Alternative Names: None
Origin: Madagascar
Mineral Species: Sapphirine
Mineral Group: Silicates
Chemical Formula: (Mg,Fe)4-xAl4+x[Al4+xSi2-xO18]O2
Hardness: 7.5
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Colour: Pale blue to blue-grey.
Typical Appearance: Individual greyish-blue crystals in combination with platy crystals of bronze Phlogopite, greyish-white granular Plagioclase (var. Andesine) and minor secondary dirty-white Calcite.
Birthstone: None
Chakra Alignment: Throat
Element: None
Origin of Name & Mythology: In allusion to its sapphire-like colour.
(This refers to sapphirine originating from Madagascar, which occurs in a matrix of white calcite and phlogopite mica): This is a very interesting mineral, relatively unknown to crystal healing. It has been discovered that it can affect different people in very different ways, and it is worth noting how varied the reaction can be. Many find that sapphirine brings a deep peace, stillness and serenity, with a sense of womb-like safety, like the feeling of being in an underground den ? hidden, safe and warm. Others feel it is gently cleansing, while aligning the physical body, and the spine in particular. As it occurs in a matrix of white calcite, which is cleansing, and phlogopite mica, which is insulating, it may be that the matrix also holds some of these properties, but the sensations do not appear to change when a sapphirine crystal is held on its own. Another aspect of sapphirine, almost diametrically opposed to the first aspect, is that it can be quite challenging for a few people. It is remiscent of obsidian, which for some represents grounding and protection, so is safe and comforting, while in others it awakens the Shadow Side, in order for it to be acknowledged and integrated. In the case of sapphirine, its energy is like a sleeping dragon ? something that is dormant in us as humans, but can be tapped into when we are ready, to further our evolution as a species. The feeling is somewhat similar to astral projection, in that we are able leave our bodies temporarily to go somewhere else, and that sapphirine will help to tether us to our physical body so we can find our way back.
