AQUAMARINE

A stone of courage and serenity...Clear light blue, blue-green, this lovely and gentle gem evokes the sea in both its name and its color. The ancients saw this as a stone of courage and felt that carrying it would help them return safe and prosperous from all sea voyages. 

From lightest sky-blue to the deep blue of the sea – aquamarines show all these shades of an exceptionally beautiful range of usually light blues. It is truly a quite fascinating stone. 

Beads of aquamarine have been found in ancient Egyptian mummy pits.  It is held in quite high regard in the East as the Stone of the Seer and Mystic, a gemstone that imparts purity to the wearer, as well as encouraging the gentle nature and personality in the wearer.  It is a symbol of peace.

Mystical Properties:
Although aquamarine has quite a range of uses, it's strongest energies are in the field of opening up the psychic.  If you are especially sensitive to the thoughts and vibrations of other people, wear aquamarine with smoky quartz, as this combination will ease the sharpness of the incoming impressions, and the quartz will help to ground you in the physical.  In this manner you may avoid being overcome by unwanted impressions.

Healing Properties:
Aquamarine is told the help reduce one's dependence on drugs, and to help eliminate fluid retention by strengthening the kidneys, liver, spleen and thyroid, thus purifying the general body.  At one time, long ago, eyeglasses were made of aquamarine as the stone is soothing to the eyes. 

It is told that this stone placed on the neck or worn as a short necklace will treat many neck and throat problems. Placed on swollen glands or worn around the neck it will reduce swelling.  Chronic tonsillitis may be relieved by wearing a necklace of aquamarine together with turquoise, sodalite, chalcedony and blue topaz.  This stone also has a beneficial effect on the thyroid, and is helpful is most all throat and neck ailments.

Magical Properties:
Aquamarine is said to be the stone of the sea goddesses of past times, due to it's association with the sea.   As a semiprecious variety of beryl, it has long been associated with the sea and element of water. Sea Witches are told the cleanse the stone in the ocean water at night by the light of the full moon.

In magic, this glorious stone is worn or carried about the body to enhance the use of psychic powers. Holding a crystal of the aquamarine or wearing a faceted form of the stone around the neck reduces our conscious mind's hold on the psychic mind and allows our ever present psychic impulses to be heard and to enter into our more conscious mind.

A gentle and cleansing elixir can be created by placing an aquamarine in a glass of fresh water, allowing it to sit in the full moonlight, outdoors if possible, for three hours.  Retrieve the stone, drink the liquid for purification and heightened psychic awareness.