Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is an ancient metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks are modified by heat, pressure, and chemical process altering the mineralogy, texture, and chemical composition of the rock below the Earth's surface. There are two types of metamorphic rocks: foliated and non-foliated. Foliated rocks consist of thin sheet layers caused by differential pressures on the rock as it is forming.

Lapis Lazuli is formed by the contact of heat typically by three types of limestone minerals: Lazurite, Calcite, & Pyrite. The colour in lapis lazuli comes from lazurite. To be called "lapis lazuli", it must contain a minimum of 25% blue lazurite to give the rock it's unique colour. The calcite found in lapis lazuli gives the rock a white presence. Pyrite gives the rock a gold speckle, or veiny look. Essentially, lapis lazuli is a rock composed of multiple minerals.

Originally discovered around 7000 BC in the Sar-e-Sang Valley, Afghanistan. It was used for jewelry, cosmetics, sculpting material, pigment, & trading.

Healing Properties & Health Benefits

Lapis Lazuli is known for its natural healing properties. Associated with water because of the blue colour, lapis lazuli is said to help purify energies in the body when worn and ward off negative vibrations. When worn at bedtime, it is said to bring vivid dreams of other past lives and links to soul mates. Lapis lazuli represents the throat chakra & third eye chakra.

The throat chakra, blue, relates to the throat area and helps you communicate truth, self-expression, and inner power. Lapis Lazuli is said to help alleviate migraines by balancing your chakra. It is believed to also help health issues with the throat and ear infections. Wearing a pendant or earrings close to these areas may help with those health issues or to simply maintain overall good health.

The third eye chakra, indigo, is located between and just above the eyebrows and represents the spiritual and intuitive side of your consciousness. Lapis Lazuli is said to help strengthen intuition and to help you see your divine purpose. If you are seeking to help visualize your intuition, wearing this stone, especially in the area close to this chakra, may increase your senses.

Crystal Enhancement

Crystals have been used since the ancient times to develop a higher level of skill, luck, belief, love, fertility, healing, psychic abilities, and many other qualities. It is a stone representing protection and inner wisdom!

If you are looking to strengthen and clear your third eye, or sixth sense, using lapis lazuli can help with this by meditating with the jewel.

Exercise

Light a candle and leave it burn down through the entire process - be sure to never leave a lit candle unattended. Dim the lights and put on some soothing music. Lay down on a comfy object such as your bed or yoga mat. Place a piece of lapis lazuli on the area of your third eye, and close your eyes. Breathe naturally while focusing on the crystal. Open your mind and just listen to the vibrations and sensations of the universe. It can be small signs or big, whatever it is just keep your mind open to thoughts and images. What do you see? What do you feel? Unfocus your mind on anything that is pressing from your day to day life and just "be". The purpose of this exercise is to take on a deep meditative state. It will feel different for everyone, but you should be feeling a sense of relaxation and open mindedness. When your ready to end the exercise, begin to focus on the sounds around you. Wiggles your fingers and toes. Blink your eyes open. Slowly sit up and take a few minutes to write down or mentally interpret anything you felt, seen, heard, or experienced. If you don't think you experienced anything, don't worry! Meditation takes practice. We live in a busy go-go-go world and it may take a few tries to let go and to simply just "be". Besides, you just just meditated! You experienced a sense of relaxation, which is very important for your health and gorgeous life!

Whether you believe in crystal powers or spiritual experiences, meditation is a great way to simply slow down in our busy lives. Also, it doesn't hurt to try, does it? ;)

The take away from this exercise is to hopefully help you find your perfect and special inner peace. And of course, to educate you on this beautiful, rich blue stone and some of its background and health benefits to help you live your beautiful life!

Photographs by:

@samybeephotography