The Encyclopedia of Crystals, Herbs, and New Age Elements: An A to Z Guide to New Age Elements and How to Use Them - Adams Media 2016

Jade
The Power of Stones: Crystals and Gemstones

ORIGINS

Jade comes in two forms: jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is the harder, more highly valued form, and nephrite is softer and more common. Jadeite may be white, light to deep green, blue or blue-green, lavender, orange, or red, while nephrite can be found in creamy white, light to deep green, brown, and black varieties. Jadeite is found in Guatemala, Russia, China, and Myanmar (Burma), and nephrite is found in Guatemala, the Swiss Alps, Russia, China, and New Zealand.

HISTORY/LORE

Jade has been an important stone in China going back to the Neolithic period, when it was first used in burial rituals. During the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E. to C.E. 220), Chinese royalty were buried in jade burial suits to protect them in the afterlife. In Chinese culture, jade is believed to be a link between the physical and spiritual worlds and has long been prized as a carving stone to make jewelry, tools and weapons, and decorative and ceremonial objects.

USES

Healing Uses: Jade is a powerful cleansing stone that treats the filtration and elimination organs of the body, including the kidneys, spleen, and adrenal glands. It is helpful to the bones and joints, particularly the hips. Jade’s restorative property assists in treating infections and helping stitched wounds to bind and heal properly, and it is also useful for fertility and childbirth.

Magical Uses: Jade is known as “the dream stone.” It assists in remembering dreams and releasing suppressed emotions via dreaming. When placed on the forehead, it brings insightful dreams. More generally, jade aids in releasing negative thoughts and calming the mind. Wearing jade around the neck rebalances and unblocks the heart chakra, bringing self-acceptance to the wearer and harmony to dysfunctional relationships.

Feng Shui Uses: Jade uses wood energy, bringing growth, nourishment, and vitality to a space. Use it in the Family/Foundation and Wealth/Prosperity sectors of the home. Jade dragons, fish, and frogs symbolize the Chinese element of wood and springtime, and bring good luck and prosperity. Place these in the eastern area of the home for new beginnings and opportunity.

Personal/Spiritual Growth: Jade balances the personality and integrates the mind and body. It encourages you to be yourself and recognize that you are a spiritual being on a human journey. Jade prayer beads or beaded necklaces are useful in meditation. As a travel stone, jade protects against harm.