Jade

Properties: The ancient Chinese culture has revered Jade for centuries. Jade is considered the health, wealth and longevity stone. Traditionally, Jade symbolizes the Five Virtues of Humanity : wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage. Therefore, it is used for emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony, courage, wisdom, justice, mercy. Jade is known as androgynous, therefore it is considered having a gentle, steady pulse of healing energy. Jade is found in different colors and can be used on the appropriate Chakra based on its color. Properties common to all colors of Jade include its ability to mellow one’s existence. Helps one rid themselves of negative thoughts and energy. Very beneficial to the heart in both physical and spiritual senses. It is a very protective stone and will keep its wearer out of harm’s way. Jade bounds us to our earth energies and physical instincts. Jade is a humbling stone. See also Nephrite.

Folk Remedies: Jade works with the lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and blood detoxification, nervous system. While all Jade has some healing influence, each color relates more specifically to certain ailments or organs. Strengthens the body’s filtration and cleansing systems and assists in the removal of toxins.

Feng Shui: Jade is used in positive directions for longevity and a good life. Used in the Center area for harmony and balance, in the Northeast area for wisdom and in the Southwest area for love and partnership. (Be sure to use two stones together in this area, never one or three).

Crystal Cleansing: method 1 – 3 and method 5 – 7

History: There are two varieties of Jade, Jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) and Nephrite (Ca2[MgFe]5Si8O22[OH]2. Nephrite is quite similar to Jadeite in its healing abilities, but its colors are creamier and less translucent than Jadeite; Nephrite is the more commonly found variety.

Nephrite consists of a microcrystalline interlocking fibrous matrix of the calcium, magnesium-iron rich amphibole mineral series tremolite (calcium-magnesium)-ferroactinolite (calcium-magnesium-iron). The middle member of this series with an intermediate composition is called actinolite (the silky fibrous mineral form is one form of asbestos). The higher the iron content, the greener the color.

Jadeite is a sodium- and aluminium-rich pyroxene. The precious form of jadeite (jade) is a microcrystalline interlocking growth of jadeite crystals.

Jade may come in a variety of colors, green, blue, black, violet, white, yellow and a reddish and brownish variety. Each with its own slightly different use.  Jade is the most revered stone in the Eastern world. It is valued for its healing powers and has been use in every Dynasty in Chinese history. It is the stone of wealth and power. Jade is Sacred in life and honored in death.

The English word “jade” is derived (via French l’ejade and Latin ilia “flanks, kidney area”) from the Spanish term piedra de ijada (first recorded in 1565) or “loin stone”, from its reputed efficacy in curing ailments of the loins and kidneys. Nephrite is derived from lapis nephriticus, a Latin translation of the Spanish piedra de ijada.

Yellow & Orange

Yellow Jade and Orange Jade are both similar enough to be considered together. Both impart the gift of joy and happiness. They teach the interconnection of all beings. Orange jade helps us to connect and communicate in a more at ease manner. It is an essential stone for helping us to open up. Yellow jade has the added benefit to boost our confidence and power center!  These stones are often found together in a mixed matrix.

White & Cream

White and Cream Jade are used to help one direct their energy to its most advantageous outlet. Helps filter out distraction and allows you to envision the best result of a given situation. Also suggested for the eyes, clarity of thought, pureness of heart, mental focus and the ability to let go of material thoughts. These stones are sometimes mistaken for white quartz, creamy mookaite or agate. The better qualities of this stone have a higher gloss or sheen to them.

Lumerian (Black) Jade

Properties: Whenever there is a need for shift of consciousness, there are new stones unearthed somewhere, as if by magic! How fortunate we are to live in a time when we have such influence over our destiny and awareness of what the earth can offer to assist us! A Lemurian Jade is one of these (rare) stones. Discovered underneath a copper mine in Peru, this dark, seemingly dense mineral is actually a combination of minerals: two kinds of jade, chalco pyrite and pyrite, calcite and quartz. Without knowing what this stone was really about, out came the very essence of their meaning: the return of the goddess, the feminine, the intuition, all the inner gifts of our true being. As if to announce the ending of the Age of the Warrior and the beginning to the Age of the Feminine. It is within the dark, density of this stone that one can find the nurturing of the Mother, embracing the often hidden aspects of our personality.

Not only does this new stone initiate the ‘new dream’, offering all of us an opportunity the set out how we see the new reality unfolding on our planet, but the minerals included also help to heal the residual old dream patterns. Meditating with this warm and nurturing stone will help to envision the new dream, for our world and for all of us. Allow this stone in whatever shape or form, to release old memory patterns that hold you back from your own future. Invite the Goddess into your life, to soften the harshness projected onto you daily thoughts. Softness does not mean weakness! In martial arts, the highest complement one can offer another is to say they have no corners. The softness and nurturing of this stone will attest to the idea that living without corners can be empowering and strengthen your spiritual quest. (information courtesy of JaneAnn Dow, Ph.D. and her article Lemurian Jade)

Jade Elixir

A crystal elixir or gem essence combines the energy of your crystal that is infused in either water or oil. It is often placed in the sun in order for the crystal to imbue the water or oil with the crystal’s energy or Qi and then the decoction is used for healing and anointing.

Here is what you need: A glass container filled with about 12 ounces of water. If you are going to be placing your essence outside, be sure to cover it.   Read more here

Cleansing & Charging Jade

~ Cleansing a crystal is always a good idea to rid it of energies (negative or otherwise) that it may have picked up during handling and excessive use.

~ Charging a crystal is bringing its energy levels back up, after use and cleansing. Like re-charging a battery after it has lost its energy.  A great way to do this (and remind you that it is time to do so) is during a full moon.

Crystal Cleansing: method 1 – 3 and methods 5 – 7

The Power of Color

Color plays a major role in determining how your crystal can help you.  A crystal’s color is due to its combination of minerals, which give it it’s own personality.  It contributes in what attracts you to it.  The psychological aspects of color determine how a crystal’s healing properties work.