What’s your birthstone?
It is widely believed that wearing your birthstone can
bring you good fortune; maybe it’s because it aligns with you so well. So
whether you’re just curious about what your stone’s significance is or whether
you have already made-up your mind to wear it, check out this month-by-month
explanation of birthstones and their various benefits.
If you are born in
January
The red garnet, January's birthstone, is considered the
oldest and most-worn gemstone. Garnets come in myriad colors, including clear,
green, black, and many shades of orange and red. It is traditionally a symbol
of faith, love and constancy are its attributes. Because of this, it’s held
that it might prevent nightmares and can provide directional guidance in
darkness. Its qualities are devotional love, passion and radiant beauty,
helping you express these qualities openly with those around you.
Healing powers and uses
of the Garnet
Garnet is a stone of regeneration and energizing, and can
boost the energy of an entire system and revitalize it. This blood-red gemstone
has long been associated with the healing of various blood diseases, as well as
breaking fevers, reducing inflammation, and preventing depression. It is said
to be stabilizing, whether you wish for it to be internal or external. All
garnets are also thought to speed up the healing process because they cleanse
and reenergize the chakras.
If you are born in
February
The amethyst, February's birthstone, has been traveling
the world for more than 8,000 years as a trade commodity between many cultures.
It is a symbol of strong relationships and courage. Purple amethyst speaks of
peace, temperance, serenity and royalty. It encourages self control and
strengthens the bond in a love relationship. Buddhists believe that the
amethyst enhances tranquility and peace during meditation, and Leonardo da
Vinci thought it had the power to increase intelligence and protect against
evil.
Healing powers and uses
of the Amethyst
Amethyst is a gemstone often worn by healers, as it has
the power to focus energy. Amethyst is also believed to help to steady a
restless mind and bring mental and emotional well-being. Amethyst crystal
clusters are used to keep the air and life force in the home clean and
positive. There is nothing like the beautiful violet amethyst to awaken the
third-eye center. Enhancing intuition and clairvoyant abilities, the amethyst
is the awakener to the psychic dimensions.
If you are born in March
True to its water zodiac sign of Pisces, the aquamarine,
the birthstone for March, has a long seafaring history. Pale blue aquamarine
gemstones are associated with good health, youth, love and hope. Wearing this
gem is thought to reawaken married love, build your courage and increase your
happiness. Aquamarine is a sturdy stone from the beryl family and exists in a
variety of shades, from pale blue to blue-green to teal. The deep aqua blue
stones are the most valuable and sought after.
Healing powers and uses
of the Aquamarine
Just as the sea can lull the watcher into calm state of
mind, so the aquamarine gemstone can calm the soul of the wearer. Aquamarine's
soothing blue color is believed to bring mental clarity and releases negative
energy from the wearer. It regulates hormones and growth, boosts the immune
system and alleviates overreactions. This serene stone is believed to ease
anxiety, calm the nervous system, and improve mood. Associated with the throat
chakra and communication, it will bring soothing healing energy to the area of
the throat removing any constriction.
If you are born in April
The diamond, April's birthstone, is in perfect harmony
with its strong-willed, stubborn, yet energetic counterpart, the zodiac sign
Aries. The beauty and brilliance of a diamond is unparalleled and birthstones
meaning for diamonds is eternal and true love, strength and romance. The
diamond is the symbol of purity, innocence, eternity and courage. In ancient
times, diamonds were believed to be tears of the Gods. It brings the clarity of
light to all that you do, shining a radiant beam at the third eye to awaken
intuition, stimulating the higher mind.
Healing powers and uses
of the Diamond
The diamond is an energy amplifier. It brings the clarity
of light to all that you do, shining a radiant beam at the third eye to awaken
intuition, stimulating the higher mind and raising your awareness to the light
that shines within you. A diamond will help uncloud a cluttered mind, energize
a depressed heart and brings the spring back in your step as your walk the path
of your life. However, beware, as this means it will increase negative energy
as well as positive! Diamond effectively treats dizziness and vertigo, and
benefits the brain.
If you were born in May
The glorious green emerald, May's birthstone, has been
treasured by many cultures for thousands of years. It was one of Cleopatra's
favorite gems and has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love. A
true emerald is rarer than a diamond and costs much more per carat. Because of
its rarity, this elegant stone has adorned the crowns and jewelry of royalty
throughout the ages. Its magical properties include peace, harmony, love,
fidelity, honesty, and good fortune.
Healing powers and uses
of Emerald
Associated with the heart chakra, the elegant emerald
with its deep dark green tones is one of the most powerful healing gemstones.
They are thought to aid in recovery after infectious illness, help sinuses and
soothe the eyes, and improve vision. It heals the physical body by opening the
heart to the healing power of love and the potentials for self-healing that
reside within us all. Those attracted to emeralds are true healers to those
around them.
If you were born in June
June's birthstone, the pearl, has long been associated
with love, innocence, purity, and femininity. Pearl is worn to calm a restless
mind and to control anger. It is believed that people who wear pearl can
succeed in creative work and it is also linked with a successful married life.
Because pearls grow organically, they are believed to help the wearer get in
touch with the simple, honest things in life. Pearls also bring out the
personality traits of dignity, wisdom, calmness, integrity, and charity.
Healing powers and uses
of Pearl
Pearls are held to treat digestive disorders and the soft
organs of the body, as well as improve the skin. They relieve conditions of
bloating and biliousness. Pearls also increase fertility and ease childbirth.
Authentic pearls exist in two forms—natural pearls, found in the sea, and
freshwater pearls, found in rivers. It's believed these precious water-born
gems can cure stomach disorders and prevent ulcers. Other healing properties of
the pearl include calming stress, alleviating headaches, hypertension, and
exhaustion, and preventing heart attacks.
If you were born in July
Ancient Hindus believed that July's birthstone, the
deep-red ruby, had an internal flame that could never be extinguished. Red
rubies are tokens of harmony and peace. Their beauty speaks of strength and
nobility of character. The fire within the ruby is thought to bring fire into
the wearer's life through love, passion, imagination, and motivation. This
vital red gemstone brings clarity and wisdom to the wearer, as well as the
strength to resist self-destructive behavior.
Healing powers and uses
of Ruby
It was believed to protect its wearer from evil. Rubies
are believed to grow deeper in color when the owner is in danger. The ruby
encourages removal of negative energies from your path. It overcomes exhaustion
and lethargy and imparts potency and vigor. Also, the ruby detoxifies the body,
blood and lymphatic system. Wearing a ruby while sleeping is believed to bring
lucid dreams, and dreaming about rubies is said to be a sign of impending
wealth. Wearing a ruby is supposed to bring the owner a secure and peaceful
life.
If you were born in
August
August’s birthstone, peridot, is formed deep within the
earth where it absorbs mystical and healing powers. It symbolizes strength.
Peridot exists in shades from lemon-green to olive, but bright lime is the most
treasured. The calming color of this gemstone contains a joyful energy that
helps build strong friendships, achieve marital fidelity, ward off anger and
jealousy, and bring about a sense of peace. Wearing peridot can also increase
confidence, patience, and assertiveness.
Healing powers and uses
of Peridot
Peridot is considered a visionary stone, bringing wearers
an understanding of their existence and destiny. It is thought to strengthen
the immune system, metabolism and benefit the skin. Tradition says you will be
able to successfully ward off evil, enchantments and depression if you wear or
carry peridot. The yellow and green colors of peridot can be combined to help
even the most sensitive person. This stone sooths your worries and tames your
fears and is the perfect gemstone to wear during stressful times.
If you were born in
September
Sapphire, the deep blue birthstone of September, features
prominently in many traditions and legends. It symbolizes dignity, loyalty,
serenity, faith, purity and wisdom. The blue sapphire is known as the “wisdom
stone” and restores balance to a person’s life physically, emotionally, and
spiritually. It also brings joy, lightheartedness, and serenity to the wearer.
The gemstone associated with an enlightened mind, the blue sapphire raises your
consciousness to accept your divinity, brilliance and other exceptional
qualities.
Healing powers and uses
of Sapphire
Traditionally a favorite stone of priests and kings, the
sapphire symbolizes purity and wisdom. It treats blood disorders, combat
excessive bleeding and strengthen the walls of the veins. They are used for
cellular disorders, regulate the glands and calm overactive body systems. While
the medium-dark blue is the most treasured shade of sapphire, the stone exists
in a rainbow of colors, including purple, pink, yellow, green, and orange. Each
individual color of sapphire contains its own magical and healing powers.
Wearing a sapphire may help give a better understanding of the future.
If you were born in
October
The many-hued opal, October’s birthstone, is believed to
reflect the mood of the owner. Wearing an opal can bring out imagination,
inspiration, originality, and creativity. This gemstone is said to release
inhibitions and make the wearer “invisible,” if he or she does not wish to be
noticed. The opal symbolizes faithfulness and confidence. Depending on the
grade and type of opal, the qualities of opal are expressive and creatively
stimulating.
Healing powers and uses
of Opal
Necklaces with opals set in them were worn to ward off
evil and to protect eyesight. Opals also represent hope, creativity and
innocence. Opals strengthen memory, and also increase the will to live. They
treat infections and fevers, cleanse the blood and kidneys, and regulate
insulin. Because opals have a strong feminine link, they are thought to relax a
woman during childbirth and calm women’s health issues. Wearing an opal is
energizing and enlivening. It acts as a blood cleanser and stimulates appetite.
If you were born in
November
November’s birthstone, yellow topaz, has been warming
hearts since the days of ancient Egypt and has been revered by many cultures.
The heat of this fiery gemstone imbues a strong sense of true love and passion,
as well as compassion, kindness, and empathy. The name topaz comes from the
Sanskrit word tapas, meaning “fire.” Topaz is also linked with wisdom,
strength, courage and serenity. It soothes physical pain, promotes peace and
calms emotions. Topaz also promotes forgiveness and discourages negative
emotions.
Healing powers and uses
of Topaz
The yellow topaz is considered a stone of strength,
power, and protection. Because it's ruled by the sun, it bestows abundance and
practicality. It also aids in stimulating intelligence and creativity. As a
healing stone, the yellow topaz is believed to bring a sense of balance to the
wearer by relieving tension, calming stress, and harmonizing emotions. The
stone is associated with the navel chakra and therefore helps you feel more
empowered, strengthening your will power.
If you were born in
December
The soft sky-blue color of turquoise, December’s
birthstone, has made it the “stone of heaven” for thousands of years. It is a
symbol of good fortune and success, and it is believed to relax the mind and to
protect its wearer from harm. One of the philosopher's stones, turquoise denotes
wisdom and higher truth. Associated with the throat chakra, turquoise helps you
give voice to your wisdom and accept greater authority amongst those in your
inner circle.
Healing powers and uses
of Turquoise
Turquoise has long been considered a great healing stone
by many cultures. Ancient practitioners believed that turquoise would actually
change color when the wearer was ill or in danger. The turquoise stone aids in
the absorption of nutrients, enhances the immune system, stimulates the
regeneration of tissue, and heals the whole body. When worn near a body part
that's in pain, this energetic stone is said to absorb negative energies. A
bracelet of turquoise is believed to detoxify the blood as it flows under it.
