Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of aluminum with copper and traces of iron. It is an opaque stone that is bluish-green in color. The color varies quite a bit though robin’s egg blue is the most highly prized.
Turquoise is found throughout the US, Mexico, Chile, Afghanistan, Iran, China, and Australia. It’s been used to make amulets, jewelry, and statues – and even in architecture – since before 5000 BCE.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Turquoise is a gemstone with rich symbolism, often associated with protection, wisdom, and positive energy.
In terms of correspondence, it is linked to the throat chakra, aiding in communication and self-expression.
Healing-wise, it’s believed to promote emotional balance, relieve stress, and enhance overall well-being.
In magic, turquoise can be used for spells related to protection, purification, and attracting positive energy.
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History and Folklore
Many Native American tribes valued turquoise for ceremonial objects and amulets. The Apache believed that an amulet of turquoise would improve its wearer’s aim with a bow and arrow (or perhaps the turquoise was attached to either the bow or arrow, this is unclear).
Ancient Persians used turquoise extensively to decorate many objects from the mundane to the holy and wore the stones around their wrists or necks to warn them of approaching danger by changing color. (Turquoise does indeed change color in response to light and chemical reactions.)
Turquoise Correspondence
Turquoise is a birthstone for the month of December and a planetary stone for Aquarius, Taurus, and Sagittarius.
- Angel: Zadkiel;
- Gods/Goddesses: Buddha, the Great Spirit, Sopedu, Hathor, Estsanatleki;
- chakra: throat;
- Element: earth, water, air;
- Planet: Neptune, Venus;
- Tarot: Empress.
Traditions
In the 13th century, turquoise was thought to protect the wearer from falling, especially from a horse. Used also to protect horses themselves when plated in their manes or attached to the saddle.
Attaching turquoise to a bow makes the arrows fly true to the mark.
Pieces of turquoise were set under homes to protect against evil spirits.
Healing and Magickal Uses
| Magickal Purpose | Description |
|---|---|
| Protection | Turquoise is believed to protect against negative energies, accidents, and psychic attacks. |
| Communication | Enhances communication skills, aids in public speaking, and fosters honest and compassionate expression. |
| Healing | Used in healing rituals and spells to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. |
| Meditation | Facilitates deep meditation, inner reflection, and connection with higher realms. |
| Luck | Attracts good luck, fortune, and opportunities for growth and success. |
| Healing Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Physical Healing | Supports the immune system, aids in detoxification, alleviates pain and inflammation, and promotes overall well-being. |
| Emotional Healing | Helps with emotional balance, communication, stress relief, and calming the mind. |
| Spiritual Healing | Enhances intuition, promotes spiritual attunement, and facilitates spiritual growth and awareness. |
| Chakra Alignment | Harmonizes and balances the Throat Chakra, facilitating effective communication and self-expression. |
Body
Helps relieve pain from migraines, rheumatism, and sore throats. Aids vision, especially when troubled by cataracts. Boosts the immune system and helps tissue regeneration. Aids the respiratory system. Strengthens the meridians of the body and the subtle energy fields.
Mind
Brings balance to the emotions. Aids creative thought. Calms nerves. Enhances self-expression.
Magick
Aids astral travel. Wards off psychic attack. It helps repel intruders. Gives access to collective wisdom. Used in workings for wealth, healing, luck, protection, and love.
Removes pollutants and equalizes a room’s energy. It helps protect children from bullying. Place on the collar or cage of a pet to prevent him from being lost or stolen. Increases psychic vibrations.
Care and Cleansing
Turquoise can fade in sunlight and can react to skin oils, perfumes, hair spray, cosmetics and other chemicals causing it to change color. It should be cleaned gently with a soft cloth and stored in a cloth bag separate from other jewelry which can scratch it.
Simple Ways to Use Turquoise in Your Daily Practice
With its vibrant, energetic, and protective vibe, turquoise is a must-have crystal to have in your collection. Try the ideas below to enjoy turquoise’s unique, abundant magick in your daily life.
Life-Affirming Energy
Turquoise is renowned for its ability to boost energy levels and give us a positive boost when we need it.
Carrying or wearing a turquoise crystal near your heart chakra is likely to be particularly effective, to make the most of its life-affirming and healing energy.
Wearing turquoise on a pendant, or carrying it in a breast pocket, is an easy and effective way to feel its benefits.
Gentle Meditation
This stone’s gentle energy brings harmony to body and mind and is especially good at helping us resist the temptation to self-sabotage.
Taking just a few moments to meditate while loosely holding a piece of turquoise is an excellent way to settle the mind and galvanize the resolve.
If you have several turquoise crystals, surrounding yourself with them while meditating is a lovely practice that’ll boost feelings of well-being and calmness.
Set a Protective Intention
Since ancient times, turquoise has been used for its protective powers – it is regularly deployed as an amulet in Wiccan practice, to guard against the evil eye, as well as negative people and influences in general.
Harness the stone’s protective ability by holding your crystal and setting a strong intention for it to ward off negativity and ill will.
Once this is done, pop your turquoise in your bag to carry with you, or place it above or near the main entrance to your space, to act as an energetic field.
A Positive Flow of Energy
With its beautiful color and calming yet vibrant energy, turquoise is typically associated with the element of Water.
To this end, try placing a turquoise crystal in the north area of your home which, in feng shui, is linked to this element. Putting turquoise here will help ensure a smooth flow of energy in regard to your life path, helping to guide your steps to realize your dreams and goals.
Putting a crystal or two of turquoise on your bedside table or beneath your pillow will also help you sleep peacefully at night so that you wake up refreshed and energized in the morning.
A Turquoise Ritual to Infuse Your Crystal
This Wiccan ritual is a powerful means of charging your crystal ready for use and infusing the stone with positive energy.
- Sit comfortably on the ground. If possible, sit where you’re directly in contact with the Earth, such as in your garden on the grass, or under a tree at the park.
- Hold a turquoise crystal in the palm of each hand hand, and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths.
- Feel the Earth’s energy beneath you. Visualize roots flowing from your body and down into the Earth, connecting you with this life force. As you feel the power of this energy, experience it flowing into your hands and then directly into the crystals.
- Your turquoise stones are now infused and charged with the Earth’s energy.
Turquoise and the Zodiac
Turquoise is the birthstone of Sagittarius. The stone is particularly helpful to the Archer, whose energy and busy mind means they may sometimes have difficulty in finishing the many projects they start. Turquoise is a wonderful motivator and will assist this sign in seeing their plans through to the end.
With its close association with the Water element, turquoise is great for Pisceans, who will resonate with its gentle energy and ability to ease uncertainty. Aquarians, too, are likely to benefit from the stone’s capacity to assist them in moving beyond past hurts and disappointments, to achieve their full potential.
Crystal Combos
Pairing vibrant turquoise with sapphire is a powerful means to live in alignment with your highest self. This power-house pairing will give you the strength to look honestly at yourself and your life and give you the tenacity to see through any changes you decide to make. As well as smoothing your path, turquoise, and sapphire together will soothe you on the journey, no matter how challenging it may become.
Amazonite and turquoise together can help rebuild trust in yourself and amp up confidence levels. If you find yourself regularly settling for ‘second best’ then this duo will encourage you to recognize your worth and regain lost self-assurance.
Turquoise with pyrite can be used to attract abundance and supercharge your powers of manifestation. Pyrite can help you overcome financial struggles and, when teamed up with turquoise will boost your sense of self-esteem and lend strong grounding energies, to further motivate you to take the first steps on the journey.
An Abundance Ritual with Turquoise and Pyrite
To seal your intentions and attract wealth and general abundance, try this easy ritual using a piece of turquoise and pyrite:
- Head to your study or workspace. As well as your turquoise and pyrite crystals, you’ll also need something that represents a business or career goal. This could be a contract, an advertisement for a new job you’d love, or a business card.
- Sit or stand quietly in the space, holding a crystal in each hand. In your mind, focus on the career or business goal you want to attain. Invite the energy of your crystals to assist you in this undertaking.
- When you’re ready, place the turquoise and pyrite onto the item you’ve chosen to represent your aim. Keep your concentration on your intention for a few moments.
- Keep these crystals beside you on your desk – or wherever you work – so you can see them throughout the day.
Turquoise: Rewrite Your Destiny
It can be easy to get stuck in certain ways of thinking, or patterns of behavior that don’t serve us. Eventually, this becomes self-fulfilling. We don’t believe in ourselves, or that anything good will come our way and so fail to recognize the opportunities that the Universe drops in our lap.
Turquoise can break through this mindset. The stone not only attracts abundance but helps us believe that we deserve it. Harness the potential of this soothing, protective stone to rebuild and protect an eroded sense of self-worth, and prepare to rewrite your own destiny.
Geophysical Properties of Turquoise
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Hydrated copper aluminum phosphate with chemical formula CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O. |
| Crystal System | Triclinic, often occurring in microcrystalline aggregates. |
| Color | Predominantly blue to green, often with veining or matrix patterns in brown, black, or other colors. |
| Transparency | Opaque to translucent. |
| Luster | Waxy to subvitreous (almost glassy) luster. |
| Hardness | 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft. |
| Cleavage | Poor cleavage in one direction. |
| Fracture | Conchoidal (glass-like) to uneven fracture. |
| Density | Typically ranges from 2.6 to 2.9 g/cm³, depending on composition. |
| Refractive Index | Approximately 1.61 to 1.65. |
| Birefringence | Low to none, generally considered isotropic. |
| Specific Gravity | Approximately 2.6 to 2.9, slightly higher than quartz. |
| Magnetism | Non-magnetic. |
| Radioactivity | Typically not radioactive. |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water. |
| Associated Minerals | Often found in association with copper minerals such as chrysocolla and malachite, as well as iron minerals. Turquoise often occurs in altered copper deposits. |
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