Healing With Gemstones - Getting to Know Turquoise

Welcome to our latest installment of Healing with Gemstones.  This month, we will take a look at the beautiful stone Turquoise.

In addition to being one of the modern birthstones for Sagittarius, it is also an astrological birthstone for Taurus, a planetary stone for Aquarius, and is also looked as an anniversary stone for the 5th and 11th wedding anniversaries.

 Turquoise Origin

Turquoise is formed when water seeps through cracks in rocks.  These rocks would be rich in copper or aluminum.  The shade of turquoise stone would be dependent on the chemical composition of the original stone.

There is more than one story about how it received its name.  Some believe the name comes from the Greek word “Turkois”, meaning “Turkish”.  Another story says that its name is derived from the French “pierre tourques”, which means “Turkish stone”.  Either way, the name would suggest that the stones that reached Europe were probably of Turkish origin.

Turquoise History and Mythology

Turquoise is one of first stones known to man.  Four bracelets made with turquoise were  found on the arm of Queen Zar, part of Egypt’s first dynasty (c. 5,500 BC).  Texts credited to both Aristotle and Pliny also mention the stone.

Turquoise that made its way to Europe and the Americas originally was mined in Persia.    The area had a high copper content in the earth, making the stones a rich, beautiful color.  Stones of that particular color turquoise are very rare (and very expensive) in today’s world.

In the Mayan culture, no living person was allowed to wear turquoise.  The stone was only used on statues and other images.  It was used solely as an offering to the gods.  The bright blue color was looked upon as the sky manifesting itself within the earth.  As such, they took it as a most holy of stones.

Native American culture also revered the stone.  To be a true medicine man in Apache culture, you had to have turquoise stones.  Without them, you were not looked upon as favorably.

Ancient Healing Properties

In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the wearer of the stone could tell the condition of his health by the color of the stone.  If the stone changed color and became moist, it was believed the person was in ill health.  Once the stone returned to normal, it was believed that the person was no longer ill.  Legend as it that King John was able to detect the poison that killed him because his stone changed in this manner.

In the Ancient Orient, it was believed that a turquoise would protect you from harm and bring you happiness and great fortune.  However, in order for this to work, the stone had to given to you by a true friend.

In the early 1600’s, the court physician to Emperor Rudolph II wrote that turquoise was such a revered stone that no man was through to be properly attired until he was wearing one.

The Turks believed the stone would benefit a horse and its rider, assuring them both to be free from falling or being otherwise injured.  Camillus Leonardus, in the 1500’s, wrote  “So long as a rider hath the Turquoise with him his horse will never tire him and will preserve him from any accident, and defend him that carries it from untoward and evil casualties.”

The Apache believed that, without turquoise, a hunter’s spear or arrow would not find its prey.

In modern times, turquoise is looked at as a stone of protection against injury or theft, especially when traveling.  

New Age healers use the stone to help with communication, positive thinking, creativity and intuition.  It is believed that, to get the best benefit, it should be placed either at the throat (as an amulet or other jewelry), the third eye, or the solar plexus.

Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise jewelry on its own is very beautiful.  Due to its popularity in the Native American cultures, it has become one of the cornerstones of “Southwestern Jewelry”.  This has led it to be mixed with many other southwestern stones.  I always use it in conjunction with other popular southwest stones to make it easier to mix and match with your other southwest pieces.  It goes well with smoky quartz, lapis, coral, amber and pearls, as you can see below:

Southwest Earrings

Turquoise and Smoky Quartz Necklace

Watch Set

Southwest Necklace

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

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

http://www.mindbodyspiritodyssey.com/2012/03/cleansing-your-healing-stones-crystals.html

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

This is the first 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.

                                                                                  

 ~ diane

You can follow the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace 

on Facebook

Pinterest

and

Twitter 

Healing With Gemstones - Getting to Know Aquamarine

Welcome to this month’s installment of Healing with Gemstones.  This month, we will take a look at the beautiful stone Aquamarine.

Aquamarine is an Astrological birthstone for Scorpio as well as the October birthstone in Arabic, Hebrew, Polish and Roman cultures.

Aquamarine Origin

Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin words “aqua” (water) and “marina” (of the sea).  It is from the beryl family (which included emeralds and morganite).  It ranges from a blue-green color to a pale blue.  The clear, almost colorless blue are the most sought after and valuable of the aquamarine stones.

Aquamarine stones are found in many places, such as Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar.  The most valuable aquamarine stones come from Brazil.

Aquamarine History

In Ancient Rome, an aquamarine was given as a gift from the groom to the bride the morning after the marriage was consummated.  It was  believed to absorb the energy of young love.  The Roman legend stated “When blessed and worn, it joins in love, and does great things.”  They would also carve a frog into the stone because they believed it would help reconcile relationships, and turn enemies into friends. 

Because its name was derived from the sea, it was often gifted to, and worn by, sailors, who believed it would help them traverse the deep waters safely.  Roman soldiers would also wear it in battle, as they believed it would make them invincible and bring them victory.

The Hebrew, Egyptian and Sumerian people all looked to the stone as a symbol of happiness and everlasting youth. 

In the late 14th Century, the stone was thought to be a good antidote to poison.  Since poisoning monarchs was a common practice in those days, many of them took to wearing aquamarine.  Unlike other times in the past, when the practice would be to crush and ingest a stone to get its full power, the belief was that just wearing this stone would be enough to protect you.

The Ancient Roman belief that the stone absorbed the energy of young love was carried through to the Middle Ages.  Married couples would gift the stone to each other to help them rekindle their earlier passions.

During this time, the stone was also used in crystal balls, as the clarity of the stone was thought to help with the clarity of vision.  Famous mystic John Dee used an aquamarine crystal ball to help Queen Elizabeth I look into the future and decide the perfect date for her coronation.  

A secondary divination method was used during this time as well.  A pointed stone would be suspended on a thread and held over a bowl of water, with the tip of the stone barely touching the water.  Inside the bowl, around the edge, there were letters of the alphabet.  Questions were asked, and, as the stone moved throughout the bowl from one letter to another, it would spell out the answers.  In that way, it acted as the ouija board of its time.

Ancient Healing Properties

According to ancient folklore, in addition to the beliefs already mentioned, aquamarine was also thought to assist in the treatment of yawning, belching, and in curing ailments to the stomach, liver, throat, jaws, and even toothaches.

Because its name is a connection to water and the sea, it was also used in rituals to either bring rain, or, for malevolent purposes, to help cause drought to your enemies.

As it was used often in divination, it is also thought to help people clear their perceptions and sharpen their intuition, as well as help them with their own clairvoyance.  This makes it a great stone for meditation.

Charging Your Aquamarine

If you are bringing an aquamarine crystal home for the first time, you will want to clean it of all the energy it had absorbed up to that point.  There are two ways to do this.  One would be to hold it under running water.  If there is a point on the stone, hold the point towards the running water.  Do this until you feel the energy change.  If you are unsure what that feels like, you can also soak it in sea salt for 24 hours, so that the salt has a chance to draw out the energy.

As it is a stone connected with the sea, you can also charge it by leaving it out in the rain for 6 hours, and let it heal and recharge naturally.

Once that is done, you should finish the charge by carrying or wearing the stone, so that it tunes to your personal energy.

Aquamarine Jewelry

Although it is not a stone that I use often, I do have a few pieces made with aquamarine. 

For lovers of bold, chunky pieces, I have this great piece made from faceted aquamarine rondelles and round amethyst:

Amethyst and Aquamarine Necklace

For those who love a cleaner, more delicate look, I also have a set made with aquamarine and cultured freshwater pearls:

Aquamarine and Pearl Set

I think you would agree with the philosopher Pliny, who was a fan of this stone.  He once said “The lovely aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied.”

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

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


Thank you Giani!

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

This is the first 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

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

Healing With Gemstones - Getting to Know Tigers Eye

Welcome to this month’s installment of Healing with Gemstones.  
This month, we will take a look at one my favorite stones, Tigers Eye.

Tigers Eye is an alternate birthstone for June, and is a zodiac star sign for Gemini.

Tigers Eye Origin

Tigers Eye is from the quartz family of chalcedonies.  However, unlike other quartz, this is a banded and layered stone.  In the brown and red stones, the layers are asbestos fibers that form the matrix you see in Tigers Eye.  During volcanic events, the asbestos fibers are replaced with limonite, which is a quartz with iron in it.  In the blue stones, the bands and layers are from silicate fibers banding with crocidolite.  When you move the stone around, you see the layers appear to shimmer and move.  This is called “chatoyancy”.  The term “chatoyant” is actually a combination of the French words for “cat” and “eye”. 

 

 

Tigers Eye History

Because of the brown, earthen, color of the stone and its ability to shimmer, Roman soldiers looked at the stone as a combination of the Earth and the Sun.  Fusing these two together in one stone, they looked at it as a stone that would make soldiers braver in battle.  As it looked like an eye, they believed it made soldiers all seeing.

Ancient Egyptians, also believing it had connections to the sun, believed it provided the wearer with luck and protection.  They would use it in adornments made for the dead, to help protect them on their journey to the afterlife.

In Ceylon, it was used in charms to ward off evil spirits.  They also used it in abundance spells and rituals, believing it would bring helpful people and material gain to its wearer.  One such ritual was to place several stones around a green candle.  After you light the candle, you visualize that which you want brought to you.

To those who practice Feng Shui, this stone is looked at as providing grounding and balancing both the yin and the yang.

Ancient Healing Properties

Red Tigers Eye is believed to ground you by helping to flush out your excess energies.  

Blue Tigers Eye is believed to help you gain perspective and focus on things more clearly.  This would be a good stone to use for meditation.  You will often find Tigers Eye beads used in prayer beads (malas).

 

Brown/Golden Tigers Eye is believed to help you when seeking clarity or aiding in the development of your intuition.

Overall, Tigers Eye is looked at to clear our mental plane, get us in tune to our thoughts, make them stronger, clearer, to give us a better idea of the things we truly want.  It is looked to to help separate thoughts from feelings, so that you can focus more clearly.  It is believed to help you clear your thinking, lock into the real issues, and charge you with the confidence to tackle the situation.

Because Tigers Eye has a vibration to it, it is often used in conjunction with other stones in healing rituals.  Pair it with other stones to help bring about the desired effect.   If you followed our “Gemstones of the Zodiac” series, you have a good idea as to the healing qualities of other stones, and can match the Tigers Eye with those stones to help achieve those qualities.  

Charging Your Tigers Eye

As this stone has connections to both the earth and the sun, it is recommended that you charge your Tigers Eye stones in the late afternoon sun.  This is because that is the time when the sun starts to move closer to the earth.

It is also recommended that, when using Tigers Eye, you should only use it for about 6 or 7 days at a time, and then stop using it for at least a day.  Using Tigers Eye for too long a continuous time could cause the effects to reverse, and give you the opposite of the desired effect.  Use the intervening day or two off to cleans and purify your stones, and then recharge them in the afternoon sun before their next use.

Tigers Eye Jewelry

As I said earlier, Tigers Eye is one of my favorite stones.  Not only do I have several pieces of it that I wear myself, I also make many pieces with it.  Some are by themselves, some are in conjunction with onyx.  Here are a few of them (the third one uses all three colors of Tigers Eye together):

Onyx and Tigers Eye Flower Necklace

 

Tigers Eye and Sterling Silver Necklace

Three Colors of Tigers Eye Necklace

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.

~ Giani




Articles from our series on Healing With Gemstones of the Zodiac can be found here.

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

This is the first 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

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

Healing With Gemstones - Getting to Know Carnelian

Hello, and welcome to the return of the gemstone series.  The first year focused on gemstones of the zodiac, and, specifically, the mystic gemstone for each sign of the zodiac. 

This year, we’re going to be a little more freeform.  We’ll still try and focus on stones that have a connection to the month in which they are featured.  However, it could be a regular birthstone, a sun sign, or have any one of a number of different connections.  This way, we can focus on a wider variety of stones, and also keep your guessing as to what the next month’s topic will be.  

We are going to kick off this phase of the gemstone series with one of my favorite stones to use, Carnelian.  Carnelian is one of the alternate stones for Taurus, making it a good stone to discuss this month.

Origin and History

Carnelian is a chalcedony, making it a member of the quartz family.  Carnelian beads dating back to between 4000 and 5000 BC were found in an archeological dig in Pakistan.  Today, much of the carnelian used commercially comes from India, some from Madagascar, and a little from Uruguay and Brazil in South America.  The Rajpipla mines in Gularat, India, have been producing commercial carnelian since 1500AD.  They have a way of heat treating it in earthenware pots to give it its fiery red color.

At an archeological dig in Ur, in the tomb of Pu-Abi, a Sumerian Queen, believed to be from the the third millennium BC was found wearing a robe that contained carnelians.  You can see the items in the photo below:

Ancient Egyptians used carnelian, lapis lazuli and turquoise most often.  The Goddess Isis used a carnelian amulet to protect the dead.  The amulet was named Tyet.  It would go through a process in which is was placed on a sycamore tile, soaked in Ankhami flower water and then placed on the body of the deceased.  This was done so that the soul (or Ka) could be protected from any harm while it moved on through the afterlife.

In Ancient Rome, it was used to make signet rings and seal rings, for imprinting onto the wax that sealed an important letter.  Carnelian was used because the wax would not stick to it.  They also used it for cameos and intaglios.  Whereas a cameo is carved on the front, an intaglio is carved from behind, so that the image is inside the stone, not on top of it.

Both the Greeks and the Babylonians considered it a good luck stone.  There is an ancient proverb that says “No man who wore a carnelian was ever found in a collapsed house or beneath a fallen well.”

Many Muslims value carnelian as a stone that brings peace and happiness to the wearer.  This is due to the fact that Mohammed wore a ring with a carnelian seal.

Healing Properties

Carnelian is looked at a stone that provides strength, courage, ambition and inspiration.  It has been used in decision making because of its ability to motivate and focus.  It helps dispel passiveness and idleness.

For those who meditate, this is a good stone for grounding you and connecting you to your surroundings.  It is associated with the root and sacral chakras and can help clear out those areas and aide in getting the energy to flow through them.

It is believed to protect against negative energy and ward off negative emotion.  It is believed to encourage love and to bring about peace and serenity.

Placed near the front door, some believe it can help keep your home a safe and happy place.

The Romans used it as a symbol of courage and power.  Ancient Buddhists used it for protection.  They would set it with lapis and turquoise to enhance the power of the carnelian.

On a more sexual note, carnelian was used in ancient times to help treat infertility, menstrual cramps, impotency, and frigidity. 

There are also interesting legends about having dreams of carnelian.  Dreaming about the stone itself is believed to mean that there is a strong, positive force of energy heading in your direction.  Dreaming of actually holding carnelian is thought to help you in your waking life, as it is meant to inspire you to new heights of creativity and action.

Carnelian Jewelry

Carnelian is one of my favorite stones to work with because of its vibrant color.  Here are a couple of carnelian pieces from my own collection available on Craftstar:

Carnelian Necklace 1

Carnelian Necklace 2

Carnelian and Pearl Necklace

Cleanse and Purify Your Stones

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


~ Giani




Articles from our series on Healing With Gemstones of the Zodiac can be found here.

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

This is the first 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

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

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 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.