| Teachers throughout the ages have | | | | to have caused natural calamities by |
| introduced us to symbols that have | | | | improper usage, such as the destruction |
| allowed the mind to grasp concepts and | | | | of Atlantis. They are said to have been |
| ideas without linguistic metaphor. For | | | | the catalyst for moving the great, huge |
| example, a circle can symbolize | | | | blocks of stone used to build the |
| completeness in a way that the word | | | | pyramids of Egypt. |
| cannot. A square or a crescent are | | | | The inherent powers of gemstones are |
| shapes that convey meanings to the | | | | recognized by modern science in the |
| unconscious part of our minds and in | | | | technological uses of crystals in |
| fact reach into the collective | | | | watches, lasers, and computers, but the |
| unconscious of all humanity so that | | | | more subtle potencies, such as their |
| neither words nor descriptions nor | | | | ability to promote physical healing in |
| analysis is necessary. | | | | the body, and their power to help |
| So we use symbols to help us and by | | | | balance human emotions, elude discovery |
| wearing those symbols on our body they | | | | by modern science. |
| remain close to us physically and | | | | Gemstones have captured the imagination |
| mentally. By being close they jog our | | | | of humankind since time immemorial. It |
| memories and they repeatedly stimulate | | | | seems like every tradition has stories |
| our effort to reach for their meanings. | | | | relating to their magical qualities. |
| In the process we become centered and | | | | Nearly everyone has heard stories about |
| still and capable of reflecting higher | | | | the power of precious stones that have |
| levels of awarenss. | | | | thrilled them in their childhood. Do |
| By focusing our consciousness on these | | | | gemstones really have special powers? |
| forms and experiencing their raw energy | | | | Can they help us be more centered and |
| which manifests not only with visual | | | | more attuned to the positive flow of |
| definition but also with aural | | | | life? Can Yoga - Union with all life, |
| definition, we de-hypnotize the mind | | | | the goal of meditation, be aided by |
| from its everyday obsessions and allow | | | | stones and metals? Some sources say Ruby |
| it to rest in itself and of itself, | | | | and Gold strengthens the positive |
| thereby gaining access to higher states | | | | expression of your being; Pearl and |
| of awareness. It is a fact that problems | | | | Silver helps with sensitivity and |
| cannot be resolved by the consciousness | | | | emotional stability or deep reception of |
| that perceives those problems. It takes | | | | experiences; Emerald and Mercury with |
| a higher level of access to find the | | | | communication, Diamond (substitute: |
| resolution. This, in fact, is the | | | | White Sapphire) and Copper with clarity |
| purpose of conflict in our lives. | | | | of feelings and expansiveness; Red Coral |
| Conflict forces us to reach or penetrate | | | | and Iron with willpower; Yellow Sapphire |
| into levels of greater awareness. We | | | | and lead with fluidity and positive |
| either grow through conflict or we grow | | | | change; Blue Sapphire and Tin with focus |
| by turning toward our center. There are | | | | and motivation; Hessonite with |
| only two ways. Voluntary turning is | | | | aspiration; and Chrysoberyl Cats Eye |
| easier than conflict. | | | | with regeneration-renewal of energy. |
| Thereafter we can operate with greater | | | | Zinc is not related to a specific Chakra |
| efficiency and better decision making | | | | or planet. However its actions are |
| ability because we become more | | | | associated with strong life force, |
| sensitized to the light and the | | | | preserving life force and preventing |
| experience of enlightenment. When we | | | | viruses from replicating. It was often |
| share this with others in our lives we | | | | included in talismans and statues for |
| increase the light within ourselves. | | | | this reason. Platinum is not |
| Gems earliest use was for healing and | | | | specifically described in the |
| spiritual ritual. Their value as | | | | traditional Vedic text; its energy, |
| concentrated wealth came into play at a | | | | however, tends to be similar to Silver - |
| much later time. Although gems were rare | | | | cooling to harmful emotions such as |
| and exhibited great beauty, the reason | | | | anger. Based on color and energy other |
| they were so precious was the power they | | | | metals can be explored as to what their |
| imparted to their wearers. They are | | | | effect might be. Try using your own |
| storehouses of power that may be | | | | reaction to a metal as a guide. |
| transmitted through contact with one?s | | | | Though everyone has specific stones that |
| body. Kings and queens would have | | | | are most helpful to them (a good Vedic |
| gemstones set in their crowns to obtain | | | | astrologer can help determine this along |
| their potencies. They connected the | | | | with your own intuition and trial & |
| monarchs with forces enabling them to | | | | error), all nine stones (a navaratna |
| rule guided by cosmic energies. Priests | | | | bangle or necklace as it is called in |
| of different religions used gems in | | | | Sanskrit) are helpful to most people in |
| rings for similar reasons. Gems exhibit | | | | harmonizing and stimulating the energy |
| their power in a beneficial or | | | | in all the Chakras. Of course some |
| detrimental way depending on how they | | | | people will find that wearing metals or |
| are used. | | | | gems is not helpful so they must |
| Ancient cultures used gems and sound | | | | approach this carefully. The goal is to |
| vibration to direct the subtle forces of | | | | strengthen the aura |
| nature. The occult power of gems is said | | | | |