Humans have used crystals for tens of thousands of years. We’ve adorned our bodies with them, used them for divination, and kept them close to harness their powers in our lives.

Chances are good that you know some of the most famous crystals and their uses – amethyst, quartz, jasper, obsidian, and even precious gemstones like sapphire all top the list. One that you might not know is citrine.

This honey-colored crystal is definitely one that you want in your life, but what is it and what does it bring to the table? We’ll explore everything you need to know about the citrine meaning, powers, healing properties, and more in this guide.

Citrine crystal, usually just called citrine, is a yellow to brown-colored variation of quartz. It is often orange or bright yellow, which is where it gets its name, which is derived from the Latin word citrina, which means “citrus” and evokes thoughts of lemons and oranges. However, there’s no citrus here.

The coloration comes from different concentrations of iron. The more iron, the darker the crystal. Lower concentrations give the stone a lighter coloration.

You might find the raw form of citrine familiar. It looks a lot like amethyst, and for good reason. Citrine forms from amethyst or smoky quartz when they’re heated to super-high temperatures, which changes the oxidation state of the iron within the citrine crystals.

Of course, there’s more to citrine crystals than just their chemical properties and similarity to smoky quartz and amethyst. Let’s explore citrine’s meaning more deeply.

Among citrine’s properties, you’ll find that it can augment healing and restoration. Some of the healing properties of citrine crystals include its ability to cleanse the body, including the chakras. It is also said to promote the body’s innate ability to heal and restore itself, amplifying your immune system.

Citrine is recognized as an energizer, so not only does it boost your immune system, but it is also said to augment your mental, physical, and emotional energy reservoirs, improving your resilience during trying times.

Citrine crystals have been used for centuries for specific physical, emotional, and mental healing properties, too. For instance, it’s associated with improved thyroid function and a reduction in allergies. It was used by indigenous peoples around the world to ease menstrual pain and fight nausea, as well as to reduce hot flashes associated with menstruation and menopause.

Citrine crystal healing properties don’t stop there. Some cultures valued this crystal for its ability to boost the metabolism, while others used it to treat blood-related health issues, such as poor circulation, and to enhance tissue regeneration.

In terms of emotional healing, citrine crystals offer quite a few benefits. When worn next to the skin, the stone is said to promote positivity. For those battling trauma and loss, it can help them let go of the past more easily while looking forward to life optimistically. Citrine is synonymous with harmony, creative energy, and being able to lead a joyous life. It was often called the “joy stone” in ancient cultures.

Finally, wearing a citrine crystal can also affect your mental outlook. This yellow crystal is often recommended for those struggling with cloudy thoughts or who have trouble concentrating. It can also improve your strength of ill and give you a deep sense of inner invigoration that buoys your soul even in the face of serious difficulties you might be facing.

If you’re struggling with low energy, battling a slowing metabolism, need to feel a deep sense of renewal, or want to augment your body’s natural healing abilities, citrine can help. However, there’s also a deep spiritual connection with this stunning stone.

When you delve into citrine’s meaning, you’ll find that in addition to its powerful energetic and healing capabilities, it’s also a powerful spiritual gemstone. It has been used for hundreds of years for a wide range of spiritual purposes.

One of the most important spiritual uses of citrine is to cleanse the aura and remove negativity. This is tied to the stone’s innate energizing and purifying capabilities. With that cleansing comes renewed energy and the ability to grow personally and spiritually. It’s a critical step toward developing better self-awareness and achieving deeper spiritual insights no matter what your specific spiritual path might be.

Another very strong connection with citrine is its ability to bring light and energy to the darkest corners of the soul and illuminate a path forward during trials and tribulations. If you’re finding it hard to keep walking your spiritual path, citrine may be able to illuminate the gloom. Just as sunlight triggers growth, the illuminating effect of a citrine crystal also brings abundance, which makes it the perfect option for anyone who might be feeling a lack of joy, energy, support, or happiness.

Citrine crystals can also play an important role in manifestation. Their ability to energize and boost creativity and mental openness ensures that you’re better able to visualize what you want to attract in your life and then manifest that.

Finally, citrine is a spiritual defender. It brings light and energy to dark corners, helping you fight back against negative energy and even the effects of negative people within your life. That can provide a significant spiritual uplift and even improve your enjoyment of life while seeing past negative influences to the true causes of those emotions.

But what other properties do citrine crystals have? When you explore the citrine meaning fully, you find that this joyful stone also has many metaphysical properties.

Citrine’s metaphysical properties are vast and varied, but they’re all tied to things we’ve already discussed. This stone is renowned for its ability to bring light, energy, and joy, and those are the foundations of its metaphysical properties.

We’ve already touched on one of those – manifestation. Citrine has been called “the stone of abundance”, and it’s believed that it can help you attract wealth and prosperity, manifesting those in your life. Its manifestation powers don’t stop there, however. Some people note that citrine can also help you manifest positive relationships, an enhanced sense of self-esteem, and better health (all of which are tied to aspects of citrine we talked about earlier).

Citrine is also known for its ability to improve your drive and sense of purpose. It can fill you with a sense of joy and infuse your path with meaning while defending against negative energy and other things that can sidetrack you or tear you down. In this sense, it’s a defender and energizer.

Citrine crystals channel life, light, and inner fire, and those bring us to another of the gemstone’s metaphysical properties: the ability to enhance generosity. Just as the sun doesn’t demand anything from the Earth for providing its light, citrine crystals can help you feel more expansive, bring a sense of inner and outer abundance, and enlarge your heart so you can share with others without thinking of personal gain.

As you might imagine given what we’ve explored of citrine’s meaning thus far, the stone has powerful effects on the body, mind, and emotions. It’s also deeply tied to your chakras, which is the key to its ability to benefit you.

The body has many chakras – channels that allow prana energy to flow through the body. While the body has 108 important chakras, seven are fundamental to health, well-being, and growth. These are muladhara, swadhisthana, manipuraka, anahata, vishuddhi, ajna, sahasrara, and brahamarandra. Citrine is connected with the third of these: manipuraka, the solar plexus chakra, which is located in the upper abdomen.

The solar plexus chakra is associated with many of the same things as citrine crystals, such as the color yellow, warmth, fire, willpower, personal identity, your sense of purpose, your level of self-esteem, and more.

If the solar plexus chakra becomes blocked, it can lead to a wide range of unwanted physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms. Those can include things like eating disorders and pancreatic issues, as well as poor nutrient processing. Being quick to anger, having low self-esteem, and feeling like you’re stagnating are mental symptoms related to a blocked solar plexus chakra.

In addition to the body’s chakras, citrine is also associated with the Western zodiac. Citrine is November’s birthstone, so it’s highly associated with those born under Scorpio and Sagittarius. However, citrine’s unique properties mean that it’s also well-suited for others, including those burn under the signs Libra, Leo, and Aries.

Citrine’s cheerful yellow-orange glow is echoed by the stone’s innate properties and powers. Protective and uplifting, citrine also fosters joy, a sense of purpose, and better self-esteem. It can also help unblock the solar plexus chakra, with which it shares many characteristics. And, while it might be November’s birthstone and best suited for Scorpios or those born under Sagittarius, Leo, Aries, or Libra, it’s also an excellent option for anyone who values warmth, energy, and positivity.