Pagan Blog Project | A is for Amethyst

This is my first post on this blog for the Pagan Blog Project. The point of my doing the project here in addition to my other blogs is threefold. First, I’d like to keep track of my own research and experience in dealing with the energy of various stones and other materials that I use in the jewelry that I make. A lot of my working knowledge comes in the form of intuition and just knowing that this stone will be good for that purpose. I do a lot of reading as well, but I don’t always keep notes, and it will also save me time and effort later to take the time to write about my experience now. I have ADD and a swiss cheese memory; often, the only time I can sit relatively still for hours and be content is when I am creating. So I’ll have more time for the parts I love best later on if I actually keep track of this sort of research now, and the PBP is a good way to get myself into that habit. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading and learning too; it’s just frustrating to do the same research repeatedly because I didn’t think to take notes and I have such a terrible short-term memory.

The second reason I want to share this research in this manner is that I hope it will be helpful for others. Finally, to be quite frank, it’s also a way to put my work in front of people who may be interested in it, since a big part of what makes my jewelry what it is has to do with the energy of the materials, as well as the energy from myself and Brigid that ends up in every piece.

So, with my hopes and goals for doing this project here out of the way, let’s explore amethyst a bit!

Here’s my default, quickie description for amethyst:

Amethyst is a type of quartz. It is calming, harmonizing, and good at drawing peaceful energy. It is a wonderful healing stone, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Amethyst can be used to aid in all kinds of psychic work, including enhancing one’s intuition. It can be used to protect travelers and to ward off psychic attack. Like garnet, amethyst was often worn or carried into battle as a protective amulet. Helpful with past life recall. Really, amethyst is just a generally wonderful all-purpose stone!

One great use for amethyst’s energy is connecting with other planes, worlds and spirits; it can also be useful for opening up pathways for communication with your own higher self. Interestingly, it can be used to enhance psychic energy or to soothe and calm jangled energy. This purple quartz is incredibly versatile, and a wonderful stone with which to get acquainted.

Above is a Celtic cross made of gemstones on my Samhain altar. I was doing energy work for myself and others to draw healing, joy and prosperity for the new year; the choice of stones reflects that, though I sometimes find that I have no conscious logical reason for choosing a stone I’m quite drawn to when creating a crystal grid or a cross for Brigid. I knew before sitting down at my altar that I’d be using several pieces of amethyst, because there are three types of quartz — amethyst, clear quartz and rose quartz — that I almost always turn to first when I’m doing healing work.

In the above necklace, I paired the gently healing energies of amethyst and unakite, as well as a wee bit of onyx — which also aids in healing — to help repel negative energy. I’m a big fan of unakite and find that it works very well with amethyst, energetically.

The gallery below contains a few photos of other pieces that I’ve made which incorporate amethyst for various types of healing and harmonizing.

While I’ve written above about some of the ways amethyst can be used in non-physical healing, there are also many ailments known to benefit from the use of amethyst. These include symptoms of withdrawal from addiction to substances, insomnia, circulatory and respiratory ailments. Amethyst can aid in dealing with hormonal imbalances and fluctuations, along with other reproductive health issues in those of us who are female-bodied. It is also a good stone for use in easing pain.

I would specifically recommend amethyst as a protective stone for pregnant people and their unborn babies, as its energy is gentle, protective and healing. It works well with rose quartz, which is widely touted as being a ‘mother’s stone’ and recommended by many for wear and use in pregnancy.

I’ve put amethyst next to my head when I sleep, when I’ve been struggling with insomnia. Others frequently recommend placing it under your pillow, but I usually thrash about too much for a piece left under my pillow to be expected to be there in the morning.

As mentioned in the beginning of this post, I love amethyst and other forms of quartz for use in crystal grids; to me, it feels like they all amplify the energy and effects of the surrounding stones. It also often feels like the effect of using multiple pieces of amethyst in an arrangement will create usable energy much greater than the size and number of the stones might suggest, kind of like light zigzagging through a funhouse arrangement of mirrors, amplifying and illuminating as it goes.

I’ve also used amethyst in a lot of my gemstone elixirs and teas. The research that I’ve done indicates that this is safe to do and ingest, but please do your own research before making any decision to imbibe gemstones or minerals in any form; some of them are considered to be toxic when ingested. I’m only sharing my experience and knowledge here and am not a health care professional or even an official healer. I’m a practicing student in many ways, and a lot of what I do is intuitive. That works for me; similar methods may or may not work for you. Thorough research and carefully listening to your own intuition — and/or trusted people and spirits — is important and very highly recommended.