All rocks and minerals originate from the hot, powerful magma of which the inside of the Earth is composed. Due to natural erosion and contact with the elements, these stones undergo different phases of development, and out of this process emerge the many types of gemstones --with their myriad of colors, shades, hardness, transparency, forms and healing powers. In other words, gemstones carry the chemical imprint of the Earth's own evolution and are a miniature storehouse of the development of the Earth and the powerful forces that have shaped it.

Gemstones and crystals have had a prominent place throughout history amongst the healing, spiritual and magical (ritualistic) elements of Creation and have been used for thousands of years. There is evidence that they were used in many forms by the most ancient civilizations. Gemstones have also been considered to have protective and talismanic properties, and to ward off evil spirits. References to gemstones are found in Sumerian writings and in Vedic texts, as well as in the first Chinese medical books. Many references to precious and semi precious gemstones are found in the Bible, where they often symbolize health and godliness, since their power was directly attributed to the power of God.

The Ayurvedic doctors used gemstones to heal and prepare medicines; the Greek philosophers and the Arabic doctors talked and wrote about their power; the Romans carried them to ward off sickness or bad luck; the Egyptians wore them as amulets and took them in their tombs to feel protected in their next life. In Middle Age Europe, when Paracelsus --one of the fathers of modern Western medicine-- was alive, one could purchase precious and semi precious gemstones in apothecary shops!

The inherent powers of gemstones are still recognized by modern Western science in the technological uses of crystals in watches, lasers, ultra sound therapy and computers, but their more subtle potencies, such as their ability to promote healing in the body, mind and consciousness, has eluded modern science as it has become more and more materialistic and technology oriented, and forgotten about its natural origins.

The healing and subtle power of crystals and gemstones can be summarized as follows:

1. All stones, crystals and gems have magnetic powers in varying degrees, and many of them can benefit you for their therapeutic qualities.

2. Like colors, gemstones emit vibrations and frequencies that can have a strong influence on your whole being.

3. Crystals create energy fields that enable you to be charged (or recharged) with their energies, and protect you from negative planetary influences.

4. Gemstones are used for healing, transforming, balancing and attuning your body, mind and consciousness through color therapy and their subtle effect on the chakras or energy centers.

5. Crystals activate your abilities, soothe and comfort, heal and balance through the purity of their frequencies.

6. The more precious and semi precious gemstones you wear, the more strongly you will be charged with subtle cosmic forces, radiating out into your environment.

7. Gemstones have the ability to heal and harmonize emotions that are out of balance.

8. An easy way to benefit from the subtle energies of healing crystals and gemstones is wearing them as jewelry, which has been done for thousands of years.

Beads made from crystals and gemstones have been considered sacred beads in many cultures and have been used for Rosaries and Malas (a type of rosary, also known as Prayer Beads, used for meditation to count mantra or prayer repetitions in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions), because they have the ability to harness and amplify the energy of prayers and mantras.

Never underestimate the subtle energies of Mother Earth in all her forms, and take advantage of the power of crystals and gemstones to enhance your beauty and health!

© Yol Swan. Sacred Jewelry & Yoga Designs. All rights reserved. No reproduction allowed without permission.