Tree of Life copper necklace with green quartz

Ordinary yet extraordinary, colorful and clear quartz crystals are the most common in the world and comprise the largest and most diverse family in the mineral kingdom. From ancient times to the present, quartz crystals have been a source of light for mankind. Highly valued by spiritual leaders and healers as well as scientists, quartz's unique properties have played a key role in the evolutionary development of mankind. Consisting of silicon and oxygen (silicon dioxide), quartz from the European "Quartz" is a key component in a variety of minerals called "silicates". It occurs as prismatic hexagonal crystals in compact masses and druses, and in dense fibrous or granular formations without visible crystals. It is also an important mineral element in common rocks such as granite, quartzite and gneiss and in sedimentary conglomerates such as sandstone. Most people whospeakof "crystals" usually refer to them as rock crystal (Clear Quartz), the six-sided prisms of pure light and energy known as the perfect jewel. Its sparkling light contains the entire spectrum of colors. In the metaphysical world, clear quartz crystals are the highest gift from Mother Earth. Even the smallest ones possess powerful properties. The elders believed these stones were alive, taking a breath every hundred years or so, and many cultures thought they were incarnations of the divine. Today's healers agree that crystals are living beings, incredibly ancient and wise, and ready to communicate when an individual is open and ready to receive. Wearing or meditating with a clear quartz crystal opens the mind and heart to higher guidance, so that the realm of spirit can be transferred and transmitted into the world of physical form. Rock crystal resonates at the level of the individual's needs and also amplifies the energy or intention that is programmed into it, continuing to send that energy throughout the world and into the etheric realms. This can accelerate the fulfillment of one's prayers, intensify healing or spiritual growth, or simply allow the crystal to hold an energy pattern long enough and strong enough for the manifestation of a goal to take place. The Tree of Life symbol is commonly depicted as a large tree with roots that spread inward to the ground, and branches that spread outward to the sky. This represents the interconnected nature of all things in the universe; an eternal bonding of the physical realm we are rooted in, and the spiritual realm we are reaching for. The Tree of Life serves as a reminder of our universal connection to the Mother Earth, and our dependence on her to grow and flourish. The Tree of Life is an ancient mystical symbol appearing in various cultures from the Mayans to the Celts, Buddhism to Nordic mythology.

While these cultural legends centred around the sacred Tree of Life may differ in their detail, their stories symbolise similar overarching concepts linked to religion, philosophy and spirituality. Let’s take a closer look at some of the universal meanings behind the Tree of Life symbol, and how these may guide you in your own life’s journey.