Gemstones and Healing: Black Tourmaline
CATALOGING THE GEMS
I evaluate a gemstone in a number of ways. First, it falls into one of these categories: Heart Stone, Grounding Stone, Guard Dog Stone, High Energy Stone, Trauma Stone, Mental Stone, Stress Tone, Luck Stone, Psychic Stone, Money Stone, Arthritis Stone and Master Healer Stone. I created this system over the years because each stone has unique skills. Some, like the Master Stones, are diverse, multi-skilled and affect more than one chakra in our aura. Now, let’s explore Black Tourmaline, the biggest dawg on the block!
BLACK TOURMALINE IS A GUARD DOG STONE
A Guard Dog Stone is one that can protect you either physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. They ‘guard’ you energetically. It might be from physical danger, such as when a person is a firefighter, in the military during a war, or as a police person. Or if you have a dangerous kind of job such as construction. Where there is danger, you should be wearing Black Tourmaline
Danger is perceived differently by us as individuals. There could be someone next door that you don’t trust. Or you have someone at work who stresses you out (usually the boss or a coworker). Or there’s an office gossip that is trying to make you look bad to your boss. There’s a hundred different ways that we all wish we had a guard who could protect us in times when we feel vulnerable and unable to completely defend ourselves. And this is where a Guard Dog stone can be worn in necklace form to help support you.
Some stones can do one or two levels of protection, but rarely are able to handle situations on all four levels that may arise. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual are the four levels. For example, obsidian material (obsidian, mahogany obsidian, snowflake obsidian and apache tears) REFLECT back energy that is coming your way. Obsidian is glass and all glass reflects. Agate, Jasper, Jade, Turquoise, Malachite will ABSORB the hit coming your way, which is why it will change color (grows pale) over time if you are being attacked on any level. Topaz guards on the mental level only. Amber and Amethyst guards only on the physical level. There’s only one that can deal with any type of heavy energy on all four levels and that is Black Tourmaline.
Black Tourmaline (Schrol) is the top dawg of all the guard dog stones when it comes to being psychically attacked. It can also be a psychic vampire of a person who has a victim’s mentality and unconsciously ‘sucks’ energy out of your (and everyone else’s) aura. Or, it can be a full blown, conscious attack by a sorcerer or sorcerers. It stops people who want your auric energy (pranic) dead in their tracks and they won’t take a drop of energy from you. When there is danger or perceived danger, Black Tourmaline will absorb it and transmute it, leaving you untouched. It is a feminine and masculine energy and what is termed “androgynous” because it will rebalance on either side of the body as well as any field in your aura, as well as protect your chakras.
If you have to work with people who are energy stealers (or attackers), then wearing a black tourmaline necklace will completely protect you from them. And lest you don’t know what an energy vampire is, let me share it with you. This is a person who unconsciously gravitates to people who she (and sometimes he, but more often a woman) feels is stronger than her or himself. This individual unconsciously feels that you can protect them in some way. When she/he gets around you, within minutes you may begin to feel tired. You may not be able to focus or think clearly. You may become forgetful. After she/he leaves your auric space you will certainly feel like a washed out dishrag. And you may crawl through the day feeling absolutely exhausted. It takes a good night’s sleep to get you back in order. THAT is a sign of an energy vampire. And Black Tourmaline will stop that from happening to you.
Let’s see why Black Tourmaline is so good at what it does. It contains properties that other Guard Dog stones do not.
THE HISTORY OF BLACK TOURMALINE
There are many types of Tourmaline that are all thrown together under this one, recognized label. But, they are all different. I’m not going to get into a discussion on any other than the black variety, however. Black Tourmaline is known as Schrol or Aphrizite. It is always black, striated and column-like. It has the amazing properties of being piezoelectric (like the quartz family). It means if this stone is heated up (think energy-wise here: it will “heat up” and react to an incoming energy) a positive charge develops at one end. There is a negative and positive to all tourmalines. These charges REVERSE themselves when the gemstone cools (or, in energy-speak, when the incoming energy is TRANSMUTED by the piezoelectric energy of the Black Tourmaline and sent BACK TO THE SENDER).
This is a huge difference between Black Tourmaline and other Guard Dog stones. It receives the negative or heavy energy, reverses it/transmutes it through its piezo and pyroelectric abilities, and then sends it BACK to the sender! Talk about instant, rubber band karma! And this is WHY you want to use Black Tourmaline in serious or ongoing situations of stress or danger in your life. Sooner or later, the SENDEE is going to get so much of what he or she is sending out to you–that they QUIT doing it. And they leave you alone (or change jobs, or move or get out of your space, permanently). To my knowledge, there is no other gemstone I’ve ever known that has this ability. That’s why Black Tourmaline is top dawg of the Guard Dog stones.
The Chemistry is NaFe3(Al, Fe)6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4, Sodium Iron Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide and it is in the Silicates class. It is a trigonal (3 sided) crystal system. It has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale (Diamond being a 10 and the hardest of all gemstones). It can be found in Brazil, Colorado, the Appalachian Mountains, Germany, Cornwall, England, Sri Lanka and many other places in the world. Most Black Tourmaline sold in the USA comes from South America and specifically, from Brazil.
Tourmaline, in general (there are many varieties) were known in the Mediterranean area for thousands of years. In 1703 it was imported by the Dutch from Sri Lanka to Europe. The Dutch used the Sinhalese name, Turmali which means “stone with mixed colors.” And so, the word “Tourmaline,” was birthed.
Tourmalines all have striations or vertical ridges that run the length of the crystal. All tourmalines form in either igneous (fire) or metamorphic (pressure) rocks. It is usually found in granite pegmatite’s with Lepidolite, a matrix material, microcline or spodumene. These rocks are created out of fire or pressure. And Tourmaline can handle both with ease.
THE ASTROLOGY OF BLACK TOURMALINE
Pluto is the primary ruler of this stone with Uranus as a secondary ruler. Because it is piezoelectric and pyroelectric, Uranus comes into play. Uranus rules electricity and electromagnetic activity on all four levels of our existence. And due to the massive ability of Black Tourmaline to transform and TRANSMUTE energy like a huge power station, this falls under Pluto’s domain. Few stones actually transmute energy and when they do, Pluto comes into play–big time.
People who need this Guard Dog gemstone are “Neptunian” types. That means if there is three or more hard aspects to a person’s Neptune there may be boundary problems. The person can’t say “no” or they allow others to abuse the privilege of them. Frequently, they end up being the victim because they have no firm, solid boundaries between themselves and others, in order.
And also, the reverse is true here. If a person is Neptunian as described above, they turn out to be the biggest “psychic vampires” we have. Either way, Black Tourmaline can be of help to the SUCKER and the SUCKEE. In the case of the person who is doing the stealing of other people’s energy if they wear Black Tourmaline, that activity is stopped by the stone. It won’t even get out of the psychic vampire’s aura. Instead, it is transmuted right then and there and rendered harmless to all, including the psychic vampire. For those who are at the other end of the scale and unconsciously seen as a gasoline station of energy for the psychic vampire, wearing the Black Tourmaline necklace stops it from occurring.
Sun sign of Pisces/Virgo can really use this gemstone (as well as already discussed Neptune prominent people). And, they can be either the victim of a psychic vampire, or be a psychic vampire, themselves. Both sun signs get caught up in the “caretaker syndrome” and they think they have to bleed themselves dry (on every level) in order to “save” others. This unconscious crucifixion complex will do nothing but make them susceptible to being drained by the very people they are care giving too. Those caught up in this lesson are learning healthy boundaries of giving and taking, rather than sacrificing themselves, body and soul, to the person who needs help. And of course, the end of this story is they end up with a chronic disease and usually die before the person they are care giving too… What’s wrong with THIS picture???!!!! There are lots of fine and subtle lines to learn here and these people are the most vulnerable to having their energy stolen by the sick person; hence, you wear a Black Tourmaline necklace when you are around them. It will create a permanent energy boundary that the care giver has yet to erect for themselves.
Anyone, regardless of their sun sign, who is of a “victim” mentality or a “caregiving” mentality really need to be wearing a black tourmaline necklace quite often. This gem gives boundaries to the individual and helps them say “no” and really mean it. Or to finally recognize they are really strong and capable too and stop looking at the rest of us as gas energy stationed to be stolen from.
ASTROLOGY TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS WITH BLACK TOURMALINE
If there is a transit or progression of Saturn where the person is getting worn down by continual and heavy loads they must carry, (care giving being one of many) Black Tourmaline can help ease the pressure and stress, but also give the person more strength to plod along with their load.
Any time there is a transit or progression of Pluto in the person’s natal chart, they may be involved in a “bullying” issue. Or, their self-esteem is getting cut to ribbons by a clique or a group of children/teens or adults. Or, the person is facing a test of their faith, their world is tilting and changing, can use this stone. There is a group of people who have the need to experience sorcery and usually, they are the ones who are ‘hooked’ energetically by such a person. Psychic attack occurs under this framework. Black Tourmaline can stop the attack cold and dissolve a sorcerer’s hook into any chakra within minutes of the necklace being worn. As well as send it back to him and her. Sweet, instantaneous rubber band karma.
When transiting or progressed Saturn or Pluto create stress for you in an office where you don’t get along with coworkers, a demanding and unfair boss, or if you’re in a public relations or people job, Black Tourmaline gets the energy rebalanced so there is a fair give-and-take. And it will, over time, get the person or people out of your space–permanently. The old saying of “what goes around, comes around,” applies to Black Tourmaline. If a person has it in for you, they’ll be getting back exactly what they put out.
Having to do anything stressful like a lawsuit, going to court, getting fired from a job, a divorce, house foreclosure, a move across country are Pluto-like changes.
THE NORTHEAST ENERGY
In the medicine wheel, Black Tourmaline is North (earth) East (Earth and Air) energy. This is a minor direction, but they are more powerful than a single direction simply because it is two energies combined. Twice the power. This is the direction of the magician and this is truly where ‘magic’ can occur. Black Tourmaline is one of the few stones to be from this particular direction. It is magic in action on a third-dimensional playing field but also has the ability to transform and transmute any energy that comes near it in any dimension. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is! This is also the direction of the serpent and of course, snakes in general trigger a lot of people’s deepest fears. Black Tourmaline can deal with such deep fears and ease them considerably or completely.
WHO SHOULD WEAR BLACK TOURMALINE?
Anyone can wear this necklace. If you are going into a stressful or confrontational situation, wear it. If you have a nasty work environment, always wear it. If you need to travel and that is stressful on you, take your Black Tourmaline necklace with you. If you have a fear of flying, this is a terrific companion to wear during that flight. No more white knuckles and sweating.
Stress is defined by the individual. What may scare me won’t scare you–and vice versa. If you are stressed, wear this necklace.
WHO SHOULD NOT WEAR BLACK TOURMALINE?
Everyone can benefit from Black Tourmaline. I never allow children under twelve to get around my necklaces simply because they can break and then swallow a bead–or worse, potentially choke on it. This is a ground rule I have across the board for all gemstones.
TYPES OF BLACK TOURMALINE
Schrol is the only type of Black Tourmaline. All the other colors of Tourmaline belong to different groups geologically speaking. But ALL Tourmalines are piezoelectric and pyroelectric. Of all the Tourmalines, Black Schrol is top dog when it comes to protecting a person’s energy resources from other people and situations. The other Tourmalines have different venue and use, and they will be covered in coming blogs in the future.
SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATIONS
This gemstone works with all chakras, but has the most influence over the ROOT chakra. It is about rooting and grounding the person completely within their body. When a person is in their body, then this gemstone can work at maximum to protect them energetically. It also helps to ground “Neptune” people. Or anyone of any zodiac sign that is “out of their body.”
HEALTH RAMIFICATIONS
There is a focus on the adrenal glands. When one considers what “stress” is, or how we see it, the adrenals are always involved. Fight and flight hormones come from the Adrenal glands. When we are ‘scared’ (another word for stress), then the Adrenals jump into action and produce cortisol and adrenaline. When a person is in a high cortisol, PTSD situation, please read my three blogs entitled Cortisol/PTSD in the archives of http://medicalastrologybyeileennauman.blogspot.com. Read the four blogs from November 28, 29, 30 and December 1, 2009 for help with this situation.
Black Tourmaline cannot fix cortisol problems. However, it can be an adjunct or support to primary medical action via a Functional Medicine specialist. See: http://www.functionalmedicine.org/findfmphysician/index.asp to find one near where you live.
Many people report that by wearing a black tourmaline necklace that they feel an energy pick up. Sometimes these people are hanging out of their body (space cadet syndrome) and the gem anchors them solidly back into their physical form. There’s always more energy if you’re locked into your body energetically rather than hanging out of it, instead. And, people who are exhausted, tired, or are adrenal exhausted can find help above, but also will feel a bump up of energy by wearing Black Tourmaline.
A person with any illness can wear the necklace because of Black Tourmaline’s ability to transmute negative/heavy energy. Over time it can actually help the person work through the dis-ease in a positive way.
HOW TO WEAR BLACK TOURMALINE
There is no right or wrong time to wearing this Guard Dog gem. When you feel you’re under stress or going into a stressful or confrontational meeting, then wear your necklace. When you’re not stressed, there’s no need to wear it.
Here is an example of a necklace that I created. It is comprised of green jasper beads. Agate and Jasper are “Guard Dog” stones, too. They ABSORB heavy/negative energy. The Mahogany Obsidian plays an interesting part in the gem world. Basically, Obsidian is GLASS. And when one wears it, its job is to REFLECT energy away from you. And, the biggest Guard Dog stone of them all (and the smallest and most inconspicuous on this necklace) is Black Tourmaline.
This is a classic example of what I call a “battlefield” necklace where you know you’re going to have a stressful day, that this is the one to wear. Whether you have to give a presentation, fight for your idea in a meeting, or go head-to-head with someone in a Fortune 500 boardroom, you want to be wearing this necklace. This necklace is carrying three different Guard Dog gemstones that work in three different ways to help protect you and keep the energy balanced.
Further, this beautiful green agate pendant will, if absorbing hits (which is what agate and jasper do), it will change color over time if it’s an ongoing situation. Pay attention to the color if you ever wear agate, jasper, malachite, turquoise or other Guard Dog stones. If you walk out of a confrontation, the stone may be more pale appearing than before. Or, if a terrific fist of energy is sent to you, this pendant will “take the hit.” It may crack, or it may fall off the necklace if that is the case. Either way, this necklace protects the wearer. It’s like wearing a suit of armor but in a modern day way. The metal helmet, breast plate or sword won’t be there and neither will the charger, but it functions on the same principles to keep the wearer safe.
IN SUMMATION….
Black Tourmaline is a white knight on a charger for all of us. She is black and symbolically that is feminine energy. If you pick up this gem, however, you’ll feel both the male and female energy nicely balanced within it. And it can help balance you out as a result. Every time we hit a stressful situation, we go “out of harmony” with our body. Wearing this gem will help reel you back to the center and de-stress you. And in our world, there’s an awful lot of stress. Good thing Mother Earth made huge deposits of this black gemstone so we all could access it and use it like the good friend it is.
If you live in a chaotic office (or home) where there’s stress, just putting a nice clump of Black Tourmaline on your desk will act like a ‘stress free zone’ where you work. Just as air filters work to clear a room of dust, the Black Tourmaline generator will ‘clear the air’ of heavy, unwanted energy where you are sitting at your desk.
IMAGES
Black tourmaline crystal on stand
http://webplaza.pt.lu/public/andre/turmalin_kristalle/schwarzer_turmalin.jpg
Tumbled Black Tourmaline
http://www.bestcrystals.com/html/tourmaline/images/TC-122b.jpg
Black Tourmaline chunks
http://www.metaphysicalrealm1.com/info/BlackTourmaline1.jpg
