Alternative Names: Carlosite
Origin: notably, California, U.S.A.
Mineral Species: Neptunite
Mineral Group: Silicates
Chemical Formula: KNa2Li(Fe,Mg,Mn)2Ti2Si8O24
Hardness: 5-6
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Colour: Black
Typical Appearance: Usually as single or groups of short prismatic crystals.
Birthstone: Secondary birthstone for Pisces
Chakra Alignment: Root
Element: Earth
Origin of Name & Mythology: Named after Neptune, Roman god of the sea, for its close association at the type locality with aegirine (named after Aegir, a Scandinavian sea god).
In spite of its association with the Root Chakra, Neptunite is not necessarily a grounding crystal. Instead, it centres by gathering the energy field, and draws it into a more condensed state near the body, while at the same time strengthening the field and rebalancing distribution of energy. This leaves the user feeling alert, strong, and capable.
Being a sodium mineral, it is also very cleansing.
Neptunite strengthens and solidifies the will and self-belief, making it easier to trust intuition, make decisions, and set plans into motion, without relying on the approval of others.
Most specimens currently available come from natrolite deposits in San Benito County, California, and are usually embedded in white natrolite. This is another sodium mineral, but with quite a different energy, being softer and somewhat cloud-like. The two together are extremely cleansing and will even cleanse an area such as a room (remarkable, given the small size of most examples). They also work in harmony as a natural balancer on many levels.
