The Smoky Quartz gemstone radiates warm energy. The color of midnight cloud beneath a full moon, Smoky Quartz seems to capture all the enigmatic delight of the mystical world, but its true strength sits in its powerful grounding properties. The Smoky Quartz is also called The Stone of Power and has a long and mystical history, often used by Druids as a seer, the Smoky Quartz is a light bringer, ever ready to guide us to the places we are meant to be. The silver smoke-like color is caused by natural irradiation of this particular variety of Quartz silicon dioxide. Its fierce grounding properties come from the fact it is made up of all the earths richest gifts – mud and clay and soil and ash all come together to mingle in the facets of Smoky Quartz. Just like potting a seed in the richest compost, with Smoky Quartz close by you can expect your Roots to thrive. In the realm of dark stones, Smoky Quartz offers a rare and beautiful transparency that draws light into shades of black and brown. With crystals as pale and surreal as a wisp of smoke, as dark and clear as midnight waters, or as warm and rich as a cognac by the fire, this mineral honors its connection with Mother Earth.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Due to its Smoky and sometimes ghostly effects in appearance, Smoky Quartz was also linked with Samhain, the Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, the “darker half” of the year. This festival was celebrated with huge bonfires which had great protective qualities as it was believed at this time spirits and fairies could more easily enter our world.

Smoky Quartz has always been known as one of the strongest and most effective tools for dissolving and transmuting negative energies. Smoky Quartz disperses fear, lifts depression and negativity.  It brings emotional calmness, relieving stress and anxiety.  It can aid in promoting positive thoughts and actions.  It dispels nightmares and manifests your dreams.  Smoky Quartz aids concentration and assists in communication difficulties.  It is recommended carrying a piece or speaking to it daily to let the universe hear the path in which you want to take

Smoky Quartz is perfect if you constantly find yourself with a wandering mind and an inability to focus. This stone is here to assist in not only clearing your mind but assisting in allowing you to be more levelheaded. Smoky Quartz can also help you find the drive and determination that sometimes feels lost to so many of us. We all need to put our own needs first from time to time and this stone can become one of the strongest manifestation tools in your arsenal. It has remarkable transformation strength that can help push you forge ahead into a new life direction if you’re unhappy with the current situation. Ever ready to neutralize any negativity sailing your way, Smoky Quartz is an anchor against the storm. Like a multivitamin of magic for the soul, this stone can serve as a detox, an amplifier of positive energy, and a talisman for the Root chakra.

Smoky Quartz can assist in grounding your spirit in meditation, relieving barriers between the alpha and beta states of your mind in order to set aside the thinking mind and stop the mental chatter that consumes your consciousness. It allows you to simply be in the moment, clear all thought and attune to higher awareness. Smoky Quartz refines your vibratory energies and allows for a deep, prolonged meditative state, and may be used to initiate a powerful force field which can absorb many forms of negativity, both from within oneself and from outer sources.  Smoky Quartz is said to create an astral pathway to past worlds or out-of-body travel when candlelight is shined into its center and you allow you mind to follow its path. Smoky Quartz spheres are considered to be the most effective for this use.

HISTORY

From the ancient sands of Mesopotamia to the towering temples of Rome, Smoky Quartz has held a special place in the annals of history. As with many gemstones, its allure transcends its mere physical appearance, weaving tales of power, protection, and ritualistic significance. Beyond its practical uses, Smoky Quartz found its way into the legends and myths of various cultures. Some legends spoke of Smoky Quartz as frozen smoke from mighty dragons, while others saw it as the embodiment of ancestors’ spirits offering guidance from the beyond.

Smoky Quartz was a sacred stone to the ancient Druids and Celts who began colonizing the British Isles around 300 B.C. The Druids, those mystic priests of the ancient Celtic traditions, valued Smoky Quartz as a sacred stone. To them, its Smoky appearance symbolized the potent and mysterious forces of nature, and it played a role in many of their earth-based ceremonies.

The clear, yet earthy color of Smoky Quartz symbolized the potent dark power of Earth gods and goddesses believed to honor Gaia, the Greek Earth Mother Goddess. Born directly out of Chaos, the primal emptiness, she was the first (or one of the first) beings to appear during the process of creation and is honored as being the Earth itself.  It was often associated with Hecate, goddess of the Occult and the Dark Moon, the side we are unable to see and the Thracian Goddess of Wisdom, Crossroads and Ghosts. She has power over the heavens, earth and the underworld.   It is also believed to be tied to Crom Dubh, the god of the Harvest. All crystals of Quartz honor Gendenwitha, the Morning Star Goddess of the Iroquois; and Quartz clusters honor Ixcuiname, the Mayan Goddess of the Four Ages of Women.

Smoky Quartz has a history of being used in shamanistic rituals and North American tribal ceremonies to enhance stability and provide protection from any detrimental forces present in the ethereal realm. It was often found at the top of ritual wands and was reported to be particularly prized by the Cherokees.

In Scotland, Smoky Quartz was used in kilt pins and as power stones by the highlanders, believed to protect against harm and evil forces. A crystal sphere of Smoky Quartz, two and a half inches in diameter, tops the Scepter of Power in the “Honors of Scotland,” as the Royal Jewels are called. They are comprised of the Crown, Sword and Scepter; the oldest being the Scepter, a gift from Pope Alexander VI to King James IV as a symbol of papal support for Scotland. The world’s largest known Cairngorm crystal weighs 52 lbs. and resides at Braemar Castle in Scotland. It is just slightly larger than one bought by Queen Victoria now on display in Balmoral Castle.

In the ancient world, Smoky Quartz and other varieties of Quartz were used by the Romans to carve intaglio seals. Roman soldiers would often wear Smoky Quartz amulets into battle, trusting the stone to shield them from harm and bring them victory. In ancient Egypt, Smoky Quartz was cherished not only as a jewelry item but also for its believed ability to protect against harm and soothe sorrows. It was often found adorning the jewelry of pharaohs and high priests, believed to be a shield against negative energies and a guide to the afterlife. The Sumerians cut and engraved it as cylinder seals and later as ring seals. Smoky Quartz was popular in China for making snuff boxes, as well as being cut into flat panes and used as early sunglasses. In Switzerland, Germany and Austria, Smoky Quartz crucifixes were traditionally put on bedroom walls at night as a guardian against bad luck and to keep evil away, both human and paranormal.

CHAKRAS

Smoky Quartz can helps anchor your energy to the Earth creating a deep connection to the plane.  Smoky Quartz’s strong bond with your Root and Solar Plexus Chakras makes it a powerful crystal to aid in keep you protected, grounded, and poised for receiving a glut of positive vibrations. You can say farewell to negative energy, indecision, self-doubts, anxiety and stagnation when you welcome Smoky Quartz into your world to get these chakras back in balance.

The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and controls the energy for kinesthetic feeling and movement. It is the foundation of physical and spiritual energy for the body and is believed to ground spiritual energy in the physical world. As a great stone for clearing out blockages, it’s no surprise to hear that Smoky Quartz is rich with metaphysical magic. While ultimately a grounding stone that works in complete harmony to encourage a healthy Root chakra. The hazy color symbolizes the cleansing of negativity and blockages. Smoky Quartz represents disseminating light into darkness, ushering in fresh beginnings and new opportunities. When the Root Chakra is in balance, the physical body gains strength and stamina, and spiritual energy is rekindled in the form of security and sense of one’s own power. It often leads to independence and spontaneous leadership.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is associated with personal power, self-esteem, and confidence. Smoky Quartz’s energy can creep up to the Solar plexus chakra, the place of transformation, personal power, and all that wild and wonderful warrior energy.  As a powerful stone for clearing blockages and negativity, Smoky Quartz helps to release stored emotional trauma and stress, making room for positive energy to flow. This clearing is beneficial for the Solar Plexus Chakra, which can become imbalanced from low self-esteem or a lack of personal power.  This powerful gem’s energy can positively impact your Solar plexus chakra (which is considered to be the area of personal power, transformation and wild, warrior energy). The stone’s ability to calm stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts promotes emotional calm and rational thinking.  Smoky Quartz helps to harmonize the Solar Plexus Chakra, fostering a sense of personal honor and courage

CLEANSING AND CHARGING

To maintain its potency, Smoky Quartz should be cleansed and recharged.

Pour clean water into a bowl made of a natural material—wood or earthenware are best, glass or metal are okay, but plastic is a no-no here. Submerge the crystal completely and let it soak for 4 hours or longer.    You can also hold your Smoky Quartz under running tap water or place it in natural stream water for a few minutes.  As your Smoky Quartz sits in the water or as the water flows over the stone, visualize it washing away any negative energies. When you remove it, pat it dry completely with a soft cloth so no surface moisture remains.

The sun’s powerful rays quickly can also aid in cleansing and charging your Smoky Quartz.  Direct sunlight can also be a potent energy source. Place your Smoky Quartz in the early morning sun for a couple of hours. As you place your Smoky Quartz in the suns rays concentrate on all the positive intentions you have for your crystal. The sun can overpower Smoky Quartz so be cautious not to leave it out too long as prolonged exposure might fade its color. Avoid leaving your Smoky Quartz out in the sun for more than about 4 hours. Sunlight provides both cleansing (removing absorbed negative energy) and charging (infusing positive energy) to your Smoky Quartz crystal.

Moonlight provides a more gentle and even cleanse and charge than sunlight, so it requires a bit more time. Aim to cleanse and charge your crystal in moonlight for at least 8-12 hours if possible. Place the Smoky Quartz outside or on a windowsill during a full moon. The abundant light of a full moon on a cloudless night provides a powerful cleanse and charge, but any amount of moonlight can do the job overnight. Let it bathe in the moon’s luminescence to recharge and purify its energies to bring it back to full strength.

Smoky Quartz derives its “grounding” energy from  Mother Earth herself, so burying it is a great way to cleanse and charge it. Bury your Smoky Quartz in the soil, either outside or in a natural (not plastic) flower pot indoors for 24 hours Mother Earths natural energies will cleanse the stone and recharge it. Wipe it off with a clean cloth once you remove it.