What is Moonstone? Healing Properties, Meaning, and Uses

If you’ve ever held moonstone in your hands, you’d know just how magical it feels. This enchanting gem is renowned for its mesmerizing play of light called “adularescence”, which makes the stone appear to glow from within.

Often linked to the moon due to its shimmering beauty, moonstone has been cherished for centuries – not just for its allure but also for its profound spiritual and emotional connections.  Many believe it can bring balance, harmony, and intuition into your life. Plus, it’s said to be especially powerful if you were born in June, as it’s your birthstone. Whether you wear it as jewelry or keep it in your pocket, moonstone is a gentle reminder of the moon’s magic and mystery that you can carry with you every day.

Moonstone Properties

• Color: Moonstones come in various colors including white, blue, gray, peach, brown, pink, orange, green, yellow, and rainbow.
• Hardness: Moonstone scores a 6 on the Mohs hardness scale.
• Luster: Its sheen, termed adularescence, is usually a white or silvery hue.
• Transparency: Moonstones can range from transparent to translucent to opaque.
• Chemical Formula: KAlSi3O8.
• Crystal System: Monoclinic.
• Refractive Index: Between 1.518 – 1.526.
• Specific Gravity: Approximately 2.56.
• Special Features: Some moonstones exhibit special optical effects like “four-ray asterism” (star effect) or “chatoyance” (cat-eye effect).
• Birthstone: Moonstone is recognized as the birthstone for June.
• Healing Properties: Physically, it’s believed to help with hormonal balance and fertility. Emotionally, it supports emotional balance, new beginnings, and creativity. Metaphysically, it connects to the Heart Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, and Crown Chakra, enhancing psychic abilities and inner growth.
• Origin: Moonstones are sourced from various parts of the world, including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, and Madagascar.

Moonstone, a feldspar mineral, is a gemstone renowned for its adularescence, which is a unique play of light that appears to move across its surface. The name “moonstone” derives from this shimmering optical phenomenon, which resembles the soft glow of moonlight.  The visual effect is caused by the intergrowth of two different types of feldspar with different refractive indices, scattering light between them.

“Moonstone is not just a gem. It’s a gentle reminder that we’re all under the same cosmic dance.” – Unknown

Moonstone is composed primarily of orthoclase and albite, and when these two materials cool, they form into alternating layers. It’s the light diffusing between these microscopic layers that creates the gemstone’s characteristic sheen.

Moonstone comes in a variety of colors, including colorless, white, cream, yellow, peach, green, gray, and blue. The blue sheen variety, which appears to have a blue glow floating on its surface, is particularly prized in the gemstone market.

You can be found moonstone in various locations around the world, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Brazil, and the United States, among others. Sri Lanka produces some of the highest quality blue moonstones, while India is known for its varieties with a rainbow-like play of colors.

Types of Moonstone

When it comes to moonstone, you have a diverse array of options. While all moonstone displays the coveted bluish sheen known as adularescence, the stones come in a variety of types and colors.  One of the most common is white moonstone, which has a translucent white tone that accentuates its shimmery optical phenomenon beautifully. But if you love colors, check out the 4 types of moonstone below:

• Blue Moonstone: This is the superstar of the moonstone family. It’s known for its captivating blue sheen that seems to float on its surface. When you find a blue moonstone with perfect clarity and a colorless body, you’ve stumbled upon one of the most sought-after gems in the world.
• Rainbow Moonstone:  Despite its name, this isn’t technically a “true” moonstone, but rather a type of labradorite. However, you’ll be forgiven for thinking they’re the same, given the dreamy rainbow effects you can see when light hits its creamy surface. A dance of colors in a stone!
• Green Moonstone: If you’re into subtle charm, this one’s for you. These moonstones are usually pale green-yellow with a slightly white or transparent look. What’s super cool about some of them is the starburst effect they can display, making them a unique pick.
• Pink Moonstone: Imagine a stone with colors ranging from honey to peach or beige, all with that classic moonstone shine. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the sheen can even mimic a shining star or resemble the mysterious cat’s eye. It’s a beautiful and versatile choice, whether you’re into jewelry or gem collecting.

Apart from these, moonstones can come in other hues like gray, brown, orange, yellow, and even colorless. Some special stones even boast unique effects like the star effect, known as “four-ray asterism,” or the cat-eye effect, known as “chatoyance.” Remember, when choosing a moonstone, it’s all about personal preference.

The Meaning and Symbolism of Moonstone

Think of the moon, how it moves through phases and controls the tides. Moonstone embodies a lot of the moon’s best qualities. Its gentle light and captivating shimmer can remind you of a softer,  more introspective side of life. It’s like having a piece of the moon’s magic, right in the palm of your hand!

In many cultures, moonstone is believed to be a talisman of protection, especially for travelers at night or on the water. Its connection with the moon’s cycles also makes it a symbol of fertility and the ebb and flow of life.

“Just as the moon waxes and wanes, moonstone, too, reminds us of the ebb and flow of life.” – Unknown

With its mysterious play of colors, moonstone is often associated with intuition, dreams, and visions. Wearing or meditating with a piece of moonstone can be a beautiful way to tap into your inner wisdom and intuition. Some say it helps to open up the heart and allows you to be more receptive to the universe’s energies.

For lovebirds out there, moonstone is considered a stone of love and eroticism, kindling the passions of lovers. It’s no surprise that in India, moonstone is sometimes given as a traditional wedding gift, symbolizing the beginning of two lives joined by love and commitment.

Moreover, moonstone also celebrates new beginnings, making it a great gift for anyone embarking on a new chapter in their life, be it a new job, moving homes, or the birth of a child. It’s a gentle reminder that life is full of phases, and just as the moon waxes and wanes, so do the events in our lives.

Healing properties of Moonstone

With its otherworldly shimmer, moonstone feels deeply connected to the mystical and divine feminine, serving as a bridge between your conscious and subconscious mind.  Its healing properties span the physical, mental, emotional, and metaphysical realms, making it a versatile and revered crystal across various traditions and cultures. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding moonstone’s profound healing properties and how it may benefit you:

Physical Healing Properties

Moonstone’s connection to feminine energy and the cycles of the moon makes it especially effective in regulating and harmonizing hormonal imbalances.  Those experiencing the often taxing symptoms of PMS may find solace and relief by integrating moonstone into their healing routines.

Its influence extends to the reproductive organs, aiding in synchronizing one’s bodily cycles with nature’s rhythms. Additionally, for individuals navigating fertility challenges, moonstone presents itself as a beacon of hope, promoting fertility and alleviating the physical discomforts commonly linked to pregnancy and childbirth.

Mental & Emotional Healing Properties

The moon’s gravitational pull impacts not just the tides but also your emotional and psychological states. As a lunar emblem, moonstone has the ability to illuminate your emotional landscape, bringing clarity and balance.

If you wear or meditate with moonstone, you can harness its energy to keep your emotions in check and harmonize with the universe’s flow. Recognized as the “stone of new beginnings”, moonstone encourages you to accept life’s inevitable changes, embracing rather than resisting them. Its energy guides you to process life transitions with grace, understanding, and optimism, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence.

Metaphysical Properties

Moonstone’s shimmering appearance is more than just visually enchanting; it serves as a conduit for psychic intuition and a deep connection to one’s chakras. This gemstone resonates profoundly with the metaphysical realm, inviting a sense of wonder and introspection.

When in contact with Moonstone, you’ll find a heightened connection to the Heart Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, and the Crown Chakra.  The latter two, in particular, facilitate introspection, allowing you to transcend your immediate surroundings and realize your place in the grand cosmic scheme. By opening and aligning these chakras, Moonstone propels you to a state of universal understanding, ensuring you feel intrinsically connected to the celestial tapestry that adorns the skies.

In essence,  moonstone serves as a holistic tool, addressing varied facets of your well-being. Incorporating this gemstone into your life can be transformative, ensuring you navigate challenges with resilience, clarity, and a deeper connection to the universe’s rhythms.

How to Use Moonstone in Feng Shui

In Feng Shui, moonstone can be a powerful tool for bringing good energy into your home. With its luminous glow and deeply spiritual vibe, this gem is the perfect way to incorporate the moon’s energy wherever you need more harmony and balance.

If you’re new to using crystals like moonstone in feng shui, don’t worry – incorporating this beautiful stone is simple.  You’ll find that moonstone has a variety of applications for enhancing the feng shui of your bedroom, living spaces, office, and more. Let’s look at some recommendations for using this crystal in feng shui for optimal results.

1. Spherical Moonstones for Ambient Energy: A moonstone in a spherical shape is ideal, as it radiates its energy evenly in all directions, creating a balanced atmosphere in any room. Consider placing such a stone in spaces where you seek harmony and tranquility.
2. Carry for Personal Balance:  For a continuous flow of moonstone’s calming energies, keep a tumbled piece in your pocket. This not only balances your personal chi but also keeps you attuned to the stone’s nurturing frequencies.
3. Enhancing Sleep and Dreams: Positioning a moonstone near your bed or placing it beneath the mattress, specifically under the heart area, can foster peaceful sleep and vivid dreams. Due to its reputation as the “dream stone,” it’s believed to bring about soothing and insightful dream experiences.
4. Relationship Harmony: To bolster relationships and encourage self-care, identify the bagua position for relationships (known as kun) in your bedroom. Introducing a moonstone in this sector can usher in feelings of balance, understanding, and rejuvenation.
5. Promoting Fertility: Black moonstone, which is both accessible and potent, can be strategically placed in areas where you want to enhance fertility vibes, be it in the literal sense of childbirth or metaphorically for birthing new ideas and ventures.
6. Health and Well-being: Using the bagua map, position a moonstone in the health sector (or center, known as tai qi) or the kun area of your home. This placement aids in balancing energies, reducing tensions, and promoting overall wellness.
7. Boosting Clarity and Vision: Iridescent rainbow moonstones are exceptional tools for visualization and insight. Whether you’re meditating or merely winding down,  holding or being near this stone can offer clarity. Place a piece by your bedside or even near a vision board to amplify your intentions and bring your goals into focus.
8. Energizing Workspaces: To stimulate creativity and innovation in your professional endeavors, introduce moonstone into your office or workspace. Its presence can activate fresh ideas, encourage innovative thinking, and maintain a balanced work environment.

When using moonstone in feng shui, you have to trust your own instincts and emotions when deciding where to place the stone. Feng shui isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach – what works for someone else might not be quite right for you.

Over time, you’ll probably find that some spots just feel better than others. Go with what makes you feel peaceful and balanced.  The great thing about feng shui is that you can tweak the placements and adapts things as needed to customize your space. So don’t be afraid to experiment and find what resonates most deeply for your unique needs. Trust your intuition, and let the moonstone guide you towards better energy flow in your home.

How to Cleanse and Charge Your Moonstone

Moonstone, like many crystals and gemstones, benefits from regular cleansing and charging to maintain its vibrational energies and to clear it of any absorbed negative energies.  Given its connection to lunar forces and its relative softness on the Mohs hardness scale, moonstone requires specific care. Here’s a handy guide on the best ways to look after your moonstone and keep it vibrating at its highest level:

1. Understanding Moonstone’s Delicacy: Moonstone ranks a 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it susceptible to scratching and damage. Always handle your moonstone with care, ensuring you don’t subject it to any forceful actions that might compromise its integrity.
2. Cleansing with Salt Water: One of the most traditional methods to cleanse moonstone is by soaking it in a solution of sea salt and water. Use about 3 tablespoons of sea salt for every cup of water. Allow the moonstone to immerse in this mixture overnight, ensuring it is fully submerged. This process helps to draw out any negative energies the stone might have absorbed.
3. Natural Water Cleansing:  If you have access to a clear stream, consider gently washing your moonstone in its waters. The natural flow and purity of stream water can effectively cleanse and rejuvenate the stone’s energies.
4. Smudging for Energetic Cleansing: If you prefer not to use water, you can also cleanse your moonstone using smudging techniques. Sage and palo santo are popular choices for this. Pass your moonstone through the smoke of the smudge stick, allowing the aromatic smoke to envelop and purify the stone.
5. Visualization Techniques: Another potent method involves using your mind’s power. Envision a radiant white moonlight surrounding your moonstone, penetrating its core, and dispelling any negative energies it might contain. Your intent here is key: imagine the moonstone being purified and recharged by this ethereal light.
6. Charging under Moonlight: Given moonstone’s lunar affinity, it’s optimal to charge it under the moonlight. Preferably during a full moon or new moon, place your moonstone outdoors or on a windowsill where it can bask in the moon’s glow. This process attunes the stone to its natural frequencies, enhancing its properties.
7. Setting Intentions: Once your moonstone is cleansed and charged, hold it close to your third eye (located on your forehead). As you do, ask the moonstone to assist you with clarity, intuition, love, and guidance. Setting this intention aligns your energy with the stone, making your interactions with it more profound and meaningful.

Moonstone is the birthstone of which month?

If you were born in June, then dreamy moonstone is your birthstone! Having this mystical gem as your special stone means you’re deeply connected to its energies of intuition, emotional balance, and the natural cycles of life.

Moonstone’s famous glow that shifts with the light represents how you change and grow with the phases of the moon.  Its vibes of harmony and flow sync up so well with your own inner traits. When you embrace this stone, it can strengthen those June-born qualities and align you closely with its protective, nurturing powers.

Crystals combinations for Moonstone