Astrology Rocks

Ever wondered about what your birthstone is? Some say that the tradition arose from the breastplate of Aaron, but in fact it was back in the early 20th century that a guild of American jewellers made up a list of gems and assigned them to the month that you were born. It was centuries, even millennia before then that gemstones were revered not only for their beauty but for their magical and therapeutic properties which were then ascribed by astrologers according to their various attributes that aligned with the different planets and signs of the heavens, and hence given 'rulership'. The following is a brief list.

Aries

Diamond, red coral, carnelian, bloodstone

Diamond is the king of gemstones, and therefore comes under the sign of Leo, but because of its superior hardness, it's also very Aries. Diamond is the most brilliant of all gemstones, and is said to be a master healer - it draws life force to the body. In Hindu astrology, diamond comes under the reign of Venus. Venus is the most brilliant and white of the planets (excluding the Sun and Moon) and it is also very beautiful, like a diamond. In some societies, diamonds are a symbol of love. Diamond has also been put under Saturn's rule presumably because diamond is carbon. But diamond is crystallised carbon and does not have Saturnian characteristics. Although, industrial diamond, known as bort, is Saturnine.

Red coral is an organic stone that's red, opaque and ruled by Mars, planet of war, assertion and passion. Mars also rules Aries and is the traditional ruler of Scorpio. The branches of red coral are very sharp, but it's traditionally thought to stop bleeding and cleanse the blood when the smooth side is applied to a wound. Warriors used to wear coral because they believed it would strengthen their courage. It's great for summoning up the nerve to face difficult situations, or for heightening desires. According to homeopaths, this gemstone is for strengthening.

Carnelian is a translucent brownish red stone. It's ruled by Mars and comes under both Aries and Scorpio. It's believed to stimulate drive and awaken hidden talents. It helps you to focus on your own aims rather than be swayed by other people's agenda or ambition. By channelling your interests in this way, the perception is sharpened, and it helps to stabilise a wavering mind.

Taurus

Lapis lazuli, rose quartz, light blue topaz, white coral

Lapis Lazuli is more commonly referred to as 'lapis'. It's an opaque royal blue colour sometimes with flecks of white and gold. Lapis is a mixture of several minerals including lazurite, calcite, pyrite, hornblende, mica, diopside, augite and hauynite in varying quantities. Some say it is a rock rather than a mineral, and because of the variety of minerals, it has mixed influences. Calcite is Saturnian, pyrite is Martian, lazurite is Venusian. Overall, lapis dispels melancholy, reduces intermittent fevers and helps throat illnesses when worn around the neck. It's a feel good stone, which is why lapis comes under Taurus - it's a sign of comfort and ease.

Rose quartz is the stone of love and comes under both of the astrological signs that are ruled by lovely Venus - Taurus and Libra. It has a soothing and calming influence. It's easy to carry a piece of rose quartz around in your pocket so that every time you might feel a painful longing, you'll be reassured by stroking the stone. It's also thought to attract love! Keep one with you at all times, even under your pillow when you sleep and you'll be dreaming about your true love!

Light blue topaz can easily be confused with aquamarine because they have a similar colour but their influence is different. Light blue topaz is believed to stimulate the throat (the part of the body ruled by Taurus), which helps you to verbalise thoughts, but more importantly, the feelings. The throat is the connection between the heart and mind, so wearing light blue topaz should help bring the two into union, and hence balance your spirit to align with the universal forces, and avoid being drawn too heavily into extremes.

Gemini

Emerald, agate, malachite, green tourmaline

Emerald is ruled by Jupiter in the Western world, but the Hindus ascribe its influence to Mercury, ruler of Gemini. Emerald increases your prophetic abilities along with your thinking and communicative powers. It's also said to alleviate eyestrain. You'll understand this perfectly, if you've ever seen a top quality emerald. The most striking characteristic of emerald is its colour. I tend to believe that its influence is a mixture of Mercury and Jupiter.

Agate is one of the most undervalued stones, probably because it is available in such abundance. The thing is that each piece is unique and highly interesting when you take a close look at the bands in layered agate. It was once thought that the layers were formed gradually and individually - one layer of history on top of the next, but it is now more commonly believed that the formation was simultaneous. Moss agate has inclusions of hornblende, which makes it look like moss encased in stone. Once again, each piece is unique, and the fact that it is so changeable, multi-coloured and visually adaptable, it is ruled by Mercury, the planet that rules both Gemini and Virgo - mutable signs.

Malachite is a lovely opaque green layered gemstone. The stripes vary from light to dark green, but the lines often form 'eyes' - circular patterns in the layers. It was popular within ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and powdered, it was used as eye shadow. It was used to guard against the 'evil eye' or negative influences, and other dangers. It is also believed to help people gain insight into spiritual matters.

Cancer

Pearl, moonstone, opal, quartz crystal

Pearl is obviously ruled by the Moon; the mere image of a pearl is lunar. This is very much a female stone as it is not only delicate but sensitive as well. About 3-4% of its composition is water, and because of the layered nacre, they also reflect images. Pearls need to breathe, so if they're kept airtight over a long period of time, they'll shrivel and peel. The effect of pearl is to soothe and calm.

Moonstone comes under Cancer, of course! Like its zodiacal sign, moonstone is sensitive to pressure so it's important to take care of it. It's a white, and sometimes grey translucent stone, and because of the minute internal fibres, it can produce what's known as a 'cat's eye' - turned the right way up, some moonstones reflect a band of light down the centre that shifts as the light sources is moved. Mystical and reflective, it is thought to be emotionally balancing and to evoke confidence and calm.

Opal is a gorgeous looking gemstone, and there are several varieties. The most commonly known is the fire opal. It has a milky white appearance with multi-coloured speckles. It's comes under both Cancer and Libra, and its influence is to open the mind and inspire psychic abilities, however it's not going to happen, if your aim is to be one up on someone else! Using any gemstone purely for personal gain is definitely going against the tide of Mother Nature! It's used to boost the memory, and to instil faithfulness in love and business partnerships.

Leo

Ruby, diamond, amber, zircon

Ruby is ruled by the Sun, as agreed by most sources in the East and West. Just as the Sun emits energy which is responsible for our life, the ruby increases our vitality. Ruby and all sapphires are from the species corundum. They're of the most durable and strong yet aesthetically pleasing gemstones therefore they have always been held in high esteem.

Diamond is the king of gemstones, and therefore comes under the sign of Leo, but because of its superior hardness, it's also very Aries. Diamond is the most brilliant of all gemstones, and is said to be a master healer. It draws life force to the body. In Hindu astrology, diamond comes under the reign of Venus. Venus is the most brilliant and white of the planets (excluding the Sun and Moon) and it is also very beautiful, like a diamond. In some societies, diamonds are a symbol of love, so it is also a gemstone of Libra. Diamond has also been put under Saturn's rule presumably because diamond is carbon. But diamond is crystallised carbon and does not have Saturnian characteristics. Although, industrial diamond, known as bort, is Saturnine.

Amber was one of the first gemstones used for healing purposes. It's a fossil resin of an extinct pine tree and often contains inclusions of tiny insects. The most common colours are light yellow to brown and red with a varying intensity. When amber is rubbed with a dry cloth it produces static electricity and can pick up small particles. The Sun is one of the life givers as well as a source of electricity and rules amber. The glyph of the Sun represents the spirit. One of the known uses of amber is to increase our spiritual awareness. Homeopaths use amber (known as succinum) as a remedy for the spleen, as well as for whooping cough and hay fever.

Virgo

Malachite, agate, peridot, chrysocolla

Peridot is not very well known but it's an incredibly beautiful stone, and is usually faceted and set in fine jewellery. An olivey translucent green, it has been mined for thousands of years and was often used for ecclesiastical purposes, so was used to open the heart in a spiritual sense. Virgo is a sign that likes order, and peridot is a gemstone that helps to regulate cycles of all kinds including physical, mental and emotional. Wearing it will encourage gentleness and good manners!

Libra

Opal, rose quartz, diamond, apophyllite

Diamond is the king of gemstones, and therefore comes under the sign of Leo, but because of its superior hardness, it's also very Aries. Diamond is the most brilliant of all gemstones, and is said to be a ''master healer''. It draws life force to the body. In Hindu astrology, diamond comes under the reign of Venus. Venus is the most brilliant and white of the planets (excluding the Sun and Moon) and it is also very beautiful, like a diamond. In some societies, diamonds are a symbol of love, so it is also a gemstone of Libra. Diamond has also been put under Saturn's rule presumably because diamond is carbon. But diamond is crystallised carbon and does not have Saturnian characteristics. Although, industrial diamond, known as bort, is Saturnine.

Scorpio

Carnelian, bloodstone, red coral, cinnabar

Bloodstone is an opaque green stone with red spots - quite an unusual looking gemstone. It's normally carved or polished into a dome - cabochon. During the middle ages, bloodstone was often carved into a heart shape and thought to have magical powers. The red spots represented Christ's blood, and it was a stone for healers and those with more mystical proclivities because of its association with so-called dark practices. Perhaps this is why it is also known as heliotrope or 'sunturner' to the Greeks. It's quite a beautiful stone and helpful to those who wish to be enlightened. It was also used to check and stop haemorrhaging and bleeding. More commonly, it helps to open avenues of communication, and stop confusion, particularly in meditation.

Sagittarius

Jade, turquoise, yellow topaz, citrine

Jade is cherished by the Chinese. They'll tell you that it's for good luck and long life. The early Spaniards also valued its use and beauty. Most gemstones change colour slightly under different lighting, (alexandrite changes phenomenally from red to green when moved from artificial to natural light), but jade is known to change depending on the wearer's physical and mental health. There are two minerals classed as jade. One is jadeite and the other is nephrite. Both come in a variety of colours from white to black. Imperial jade is a translucent emerald green; it's very rare, very beautiful and very valuable. Jade is also a protector, like Jupiter, and from a Vedic text, "Among all gems, fine quality jade has the greatest ability to remove negative karmic reaction".

Turquoise has been used since ancient times. It has a protective quality known in many cultures, including the South-western American Indians (particularly the Zuni and Apache tribes) and in Persia (Iran). It protects the wearer from injury in accidents, and generally strengthens the entire body. The Indians used to adorn both the men and their horses with turquoise, and still do today! Buyers of turquoise must beware because it is very easily artificially enhanced.

Topaz is represented by Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces, and most yellow or golden coloured stones are also Jupiterian. Topaz serves as a spiritual awakener and inspirer. It's known to detoxify the body when used by gem therapists, and also has a cleansing effect when worn as jewellery particularly when the stone touches the skin. Topaz is easily confused with citrine quartz, but has a slightly different colour.

Capricorn

Sapphire, jet, fluorite, obsidian, onyx

Sapphire comes under the dominion of Saturn, so is assigned to Capricorn and Aquarius. Saturn is sometimes referred to as the 'great chronocrator'. It's the planet of time, and as a record keeper, helps to stimulate memory. Sapphire has a firm seat in ancient ritual and writing and was revered by the rich and powerful, as well as royal and religious rulers for its divine and mystical properties. Therapeutically it was used for all eye diseases, and for boils! It also lifts the spirits. Some say it's ruled by Venus because it brings tranquillity, but rather than actually attracting happiness, it alleviates depression and assists our ability to be optimistic. Sapphire generally refers to the blue sapphire, but they come in a variety of colours. The light blue sapphire is ruled by Venus because of its calming effect. The yellow sapphire is ruled by Jupiter as it is said to promote spiritual enlightenment.

Jet is an organic gemstone - it is fossilised wood or coal. In Victorian times it was often used as mourning jewellery because it was thought to alleviate depression. The main source of it is in Whitby, England, and although it's not so easy to come by, it's not hard to identify. It's a soft opaque black stone, much softer and less shiny than onyx or obsidian. It's also said to have a calming influence, and stabilises financial business affairs.

Fluorite is a heavy stone (has high specific gravity), so is ruled by Saturn, but it's transparent and comes in a variety of colours, usually green, pink and colourless. It helps you to deal with responsibilities and some say it's a "stone of discernment and aptitude".

Aquarius

Hematite, tanzanite, sapphire, garnet

Hematite is that grey metallic-looking stone. It's not exactly beautiful but it is interesting because you could swear it's a metal, but it's a stone. It brings inner peace and attracts love - the Aquarius universal kind of love! It helps to balance the energy and turns around negativity.

Tanzanite is a beautifully transparent purple-blue gemstone. It's usually faceted and definitely doesn't come cheap, but if you can afford one, it's worth it - it's nothing less than dazzlingly gorgeous! Apart from the aesthetic beauty, it has been called the stone of magic because it is thought to have the power of manifestation - very Saturn. It was used by the Celts for visionary purposes when choosing a new leader, and is believed to have revelatory gifts.

Pisces

Amethyst, topaz, jade, aquamarine, alexandrite

Amethyst is ruled by Jupiter. It's known as a great protector, so if you wear an amethyst you'll be guarded against most things from evil spirits to drunkenness! Amethyst is from the quartz group, which is found all over the world in various colours and crystal forms. The strength of its power is also well known, which, is why it is so valued whilst being one of the most commonly occurring.

Jade is cherished by the Chinese. They'll tell you that it's for good luck and long life. The early Spaniards also valued its use and beauty. Most gemstones change colour slightly under different lighting, (alexandrite changes phenomenally from red to green when moved from artificial to natural light), but jade is known to change depending on the wearer's physical and mental health. There are two minerals classed as jade. One is jadeite and the other is nephrite. Both come in a variety of colours from white to black. Imperial jade is a translucent emerald green. It's very rare, very beautiful and very valuable. Jade is also a protector, like Jupiter, and from a Vedic text, "Among all gems, fine quality jade has the greatest ability to remove negative karmic reaction".