Lapis Lazuli – Gem of the Night Sky
by Barbara McKell
Therapeutic quality Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue stone flecked with gold.  It is formed by the conversion of lime to marble. It crystallizes in masses, cubes and dodecahedral crystals. It is a combination of Lazurtite, Diopside, calcite and pyrite. It differs in colour and quality depending on where it comes from on the planet. Therapeutic Lapis contains a substantial amount of golden pyrite. Highly prized Lapis from Afghanistan is likened to the night sky bedecked with stars because of its deep colour and flecks of golden Pyrite.  The stones are also native to California, Siberia, Chile and Burma. Chilean Lapis has more visible calcite and is often mistaken for Sodalite because of its lighter colour. Lapis varies in colour from a deep, intense blue to varying shades of greenish blue, purple-blue and black. The deeper blue the colour the more highly prized it is. The finest quality of lapis is quite rare and as a result lighter shades are sometimes dyed, which renders it non-therapeutic.
Lapis is a stone of considerable power and if honoured that power it will compliment the wearer. All cultures use Lapis to decorate statues of their divinities. These gemstones were the favoured jewellery of the Pharaohs who ruled Egypt before the birth of Christ. The ancient Egyptian Kings and Queens strove to embody the Gods and Goddesses. They wore Lapis to assist in the expansion of consciousness and awakening of the perfection of the self toward the light of unification. Lapis was placed in the breast plates of high priests and particularly King Solomon because it is revered as a protective stone which keeps the wearer from physical harm or psychic attacks.
Depression is at epidemic proportions in our western world because we are often unbalanced and stressed out to the point where we lose our connection to our unified spiritual selves. When this happens the crown chakra closes and higher frequencies of light can no longer enter. The energy of Lapis can affect people deeply because of the unusual way its color touches the optic nerve. The optic nerve picks up impressions of what we see with our physical eyes as well as what we see with our inner eye. The energy of Lapis and its royal blue color impresses the optic nerve in a way that reminds the brain of a primordial memory—the memory that links us to our divine source. Depression is a result of feeling cut off from our divinity and the source of our inner light.
 
Lapis is an effective stone to use in clearing depression because it stimulates the upper chakras by activating and energizing the throat, brow and crown chakras providing unification of all the chakras. By wearing it at the throat, it will assist the wearer in resolving conflicts between the heart and mind by harmonizing thoughts and feelings resulting in more self confidence. Gazing on its deep blue colour allows its spiritual energy to infuse and strengthen the aura connecting the wearer to their infinite power.
 
Lapis balances the functioning of the Thyroid gland and simulates the immune system. It strengthens the neck and vocal cords. This is another excellent reason to wear the stone at the throat because it promotes clear communication and wisdom.  To facilitate deep meditation, place a small piece of Lapis on the third eye this will assist in the development of insight and intuition.
Some crystal healers feel that Lapis is too strong a stone to be used by the uninitiated. While this may have been true in the past, I feel it is the perfect stone to use to help us gently expand our consciousness and clear away misconceptions about our true spiritual nature. It helps to prepare us for this time of accelerated awakening. Use it for short periods of time, approximately 5 minutes, until you are used to its energy.
Stones and crystal can have a very positive effect on the human energy field. They should be properly cleansed and charged on a regular basis to have the optimum effect. Placing them in sunlight for short periods of time will both cleanse and charge the crystal, but since some crystals become faded in sunlight you can hold them under running water, smudge them or place them on a bed of rice to discharge any stagnant energy. Some crystal workers use a sea salt bath to cleanse their crystals, but I personally do not recommend this because it will distort the crystal and it is particularly detrimental to Lapis Lazuli.
* Please note that the use of stones and crystals to enhance the functioning of your mind, body and spirit is in no way a substitute for proper medical care.
Barbara McKell RT CRA
Barbara McKell is a Crystal Healing teacher. She is an Intuitive Healer, Transformational Sound Therapist, Registered Teacher with the Canadian Reiki Association and inspiring workshop facilitator.  She is founder and President of Soul Connection Inc. located in Guelph Ontario
Email: barbara@soulconnection.ca
Website: www.soulconnection.ca