THERE IS NOTHING MORE ELEMENTAL and yet mystical than a stone that has been plucked from the womb of Mother Earth. In metaphysical lore, gemstones are thought to be powerful psychic tools of protection and enlightenment. They tell stories; they listen to what we have to say to them. Because of their beauty, it is very easy to become attached to wearing them or keeping them close, in a pocket or purse, as an amulet. But these lovely stones can be thought of as more than mere trinkets or fashion accessories. Stones are also used to provide a centering factor in a meditation or ritual. Judiciously applied, they may even help heal the body, the mind, and the spirit.

Garnet (Passion)
Because of its rich blood-like color, the garnet suggests a powerful influence in romantic love, sensuality, and sexuality. It is also emblematic of spiritual awareness and compassion. Therapists who believe in the power of gemstones use the garnet in counseling couples whose sexual chemistry has begun to wane. For meditation and ritual purposes, it is used primarily as a power stone, to enhance self-confidence and help to manifest personal and career goals. Garnet is highly versatile. It encourages the wearer to search for answers - and the answers that come as a result of this search will be helpful and important ones. Worn on a regular basis, the stone is believed to boost energy and stimulate romantic love.

Garnet's message: Because it has a bold energy, the garnet makes a perfect amulet for someone whose confidence or self-esteem needs bolstering. Because of its vibrational warmth, it makes a good meditation stone for security and intimacy.

Aquamarine (Friendship)
Named for its color, which resembles seawater, the aquamarine promotes deeper understanding and love between close friends and stimulates the ability to say comforting words to a loved one at a difficult time. The stone's gentle vibration encourages truth telling and the sharing of secrets. One of the stone's characteristics is its ability to calm feelings of fear, distress, and nervousness. Aquamarine is said to reawaken clarity of communication when there are misunderstandings. It can signify the attraction of new friends. It is the perfect meditation stone because it clears away doubts and allows the user to concentrate on contented thoughts and positive goals. It also makes a good affirmation stone, particularly for those who want to bring more peace and tranquility into their lives.

Aquamarine's message: When troubles arise between friends, meditating with an aquamarine can clarify and resolve the situation. It is also a favorable talisman for travelers, particularly those who are planning to travel over water.

Citrine (Power)
Citrine is one of the best stones for manifesting power on both practical and magical levels. Because it encourages a healthy ego, self-esteem, and feelings of worth, it empowers its wearer both emotionally and spiritually. New Age healers believe that the stone can increase the significance of dreams and open the mind to new and more positive thought forms. Due to its color, it is believed to strengthen the urinary and endocrine systems. Citrine is thought to clean toxic impurities out of the air and aura. On a supernatural level it is supposed to boost willpower, happiness, and confidence while reducing self-destructive tendencies. As a result of this, it is said to bring good fortune, often in surprising and very unexpected ways.

Citrine's message: Some alternative therapists believe that people who are have lost a sense of identity because of an unhappy or abusive relationship can reclaim much of their personal power by meditating with citrine on a regular basis.

Jade (Protection)
Jade has an ancient and beautiful tradition as a protective shield and talisman. This stone, whatever its color, acts in a protective way, on both the physical and magical levels. Because it has a balancing effect, jade may help the wearer to formulate ambitious plans with the belief that they are possible. The stone has a reputation for being able to create and sustain a desire for success and abundance without prompting greediness or overindulgence. Jade is considered to be especially good as a protection stone for children. It is also favorable for strengthening mental faculties and prompting good decision making as a result of clear reasoning. Jade works well as an inspiring touchstone since it is believed to promote creative thought and the practical applications that make it possible in the waking world.

Jade's message: Jade is a helpful stone for those who have a nervous temperament or are easily overwhelmed, because it provides grounding energy and a sense of security.

Amethyst (Tranquility)
Easily recognizable for its beautiful color, amethyst is said to promote personal serenity and feelings of peace. This stone derives its reputation for being a healing stone from ancient and medieval times, when it was used as an amulet against drunkenness. The amethyst is considered a power stone on many levels and is believed to hold the intention to heal the body as well as the spirit. In folklore, the stone is believed to have a soothing and relaxing affect. Holistic healers sometimes use amethyst to help ease toothache and bruising. It is said to help calm an overactive mind and bring a sense of tranquility to those who are frazzled by overwork. For those who are psychically sensitive, it can improve the ability of second sight. As an amulet, it can be worn as a protective talisman against jealousy, envy, and deception.

Amethyst's message: Amethyst is believed to be helpful in the treatment of insomnia. By putting an amethyst under the pillow, the troubled sleeper should experience better REM sleep, with less chance of fitful slumber.

Turquoise (Grounding)
One of the most ancient protection stones, turquoise is a sacred stone associated with "sky" energy because of its color. It also brings sky energy to earth. Prized in Eastern as well as Native American culture, it is known as a multipurpose stone, excellent for promoting a sense of self-awareness and the ability to communicate honestly and from the heart. The stone is said to encourage creative thinking, as many do, but turquoise has the power to help channel that creative energy in a productive and useful way. Turquoise is a favorite stone among New Age healers, who believe that it has the power to energize the body and spirit, as well as to balance right brain/left brain disparity. Unusual among gemstones, turquoise is believed to open all of the body's seven energy centers also known as "chakras" by yoga masters.

Turquoise's message: True communication is about more than words, and turquoise can help achieve this. Carrying a piece of turquoise can help keep you centered, and wearing it improves all the senses, including intuition, the sixth sense.

Tourmaline (Tolerance)
Tourmaline is thought to bring out the sort of emotional serenity that can help its wearer distinguish between material and spiritual success. It is believed to have great power in helping to make wise and useful career choices. Used in meditation practices and rituals, it is said to enhance feelings of gratitude and respect. A protective stone, tourmaline can act as a shield against unwholesome or otherwise negative influences. The stone is used to dispel sadness and grief and also to encourage patience and openness, as well as an appreciation for all the good things that life has to offer. It can be used in "attraction" rituals to invite money through success in business. Folklore suggests that tourmaline creates balance in physical energy by banishing anxiety and foggy thinking. Wearing tourmaline increases flexibility, objectivity, and compassion. New Age healers use the stone as a tool for cleansing a person's "aura," the colored energy field possessed by all beings that can be seen and interpreted by trained eyes.

Tourmaline's message: When tolerance and understanding are called for, much can be accomplished through periods of meditation and silence. Appreciate the many wonders of life.

Sapphire (Intuition)
One of nature's most beautiful stones, the sapphire is believed to have an almost limitless ability to foster psychic awareness and spiritual enlightenment. It is a stone said to foster profound creative expression and enhances the meditative state, aiding in attempts at clairvoyance and astral projection. Because of its reputation for helping to clear the mind and clarify psychic mysteries, it is sometimes called "the stone of destiny." When carried as a protective amulet, it is said to be able to strip away facile arguments and allow the wearer to distinguish between lies and the truth. It is also believed to have a calming influence on individuals of a highly strung temperament since it helps to suppress nervous anxiety while fostering peaceful sleep and good dreams. On the physical level, folklore suggests that the sapphire is helpful in treating skin ailments.

Sapphire's message: When intuitive skills are called for in making important decisions, wear a sapphire or keep one close by, such as in a desk drawer or pocket.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, why not sample the rest of the great articles, series, columns and monthly featured articles in PLW online magazine? WE NOW OFFER a 1-month, 3-month or 6-month subscription, or, for less than the price of one single cup of coffee per month, you get great metaphysical - spiritual - new thought articles, celestial guidance and news every single month for an ENTIRE YEAR …or even two! The longer you sign up for, the cheaper it gets! Your contribution to PLW assists us in covering the monthly costs of running our website server, routinely upgrading hardware and software, and it also funds our latest project, Children of the New Earth Online Magazine. Click here for more...

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

When artist Amy Zerner met author Monte Farber in 1974, an enchanted relationship was formed. Since 1988, they have shared their unique brand of life mastery and artistic excellence with their readers in the more than one million copies of their unique, award-winning works published in nine languages.

Amy and Monte have been guests on morning shows like ABC TV's Eyewitness News Sunday, FOX TV's "Good Day" New York, L.A., Atlanta, and Detroit. They were profiled on the nationally syndicated B. Smith With Style TV show and Monte has also appeared on Cinematherapy on Women's Entertainment Televison. In addition Amy and Monte have been reviewed and interviewed by newspapers and magazines across the United States. On November 7th, 1999, The Sunday New York Times published a feature article praising their unique and powerful approach, the quality of their prodigious output, and their mainstream success.

For more information on them please write to: info@theenchantedworld.com or visit: http://theenchantedworld.com/index.php/.