September’s Birthstone – Sapphire

Those born in the month of September have the sapphire for a birthstone. Available in many colours other than red (then it would be called a ruby), the sapphire represents dignity, loyalty, serenity, fait purity and wisdom. The word sapphire comes from the Persian word ‘safir’, which means ‘beloved of Saturn’.

 

Energy: Receptive

Planet: Moon, Saturn

Element: Water

Deities: Apollo

Chakra: Fifth Chakra, the Throat Chakra

Associated Metals: N/A

 

Lore: The sapphire was thought to guard against evil and poisoning, and venomous snakes would die if place in a container made of sapphire. It is the traditional favourite stone of priests and kings as it symbolises purity and wisdom. It was thought to make a stupid man wise and make a bad tempered man calm. Ancient Persians thought the earth rested on a giant sapphire and the blue of the sky was the reflection of the stone. It was thought to protect the wearer from poverty and promote spiritual enlightenment.

 

 

 

*Additional information provided by Scott Cunningham’s Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic*

August Birthstone – Peridot

Those born in the month of August have the peridot for their birthstone. The vivid green of the peridot has hints of gold is a perfect match for summer outfits. The peridot is an old gemstone, used since ancient times in Egypt. The peridot is the only gemstone that comes in only one colour which varies between shades of yellowish green and olive, to a brownish green, depending on the amount of iron within the stone.

 

Energy: Receptive

Planet: Venus

Element: Earth

Deities: N/A

Chakra: Fourth Chakra – Heart.

Associated Metals: Gold

 

Lore: The peridot is a symbol of strength and said to successfully ward off evil, enchantments and depression if you wear or carry the stone. It is also said that it protects the wearer from nightmares.

 

 

*Additional information provided by Scott Cunningham’s Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic*

June Birthstone – Pearl

Those born in the month of June are lucky to have the only birthstone that isn’t a stone. The pearl is created by certain mollusks as a defence against infections. Unfortunately, the creature must be killed in order to obtain the stone. For this reason, there is an alternative to the pearl – the Moonstone.

Pear Information:

The pearl has long been the symbol of purity. Ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the harden tears of joy from Aphrodite. Wearing pearls suggests chastity, modesty and stable marriage relationships. They come in a wide variety of colours such as black, grey and all the way up to the familiar creamy-white tones.

Energy: Receptive

Planet: Moon

Element: Water, Akasha

Deities: All oceanic deities, although the pearl is more goddess-oriented. Also associated with sky goddesses.

Chakra: Third Chakra – Solar Plexus

Associated Metals: Silver

Lore: Pearls, like jet, amber, and mother-of-pearl, are the product of a living creature. It is said that they can change bad fortune into good, and enhanced virility and the ability to attract the help of influential people. Because a living creature must be killed in order to acquire the gem, many people feel that there is a bad Karma in owning them.

 

*Personal Note* I own a pearl ring. It was originally owned by my Mother-in-law’s aunt and given to me after she died. I keep it in my jewellry box and don’t wear it.

 

 

 

*Additional information provided by Scott Cunningham’s Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic*

February Birthstone

The second month of the year brings us the beautiful gem known as Amethyst. The stone comes in shades ranging from a pale lilac to violet to red-violet colour, through to a deep rich purple. One of the more popular gems used for jewellery, the meaning of colours through the ages represented many aspects of life. The original symbolic meaning of the colour purple was for penitence and mourning. However, it became symbolic with wealth and power and strongly associated with Royalty as the dyes used for purple materials were extremely expensive to produce.

Properties

Energy: Receptive

Planets: Jupiter, Neptune

Element: Water

Deities: Bacchus, Dionysus, Diana

Lore: Amethyst is said to promote dreaming, overcome alcoholism, bring peace to the wearer, bring love, protect against thieves, and infuse courage and happiness.

 

*Additional information provided by Scott Cunningham’s Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic*

January’s Birthstone

The stone that starts off the new year is the garnet. The Garnet is known as the stone for a successful business. If your business is not as good as it should be, just put 3 or more garnets on your desk. It is believed that if a garnet is put under a pillow it will cure depression. Garnets can be used to make a person popular and have self-esteem when worn as jewellery. It helps protect one on trips. Garnets bring constancy to friendships. Garnets are also known for stimulating success in business.

Garnet comes in many colours, but most people associate the stone with the dark red stone. The Garnet is associated with the thyroid and spleen. It helps cleanse and purify both when held over the area. The Garnet is usually held in the hand or placed on top of the head when searching or meditating on past lives. Information that is beneficial and helpful will usually be released for the searcher.

The Garnet is a stone of purity and truth as well as a symbol of love and compassion. The information released in a search may be painful, but it will always be what the searcher needs. The Garnet will help everyone’s security level and spiritual awareness. It can help increase the sex drive.

Properties

Energy: Projective

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Powers: Healing, Protection, Strength

Lore: In the 13^th century, Garnets were worn to protect against insects.

*Additional Information provided by Scott Cunningham’s Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic.