Popular Beliefs Among the Ancients as to the Influence of Precious Stones
For centuries, precious stones have captivated human imagination, not just for their dazzling beauty but also for the mystical beliefs and folklore that surround them. The rich tapestry of ancient cultures and civilizations is woven with stories of gemstones influencing human destinies, providing protection against maladies, and even revealing glimpses into the future. While these notions may seem whimsical in the light of modern science, delving into the world of gemstone beliefs offers a fascinating journey into the heart of human history.
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The Allure of Agate: A Guardian Against Drunkenness
Among the myriad gemstones, agate stands out with an old popular notion as a guardian against drunkenness. Steeped in water, it is believed to hold the power to cure sterility and counteract magical charms.
Beryl’s Sympathetic Elixir: Water Infused with Connection
Dipping a beryl stone in water is said to create a mysterious connection between those who drink it. This gem, known for its vibrant hues, carries tales of sympathetic bonds forged through the simple act of sharing its infused elixir.
Diamonds: More than a Girl’s Best Friend
Diamonds, revered for their brilliance, have long been surrounded by traditions of occult power. From prevailing against poison to soothing anger and reconciling relationships, diamonds hold a multifaceted significance.
Popular Beliefs Among the Ancients Regarding Precious Stones
Precious stones, adorned with mystical significance, have intrigued human imagination since ancient times. In this exploration, we delve into the peculiar beliefs associated with some well-known stones, recognizing the folklore without necessitating blind faith.
| Stone | Beliefs |
|---|---|
| Agate | – Guards against drunkenness, cures sterility, counters magical charms |
| Batrachite | – Protects against poison and sorcery |
| Beryl | – Creates sympathy between drinkers |
| Chrysolite | – Prevents frenzy, acts as a penitential stone, cures gout |
| Chrysoprase | – Strengthens eyes, raises spirits, renders joy and liberality |
| Coral | – Protects against diseases, stops bleeding, drives away evil spirits |
| Diamond | – Prevails against poison, plague, insomnia, and enchantments, inspires courage and reconciliation, ensures safe childbirth |
| Emerald | – Cures dysentery and venomous bites, strengthens memory, maintains chastity |
| Heliotrope | – Renders the wearer invisible |
| Hematite or Bloodstone | – Valuable for incantations, counters the evil eye, strengthens friendships among males |
| Hyacinth | – Preservative against the plague, cure for dropsy |
| Jade | – Protects against venomous beasts |
| Jasper | – Engraved with magical signs for amulets, preserves against poisonous bites |
| Linurgas or Lapis Lineus | – Turns white when enveloped in linen (legendary), fabulous gem with attributed magical properties |
| Onyx | – Engraved with the head of a camel to cause evil dreams, possibly used against enemies |
| Opal | – Acts as a cordial, safeguards against poison, contagion, and raises spirits, beneficial for eye afflictions |
| Pearl | – Preserves chastity when worn on the neck, sweetens irritable tempers when ground into powder |
| Perithe | – Cures gout, burns the hand when held firmly |
| Ruby | – Resists poison and plague, banishes melancholy, diverts evil thoughts |
| Sapphire | – Good for inflammation of the eyes, attracts good fortune |
| Topaz | – Cools boiling water, aids in regaining lost positions |
| Turquoise | – Changes color based on the wearer (mysterious) |
Agate: Guardian Against Drunkenness
Agate, believed to guard against intoxication, also holds the power to cure sterility. Its water, when consumed, is considered a remedy for barrenness, and it is thought to counteract magical charms.
Batrachite: The Frog Stone
Once deemed to be found in frogs, batrachite, or silicate of magnesia, was believed to have potent powers against poison and sorcery.
Beryl: Creating Sympathy
The water in which beryl is dipped is believed to create a bond of sympathy between those who drink it.
Chrysolite: Penitential Stone
Albertus Magnus associated chrysolite with preventing frenzy and acting as a penitential stone, inducing sorrow for wrongdoing. Additionally, it was considered a cure for gout.
Chrysoprase: Uplifting and Liberating
Chrysoprase was believed to strengthen the eyes, uplift the spirits, and render a person liberal and joyous.
Coral: Protector and Averter
Coral was thought to safeguard homes against epidemics, stop bleeding, ward off evil spirits, and deflect lightning and hail.
Diamond: Multi-faceted Virtues
Diamonds were believed to prevail against poison, plague, insomnia, and enchantments. They were associated with reconciliation, courage, safe childbirth, and more.
Emerald: Ground Power
Emerald, when ground into powder, was considered a cure for dysentery and bites from venomous animals. Wearing it might also prevent epilepsy and strengthen memory.
Heliotrope: The Invisibility Stone
Heliotrope was believed to render the wearer invisible, a quality much sought after.
Hematite or Bloodstone: Friendships and Incantations
Hematite, valued for incantations, was believed to counteract the evil eye and strengthen friendships among males.
Hyacinth: Plague Protector
Hyacinth was considered a preservative against the plague and a remedy for dropsy.
Jade: Protector Against Beasts
Jade was another protective stone, particularly against venomous beasts.
Jasper: Magical Signs
Jasper, engraved with magical signs, served as an amulet and protected wearers from poisonous bites.
Linurgas or Lapis Lineus: Magical Cloth
A legendary stone, Linurgas, was said to turn white when wrapped in linen and possessed magical properties.
Onyx: Engraved Nightmares
Onyx, when engraved with the head of a camel, was believed to cause evil dreams and might have been used against enemies.
Opal: Cordial and Safeguard
Opal acted as a cordial, safeguarding against poison, contagion, raising spirits, and benefiting eye afflictions.
Pearl: Preserver of Chastity
Worn on the neck, a pearl was believed to preserve chastity. Ground into powder, it could sweeten irritable tempers and cure pestilential fevers.
Perithe: Gout Cure
Perithe, with its power to cure gout, was believed to burn the hand when held firmly.
Ruby: Resisting Poison and Melancholy
Ruby resisted poison, preserved against the plague, banished melancholy, and diverted evil thoughts.
Sapphire: Soothing Eyes and Attracting Fortune
Sapphire was considered good for inflammation of the eyes and attracted good fortune.
Topaz: Coolant and Career Regainer
Topaz had the faculty of cooling boiling water and was believed to help those seeking to regain lost positions.
Turquoise: Mysterious Color Changes
Turquoise, known for changing color based on the wearer, had unspecified qualities in historical beliefs.
The Language of Precious Stones
The ancients assigned various meanings to precious stones based on months. Gift-givers often considered these significances when choosing presents for birthdays, engagements, or weddings.
The Language of Precious Stones by Month
| Month | Stone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Constancy and fidelity in every engagement |
| February | Amethyst | Preventive against violent passions |
| March | Bloodstone | Courage, wisdom, and firmness in affection |
| April | Sapphire | Free from enchantment; denotes repentance |
| May | Emerald | Discovers false friends and insures true love |
| June | Agate | Insures long life, health, and prosperity |
| July | Ruby | Corrects evils resulting from mistaken friendship |
| August | Sardonyx | Insures original felicity |
| September | Chrysolite | Free from all evil passions and sadness of mind |
| October | Opal | Denotes hope and sharpens the sight and faith of the possessor |
| November | Topaz | Fidelity and friendship; prevents bad dreams |
| December | Turquoise | Denotes prosperity in love |
January, Garnet: Constancy and Fidelity
Garnet symbolized constancy and fidelity in engagements.
February, Amethyst: Calming Passion
Amethyst was believed to prevent violent passions.
March, Bloodstone: Courage and Wisdom
Bloodstone signified courage, wisdom, and firmness in affection.
April, Sapphire: Enchantment-Free
Sapphire denoted freedom from enchantment and repentance.
May, Emerald: True Love Revealer
Emerald was associated with discovering false friends and ensuring true love.
June, Agate: Long Life and Prosperity
Agate insured long life, health, and prosperity.
July, Ruby: Friendship Correction
Ruby corrected evils resulting from mistaken friendship.
August, Sardonyx: Original Felicity
Sardonyx insured original felicity.
September, Chrysolite: Freedom from Evil Passions
Chrysolite represented freedom from all evil passions and sadness of mind.
October, Opal: Hopeful Vision
Opal denoted hope and sharpened the sight and faith of the possessor.
November, Topaz: Fidelity and Friendship
Topaz symbolized fidelity, friendship, and prevention of bad dreams.
December, Turquoise: Prosperity in Love
Turquoise signified prosperity in love.
From the book: “Fortunes and Dreams”
A Practical Manual of Fortune Telling, Divination and the Interepretation of Dreams, Signs and Omens (1917)
by Astra Cielo
