Zodiac Gem Stones By Mary Ann Miller

What is the zodiac? In literal terms it means the “circle of life” and refers to the elliptical circle that also happens to be the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Throughout the year, as the Earth orbits around the sun, the skies and constellations change. The zodiac is a thin band of the sky on either side of the elliptical that forms the resulting patterns in the sky called constellations. Within these constellations one can find the signs of the zodiac.

There are twelve zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The twelve signs are like months of the calendar but based on the stellar patterns that appear during a particular time of year. For example, if someone says, “I’m a Pisces,” this refers to the time of a person’s birth at the time of year when the Sun is in the zodiac sign of Pisces. The Sun is in the constellation of Pisces at nearly the same time each year — roughly February 19 to March 20. 

Over time, astrologers assigned gems of certain colors to the twelve signs of the zodiac to help people influence the planetary energy in their favor. The earliest mention of a set of twelve gemstones is from the Bible. It has a detailed description of Aaron’s breastplate: “The first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper.”  The description of Aaron’s breastplate is believed to document a correlation between the twelve stones in the breastplate, the twelve months of the year and the twelve signs of the zodiac.

A stone can have influence over one’s life. This idea finds its basis in the harmony and shared energy that exists between all things. The custom of actually wearing birthstone jewelry first gained popularity in Poland in the fifteenth century. That tradition suggested that wearing a birthstone during your birth month could heighten your energetic sensitivity for that month. But your zodiac gemstones are more than a symbol of your astrology sign. They actually receive the vibrations of the constellation and can strengthen planetary influences.

In ancient times, without modern scientific tools, ‘sapphire’ meant any blue stone, ‘emerald’ any  green stone and ‘ruby’ anything red.  Other gemstone names may have shifted over the years to mean different minerals; yet, despite that uncertainty, the tradition of zodiac gemstones remains.

Using my own intuition, I chose Piscean gemstones based on ancient principles and other guiding principles that might help alleviate problems associated with that particular sign. Choose the ones that resonate with you, dear Pisces.

Pisceans are friendly and likable, and yet can be very moody and introspective. Pisces is a watery sign, concerned with subtle emotions and secret mystical depths. Pisceans are not entirely at home in this world. They may at times prefer their inner life to this one. Pisceans are dreamy and full of imagination, and influenced by everything around them, being quite sensitive to the emotions of others. They can be strong when necessary, but may have a hard time making a decision. At their best Pisceans are truly compassionate, offering service, love and understanding to all. (www.astrograph.com)

For Pisces, amethyst feels like home. Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. It appears transparent with pointed crystals. It may be a geode, cluster, or single point. Found throughout the world, amethyst is one of the most common crystals.  It protects your sensitive energy and soothes the weary Pisces soul. Amethyst enhances visions for the highly intuitive Pisces. As Pisces are restless, especially when it comes to emotions, Amethyst can help balance the nervous system and the brain. Wearing Amethyst maintains the inner space of your body and energy field in a state of balance and well-being.

Amethyst is a classic meditation tool; it allows ease into a meditative state, and maintains conscious awareness while in communion with the Divine. Amethyst is helpful for those who do not feel that they are native to the Earth plane, or who experience a constant longing for a ‘home’ on other worlds, systems or dimensions. Amethyst can also accelerate the development of intuitive and psychic abilities as well as provide a valuable protective tool for anyone doing that work. Amethyst harmonizes with all varieties of quartz, including rose quartz and smoky quartz.

Rose quartz brings compassion to the Piscean, helping to clear the emotional body.  Rose quartz’s name is derived from its color, which ranges from very pale pink to deep reddish pink. Its clarity can range from opaque to translucent to transparent, although most transparent pieces are rather foggy. Rose quartz is found in Brazil and Madagascar, as well as South Dakota in the USA. It helps dissolve boundaries of isolation and mistrust and can move you into the sense of union with the All That Is, the essence at the core of the heart. Rose quartz teaches you how to love yourself. This stone encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance and invokes self-trust and self-worth.

Smokey quartz helps Pisces to ground so that they are not overwhelmed by emotions; it appears translucent with long pointed crystals with darker ends and can vary in color from very pale tan to deep chocolate brown.  Its color comes from natural irradiation. Clear quartz can be made smoky
artificially by treating it with radium. Smokey quartz can be found in many countries including Australia,
Madagascar and the USA.  It can help a Piscean to come back to their body and the physical world. It lends focus and is useful for helping to bring dreams and inspired ideas into physical reality. Smokey quartz is one of the premier grounding stones. It can also help Pisceans to feel more engaged in the world and more capable of creating or changing their reality. Smokey quartz works in harmony with other grounding stones such as obsidian.

Background and supporting information for this article came from The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, Wikipedia.com, The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian.

Since she was a child Mary Ann Miller has been excited about rocks.  In an effort to help facilitate the metaphysical and healing properties of gem stones, Mary Ann began to design jewelry for herself and for her friends.  Mary Ann sells her rock collections and jewelry on her website at www.rockyourlife.com, which she runs from her home in Boulder, Colorado.  Mary Ann is a member of the faculty at Satiama.  Learn more about Mary Ann or to view her jewelry at Satiama.

How To Care For Your Crystals And Stones by Mary Ann Miller

Crystals and stones are powerful beings in their own right and they need to be approached with respect as they are part of the family of life. Crystals, like humans have a function and purpose for their existence.  It has been discovered that every organ in the human and animal body vibrates to a certain frequency.  So, too, do crystals and stones vibrate at a particular frequency. By matching these frequencies and personalizing your crystal or stone you are able to create a conscious tool for enhancing your life.

The following suggestions are for personalizing and tuning the crystal into your energy fields.  This is an extremely important part of the ritual of working with crystals and stones. These are only guidelines and with a little practice you will develop your own unique ways of preparing your crystals and stones for healing and energy work.

CLEANING

First you need to make sure your crystal is physically clean.  The simplest method is to clean your crystal under lukewarm running water with a soft toothbrush and a mild, detergent-free soap.  Rinse in spring water or filtered water then pat dry with a soft towel or use your breath to dry imparting your energies to the crystal.

DEDICATING

Upon receiving a “new” crystal a dedication is always recommended.  This may be accomplished by holding the crystal  in your hands. Picture light surrounding it. Say out loud:  “I dedicate this crystal to the highest good of all. May it be used in light and love.”

CLEANSING OR PURIFYING

Your crystal or stone has passed through many hands and processes before it comes to you.  Therefore it is important to cleanse or purify your stone of negative energy.  In addition to the initial cleansing you will need to cleanse regularly because most crystals will become saturated and dull due to their work.

There are a multitude of methods and the following provides several examples of workable techniques.

• Purify the crystal in flowing water, ocean, sea, river, lake, or purified water and energize in the sun.
• Soak the crystal in saltwater for a duration of from one to seven days, this method uses three tablespoons of sea salt to a cup of water  making sure the water covers the stones.  Place in a glass container with the water and the crystals in a sunny location.
• Another cleansing method is to bury your crystal in moist sand or soil for at least twenty-four hours. This is especially good for radiated crystals.

Note: Lapis lazuli, malachite and sodalite can be damaged by water and should therefore not be subjected to those methods. Halite and selenite are among the water soluble minerals, which means they will dissolve in water. Some crystals are sensitive to sunlight and will fade.  CAUTION! CHECK OUT THE BEST METHODS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CRYSTAL OR STONE.

• Bury your crystal in a container of sea salt for between 24 hours and three days, rinse in pure water and energize in the sun.
• Gently brush every speck of salt off afterward as they could damage the crystal, especially in a damp atmosphere.
• Smudging is the method of crystal cleansing used by Native Americans. Cedar, sage leaves, or sweet grass are burned in an open container, and the crystal is passed several times through the smoke.  If you are unable to obtain the ingredients for smudging you can use the smoke from an incense stick or pass the stone through a candle flame.
• Soak the crystal in flowers, such as rose petals, orange blossoms, honeysuckle etc. for twenty-four hours; the essence strips away negativity and cleanses the stone while the purity and energy of the flower is transmitted to the stone.
• Soak the crystal in brown rice for twenty-four hours; the rice balances and centers the energy, removing the negativity, while dissipating and transforming the negative to the positive. Upon completion of the “soak” the rice is purified and energized and quite wonderful to eat.
• Surround the crystal with a visualized white or golden light, intending any present negativity to be transformed to positive energy.

Certain crystals or stones have the ability to cleanse other crystals. Keep a carnelian in a bag of tumbled stones and you will never need to cleanse them using any other method.  A small crystal can be placed on a clear quartz cluster and left overnight. A few crystals never need cleansing. Citrine, kyanite, and azeztulite are self-cleaning.

CHARGING

To charge a crystal or stone is to give it a particular kind of energy. Charging will ensure the crystal is ready electromagnetically and is saturated with ultraviolet light which energizes the stones.

Place the crystal in the sunlight or light of the moon.  Summer and winter solstice, vernal and autumn equinox, the full moon and the new moon are heavily charged. You can place your stone on a large crystal cluster or place the stone in the center of a circle surrounded by other crystals whose terminations are pointing toward the center.

AWAKENING

Your crystal or stone may need to be awakened due to its lengthy dormant state, previous overuse, or carrying stuck or negative energy. Awakening will activate and bless your crystal or stone to return to its full glory.

Crystals have been awakened by impacting the stone on the energized sand of the ocean beaches and or sand dunes. You can sound a meditative gong or gently sound bells in proximity to the crystal.

PROGRAMMING

Programming is the process of instructing the energies of the crystal or stone in the method in which to use its qualities.  Precise directions are required. Hold the crystal in your hands. Let yourself be open to higher guidance. Consider the purpose for which you wish to use it. Be specific. If you want it to attract love, describe exactly what kind of love you are looking for. If you are seeking healing, say precisely for which condition and what you want to happen. When you have formulated your intention, attune to the crystal. When you are totally in tune, say out loud, “I program this crystal for (your purpose).” Then put the stone in a place where you will see it frequently or keep it in your pocket.  It can be helpful to hold it two to three times a day. You may need to repeat the programming several times.

STORING YOUR CRYSTALS

Stones can be laid on altars or tables or bookcases. However, there are times when you want to keep those special, unique or rare pieces safe and sound. When not in use, wrap your crystals in a silk or velvet scarf.  This prevents scratching and protects the crystals against absorbing foreign emanations.

Use and incorporate your crystals into your spiritual practice and your life, and achieve a greater connection to the physical and mineral world around you.

Information for this article came from Love is in the Earth by Melody, The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall and Simply Crystals by Cass and Janie Jackson.

Since she was a child Mary Ann Miller has been excited about rocks.  In an effort to help facilitate the metaphysical and healing properties of gem stones, Mary Ann began to design jewelry for herself and for her friends.  Mary Ann sells her rock collections and jewelry on her website at www.rockyourlife.com, which she runs from her home in Boulder, Colorado.  Mary Ann is a member of the faculty at Satiama.  Learn more about Mary Ann or to view her jewelry at Satiama.

ROCK YOUR LIFE: What’s All The Buzz About Crystals?

One of the hottest topics nowadays is the metaphysical and spiritual attributes of crystals and stones and how to incorporate them into your daily life. Rock shops, crystal healers, Lightworkers, spiritual websites and authors are extolling the healing properties of the crystal kingdom. What makes the stones so attractive, in addition to their metaphysical properties and physical beauty, is the availability of a variety of healing stones, their relative affordability and a belief that anyone can learn to ‘tune in.’

Whatever their original form, crystals have always fascinated man because of their beautiful colors and the way they sparkle. Primitive man, recognizing that these stones were different from the soil and rock among which they found instinctively collected them as something special. It was then an easy step to endow these beautiful objects with special attributes and magical properties. Stone Age men and women wore crystal jewelry and talismans as protection as well as decoration, guarding the wearer against harm. The ancient Egyptians believed that crystals could ensure good health, worldly fortune, and protection from evil spirits in this world and the next. Greek soldiers would rub their bodies with Hematite before a battle to make themselves invulnerable. The high priest of Judaism wore a breast plate set with semi-precious stones to convey royalty and power. Homo sapiens have been stringing beads and adorning themselves for nearly 100,000 years.

Crystals are the earth’s DNA, miniature storehouses, containing the records of the earth’s evolution over millions of years and the powerful forces that shaped it. Some have been subjected to enormous pressure, others are in chambers deep in the earth, some laid down in layers and others dripped into being, all of which affects their properties and the way they function. Whatever form they take, their crystalline structure can absorb, conserve, focus and emit energy, especially on the electromagnetic waveband.

People in many cultures use stones and crystals for healing. We understand intuitively that the natural energy of stones and crystals can affect our bodies. When you consciously work with a crystal or stone, the part of your energy which vibrates at the resonant level becomes amplified and strengthened. The resulting vibrations can cause changes in the emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of your experience. The more often we ‘tune in’ to nature, the more ‘in tune’ we become. Our bodies can become healthier, our minds clearer and our spirits more present and active in our bodies.

Wearing crystals, or simply having one in close proximity, can be helpful to boost your energy, clean your space, attract wealth, enhance intuition, increase mental abilities, or attract love. They can be used in meditation to develop intuition or placed under the pillow during sleep to inspire prophetic dreams, held during labor and birth for added strength, used in ceremonial rituals or placed around plants, animals or children who are in need of balancing and healing. There are hundreds of crystals and stones and each one has a personality and possesses specific qualities that can assist you on your journey.

Where can you buy crystals and how do you recognize your crystal?
The best source for your crystal is a local store where you can browse at your leisure or one of the Mind-Body-Spirit healing fairs or Crystal and Mineral shows. The staff will be able to answer your questions and offer guidance on the quality of the stones. Most important you will be able to hold the crystals in your hands. As you browse you will discover that some stones will attract you more than others, perhaps half a dozen. Take each crystal in turn and hold it in your hand for a moment. Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. Feel the crystal’s texture, shape and temperature. Does it speak to you? Pay attention to your reactions before picking up another crystal and repeating the process. You will probably find two that feel right. It’s difficult to define but you’ll know it when you feel it. Repeat the process with the remaining stones and trust your instincts. When you tune in to your crystal don’t hesitate; don’t vacillate; pay and carry it home.

Beware of fake stones and those that have been treated, irradiated or dyed in order to enhance their color. You want a crystal exactly as nature made it. Remember that big or outwardly beautiful does not necessarily mean more powerful. Small rough crystals can be extremely potent.

Next month learn about cleansing, purifying, charging and storing your crystals.