3 Healing Uses of Copper

The powers of copper-where do I even start?! You might be thinking, “Ya sure, copper is great-it helps power my house, my phone, my washer and dryer…” but did you know that copper is used for healing bodily maladies and facilitating spiritual healing, too?! You might know that it conducts electricity, but this element will also warm your insides!

Where does copper come from?

The largest copper mine is located in Chile, the United States is the second runner-up, which is where we source all of our copper from here at Zenned Out. While copper is not considered a renewable resource, it is reusable, and 100% recyclable (all of our scrap copper is recycled!). Maybe this is why copper is referred to as “man’s eternal metal.”

What is it good for?

Copper is a building block for bones and tendons, is necessary for iron absorption, and also plays a role in melanin production and reducing free radicals.

Here's an interesting fact- copper is antimicrobial. So, hospitals coat their doorknobs in copper to prevent contamination! Aside from its germ-fighting superpowers here are a few more uses for copper:

• Wound Healing

• Arthritis/joint pain

• Anemia

• Blood Circulation

• Energy Blockage

• Conducts Spiritual Energy

• Helps the body make red blood cells

• Necessary for iron absorption

How can you use it?

Even though there’s more copper in your smartphone than any other metal, I'm not about to suggest that you harness the power of copper through that! However, I do have some fun and interesting ways for you to access the opulence of this element!

Most of us will get enough copper from eating a balanced diet. Also, keep in mind that copper is a heavy metal so don’t go overboard! Fortunately, these copper uses have bonuses beyond getting more copper in your system.

Copper Mug

Did you know that ancient civilizations stored their water in copper containers? It wasn’t just because they looked nice! Choose a copper mug or bottle to keep your water in overnight to enjoy coppers alkalizing benefits. Don't forget, copper is naturally antimicrobial so your drinking water will remain super fresh!

Many filtered waters have been stripped of their natural minerals, but keeping your water in a copper cup or vessel will help restore natural copper minerals that have been filtered out and also make the water more alkaline.

Copper Jewelry

Luckily for you, much of your Zenned Out swag will fall into this category! Copper jewelry allows for slow and steady absorption of copper into your skin. Some claim that wearing copper helps with arthritis and circulation.

What if your skin turns green? Well, oddly enough this is a sign of your body's acidity. Copper reacts to acidic environments and will create a green tint on your skin. This could be a sign of too much red meat or junk food in your diet…or even a warning that you could be getting sick! I love to wear copper for this specific purpose, if my copper is causing more green discoloration than usual it’s a good reminder for me to add some more fruits and veggies to my diet.

Copper Pyramid

There’s more to copper than absorption and being antimicrobial, copper is also a beloved spiritual tool as well. You may not be able to visit the pyramids of Giza, but you can easily bring the benefits of a copper pyramid into your favorite sacred space.

Grab a smaller copper pyramid to clear and cleanse your crystals, essential oils, and well pretty much anything you can fit inside of it!

You can find some affordable and handmade copper pyramids on Etsy. 

Copper is a great conductor of energy so copper pyramids are also perfect for meditation and balancing the chakras. Large copper pyramids can be pretty expensive, but you can use a smaller copper pyramid for the same purpose by placing it on your head during meditation or over a chakra for the same energetic benefits.

Copper has a cornucopia healing of uses and it’s beautiful, what could be better? I hope you’re inspired to rock some copper jewelry and enjoy some of the other perks copper has to offer.

6 Unexpected Gemstones You’ll Want in Your Jewelry Collection

Have more crystals than friends? Me too. Take a deep breath, you’re in the right place, no judgment here. I’m always on the hunt for new meaningful gems and crystals to add to my jewelry collection and today I’ve six powerful and lesser-known stones to share with you. Maybe all of these crystals will be new for you, or chances are you’ve spotted one somewhere but weren’t entirely sure of how to use it. So make some room on your crystal shelf (and your fingers), I'm here to introduce you to six new stones that will steal your heart and steady your soul!

Rhodonite

This rosey stone ranges from pink hues to black. It was originally discovered in Russia, is now mined in many places around the world, and is the state gemstone of Massachusetts. Think of rhodonite as a peace offering for your heart chakra. She mends a broken heart and wards off ill intent. She revives a somber spirit, promotes acceptance and emotional balance. Bonus, Rhodonite is also especially helpful for healing physical wounds too!

Rhodonite Benefits & Uses

Rhodonite contains levels of manganese that make it a choice pick for healing wounds, bruises, bug bites, and other physical ailments. Rhodonite is even used to make crystal elixirs which are ingested to help treat stomach ulcers! Skip the frozen T-bone. Keep a few rhodonite crystals in your freezer and use them the next time you have a bruise!

Hackmanite

This crystal was originally discovered in Greenland, I can't tell you the exact color of this stone because it changes! Hackmanite mined from Greenland and Quebec begin in deeper hues of pink and purple. As the stones become exposed to the light they turn white! However, if your hackmanite comes from Afghanistan or Myanmar it will begin as a white stone and darken when exposed to sunlight. This color shifting is known as tenebrescence or reversible photochromism. It is one of only four tenebrescent stones, so this quality is pretty rare!

Hackmanite Benefits & Uses

Have you been a bad judge of a situation recently? If you’re like me you have a knack for casually insulting strangers who just don't get your sarcasm. Hackmanite is the “time and place” stone. Use it to elevate your intuitions by way of your third eye and crown chakra. When you’re on your A-game in any situation, your self-esteem will benefit too! Try meditating in savasana with a piece of hackmanite on your brow.

Orange or Peach Aventurine

Time for green aventurine to move over so peach aventurine can have some attention! Most aventurine is mined from India and is a relatively inexpensive stone. It’s sometimes referred to as the “whisper stone” because it has much more gentle and soothing energy than some of its orange counterparts.

Orange or Peach Aventurine Benefits & Uses

Quiet your inner critic with the “whisper stone”! It’s cheery like sunshine and warms the body and the mind. This gentle stone will slowly activate the sacral chakra to bring more creativity into your life. It can also aid in conceiving a child and promotes a happy pregnancy. Let the sunshine spill over into your being with this soothing joyful stone!

Tektite

Snag yourself a space rock! Tektites were created when meteorites impacted Earth thousands of years ago. Meteorite flung molten debris high into the atmosphere, when this debris fell back down to earth, the black tektite stones were created. You’ll find that this rock comes in pretty unique shapes.

Tektite Benefits & Uses

Break the bonds of earthly limitations with this piece of the stars. Tektite enhances psychic abilities and elevates your dream state. Sleep with a piece of this stone beneath your pillow for a galactic trip. Dark stones are also beneficial for your plants. Place a tektite in the soil with your plants to transfer the vibrations of the universe to your green friends!

Grape Agate

Made up of grape-like spheres, this bubbly little gem wears its name well. It can appear in both purples and greens and was first discovered along in coastal Indonesia. Grape agate can be found in clusters and is a great alternative to amethyst for charging your smaller crystals!

Grape Agate Benefits & Uses

Here’s a short quote from Robert Simmons (leader in gemstone and mineral know-how) about grape agate:

Grape Agate is a powerful stone of spiritual purification. It emanates the Violet Ray, which unites the etheric, astral, emotional, mental and physical bodies in their intended true harmony...These stones increase one’s sensitivity to inner guidance, and they enhance one’s ability to follow it as well. The quiet power of Grape Agate can simultaneously increase one’s spiritual awareness and clear away inner obstacles to action toward the highest good.

Dumortierite or Blue Quartz

This rare, blue version of quartz is sometimes confused with sodalite and has even be disguised as faux lapis. However, dumortierite is quite different if you know what to look for. Because dumortierite is a quartz, it is semi-translucent, whereas sodalite and lapis are not. The blue hues are usually a bit softer in dumortierite than lapis and sodalite.

Dumortierite Benefits & Uses

Dumortierite is the stone of order. Working on a big project, need to organize the house, or prepare for a big change? This is your stone! This blue quartz can help you bring a sense of order in chaos, and self-discipline if you’re struggling with completing a project. Because this crystal is blue it will also work with your throat chakra and help give voice to any creative projects you may be working on.

I hope you found something new and different to add to your crystal collection! Know a fellow goddess who’d love to hear about these rare beauties too? Share away and let her know.

5 Tips to open your heart chakra and how to know when it's blocked

How are you feeling about giving and accepting love right now? Are you feeling open, receptive and giving--or maybe a little blocked? Whether you’ve got a lot or a little blocking you from giving and accepting love in your life, I’ve got tips to help you enliven your heart chakra, from herbal tinctures to heart chakra inspired altars!

The heart chakra, or in sanskrit anahata, is the chakra (energy center) located at the center of your sternum. The heart chakra is responsible for your ability to give and receive love. If you’ve had any heartache in your past (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) you may have some lingering blocks that could be making it hard for you to give and receive the love you deserve.

Is your heart chakra blocked?

Here’s a quick checklist to see if you’ve got any areas in your heart chakra that could use some extra love:

• Is your self-talk critical and negative?

• Do you have trouble making friends?

• Are you lonely?

• Do you have a lack of trust in your relationships?

• Do you have social anxiety?

• Do you have a hard time accepting and/or giving?

Whether you resonate with all of these or just 1 or 2 of these, I’ve got something for you. Read on to learn 5 versatile tips to clear up blocks in your heart chakra.

You can also read this blog post where I explain 3 ways to understanding the health of chakras.

1. Heart Chakra Altar

Make your sacred space a haven for your heart chakra by adorning your altar with colors, crystals, and symbols that will help balance and restore you to love.

Color: Green and pink. Feast your eyes on the color of your heart chakra by adorning your altar with candles, cloths, or statues with green and pink.

Crystals: Rose quartz, aventurine, emerald, green and pink tourmaline, chrysoprase, moss agate, and malachite. Aside from their green and pink hues all of these stones have energy that lends themselves to healing your heart chakra. Choose any combination of them to place on your altar.

Symbols: Anahata symbol, hearts, and the Wunjo Rune symbol all represent love. These symbols on your altar will act as a visual reminder of your intention to be open to giving and accepting love.

2. Ask the Cards

Grab your favorite tarot or oracle card deck and ask them how you can open and balance your heart chakra. Oracle and tarot cards, like any divination tool, are a direct link to your spirit guides and higher self. Try this heart chakra three-card spread or create your own. If you don't have a card deck handy you can opt to journal about each of the questions below instead.

1. What areas of my life are causing blocks in my heart chakra?

2. How can I improve my ability to accept love?

3. How can I nourish my heart chakra?

3. Heart Chakra Meditation

Set aside 5 minutes (or more!) of your day for some deep breaths, connect with your heart chakra on an even deeper level with a simple meditation. Energy reset meditations are a personal favorite of mine, probably because I find them so effective. You can check out my energy reset meditation bundle here.

Try working some of the following tips into your next meditation session balance and open your heart chakra:

Scents: If you have any rose or bergamot essential oils around, these are perfect for balancing the heart chakra. Add them to your diffuser or just take a few deep breaths before you start your meditation.

Visualize: Imagine a glowing green light around your heart chakra as you meditate. Visualize that with each inhale it grows bigger and with each exhale it comes back to center. Eventually, let this growing green light consume your whole body with each inhale.

Mantras: YAM (pronounced yawm, like CD-rom) is the mantra of the heart chakra. Layer this mantra into your meditation with long yaaaaaaaaammmmm added into your exhale. If you’d like a mantra with a clearer intention feel free to repeat one of these mantras during your meditation, “I am love” or “I accept love freely.”

4. Herbal Love for your Heart Chakra

Did you know that heartache, grief, and loss can lead to physical symptoms around your heart chakra? There’s even a name for it, it’s called “broken heart syndrome.” Yeah sure, we’ve all dealt with bad break ups, but if you’ve been dealt more than your fair share of heartache and loss it could be affecting your physical health too. Our physical bodies and energetic bodies are closely connected and intertwined. Keeping your heart in its best physical shape can help keep your heart chakra bright and shining!

Need a tune-up in the heartache department? Hawthorne is your go-to herb! For a quick fix, you can grab some hawthorne and hibiscus (also great for your heart) tea. But, if you want some serious healing herbs here’s a recipe for a hawthorn tincture.

If making tinctures aren't your thing, or you don't have supplies handy to make one, bergamot, rose, and ylang-ylang are all great options for activating the heart chakra. Diffuse or wear any of these oils to help soothe and open the heart chakra.

Hawthorne Heart Tincture

• Dried organic hawthorn berries

• 80 proof or greater vodka or brandy

• Optional: dried organic hawthorn leaves and flowers

• Glass jar

1. Fill your jar full with your herbs, then add the alcohol until all of your herbs are covered.

2. Don’t forget to label your concoction! Be sure to add the date you made it and what herbs are included.

3. Let your brew sit for 4-6 weeks, preferably in the window where it can soak up good vibes from the sun and moon.

4. Give your mixture a little shake up every couple of days. This is also the perfect time to infuse your tincture with some good vibes and intentions from you, so be sure to send it some happy thoughts when you shake it up!

5. Once the 4-6 weeks have passed, drain your mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.

6. Pour your tincture into a glass dropper bottle and you’re all set. Let the heart healing commence!

7. Enjoy 2-4 droppers full of your tincture 1-2 times a day in tea, water, or juice.

5. A Wearable Reminder of Love

Wearing symbols or crystals that associate with the heart chakra can serve as a potent reminder to give yourself and others love throughout the day.

If you're not into wearing jewelry, wearing colors associated with the heart chakra or carrying some heart chakra crystals in your pocket will have a similar effect.

These are just a few of many ways to open and balance your heart chakra. Read more about balancing the energy of this chakra on any of these blog posts. Click here for crystal grids for love, here for candle magick for love, or here for yoga and breathwork to open the heart chakra.