The early Egyptians believed azurite to be the most potent psychic stone. Shrouded in mystery, its secrets were only known to the highest priests and priestesses. The ancient Chinese, too, revered azurite, which they called the “stone of heaven” because they said it opened the celestial gateways. Across the world, Mayans claimed the stone transferred wisdom and knowledge and inspired the mystical self. Even today, healers use it to open the mind to new perspectives and to enter a meditative or channeling state. A deep blue copper mineral, azurite can appear in over 45 different forms. It is a secondary mineral that forms in copper deposits as carbonated waters weather other copper minerals. It is sensitive to the elements. Heat turns it into a black copper oxide powder, while air slowly turns it into malachite.
Azurite is a soft stone with saturated color ranges from bright to deep blue with streaks of light blue and even indigo. It has been ground into pigment for paint and used as a fabric dye for centuries. Many European paintings from the 15<sup>th</sup> to 17<sup>th</sup> century get their blue from azurite. The perfect stone for connecting with sacred powers, it is often used with religious music and to bring one’s inner vision into alignment with spiritual guidance.