astrology to the heavenly bodies is conceived to be strengthened by
wearing the gem appropriate to certain planets or signs, for a subtle
emanation has passed into the stone and radiates from it. A combination
of several different stones, each partaking of this special quality,
was believed to have an influence similar to that exercised by several
planets in conjunction,—that is, grouped in the same “house” or
division of the heavens.
The same is true of the stones dedicated to the guardian angels; the
color and appearance of the stone was not merely emblematic of the
angel, but, by its sympathetic quality, it was supposed to attract
his influence and to provide a medium for the transmission of his
beneficent force to the wearer. The whole theory, whether consciously
or unconsciously, rested on the idea of harmony, of the accord of
certain ethereal vibrations, either those of the visible light of the
stars and planets or the purely psychic emanations from the spiritual
“powers and principalities.”
The wearing of the appropriate zodiacal gem was always believed to
strengthen the influence of the zodiacal sign upon those born under
it, and to afford a sympathetic medium for the transmission of the
stellar influences. The gem was thus something more than a mere symbol
of the sign. The same was true of the stone of the saint who ruled the
month and that of the holy guardian angel set over those born in the
month. In each and every case the material form and color of the stone
was believed to attract the favor and grace of the saint or angel, who
would see in the selection of the appropriate gem an act of respect and
veneration on the part of the wearer.
The old writers are never tired of insisting upon the idea that,
while the image graven upon a stone was in itself dead and inactive,
the influence of the stars during whose ascendancy the work had been
executed communicated to the inert material talismanic qualities and
virtues which it before lacked. In these instances the images could
be regarded as outward and visible signs of the planetary or zodiacal
influence. Even in the case of the bezoar stone, a generally recognized
antidote for all sorts of poisons, it was held that the scorpion’s bite
could be most effectually healed by a bezoar upon which this creature’s
figure had been cut during the time when the constellation Scorpio was
in the ascendancy.[442]
In the production of engraved stones to serve as amulets, the influence
of the respective planet was made to enter the stone by casting upon
the latter, during the process of engraving, reflections from a mirror
which had been exposed to the planet’s rays. In addition to this,
the work was executed while the planet was in the ascendant, and the
design was emblematic of it. With these combined influences the gem was
believed to be thoroughly impregnated with the planetary virtue.[443]
An old writer finds in the hardness of precious stones a reason for
their retaining longer the celestial virtues they receive. After they
have been extracted these virtues persist in them and they keep “the
traces and gifts of mundane life which they possessed while clinging
to the earth.”[444] These “gifts of mundane life” signify the stored-up
energy derived from the stars and planets, which penetrates the matter
of the stone, and each stone is peculiarly sensitive to the emanations
from a certain planet, star, or group of stars.
A fine carnelian gem engraved with a design consisting of a star
surrounded by the images of a ram, a bull, and a lion, is described by
M. Mairan.[445] He sees in the star the emblem of the splendid comet
which appeared shortly after the assassination of Cæsar, and which,
according to Suetonius, was believed to be the soul of Cæsar newly
received into the sky; the ram, bull, and lion are the symbols of the
zodiacal signs Aries, Taurus, and Leo, the first-named sign referring
perhaps to the death of Cæsar on the Ides, or fifteenth of March;
while the other two signs may allude to the position of the comet at
different dates.
In the Cabinet du Roi, in Paris, there was an engraved carnelian,
the design showing Jupiter enthroned, with thunderbolt and sceptre,
and Mars and Mercury standing on either side of the central figure.
Separated from the gods of the upper air by a bow, probably
representing the arch of the sky, appears the bust of Neptune, emerging
from the sea. The border of the design is formed by the twelve signs
of the zodiac, Virgo being of an unusual type,—the virgin and a
unicorn,—said to have been used only during the reign of Domitian
(81-96 A.D.).[446]
Some choice examples of astrological gems may be seen in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; among these is a green jasper
bearing symbols of Luna, Capricorn, and Taurus. This gem is from the
collection of the late Rev. C. W. King, which has been acquired for the
Museum, and is described as figuring the horoscope of the owner. In
the same collection is a banded agate engraved with Sagittarius as a
centaur, surrounded by the stars of this constellation in their proper
order. King states that this was the earliest horoscopical gem known to
him. Still another gem of this collection is a sard bearing the symbol
of Aries carrying a long caduceus; this type appears on the coins of
Antioch, because that city was founded in the month over which the sign
Aries presides.[447]
The Austrian Imperial Collection in Vienna contains the celebrated
Gemma Augustea, sometimes called the Apotheosis of Augustus. This
commemorates the Pannonian triumph of Tiberius, 13 A.D., and above the
figure of Augustus appears the sign of Capricornus, the constellation
of his nativity; beneath the figure of Tiberius is engraved the sign
of Scorpio, under which that emperor was born. This celebrated cameo,
the work of the famous gem-engraver Dioskorides, is mentioned in an
inventory of the treasury of St. Sernin, in Toulouse, dated 1246. It is
said to have been offered by Francis I of France to Pope Clement VII,
on the occasion of their meeting in Marseilles in 1535; however, as
the gem only reached Marseilles two days after the pope’s departure,
Francis decided to retain possession of it. The royal treasure at
Fontainebleau was plundered in 1590, and the stone was offered for
sale, and was purchased, in 1619, by Emperor Rudolph II, for the sum of
12,000 ducats.
[Illustration: THE ZODIACAL STONES WITH THEIR SIGNS.
Old print illustrating the influence believed to be exerted on the
different parts of the body by the respective zodiacal signs, and
through their power by the stones associated with them. This belief
often determined the administration of special precious-stone remedies
by physicians of the seventeenth and earlier centuries.]
A ruby called sandastros is described by Pliny as containing stellated
bodies which he compares to the Hyades; hence, says he, they are the
objects of great devotion with the Chaldæi or Assyrian Magi. According
to Morales (De las piedras preciosas), the ruby and the diamond were
both under the influence of the sign of Taurus; the same writer informs
us that the Hyades and the sun were supposed to have a potent effect
upon the ruby or carbuncle. In ancient Babylonia the sign of Taurus
was regarded as the most important, and Winckler believes that the
presence in this sign of the five stars of the Hyades and the seven of
the Pleiades was brought into connection with the twelve-fold division
of the zodiac. The Hyades signified the five signs visible in Babylonia
at the summer solstice, while the Pleiades typified the seven invisible
signs. It seems probable that the Pleiades were associated with the
diamond, although Morales, who was very familiar with the Moorish
astrology current among the Spaniards of his time, attributed the
crystal to this group. His attribution proves at least that the stone
of the Pleiades was a colorless one.
In Sanskrit the diamond is called _vajra_, “thunderbolt,” and also
_indrâjudha_, “Indra’s weapon”; another name is _açira_, “fire,” or
“the Sun.”[448] All these designations are probably suggested by the
brilliant flashes of light emitted by this stone. It is not easy to
determine the reason that induced the Hindus to dedicate the diamond
to the planet Venus rather than to the Sun or to the Moon. However, as
the most brilliant of the planets, Venus was not unworthy of the honor,
and if we substitute the Goddess of Love for her planet, it seems
quite appropriate that she should be adorned with the most brilliant
of precious stones. Certainly these sparkling gems are often enough
offered at the shrine of Venus in our own day, and they often serve to
win the good graces of the divinity to whom they are presented.
The Sanskrit name for the sapphire, _nîla_, signifies “blue,” so that,
as the topaz is the “yellow stone” _par excellence_, the sapphire
is the blue stone (_nilaçman_). In both cases the name indicates a
variety of corundum, distinguished merely by the coloring matter. As
a talisman the Hindus believed that the sapphire rendered the planet
Saturn favorable to the wearer, an important consideration from the
astrological point of view, for Saturn’s influence was generally
supposed to be unfavorable. The Hindus distinguished four classes of
sapphires, corresponding to the four castes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas,
Vaisyas, and Sudras. The respective sapphires were light blue, reddish
blue, yellowish blue, and dark blue. The same distinction is made
in the case of the diamond, and a like rule applies to both stones,
namely, that only the appropriate stone should be worn by the members
of each caste, in order to profit by the virtues inherent in the
sapphire or diamond.[449]
One of the Sanskrit appellations of the hyacinth (zircon) is
_râhuratna_,—that is, the jewel dedicated to the mysterious “dragon,”
that was supposed to be the cause of the periodic eclipses of the Sun
and Moon.[450] As the stone was sacred to this malevolent influence,
we need not be surprised that it was believed to avert misfortune, for
nothing was so effective against the lesser spirits of evil as an evil
genius of great power.
According to the Hindu mystics it was very lucky to have a turquoise
at hand at the time of the new moon, for whoever, after first looking
at the moon on the _pratipada_ (the first day after new-moon), should
cast his eyes upon a turquoise, was destined to enjoy immeasurable
wealth.[451]
ZODIACAL GEMS
Aquarius.
January 21 to February 21.
The Garnet.
If you would cherish friendship true,
In Aquarius well you’ll do
To wear this gem of warmest hue—
The garnet.
Pisces.
February 21 to March 21.
The Amethyst.
From passion and from care kept free
Shall Pisces’ children ever be
Who wear so all the world may see
The amethyst.
Aries.
March 21 to April 20.
The Bloodstone.
Who on this world of ours his eyes
In Aries opens shall be wise
If always on his hand there lies
A bloodstone.
Taurus.
April 20 to May 21.
The Sapphire.
If on your hand this stone you bind,
You in Taurus born will find
’Twill cure diseases of the mind,
The sapphire.
Gemini.
May 21 to June 21.
The Agate.
Gemini’s children health and wealth command,
And all the ills of age withstand,
Who wear their rings on either hand
Of agate.
Cancer.
June 21 to July 22.
The Emerald.
If born in Cancer’s sign, they say,
Your life will joyful be alway,
If you take with you on your way
An emerald.
Leo.
July 22 to August 22.
The Onyx.
When youth to manhood shall have grown,
Under Leo lorn and lone
’Twill have lived but for this stone,
The onyx.
Virgo.
August 22 to September 22.
The Carnelian.
Success will bless whate’er you do,
Through Virgo’s sign, if only you
Place on your hand her own gem true,
Carnelian.
Libra.
September 22 to October 23.
The Chrysolite.
Through Libra’s sign it is quite well
To free yourself from evil spell,
For in her gem surcease doth dwell,
The chrysolite.
Scorpio.
October 23 to November 21.
The Beryl.
Through Scorpio this gem so fair
Is that which every one should wear,
Or tears of sad repentance bear,—
The beryl.
Sagittarius.
November 21 to December 21.
The Topaz.
Who first comes to this world below
Under Sagittarius should know
That their true gem should ever show
A topaz.
Capricorn.
December 21 to January 21.
The Ruby.
Those who live in Capricorn
No trouble shall their brows adorn
If they this glowing gem have worn,
The ruby.
An old Spanish list of the gems of the zodiacal signs differs from
those given above, and probably represents Arab tradition:[452]
Aries—Crystal
Taurus—Ruby and diamond
Gemini—Sapphire
Cancer—Agate and beryl
Leo—Topaz
Virgo—Magnet
Libra—Jasper
Scorpio—Garnet
Sagittarius—Emerald
Capricorn—Chalcedony
Aquarius—Amethyst
Pisces—
Of planetary stones[453] there is assigned to the sun the jacinth
and the chrysolite, when this latter name was applied to the
yellow Brazilian chrysoberyl, while the moon controls the beryl,
the rock-crystal and also the pearl. To the share of Venus fall the
sapphire and carbuncle as well as coral and pearl; usually the emerald
is the stone of Venus. Mars lays claim to the diamond, jacinth, and
ruby, the last-named stone according with the ruddy hue of our neighbor
planet. Under the control of Jupiter are placed the emerald, sapphire,
amethyst, and turquoise, so that this planet has the richest assortment
of gems; it will be remarked that the celestial sapphire unites
the influence of Venus and Jupiter, the two especially propitious
planets. Lastly, far-away Saturn must be content with all dark, black,
and brittle stones; there was, indeed, little inducement to wear a
Saturnian stone, for the influence of this cold and distant planet was
always regarded as baleful.
[Illustration: 1. A necklace of banded and variegated agates, onyx,
carnelians and sards. First Century A.D.
2. Beads of carnelian artificially marked for “good luck.” The marking
is produced by an application of potash and soda. Ancient Persian.]
The planetary controls of precious stones as given in the Lapidario of
Alfonso X, according to “Chaldaic” tradition, show that the same stone
was influenced in many or most cases by more than one of the “seven
planets” (including the Sun and Moon). Thus the diamond, belonging to
the first degree of the sign Taurus, was dominated by both Saturn and
the Sun; the emerald was controlled by Jupiter, and also by Mercury and
by Venus. The red jargoon was influenced by Mars, the yellow variety
by Jupiter and the white jargoon by Venus. The carnelian received
virtue from the Sun and from Venus. The ruby, although more especially
a sunstone, came as well under the influence of the Planet of Love.
Coral belonged both to Venus and to the moon, while lapis-lazuli and
chalcedony only owed allegiance to Venus; this planet also lent virtue
to the beryl.[454]
Among the Mohammedans, six of the seven heavens were supposed to be
made of precious substances: the first was of emerald; the second, of
white silver; the third, of large white pearls; the fourth, of ruby;
the fifth, of red gold; and the sixth, of jacinth. The seventh and
highest heaven, however, was of shining light.[455] Here we have the
three precious colored stones, emerald, ruby, and sapphire (jacinth),
to which is added the pearl.
The scarcity of the diamond in early times, and its comparative lack of
brilliancy before the invention of rose and brilliant cutting, account
for the absence of this king of gems.
Rabelais,[456] describing the temple of the oracle of the “Dive
Bouteille,” says that of its seven columns the first was of sapphire;
the second, of jacinth; the third, of “dyamant”; the fourth, of
the “male” balas-ruby; the fifth, of emerald, “more brilliant and
glistening than were those which were set in place of eyes in the
marble lion stretched before the tomb of King Hermias”; the sixth
column was of agate, and the seventh of transparent selenite, “with a
splendor like that of Hymettian honey, and within appeared the moon in
form and motion such as she is in the heavens, full and new, waxing
and waning.” We are then told that these stones were attributed to the
seven planets by the Chaldæans, as follows:
Sapphire Saturn
Jacinth Jupiter
Diamond Sun
Ruby Mars
Emerald Venus
Agate Mercury
Selenite Moon
Some of these attributions differ from those usually made and may
represent another tradition.
PLANETARY INFLUENCES OF STONES[457]
Jasper Venus and Mercury.
Sapphire Jupiter and Mercury.
Emerald Venus and Mercury.
Chalcedony Jupiter, Mercury, and Saturn.
Sardonyx Saturn and Mars.
Chrysolite Mercury and Venus.
Beryl Venus and Mars.
Topaz Saturn and Mars.
Chrysoprase Mercury and Venus.
Jacinth Mars and Jupiter.
Amethyst Mars and Jupiter.
Pearl Venus and Mercury.
Carbuncle Mars and Venus.
Diamond Jupiter.
Agate Venus and Mars.
Alectoria Sun.
Turquoise Venus and Mercury.
Chelidon Jupiter.
Ætites Sun.
Dionesia Saturn.
Hematite Mercury.
Lapis-lazuli Venus.
Armena Mercury and Venus.
Garnet Sun.
Amber Sun.
Jet Saturn.
Lyncurius Sun.
Crystal Moon and Mars.
Bezoar Jupiter.
Armenia Jupiter.
Selenite Moon.
Magnet Mars.
Judaica, }
Hegolite or } Mercury.
Cogolite }
Iris Jupiter.
Halcyon Saturn and Mars.
Asbestus Saturn.
Sarcophagus Moon.
Arabian, white Moon.
Arabian, green Jupiter.
Hyena Sun.
Androdamas Moon.
Pyrites:
Copper-colored Sun, Venus.
Gold-colored Sun.
Silver-colored Moon.
Tin-colored Moon, Saturn.
Ash-colored Jupiter.
Calatia Moon.
Stalactite Venus.
Thenarcus Sun.
Carnelian Jupiter, Mars, Venus.
Opal Sun, Mercury.
Fixed stars associated with precious stones:[458]
Diamond. Caput Algol 18° of Taurus.
Crystal. The Pleiades 24° of Taurus.
Ruby, carbuncle. Aldebaran 3° of Gemini; also the Hyades.
Sapphire. The Goat 15° of Gemini.
Beryl. Sirius 10° of Cancer.
Garnet. Heart of Lion 23° of Leo.
Magnet. Tail of the Great Bear 8° of Scorpio; also the Pole Star.
Topaz. Right and left wing of Raven 8° of Libra.
Emerald and Jasper. Spica Virginis 17° of Libra.
Amethyst. Scorpion 3° of Sagittarius.
Chrysolite. Tortoise 8° of Capricorn.
Chalcedony. Tail of Capricorn 15° of Aquarius.
Jacinth. Shoulder of Equis Major 18° of Pisces.
Pearl. Umbilicus Andromedæ 20° of Aries.
Sardonyx. Same as Topaz.
Images and virtues of the constellations as engraved on gems:[459]
URSA MAJOR, URSA MINOR, AND DRACO. Both bears are represented in the
folds of a serpent, the Great Bear in the upper and the Lesser Bear in
the lower folds. In almost all the signs. Nature: Ursa Major, Mars and
Venus. Ursa Minor: Saturn. Draco: Saturn and Mars. Renders the wearer
wise, cautious, versatile, and powerful.
The boundary lines of the various signs are carried up to the pole,
and any constellation that is within these lines is considered to
belong to the respective sign; thus, every constellation belongs to
one or more signs.
CORONA BOREALIS. A royal crown, with many stars; sometimes the crowned
head of a king. Sign: Sagittarius. Nature: Venus and Mercury. Engraved
on the stone of one who is fitted for honors and knowledge, it gives
him great favor with kings.
HERCULES. A man with knees bent, holding a club in his hand and
killing a lion; sometimes a man with a lion’s skin in his hand or on
his shoulder and holding a club. Sign: Scorpio. Nature: Venus and
Mercury. Engraved on a stone that brings victory, like the agate, it
renders the wearer victorious in all conflicts in the field.
CYGNUS. A swan with outstretched wings and curved neck. In the North.
Nature: Venus and Mercury. Renders the wearer popular, increases
knowledge, and augments wealth. Cures gout, paralysis, and fever.
CEPHEUS. A man girt with a sword and holding his hands and arms
extended. Sign: Aries. Nature: Saturn and Jupiter. Causes pleasant
visions if placed beneath the head of a sleeping person.
CASSIOPEIA. A woman seated in a chair and with hands extended in the
form of a cross; sometimes with a triangle on her head. Sign: Taurus.
Nature: Saturn and Venus. Restores the sickly, worn body to health,
gives quiet and calm after labor and procures pleasant and tranquil
sleep.
ANDROMEDA. A young girl with dishevelled hair, and hands hanging down.
Sign: Taurus. Nature: Venus. Reconciles husband and wife, strengthens
love, and protects the human body from many diseases.
PERSEUS. A man holding a sword in his right hand and the Gorgon’s head
in his left. Sign: Taurus. Nature: Saturn and Venus. Guards the wearer
from misfortune and protects, not only the wearer but the place where
it may be, from lightning and tempest. Dissolves enchantments.
SERPENS. A man in the folds of a serpent and holding its head in his
right hand and its tail in his left. Sign: Taurus. Nature: Saturn and
Venus. Antidote to poisons and to the bites of venomous creatures.
AQUILA. A flying eagle with an arrow beneath his feet. Sign: Cancer.
Nature: Jupiter and Mercury; the arrow, however, is of Mars and Venus.
Preserves former honors, adds new ones, and helps to victory.
PISCES or DELPHINUS. Figured in relief (?) Sign: Aquarius. Nature:
Saturn and Mars. If this engraved gem be attached to nets it causes
them to be filled with fish, and it renders the wearer fortunate in
fishing.
PEGASUS. Some represent the half of a winged horse; others the whole
figure and without a bridle. Sign: Aries. Nature: Mars and Jupiter.
Gives victory in the field, and makes the wearer swift, cautious, and
bold.
CETUS. Figure of a large fish with curved tail and capacious gullet.
Sign: Taurus. Nature: Saturn. Renders the wearer fortunate on the sea
and makes him prudent and agreeable. It also restores lost articles.
ORION. With or without armor, man holding a sword or a scythe in his
hand. Sign: Gemini. Nature: Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Gives the
wearer victory over his enemies.
NAVIS. A ship with prow curved back and spread sails; sometimes with
and sometimes without oars. Sign: Leo. Nature: Saturn and Jupiter.
Renders the wearer fortunate in his undertakings; he runs no risk on
sea or water, neither can he be injured by water.
CANIS MAJOR. Figure of a dog for coursing hares, with a curved tail.
Sign: Cancer. Nature: Venus. Cures lunacy, insanity, and demoniacal
possession.
LEPUS. Figure of a hare with ears pricked up and the feet represented
as though in swift motion. Sign: Gemini. Nature: Saturn and Mercury.
Cures frenzy and protects from the wiles of demons. The wearer cannot
be hurt by a malignant spirit.
CENTAUR. Half-figure of a bull, bearing a man on whose left shoulder
rests a lance, from which depends a hare. In his right hand the man
holds a small, supine animal with a vessel attached to it. Sign:
Libra. Nature: Jupiter and Mars. Gives constancy and perpetual health.
CANIS MINOR. Figure of a dog, sitting. Sign: Cancer. Nature: Jupiter.
Guards from dropsy, pestilence, and the bites of dogs.
SACRARIUS TURUBULUS (ARA). An altar with burning incense. Sign:
Sagittarius. Nature: Venus and Mercury. Gives the wearer power to
recognize spirits, to converse with them, and to command them; also
confers chastity.
HYDRA. A serpent, having an urn at its head and a raven at its tail.
Sign: Cancer. Nature: Saturn and Venus. Gives riches and all good
gifts to the wearer and makes him cautious and prudent.
CORONA AUSTRALIS. An imperial crown. Sign: Libra. Nature: Saturn and
Mars. Augments wealth and makes the wearer gay and happy.
AURIGA. A man in a chariot, bearing a goat on his left shoulder. Sign:
Gemini. Nature: Mercury. Makes the wearer successful in hunting.
VEXILLUM. A flag flying from the extremity of a lance. Sign: Scorpion.
Gives skill in war and confers victory in the field.
FIGURES OF THE PLANETS
SATURN. An old man holding a curved scythe in his hand and with
a not very heavy beard. Engraved on a stone of the
nature of Saturn, it renders the wearer powerful and
augments his power continually.
JUPITER. A seated figure, sometimes in a chariot, holding a staff
in one hand and a spear in the other. It renders the wearer
fortunate, especially if engraved on a Kabratis stone,
and he easily gains what he wishes, especially from
priests. He will be raised to honors and dignities.