If there could only be one healing stone related to fire, it would be pyrite. That said, its nomenclature comes from the Greek word pyros, which means fire. It was given this name because of the sparks that fly from it when hit by another pyrite stone and because of millennia back, it was used to start fires.
In this article, we will analyse this mineral from a gemological perspective, assess the healing properties with which it is associated and discuss other curious facts about this healing stone ¡No te puedes perder esto!
Pyrite: its significance in gemmology
Pyrite is a mineral composed of sulphur and iron, it has a golden tone and is molecularly similar to lepidocrocite and hematite.
It is widely used to produce sulphur, sulfuric acid and to make radio equipment. It is found abundantly in some deposits in Spain, France, Italy, Peru and Slovakia. It has even been found in some meteorites!
Depending on its colours and whether there are other elements present (arsenic, cobalt, nickel, thallium, etc.), the stone you have in mind may not be pyrite, but one of its many variations, such as iron pyrite, copper pyrite, magnetic pyrite, yellow pyrite, fossilized pyrite, amongst others.
We previously mentioned that pyrite has been used for millennia to start fires, and in Ancient Egypt, it was frequently used to make mirrors. Tales of pyrite mirrors are common and in them, they possess magical powers such as reflecting your soul and getting rid of negative energy in a person.
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Pyrite's healing properties and its uses in gem therapy
According to gem therapy, the ancient and alternative medicine which studies the relationships between these gems and humans, pyrite is a fantastic stone for stimulating our intellectual faculties, for calming us down and for helping us flourish in our day to day life.
In humans, it is ideal for our digestive system, which includes organs such as our pancreas, our intestines and our stomach, and is a strong ally against pancreatitis, diarrhoea and constipation, amongst other ailments.
It also benefits our respiratory system by relaxing our lungs and bronchi and is said to alleviate the symptoms of asthma and sore throats.
On a psychological level, this mineral also has a wide array of interesting benefits. The most widely-known beneficial property being that it fights exhaustion and chronic fatigue. It'll also help you face and defeat your demons and breathe some life into your ongoing projects. In the field of gem therapy, it is also known for its ability to augment your cognitive powers and your memory, which is why many therapists recommend keeping a pyrite rock on your desk while you're studying or working.
Furthermore, it's also an ally against stress, which relates to the benefits of the respiratory system: by improving our breathing, it also improves our cardiac rhythm and helps us relax.
By the way, are you trying to quit smoking? If so, take a pyrite stone with you as a talisman! It'll give your willpower the boost it needs for you to stay strong and unwavering in your battle for freedom from your expensive addiction.
Lastly, on a spiritual level, it assists us in meditation and is a good ally in any self-analysis activity as it helps us get to know and understand ourselves better.
That said, this article about pyrite is merely informative and all forms of gem therapy are complementary treatments and should never replace medical treatments.
How to clean pyrite
These healing stones should be cleansed and recharged with varying frequency, as they act like sponges which absorb all the energies in their environment, good and bad. Also, the smaller they are, the sooner their energy collapses.
In order to clean pyrite, all we need to do is run it under a tap, although we can put it in a recipient with distilled saltwater.
We can also expose our pyrite to the sun's rays in order to regenerate it or put it in a quartz or amethyst geode to recharge it.
Pyrite and our chakras
We can put healing stones on various points on our body, more specifically on the energy points known as chakras.
In pyrite's case, we can place this stone on the third eye chakra for it to bestow us with magnified intellectual properties. This chakra is found just between our forehead and the space between our eyebrows and is the chakra responsible for our sense of intuition.
But that's not all! Pyrite is also beneficial for our base chakra, found at the base of our spine. When placed on this chakra, it confers us with a sense of responsibility and helps us structure our lives better.
What zodiac signs does pyrite compliment well
The 12 occidental zodiac signs have specific stones which grant each sign different powers. In pyrite's case, it's associated with Aries, Libra and Leo, but that doesn't mean that the other nine can't benefit from it, it's just that these three signs benefit the most.
- You may be interested in: 12 Types of Stones According to Your Zodiac Sign
Curious facts about pyrite
Pyrite is found in one of them main football trophies: the famous Ballon d'Or, which is a trophy given to the world's best men's football player. This golden ball is situated above a rocky base of pyrite from Spain.
Speaking of gold, we must highlight the fact that this mineral is also known as fool's gold, as many miners would mix it with gold because of its characteristic metallic finish. In fact, many miners dug tunnels thinking they had seen veins of gold in the rock, only to realise when they finished that it was only pyrite.
In modern-day jewellery, pyrite isn't used specifically for anything, although in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, it was used in designs of pendants, bracelets, necklaces and other elegant accessories.