February - Amethyst

Amethyst Quartz
Greek: améthystos and German: querkluftertz
February's Birthstone

Image created by M. Driessen, photo taken from: Cipriani and Borelli (1986).

Geologic Properties
Chemistry: SiO₂ Hardness (Mohs scale): 7
Specific Gravity: 2.65 Crystal System: Hexagonal/Trigonal
Streak: Colorless or white Color: Purple
Luster: Vitreous Cleavage: Indistinct rhombohedral parting, but usually none.
Habit: Commonly prismatic cystals with crosswise striations, and usually terminated in double rhombohedrons; also found as granular, drusy or massive. Environment of Origin: Amethyst quartz, like all other forms of quartz, are found in most all rock types and environments: (as a) mineral, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

**Geologic Properties**
Chemistry: SiO₂	Hardness (Mohs scale): 7
Specific Gravity: 2.65	Crystal System: Hexagonal/Trigonal
Streak: Colorless or white	Color: Purple
Luster: Vitreous	Cleavage: Indistinct rhombohedral parting, but usually none.
Habit: Commonly prismatic cystals with crosswise striations, and usually terminated in double rhombohedrons; also found as granular, drusy or massive.	Environment of Origin: Amethyst quartz, like all other forms of quartz, are found in most all rock types and environments: (as a) mineral, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

Lore and Magik

Amethyst is associated with many mythical beliefs and mystical uses. Keeping an amethyst under your pillow is believed to help the user sleep, sometimes with profound dreams, and keep one from oversleeping. As a psychic stone, it enhances awareness and can be used to channel inner energies. Amethyst is known for being a stone of peace, as it calms emotions and purges the body of hurt and negative emotion. Amethyst is strongly associated with love and may be exchanged to strengthen commitments. It is prescribed for men to carry if they want to attract women.
Amethyst is an ideal stone for travelers, protecting against thieves, harm, sickness and danger. Medicinal uses for this gemstone include: relieving headaches, clearing skin complexion, and maintaining sobriety. Sobriety was maintain as long as amethyst was bound to the navel or when wine was drunk from an amethyst goblet. This gem also expelled poison, quickened the wits, protected soldiers, and cured gout.
According to the legend, Bacchus, in his anger, threatened a young girl who worshipped the goddess, Diana, with a tiger attack. Diana intervened, turning the girl, whose name was Amethyst, into clear stone. A remorseful Bacchus poured wine over the stone girl giving her purple glow.
Wearing amethyst was believed to increase business success, guard against witchcraft, and restrain sexual passion. It has been the traditional gem worn by the Catholic Church hierarchy. Paradoxically, it is known as Bacchus' stone and as the Bishop's stone. In the latter context, it was said to strengthen faith and aid prayer. It should be set in gold or silver for strongest effect.

**Magikal Statistics**
Energy: Receptive	Planets: Jupiter, Neptune
Element: Water	Deities: Bacchus, Dionysus, Diana
Powers: Dreams, Overcoming Alcoholism, Healing, Psychism, Peace, Love, Protection from Thieves, Courage, Happiness

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