A brief History of Gemstones

Precious, semi-precious and ordinary stones found in ones travels or sacred spaces have been used to adorn, show ones wealth, and to represent the Goddess, God, guardians, healing amulets, talismans, charms, and fortune telling.

In ancient Egyptian magick the stones were worn to protect and heal, bring wealth, and success, to attract love and fertility, and to curse an enemy.  The gems 3 main parts consisted of color, properties of the gem, and words or images engraved upon it or written on papyri wrapped around it.  During mummification gems and stones were wrapped within the cloth in the belief that their magick would be given to the deceased on the other side and to protect the body on this side.  They created an extensive system of color symbolism that matched the magickal abilities with its color.

For example:  Milky white stones were used to promote the production of a mother’s milk flow.

The combination of words and gemstones became popular throughout the Roman Empire.  The Egyptians gained high prestige for the system.

In the Middle Ages gem magick was popular with the royal court as the commoners.  It is said that a grocer named Richard De Preston donated a sapphire that could cure eye ailments to a local church.  It was said that the royal court chronicled and inventoried stones that could detect poison, bring good luck, assist in child birth, cure personal ailments, dispel malice, and envy, reduce fever, banish terror, or grant the bearer magickal abilities.  Relics were encrusted with gemstones to enhance their strengths.  Books called lapidaries appeared that detailed the properties of gems.

In modern magickal practice the color, shape and mineral properties are used in magickal associations.  Carvings and inscriptions are no longer necessary for it to work.  Activation can be done by simply thinking about ones intend and rubbing the stones.  Stones and gems will only work if using them for good.

It is rather odd that the church was afraid of witchcraft and magick and called it the work of the Devil yet they still believed and practiced gemstone magick and healing even though they were burning “Witches”.

Crystals, Stones, and Gems

Crystals, stones, and gems contain their own natural energy.  By using this energy you can enhance your own during spells and Magickal workings..

When you get a stone you must cleanse and charge it.

Wash the stone in salt water, or holy water then place in the light of the full moon to cleanse and charge it.

Store stones and crystals in a cool dark place,  You can keep them all in the same bag. Cleanse stones of energies periodically, to prevent build up of negative energies.

It is said that you do not chose a stone or crystal but that it chooses you.  When purchasing stones take your time and look at all of them. Hold them in your hands.   Purchase the stone that is right for you.  If it is ugly or cloudy that does not matter.  Stones with “ghosts” or “clouds” in it carry a lot of energy. If the stone calls to you then it is meant to be yours.

This stone may not be one that you need right now, but it will be one that you will need in the future.  It may also not be meant for you, but that you are meant to give it to someone who needs it.

·       If you find a stone or gem with a natural hole in it, hang on to it.  Such stones are rare and if you look through the hole you are able to see the realm of the Fae.