Zodiac Gem Stones By Mary Ann Miller

Mar 2, 2010 by Susan

MAry Ann Miller headshot 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.