June is the month we honor our fathers, as well as those graduating from academic programs. This is the time of year that supports our connection to the energy of taking action, accomplishment, and acknowledgement. It is aligned with masculine energy.

How can we balance, embrace, and nurture this masculine energy? With gemstones! There are hundreds of crystals and minerals to choose from; the key is to pick a stone to which you are attracted and make a matching thought. The masculine vibe teaches that you can accomplish anything and find the courage to do so. It also teaches about discernment and the healthy ability to set limits, to say no when that is what you want to say. Pick a few stones with these intentions associated with the masculine energy during this month of June—or any time.

The masculine vibration is the doing, business making, giving, and active principle. Everyone has both masculine and feminine energies, regardless of gender. It is a good goal to balance the masculine and the feminine vibe to have a healthy and happy life. Take a moment to honor Dad or someone who is like a father to you and feel gratitude because they helped develop this aspect within you.

Five Stones
Here are the top five gemstones to balance your masculine energy. These gemstones also make a great gift if you are trying to figure out what to get dear old Dad! They can be used as paperweights, a decoration, or as a worry stone. Perhaps a bracelet or a bookend made of one of these stones would fit the bill. Gift yourself with one of these. Use the matching positive thoughts associated with each stone until you notice that you've integrated the thoughts and make them the truth in your life.

1. Carnelian
   Carnelian is a stone good for actualization. The brilliant orange helps you dive into a project, release procrastination, and make things move forward. It's a stone of action and courage. This stone acts as a catalyst to put things in motion so that they can come to fruition. Use this stone to mentally integrate the true meaning of active courage. Carnelian is an ideal stone for improving visualization skills.
   
   Affirmation: I am courageous and bravely bring my ideas into actuality. My imagination is the key to my success.
 
2. Citrine
   Citrine is good for mental clarity. It reminds you that whatever you ardently believe and desire and work passionately toward will manifest. Let the golden rays of this stone dissipate negative thoughts or emotions that you perceive are blocking your way to happiness or a specific goal. Citrine is a perfect tool to move you toward releasing repetitive patterns of self-limiting thoughts.
   
   Affirmation: Whatever I desire, imagine, and passionately act upon becomes a reality. It is safe for me to be powerful! I am confident and courageous.
 
3. Garnet
   Garnet is the stone of energy and vitality. Garnet is a good stone to work with when you are in the process of manifesting. This semi-precious stone is directly connected to the vital life force. It also helps improve your libido and your love life. Use garnet to help you live life fully and passionately.
   
   Affirmation: I have plenty of energy and plenty to share. I am vital and strong! I live a full passionate life. I am determined.
 
4. Lapis Lazuli
   Lapis Lazuli is a good stone to turn to when you want to be grounded and maintain your intuitive nature. It is a good stone to hold to improve your concentration and beneficial to integrate complex intellectual tasks. The dark blue stone can assist in calming anger, rage, and aggression. It reduces feeling associated with emotional turmoil. Use lapis lazuli to attain inner peace and a meditative state.
   
   Affirmation: I am focused. I see, sense, feel, and know the truth. I follow my intuition. It is easy for me to meditate.
 
5. Pyrite
   Pyrite can be used to open your mind to golden opportunities. It's a stone to help you focus on the positive and is associated with the vibration of the Sun, the ultimate Divine masculine. The golden vibration of pyrite assists you in remembering your magnificence. You are powerful, so use this gemstone to remember who you truly are and watch your self-esteem increase. Growing in block formations, it is inherent within the stone to offer a strong foundation to improve some of your core beliefs about yourself.
   
   Affirmation: My confidence is rock solid. I focus on my intentions and take positive action to manifest my goals.

Intention
It is important to have an intention and to focus on the positive so that life reflects your highest potential. Everything that is created is created through intention. We create our lives with our thoughts, actions, words, and deeds. Our intentions vibrate out into the world and return to us in the form of our personal reality.

When a gemstone is paired with an affirmation, the stone amplifies that intention. It is a tool that helps you maintain your focus on what you do want. In my work with color and crystals over the course of three decades, I've found that to use a stone most effectively, it is best to associate an intention with it. And the more information you have about the qualities associated with certain stones, the more creative you can be with using these valuable tools to improve your life.

The most important thing about working with crystals, minerals, and stones is to remember is that they are simply tools that provide you with a reminder of your intentions and goals. Just as you might light a candle to help you focus on your intention or tie a string around your finger to remember something, a gemstone can provide that same nudge. These sparkling treasures from deep within the earth can help distract you from any troubling thoughts that might be getting in the way of your progress. They remind you to focus on what you do want instead of what you don't want. Here is a good way to get started:

1. Pick a stone, any stone.
2. Hold the stone in your hand, or if it's too large to hold, gaze at the stone.
3. Use an affirmation to help you maintain your focus on what you want, thus replacing thoughts of things you do not want.
4. Every time you touch the stone, look at it, or think of it, remember why you are working with it, and reaffirm your intention.

You can carry smaller stones around with you to stay focused on your intentions while you go about your day, or you can place them strategically around your house or workplace. In fact, there are many methods for incorporating crystals into your daily life, including:

• Carry smaller gemstones in your pocket. Every time you touch your chosen stone, bring your mind back to your intention.
• Put smaller crystals in your pillowcase. Set your intention as you fall asleep and let your subconscious mind work with the crystals to amplify your intention.
• Put the chosen stone on your desk, workstation, or even on the dashboard of your car so that every time you look at it, the rock will remind you to be mindful and conscious of your thoughts and the actions you are taking to actualize your reality.

Contemplate on balancing the masculine and feminine energies as a spiritual practice and observe the positive changes in your life. Decide how you can bring your masculine energy into balance in your life. Honor the masculine within and around you. Remember those who have filled the position of father in your life and pause for a moment of gratitude.