Kundalini Quartz is a unique and unusual rare natural citrine from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Central Africa.
The quartz is mined from weathered rock by small scale artisanal miners in a very remote locality, with the nearest town being Luena, in the province of Katanga. This lies close to the Zambian border. The region can often flood in the rainy season, making the mine inaccessible for part of the year. Apparently, there is no road access for miles and the only way to transport the citrine from the mines is by motorbike. Conflict and political unrest in DRC adds to the difficulty of getting the natural citrine out of the country.
Sadly, this beautiful and extraordinary quartz can often suffer from mining damage due to poor mining practices. However, the miners are improving their methods with guidance from supporting trade links, and collaborations with wholesale buyers who work closely with the miners to encourage better mining practices.
The distinctive formation of the Kundalini Quartz with its split growth, is often termed artichoke growth due to the resemblance of an artichoke head. The quartz often features one main point, surrounded by layers of smaller upward cascading parallel points growing from the sides at the base, and partially enclosing the main crystal. These outer smaller crystals are mini versions of the main crystal and exhibit the same growth pattern. Sometimes, the smaller cascading crystals wrap around the main crystal on a slant creating a spiral effect.The quartz can also have twin points or more, thereby creating clusters. These can be quite striking when all the main points are surrounded by the smaller points, and are much sought after. The thought is that the ‘mother' crystal and ‘daughters’ all grow simultaneously together, and due to lattice defects, possible trace elements, and fast growth, this ‘sprouting’ occurs.
COLOUR
The colour of the natural citrine can range from really dark smokey through to rich golden yellow to light champagne. Natural citrine has always been a bit of a mystery as to how it gets its colour. It is generally thought that the yellow colour is caused by irradiation, with possible traces of aluminium, similar to smokey quartz. Which makes sense! Some report that it could be due to traces of iron. So possibly, depending on the depth and shades of colour, it could be one or other, or both.
In the case of iron, some of the kundalini quartz does occasionally have goethite on the surface, indicating there is an iron presence, and some quartz will have hematite presence within the smaller points.
As with all quartz, citrine is a silicon dioxide mineral with a hardness of 7 on the Moh’s scale. The crystal structure is trigonal.
Like other quartz, natural citrine kundalini quartz can display master faces, such as channellers, receivers, transmitters, Dows, timelinks, etc, and other characteristics known to quartz. There are usually interesting inclusions to be seen, as well as phantoms, and there are often rainbow flashes.
WHY THE NAME
Kundalini Quartz has all the usual healing attributes of natural citrine, which are mentioned later. In addition to these, Kundalini Quartz has its own unique healing properties, which explain the name.
When connecting to the energies of kundalini Quartz, one can experience a stimulation of rising energies, that begin either at the root chakra, sometimes at the Earth Star chakra. The energy rises upwards through the chakras, and out through the crown, creating a shift in energies, and clearing blocked energy channels, to bring balance.
In many instances, this may bring about an expansion of consciousness and self awareness, and for some, a feeling of bliss. It can often be transformational.
My personal experiences with kundalini Quartz in basic terms, is usually that of ‘pillars’ of energy, (Nadi), rising up from the root chakra, or the Earth Star, and sometimes in a spiral fashion, rising through the central core and then flowing out through the crown. I find it to be a gentle cleansing and balancing, and very refreshing and revitalising. It can also leave me with a comforting feeling of joy, contentment and happiness. These feelings would no doubt be enhanced by the citrine energy.
Others may have different experiences which may be more intense, and I would advise that unless you are familiar and have experience of connecting with crystal energy, that you seek an experienced crystal therapist in the first instance.
KUNDALINI AWAKENING
What is kundalini? Kundalini, is known as ‘coiled serpent’ in Sanskrit, and sits at the base of the spine. It is considered to be our divine feminine energy and divine life force. It is the source of our creative power.
When kundalini energy is awakened it rises up through the chakra system, cleansing and recharging our energy system, and balancing the yin and Yang energies, bringing about a natural rhythm and flow. It expands our consciousness and self awareness. It can create a feeling of bliss and transformation. It can be life changing.
Some may never experience a true kundalini awakening. Those who do have their own stories to tell. Sometimes it is gentle, others experience a state of ecstasy.
I suggest, if you would like to learn more about kundalini energies and kundalini awakening, to do some further reading on the subject.
NATURAL CITRINE
Citrine, with its yellow colouring is a fire stone with masculine / Yang energy. It supports the root, sacral and solar plexus chakras. These are the chakras associated with the physical body.
The more smokey the citrine, the more it will assist with grounding the physical body with the Earth energies. This is the anchor that creates the foundation for stability and the spring board for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well being.
Citrine is known for enhancing inspiration, creativity and imagination. This springs from the sacral energy centre, and is where our emotions sit. The sacral chakra is a big place that harbours light and darkness. Citrine will help to free the blocked and stifled energies of passion and spontaneity, and repressed feelings and emotions.
Citrine is noted for boosting confidence and self esteem, and aiding courage and personal empowerment. It will boost mental clarity, clearing away brain fog, thereby, making the thought process clearer, and allowing higher wisdom to filter through.
The solar plexus is where our ego dwells. It is where our will manifests our creativity and imagination. It is our empowerment centre. With the assistance of citrine, we can support manifestation of our dreams and desires enabling us to turn our dreams into reality.
WHAT MAKES KUNDALINI QUARTZ DIFFERENT?
I sometimes see sellers labelling all natural citrine from the DRC as Kundalini Quartz. I prefer to separate the more usual single growth citrine that come from the same mines, from the Kundalini Quartz that has the artichoke growth, because my thoughts and findings are that it is this particular sprouting growth of the citrine that gives the quartz the kundalini energy; the rising of the energy from base to crown; just as the outer smaller points rise up from the base and surround the main crystal.
It may be the unique combination of the fire element of the citrine and the feminine energy of the ‘daughters’ surrounding the quartz that create this extraordinary yin yang energy of the kundalini quartz; caused by the unique geology of time, space, chemistry and environment, that formed the unusual growth.
HEAT TREATED CITRINE
A word on heat treated citrine as I am on the subject of citrine! This is not true citrine. it is heat treated amethyst! The amethyst that is heat treated comes mostly from `Brazil where it is mined on a huge commercial scale. The colour of heat treated citrine is usually an orangey yellow, and it is quite easy to tell the difference with a trained eye. This citrine will not have the same healing qualities as natural citrine, as it has grown in Mother Earth as amethyst and therefore, has different properties. However, it still has a prominent place in the crystal world. Naisha Aishan in The Book of Stones refers to heat treated citrine as Common Citrine.
True natural citrine is rare, and not easily obtainable on the commercial market. If in doubt, ask the seller. if they are knowledgable and authentic ethical crystal sellers they should be able and happy to tell you, and indeed, should certainly be making you aware if it is true natural citrine or heat treated amethyst.
Click on the pic below to view the Natural Citrine Kundalini Quartz collection on my website...
**Please note: therapeutic healing with crystals and minerals is not a substitute for seeking medical advice. If you have a health problem, please consult your GP.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog.