Peridot is the August birthstone, so I'd love to share some of the meaning and healing properties of this beautiful gemstone!
Before we jump into Peridot in detail, I wanted to share a bit of background on birthstones in general.
While the original idea of birthstones is said to be related to the twelve tribes of Israel, and then to the astrological calendar, the modern birthstones were decided by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912.
Each stone is said to have different properties, characteristics, and powers for the wearer. Many of my customers choose a gemstone based on its mystical powers to help set or represent an intention in life. While the origin or powers behind gemstones may not resonate with everyone, the different gemstones are a great way to commemorate and celebrate special occasions in our lives.
I will also be talking about how each gemstone relates to your chakra, so just a quick definition of what a chakra is. There are seven main chakras, which align along the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the top of your head. Each of the seven main chakras contains bundles of nerves and major organs-- we call them energy centers. These each relate to our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. You can read more about Chakras and how they affect our every day lives here.
The seven chakras are:
First Chakra: The Muladhara is the chakra of stability, security, and our basic needs.
Second Chakra: The Svadhisthana chakra is our creativity and sexual center.
Third Chakra: The Manipura chakra is our source of personal power.
Fourth Chakra: The Connection Between Matter and Spirit. Located at the heart center, the fourth chakra, anahata is at the middle of the seven and unites the lower chakras of matter and the upper chakras of spirit. The fourth is also spiritual but serves as a bridge between our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The heart chakra is our source of love and connection.
Fifth Chakra: The Vishuddha chakra is the fifth chakra, located in the area of the throat.
Sixth Chakra: The Ajna chakra is located in between the eyebrows. It is also referred to as the “third eye” chakra.
Seventh Chakra: The Sahaswara chakra or the “thousand petal lotus” chakra is located at the crown of the head.
Now that you have all the background, we can get into the nitty gritty of the Peridot.
Peridot is born of fire and brought to light, one of only two gems (Diamond is the other) formed not in the Earth’s crust, but in molten rock of the upper mantle and brought to the surface by the tremendous forces of earthquakes and volcanoes.
When the heart chakra (the fourth chakra) is in balance we can understand our own needs and emotions clearly. We are able to sustain balanced relationships as a result: healthy, happy, and mutually nurturing.
However, when the heart chakra is out of balance you may find you feel tense in your upper torso. You will find yourself sitting with folded arms a lot. You will not welcome or enjoy handshakes or hugs from others. When your heart chakra is out of balance you may have issues with lack of boundaries, being a martyr, jealousy, lack of empathy, fear of intimacy. You may become overly critical, antisocial and lonely. You may well find yourself having inappropriately strong emotional responses to everyday external stimuli.
If you're feeling any of those things, Peridot can help. It is an extraordinary crystal for healing the emotional body and resolving matters of the heart. It cleanses and heals hurt feelings and “bruised egos,” lessening anger, jealousy, resentment, and spite, while teaching one to understand that holding onto people, or the past, is counterproductive to one’s growth. It teaches one to examine the past for the gift of the experiences, admit mistakes and let go of guilt and blame, forgiving oneself, or others, in order to move forward.
By working with Peridot one can remove those blockages and move forward quickly, opening the heart and mind more fully to receive from the Universe with grace and gratitude.
Peridot stimulates clarity of the mind and inspires a sense of happiness and contentedness in one’s life. It empowers you to have confidence in your own abilities regardless of what other people think. It encourages you to look inward for guidance and access the wisdom of your higher mind.
It is a wounded healer stone, serving as a vital guide in facilitating healing processes that help others going through what you have already overcome. It is considered very effective in amplifying Reiki energies. Hold immediately after treatments using heat or warmth, such as hot rocks or a sauna to continue the beneficial effects.
Now you know how peridot, the beautiful and powerful gem, is more than just something pretty to look at.
Stay tuned: next month's gemstone spotlight is Sapphire, the birthstone for September.
