by Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
(author of, Lead Us To A Place ~ your spiritual journey through life’s season)
In the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, respectively, are the famous Karur-Kangayam and Hole-Narsipur belts, known throughout the subcontinent for their gemstones. This treasure trove of beauties include aquamarine, garnet, iolite, marble, moonstone, ruby, sapphire, shiva lingham, and sunstone.
The star sapphire is the National Gemstone of this nation. The “Star of India”, is one of the largest such gems in the world. It is almost flawless and is unusual in that it has stars on both sides of the stone. This hazy blue gem was mined in Sri Lanka and is currently housed in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
India’s history has been influenced considerably by the development and use of stones. Carved and finished stones have left their mark on the architectural blueprint of this country. Temples, forts and palaces have all been created out of the love and artistry of stone. Excavations of caves and sacred burial grounds have revealed exquisitely carved statuettes and carvings in stone. Ancient Buddhist monuments like the Sanchi Stupa and the great Taj Mahal have been carved out of stone.
Aquamarine: This stone has the calming, soothing energy of the sea. This is the stone of courage. Tranquilizing, uplifting, openness, innocence, lightheartedness, creativity, communication, self-awareness, confidence, purpose. Throat Chakra, Sacral Spleen Chakra, Heart Chakra. Used for protection on journeys, especially those who travel on water. Affects etheric and mental levels. Helps stabilize and harmonize unsettled surroundings. Helps reduce fears. Has an affinity with sensitive and mystical people. Increases creativity and sharpens intuition. Excellent stone for meditation.
Garnet: This is the most noted and popular of garnets as it is a symbol of love and devotion. Garnet is a stone of commitment. Garnet is known in Indian mythology for persistence, stamina and energizing the Kundalini fire (our fire of eternal metamorphosis). It is given as a gift of love’s attraction, a gift of estranged love or a gift of a quick return. Red represents love and helps the aspirant to strive for improvement in moral conduct.
Iolite: This beautiful, Clear bluish to lavender cordierite mineral is often used by the healer to open a light pathway from the Throat Chakra up through to Crown Chakra. When we are blocking our ability to communicate with speech and absorb with our spirit, this gemstone opens this highway to better understand that what we say echos how we process our spiritual nature. This gemstone shows us truth, simplicity, imagery, and peace by living at higher awareness level. Iolite is considered a very strong “Shaman” stone, and can stimulate visions.
Marble: This mineral is used to provide both clarity and states of “suspension” in both meditation and tantric activities. Provides for the strength of self-control and mastery of thought. It enhances the powers of serenity. Marble can provide the “good common sense” in matters of the home, heart and one’s constitution. Allows for total recall of dreams as well as, provides protection, stability, and structure both in the physical and emotional mind. Marble may inspire your artistic endeavors, just as it inspired great sculptors to unlock this stone’s mystery.
Moonstone: Moonstone is most famous for balancing our emotional states. Emotional states are connected to the water element, which is connected to the cycles of the moon and tides and therefore, has a strong relationship to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Therefore, moonstone is one of the best stones for soothing emotional stress and anxiety. Moonstone helps cool, soothe and calm over-reactions to emotional and personal situations. It allows us greater flexibility and flow of life.
Ruby: Wealth, Joy, Love, Sexual Energy and Power. These are just some of the keywords associated with this warm, energizing stone. Ruby is known to strengthen physical and the emotional heart (or Heart Chakra), especially after mental exhaustion. Famous for enticing love, courage, and confidence, this vibrant stone offers vitality, stamina, strength, leadership, and success over challenges.
Sapphire: Sapphires are known as the stone of “prophetic wisdom”. They have a long-standing use in history. It is a stone of strength and gives great willpower. These stones lessen tension and align the mental, physical, and spiritual planes. They can be an important stone for people with spiritual confusion or depression, those involved in situations out of their control, and anyone with concentration problems. They are, therefore, used to help balance many aspects of the mind that feels overwhelmed, unfocused, or not grounded. Good for daydreamers who tend to waste time, feel scattered or cannot seem to find direction in life. The star sapphire is the National Gemstone of India.
Shiva Lingam: These stones are sacred to the Hindu tradition and are ceremoniously gathered once a year from the muddy banks of the Narmada River, one of the Seven Sacred places of pilgrimage in India. They are naturally composed of opaque cryptocrystalline quartz (making it similar to chalcedony, agates and jasper) combined with a variety of trace minerals such goethite with iron oxide deposits said to have been implanted in the stone by meteorites, millions of years ago. They embody the male and female form in duality and are honored as Sacred Sky stones.
Sunstone: This stone is a kiss of sunshine, crystallized. Honors the God, brings good luck and fortune. Energizes and empowers one’s self. Warms the heart and lifts/rejuvenates the spirit. Sunstone is used for protection, life force, and grounding. Sunstone is a great stone to use with “energy vampires”, or those who drain your energy from you. This includes parents, children, lovers, patients, bosses or anyone who is possessive, aggressive or overbearing. Sunstone breaks these bonds and allows light, separation and clarity from these energies. This stone clears and brightens both the entire Chakra and unbound the Aura.
