The Complete Yoga Community

Earth’s Kingdom

The prismatic world of crystals and gemstones is a window into the constellations of life – the ebb and flow of eons passed is capturedand frozen in these miniature-mountains and kingdoms of earth that express a symphony of beauty, colour and form. Bronwyn Sherman explains how crystals work to balance us and bring with them resonant tools for living in purpose…

Everything in existence has a constitution – a manner in whichelements and atoms on a micro-cosmic level are arranged. Add the movements of life into the mix, and you have vibration – vibrations which emanate like signature songs of being. Each crystal and gemstone is truly an imprint of universal creativity.

While every crystal is distinctive, mineral families share a basic blueprint. Exposure to similar patterns of earthly, atmospheric and elemental changes creates a kinship in constitution and vibration. Thus each family of minerals presents a gateway into a unique and specific dimension.

Tuning into the energy of crystals and stones helps us align to their many medicinal archetypes and properties. The guidelines of crystal properties are steeped in a depth of intuitive and experiential research, as well as the principles of the nature forces which fashion and form them. Whatever you may read in books however, it is valuable to remain open to your inner experience of the stones and what they teach you. Remain aware and avoid the mind becoming stuck on labels and fixed symbolism. Rather open your being and listen to the organics of the natural world. They will surely speak to you personally, as you are one with the family.

Crystals and life purpose
Life purpose – what a grand theme of human enquiry, of philosophy, of experience. We live a life of ever-changing moments, actions and incidents and most of us stand, at one time or another, before the question of purpose. What is the purpose of existence – collectively and individually? Why are we here?

Sometimes stepping into our own rightful existence, our own unique being and flow, simply requires that we “get out of our own way”. This can often be a matter of coming into balance. For this, crystals that align the spiritual and earthly realms are ideal to work with, as they allow subtler spheres to enter our everyday lives.

Sugilite
Existential questions find a place in most people’s lives, and if these kinds of questions often swirl up and stir you, then Sugilite is the mineral to keep close. A healthy dose of existentialism keeps the wonder and mystery of life alive, and can be inspirational. It can also become quite paralyzing when no response from life seems to quench the thirsty questions.

Sugilite is one of our local minerals found almost exclusively in South Africa and Japan, and it glows a beautiful violet-purple hue. Sugilite teaches how to live from your truth, reminding the soul of its true colours and its reasons for incarnating. It helps align us with our answers to the big life questions we carry. It brings a flow of love and wisdom into the chakras so that we can accept our own life-force as present and purposeful.

Sugilite is useful in spiritual quests, aiding understanding and simultaneously relieving spiritual tension. It is also medicinal for anyone who does not feel at home on earth or welcome to belong in general.

Apophyllite
Apophyllite is a magnificent transparent crystal used when one wishes to connect with the spirit. Sourced from India, Australia, Brazil and some areas of Europe, this  tone appears similar to the clear quartz crystal, except that its base is square rather than six-sided. Four triangular faces rise up from the base to create a pyramid true. The pyramid is an ancient symbol of spiritual fire, and with Apophyllite, the fire of spirit is accessed through the solidity and balance of the square base.

Apophyllite is a spiritual stone that enhances clear sight, intuition and recognition of the true self. It helps with attuning to a higher purpose but keeps a strong  connectivity to the physical realm. This allows one’s truth to be shared and revealed to the world. It imbues decision-making processes with universal love so that the mind tunes as an instrument for higher thought. It overcomes the matter-burdened states of fear, anxiety and suppression so that the uncertainty of the subtler realms can be tolerated and embraced. It also reduces ego-based desires so that purpose can emerge, unshackled by attachments.

Tiger’s Eye
Perhaps you already have a strong connection with the spiritual world and would benefit from grounding so that your purpose may come to fruition, here and now. In  such a case, Tiger’s Eye could be the stone to journey with. Tiger’s Eye with its luminous golden streaks of reflective light is an important mineral for work with the solar plexus. It helps align the cosmic sun forces with one’s personal power source.

The yellowy-brown of Tiger’s Eye is caused by the presence of ironbearing quartz. Iron has fortifying effects on the will, promoting actions of integrity which serve one’s inner resources. Its strengthening effect develops commitment and counters “spaced-out” tendencies. Tiger’s Eye is a key stone for manifestation and realisation of inner changes so that they can penetrate right through to the physical form.

Labradorite
Labradorite has a mysterious beauty. Its electric sheen of either green, blue, pink, orange or yellow pierces out from an otherwise darkened state. This stone mainly originates from the Northern belt of Greenland, Russia, Canada and the Scandinavian territories and it probably does much the same service for the earth as it does for those who work with it – it protects the aura.

Labradorite works to deflect unwanted energies and prevents the leakage of positive energies within. If it’s the opinions or energy hooks from other people or places which disrupt your sense of purpose; if it’s distraction and inner conflict which hinders you from feeling focused and whole; or if it’s a lack of faith and trust in the universe and yourself which renders you scattered and ineffective, Labradorite will assist you. It helps to distinguish your own sphere from the projections of others; to synthesize and streamline your own faculties; to banish counter-productive insecurities and to strengthen us for enduring transformation.

Topaz
As a general all-round support for living life in your purpose, Topaz has excellent qualities. It recharges and re-motivates creating energetic living. It restores the trust  that is needed to “be” rather than “do” and the courage to live comfortably with uncertainty. Once purposeful “being” is in place, we can fill our “doings” with a Zen-like presence, and then all mundane processes become purposeful too.

Topaz occurs in an array of shades and is found in South Africa, the Americas, Australia and the East. It serves to shed light on our path, our goals and our inner resources. It cuts through the doubts and uncertainties that trap us. It has a vibrant and abundant energy and is extremely supportive for affirmation and manifestation work. Topaz encourages you to tap into your inner riches, believe in them, and your desires to share them and spread sunshine to the world.

Towards our true purpose
Inner and outer purpose; higher purpose and every-day purpose; individual and group purpose – it can all be quite overwhelming. The moment that purpose becomes a “concept” rather than a state of being, we immediately feel separated from it. When our being feels divided from its purpose, schisms develop internally creating confusion, conflict, exhaustion, pressure, despondency and depression.

Once we have found balance within the earth-spirit relationship, we need to remember wholeness rather than fragmentation, knowing that we ourselves, are the very pulse of this purpose. We should not seek it, but rather live it, and use healthy boundaries to protect its integrity. Awareness is an effective shield which can prevent distractions or empty temptations from re-dividing us. A comprehensive purpose requires a comprehensive presence. With this idea in mind, we transform purpose from what could be an arduous personal quest into that which is already living and begin sharing our signature of light with life.