The holidays can be a hectic time of year. Family can test your patience, gift-giving will test your resourcefulness (and finances), and all the delicious foods and drinks can make you feel lethargic and bloated. Though your regular routine may be thrown off course, you can always carry stones and crystals that will keep you collected, energized, and sane.
Gift Giving
Arguably the most stressful aspect of the holiday season. You have to check everyone off your list; make sure you have extra gifts for those you will inevitably forget; make sure you get your girlfriends gifts of equal value so no one feels bad; stay within your budget; and the hardest question — what on earth will you get your mother-in-law? The list of considerations goes on. Keep the stress at bay and think of cost-saving hacks with the help of these stones.
Howlite
Howlite is a stone of inspiration and creativity. It also aids in calming the mind so that ideas can enter and you have the mental clarity to act on them. This stone is perfect when you’re trying to think of gifts for friends and family or when you’re trying to make more home-made presents.
Clear Quartz
Clear Quartz represents the crown chakra, and is known as the master healer of stones. It absorbs negative energy and stimulates healing and clarity. Carry this stone while making your way through crowded malls to keep you positive and sharp.
Office Holiday Party
Some people love it, some people go out of obligation. Whether you fall into the first bucket or the second one, these stones will facilitate good conversation, sharpness, and social know-how.
Amethyst
Holiday parties frequently involve wine and cocktails, and it’s easy to have one too many. Representing the Third Eye chakra and the planet Jupiter, Amethyst is known for being a powerful stone for supporting brain function, fostering focus and alertness. It is a calming stone that raises your intuition in social situations, and will help you stay sharp and navigate those alcohol-driven conversations.
Garnet
Perfect for those who consider themselves wall-flowers, Garnet is said to cleanse and re-energize the chakras. It also represents love, stimulates courage, and removes inhibitions, allowing your heart to open and you to feel more confident.
Family Time
If you think you’re a good person, try spending 48 hours with your family and then re-assess. Family members somehow feel entitled to poke and prod into your personal life, be blunt to the point of rudeness, and overall test your patience. Keep your marbles in check by wearing the following stones.
Blue Lace Agate
Representing the Throat chakra and the planet Saturn, Blue Lace Agate is a powerful stone for communication and calming, allowing us to feel safe in communicating our thoughts and feelings to family (and others!).
Opal
Opal is a beautiful stone which represents the heart chakra. It encourages both freedom and independence. It stimulates originality and creativity, helps to release anger (ahem) and claim self worth, aiding in accessing and expressing one’s true self. Use this when you feel family pressure mounting.
Blue Tiger’s Eye
Blue tiger’s eye specifically represents the throat chakra, aiding you in speaking your truth and promoting a sense of calm. Tiger’s eye is a stone of protection, and will help you focus, resolve problems objectively and unclouded by emotions, and recognize your own needs in relation to the needs of others. With these effects, you will feel an increase in your personal power.
Reflection
While you’re thinking about the challenges and successes of the past year, and ruminating on what you want to accomplish in the next year, here are some stones that will facilitate your reflection.
Labradorite
Representing the throat, third eye, and crown chakra, Labradorite is a stone of transformation. It relieves anxiety and stress, and helps you cope with the change to come.
Moonstone
Moonstone, which is said to be the stone for new beginnings, promotes personal growth and inner strength. It is pure and enhances intuition, leading to success in love and business.
Howlite (again)
In addition to the aforementioned benefits, Howlite helps you to formulate your ambitions and to achieve them. By clearing and soothing the mind, it allows ideas to flow so that you can act on what is best for you.
