Astrology and Birthstones
Gems have
been used from times immemorial for luck
and as good omens.Kings and queens are
reported to be craving for the
possession and pursuit of beautiful gems
and stones. Our fore-fathers have used
them to ward off evil spirits, to bring
luck and favor as well as to prolong
their longevity. Some astrologers
prescribe wearing of appropriate
gemstones or birthstones as they are
commonly called as remedial measures for
mitigating the malefic effects of some
planets. This is akin to a doctor
prescribing medicines to a patient.
The
venerated Indian astrologer Varahamihira,
in his magnum opus "Brihat amhita"
(chapters 80 to 83 ), refers to gems and
their examination. Gems are said to be
born of the bones of the demon Bala
while some opine they were born of sage
Dadheechi and have characteristic
qualities of the earth. The list given
by him includes diamond, sapphire,
emerald, agate, ruby, bloodstone, beryl,
amethyst, vimalaka, quartz, pearl,
sughandika, opal, conch, azure, topaz,
brahma gem, jyoteerasa, sasyaka, coral,
moonstone etc. Diamonds that show
scratches like crow-feet (kaakapadam),
bees or hair , are mixed with colored
minerals substances or gravel, have
double facets, are burnt, discolored,
lusterless or perforated, are
inauspicious. So are those that are
covered with bubbles, split at the
points, flattened, or oblong. Diamonds
that are triangular, trigonal and like
the coriander seed or the buttocks are
productive of good results to ladies
desiring male offspring. Best pearls are
those that are got from pearl-oysters.
Everyone who
went to school is aware of the word
SPECTRUM. When white light passes
through a prism, the emergent beam is
composed of seven (7) different colors,
commonly known as the acronym VIBGYOR
i.e., Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue,
Indigo, and Violet in the reverse order.
The same effect is observed in a
rainbow. It is believed that our body
contains these seven colors in different
proportions. If the colors are balanced,
the owner is lucky - healthy and
wealthy. Any deficiency or excess of one
or more rays causes mental or physical
(or a combination) problems. The
principal gems represent or signify
planets and luminaries (sun and moon).
The astrologer examines the horoscope
and determines which planet (or planets)
is antagonistic to the native and
prescribes the birthstone to be worn
with details of what to wear, when to
wear and how to wear.
Ruby, Pearl,
Coral, Emerald, Topaz, Sapphire,
Diamond, Agate, and Cat's eye
respectively refer to
Sun,Moon,Mars,Mercury,
Jupiter,Saturn,Venus,Caput (Rahu),and
Cauda (Ketu). AGATE is said to be good
for the heart, Amethyst cures sterility,
Beryl enhances love and affection, Coral
protects from epidemics, metorrhagia
etc., Diamond cures plague, insomnia,
charms, ensures safe delivery , Emerald
is said to be good for the brain,
increases memory power, ensures
chastity, cures dropsy, epilepsy,
hysteria, dysentery , Pearl is
recommended for chastity, Ruby protects
one from poison, plague, banishes
melancholy, Sapphire assures good
fortune, peace, comfort while Topaz
denotes sympathy, re-possession of lost
things. Proper selection of a gemstone
is done after a minute consideration of
: * Sun sign * Ruling ascendant * Lord
of the ruling ascendant * Debilitated or
afflicted planets
The
fundamental principle followed is the
determination of the ray or rays causing
abnormalities. The celestial bodies are
known to emit different colors in the
spectrographic analyses. One of the
important uses to which this knowledge
can be applied is medical science. The
curative powers of gemstones have been
studied by some who have opined that a
proper and restrictive use of some gems
can bring upon significant changes in
the health of patients and even cure
them altogether. Thus, the twelve houses
of the native's horoscope are said to
signify different parts of the body. The
first house denotes the head and the
brain while the fifth house points
towards the stomach and the intestines.
Similarly, the zodiacal signs refer to
the various human organs. The fingers
are significators of various ailments
and body parts. The birth star and the
Drik ( 6th, 8th and 12th ) houses are
also to be taken into account while
recommending a birthstone for healthy
living. The birth star is the
constellation in which the moon resides
at the moment of one's birth. There are
27 (twenty-seven) constellations in
Indian astrology each sub-divided into
four parts or "padas". At times, Abhijit
is also considered as a constellation
occurring in Capricorn. In electional
astrology, Abhijit muhurta is said to
alleviate any affliction and hence if no
appropriate or auspicious moment is
possible immediately, recourse is taken
to this.
Not only do
birthstones help in health problems,
they are worn to increase one's wealth
as well. Thus, Emerald denoting Mercury
is beneficial for one dealing with
liquid cash, shares and stocks, Jupiter
for those dealing with properties,
buildings and jewellery etc. The moon in
the male horoscope and the sun in the
female horoscope are important for
prognosticating wealth matters. Jupiter
is considered for success and Venus for
pleasures in one's life. Jupiter's
placement in eastern side i.e., aries to
virgo assures early success in life. The
2nd house denotes movable assets, 4th
fixed assets, 9th general prosperity,
fate and the 11th recurring income.
At times,
people know only the date of birth and
the preparation of an accurate horoscope
becomes difficult, if not impossible.
They can be told to wear the birthstone
pertinent to the date of birth. Thus,
those born on the 1st, 10th ,19th or the
28th of any month can wear ruby or red
coral to begin with. By trial and error
and after consultations the correct
gemstone can be worn. Some people are
found wearing a "nava ratna" i.e., a
ring with all the nine main stones
embedded on the ring. While this may do
wonders for some, it is not recommended
as a general solution to appease all the
planets at a time! The factors to be
considered when wearing a birthstone are
:
1. The
correct gem 2. Weight of the gem 3.
Metal of the ring 4. Day and time of
first wearing 5. Pre-treatment of the
stone before wearing.
Pre-treatment refers to the purification
or the sanctification process of the
embedded ring. The big question remains
which school of opinion to follow -
sympathy or antipathy? Whether one
should appease the afflicted planet or
counter-act it?
A detailed
account of the article can be found at
the author's web site:
http://www.geocities.com/ugh_club/astrology/stone.htm
About the
Author
The author
is professional chemical engineer having
expertise in neutral spirits
distillation. He is a free-lance web
developer and has a flair for writing
articles on a diverse range of subjects
including the occult.
