Tourmaline: Correspondences, Healing & Magic

Tourmaline is a semi-precious crystal composed of boron and silica with the addition of various other minerals that create the many different colors and varieties of tourmaline available and its name, from Sinhalla (the language of Sri Lanka) toramalli meaning “mixed gems” reflects this.

Because tourmaline comes in so many different colors, it has been historically misidentified as other, more well-known minerals quite often and some different varieties of tourmaline were considered different minerals altogether.

Tourmaline is often found in granite and in deposits of metamorphic rocks.

Tourmaline in History and Folklore

Tourmaline was called the Ceylonese Magnet because it has pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties- it because electrically charged, and magnetic when rubbed or heated.

The Dutch name Aschentrekker “ash mover” referred to the fact that, if you left it near the fire for a bit, its pyromagnetism would begin to act on the ashes, either repelling or attracting them.

In the 19th century, chemists used tourmaline to polarize light by shining rays of light onto its polished surface.

Tourmaline Correspondences and Lore

• Element: Water
• Planet: Pinke: Venus, others Saturn
• God(dess)es: Black: Manat, Cybele, Aradia
• Zodiac: Birthstone for Leo or Libra

Tourmaline is the state mineral of Maine and Pink tourmaline is a birthstone for October and the traditional gift for the 8th wedding anniversary.

Tourmaline for Magick

Black tourmaline (schorl) is a talismanic stone said to protect the user from demons and negative energies while performing magickal work. It is also worn to help minimize the wearer’s own negative thoughts and doubts and encourage positive action as well as a general protectant against miasma and environmental pollutants. It is also useful for spells involving self-confidence, personal power, rational thinking and decision making, promoting a clear view of reality (through illusion and deception) and for spells related to revealing the cause of trouble, or the person at the root of it. Black tourmaline makes a wonderful scrying stone.

Brown tourmaline (dravite) is a powerful grounding stone. It helps to see things as they really are (beyond illusion and deception) to face reality, of situations as well as of feelings about them. Brown tourmaline is a useful ally for spells related to summoning up the courage to face troublesome problems head-on.

Blue tourmaline (indicolite) improves communication abilities and soothes stress, making it a wonderful amulet for those who must speak to the public. It also encourages kindness and tolerance, which are also helpful in communicating. It can also be used in spells for releasing the past to make way for the future.

Red tourmaline (rubellite) can be used to help overcome challenging situations, especially interpersonal challenges.

Pink tourmaline stimulates the heart chakra. It is calming and joyful and may be used to draw love and joy to you.

Green tourmaline can be used to help overcome bad habits, fears, and other challenges and can be used generally to promote courage and personal strength.

Watermelon tourmaline combines the energies of pink and green tourmaline. May be worn or otherwise used to attract joy and to balance male and female energies.

Tourmalated quartz is a white or clear quartz crystal with threads of black tourmaline running through it. This is a potent good luck charm that can be carried or used in spells when a bit of extra luck is needed to manifest a specific desire. It is also used to help cleanse the aura and space of negative energy.

Tourmaline for Healing

Black tourmaline (schorl) can be worn to protect very sensitive people from being affected by the negative energies of others. It can also be used to prevent and soothe panic attacks, especially those triggered by situational phobias. Hold black tourmaline in your hand for a few minutes to ground and focus yourself in preparation for a dreaded task or after a stressful interaction.

Brown tourmaline (dravite) is soothing and may be used to help bring about calm during ongoing stressful situations.

Blue tourmaline (indicolite) is calming and helps to release issues that cause emotional stress. It may be useful for stress headaches and migraines.

Red tourmaline (rubellite) may be used to help heal emotional wounds and fear of relationships/commitment.

Pink tourmaline may be used to heal emotional wounds and for general relief of stress. Use to heal a broken heart.

Green tourmaline may be used to support efforts to increase physical strength and stamina.

Watermelon tourmaline Combines the energies of pink and green tourmaline.

Tourmalated quartz may be used in cases of depression and dealing with suppressed memories and other issues that have been buried in the psyche.

Care and Cleansing

There are several ways to cleanse and recharge your tourmaline stone. You can place it in sunlight for a few hours, or smudge it with the smoke from incense or sage. Putting your tourmaline on or near a selenite crystal is also an effective means of cleansing and re-energizing the stone.

Simple Ways to Use Tourmaline in Your Daily Practice

There are plenty of simple things you can do to get tourmaline’s energy into your life on the daily. Why not give the ideas below a go, and use them as a springboard to come up with your own rituals?

In the Garden

Tourmaline is really beneficial for plants and can be buried in the soil outside or in a houseplant pot. It’ll act as a natural insecticide and encourage plants to grow strong and healthy. Alternatively, place tourmaline crystals around an indoor plant, to radiate good growing energy – and look beautiful, too.

Releasing Negativity

For this peaceful ritual to draw off negative energy, you’ll need a handful of black tourmaline points – and a comfortable place to lie down. Surround yourself with the tourmaline crystals, with the points facing outwards from the body. This positioning is important: it will help the tourmaline to draw negative energy from your aura for release. Relax for ten to twenty minutes, and repeat as needed, especially if you feel that someone else’s negative energy has impinged on your own.

Powerful Protection

Black tourmaline is one of the best stones around for protection. Placing a black tourmaline crystal above or near the entrance to your home or space will help ward off negative energy and ill-will, and create a secure, grounded environment in the home. The stone is also highly effective at dissipating anxiety, obsession, and fear.

Sleep Sweetly

Placing black tourmaline on your bedside table or beneath your mattress can help you relax ready for sleep, bringing a feeling of security and protection. Alternatively, just before drifting off, try holding a crystal lightly in your hand and visualize its powerful protective energy surrounding you, keeping you safe as you sleep.

Charging the Root Chakra

Black tourmaline is associated with the root chakra, which is located at the base of the spine. This chakra is widely believed to be the one that’s most connected to the physical body and world, and activating it can boost feelings of security.

Try relaxing by lying on your back and placing a small piece of black tourmaline on your root chakra. Concentrate on your breathing, and feel the tension leave your muscles. Once your mind is calm, visualize the stone’s light infusing this chakra, cleansing it, imbuing it with its energy, and clearing any blockages present.

A Fall Equinox Ritual with Black Tourmaline

Mabon is the Celtic name for the Fall equinox which celebrates the harvest, gives thanks, and wishes goodbye to the summer. Now comes the time for introspection and thinking ahead to our goals for the next year. For this ritual, you’ll need a white candle, a gem to represent the light (such as selenite or clear quartz), a black candle, a gem to represent the shadow (black tourmaline is ideal), white sage for smudging, and a perfume or essential oil blend.

1. Start by smudging all of the items to be used in the ritual.
   
2. On the left side of your altar or workspace, place the black candle, tourmaline, and perfume (or essential oil), and on the right place your white candle, ‘light’ crystal, and smudging herbs.
   
3. Take a deep breath, and feel yourself grounded to the Earth.
   
4. Being guided by your intuition, start to move the items from one side to the other, blurring the boundaries between light and shadow. Keep doing this until the balance feels ‘right.’
   
5. Once you’re satisfied, light the candles. Now is the time to give thanks for your own personal ‘harvest’ and look within, ready for the season to come.

The idea behind this ritual is to promote trust in our intuition and honor the changing of the seasons. It’s about welcoming our ‘shadow’ side without fear and being confident in our ability to find harmony within.

Tourmaline and the Zodiac

As the birthstone of November, tourmaline is connected with Libra and Sagittarius.

Librans have a love of harmony and balance and may give away too much of themselves to people who don’t have their best interests at heart. Tourmaline can help Libra resist this impulse. The Scales are also likely to find the deeply grounding properties of tourmaline particularly soothing.

Tourmaline is a great ally for energetic Sagittarius – who may find it very easy to start projects, and less so to finish them. This crystal can help The Archer remain focused and disciplined to achieve their goals

Capricorn is also likely to benefit from tourmaline, which can help The Goat overcome anxiety or pessimism, and resist the tendency to overthink that is typical to this zodiac sign.

Crystal Combos

Pair clear quartz (also known as the Master Healer) with black tourmaline to create a dynamic, energetic duo that’ll work together to dispel negativity and provide healing and crystal-clear clarity. 

Another powerfully protective stone, fire agate can be used or worn with black tourmaline to deflect negative energy, sending it back to its source. This pair can also be worked with when exploring your spiritual side, to provide both strong grounding energy and deep protection.

Tourmaline: Your Personal Energetic Bodyguard

Tourmaline – especially of the black variety – has long been prized for its powerful protective properties. Carrying this stone, or placing it around your home, is a great way to both draw off and deflect negative energy and ill will.

It’s a great grounding force, too, and can help boost confidence levels and alleviate feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, and anger.

If you’re looking for a crystal that really packs a punch, tourmaline is a good choice. This stone will work hard for you every day and always have your back, in the good times and the more challenging ones.

Geophysical Properties of Tourmaline

Property	Description
Composition	Tourmaline is a complex borosilicate mineral with a general chemical formula of (Na,Ca)(Li,Mg,Fe,Al)_3Al_6(BO_3)_3Si_6O_18(OH)_4.
Color	Tourmaline comes in a wide range of colors, including black, brown, green, blue, pink, and multicolored varieties.
Transparency	Tourmaline can range from transparent to opaque, with some varieties being more translucent than others.
Mohs Hardness	7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively hard and suitable for use in jewelry.
Cleavage	Tourmaline does not have significant cleavage; it typically breaks with a conchoidal to uneven fracture.
Fracture	Tourmaline exhibits conchoidal or uneven fracture, meaning it breaks with smooth, curved surfaces.
Luster	Tourmaline often displays a vitreous (glass-like) to subadamantine (near-gem-like) luster.
Streak	The streak of tourmaline is usually white or colorless.
Specific Gravity	The specific gravity of tourmaline varies depending on the type and impurities but generally ranges from 3.02 to 3.26.
Transparency	Tourmaline can range from transparent to opaque, with some varieties, like watermelon tourmaline, being more transparent.
Refractive Index	The refractive index of tourmaline varies by species but generally ranges from approximately 1.614 to 1.666.
Double Refraction	Tourmaline typically exhibits strong to very strong double refraction (birefringence), which can be seen when viewing through a polarizing filter.
Fluorescence	Some types of tourmaline can exhibit weak to moderate fluorescence under UV light.
Magnetism	Some tourmaline crystals can display weak to moderate magnetism when heated or subjected to pressure. This property is known as piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity.