Citrine - Crystal of the Month

The world is once again waking up after an endless, gray winter that likely dampened even the most optimistic souls. As the days get longer and the bulbs sprout in the garden and along roadsides, I am once again offered the chance to renew, recharge, and realign. The spring equinox will soon arrive, allowing us to draw a line under winter and hesitantly look towards the lighter days. 

I was recently gifted a Citrine stone to beckon in the brightness both metaphorically and literally, so I thought I would pick this crystal this month. My new Citrine crystal is raw, slightly jagged, with this wonderful thumb shaped groove on one side. I hold it now as I write this and reflect on the Spring Equinox, finding comfort in the feel of the stone against my thumb. 

Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz, with its beautiful honey glow caused by trace elements of iron. Most of the Citrine sold online and in shops is heat-treated Amethyst, with the heating turning the crystal to a deep golden colour. Some crystal collectors and spiritual folks do care about this (which is totally fair), but honestly, I don’t. I view heat-treated Amethysts as Citrine, as the colour and appearance of the stones I use in my practice usually dictate my vibes. I believe that we ascribe meaning to our stones, so we can ascribe any meaning we want, and so for me, my heat treated Amethysts hold the same energy as authentic Citrine. 

Citrine has been used by cultures around the globe since ancient Egyptian times, with both the Romans and Greeks using this crystal to create jewelry and statues. During the Victorian era, Citrine was popular, with many pendants and brooches made with this beautiful stone. 

Using Citrine in Magic

Citrine is an energetic and enthusiastic crystal that people use in magic for manifestation, positivity, and confidence. It is known as the Merchant's Stone, as it is traditionally believed to attract wealth and success when worn. The sunny hues of Citrine are also said to inspire creativity and self-expression in those who work with it. There is positivity and light to the stone, and it reminds me to always look on the bright side of things. 

Unlike a lot of manifestation stones, the ruling element of Citrine is not Earth, but Air, and I feel this reflects its connection to inventiveness and artistry. The element of Air helps us think, gain clarity, and be expressive, and we can work with Citrine to bring new, creative ideas into our work and home life, whatever we do. The playfulness of the stone helps with this, too - we can really think outside the box and have fun when using Citrine in magic. 

Celebrating the Spring Equinox with Citrine

The Spring Equinox is a time when the earth is waking up, and perhaps our spirits, too. We can celebrate the Spring Equinox with Citrine in various ways, and it all depends on what we want from the day. You may wish to hold your Citrine and write a list of what goals you want to achieve this year, using the stone as a manifestation tool. However, you don’t have to focus on what you want to gain with Citrine; you can also use it to focus on what you already have. Sometimes, the crystal's striking gold shine reflects positivity back at you and reminds you of all the beautiful things around you. 

The revitalising energy of Citrine can also help you shake off any winter fog that is bringing you down. Place your Citrine in front of you on the equinox, stretch, and thank the sun for shining (if it decides to finally break through the clouds).

By Lou Siday