amethyst also stimulates the higher mind to receive one’s spiritual power as a creation of the Divine being and to open to the insights, wisdom and guidance that is offered.
Amethysts Talisman and Amulets
Amethyst is a wonderful talisman for use in the creative arts. It assists endeavors where new, original results need to be created using tools and methods of the past.
It wards off guilt and self deception, curbs overindulgence, and bestows good judgment. It also lends courage and is a powerful amulet for travelers.
The Artists’s Stone:
It is often called the Artist’s Stone as it enhance creativity and refine thinking skills. Keep an Amethyst crystal in the area to focus and amplify your creative elements.
The Bishop’s Stone:
A talisman of ecclesiastical dignity and spiritual protection, Amethyst is the Bishop’s Stone, still worn on the second finger of the right hand of a Catholic bishop.
A Spiritual Stone:
It is a spiritual stone. It is a stone of peace. It calms fears, raises hopes, lifts the spirits, and promotes thoughts of the spiritual reality behind our lives.
Wanderlust Stone:
Amethyst is a Seeker Transformer crystal. These are talismans of the adventurer, the wanderer, and explorer. Seeker crystals are excellent talismans to aid our efforts to grow, develop new capabilities and change our lives.