Gemstones, Superstitions and Mystical Power

Since the beginning of recorded history, preciouspowerful beliefs in gems have proliferated over the
stones and gems have been held in great regard.ages. A person in possession of a ruby may have an
Ancient peoples have been putting jewels onexperience that cannot be explained through reason
monuments, jewelry, caskets, and many other places.and logic. In the absence of a logical explanation, the
Today, as in ancient times, people have been puttingperson may very well be apt to assign some power
more than just monetary value on gemstones.to the stone.
The magi, the wise men, the seers, and the astrologersIf the supernatural powers of certain gems or anything
of the ages have found importance in gemstonesfor that matter cannot be fathomed by people, than
besides personal adornment. It was thought that all thehow is it that people can believe in the supernatural
evil in the world could be kept at bay by wearingpower of a god.
certain gemstones.Paracelsus was a bright and talented thinker during the
In medieval times, the influence of gems and stonessixteenth century AD. Paracelsus was thought to
continued. It was not until the Renaissance period thatpossess extraordinary mental powers and believed he
an effort was made to find reason for these traditionalhad mystic powers over supernatural agencies.
beliefs. In earlier times, there was little doubt that beliefsHe was the owner of a talismanic jewel, which
existed, and were taken granted. It was not until laterParacelsus claimed was the dwelling of a spirit named
that people attempted find plausible explanations as toAzoth. Old portraits of the philosopher have been
how these gems were given their strange and mysticfound with him wearing the jewel. Few people thought
powers, and how they affected the health, character,that Paracelsus believed that his jewel was home to a
or fortunes of the gems owner.spirit, but rather that he sported the paraphernalia in
When the existence of a miracle is noted, there willorder to gain influence over nonbelievers.
always be a tendency for people to regard everyIt was once thought that long concentration of vision
strange and mystifying happening as a miracle. Aon an object tended to produce a partial paralysis of
miracle is often described as something that happenscertain functions of the brain. The effect was noted in
outside of, or in spite of the laws of nature. Thea bird gazing into the eyes of a hungry serpent, or the
combination of visual impression and imagination areobedience of a lion when made to look into the eyes
powerful forces. An adult entering a dimly lit room mayof an intent trainer. Staring without interruption on a
see pile of laundry not think much of it. A young childglass ball, opal or moonstone was thought to cause
entering the same room may imagine that the indistinctthe gazer to become partially hypnotized or even fall
outline is that of a monster.into a profound sleep. Whether these phenomenons
Miracles are often investigated, and there is usually aare the imaginative workings of the brain, semi trance,
way to explain the event scientifically. Even with theor hypnotism, it is believed to give insight to the future.
marvelous secrets that have been revealed to us byThe hypnotic effect of these stones may be from
science, we may be foolish to think that not all of thesome gleam or point of light in the stone, fixing the
old beliefs of gems powers are without some basis inbeholders gaze. In the early part of the 1800s,
fact. If you think of all of the new ways thatextensive tests were designed to test the effects
information is transmitted, none is more powerful thanproduced upon a sensitive subject by the touch of the
word of mouth. Ever since humans have usedprecious stones and minerals. Test subjects claimed to
language as means of communication, words havefeel certain effects from certain stones.
held great power. So powerful is language that entireWith precious stones as hypnotizing agents, the mental
civilizations have been influenced by the words of aimpression is widely different, for here the physical
few.impression is heightened by the consciousness of the
Even in the face of science and reason, closely heldvalue and rarity of the material.
beliefs have been reinforced by tales of enchantmentThis help may help to explain the fascination that a fine
and magical influence. If the subconscious of oneset of jewels has on the mind of a woman, who sees
individual can affect the thoughts and feelings ofthe glory and radiance upon another womans neck or
another over a great distance without mechanicalwrist. This is not only due to the beauty of the
means, could this be due to some yet to bespectacle, but is also owed to the consciousness that
discovered power? Should we be dismissive of athey are rare and valuable objects, and perhaps
magician and his spells, or the predictions or a seer?eloquent witnesses of the power of love.
The theory of autosuggestion may explain how the