The Magick of Amazonite

The Magick of Amazonite

It has been called “the stone of hope,” “the stone of courage,” and “the stone of truth.” With its blue-green hues and subtle glimmer, amazonite is certainly a soothing gem to behold and work with. Rich in healing abilities—for physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments—the stone will make a great addition to your practice.

As we enter one of the most hopeful sabbats of the year, Ostara, it’s a great time to get to know this hope-inducing gemstone a bit better!

Amazonite in history and lore

The origins of amazonite are a bit uncertain. The beautiful gemstone takes its name from the Amazon River, where it was thought to be found on its banks, and because of that, it also seems to have a connection to the Amazons, but not those of ancient Greece. Confusing?

Here’s what happened: when the Spaniards first reached the world’s biggest river in the 16th century, a soldier named Francisco de Orellana claimed to have witnessed tribes of female warriors fighting across its banks. Having no other context for female warriors, de Orellana called them Amazons, like the female warriors of Greek mythology. Soon, the river itself was named the Amazon since the warriors were spotted in its banks.

This brings us back to the gemstone. There are reports that those female warriors Francisco de Orellana spotted were wearing these stones to adorn their shields because they believed it could protect them from harm and give them courage. These green stones were so abundant in the area that local tribes also offered them as gifts to visitors. The problem, however, is that we can’t now be sure these stones were indeed amazonite and not jade. These reports were all made by Europeans, who were familiar with amazonite (but not so much with jade), a gemstone that was mostly available in large quantities in Russia—although it didn’t have a distinct name until then. Its softness and ability to be carved easily made it popular among the Spanish conquistadores, who adorned themselves in jewelry made from amazonite and then brought it back to Europe.

Later excavations, however, proved that amazonite was actually present in South America, if not exactly on the river banks of the Amazon. The gemstone was also found in ancient Mesopotamia, Sudan, and Egypt, where it was used in jewelry and cut into beads. The ancient Egyptians, in particular, seemed to be aware of amazonite’s healing and hopeful properties and used the gem to adorn pharaoh’s tombs and carve some of the tablets that formed the Book of the Dead, the Egyptian funerary text that accompanied the mummified pharaohs. In fact, a scarab ring made from amazonite was found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb, further strengthening the connection between the gemstone and the promise of renewal and rebirth.

The healing and magickal properties of amazonite

With a correspondence to planet Uranus, who rules change and revolution, amazonite offers a variety of soothing and healing properties for the body, mind, and soul. On the physical side, amazonite can help balance hormones and thyroid issues, prevent calcium deficiencies, help cells regenerate after an illness, and combat fatigue. It can also help with skin conditions such as rashes and inflammation. On the mental side, amazonite helps bring better focus and clarity.

On the emotional side, thanks to its balancing nature, amazonite can help soothe anxiety and combat negative and self-destructive thoughts. It can increase your self-esteem and remind you to believe in yourself more. Amazonite resonates greatly with both the heart and throat chakra, making it a great gemstone to use in meditation. It even protects against the negative energies and opinions of others, dispersing toxic behaviors and leaving you unaffected.

As it helps imbue hope and channel negative emotions into creativity, amazonite is also associated with success. It can be used by artists or anyone who craves self-validation when working on an important project. It’s even said to bring luck and good fortune to people who play cards or place bets.

How to use amazonite

There are numerous ways to use amazonite. And while it’s perfectly safe and even beneficial to have amazonite touching your skin on a daily basis, you should be careful not to use the gemstone in any ritual that involves consuming it or consuming water that has come into frequent contact with it. So, for instance, you shouldn’t place amazonite in your chalice, pour water over it and drink that water or use it to charge any water you will later drink. That being said, here are some ideas on how to safely benefit from amazonite’s energies:

Wear it as jewelry

A single bead of amazonite placed near your pulse (like a ring, bracelet, or necklace) can help boost your energy and give you determination.

Place it under your pillow It will help bring clarity to your dreams, a great idea for when you’re practicing dream divination.

Adorn your home with it Amazonite will balance the feng shui of your home, especially if you share your home with others. If you’re having troubles with your partner, make sure to place amazonite in the bedroom, over your bed, or on both your nightstands.

Protect your electronic devices

Placing a piece of amazonite near your phone or laptop can protect them from electromagnetic pollution.

Carry it with you

Carrying amazonite in your bag or wallet is thought to bring luck and prosperity.

Give it as a gift

Amazonite would make a great gift for a married couple, but you can also gift it to business associates, as it promotes mutual understanding and clears tensions.

Amazonite and Ostara

The first spring sabbat of the year is a time of hope and renewal, a time to be courageous and start pursuing your dreams. With its reputation as the stone of hope, amazonite is a great gemstone to carry around this time of year. Make sure to include it in your Ostara rituals!

Blessed be!