Julie's Friday Crystal Ball 8 February 2019
Greetings dear Empaness supporters and gemstone jewellery fanatics
Hope everyone has had a good week with lots of love and laughter. Speaking of love, my gemstone for this week is Rose Quartz, the stone of the heart chakra (refer below on “chakra”) and of peace. Its Valentine’s Day next week so perhaps the timing is good, then again maybe a week early? We have a few of these Rose Quartz stones scattered round the house and they certainly tend to draw the eye !
Gemstone musings
Chakras
Perhaps before we delve into amazing rose quartz and it’s properties, an explanation of the word “chakra” might help. Actually, its not a “New Age invention” ! It’s a word that originates from ancient Indian spiritual texts, the Vedas.
(The Vedas are well worth a look into for those that are curious - the four ancient Indian religious texts that constitute the Vedas were recorded in Sanskrit , around 1500 - 500 BCE, in turn from even older texts - there is surely enough content within them for a Westerner to devote a lifetime of study to).
Also the Indian Tantric tradition (as ancient in origin or more ancient than the Vedas and the root of modern yoga) makes use of chakra systems. Both Tantra and Vedas are important systems of Indian philosophy and spiritual practices
The word “chakra” is closely translated back to English as a spinning disk or wheel. A chakra refers to an energy centre along the spine - however these are not representations of physical objects or even physical phenomena but refer to the subtle body which in turn references psycho-spiritual constituents of living beings. This topic is difficult, if not impossible to summarise in a few paragraphs but the energy talked about here is traditionally termed ”prana”
There are many chakras in the subtle body but usually only 7 of the most powerful are referred to these days. Each of the seven is placed in a certain position along the axis of the spine - and each has a colour and properties assigned. But to keep this blog brief, today I would like to describe the chakra Rose Quartz belongs to - the heart chakra:
The Heart Chakra
This chakra is the Anahata chakra in Sanskrit. The Anahata translates to the “un-struck." To make any sound, you have to strike two objects together. The un-struck sound is called "Anahata." Anahata is located in the heart area and is like a transition between your lower chakras and your higher chakras, between survival instincts and the instinct to liberate yourself. The lower three chakras are mainly concerned with your physical existence. Anahata is a combination; it is a meeting place for both the survival and the enlightenment chakras.
Since it is a pivot between the basic instincts and the higher instincts, it is associated with balance, calmness, and serenity. As shown in its symbol mandala graphic above it’s colour is green. (The chakra symbol mandalas are complex and beautiful and another related topic for interested readers)
Rose Quartz
Physical properties of Rose Quartz:
A member of the quartz family, it is made up of silicon dioxide.
It is a soft pink in colour - there are currently two theories on this pink colour - either from tiny inclusions within a glass stone and/or irradiation.
It is suggested that the irradiation is also why Rose Quartz should be kept out of the sun, so as to not loose it’s pretty shade from heat. But certainly rose quartz does lose its’ colour when heated up.
It has a hexagonal crystal structure, and typically forms into large specimen, but occasionally develops smaller, prismatic clusters as well. It is easily obtained and can be found in abundance in mines throughout the world. The most common sources for Rose Quartz are in Brazil, Madagascar, India and South Africa.
From Judy Hall’s crystal bible again (its an essential crystal reference, everyone needs a copy!)
“Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace. It is the most important crystal for the heart and the heart chakra, teaching the true essence of love. It purifies and opens the heart at all levels, and brings deep inner healing and self-love. It is calming, reassuring, and excellent to use in trauma or crisis.
Rose Quartz gently draws off negative energy and replaces it with loving vibes. It strengthens empathy and sensitivity and aids the acceptance of necessary change. It is an excellent stone for mid life crisis. Holding Rose Quartz enhance positive affirmations. The stone can then remind you of your intentions. This beautiful stone promotes receptivity to beauty of all kinds.
Wear, especially over the heart”
Rose Quartz Healing
Rose Quartz is reputed to strengthen the heart and circularity system and release impurities from body fluids. Judy Hall maintains that placed on the thymus, Rose Quartz aids chest and lung problems. And also that it can sooth burns, smooth the complexion.
Rose Quartz Spiritual Energy
Rose Quartz is feminine in tone and one of the stones of the Great Mother. It not only activates the human Heart Chakra, it also links with the heart of the Earth and the heart of the Universe.
Its vibrations can penetrate down to the cellular level and reprogram cells for joy and longevity rather than despair and death. It encourages the dissolution of anger and resentment, fear and suspicion, and brings the Light of healing, the rebirth of hope and faith in the benevolence of the Universe. [Robert Simmons]
Meditation with Rose Quartz
Meditating with Rose Quartz assists one in reaching a resonance with the frequency of compassion, releasing emotional patterns that hold one back, and allows for embracing higher and finer frequencies of Light. [Ahsian]
This week’s news from Julie’s craft bench:
Wow its been a busy week with my 20% off all jewellery sale @ empaness.com.au. So many beautiful pieces going out the door. But then thats exciting as I have to keep creating so I always have a full range of stock for customers to choose from. There are about 2 days left for this sale as I write this so act quick if you need some jewellery.
I had a lovely message from a customer who purchased some of the hoop sleeper sets (which are so popular).
She brought one for herself and one for her daughter - I told her that I wear my set with the sleepers in the ocean and they haven’t fallen out yet !!. She said her daughter and her have been swimming in them all week and loving being able to wear earrings in the water.
I also wear my anklets in the ocean as well.
I’m currently working on a range in Black Onyx and Tigers Eye. So keep your eye out for these.
Time to try and slow down as its Friday. So happy Friday and have a safe but fun weekend.
Here is my art picture of the week - from the ART OF COMPASSION EXHIBITION IN SUPPORT OF ANIMAL EQUALITY AT VEGFESTUK BRIGHTON 2019
