Rose Quartz - the stone of unconditional love

For a long time, I found this time of year difficult. By that I mean the run up to Valentine's Day and the day itself. It's no secret that I have always struggled with self-confidence, especially when I was younger, and Valentine's day always seemed to me to be confirmation of the fact that I was not worthy. So the lack of the sight of the postie straining under the weight of cards lol...

As time has gone on, I have become more comfortable in my own skin, but I am very conscious of the fact that, to many, Valentine's day can highlight a person's feelings of loneliness. To me, the most important love of all is the unconditional love of yourself! This is a prerequisite before you can love another, and also pretty essential if you want to live a happy life as, let’s be honest, the one person you can never escape is yourself!

There are many ways to work through your personal issues, including counselling/therapy which I would seriously recommend if you have issues you need to work through. But if you are looking for support from the world of gemstones/crystals while going through this journey, you can’t go far wrong with Rose Quartz. 

A member of the largest gemstone family in the world, Rose Quartz is in good company! Other members include Clear Quartz, Citrine, Amethyst, Carnelian.. the list goes on!!

• Quartz is a silicate compound, the most pure of which is Clear Quartz, being clear in colour due to the fact that it has no impurities in its composition.
• When you add ferric hydroxide (oxidised iron) into the mix, a yellow coloured gemstone is created.This is known as Citrine..
• Combing the process of irradiation with the iron,  you get Amethyst which can range in colour from a pale to very dark purple.. 
• The pink coloured Rose Quartz is formed by the inclusion of microscopic impurities, so minerals such as titanium, iron or manganese.. Having an interlocked internal structure means that it is a tough material, hence you will often find it used in jewellery making or for carving..

To quote the amazing, and unfortunately late, Judy Hall.... "Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace. It is the most important crystal for the heart and the heart chakra, teaching the essence of love. It purifies and opens the heart at all levels, and brings deep inner healing and self-love. It is calming, reassuring and excellent for use in trauma or crisis."

"Rose Quartz gently draws off negative energy and replaces it with loving vibes. Emotionally, Rose Quartz is the finest healer. Releasing unexpressed emotions and heartache and transmuting emotional conditioning that no longer serves, it soothes internalized pain and heals deprivation. If you have never received love, Rose Quartz opens your heart so that you become receptive. If you have loved and lost, it comforts your grief. Rose Quartz teaches you how to love yourself, vital if you have thought yourself unlovable. You cannot accept love from others nor love them unless you love yourself. This stone encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance, and invokes self-trust and self-worth." (Source: The Crystal Bible, Judy Hall, Godsfield Press, 2003)

When looking to use Rose Quartz on your healing journey, you can simply hold a piece or carry it in your pocket or under your pillow.. I have a raw piece on the table next to my bed.. Or you could wear it as a piece of jewellery. As a pendant, for example, it would be resting close to your heart chakra.. As with all gemstones, pick the piece that calls to you, as THIS will be the stone that is going to work best for you.. Most of all... Be kind to yourself!