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SUPERSTITION

LORE & SOURCES
Is it simply that we treat ourselves rather like the washing lines and attach these things wherever they happen most conveniently to hang, like the ear or the finger, the neck or the arm?  Or is there a deeper and more significant reason, like for example the fact that it was always believed that demons could enter the body only through one of the human orifices?  It was therefore quite logical to place an earring made of magic materials, suitably empowered with numerous incantations over at least two of them by way of magical defence.


In India it is common to see nose rings for the same reason, and protection was afforded to the mouth and eyes by the judicious use of designs and tattoos.  To cover the fingers and toes, paint was also employed, and it will not have been lost on the reader that these manifestations of demonic protection have now transformed into the many sophisticated and expensive formulations purchased in drug stores today.


Rings on the fingers were probably the greatest power-containers because of their circular shape, the circle being a symbol of eternity and unity, thus the engagement and wedding rings.  A broken ring meant a broken relationship.  The engagement ring should always be placed on the third finger of the left hand (the 'medical finger'), turned three times while counting to ten, thus guaranteeing good prospects for whoever engineers the act.


It is also commonly believed that stones and metal gain power over periods of time and through various significant experiences such as being worn by magicians or during wars and other important events.  Celebrated precious stones carry particular powers, such as the Hope Diamond which is said to bring terrible luck to those who possess it.


This extraordinary diamond was originally known as 'The Blue Diamond' and was stolen from the statue of the god Rama Sita in seventeenth century India, later falling into the hands of a Frenchman named Tafernier.  The theft was followed by a long series of terrible disasters and the deaths of its owners.  Tafernier was eaten alive by wild beasts, while King Louis XIV of France, who received it, died of advanced syphilis, a truly nasty illness.  Louis XVI of France, who also owned the diamond, died on the guillotine at the hands of the French revolutionaries.


The diamond eventually came into the hands of Thomas Henry Hope, an English banker, who bequeathed it to his son, who subsequently lost his entire fortune.  The stone finally found its resting place with the American diamond merchant Harry Winston who, sensibly, donated it to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, where it remains today.


The necklace of Marie Antoinette remained unsold at auction during the 1960s because the possession of it is said to cause death to those that come in contact with it, or leave the owner without heirs.


The most active form of stone superstition alive and well during the latter part of the century is crystal magic.  In California, London and various other capitals of the world, there are numerous shops and emporiums packed full of every natural crystal that Mother Earth ever spawned, each one attributed with different curative powers and magical qualities.  And in astrology there is a firm connection today between physical improvement and various birth stones.


Precious and semi-precious stones are said, in superstitious lore, to carry various qualities and perform various useful tasks.  Here are some of the sources of these beliefs;


Amber - gives health


As long ago as the first century A.D., amber jewellery was worn by peasant men and women to protect against witchcraft and disease.  The jewel was to be rubbed: "to calefaction (brightness) upon the planetary pulses - the jugular arteries, the handwrists, near the instep, and on the throne of the heart - and then hung about the neck - becomes the most certaine amulet, to the fatall contagion of this plague"


Amethyst - protects the owner and prevents narcotic effects.


The best story relating to the powers of this gentle and delightfully coloured stone, is one found in an old tale told in the Middle East around the twelfth century, in which poison drunk from an amethyst cup lost its narcotic effect and left the drinker alive.


Worn in a ring, the stone protects against headache, toothache, poison and plague.  The amethyst is also mentioned in the Bible (Exodus) as one of the twelve stones that was set in the breastplate of the High Priest, and is also said to have been worn in a ring engraved with a cupid by St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers.


Coral - protects babies and lengthens the breaking waters of pregnancy.  Also signifies friendship.


Small children were given coral beads or necklaces to be hung about the neck or wrists.  This was firmly believed to keep demons from entering the baby's body and protect the child also from witchcraft.  Red coral was placed close to the pregnant woman's genitals to prevent the early breaking of the waters before birth, and friendship was assured with a gift of coral because it was thought to be lucky.


Diamond - cures insanity and tells of incontinence.


The sources of this superstition are confused and somewhat unlikely, but in any event, people of the fourteenth century in France, according to volume of country folklore published at the time, believed that a diamond held against the forehead of an insane person would cure the ailment, or that if placed beneath the pillow of a wife (evidently not a husband), would betray her incontinence.  By the tone of the writing the word 'incontinence' may have been wrongly used and the true meaning was intended to be unfaithfulness!


The use of the diamond for insanity may have had some connection with the ancient Buddhist faith where precious stones were often placed at the 'third eye' (on the forehead, between the eyes) as an act of religious worship and sacrifice.  Diamonds, sapphires and emeralds were also considered to be of great good fortune, both financially, of course, and in terms of their ability to bring luck to the owner.





Opal - threatens stability and brings misfortune.


The opal's variability of colour brings it into ill repute with marriage, for marriage, in superstitious terms, need constancy.  Queen Maria Christina of Spain refused to wear a particular opal because it had been owned by a Bourbon family in which no less than five unexplained deaths had occurred.  But it seems that the origin of a good or bad luck reputation in a precious stone, can come about simply because of gossip.  The source of the opals poor rating evidently derives from the novel Anne of Gierstein, by Sir Walter Scott, in which an opal caused the main character to disappear after it was anointed with holy water.


Pearl - brings tears and indicates sickness or death.


The ancient Chinese imagined that the pearl was formed within the oyster shell by a drop of rainwater falling from the heavens into the open 'bivalves' of the shells and solidifying.  The emotional aspect of the human relationship with pearls is based on their similarity with tears, but also because it was noticed that the more this stone was worn, the more varied the colours within it would become.  It was supposed that sickness would produce one colour and imminent death another.


Stones, in fact, have been around as elements of superstition even longer than the stars, for when astrology came into popular existence, the twelve signs of the zodiac already had twelve stones that had been given in the Bible to the twelve tribes of Israel.
 
Birthstones and their Lore & Superstitions
JANUARY

GARNET
(Wide range of colours)


Associated with strong sexual potency.  Warm colours suggests greater passion while green announces a jealous nature.
FEBRUARY

AMETHYST
(Purple to violet)


Acts as an antidote to poisons and a protection from disease, plague, headache and toothache.  A spiritual stone.
MARCH

AQUAMARINE
(Light to dark blue)


The gem of purification.  On a ring it helps composure and a cool head in difficult situations.

APRIL

DIAMOND
(Clear, yellow, green, brown or black)


The gem of everlasting ties.  Used in magic to strengthen and bind.
MAY

EMERALD
(Green)


Traditionally the gem of 'far seeing', of divination and prophecy.
JUNE

PEARL
(White, cream and pink)


Although popular this organic gem, along with Mother of Pearl signifies tears, sickness and death.
JULY

RUBY
(Red or red-blue)


The wearers of this gem are likely to be passionate and deep lovers.  It imparts a high voltage charge to any affair.
AUGUST

ONYX
(Red and red-brown bands with white)


This member of the Agate family reflects a changing nature, as constantly fluid as the patterns it displays.
SEPTEMBER

SAPPHIRE
(Usually blue but can be orange, pink, green or purple)


The great bestower of clarity.  Is sure to dispel confusion.
OCTOBER

OPAL
(Blues and reds)


This form of Quartz is a doorway to the Spirit World.  It can also signify misfortune and loss of stability.
NOVEMBER

TOPAZ
(Ranges from yellow and red-brown to blue, green and colourless)


This is the gem of love.  It ensures a warmth in any relationship.
DECEMBER

TURQUOISE
(Sky-blue to sea-green)


Always known as a good luck charm and a protection from evil.
Other Stones and their Lore & Superstitions
AMBER
(Yellow, orange to red-brown)


 Health and protection from witchcraft.
CORAL
(Black, pink and white)


Protects babies and pregnant mothers.
MALACHITE
(Light emerald green to black)


Releases the power of unknown mysteries and can be used as an evil eye.
RED JASPER
(Red, brown and black)


This is associated with the body and earthly love.  It acts like a magnet and attracts passionate lovers.
MOONSTONE
(Transparent with blue-white sheen)


The stone of the night which supposedly has power over the Owls and creatures of the night.  It protects the wearer from nightmares.
ROCK CRYSTAL
(Transparent and clear)


This purest form of Quartz has the power to either wearer or practitioner to concentrate.  It has great potential to heal.
CITRINE
(Yellow to orange-brown)


Reputed to be unlucky, never the less it is know to assist in creativity.
SMOKY QUARTZ
(Dark brown to smoky grey)


Like all the Quartz crystals it is a healing stone.  The particular beauty of Smoky Quartz is, however, that it heals evil wounds.
TIGER'S EYE
(Warm brown or black with silky strata)


The stone of independence.  While it strengthens the wearer it is often said to bring about divorce.
AGATE OR MOSS AGATE
(Wide variety of banded colours)


All the Agates share the power of change, whether it is from boredom or from anxiety.  Stone of the wanderer.
BLOODSTONE
(Mottled green and red)


Once believe to bear spots of Christ's blood.
LAPIS LAZULI
(Intense blue)


The stone of Fertility.  Also known as the Children's Stone.
 

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