A stone known for its powerful soothing properties to the mind and emotions, this is a gem that can calm sleepless nights and restless days. Historically, this gem was ranked high amongst the diamonds in value and cost. Noted among religious societies, the Hebrew tribe of Dan gave Amethyst the honor of 9th stone on the breastplate of the High Priest as well as the twelfth foundation stone in New Jerusalem. Egyptians listed the stone in their Book of the Dead to include a heart-shaped amethyst stone in burial rights. It illustrates its vast usefulness by earning the name of “Gem of Fire” while belonging to the water-god Neptune and being steeped in lore around the god of wine, Bacchus. This versatile stone ignites the fiery passion of creative, while holding strong ties with logic, sobriety, and temperance. Revered for its ability to curb over-indulgence, ancient Greeks and Romans would line their chalices with the stone to belittle the intoxicating effect of the wine they drank. More modern-day usages include tempering evil thoughts and self-piety. Some even believe the stone to be powerful enough to protect against psychic attacks or induce heavy states of meditative trance. It can be included in meditations to still the mind, enhance meditative states, create an aura of protection around the body in the form of light, and stimulate wisdom. Some medical studies have been performed to validate its effectiveness in treating arthritis, tinnitus, insomnia, and headaches.
