The tradition of the birthstone can be traced all the way back to the time of the Tribes of Israel. There were 12 stones in the breastplate of Aaron. He was believed to be the first high priest of Israel. Each stone represented one of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
Birthstones almost certainly developed out of religion. A scholar by the name Flavius Josephus from the fifth century was the first one to associate the 12 Tribes of Israel with the 12 signs of the zodiac. This led to stones being assigned to each zodiac sign.
Modern day scholars believe that the tradition of assigning birthstone by calendar month began in Poland. The modern list of birthstones was defined by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912.
What Birthstone Represents February Births
The birthstone chosen by the National Association of Jewelers to represent February is the amethyst. The amethyst is a purple semi-precious stone.
Amethyst is a variation of quartz and can be any shade of purple. It is a fairly hard stone which makes it ideal for jewelry. It is the most common purple stone.
You most commonly find natural amethyst in Africa and South America. This stone can also have a red tint if it is in an area with large amounts of iron.
Amethyst Throughout History
The word amethyst comes from the Greek amestusthos, which translates to “not intoxicated” in modern-day English. The word is believed to have derived from a legend about the Greek gods.
This legend is that the god of wine had a stone that kept him from becoming intoxicated. Catholic priests have even been known to wear amethyst to keep from becoming intoxicated by the spirit.
Meaning of Amethyst
The amethyst stone meaning has long been associated with calmness and clearing the mind. Many eastern cultures throughout time have used amethyst during prayer and meditation to create a calm and harmonious atmosphere.
Spiritual Uses for Amethyst
Amethyst has also been associated with safety. Many religions over the years have believed it could keep away dark energy or evil forces.
The amethyst is also thought to help activate the third eye chakra. This chakra helps you to see reality differently and can help in maintaining enlightenment.
If you are trying to stay sober the amethyst stone is believed to have energies that can help with that, too. It is also thought to be helpful with keeping hormonal balance and maintaining good sleep habits.
Wearing an amethyst is the best way to get the powers of this stone. It will help to recharge you and keep you calm and level-headed.
Charging an Amethyst
For your amethyst to maintain its natural energy it will need to be charged. Amethyst stones need lunar energy so it needs to be left in the moonlight to recharge.
Full moons are the best time to charge your amethyst. If you feel like your amethyst is running low moonlight at any time will help.
Since your amethyst is a lunar stone it also prefers cold atmospheres so placing it in the fridge overnight will also help it to gain energy.
Cleansing an Amethyst
Cleansing your stones is an important part of maintaining them. Preferably you want to use spring water to cleanse your stone and let it sit in the water overnight.
You can also use vocal toning to cleanse your stone after use. This is done by holding the stone and concentrating on pure energy clearing the stone while singing a tone. Some people choose to use a gong or drum.
In closing, the amethyst stone has deep historical, religious, and spiritual meanings. If you are looking for a stone to help keep you calm from day to day this is a great stone for you. If you are new to stones and crystals the amethyst is an excellent stone to start with as it has many benefits and you will not be disappointed.