Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17
THE POWER OF GEMS.
Spiritual Influences Ascribed to
Them by the Ancients.
MAGICAL VIRTUE In A DIAMOND.
Stones That Are Lucky, That Warn Of
Danger and Defy Poison,
GROUND UP AND USED As MEDICINE
WRITTEN FOE TIE prsPArcH.1


Records that have come down to rs from
times most remote bear witness to the uni
versal esteem held for gems In the symbol
ical and occult sense. Their natural quail
tiles were supplemented by others Of a spir-
itual nature, which gave them power to
bless or curse, according to the nature of the
particular stone and the character of its
owner. Some stones, however, held good or
evil influence over all alike, and without
reference to the individualities of their
wearers. Speaking generally, stones con-
sidered occultly, r,ay be grouped as lucky
or unlucky, friendly or inimical. The fol-
lowing items, gathered from various sources,
will illustrate the position taken, beside
yielding much that is Of interest to all true
lovers of gems:
Beginning with the princely diamond, it
was not unnaturally endowed with the most
extraordinary powers. The Hebrews de-
clared it to be so occultly powerful as to de-
prive all other gems of their influence when
ever they were brought into its presence.
1t was used in the school of the prophets as
an aid to mental concentration and spiritual
ecstacy; and, it is believed. it is even yet 50
used among students of the occult and ESQ.,
teric. 1t is stone, however, whose power
worked both ways, its possession giving
either great light and magical virtue, or the
most profound darkness to the soul, accord
ing to the use made of it, and the moral
status of the owner. To the Greeks it was
known by such fanciful names as the holy
necessity, the ethereal fire, the male of be-
ing, the tearsjof the Gnomes, and the en-
blems of the sun. In its highest sense, it
mbolizes truth. and is therefore not inap-
propriately used as a setting for the be-
plighting, meaning one and the same thing.
VIRTUE OF THE ROCK CRYSTAL.
Rock crystal, although not classed among
the precious stones, was and still is re-
garded by Oriental nations as possessing oc-
cult virtues similar to those of the diamond.
Made into round balls and properly manip-
ulated, it develops clsirvovance in the one
who gazes long and steadily therein. In
Japan such ball is said to be in every
well-regulated household. Kept in a room
set sacredly apart for that use, the entire
family assemblies around it once day in
order to cultivate the faculty of foresight |
and foreknowledge, as we'll as to commune |
cate with the spirit supposed to animate the |
crystal mass. Contemplation of the crystal |
is also said to bring good sleep and pleasant |
dreams.
The sapphire is pre-eminently the stone of |
intellect and moral power. 1t impels one to |
the acquisition of wisdom, justice and pure |
love. It insures protection from many dis |
eases, and will also ward off dangers. An |
enemy to poison, 1t will, il put in their COM
pany, kill all venomous reptiles and insects.
Saint Jerome, moreover, asserts that it wins |
for the vearer the favor of princes, pacifies
enemies and frees from enchantment The
sapphire was sacred to the god Apollo, and |
was always worn at his oracle.
The amethyst has similar power against
poison. 1t is also sleep dispeller and a
sharpener of the wits, promoter of dreams
and fat; a preventer of drunkenness and
an aid to the control of the passions; in fine,
it is strengthener OF the will power, and
an excellent stone for the dull, the morally
and physically weak and the lean. In the
days of chivalry it was also supposed to
render the owner brave and to insure vic
tory.
THE TURQUOISE IS LUCKY.
The turquoise is generally esteemed as a
decidedly lucky stone, preserving its owner
from all contagious diseases. Its
peculiar quality, however, is its sympa-
thetic afinity-paling when the wearer is
i'll, and resumlng its natural brilliancy
when he RECEIVERS. A story is told of a
certain person who let valuable turquoise
slip out Of his hands through ignorance of
this peculiarity. The stone belonged to a
relative, and had lost its pristine splendor
during his last illness. Thinking it worth
less, the heir-at-lsw sold it for mere song.
to find later on that it had regained all its
former value by being worn on the finger of
q healthy man.
Celestial, rosy red, loves proper hue"-
tie ruby is above all others the stone of the
affections. 1t is supposed to draw and to
hold the love of others to the owner. The
knight of olden time also wore it to keep his
honor bright and his constancy true. It is
the sacred stone of the Burmese-they be- |
lieve it the incarnation of human soul
about to enter Nirvana. Its magnetic sphere
is said to quicken and to strengthen the
vitality of the body. It is also another
sovereign remedy against plague and poison,
Ind drives away evil spirits and bad dreams. |
The garnet and the jacinth have much the
,ame qualities ascribed them, although in q
esser degree, and with some trifing distinc-
ions.
PROMOTES DOMESTIC HARMONY.
The emerald ranks high in the scale of
ccult power and Oriental esteem. It is pre-
the symbol of the highest, purest
owe. 1t imparts warmth and constancy to
friendship. 1t holds the first place as a
tone for married partners-having the I
equation for promoting domestic harmony
md happiness. Its greatest peculiarity,
However, lies In its supposed power to dis
over treachery and ingratitude in mutual ,
dimness Of its luster be-
ng the sign thereof. The Romans moreover
relieved that the emerald had the power to
make serpents blind, if they but looked up-
n it; and also of repelling all objects of
LEGISLATION and dislike. which would fall =
in its presence. Asa gem it
Tas dedicated to the god Mercury.
The following properties were ascribed
he topaz: 1t discovered poison BY becom- ,
ng obscured when brought into contact
With it; it quenched the heat of boiling 4
Tater, and its powers increased and de-
reased with the changes of the moon; il i
aimed the passions and prevented bad
reams. Others considered it a cheerful
nd vitalizlng sort of stone, promotive of
ood spirits and digestion. Amber is said Z
. exert similar influence, and to preserve
hildren from witchcraft and sorcery.
THE PEARL MEANT PURITY.
Pearls have always signifed innocence A
nd purity and were anciently worn on the
rm by vestal virgins and others, as a sup
osed guard to their chastity. The occult )
roperties ascribed them, however, are a
lmost nil. Not SO with the opal. This
eculiar stone is accredited with more than 7
rdinary share OF supernatural power In
he first place, it is said to be the sacred
tone of Mexico-the ancient Mexicans re-
arding it as the Soul Of Truth. 1t is also j
okA nj hnrr, o., T. k-I l. /