Lapis lazuli is an ornamental semi-precious stone that is popular for its distinctive blue color. The word “lapis” is Latin for stone, while lazurite is derived from the ancient Persian word “lazhuward” meaning blue. It mostly comprises sulfur-based minerals like blue lazurite, white calcite, and white-gold pyrite. Other minerals may also be present, but these three are most commonly found inside these stones.

Raw lapis lazuli stones were mined for more than 6,000 years from the limestone caves in Northeast Afghanistan and made their way to other civilizations through trade. Throughout history, many cultures have revered these mystical stones for their vivid color and connection to celestial energy. The ancient Egyptians used to adorn their pharaoh burial masks with lapis lazuli jewelry. During the Renaissance period in Europe, these blue stones were finely ground into ultramarine pigment. Many vases and carvings are still adorned with lapis lazuli crystal decorations until today. 

Until now, lapis lazuli has been considered one of the most sought-after semi-precious stones because of the healing properties, spiritual influence, and metaphysical symbolism it provides.

Crystal healing is an alternative therapy that aims to bring balance and positivity to one's life and mindset by utilizing rocks and crystals. Lapis lazuli and other gemstones possess stable and unchanging energy patterns, each with its own distinct frequency and vibration field. The energies captured by these stones contain unique properties that are significant in healing the human mind and body. 

Traditionally, healing crystals are employed to balance the chakras and energize the body's energy properties, fostering a clear and positive energy field. It is believed that crystals facilitate the healing and restoration of the body's internal energy flow, consequently aiding physical healing as well.

Lapis lazuli, renowned for its healing properties, is particularly effective for addressing emotional baggage and trauma. It enhances insight, awareness, and inner truth, fostering mental clarity and coherence in thoughts and speech. Additionally, Lapis Lazuli imparts lessons on compassion and spiritual love, making it an excellent choice for meditation as it facilitates deep introspection. This stone invigorates the third eye chakra and supports and balances the throat chakra, making it ideal to wear as a necklace for maximum effectiveness.

Here are several examples of lapis lazuli healing properties:

• fortifies the immune system
• purifies blood and reduces blood pressure
• relieves areas of inflammation
• counters insomnia and vertigo
• helps reduce the risk of depression
• Relieves stress in the respiratory and nervous systems, throat, vocal cords, and thyroid
• purifies organs, bone marrow, and the thymus gland

Lapis lazuli healing properties can be amplified if paired with the following stones and crystals:

• Selenite is known for enhancing overall well-being and can therefore complement lapis lazuli by aiding in grounding and relaxation.
• Rose quartz keeps a strong connection to the heart chakra. When co rose quartz enhances feelings of love and compassion when combined with lapis lazuli.
• Citrine promotes positivity and manifests one’s desires. Pairing it with lapus lazuli amplifies the wearer's self-confidence.
• Clear quartz emits energy for meditation, so pairing it with a lapis lazuli stone 
• Turquoise rocks resonate a relaxing and grounding energy. Using it together with lapis lazuli can be effective at relieving tension and stress.
• Aquamarine shares the lapis lazuli metaphysical properties of improving meditation and building strong connections to spiritual guides.
• Pyrite strengthens intuition and generosity. Together with lapis lazuli, these two stones can improve a person’s positive outlook on life.
• Sodalite is linked to the third-eye chakra just like lapis lazuli. When both rocks are paired, there will be a beneficial impact on the wearer’s wisdom, intuition, and imagination.

Lapis lazuli is considered one of the oldest spiritual stones used by humanity to enhance psychic powers and evoke wisdom. Over the centuries, the lapis lazuli spiritual meaning has been deeply associated with qualities like intellect, courage, royalty, strength, wisdom, intellect, truth, and friendship.

Placing a lapis lazuli crystal over the third eye expands one’s awareness and enlightens one with a calming presence. Wearing a lapis lazuli necklace keeps it close to the throat chakra and helps alleviate stress. 

Lapis lazuli can also access a person’s spiritual power through dreams. Keeping one of these stones close to you during sleep lets the energy tap into your dreams to offer guidance that may benefit you in real-life scenarios.

Lastly, the spiritual power associated with lapis lazuli allows it to function as a protective talisman. Wearing any lapis lazuli jewelry helps your subconscious mind detect and ward off psychic attacks. The negative energy will then be redirected to the source while your mind stays peaceful.

Astrologists believe that a lapis lazuli gemstone contains cosmic energy, especially since its appearance resembles that of the universe itself; the rich blue color is reminiscent of the sky and flecks of white or yellow look like stars.

Aside from the healing properties mentioned earlier, wearing lapis lazuli jewelry offers numerous benefits such as the following:

• Enhances self-expression, fostering self-confidence and self-love.
• Promotes self-awareness, facilitating better decision-making.
• Encourages love and compassion.
• Stimulates creativity, clarity, and imagination.
• Brings morality and harmony to the wearer's personality.

Spiritual advisers recommend using a lapis lazuli gemstone during spiritual practices like meditation and yoga. These activities enhance the energy flowing between your chakras and maximize the stone's potential benefits for the wearer.

"Chakra" is a Sanskrit term meaning "disk" or "wheel" and refers to the energy centers within the body. These spinning wheels of energy correspond to specific nerve bundles and major organs. For optimal functioning, your chakras need to remain open and balanced. When they become blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra. There are seven primary chakras aligned along the spine, beginning from the crown of the head and descending to the base or root of the spine. Along the way, the energy passes through the chakras of the third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, and sacrum.

The lapis lazuli crystal is associated with both the throat chakra (Vishuddha) and the third eye chakra (Ajna). The throat chakra serves as the locus for expressing heartfelt truths and influences how individuals communicate with the world. Meanwhile, the third eye represents our gateway to inner wisdom and intuition. The energies of both chakras are linked to the color blue similar to lapis lazuli properties. Keeping one of these mystical stones close balances the throat and third-eye chakras and avoids blockages in one’s insight and communication.

Lapis lazuli is a gemstone that synergizes well with the zodiac signs of Sagittarius, Taurus, Virgo and Libra to express themselves in a mature, sensitive and tactful manner.

• Leo: People born under the Leo zodiac sign are confident and ambitious in nature. Lapis lazuli emits a strong and vibrant energy that resonates well with the personality of Leo.

• Gemini: Gemini people have a natural gift for articulating their ideas and thoughts. This gift can be further enhanced by lapus lazuli’s connection with the throat chakra, the energy center responsible for self-expression, creativity, and communication.

• Virgo: Those who are born under the sign of Virgo are known for their intellectual and analytical prowess. However, they can also tend to be too shy and modest and that might hinder their confidence. Lapis lazuli encourages introspection, self-awareness, and clarity of thought. This stone can help Virgos connect deeper with their emotions to overcome their timidity during times of communication and self-expression.

• Taurus: The Taurus star sign is fixed, and it reflects on the loyal, meticulous, and consistent personality of those who are born under this zodiac. However, Taurus may also come off to others as stubborn due to their insistence on keeping to their routines. Their stubborn tendencies can be balanced by the lapis lazuli benefits of enriching one’s self-awareness and communication skills. 

• Libra: Libras are great at socializing but they have a tendency to please everyone and avoid conflict that may lead to neglecting their own needs. These people are also more likely to be indecisive since they are conscious of making choices that could offend other people. Lapis lazuli metaphysical properties enhance self-awareness and decision-making, making it a perfect choice for Libras who need to relieve stress and refocus on their well-being.

• Sagittarius: Sagittarians have an ambitious, adventurous, and fun-loving personality. The drawback is that they can be boastful without following through with their plans and impatient in seeking instant results. The connection between Lapis Lazuli and the throat chakra can benefit Sagittarians by enhancing their self-awareness and communication to avoid negative relationships with others.

Lapis lazuli can also be worn by those with other zodiac signs that are not mentioned above. However, it is advisable to first consult your horoscope for any consequences and side effects of wearing this stone.

Lapis lazuli also has practical applications in addition to the spiritual, healing, and metaphysical benefits mentioned above. Lapis lazuli beads, rings, bracelets and other jewelry pieces are popular around the world. A necklace or pendant with this stone would be better at attuning energy since it is worn closer to the throat chakra, but a lapis lazuli ring or bracelet could still provide aesthetic benefits. And for those who were born in September, the deep blue color of lapis lazuli makes it a perfect birthstone substitute for sapphire.

Aside from jewelry, lapis lazuli is also used to create pigments for paint and makeup by collecting enough stones and grinding them to powder. The famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra used to apply eyeshadow made from lapis lazuli.

In conclusion, the beautiful lapis lazuli is one of the most versatile semi-precious stones that exist. It has a deep history that is connected not only to the physical world but to the spiritual and metaphysical realms as well. The benefits offered by lapis lazuli reach far beyond human understanding that it deserves its appearance and reputation as the stone that resembles the cosmic universe.