Fear and anxiety are at the root of many types of suffering and trigger automatic reaction and defense mechanisms that we carry with us from childhood and are very difficult to recognize and modify.
But let's take a step back first to clarify what fear and anxiety are, as they should not be confused.
Fear concerns a situation that is being faced, an actual and external danger. Fear is one of humanity's primary emotions, linked to the instinct of survival, and we would be in trouble if we didn't have it because we couldn't perceive the danger we are facing and respond accordingly. Fear is thus unleashed when we realize we are facing a danger, such as a person attacking us or a car driving the wrong way. When the danger has passed, so does the fear.
Anxiety, on the other hand, which is so widespread today, is a secondary emotion whose natural objective is to activate us and prepare us to face an imminent danger (think, for example, of the state of alert when you find yourself alone in a dark street).
Both fear and anxiety can become pathological. The former can turn into a phobia, which is an exaggerated, excessive, and irrational fear of something specific (object, place, situation, sensation, or animal) often not threatening. Anxiety, on the other hand, can become pathological when it is persistent and intense, and when, therefore, it does not prepare us for action but arises from an internal stimulus, such as the mental projection of unpleasant future scenarios, unlikely or remote dangers, or even totally imaginary ones. Anxiety of this kind can also turn into panic.
There are many types of fears and anxieties: fear of losing what we have, fear of being alone, fear of the future; fear of concrete things or anxieties of the monsters of the spirit...
The first step in dealing with non-pathological situations (for more severe and disabling ones, the intervention of a psychologist is really necessary) is to recognize and observe them, understand them, and understand how they affect us. We all have fear, and we all suffer from a bit of anxiety, but if we embrace these feelings as a natural part of ourselves and our lives and recognize our reaction and defense mechanisms, we can restore harmony in our minds and progress in overcoming most of the situations that generate them.
Let's see some of the stones that can support us on our journey; wearing and meditating with these stones can help us recognize, embrace, and resolve fears and alleviate states of anxiety.
TOURMALINE: It aids in working on oneself to control and overcome irrational fears, such as fear of the dark, and anxious states (especially those caused by confined spaces) typical when entering a doctor's office or dental clinic. It is connected to the root chakra, which governs security and survival instincts: a well-aligned root chakra will make you feel safe in your environment.
OBSIDIAN: Promotes transformation and helps to concretely address past-associated fears in the present in order to bring them to light and dissolve them.
AQUAMARINE: Dispels anxiety about the future, fixations, and phobias, thus helping to face problems with greater stability.
RED AGATE: Reduces shyness because it increases emotional resilience and inner security, making you braver in relationships with others.
MALACHITE: Particularly useful for all forms of travel stress, including fear of flying or simply worrying about leaving a familiar environment. Slightly related, it also helps with dizziness and fear of heights.
CARNELIAN: Wearing carnelian gives a strong sense of protection because it has great abilities to avoid dangers, even in the afterlife, thus also dispelling the fear of death. It promotes stability, courage, and love for life.
GARNET: Also known as the "crisis stone," garnet helps to break through in situations that seem like a dead end and face them with courage and optimism.
LARIMAR: Helps overcome irrational fears and face unexpected events in a centered way. It is useful for those who want to work on the fear of change and learn to accept events.
SODALITE: It is a strong mental enhancer and urges us to trust more in our Higher Self, thus strengthening our sense of identity and helping to overcome fears that prevent us from living according to our desires, including fear of reality and fear of emotions.
A great sankalpa (intention) to bind to these stones could be "I am strong" or "I welcome my fear with love and transform it into energy for change." Even "everything will be fine" would be perfect if someone else hadn't already used it as a slogan with poor results.
Illustrations by Cécile Carre.