The holidays are a time of real and genuine stress in many households because family dynamics can be painful and complicated.

A whole array of feelings usually present themselves, many of them of course rich and meaningful. But, my experience is that the heart chakra needs help during this time, no matter how serene the family.

Here is a perfect stone to have on a dining room table at any time since it is a stone for the heart chakra, and radiates unconditional love. Who couldn’t use some? Everyone from the child who feels left out, to the mother who is working too hard, to a grandmother who is cranky because her arthritis hurts. You can place the stone as a centerpiece, or at each place setting.

Rose quartz is the crystal of unconditional love. It radiates empathy, and it encourages self-love and the ability to love others. It is calming and soft as a presence. The stone is translucent with a pink tone, and is lovely in any setting.

Another good heart centering stone is green tourmaline. Sometimes men prefer green tourmaline to rose quartz. It radiates compassion, and helps people see with the heart instead of their mind.