The birthstone for the month of January is the garnet and this stone has a number of uses in magickal applications. When viewing the magickal correspondences and potential applications associated with garnets, it becomes easy to see why the stone is a birthstone for those born during the first month of the year. Garnets are commonly used for improving personal consciousness, the health of the aura, the augmentation of personal will and for overcoming obstacles caused by negativity. These latter concepts are reiterated in the making of resolutions for the New Year and in implementing steps for self-improvement, both physically and spiritually.
Magickal uses
According to the International Colored Gemstone Association, garnets have been used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans in jewelry and the garnet was a popular protective stone and talisman. The International Colored Gemstone Association also explains that the garnet was once believed to light the way of the person who wore it and it was commonly held that the stone protected those who carried it from disasters and evil. Garnets can be used in restoring balance to one’s energetic system; The stone helps in improving one’s mood, attitude and focus on personal desires. Garnets can be carried by those who seek to increase personal awareness, creativity, endurance and vitality. The stone is a projective stone that acts as a purifier; It has masculine energies; It is associated with the element of fire and it is sometimes used in rites or spells for increased self-confidence, greater personal resolve and abundance.
In the “Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic,” Scott Cunningham explains that this stone was once thought to ward off phantoms and demons and today the stone is used for strengthening one’s personal aura and warding off negative psychic or physical attacks. Cunningham also explains that the garnet is a stone that can be worn if seeking protection from thieves; It can be used by others who are trying to regulate the blood and heart and the stone is used for dealing with skin conditions.
According to 12 Step Sobriety Stones, the garnet has the same energy vibrations as the number two: A number of duality, connection, balance, the unification of opposites, compromise and pairings of all kinds; The stone is used for increasing productivity, good fortune in business and it is an ideal stone for writers and artists.
Goddess associations
If seeking to align with a deity in rites or spells where garnet is used, this stone is associated with the Greek goddess Persephone who consumed a deep red colored pomegranate while in the Underworld; The consumption of the pomegranate ensured Persephone’s yearly return to the Underworld and the god Hades. According to Valuable Stones, the story of Persephone gave rise to garnets being associated with pomegranate seeds, the quick return of a lover and the healing of estranged relationships. In “The Joy of Family Traditions: A Season-by-Season Companion to 400 Celebrations and Activities,” Jennifer Trainer Thompson explains that garnets were also sacred in ancient Egypt as the stones were viewed as the “life blood” of the goddess Isis.
Planetary associations
Garnets are stones ruled by the planet Mars; According to Cafe Astrology, this is the planet associated with survival, desire, action and energy; The planet rules over sexual desires, attraction, and raw energetic forces. Garnet is therefore aligned with personal ambitions, motivation and it serves as a suitable stone to work with when trying to accomplish any personal goal.
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