Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 12 - Jade

Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 12 - Jade

Welcome to Part 12 of our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.

The twelfth sign of the Zodiac is Pisces (February 19 - March 20).  The Mystical Zodiac stone for Pisces is Jade.

History/Mythology

Jade is one of the oldest known stones, and history shows that it was mined as early as 6000 B.C.  In China, it was considered “The Imperial Gem”, as it was used for burial suits and grave furnishings for kings and other members of imperial families.  Jade cicadas were also placed on the tongue of the deceased, as it was believed this would prevent decomposition and help guard the chi of the deceased. 

It was carved into many figurines and other objects, and was as revered in China at that time as we revere gold and diamonds here today.  To the ancient Chinese, gold was valuable, but jade was invaluable.

A Chinese dictionary from 200 A.D. defines jade as being endowed with five virtues: charity, rectitude, wisdom, courage and equity. 

Starting in the late stages of the Tang Dynasty, and going into the Ming and Qing Dynasties in the 16th Century, the stone was only being used for objets d’art, and was no longer used ceremoniously.

Taoist alchemists believed it to the the Philosopher’s Stone, and would grind it into powder and use it in elixirs and potions to help guard against illness and evil spirits.

Many Chinese believe that a piece of jade, when worn, will turn darker in color if it likes the wearer.  This change in color was said to be the stone leeching the bad chi out of the wearer.  It is often given as a present to a newborn, so they can wear it to ward off bad luck.

In addition to the Chinese culture, jade was also important to the Maori culture in New Zealand.  They consider it a treasure and closely monitor its usage, to avoid exploitation.  The Maori used it to make tools, weapons and ornaments.  It was often gifted as a way to seal an agreement, much as we would shake hands today.

Jade Types and Colors

In its most pure, jade is actually white.  The colors of jade are dependent on the impurities and other elements present in the jade (such as sodium, magnesium, iron, etc).

 Unlike most of the other stones we have dealt with in this series, there are actually two different stones that use the “jade” name.  One is nephrite jade, and the other is jadeite.

Nephrite jade is much more common, and is the dark green jade that most of us are used to seeing.

Jadeite is much rarer, and the translucent form of it is what was known as Imperial Jade. 

Other colors of jade include gray, blue-green, lavender, yellow, orange, brown, reddish-brown, and even black.


How To Tell If It Is Real Jade

Because there are plenty of stones that look like jade, or can be dyed to look like jade (such as aventurine, serpentine, calcite, and even certain types of garnet), you may not be able to tell just by looking whether it is real jade or not.

Several recommended tests for real jade include:

1. Hold it up to the light.  Real jade will have fibrous strands running through it.  If you see a clear stone, or even bubbles, it is not real jade.

2. Hold it in your hand.  It should start of feeling very cool.  Clasp it tightly until it has warmed up to your own body temperature.  Once it has reached that temperature, place it back down.  After 30 seconds, pick it back up.  If it is cool again, it is real jade.  Real jade does not retain heat.

3. You can run your fingernail over the edges of the stone.  If your nail is catching on scratches or other flaws, it is not real jade.  Real jade is smooth.

4. Lightly tap two pieces together.  If you hear a chime like tone, they are real.  Fakes will sound more plastic, or more like marbles hitting each other.

Jade Properties

Jade is a symbol of serenity and purity, of a nurturing love, of a tranquil wisdom.

It is a protective stone, believed to bring harmony and good luck, and ward off evil.  It clears the mind, releases the negative thoughts.  It is looked at as a “dream stone”, and can bring insightful dreams.  By clearing the negative and allowing more insight, it helps you to become who you really are.  To use it as a dream stone, put a piece of it under your pillow, or inside your pillow case before you go to sleep.  It is thought that, if you keep a piece of jade in your “change bowl” it will help attract abundance.

Jade is believed to help remove toxins (as described earlier, in the belief that it gets darker with wear because it is drawing out the bad chi).  It is thought to assist with healing wounds, and kidney, liver, and other organ issues. 

For good health and good luck, jade is your go-to piece.

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones


For information on how to cleanse your stones, see this article  published recently here on Mind Body Spirit Odyssey.


Jade Jewelry

Jade is one of my favorite stones to work with, and I have worked with it in a variety of colors and styles.  You can see my jade pieces here http://goo.gl/TcJQg which include:

Final Note

This was the 12th and final installment in the “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.  I cannot believe it has been a year already, and I am very happy to hear that this series has been popular and well-received.

I am also happy to announce that because the series has generated so much interest, we will be continuing it, albeit in a slightly different format, in the future.

Starting in April, we will be featuring other stones that were not part of this specific series.  As we discuss other stones in the future, we will also continue to talk about their histories, their healing properties, and any zodiacal and other mystic connections that they might have.  The new series will just be a bit more “free form” and not necessarily tied to the month in question.

I look forward to continuing this series in its new format, and I am ever grateful to you all for enjoying it enough to ask that it continue.

You can read Giani's Tarot reviews in the Review section of this blog.

  As stated, this is the 12th and final article in this

wonderful series and I thank Giani very much

 for his wonderful continued contributions to Mind Body Spirit Odyssey. 

I am looking forward to the new series very much!

The beautiful jewelry pictured above can be found in Giani's website and on CraftStar.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

  

Series Article Part 1 - Opals 

Series Article Part 2 - Sapphire

Series Article 3 - Amethyst

Series Article 4 - Moonstone

Series Article 5 - Diamonds 

Series Article 6 - Agate 

Series Article 7 - Jasper

Series Article 8 - Pearl

Series Article 9 - Onyx

 Series Article 10 - Emerald

Series Article 11 - Bloodstone

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Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 11 - Bloodstone

Welcome to Part 11 of our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.

The eleventh sign of the Zodiac is Aquarius (January 20 - February 18).  The Mystical Zodiac stone for Aquarius is Bloodstone.

History/Mythology

Bloodstone is a chalcedony belonging to the quartz family.  The red spots of color are from iron oxide.  Medieval Christians named it bloodstone because they believed the red spots were formed as a result of Christ’s blood falling onto jasper stones that were laying at the foot of the cross.

Because of this belief, they also refer to Bloodstone as “The Martyr’s Stone”.  It was often used in religious pendants as a result.

Bloodstone is also known as Heliotrope.  This word is derived from the Greek words for “sun” and “turning”.  They believed if you submerged the stone in water, the sun would turn red.

In ancient times, warriors would often go into battle wearing a bloodstone amulet.  They believed that it would stop the bleeding (or hemorrhaging) if they applied it directly to the wound.  Alchemists would grind it into powder, and mix it with honey and egg whites.  This mixture was used to stop patients from bleeding and help cure tumors.

Pagans also value this stone, and will place it on an altar to give them energy and as a protection stone.

A wonderful tale from the 14th Century tells of a gypsy who traveled from Romania to Rome to steal a sacred bloodstone.  This stone was presented to the Vampire King.  They believed it contained the blood of all saints.  They thought it would give them enough sustenance so that they would no longer have to kill to feed.

To the Babylonians, divination was a way of life.  It was used to such an extent that armies would almost always have a diviner amongst their ranks.   Many times, they acted as the General of the army.  Divination was their way of communicating with the Gods, to determine the Gods’ will prior to battle and to increase the energy of the troops.  If there were any unwelcome predictions, purification rituals would then be performed to help achieve the desired outcome.  This divination could be achieved either by using a divining pendulum or through the use of runes carved from Bloodstone.

 

Bloodstone Properties

As previously discussed, bloodstone was thought to stop bleeding/hemorrhaging. It was also used in mixtures to help with tumors.  It was also used in ancient times to treat anemia, blood disorders, aid in blood flow, even to ease menstrual or menopausal issues.

Armies used it to help increase their physical strength, their courage, and to quell their anxiousness as they headed into battle.

There are some that believe that the stone will turn more red when you are near danger.

Bloodstone is also used to alleviate evil and jealousy, and help promote a better spirit and longevity, as it will drive out the negative environmental energies around you.  This will help eliminate the negative energy surrounding you, and allow you to make decisions from a much clearer and centered place.

If you are currently keeping a dream journal, you might want to consider keeping a bloodstone sphere by your bed.  Bloodstone is also good for helping you tune into past lives, especially through the dreamworld.

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

For information on how to cleanse your stones, see this wonderful article  published recently right here on Mind Body Spirit Odyssey.

You can read Giani's Tarot reviews in the Review section of this blog.

This is the eleventh article in this wonderful series, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more

 in the upcoming months!  I thank Giani

 for his wonderful continued contributions to Mind Body Spirit Odyssey. 

The beautiful jewelry pictured above can be found in Giani's website and on CraftStar.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

  

Series Article Part 1 - Opals 

Series Article Part 2 - Sapphire

Series Article 3 - Amethyst

Series Article 4 - Moonstone

Series Article 5 - Diamonds 

Series Article 6 - Agate 

Series Article 7 - Jasper

Series Article 8 - Pearl

Series Article 9 - Onyx

 Series Article 10 - Emerald

  Follow the daily updates of the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace on Facebook

Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 10 - Emerald

Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 10 - Emerald

Welcome to Part 10 of our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.

The tenth sign of the Zodiac is Capricorn (December 21 - January 19).
The Mystical Zodiac stone for Capricorn is Emerald.

History/Mythology

Emeralds are an ancient stone, whose history can be traced back 6000 years to 4000 BC, where it was sold in markets in Babylon.  Indian mythology believes that the word emerald came from the Sanskrit word “marakata”, meaning “the green of growing things”.  It is also believed to be derived from the Latin “smaragdus” meaning “green”.

Oddly, whereas diamonds are praised for their clarity, a clear emerald, without inclusions is not as prized.  Those stones are suspected to be synthetic or an imitation.  Emeralds will have inclusions due to calcite deposits within the stone.

Pliny The Elder, in about 50 AD, said of the emerald “Nothing greens greener.”

No less than Aristotle praised the emerald.  He believed it elevated the owner in importance and presence,  and helped people achieve victory.

Ancient Islamic  practitioners would engrave emerald amulets with verses from the Koran.

The stone was a favorite of Cleopatra.  Egyptians believed that, since green was the color of Spring, the stone was a symbol of fertility and rebirth.  Cleopatra actually had her own emerald mine.

Some Arthurian legends believe that the Holy Grail was carved from emeralds.

Shah Jahan, one of the builders of the Taj Mahal, carved sacred texts into them and used them as talismans.

Arguably, the most famous piece of emerald jewelry is the Crown of the Andes, which contains over 1,500 carats of emeralds, including the Atahualpa Emerald (at 45 carats).  

The Nadir Throne, in Iran, and the Pahlavi Crown, created for the coronation of Raza Shah in 1926, both contain many emeralds.  The Nadir Throne is believed to contain 1,500 - 2,000 carats of emeralds.

Emerald Properties

Emerald is called the “stone of successful love”, as it is thought to enhance love and other relationships (friendships).  Emeralds that change color are thought to do so due to unfaithfulness. It stimulates the heart chakra, therefore, it is a good stone to use for healing the heart (from heart aches). 

On a more metaphysical level, it is believed to aid in clairvoyance and mental capacity, helping to bring the unknown into consciousness.  As a result, many use it when faced with a difficult decision, because it can help you focus on all aspects, since it helps bring things into consciousness.   This makes it a good stone to use for meditation.
 
Emeralds can also eliminate negativity and help you enjoy your life to the fullest. 

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

For information on how to cleanse your stones, refer to this article published recently on Mind Body Spirit Odyssey.

You can read Giani's Tarot reviews in the Review section of this blog.

This is the ninth article in this wonderful series, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more

 in the upcoming months!  I thank Giani

 for his wonderful continued contributions to Mind Body Spirit Odyssey. 

The beautiful jewelry pictured above can be found in Giani's website and on CraftStar.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

  

Series Article Part 1 - Opals 

Series Article Part 2 - Sapphire

Series Article 3 - Amethyst

Series Article 4 - Moonstone

Series Article 5 - Diamonds 

Series Article 6 - Agate 

Series Article 7 - Jasper

Series Article 8 - Pearl

Series Article 9 - Onyx

  

          Follow the daily updates of the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace on Facebook and Tumblr.

 

 

Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 9 - Onyx

Welcome to Part 9 of our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.
The ninth sign of the Zodiac is Sagittarius (November 22 - December 20).  The Mystical Zodiac stone for Sagittarius is Onyx.

History/Mythology

Onyx is a Greek word that means the nail from a finger (or claw).  According to legend, Cupid cut the fingernail of Venus while she was sleeping on the banks of the Indus River, and they fell into the water.  Because no part of a God or Goddess can every really die, these fingernails settled on the bottom of the river, and were turned to stone, thus giving birth to onyx.

Onyx is from the microcrystalline quartz family knows as chalcedony.  Chalcedony gets its name from Calcedon, a port town on the Marmara Sea in Asia, where the stone was first discovered.  These days, onyx is mined not only in India, but in Brazil, Uruguay and California.

While most people associate onyx with being black, there are multiple colors of onyx, including white, red and green.

Onyx Properties


Black Onyx

Black onyx, due to its ability to absorb light, is looked at as one of the more powerful protection stones.  It is a root chakra stone, which helps keep you grounded and focused.  Onyx has a strong association with Saturn, so those with Saturn in your birth charts (Capricorns especially, but not solely) might want to look to onyx for protection. 

Based on the myth of Cupid and Venus, onyx is believed to add to the belief of the life cycle, in that death is not looked at as final, but merely party of a cycle of continuing life.  This is why mediums look to black onyx to help connect to the spiritual realm.

On the more physical plane, black onyx is looked at to help increase strength, stamina, energy and self control.  It is also thought to lessen tensions, worries, and can help quell confusion and bad dreams.


White Onyx

White onyx balances the system by tying the root chakra to the crown chakra.  So, while the root chakra will keep you grounded,  the crown chakra ties you to the heavenly.  This further enforces the concept of the continual life cycle, and how death is not a finality, but a phase.  Think of it as a continual sense of renewal, a continual balancing of your energies.


Red Onyx

Like black onyx, red onyx is also tied to the root chakra, and is a grounding stone.

Green Onyx

 

Green onyx is for the heart chakra, which is about connection, transformation, and powerful healing.  It is the center of the conscious and spiritual. It helps bridge the three chakra above it with the three below it.

Combining Onyx With Other Stones

Since onyx is not only a protection stone, but also a grounding stone, it is a great stone to combine with other stones, depending on what you want to achieve.

Tiger eye is also from the chalcedony family, which, like onyx, works for people with Saturn in their birth chart (including, but not limited to, Capricorns).  The combination should help you not only stay grounded, but draw that energy further up your chakras, and give you strength to channel that groundedness into power.  As a Capricorn myself, onyx and tiger eye has always been my favorite combination, and I use it together often in pieces such as these:

Onyx and Tiger Eye

That piece above is one of my personal talismans.

For those seeking a more feminine approach:

Onyx and Tiger Eye Flower Necklace

 As you may remember from our story on agate, like onyx, is good for balance and strength.  You can channel them together in a piece such as this:

Onyx and Agate Necklace

 Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

For information on how to cleanse your stones, see this wonderful article published recently on Mind Body Spirit Odyssey.

You can read Giani's Tarot reviews in the Review section of this blog.

This is the ninth article in this wonderful series, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more

 in the upcoming months!  I thank Giani

 for his wonderful continued contributions to Mind Body Spirit Odyssey. 

The beautiful jewelry pictured above can be found in Giani's website and on CraftStar.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

  

Series Article Part 1 - Opals 

Series Article Part 2 - Sapphire

Series Article 3 - Amethyst

Series Article 4 - Moonstone

Series Article 5 - Diamonds 

Series Article 6 - Agate 

Series Article 7 - Jasper

Series Article 8 - Pearl

Series Article 10 - Emerald

  

          Follow the daily updates of the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace on Facebook and Tumblr.

 

Gemstones of the Zodiac - Part 8 - Pearl

Welcome to Part 8 of our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.

The eighth sign of the Zodiac is Scorpio (October 23 - November 21).  The Mystical Zodiac stone for Scorpio is Pearl.

Fun fact: Pearl is the only gemstone that is made by a living being.  The harvesting of pearls does not kill the animal.  After the pearl is harvested, the mollusks can be put back in the water (where they will produce more pearls).

History/Mythology

Pearl is the oldest known gemstone.  The oldest known piece of pearl jewelry dates back to the 6th century BC, and was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess.  It is on exhibit at the Louvre in Paris.

In Classic Rome, only people above a certain station were allowed to wear pearls.  The Incas and Aztecs prized pearls, and believed they held magic powers.  Other cultures also believed this, largely because they felt the pearls resembled the moon.

In the 13th and 14 Centuries, there were laws in many European countries about who could and could not wear pearls.

The most famous of all pearl stories involves Cleopatra and comes from Pliny the Elder.  According to the legend, Cleopatra wagered with Marc Antony that she could produce a banquet that cost “ten million sesterces” (in today’s currency, that would be over $1 million).  After feasting on a banquet that was in line with many he had before, he challenged her on where this most expensive feast would come from.  Cleopatra then summoned a servant, who produced a single glass of liquid (vinegar).  Cleopatra then removed a very rare pearl from a pearl earring she was wearing, dropped the pearl in the vinegar, and, after it dissolved, drank it down.  (Note:  while a pearl can be made to dissolve in vinegar, it could not happen fast enough for the events in this story.  So, either Cleopatra had softened the pearl in advance, or Pliny was exaggerating his story.  It is still a great legend).

In ancient times, Egyptian women would grind up black pearls, mix them with olive oil, and use that for eyeliner.

Pearl Properties

Pearls symbolize faith and purity, and are also believed to increase fertility.  This is why they are a standard in wedding gowns and wedding jewelry.

Pearls are thought to neutralize poison and lower acidity (which is why Cleopatra was said to dissolve the pearl and drink it.  The base pearl balanced the acidic vinegar).

Pearls are also thought to bring foresight, and to protect from harm, especially from the evil eye.

Beyond its healing and symbolic properties, pearls are also believed to have magical powers.  The type of magic depends on the color of pearl.

White pearls are believed to bring freedom.

Brown pearls are believed to bring wisdom.

Yellow pearls are believed to bring wealth.

Green pearls are believed to bring happiness.

These colored pearls were not dyed to get their color.  The color of the natural pearl is wholly dependent on the color of the inside of the shell of the mollusk from which they were produced.

While any mollusk can make a pearl, saltwater pearls come from oysters, while most freshwater pearls come from mussels.

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

For information on how to cleanse your stones, see this article by Diane Fergurson, published recently on Mind Body Spirit Odyssey.

You can read Giani's Tarot reviews in the Review section of this blog.

This is the eigth article in this wonderful series, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more

 in the upcoming months!  I thank Giani

 for his wonderful continued contributions to Mind Body Spirit Odyssey. 

The beautiful jewelry pictured above can be found in Giani's shop on CraftStar.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

  

Series Article Part 1 - Opals 

Series Article Part 2 - Sapphire

Series Article 3 - Amethyst

Series Article 4 - Moonstone

Series Article 5 - Diamonds 

Series Article 6 - Agate 

Series Article 7 - Jasper 

          Follow the daily updates of the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace on Facebook and Tumblr.

Gemstones of the Zodiac Part 7: Jasper

Welcome to Part 7 of our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series.

The seventh sign of the Zodiac is Libra (September 22 - October 22).  The Mystical Zodiac stone for Libra is Jasper.
Jaspers are all opaque, composite stones, made up of chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz and other minerals.  This is why so many jaspers have either bands of color, or patterns, and is also why there are jaspers of almost every color.
The name jasper means “spotted or speckled stone”, and is derived from the Latin ”iaspidem”, and the Green “iaspis”.

History/Mythology

Jasper is one of the oldest known stones.  On Minoan Crete, archeological digs have unearthed seals carved out of jasper dating back to 1800 BC.

Many cultures valued jasper stones.  The Bible refers to jasper as a direct gift from God, and was the first foundation stone in the New Jerusalem.  Indians in Asia, as well as Native Americans in the US, used jasper as a rain stone and for healing.  In Ancient Egypt, scarabs were carved out of jasper.  The Egyptians believed the stone would increase your sexual energy.

Jasper Types and Properties

There are dozens of types of jasper, each with its own properties.  I will take you through some of my favorites, and explain their properties:


Brecciated Jasper:

Brecciated Jasper

Brecciated jasper gets its name from the word breccia, meaning composed of broken fragments of minerals or rock cemented together by a fine-grained matrix, that can be either similar to or different from the composition of the fragments.  The matrix you see in brecciated jasper is composed partly of hematite.  This makes is a good grounding stone, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed.  It absorbs negative energy, and helps with healing and recovery.


Kambaba Jasper:

Kambaba jasper has also been referred to in the past as fossilized stromatolite algae.  It is found in Africa.  It is used for helping relax and focus your state of mind.  It is also thought to help rid the body of toxins so that the body can better absorb the necessary minerals.


Imperial Jasper:

Imperial Jasper is good for finding your center, getting balanced, grounding.  It is a stone found only in Mexico.


Moukaite Jasper:

Moukaite jasper is a great stone for helping with the mind.  It assists in decision making by giving us flexibility and openness, as well as increasing energy and promoting new ideas.  It can also remove the elements that are getting in the way of decisions and growth, and other distractions.


Fancy Jasper:

Fancy jasper, which comes in many colors, assists in healing, and bringing about wholeness.  It helps people to lighten up and enjoy themselves.  It can also help build inner confidence.


Red Creek Jasper:

Red creek jasper is my personal favorite.  It is a relatively new stone, having been found in China recently.  This jasper has the most amazing and complex series of matrices and color palettes of any stone.
It is good for helping bring issues to light long before they become big, unmanageable problems.
These are just some of the many jaspers that exist.  As I said, there are dozens, and I hope you enjoy exploring them all in the future.  Jaspers really are a great series of stones.

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

For information on how to cleanse your stones, see this article by Diane Fergurson, published recently on Mind Body Spirit Odyssey.



~  ~  ~

You can read Giani's Tarot reviews in the Review section of this blog.

This is the seventh article in this wonderful series, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more

 in the upcoming months!  I thank Giani

 for his wonderful continued contributions to Mind Body Spirit Odyssey. 

The beautiful jewelry pictured above can be found in Giani's shop on CraftStar.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

 

Series Article Part 1 - Opals 

Series Article Part 2 - Sapphire

Series Article 3 - Amethyst

Series Article 4 - Moonstone

Series Article 5 - Diamonds 

Series Article 6 - Agate

          Follow the daily updates of the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace on Facebook and Tumblr.