CHRYSOLITE—CRYSTAL
CHRYSOLITE: “EVENING EMERALD”: THE ANCIENT AMIANTHUS: BANISHER OF EVIL
INFLUENCES: STONE OF INSPIRATION: “THE PRECIOUS STONE”: CHRYSOPRASE:
STONE OF DREAMS AND HAPPINESS: BAD EFFECT OF EXCESSIVE LIGHT:
CINNAMON STONE: CITRINE OR FALSE TOPAZ: ITS TALISMANIC VIRTUES:
COAL: BLACK DIAMONDS: “HAULING OVER THE COALS”: TAX ON COAL: FIRST
COAL LICENCES: PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE USE OF COAL: FIRST COAL
EXPORTED TO PARIS: THE NATURE OF CORAL: OLD BELIEF: TREVISA ON THE
CORAL: CORAL SPECIES: PERSEUS AND THE MEDUSA: THE WORK OF THE
SEA-NYMPHS: THE RISING OF THE LOVE GODDESS: THE EVIL EYE:
FASCINATION: ROMAN CUSTOM: CORAL AND HEALTH: DISPELLER OF EVIL
SPIRITS: INCUBI AND SUCCUBI: DR. HARTMANN’S TESTIMONY: BARTHOLOMEUS
AND THE WYTCHES’ STONE: MYSTICAL PROPERTIES ASCRIBED TO CORAL:
CUSTOM OF OLD GREEK SAILORS: LEMNIUS AND CORAL: THE GEM OF THE
GARDEN OF EVERLASTING LIFE: A 17TH CENTURY PRESCRIPTION: THE STONE
OF THE DANCERS: CORUNDUM: CORDIERITE: CROCIDOLITE: CRYSTAL: EARLY
USE ON SCARABEI, ETC.: TRIAL OF PSYCHE: THE ETHIOPIAN KING AND THE
CRYSTAL TOMBS: THE HAPSBURG CRYSTAL VASES: CRYSTAL IN CHINA AND
JAPAN: THE TALISMAN OF CONCENTRATION: THE MEDICINE INDIANS:
AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS AND THE CRYSTAL: RAIN STONE: THE CORADGEE:
CRYSTALLOMANCY AMONGST THE NATIVES OF AUSTRALIA: CRYSTAL BALLS AND
THE SUN’S RAYS: DR. BABBITT’S REMARKS ON THE CONVEX LENS:
HYDROLITES: THE THIRD EYE: AN ANTIQUE SEAL RING: CRYSTALS IN THE
HIGHLANDS: SIR WILLIAM RIDGEWAY ON CRYSTALS: SWEDENBORG’S STONE OF
TRUTH.
CHRYSOLITE
“_When morning rose, to land
We haul’d our bark, and moored it on the strand,
Where in a beauteous grotto’s cool recess
Dance the green Nereids of the neighboring seas._”
HOMER. (Pope’s Translation.)
The Chrysolite obtains its name from the Greek CHRYSOS, gold, and
LITHOS, a stone. This gem is of a light greeny-yellow; when deep olive
green it is known as a Peridot, when yellowish-green as True Olivine.
Among the ancients the Chrysolite was our topaz. Its name, literally
“Golden Stone,” indicates the beautiful golden topaz so highly esteemed
by gem-lovers, which, we are told, derives its name from that mysterious
Island of the Mists which Pliny calls Topazion. Dr. G. F. Herbert Smith
writes of the variety peridot as bearing the pretty name of “the evening
emerald,” and the most charming specimens resemble the light green of
the sea waters near the shore, illuminated by the setting sun. This gem
appears to be the Amianthus of post-Biblical writers, known as “the gem
of miracles,” which drove away the spirits and influences of evil,
protected against obsession, dissolved enchantments, and the phantoms of
the night, gladdened the heart with hope, strengthened the soul,
inspired thought, banished illusion, despair, madness, aided the
faculties of inspiration and prophecy.
In the History of Monsieur Oufle—quoted by Brand—it is advised: “To
expel phantoms and rid people of folly, take the precious stone
chrysolite, set it in gold, and let them wear it about ’em.” Francis
Barrett says that it is good for the lungs and cures asthmatical
complaints; also that when held under the tongue it cures fevers, aids
prophecy, bestows eloquence and inspiration. The peridot was known as
“_the_” precious stone, and was often valued more than the diamond.
The hardness of the chrysolite is from 6 to 7 on Mohs’ scale. It is
under the zodiacal Pisces.
CHRYSOPRASE
The chrysoprase derives its name from the Greek CHRYSOS, golden, and
PRASON, a leek. It is an apple-green chalcedony, the colour being caused
by oxide of nickel. The chrysoprase was esteemed the perfect stone of
dreams in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It was believed that if one
condemned for any offence whatever held a chrysoprase in his mouth he
would escape punishment. It was a stone for the voyager on deep seas, a
kindler of the imaginative faculties, a banisher of greed, selfishness
and carelessness. It was the stone of happiness and enterprise,
awakening slumbering faculties. It calmed irritability, the pains of
gout, and, bound to the left arm, it prevented or cured the stone. It
was the stone of prudence, adaptability and versatility, rousing to
action, progress and adventure. To gaze into the chrysoprase was said to
strengthen the eyes, especially when the Moon was passing through Taurus
and Cancer. In many ways the chrysoprase was a religious symbol. In its
Hebrew name of NOFEK it was the fourth stone of the Breastplate, and as
the tenth jewel of the Rosicrucians it was the symbol of strength, moral
and physical, and of invisible power. Swedenborg sees in it “the supreme
heavenly love of truth,” and the Fathers see “triumph over sin.” Its
symbology is reflected to the gateway through which the soul passed when
entering the sphere of earth, and its dream influence was like an
angel’s smile. Light in excess has an unfavourable effect on this stone,
robbing it of its colour. Introduced into England in the reign of Ann,
it was much loved by the Queen. It enjoyed great popularity during the
times of the 3 Georges, and was a favorite gem of Queen Victoria.
The chrysoprase is under the zodiacal Cancer.
CINNAMON STONE. (See ESSONITE.)
CITRINE
Citrine is a clear light yellow quartz crystal, obtaining its name from
its citron tint. It is correctly called False Topaz, and incorrectly
Brazilian Topaz. It presents no cleavage like the topaz. It is also
known as Spanish topaz and Occidental topaz. The citrine was carried as
a protective talisman against miasmatic exhalations, plague epidemics,
eruptive diseases, evil thought forms, alcoholic and other forms of
indulgence. It was also employed as a charm against the bites of snakes,
venomous reptiles and insects, and against scandal, libel and treachery.
The Citrine is under the zodiacal Scorpio.
COAL
“_A live coal from the altar (Is. VI. 6) signifies divine love from
which all purification is derived._”
SWEDENBORG.
Coal derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon word KOL, to kindle. It is a
well-known solid black combustible substance, the remains of old forests
and earth vegetation which chemical action has changed chiefly by the
elimination of oxygen and hydrogen. Many dyes, acids, gases,
flavourings, etc., are obtained from this important product. Amongst
these are tar, coke, creosote, carbolic acid, naphtha, sal-ammoniac,
ammonia, various explosives, drugs, mineral vanilla, etc. Dr. Brewer
explains that to “haul over the coals” is historically and literally
true: “At one time,” he says, “the Jews were ‘bled’ whenever the Kings
or barons wanted money, and one very common torture, if they resisted,
was to haul them over the coals of a slow fire to give them a roasting.”
Sir Walter Scott alludes to this practice in “Ivanhoe.” Professor John
Henry Pepper, writing, on “Coal and Coal Mines,” introduces the
following interesting details: "In olden time, before a cargo of coals
could be discharged from a collier, it was necessary to obtain the
permission of the Lord Mayor who, for a certain consideration, granted
the required permission. This much honoured magistrate and his worthy
coadjutors, the aldermen, with the common councilmen and livery called
the Corporation were permitted to lay a tax upon the “black diamonds”
that amounted to something like £50,000 per annum. In 1830 the heaviest
of the coal duties were abolished: and since that time the trade has
assumed gigantic proportions which have made it the marvel of the
civilized world. The first licences to dig coals were granted to the
burgesses of Newcastle by Henry III and in 1281 a very good trade
existed in that fuel. A proclamation in the reign of King Edward I shows
the introduction of coal as a substitute for wood, and a charter of
Edward II indicates that Derbyshire coal was used in London. In the same
reign coals were first sent from Newcastle for the benefit of those
trades which required fuel: and in 1316 a petition was made from
Parliament to the King praying His Majesty to forbid all use of the new
and pestilent fuel called “coals,” which was acceded to, and a
proclamation made, commanding all use of coals to cease and determine,
and threatening all who burnt coals to be mulcted, and on a second
offence to have their furnaces demolished. In the reign of Queen
Elizabeth the burning of stone coal was again prohibited during the
sitting of Parliament. At a subsequent period, about 1648, coals were
once more placed under a ban.... In 1520 Newcastle coal was first
exported into Paris."
A piece of coal was carried by thieves in the belief that it would
protect them from detection, and help them to escape when pursued. To
dream of coals is indicated as a symbol of disappointment, trouble,
affliction and losses, except if the coals be burning brightly when the
symbol gives promises of uplifting and advancement, for the fire symbol
of Mars is rousing to action the coal symbol of Saturn. Coal is under
the celestial Capricorn.
CORAL
“_In the pleased infant see its power expand
When first the coral fills his little hand._”
SPRAGUE.
Coral is a carbonate of lime effected by gelatinous marine mollusks
known as “polypi.”
For long ages coral was supposed to be a marine plant of which Trevisa
wrote in 1495: “Corall is gendred in the Red See, and is a tree as long
as it is coveryd with water, but as it is drawen out it torneth into
stone,” and Jordan in 1699 tells us that “coral also being a plant and
nourished with this juice, turns to a stone.” The name is derived from
the Greek word Korallion, and is found written as corale, corral,
correil, curalle, curroll, quyral, etc.
The various species have been set down as follows:
Pink Coral
Red Coral
White Coral
Black Coral
Blue Coral
Yellow Coral, etc.
In more modern times species have obtained names from their appearance.
Thus:
Brain Coral
Cup Coral
Mushroom Coral
Organpipe Coral
Star Coral
The appeal of coral to the poet finds expression in some charming
legends:
Ovid (Metamorphoses) wrote that Perseus, after he had cut the head from
the body of the dreadful Medusa, laid it on the branches of the trees
which grew by the sea shore; but the power never departing, turned these
branches, as it had turned every other living thing, into stone. The sea
nymphs drew these fossils beneath the waves and they became the coral
seeds. A variation of this legend tells that the blood which fell from
the bleeding head on to the shrubs, flowers and trees turned them into
seeds of coral which the sea nymphs drew beneath the waves. It arose
again in flower-like beauty with Venus when she emerged in all her glory
from the sea, symbolical of the exaltation of Venus in the zodiacal
Pisces, and in this connection also concealing a deeper meaning. No gem
has been more employed as a charm for averting the fell spell of the
evil eye than the innocent coral which was credited with the power of
destroying the first stroke of the glance, after which it—like the drawn
fang of the serpent—was rendered incapable of injury. Scot writes in
“Discovery of Witchcraft:” “The coral preserveth such as bear it from
fascination or bewitching and in this respect corals are hanged about
children’s necks.” Pliny mentions that the Romans hung on babies’
cradles and around their necks pieces of red coral as an aid in teething
and an influence against the falling sickness and infantile diseases.
Plato says: “Coral is good to be hanged about children’s necks, as well
to rub their gums as to preserve them from the falling sickness. It hath
also some special sympathy with Nature, for the best coral, being worn
about the neck, will turn pale and wan if the party that wears it be
sick, and comes to its former colour again as they recover health.”
Brand mentions a similar idea in the “Three Ladies of London,” 1584:
“Coral will look pale when you be sick.” Little bells were also attached
in the Middle Ages to children’s coral charms in order to ward off evil
spirits, storms and pestilence, and scare away the Furies; this same
belief exists in Japan, China and other countries. It is a fact that
coral is affected by the health of the wearer; some writers say that it
becomes spotted or stained when the illness is of a serious nature. It
was regarded as a very potent charm for women. In Italy the coral was
also called the Witch Stone, because it was said to protect women from
the wizards and men from the witches. In connection with these
Paracelsus writes: “They are the outgrowths of an intense and sensual
imagination of men and women, and which Rabbinical traditions relate in
an allegorical manner, are connected with Adam (the animal Man), and
Lilith, his first wife. They are afraid of red corals as dogs are afraid
of a whip: but the brown corals attract them. Red corals are
disagreeable to monsters, Incubi, Succubi, Phantasmata and all evil
spirits, but brown corals are not, and they delight in them.” In
commenting on this Dr. Franz Hartmann, a physician of note and
distinguished writer, says that he knew of cases of melancholy,
depression of mind, hypochondria, etc., that had been successfully
treated by the wearing of red corals, while other articles employed for
the same purpose had no effect, the cure therefore not being merely
attributable to the belief of the patient. He concludes: “The ignorant
will find it easier to ridicule such things than to explain them.”
A curious passage in Bartholomeus (“De Proprietatibus Rerum,” 1536) is
of interest: “Wytches tell that this stone withstondeth lyghtnyng,
whirlewynde, tempeste and stormes fro shyppes and houses that it is in.
The Red Corall helpeth ayenst the feudes, gyle and scorne, and ayenst
divers wonderous doyng and multiplieth frute, and spedeth begynnyng and
ending of causes and of nedes.” Oriental mystics warn against the
wearing of dull, dirty or discoloured specimens. The pure coral was
deemed a protection from plague, poison, storm and tempest. In a house
it charmed away disharmony, envy and evil influences. It banished evil
dreams and the “terrors of the night,” wild animals, the lightning
stroke, witchcraft, epilepsy, stomach complaints, night sweats, etc. It
was a cure for sores, diseased gums, whooping cough, disorders of the
spleen, teething troubles, troubles of the feet and toes, madness, etc.
It is interesting to note that natural corals in the form of vegetable
growths were, and in some places still are, tied to fruit trees to
ensure their fertility, and that women of ancient times wore such
specimens as charms against sterility. Thus, “she who hath risen from
the sea foam,” Venus, was regarded as employing the moistures so needed
in perfecting the material dresses of the animal, mineral and vegetable
worlds when entering earth conditions: and the ancient masters held that
such examples of the doctrine of Sympathies, Similitudes, Signatures and
Correspondences guide man to a correct knowledge and understanding of
the mysteries of Nature. The ancient Greeks attached coral to the prows
of their ships to protect them from the onslaughts of sea and storm.
Lemnius says: “Bind corall to the neck, it takes off turbulent dreams
and allays the nightly fears of children.” The gem of the Arabian Garden
of the Everlasting Life—Jannat al Khuld—is the yellow coral.
To dream of red, pink and coral of beautiful lustre is said to denote
recovery to the sick and good health to any one, but ill-conditioned
specimens symbolize the opposite. As a cardiac stimulant, for stopping
hæmorrhages, warding off contagion, etc., the old physician Rulandus
(Medicina Practica, 1564) prescribed half a drachm of powdered coral.
The following 17th century prescription was administered as a cure for
colic, purging and vomiting, and is given here as of especial interest:
[Illustration]
Tabellæ Corallatæ:
℞ Corallorum rubeorum præparatorum
ʒij margaritar præparator
ʒi boli armeni
ʒ8 ligni aloes
℈i sacch. albissimi dissoluti in aquâ
rosaru cinnamonie tenuioris
quantum sufficit: fiat confectes in
tabellis.
Amongst the Spaniards it was usual at one time for conjurers and
jugglers especially to wear tight-fitting coral-coloured costumes. Good
specimens of coral are greatly esteemed by dancers. It is especially a
luck gem of the ballet, the sign Pisces of the Zodiac, under which all
corals are placed—ruling the feet.
CORUNDUM. Also written at earlier periods as coriundum, corundon,
corindon. (See under Ruby, Sapphire.)
CORDIERITE. See IOLITE.
CROCIDOLITE. Also written Krokydolite, krocidolite. This stone was named
in the year 1831, from the Greek KROKIS, a variation of KROKUS, the nap
of woollen cloth, and LITHOS, a stone. It is well described as an
asbestiform variety of hornblend of indigo-blue, leek-green or
golden-brown colour—the latter variety being also known as Tiger’s Eye.
When cut en cabochon this stone has a fine chatoyant effect. There is
little doubt that the ancients knew of this stone of the asbestos family
under the zodiacal Gemini. It was regarded as a fortunate stone for
people of literary or mercurial tendencies, and as a nerve and lung
soother. Held against the temple when the Moon is passing through the
sign Gemini, in good aspect to Mercury, it would assist thought and
mental speculation.
CRYSTAL
The crystal obtains its name from the Greek word KRUSTALLOS, ice. It is
a pure and transparent variety of Quartz, so called because of its
resemblance to clear ice. In literature it appears as cristalla,
cristal, crestal, kristall, cristalle, christall, chrystal. Webster
writes that the English spelling was gradually changed to CRYSTAL
between the 15th and 17th centuries. We have evidence of its early use
by man, Egyptian scarabei and Babylonian cylinders having been found,
dating back as far as 1500 B.C. In the trial of Psyche—that beautifully
symbolic legend—Venus gives this graceful lover of Eros the magical vase
of pure crystal with the request that it be filled with the waters from
the Fountain of Forgetfulness. The Fountain waters flowed through a
narrow channel at the summit of a steep mountain, and they murmured: “To
attempt is to perish. Be warned. Be warned. To attempt is to perish; fly
from us.” Psyche saw two caves, one on each side of these icy waters,
and in these caves were two terrible dragons. With the precious vase in
her trembling hands, the faithful lover prayed for help in her perilous
task. Jupiter heard her prayer in pity, for love had been kind to him,
and he sent his eagle to her. The eagle drew the vase from Psyche and,
filling it with the waters, brought it to her. Then she ran to Venus,
thinking that pitying love would exact no more. “Thy witchery has gained
thee these waters,” said the Goddess, “I have another test for thee.”
The King of the Ethiopians showed the messengers of Cambyses amongst
other wonders the tombs of pure crystal in which could be seen the
bodies of the departed, perfect in form and feature. In the imperial
vault of the Hapsburgs in the Church of the Capucins, Vienna, there are
150 crystal vases, gold mounted, with a crown on the top of each, which
contain the hearts of the Royal members of the Family. This practice
dates from Duke Francis who, dying in Switzerland, directed that his
heart should be preserved and sent to Vienna.
In China and Japan the crystal is called SINSHO. The Japanese know it
also as Tama or Jewel of Perfection, and it is used by them for making
crystal balls and beautiful objects of art. It is cut in the shape of a
ball, esteemed in Japan as the Stone of Concentration, and several in a
family will sit round gazing at a specimen in which they see guidance
and help in the path of life. In China it is also known as CHING, and
symbolized as an upright triangle of three suns, it has always been
highly esteemed. It is cut with great patience into figures of deities
and sacred objects. The Chinese regard it as a talisman of concentration
and perseverance; it recalls to them the magnificence and immensity of
what man calls space, this “jewel of perfection” which the Japanese also
term “Breath of the White Dragon.”
The Medicine Indians of South America say that a holy spirit is in the
crystal, and for this reason the sacred stones must not be seen except
by initiates. The aboriginals of Australia and Tasmania regarded the
crystal in a mystic way. It was known by the Murray tribes as Katto and
Maako. The South Australians generally termed large crystals Kanwenmuka,
and smaller specimens Kanyappa. It is the Teyl of the West Australian,
the Leeka and Heka of the Tasmanian and it is called Tendeagh by the
East tribe and Mughramallee by the South. The late Mr. James Bonwick
says that the natives usually wore the crystal in its bag, suspended
from the neck; he gives their song of magic as follows:
Kano Kano wimmari (lizard)
Kano Kano Kanwemuka (crystal)
Kano Kano Makkitya (flint)
Kano yeruka Makkitya
Makkitya mulyeria.
[Illustration: Gazing Crystal on Dragon Stand. Presented to the Author
by the Late Judge Casey of Victoria, Australia.]
Mr. Bonwick also gives instances of the prevalence of Crystallomancy
amongst the aboriginals, the use of the Rain Stone, the Coradgee Stone
which was wrapped in hair and was not to be seen by a female, “not
always a simple white stone, it was more commonly a quartz crystal.” He
says further “Some men, by proper use of this magical agency (the
crystal) could work wonders.” Thus, the crystal has been employed by
savage and civilized man in all ages. It was said to enclose within its
bright form all the knowledge and secrets that have ever been; if worn
during sleep it banishes evil dreams and spells, and guards the wearer
against sorcery, witchcraft, secret enemies and evil thoughts. It was
said to indicate the presence of poison by clouding or by breaking—hence
its employment in the manufacture of precious goblets by the ancients.
It was employed as a preventive of watery, wasting and infectious
diseases, tumourous complaints, blood impurities, heart, bowel and feet
troubles, renal affections, etc. Pliny recommends it as an external
medicine for women when in the form of fine powder mixed with honey.
With regard to the employment of crystal balls and lenses for medical
purposes, this venerable author says: “I find it asserted by physicians
that when any part of the body requires to be cauterized it cannot be
better done than by means of a crystal ball held against the sun’s
rays”; it is interesting to compare this statement with a more recent
one made by the late Dr. E. D. Babbitt, M.D.:
“Sunlight can lubricate and even vesicate the skin without causing much
pain or without leaving any permanent scars like those formed by
sinapisms, moxas, lancings, etc. Many a tumour which under the old
system is cut out without even reaching the cause, is destroyed by
concentrating the light upon it through a convex lens.”
Many beautiful crystals bearing intagli of a large size have been
discovered. Mr. King mentions two choice specimens of Valerio il
Vicentino and his rival Geo. del Castel Bolognese. Some crystals have
been found encasing drops of water very much like the spirit in the
spirit-level. These are known as Hydrolites or, as Pliny writes them,
Enhydros. They are mentioned by the poet Claudian as—
“_A stream unfettered pent in crystal round,
A truant fount by hardened waters bound._”
Mr. King received information that miners in California have died from
drinking the water from a hydrolite, and this circumstance exhibits the
subtle action of some of the stones attached to the sign of the Fishes.
The crystal, wrongly but frequently termed “beryl” stone, is highly
esteemed as an instrument for heightening the imagination and bringing
out the gazing power of the third eye previously mentioned. Mr. William
Jones gives an illustration of the seal of a divination ring from
Licini’s “Antiqua Schemata.” It shows a half nude woman holding a
serpent in her left hand, the head of which is bending towards a crystal
ball held by a nude man, his right leg resting on a wooden stand, his
left stretching towards an altar on which the sacred fire is burning.
The female bends over the male who gazes intently into the crystal ball.
The work is full of expression and force.
In the Highlands of Scotland large pieces of crystal were used for
charms, and cattle were given to drink water which had been poured over
crystals. Similar crystals were employed for the protection of cattle in
Ireland, a fine specimen being still kept by the Tyrone family.
The sign Pisces is the natural 12th celestial House, ruling large
cattle. It is also the sign of occult and mysterious things and of the
elevation of Venus. Thus, all the legends, stories and philosophies
connected with this bright stone of the sign Pisces are easily
understood. Professor Sir William Ridgeway, of Cambridge, England, in
his work, “The Drama and Dramatic Dances of Non-European Races,” draws
attention to the fact that “crystals have always been and are still
regarded as the most amuletic of precious stones, and comedians also are
frequently cut into faceted shapes by the Arabs and others. The diamond
and spinel are both octahedral. The Japanese are especially fond of rock
crystal, one of their favorite amulets being a double gourd cut out of
such a crystal.” Swedenborg recognized in the crystal “Divine Truth in
all its brightness” and truth certainly has its correspondence in the
clear glistening magnetic crystal.