Properties:
All zoisites have an amazing capacity for clearing and stimulating the entire chakra system and energetic body, usually with an emphasis on one particular area according to colour and chakra alignment. They convey a better understanding of the body/mind connection, so we comprehend the emotional root of illness and recognise repeating patterns. Zoisite leaves the user feeling more balanced, with a positive outlook, so all can act as antidepressants. Its stimulating effect organises thoughts, clears the mind, and leaves the user feeling awake and alert. More sensitive people may feel an all-over tingling sensation after use, as if the energy field has just been scrubbed; this may continue for some time after use.
Green Zoisite is massive and often forms with black or green pargasite crystals, and in association with ruby. It is not often used on its own in therapeutic practice. It clears and stimulates the chakras, particularly the Heart and with it the lungs, as well as the body’s energy field, removing unwanted/unhealthy energy and clearing it out through the legs and into the Earth. The Heart is affected wherever the zoisite is held, but for other chakras, it may be necessary to place it on or near the area for best results. The energy tends to be a bit ‘fizzy’, and this might be slightly uncomfortable to the client/user, but the end result leaves one more awake, alert and clear-headed. In conjunction with ruby, this stone is one of the supreme Heart and immune system balancers, and is beneficial in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and illnesses in which the immune system is compromised, such as ME and CFS.
Tanzanite is a rare sapphire-blue to purple variety of zoisite. The colouration is due to the presence of vanadium. It is frequently heat-treated at between 400˚ and 500˚ C to remove brown or yellow patches and improve the colour – this does not affect the value of the mineral. Tanzanite displays distinct pleochroism, and will appear purple, blue or grey depending on the angle from which it is viewed; the faceter must therefore orient the stone carefully to get the best colour.An emotionally supportive crystal, tanzanite is highly recommended when facing periods of prolonged stress and difficulty. It opens the Throat Chakra, and connects with and balances the Third Eye and Crown Chakras, bringing a synthesis of communication and psychic power. It can facilitate meditation, communication with the spiritual world and other-worldly planes, and astral travel. Tanzanite is very cheering, so also acts as a mood-lifter and anti-depressant. It has a distinctly feminine energy. It can aid healing in connective tissue, such as ligaments, when used directly on the body around the injured area. The energy is quite directional. In additional to the properties of blue-to-purple tanzanite, energetically, bi-coloured tanzanite is incredibly powerful, and not at all comfortable to work with – in fact, it is probably best used only by those with plenty of experience of working with crystals. Even then, you may find it takes a few attempts before you are able to attune to the energy of the crystal (and vice versa), and be able to work with it. However, it is well worth persevering. Bi-coloured tanzanite’s special gift is an alchemical transformation followed by balance. It burns off whatever isn’t needed from one’s life, allowing us to arise from the ashes into the next phase of our journey. After the conflagration, bi-coloured tanzanite brings balance of both male and female energy, and the heaven/earth connection, so higher work can be achieved while remaining grounded. It opens the Crown, Third Eye and Throat Chakras, unfurling our spiritual and psychic gifts like a flower, and anchoring them in the Heart and Solar Plexus. Bi-coloured tanzanite can also balance the chakras, and is particularly clearing for the Throat and Third Eye. From a different perspective, it can propel us forward at a great speed, making it a perfect crystal to stimulate enterprise and creativity. It also assists interdimensional travel, ‘taking’ you anywhere you desire to go.
Thulite is a pink variety of zoisite, with colouration due to the presence of manganese. According to MinDat, much of what is marketed as thulite is actually clinothulite. Thulite shares the same clearing and stimulating qualities as other zoisites, and works on all chakras and the body’s energy field. However, it has an especially strong emphasis on the Heart, as well as affecting the Third Eye, Throat and Solar Plexus. This can lead to a greater understanding of love and self-love. The pink colouration is due to the presence of manganese, which always has a lovely and loving mood-lifting effect, and which makes it a nurturing antidepressant. Thulite can release old, held emotions from the Solar Plexus, and clear and rebalance the Heart-Throat connection (an imbalance often occurs here as a result of unexpressed emotions), thereby neutralising unhealthy blocked emotional pain.
Clinothulite is a pink variety of clinozoisite. Like zoisite, it is a calcium aluminium silicate hydroxide, with the same chemical formula and colouration due to included manganese. The only real difference is the crystal system, which is monoclinic rather than orthorhombic. The energies of clinothulite are similar to thulite. However, clinothulite is softer, more ethereal, and less physical in nature, and possesses a strong Angelic connection. Working with it directs our attention upwards and reconnects the Heart and Upper Heart with our spiritual home. Clinothulite makes a wonderful personal crystal to use in meditation, especially when trying to reconnect with Spirit, and can be used with clients who also need to make that connection. It can be slightly ungrounding to work with, so be sure to use a grounding crystal afterwards, or use one of your usual grounding techniques.
Attributes:
- Chemical Formula: {Ca2}{Al3}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH) – calcium aluminium silicate hydroxide
- Group: Silicates – sorosilicates
- Crystal System: Orthorhombic
- Birthstone: Secondary birthstone for Sagittarius, Gemini and Libra
- Chakra: Throat, Third Eye and Crown; Heart when pink; Solar Plexus when yellow
- Element: Spirit
Mineralogy:
Zoisite was at one time classified as a member of the Epidote Group, but this has recently changed, and it is now considered a dimorph of clinozoisite. It is calcium aluminium silicate hydroxide, and is formed through regional metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration of igneous rocks. Well known zoisites include tanzanite, which is purple-to-blue and much prized by jewellers, collectors and practitioners; and thulite, which has pink colouration due to the presence of manganese.
History and Tradition:
Originally named as saualpite after the locality Saualpe in Carinthia, Austria. The name zoisite was introduced by A G Werner in 1805 to honour Sigmund Zois, Baron von Edelstein (1747 – 1819), the Austrian scholar who financed mineral-collecting expeditions. It was from Baron Zois that Werner obtained the specimen from Saualpe. Tanzanite is named after the East African state of Tanzania, where it was discovered, in the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967. There are no ancient traditions associated with this mineral.
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