Amethyst
Amethyst's name comes from the Greek "Amethystos," meaning "sobriety" or "one who protects from drunkenness." In mythology, Amethystos is the name of a nymph. Captivated by her beauty, the powerful Dionysus, god of wine, ardently coveted her, but the nymph, preferring abstinence, refused his advances. Mad with jealousy, the goddess Artemis, Dionysus' wife, then transformed Amethystos into a hard, cold crystal, thus protecting her from the god's evil intentions. Enraged, Dionysus spilled his glass of wine on the crystal, which turned purple.
Amethyst has been known since ancient times; the Egyptians were the first to use it in jewelry and ornamentation.
During the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci used Amethyst stones, and it is thanks to the precious notes he left in his notebooks that we know that he used it to increase his intelligence, his ability to concentrate and his creativity, but also to chase negative thoughts from his mind.
Amethyst was also recognized as an emblem of love, fidelity, and faith in divine belief; it was also called the "episcopal stone." Indeed, the Bishops of the Vatican wear a ring adorned with an Amethyst as a symbol of their loyalty and devotion to the Church.
THE BENEFITS OF AMETHYST:
• Stimulates imagination, creativity and intuition
• Chases away obsessive thoughts
• Promotes spiritual elevation
• Soothes anxiety and anger
• Helps fight addictions (alcohol, tobacco)
• Helps promote calm and deep sleep