The Scoop on Healing Gemstones

Healing gemstones have been part of just about every culture for centuries. Myths and folklore surrounding them abound. These stories probably arose from the attempts of a culture to explain what was going on around them without the benefit of scientific knowledge. Each culture had different beliefs and superstitions that also played a large part in the telling of these tales. Whether the stories have any truth to them is a complete mystery. However, true or not, they’re at least interesting and can make great topics of conversation.

Here, we will cover some of the ancient myths and folklore surrounding a few healing gems as well as some modern myths about them in today’s society.

Agate-The agate is one of the oldest healing gemstones recorded in history. It is one of the stones thought to be included in the Breastplate of Aaron. Ancient Babylonians used Agate to ward off storms. Agates with banded colors were placed on the head of a sleeping person in order to give them rich and colorful dreams.

As healing gemstones today, Agates are used to help with an upset stomach. It is also said to give perspective and to help a person accept his or her emotions.

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Amethyst-Tales of Amethyst date back to early Greek Mythology. The god Dionysus was greatly angered by a mortal that refused to acknowledge him. He decided to take out his wrath on all people who refused his gifts of wine and drunkenness. He soon spotted a young virgin named Amethyst who was unfamiliar with wine and detained her. He then summoned two tigers to devour her and sat back with his wine to watch. The youth cried out to the goddess Diana and she had pity on her, turning her into a pure white stone (probably quartz) in order to save her. Dionysus then saw the evil in what he was about to do and started to weep. The tears dripped into his wine goblet and then spilled out into the quartz. The stone absorbed the color from the wine and was turned purple, creating the stone known as Amethyst.

Due to this myth, Amethyst has traditionally been worn to ward of drunkenness. It is also used today as a dream stone to treat insomnia and worn by Bishops in the Catholic Church to symbolize humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom.

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Carnelian-Most of the myths surrounding the healing gemstone Carnelian come from Egyptian and Hebrew cultures. The Egyptian goddess Isis was said to protect the dead with a Carnelian amulet named Thet. In Hebrew culture, the Bible describes the Breastplate of Aaron as being set with a Carnelian stone.

Today, some believe that Carnelian gives energy, guards against poverty and calms the temper.

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Garnet-The pomegranate is used in much of Greek Mythology and many believe that it is used in association with the garnet. The most well-known story that contains a pomegranate is that of Hades and Persephone.

In ancient cultures, garnet was associated with fire and illumination. It was said to contain enough energy to light the night sky. Garnet is believed to have been hung to light the path inside of Noah’s Ark. Eastern Indians used to rub garnet on themselves to obtain a “glowing quality” to their skin. An old Scandinavian ritual is to bury garnet in the form of jewelry with the dead in order to light their path to the next life.

Many people today believe that, as healing gemstones, garnets contain the power to cure nightmares, help with jaundice and to prevent attack.

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Lapis Lazuli-Ancient Egyptians used to bury a scarab made of Lapis Lazuli with their dead, believing it would offer protection in the afterlife. They also wore Lapis as a symbol of truth. Many very early cultures valued it more than gold. Some believed dreaming of Lapis meant that the person would find everlasting love and faithfulness.

As a healing gem, Lapis is thought to bring clarity of mind and to open up many of the chakra centers.

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As you can see, there are many stories regarding the healing power of gemstones that can be found in each culture and even some that are still held in regard today. For more facts and myths regarding healing gemstones , please sign up for my free newsletter !

While healing gemstones myth and legend is exciting for some, others find the hunt for actual minerals is where it’s at. Discover information that may help you to mine your own gemstones on the following page!