Crystal Grimoire
Pyrite
Also known as: Fool's Gold
Chakras: Root, Solar Plexus, Heart
Zodiac: Leo
Planets: Mars, Sun
Elements: Fire, Earth
Color: Gold, Yellow
Summary
Pyrite is associated with the Root, Solar Plexus and Heart Chakras and is known as the Stone of Abundance. It attracts wealth, prosperity, success and good luck, strengthens will-power, manifestation and creativity, balances energetic fields, and shields from negativity.
Keywords
Often associated with: abundance, wealth, prosperity, success, good luck, will-power
Spiritual meaning
In crystal tradition: Stone of Abundance that attracts wealth, prosperity, success, and good luck.
Emotional meaning
Often associated with: Encourages optimism and an overall positive outlook.
Fun facts
Despite being nicknamed 'fool's gold,' pyrite is sometimes found in association with small quantities of actual gold, and a substantial proportion of this is invisible gold incorporated directly into the pyrite itself. Its name comes from the Greek word 'pyr' meaning fire, because it produces sparks when struck against metal, a property that made it a fire-starting tool across ancient civilizations. Ancient Egyptians ground it into powder for cosmetics, while the Incas used it in ceremonial practices and polished it to create mirrors. During the California Gold Rush, so many prospectors were fooled by pyrite that 'fool's gold' entered the language permanently, but the joke cuts both ways, since real gold deposits are often found nearby.
History and lore
In history and lore: The Egyptologist Wallis Budge, citing Sir Henry Yule in 1930, recorded that sailors on the Irrawaddy river in Burma wore iron pyrites as an amulet against crocodiles. Kunz wrote that in Geneva cut pyrite was called 'pierre de sante,' or health-stone, and was believed to grow pale when the wearer's health was about to fail.
About the sources
- E. A. Wallis Budge, Egyptologist, sometime Keeper of the Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities in the British Museum, author of Amulets and Superstitions (Oxford University Press, 1930), which covers Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Islamic and Christian amulets.
- Sir Henry Yule, co-author of Hobson-Jobson, whose report from Burma Budge cites in Amulets and Superstitions (1930).
- George Frederick Kunz (1856 to 1932), Tiffany & Co.'s chief gemologist and author of The Curious Lore of Precious Stones (1913) and The Magic of Jewels and Charms (1915).