Astrology, Gemstones & You
by Lisa Thiel (c) 2006
Many people are familiar with the” birthstones” associated with their astrological sign. From my experience of over 35 years of working with crystals and gemstones, Ive found that there are a wide variety of stones that can be helpful for balancing body , mind, spirit and emotions. Oftentimes these are not necessarily the ones traditionally associated with one’s sign, but different stones that have the opposite type of energy which can provide a dynamic polarity that creates balance. These other stones and gems can help transform certain kinds of negative /blocked energy, or open up aspects of spiritual energy for meditation and insight. You may wonder how a rock can effect us! As all living things have an energy field (aura) it is our energy fields that interact with that of the stones. Because of accupuncture we know that the streams of energy flow through the body and we have seen how changing those energy flows can have a potent effect on our physical well being. With the advent of Kirlian photography in the late 30’s in Russia, we were able to see for the first time what psychics and mystics had always seen:the life force/ light that surrounds all living things, the essential energy or “Chi”. Stones and gems , too have an energy field and are referred to by Indigenous cultures as living things as well. It was found that in Egyptian tombs when photographed by Kirlian photography that ancient jewelry and precious metals still had a visible “aura” after many thousands of years. Stones have a stable energy, humans have a variable ( unstable ) energy. When two energy fields come into contact ,the unstable field will always begin to vibrate at the rate of the stable one. This is why crystals and gemstones are used in electronics as a regulating mechanism. They have the same effect on the human “field,” and this in turn effects how we think and feel , both emotionally and physically. Granted, the effects are often subtle , but as I have studied and experienced this for over three decades myself and with numerous others I feel it is significant. There are many books on the metaphysical properties of stones,’ Love is in the Earth’ by Melody is a great one.
As for the astrological signs and their associated stones, here is a brief example of stones and their uses. Every individual is a unique combination of signs, each of which are subject to a wide variety of states/ influences, and so this information is very generalized and you should always rely on your own feelings, intuition to evaluate how a stone affects you.
Aries is ruled by Mars, planet of action and war. They are firey ‘go -getters’ and initiators. They can also be high strung , nervous, and quick to anger. To balance that, calming green stones such as Emerald, Jade, green Calcite or green Tourmaline can be helpful. Diamonds, Carnelian and Amber can replenish them when they get “burnt-out.’
Taurus is solid , grounded and practical, but can be fixed and rigid. To relax, blue stones such as Turquoise, Larimar, Lapis Lazuli or multi -colored Labradorite can bring out the mellow side of the Bull. Agates can replenish their Earthy energy.
Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is a quick thinker and inventive, but can be restless and scattered. Lepidolite and Moss Agate can soothe mental tension, and golden amber and rutilated quartz can bring focus and invigorate the mind and body.
Cancers are sensitive and nurturing but in their negative phase can be moody and emotionally over-wrought. Moonstone, Prehnite, Coral and Jet can help calm irritable emotions, and opaque butter Amber or yellow Calcite can ease worry.
Leos are ruled by their heart, and can be generous and magnanimous, or self absorbed and disconnected emotionally in their negative state. Heart awakening stones such as Rose Quartz, green Adventurine or Watermelon Tourmaline can open them up to their true loving nature and golden Topaz and Amber can revitalize their inner fire.
Virgos are mental signs and are normally organized and clear thinkers. They also have a tendancy to be prone to mental stress and nervousness and soothing stones such as Aquamarine, Lepidolite and Apatite can calm them, and Peridot and Citrine can give them a’ lift”.
Libras are graceful communicators who are tuned into the needs of others. They can also find it difficult to make decisions or to attend to their own needs and desires. Orange or red amber, carnelian and Tigers Eye can strengthen them, and Celestite, blue Tourmaline or blue Chalcedony can soothe them.
Scorpios are known to be the most intense sign , powerful and penetrating, and their personalities can benefit from transformative Smokey Quartz, Citrine,and dark purple Amethyst to clear blockages in their emotional bodies. Unakite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli and Opals can enhance their psychic/ intuitive energy for deeper insight.
Sagittarius, the philosopher , is bursting with energy and optimism, but when their exuberance leads them to over – do, Amber and Turquoise can replenish them, and Sugulite and Amethyst can enhance their spiritual energy to help get them back on track.
Capricorns are all about structure, but they can also become rigid and unyielding. The gentleness of Pearls, Coral , Rose quartz, Opals and Amazonite can soften them, while Garnets and Rubies can recharge their physical energy.
Aquarius is another mental sign that can become scattered or unfocused. Blue or purple flourite, blue topaz and Apatite can aid in focusing their thoughts, and gold ,brown, or green Agates, Jade or Serpentine can bring gentle grounding.
Pisces, the dreamer of the Zodiac, is one of the most sensitive, etheric signs. Tiger’s Eye, Agates, Kyanite and gold or dark Amber can bring more energy and strength into their physical bodies, black Tourmaline can ‘ground’ and center them, and Smokey Quartz can calm and clear their emotions.
The moon changes astrological signs approximately every three days which has a significant effect on all the signs. Some of these stones may be useful during these transits as well. Try an experiment and note any significant emotional , mental state and then look at an astrological calender to see what sign the moon is in, afterwards. If you do this for a couple of months you’ll most likely see reoccurring patterns of easy and challenging days relating to the moon signs. You may find it helpful on challenging days to try using gemstones to make life a little easier. Having them in your field, wearing them or sleeping with them under your pillow can have subtle beneficial effects.
Note: in order to evaluate the effects of a gemstone dont focus on trying to’ feel’ the energy from the stone itself, but focus on your own response, how you feel physically ,mentally ,emotionally etc. when you hold or wear the stone. If you feel energized ,clear, strong, stable its a good stone for you. If you feel imbalanced ,spacey, nervous or off center its not a good stone for you at that time no matter how pretty it is!
First determine -what type of energy do you need for balance? The basic rule of thumb when choosing a stone is the clearer the stone the more intense the energy, ie opaque stones are more grounding and stabilizing, slower in vibration. People are always looking for the perfectly clear crystal, but in terms of energy that isnt always whats really needed. Do you need/ want more energy? If not choose something that will calm rather than stimulate. The classic attributes of color apply to crystals and gems : the warm colors are more stimulating, the cool colors more calming. Red is the most intense, physically stimulating ,orange next ,yellow third, green is almost a neutral, blue more ” etheric” and violet , the opposite end of the spectrum is also very stimulating , but in a spiritual way. So Amethyst is for spiritual upliftment, Garnet for physical vitality.And , you may think its always good to be stimulated spiritually, but if you arent grounded on the physical plane and need to take care of business, a grounding stone will serve you much better than an etheric one . Save the opals and the moonstones for when youre dreaming at night! Another example, Red Coral is a softer energy than Rose Quartz because Coral is opaque and Rose Quartz is transluscent( which conducts more frequency), even though it is lighter in color ( pink ) . Rose Quartz is often recommended for the heart but it is a stimulating stone, good for when your emotions are shut down or inaccessable to you, not when you are over emotional. Another good example of this is butter Amber which is soft and opaque is calming ,but clear yellow amber is extremely stimulating so again, which effect do you really want?
The colors of the chakras also relate to the gem colors, and so red is for the root , orange for the second chakra , yellow for the solar plexus, green for the heart, blue for the throat and violet for the third eye. But it is always important to consider again what you wish to accomplish when introducing a gem into your field. Depending on the day, your mood, your energy level. For example, if youre a little tired and not quite up to a busy day and need mental clarity, a good yellow or orange stone will give you some more pep. If youre angry or irritable a nice cooling color like blue or green can cool you out and soften the mood . If youre not entirely sure its always best to go for the mid range colors. If youre a little nervous or scattered and need to be focused and productive, Smokey Quartz is a great power stone. Smokey Quartz is one of the best overall gems in my opinion to stabilize, ground and focus while still giving you more energy . Again, its ultimately up to you and your intuition to decide , because each individual is so unique.
* this article may be reprinted with credit to me and mention of my website ~thank you