Garnet is another semi-precious gemstone and mineral that defines a color - garnet red, ranging from a nearly black dark red, to a fiery red.
The association of red garnet with energy, love, passion, and blood links it to the energies of the base chakra and the heart, so garnet is known as a stone of health. It’s energy is rapid and direct, extracting negative energy and transmuting it into positive energy; this speeds up the healing process.
Garnet is also known as a stone of commitment to the positive – to one’s own health, well-being, and purpose. With a more positive perspective, you can more easily surrender to changes that are beyond your control, freeing yourself to explore new solutions and fresh starts.
The flash of fire that can sometimes be seen in garnet gemstones is symbolic of the increased energy flow that garnet supports. Garnet can thus be used to support increased energy for intentions. For example, the book Crystal Muse gives a ritual including garnet for supporting inner child creativity. Energy healers can hold a garnet crystal in one hand while directing the healing energy towards a client to increase the energy flow.
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Photo below: andradite garnet in matrix, Santa Fe County, New Mexico.
Garnet energy is strong and fast-acting, so many practitioners suggest using garnet crystals for only short periods of time.
Some crystal energy practitioners distinguish among the energies of the various species of garnet; here’s a synopsis.
Almandine (dark red) – supports prosperity of physical security and abundance in the physical world.
Andradite (dark red - brown) – its darker color relates to the base chakra, supporting protection, grounding, a deeper sense of security, and improved feelings of strength.
Grossular (green red) – supports prosperity of health and wealth, and detoxificiation.
Pyrope (red) – supports physical energy, and the circulation of blood
Rhodolite (pink to purple red) – its lighter color supports more gentle energy changes. It supports prosperity of the heart with respect to oneself and others, feelings of self-worth, and recognizing one’s gifts
Spessartine (orange brown) – supports prosperity of creative energy and vigor, allowing one to take action towards dreams
Uvarovite (green) – supports prosperity of wealth, in that one joyfully accepts what is offered by the universe now.
Wearing and Carrying Garnet
Crystals of garnet are relatively easy to obtain, and many are small, making them easy to carry in a pocket or small pouch.
Garnet jewelry such as earrings, rings, necklaces and pendants can be worn to support intentions of increased energy, health, love, or wealth. A garnet pendant worn close to the heart can support one through challenging emotional times.
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Photo below: hessonite garnet pendant by Taos area artist Mike Fine.
Garnet energy can be overwhelming to those sensitive to it, so keep this in mind when wearing garnet jewelry.
Feng Shui and Garnet
To work with the energy of garnet in your home, office, or outdoor environment, consider in what areas you might want to attract and activate what garnet supports: prosperity of health, wealth, energy flow and other forms of abundance. The two bagua* areas where garnet might be particularly effective are:
Li (the element fire, and the fame area) - located in the center of the wall furthest away from you when standing in the door of your house, room, office).
Kun (the love area) located in the farthest right corner of room / house / office when you stand in the doorway.
*For a good basic primer on feng shui, click HERE.
Crystal Grids and Garnet
In her book Crystal Gridwork, Kiera Fogg classifies the use of various minerals in grids depending on their crystal form. Garnet is an isometric crystal, and this class of crystals work well as “enhancers” in crystal grids. Garnet can support one’s desire to “improve”, or improving circumstances, magnifying success, or self-improvement. She also includes garnet in a romance grid. For more information on crystal grids, you can also try The Book of Crystal Grids by Philip Permutt.
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