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It is nearing the end of June and summer vacations are starting. This month we celebrate Father’s Day as well as the Summer Solstice. In our first article, Crystal Cosmopolitan gives us suggestions on “Crystals for Men: Establishing Firm Foundations.” See also some crystal recommendations to help celebrate “The Energy of Light - Crystals for the Summer Solstice.”
Let's all celebrate the beginning of Summer!
Crystal Blessings,
The Healing Crystals Team
Crystals for Men: Establishing Firm Foundations
By Crystal Cosmopolitan
Black Onyx, Garnet, Tiger’s Eye
In today’s world, men are often conflicted in regards to how to balance the expectations placed on them in their professional and personal lives. As the famous psychologist and world-renowned author John Gray, Ph.D. suggests in his latest book, Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice, men and women are hormonally wired to think and behave in different ways.
Men typically find satisfaction in work, which is related to the production of the hormone testosterone. However, the levels of stress in today’s work environment and the ever-increasing demands on workers in any industry today easily create an imbalance where men feel pressured to pour all their energy into work and push their personal life and emotional relationships to the margins. Over time, this imbalance typically creates a range of health problems, including those that significantly erode a man’s self-esteem.
I strongly recommend reading Mr. Gray’s book for detailed explanations and advice, but here I will turn to crystals that may help to counteract this, create a greater balance, and help in reducing stress, and thus provide you with a great foundation upon which to build a life that you desire.
Black Onyx, a variety of chalcedony, was known since the time of Ancient Greece to be a strength-giving stone, recommended for athletes to help them increase their physical endurance. It increases cell regeneration and is a highly protective and grounding stone, providing one with a sense of emotional balance and internal strength.
Black Onyx also helps men release their feelings of sadness in periods of grief. This is important, because due to social expectations, men have been taught to ignore or repress them, and that typically leads to all kinds of health problems, including heart-attacks.
On other occasions, however, it is great for maintaining self-control, determination, and focus. It repels the negative energy of others and transforms one’s excess energy by grounding it into a positive one. This provides a balanced inner emotional environment which is ideal for potentially stressful work situations. Through emanating emotional balance and inner strength, the wearer has the potential to strongly influence others and contribute to the peaceful resolution of arguments.
Used since the Bronze Age, Garnet is often described as a stone of passion and courage. It is a strong crystal that quickly restores and replenishes energy and infuses the body with physical strength by boosting circulation. It revitalizes one’s health and helps in the removal of toxins. If you feel that the energy of Garnet has prompted the detoxifying process, make sure to drink plenty of water so that toxins are expelled from the body.
Since Garnet is associated with the base (Root) or first chakra, it strengthens our will for survival and activates numerous mechanisms for stabilizing our connection with the earthly world and with our place within that world. Bringing our attention back to the present, it helps us accomplish that which is essential for our general well-being.
It is also great for stabilization of relationships as well as connections between the intellectual and emotional realms. In relationships, it reinvigorates physical passion in a quite powerful manner. At the same time, Garnet also promotes faithfulness and commitment based on a deep spiritual connection.
Garnet is a great motivator. For those who have become disillusioned with their job, it infuses new energy into old projects, provides one with new creative insights into resolution of old dilemmas, and makes one more productive and enthusiastic as a result. This is why it is also known as a stone for improving luck in business.
Tiger’s Eye carries several symbolic connotations: it is known as a stone of courage, a stone of “knowing,” a stone of manifesting prosperity, a stone of willpower, and a stone of protection.
Associated with the Solar Plexus chakra, it is extremely important for men, since most of the problems that men encounter go to their stomachs. In some parts of the world, there is an expression, “I can’t digest that”, which refers to something we dislike. It is not accidental that this particular term is used—it has been shown that many things we dislike but cannot express or cannot process for whatever reason, get lodged in our guts. This not only blocks our physical digestion and creates various health problems in terms of metabolism, but also prevents us accessing our “gut feelings” – another term for intuition which, especially for men, operates primarily from this place.
Many men have found that this stone helps them get into a state where those blocks are seen, their origin understood, and their cause(s) brought to awareness and cleared. Clearing this up opens the space for noticing the “gut feelings” again and “knowing” ahead of time what plan of action to take. The vibrations of Tiger’s Eye promote quiet determination, increase self-respect, solidify courage, and help one get through tough times peacefully and productively.
Shop and restaurant owners, especially in China, found that wearing a ring or a pendant of Tiger’s Eye or having a tumbled Tiger’s Eye in or near the cash register brings them an increase in profit. This aspect of crystal properties is sometimes hardest to explain, but nevertheless has worked so many times that many take it for granted. Manifesting prosperity and abundance sometimes has to do with practicality, integrity, and determination and this is what Tiger’s Eye emphasizes.
How can we understand willpower and how is willpower manifested? Most dictionaries define it as an ability to have self-discipline; to accomplish tasks that contribute to the well-being of ourselves and others; to stand true to our word, and to align our thoughts, words and actions (Not very popular today at a time of easy gratification). It is, however, an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy self-esteem. There are several books on the market today that deal with this topic and propose various steps to building and maintaining our inner strength. In terms of crystals, it is the Tiger’s Eye that is one of the most recommended crystals for this purpose - for all who are feeling unfocused, drained, who procrastinate, and who are easily distracted.
I would suggest working with these three crystals either separately or in combination, according to personal preference, prior experience with crystals, and the most pressing issue that you are facing. If you are a novice, working with just one crystal at first will be more beneficial, because you would be able to clearly observe the effects it has on you.
All of the above crystals are best energetically cleansed and recharged on the soil of a healthy plant or outside on the ground (for about 12 hours).
Photo: Golden Tiger Eye Mandala by Robin Hollinger
The Energy of Light - Crystals for the Summer Solstice
By Sonia Acone
The Summer Solstice, which falls between June 20th-23rd every year (June 21st this year in the northern hemisphere and December 21st in the southern hemisphere), is known in many cultures and as many names - Midsummer, Litha, St. John’s Day, Gathering Day, Drying-Up Moon, and many others. No matter what it is called, the Summer Solstice has been celebrated worldwide for centuries as a time of light, enchantment, growth, energy, and connection.
The Sun has reached its highest point and has entered into the zodiac sign of Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon, and this combination of the Sun and Moon together is wonderful to enhance the celebration of summer. It is a time when weddings take place and vows are renewed; when pregnant women are blessed (growth isn’t just for plants!); when we can better connect to nature and all of its gifts.
The longest day of the year encourages us to get outdoors and celebrate life and light. Spring has rewarded us with growth in the flowers, plants, and herbs that we’ve planted and cultivated. Now is the time to get out there and reap what we’ve sown - cut those flowers and place them in containers/vases in and outdoors; snip those herbs to hang for drying, when they can be used in cooking, potpourri and sachets. The trees are full of leaves, so no one will think it silly if you happen to walk up to your favorite tree and give it a hug and a whisper of thanks for its protection and beauty.
The Summer Solstice is also a magical time of year when faeries are prevalent and easier to communicate with. Be cautious, however, as they can be quite mischievous! Fire up the barbecue; gather around the bonfire or simply light candles to represent the light and fire of this time of year.
The Summer Solstice is associated with the colors of growth, fire, the Sun and Moon - green, white, red, orange, yellow, and combinations of each. You may use any crystals in these colors to enhance your Summer Solstice celebrations. However, if you would like more specific choices, here are some to guide you:
Crystals often used during this time of year for manifestation, growth, love and energy can include those that are connected to the Sun: Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Diamond, Golden Tiger’s Eye, Golden (Imperial) Topaz, and Sunstone. Most of these crystals are also associated with the element of Fire as well. They are wonderful crystals to use for physical as well as magical energy, success, protection, courage, and prosperity. Some others linked to the fire element are Bloodstone, Fire Opal, Garnet, Hematite, Rhodocrosite, and Obsidian.
The astrological sign of Cancer belongs to the Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl, Selenite and Emerald. Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl, and Selenite, in addition to Aquamarine, Beryl and Sapphire are also associated with the Moon. These are crystals for healing, love, gardening, prophetic dreams, fertility, peace, and home.
The crystals I’ve listed can be placed in and around your home; in the garden; around a candle; placed in a potted plant put near water; near trees; held in your hands or kept in a pocket or pouch while you celebrate this wonderful time of year when anything is possible. Here’s wishing you a blessed, enchanting Summer Solstice!
For Further Reading:
The Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals, Cassandra Eason, Collins & Brown, 2003.
Seasons of Witchery; Ellen Dugan, Llewellyn Publications, 2012.
Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic, Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publications, 2005.
Photo: Imperial Topaz Mandala by Robin Hollinger
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