Over the course of the next week we will be experiencing some powerful astronomical events. Sunday is the new moon (and a solar eclipse that won’t be visible for most of the planet), and Monday is the autumnal equinox. This combination holds the potential for deep healing and powerful magic. The equinoxes, when day and night are in perfect balance, serve as focal points for us to manifest the same balance within. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite crystals to harness the magic of the autumn equinox.
The first on the list is tiger’s eye (pictured above on the left). This member of the quartz family is created by a process that perplexed geologists for more than a century. The quartz cracks during its growth, giving space for crocidolite fibers to seal the minute fractures. Thus, the two minerals are intertwined. Golden tiger’s eye undergoes some further transformation, wherein the crocidolite oxidizes; some of it is likely converted to the iron mineral goethite in this process.
Tiger’s eye is one of the utmost symbols of balance. The chatoyance (cat’s eye effect) created by its fibrous structure shifts from light to dark as you move it. The way it plays with the light and shifts back and forth from bright to dark shades represents one’s ability to find dynamic balance in life. This grounding, strengthening stone is perfect for the equinox, as it can help you cultivate greater harmony in all areas of your life.
Next up is amber (pictured above in the center), a fossilized tree resin. This substance that seems to straddle the realms of plant and stone has been held in high regards for millennia. Amber has been used by humans for tens of thousands of years, and it has been traded alongside precious gems and other rare resources ever since.
Amber is sunlight made solid, a tangible manifestation of the sun’s energy. As we move into the dark half of the year, those of us in more northerly latitudes will see the available light waning quickly through the fall season. This sacred resin is the product of ancient evergreen trees, who converted sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce energy for their growth. When we need a new source of sunlight, whether literal or metaphorical, amber is among the best. Its luminous beauty radiates hope, warmth, and optimism, even when we are faced with trouble, darkness, or loss.
Finally, it would be hard to talk about the changing tides of the season without acknowledging Preseli bluestone (pictured above on the right). This sacred stone is a variety of dolerite, also known as diabase, an intrusive igneous rock with a composition similar to gabbro or basalt. It sports unusual white spots called oikocrysts, which result from being metamorphosed over time.
This stone is most famously found among the inner ring of Stonehenge, as well as a number of other megalithic sites. It is deeply attuned to the cycles of the seasons and the tides of the planet. Wearing it helps us through any kind of transition, and it is particularly responsive to the energies of the solstices and equinoxes. If you are lucky enough to have a piece in your collection, consider wearing it this equinox to stay rooted in the present while remaining open to the celestial blessings available to you.
If you’re interested in learning more about any of these stones, consider joining my Patreon, where you can find masterclasses and workshops about all three: https://patreon.com/theluminouspearl
You can also check out several of my books for more info, including The Witching Stones, which has an entire chapter devoted to the geology, lore, and properties of amber (and its sibling, jet).
