Do jewels improve our spiritual life?

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