Amethyst is a crystal quartz stone that varies from pale lavender to deepest purple in color.  It is mined in Brazil and other South American countries, and in Africa.  It is also known in the US, with Oregon having the pale lavender variety and Colorado the deep purple.  It has a Mohs hardness of 7.

This beautiful stone has been used since ancient times to promote sobriety.  In fact, it's name comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning "non-intoxicating".  It helps with all forms of addiction.  It balances the energies of the mind as well as the emotional and physical bodies.  It is said to stabilize mental disorders and soothe one during stressful times.

Amethyst is used to protect against psychic attacks, the energies of the attack being transmuted and then sent on to the Universe.  It helps one to realize which areas in one's self need restructuring and enables us to act on that realization.  It gives peace and serenity and allows meditation as well as giving restful sleep.  


Amethyst is said to be of benefit to anyone in a debate by allowing heightened insight and intellectual reasoning.  It gives one a calm demeanor and lessens any tendencies to lose the temper.  It balances and strengthens the energies.  It is also said to promote prosperity in business.  


Amethyst will alleviate the pain of a stress headache when a cluster or geode is placed in the room.  It is said to be very useful in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system as well as strengthening the skeletal system.  An elixir of Amethyst is recommended in the treatment of arthritis.  

An elixir is gotten by placing the appropriate stone in water in a glass jar or bowl that does not touch any metal.  It is then set in the sun/moon for 24 hours.  You must concentrate on what purpose the elixir will have while you are preparing it.  Please note that not all stones may be used in elixirs this way.  Some are toxic (such as lead and mercury) and must be placed in a sealed glass container before being placed in the water.  


Let me know if you have any questions.  I'll do my best to answer them.  :)


The next stone I will write about is Ametrine.  This is a natural combination of Amethyst and Citrine.  Quite lovely, and a very powerful combination.  Until then, be well.  :D