Garnet is the official birthstone for January as adopted by the American National Association of Jewellers in 1912. It is also the stone for the Zodiac sign Aquarius and the “New Age”. Garnet is part of a group of various colored minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. Garnet is available in many colours; deep burgundy red, orange pink, yellow brown, pinkish red, brown, black, honey yellow and green. For the purpose of this article I will be speaking about the deep burgundy red Almandine Garnet, which is found in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Austria, Czech Republic and derives its name from the town of Almandine in Asia Minor.   Almandine Garnet is an iron aluminum silicate with a hardness of 7.5

Almandine Garnet offers us the deep red ray, which is the color with the longest wavelength and the lowest colour octave. In Crystal Therapy we are working with colours that are alive. This deep slow pulse of burgundy red activates the root chakra and offers the physical body strength and vitality. It brings energy, enthusiasm, interest, passion security and a strong connection to all of life. The red ray brightens dark souls and strengthens the immune system. Garnet is a versatile stone which activates passion, life force, enthusiasm, drive, willpower and manifestation of material wealth. It will help the wearer to be grounded in physical reality allowing them to feel safe.  Love is the key to a life of passion and full vital expression. Garnet awakens love and passion assisting us in dealing with anger. It helps the wearer to channel intense emotion appropriately into something productive. Those who live passionately find their lives life is filled with material and spiritual abundance.
This crystal therapist has found Garnet to be especially effective in strengthening the physical and emotional bodies. Garnet supports physical existence, strengthening the blood and the flow of life force energy at a cellular level. It can be used for someone who has strong issues of abandonment and does not feel particularly nurtured or supported on the physical level. It brings a strong flow of energy to the heart allowing more joy and passion into this center and into the lower chakras creating a stronger connection between the heart and the three lower chakras.
Women’s Issues
Garnet is a great stone for women. It is very helpful prior to and during the menstrual cycle, as it helps with cramps and increases energy levels. The red ray balances hormones and relieves inflammation.
Many women find themselves overwhelmed by the many responsibilities of modern living.  When you meet responsibility without passion, you soon lose our zest for life.  Garnet is the perfect stone to connect with if you want to bring more joy, passion and energy into your life. It will assist you with enough vitality and personal drive to live passionately and bring your dreams into reality.
Wear a garnet at the level of the heart to strengthen the heart and assist with issues of passion, joy and love. Wear it below the waist or put it in your pocket to assist with manifesting, grounding and vitality. It is equality effective to lay the stone on the body for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day to revitalize the energy centers and boost the immune system.
*Crystal therapy is an ancient art using stones and crystals to enhance and balance the body. It should not be considered a substitute for proper medical care.
by Barbara McKell RT CRA

Barbara is an Intuitive Healer, Reiki Master, Transformational Sound Therapist, Crystal Healer and Crystal Healing Teacher. Barbara is the founder and President of Soul Connection Inc. She teaches Crystal Healing certification courses in Guelph Ontario.
Reference: Book of Stones Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian