Emerald
Description: Emerald comes from the Beryl family (which includes Aquamarine) and is found in shades of green varying from very light to very deep. It crystallizes in the structure of prismatic crystals, sometimes vertically striated and terminated by small pyramid-like faces.
Location: The main site where Emeralds are mined is in Columbia, however, fine emeralds can also be found in other countries such as Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan or Russia.
Astrological Sign: The planet Venus, and signs Cancer, Taurus, and Libra
Spiritual Uses: Emerald is valuable in meditative work as well as healing. It gives wisdom from the mental plane, helping the possessor to be motivated to give love and wisdom to others. It is known as a “stone of successful love,” said to instill both sensitivity and loyalty within the self and within others, providing also for domestic bliss. It can be used to stimulate the use of greater mental capacity and to enhance the memory. It allows for the choice of “right” action to be your only choice, helping to combine intelligence with discernment. The Emerald can be used to open, activate, and stimulate the heart chakra, while also quieting the emotions. Emerald improves psychic abilities, helps the individual attain balance, and raises consciousness. It can help one to maintain the rhythmic breathing conducive to entering and attaining depth in the meditative state, and after meditating, can help one to emit the radiance of the light. It can help to bring awareness of the unknown to conscious recognition, helping one to access the laws of order within the universe, eliminating that from one’s life that which impedes progress. Emerald can assist in facilitating intensity and focus in one’s actions and can be used to eliminate negativity from one’s life, bringing forth the positive actions required to assist one in remaining centered in the practicality of one’s lifework. Emeralds are often used in business spells and rituals to promote sales in a business.
Physical Uses: Emerald helps its wearer gain physical, emotional, and mental equilibrium. It can be worn by anyone without ill effects, and is an inspirational and relaxing stone. It can be used in treatment of disorders of the lungs, heart, spine, and muscular system, and also to soothe the eyes. Emerald should be worn on the little finger or ring finger and can also be worn as a pendant over the heart center, in the middle of the chest, or as a bracelet on the right arm. It should not be worn constantly, only when the wearer feels the need to have its energy near. Emerald is of special value to athletes, chiropractors, lecturers, marriage counselors, masseurs, people who work in radioactive areas and in close quarters with others, and optometrists. It has been said to enhance the immune system. Emeralds were used to aid in eloquence, strengthen memory, and to reveal the truth or falsity of a lover’s oaths. Also, Emeralds were used as antidotes for poisons and poisoned wounds. When worn about one’s neck, they were said to cure epilepsy. Another attribute of the Emerald is strengthening the memory as well as increasing understanding and producing eloquent speech.
History: In the 3rd century, the Emerald was the precious stone mentioned by Theophrastus in his treatise on gems, its use being to relieve eyestrain. This theory was so widely held at that time, that gem engravers kept Emeralds on their worktables so as to be able to look at the stone from time to time to relieve eyestrain. Hindu physicians in the 13th century considered an Emerald to be an effective laxative, and it was also said to cure dysentery, diminish the secretion of bile, and stimulate the appetite, promoting bodily health and destroying demonical influences. In the 1600’s, a certain cure for dysentery was to wear an Emerald suspended so that it touched the abdomen. Another Emerald was then placed in the mouth.