The Metaphysical Properties of Garnet: One of the True Birthstones for Aries

We Live in a Beautiful Vibrational UniverseDemantoid (green to emerald green), and Tsavorite
It is now universally accepted and confirmed by(similar to emerald green). All of the colors are
science that we live in a universe made of energystrongly reflective.
vibrating at different frequencies. Every bit ofWith a relatively high Mohs’ hardness of 7 to
seemingly solid matter is just a swirling microcosmic7 ½, Garnet makes a nice hard stone for rings
world of vibrating, energized particles creating formand other jewelry. It is found around the world,
as we know it.including in the United States, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Zambia,
There is great beauty in the natural form our worldTanzania, Afghanistan, India, Brazil, Austria, Germany,
takes. Nature can be breathtaking in a sunset overand Sweden.
the ocean, a mountain landscape, a flower, or aDue to its diverse origins Garnet is a very
crystal gemstone. Wherever we perceive balance“open-minded” family. It reminds us to
and harmony we experience beauty.welcome and celebrate the diversity of all people and
Beauty is deeply fulfilling for humans. Being in nature,their different ways of self-expression.
looking at a flower, tuning into a gemstone canGarnet is associated with Mars, Venus, and Mercury
realign our own energy pattern to a more balancedand has the qualities of those planets. The Garnet
flow. I believe that a gemstone that attracts yourgroup is very down to earth and practically minded
eye with its beauty will always be beneficial for you.and thus can assist us in our worldly endeavors and in
The Signature and Metaphysical Properties of Crystalmanifesting our dreams and visions.
and GemstonesThe Violet Garnet: Almandine
In all cultures throughout history gemstones andAlmandine is a red garnet with a slight violet tint. The
crystals have had a special place. They have beenform of its crystallization gives it a kind of round
used for empowerment and for focusing energy incrystal-ball appearance. If you can find one it is a nice
rituals, sacred objects, and jewelry.stone to have in your pocket to play with in order to
The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstoneshave the stone’s energy within your aura
and crystals gives them their energy andwithout needing it to be set into jewelry.
metaphysical properties: they interact with our ownAlmandine is a warrior of the heart, longing to
energy field and have a balancing and healing impactexpress his true being as he walks the path of love.
on our mind, body, and soul. Each gemstone has aBeing connected with Venus and Mars, Almandine
personal “signature”—specificsupports our growth in relationships and friendships.
metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, thatThis warrior is connected with the higher truth of the
arise from the stone’s chemical composition,crown chakra: it helps to balance the Inner Man and
color, hardness, crystal structure, and so on.the Inner Woman in us, helps us to rise up out of the
Astrology, the ancient science of the universal laws,limitations of the ego to a greater understanding of
allows us to understand the creative forces at worklove as a state of consciousness. It might support us
in our lives and use them to our advantage.by asking the question, “What can I bring to
Gemstones occupy an important place in astrology.this relationship?” rather than “What do
By considering the individual signature of gemstones,I get out of it?”
we can select the right gems for very specificIn the Almandine, Mars and Venus—the lover
purposes, according to their astrologicaland the beloved—are united and recreated on
representation.the earthly plane for the pure pleasure of
Astrology and True Birthstonesexperiencing each other. Almandine encourages us to
Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation,partake of the enjoyment of love and relationships
from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniestand to become more conscious of our role in their
particles of atoms—all are part of the samecreation. It gives us deeper insight into the dynamics
network of universal energy. Based on the hermeticof relationships as they are projected onto the
principle “As above, so below,” thoseearthly playground of the cosmos."
universal principles allow us to read the analogueHow to Use Your Birthstones
relations among the planets and extrapolate thoseAlmost all gemstones can be used in three different
principles to things here on Earth, to events in ourways:
lives, as well as to our natural environment. The1. They are precious objects of beauty that may
universal principles that govern the planets are alsohold a special meaning for us. We enjoy their beauty
seen on the much smaller level of gemstones,by giving them a special place on a shelf, desk, or
crystals, and metals.altar.
Most of us know the gemstone corresponding to2. They can be used in meditation by tuning into their
when we were born based on the list created byfrequency for the purpose of balancing our energy
jewelers. This is a simplified commercial list, notfield.
created by astrologers, and therefore most of the3. They can be made into jewelry pieces for our
stones on this list are not the true astrologicalpleasure, enhancing our individual expression of
birthstones.beauty and sense of empowerment.
Each gemstone represents specific planetaryI hope I’ve given you a new sense of the
principles and has its own personality. In my bookvery special properties of gemstones. I encourage
Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery I teach youyou to identify your true birthstones and to find
how to find your true birthstones based on yourcreative ways to incorporate them into your life to
horoscope. In this article I will give the example ofsupport your goals and desires. You can learn more
one of the true astrological birthstones for Aries,about the metaphysical properties of gemstones
Garnet.through my book at
Garnet: A Many-Hued Stone[1]Shakti Carola Navran: Astrologer, Jeweler, and Author
"The Garnets are a many-hued family, with[1] This section and the next drawn from Jewelry
different names for each color. The color rangeand Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones
includes red, red with a violet tint, reddish brown,That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul
orange brown, yellow, and green.© 2008 by Shakti Carola Navran. Llewellyn
The varieties include Pyrope (reddish brown),Worldwide, Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN
Almandine (violet), Spessartite (orange to reddish55125-2989. All rights reserved, used by permission of
brown), Grossular (green, yellow, or copper brown),the publisher.