Gemstones and Healing: Jade
CATALOGING THE GEMS
I evaluate a gemstone in a number of ways. First, it falls into one of these categories: Heart Stone, Grounding Stone, Guard Dog Stone, High Energy Stone, Trauma Stone, Mental Stone, Stress Tone, Luck Stone, Psychic Stone, Money Stone, Arthritis Stone and Master Healer Stone. I created this system over the years because each stone has unique skills. Some, like the Master Stones, are diverse, multi-skilled and affect more than one chakra in our aura. With this blog, we’re going to look at Jade. It is a “Guard Dog” stone and a “Strength” stone.
GUARD DOG STONE
These gemstones have the capacity to ‘signal’ you that you’re in a situation that may be threatening to you–even if you don’t perceive it as such. Often, we are distracted and walk into a place or with a group of people that aren’t good for us on some level. It could be that there’s a “psychic vampire” (a very needy, victim-styled individual, the “poor me” variety), or there’s drugs, or a ‘coyote’ or potential robbery going to take place or you name the circumstance–all you need to do is read the newspaper to understand where I’m going with this). A Guard Dog gemstone’s whole reason for being is to “bark” a warning to you. To somehow get through your distracted lower mind, your left brain that is attached to this third dimensional reality and get your attention that something is WRONG. It helps you to see what is “out of place,” so that you can remove yourself before anything happens.
STRENGTH STONE
These gemstones connect with our deeper core values of this personality in this lifetime BUT, they also connect with our SOUL who has far more strength built up in it as a result of hundreds of thousands of lifetimes. This is the phenomenal magic of Strength gemstones. They are able to ACCESS this vault of built-upon and earned spiritual strength so it can help us get through some present difficulty/test/initiation that we’re putting ourselves through in this lifetime at this moment. It ‘feeds’ us so that we don’t give up, despair or want to check out because the life lesson is “too hard” to deal with. Not all people are strong spiritually speaking. We have baby spirits to ancient spirits in human body on this Earth. No one is created equal. And we’re all working on collecting that very necessary soul strength so that we can take on tougher and tougher challenges–and work through them successfully instead of failing them.
This cache of strength is accrued by living thousands upon thousands of lifetimes. It is there, like a cosmic I.V., much like a blood transfusion for a human body, it is a strength/energy transfusion into us in our present incarnation when we need it. Certain gemstones can access this cache and give us the necessary strength to continue forward and work through the gauntlet we’ve chosen. This gemstone is like the marathon runner at the 26th mile when it is the hardest mile of all–and the finish line is so close. These gemstones take us the last mile of our own marathon in Life and help us pass over the finish line.
THE HISTORY OF JADE
Jade has a long and illustrious history. It has been known for at least seven thousand years. In Neolithic times, Man used it for weapons and tools. The Chinese, in as early as 6000 B.C., Dushan Jade was being mined in China. In 3000 B.C., Jade was known as “yu” and was considered the royal gem. China, more than any other country, holds Jade in the highest esteem. The emperors of China wore it for longevity and it has a history of helping people live long lives. Jade was so esteemed that it was seen as more valuable than gold or diamonds of the Western societies. In China, Jade was carved into figures, bowls, utilitarian, ceremonial and jewelry objects. It adorned temples and people. It has been found in the graves of those who were part of the imperial family in China.
For the Chinese, Jade embodied all that was good, beautiful and precious. It held the Confucius virtues of wisdom, modesty, courage and compassion. On the other hand, it was also considered female erotic. On the southern leg of the Silk Road, annual tribute was paid to the Chinese in precious white jade.
In India, there is a five foot sculpture of Mahavira that is entirely carved out of jade. It’s the largest sculpture in the world made from a single jade rock.
Jade has what is known as a greasy luster. It comes in many shades of green, white, gray, black, yellow, orange to red and even lavender to violet tones. It is the emerald color quality that commands the highest price. It’s a semi-opaque to opaque gemstone. Those who have visited the Hong Kong and gone to the jade market will realize just how valued this gemstone is in the East. It is 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale of hardness (with Diamond the hardest at 10). It is a metamorphic rock, created by pressures beneath the Earth. It is composed of silicate minerals.
In the Western hemisphere, pre-Columbian Mayans, Aztecs and Olmecs of Central America considered Jade more valuable than gold. It was use to inscribe hieroglyphs on or shaped into symbolic figurines. It was seen as highly symbolic and used in ceremony. The Maoris people of New Zealand found Jade in certain rivers and carved weapons and cult instruments from the earliest times. This Jade is known as pounamu. It is closely guarded by the Maori to this day and is restricted from sale to anyone outside this nation. A few people have been honored with this beautiful green Jade that comes from their river systems. Egyptians saw Jade as a gemstone representing, love, inner peace, balance and harmony. In many other Asian cultures, Jade was considered a lucky and protective gemstone to be carried upon them or worn.
Jade is a ‘tough’ stone and can be handled roughly and not break. Because of its beautiful colors, luster and worldwide acceptance as an ancient stone of beauty and value, Jade continues, to this day, to be worn by many. There are two different types of Jade. One is nephrite and the other is jadeite. The Spanish called it ‘piedra de ijada’ or loin-stone. Jade was recognized by the Indians of Central America as a kidney stone remedy. And because of this, it was also known as ‘lapis nephriticus,’ because it helped kidney stones pass. And this is where the name nephrite originated.
Both types of Jade consisted of dense, mattered aggregates. And both possess nearly an identical resemblance to one another when it comes to hardness, properties and appearance. Nephrite ranges from mid-to dark green, gray-green, but it can also be white, yellow or red. Jadeite is more rare and sports white, pink, reds, browns, black, lavender and violet colors. Only in the most expensive jade of either type, is the color EVENLY distributed. Jade runs in veins and most of it has blemishes and streaks running through the material. But the patterns are not necessarily considered flaws and may become highly valued as a result.
There are deposits of Nephrite in China, New Zealand, Russian, the Swiss Alps and Guatemala. Dark green jade (referred to as Canadian Jade) is found in Western Canada.
Jadeite is found in China, Guatemala and Russia. The best stones come from Burma (Myanmar). In that country, there is an annual Gems, Jade and Pearl Emporium and blocks of Jade are auctioned off to buyers. In the Jade cutting centers of Canton, Beijing and Hong Kong, Nephrite, when polished, has a resinous luster. Jadeite has a glassy luster of a polished mirror. Jade is sold in all forms ranging from rough to beautiful figures and sculptures and anything in between.
THE ASTROLOGY OF JADE
Ruled by Saturn, it should be no surprise because it’s the planet of longevity. Saturn also rules over kidney stones. Jade’s energy is slow and solid, much like a horse pulling a plow. It’s not a particularly ‘beautiful’ stone, much like Saturn who is always thought of as ugly at worst or plain at best. Saturn isn’t considered attractive. Jade falls into this area because there’s no sparkle to it. When you find it in a river or creek, it looks very plain, if not ugly. And like Saturn, you must crack it open or be patient over a long period of time of polishing it in order to see the inner beauty of the gem or person. Plus, like Saturn, Jade doesn’t give up its cover easily. You have to get to know this gemstone by wearing it on a consistent basis.
Unlike it’s sparkling, scintillating sister gemstones, Jade really is a “plain Jane,” of the gem world. Only in China is it elevated to rock star status. And the Chinese ought to know: they’ve been utilizing Jade since 6000 B.C. (and probably earlier but we can’t archeologically prove it yet). So, these people are “in the know,” about Jade.
There’s no pizzazz or kick or hit from Jade. It’s quiet, low key and nearly indiscernible energy except to people who are super psychic. However, it can whap you alongside the head to get your attention if you’re in trouble (and may not know it). That’s why it’s a Guard Dog stone. Most people who are drawn to Jade are carrying a lot of loads and responsibilities in life. Unconsciously, they’re drawn to Jade because it emits a solid, steady energy beat that is unsurpassed by any other gemstone that I know of. And like Saturn, it isn’t flashy, extrovert or the center of attention. Just the opposite. But if you’re in a fix and weighted down by Life’s demands and you see no end to your problems, then Jade is worth wearing daily. Over time, it integrates with a person’s aura in a unique way. It takes the energy of Jade TIME (this is a Saturn thing, too) to create the connection. It’s not done in a blink of an eye as it is with higher energy transparent or semi-transparent gemstones. Nope. It takes a week or more of wearing it before it hooks into your aura and starts sending you the energy you’re needing.
Jade is a long haul stone for a human being. When Life is sitting on you (such as in a Saturn return or transiting Saturn in hard aspect to a natal planet or position), Jade is there to keep you going. Few people ever feel the energy of this gemstone, but they do make it through the fray and the day and they’re still moving.
One of the powerful effects of Jade is for people who have taken on a chronic dis-ease. Again, worn over time, this gemstone gives the person a little more energy or strength that they wouldn’t ordinarily have. The Chinese were very aware of the ENDURANCE qualities of this stone. If you are enduring some part of your life and you are getting worn down and tired, Jade is for you.
Further, the Chinese knew of its longevity qualities as well. This gemstone was elevated to the status of the Imperial Court in China and only royalty could wear it. Many emperors and empress were draped heavily in all types of Jade jewelry and ornaments. And all of them were very long-lived. And this is typical of Saturn, too, for when it is well aspected in a person’s natal chart, they are blessed with a very long life.
Jade gives a person a type of toughness to “grit” it out–whatever challenges or hurdles they must plow through like a gauntlet. Jade is like Sancho Panza, the squire to Don Quixote, who tilted at windmills. He was the faithful servant who cared for the elderly knight, cared for his skin and bones horse, and never questioned his lord’s visions or ravings. Jade is Sancho Panza, in a gemstone form.
For caregivers, Jade is instrumental in helping them to keep going when they see no end to the crisis/care of their elderly parent who is slowly dying on them. It gives them the fortitude to fight with doctors, nurses and the nursing homes, among other institutions a care giver must battle in the name of their parent. There are often times when the care giver just has no more energy, care of their own, to send out to the ailing parent. Jade creates a bridge of sustenance energy-wise so that the care giver can trudge forward, a step at a time.
If there is a long term project or contract that you must work on, then Jade should be your companion. Anything in life that requires us to put ourselves into a harness and plow the field of our choice (or not), Jade is a wonderful companion.
ASTROLOGY TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS WITH JADE
Transits of Saturn to any natal planet in the person’s chart that causes stress (hard aspects), Jade should be considered.
NORTH DIRECTION
North energy is earth energy. It is ruled by the great white Buffalo. North direction is about plodding forward, step-by-step toward one’s goal. There is practicality, common sense and hard work here. This is also the direction of physical manifestation, the place where dreams do come true–with a lot of consistently hard work, discipline and organization. The earth energy is about being completely grounded and in your body at all times. Gemstones that reflect this energy aren’t flashy, well known or wanted by the vast majority of the population. It’s the shy kid in the back of the classroom. However, for sheer honesty, being responsible, reliable, on time and doing the right thing, nothing beats the North direction energy.
WHO SHOULD WEAR JADE?
Anyone who is in the long haul and being challenged to maintain it. This can be care giving, as an example. But it can be with a rebellious teen, too. Or having marital problems and you’re trying to change and patch things up. Any time you are feeling brutally hit by responsibility, you’re tired edging on exhaustion, Jade is the gem to wear.
SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATIONS
Jade works with our root chakra. This is the chakra that tethers us to the Earth to do our duty down here. Saturn, too, is the Lord of Karma and is also grounding. When there is a strong, unbroken connection with our planet, there is energy GIVEN to us. Mother Earth considers all of us her ‘children’ and she gives us not only physical sustenance, but also energy nurturance as well. Extra energy to help us can come from one of two directions–either from the Cosmos through our crown chakra, or up from the planet we live upon via our root chakra. Either way, the energy is light, healthy, loving and positive. All things we desperately need in our lives. And throughout our life. When things get grim, wearing Jade can send a signal to Mom Earth that we need more energy than normal. And Jade, like the Earth, is slow but sure and something that can be counted on when its darkest before our personal dawn.
Jade is feminine energy. It has been used during childbirth to strengthen a woman’s body during this transformational time in her life. And like any feminine energy, it is soft and seen, but rarely heard from. It is a passive expression much like water that moves around boulders that are in the way. It moves and flows in an ancient cosmic rhythm. And any woman knows how strong we really are. We have an emotional resilience that men cannot match. Jade is like silk; soft, beautiful yet strong.
Jade subtly changes our reality about the responsibilities and loads we must carry. Instead of bucking the traces and being impatient or hating to be tied down, Jade gives us a wider and deeper perspective on these times in our life. It helps us to not only endure, but profit from the lessons we learn by going through the experience.
If you have a chronic dis-ease, wearing Jade can help over the long term. It infuses new energy (albeit small amounts) through the root chakra. There is nothing fast or flashy about Jade, but this daily energy addition is like pennies in the bank. Over time, you can accrue a good amount of energy money. Or, in this case, supportive energy toward wellness of your condition.
HOW TO WEAR JADE
If you work in a stressful and emotional job environment, Jade can protect you from some of the pressure and tenseness that inhabits your life. If there is a grinding quality to every day, then think of Jade. If you’re in a job you hate but you have to stay because it brings in the money you need, wear Jade. If you’re having problems with a child, a spouse, a teen or your parent and there’s the long haul staring you in the face: wear Jade. When you feel you can go no further, you’re exhausted, Jade will pick you up and keep you moving.
IN SUMMATION….
No one thinks a heavy, hardworking plow horse is beautiful, fast or glamorous. Jade is like that in many respects. Although Asia adores Jade, the rest of the world isn’t that enamored with this beautiful, hardy gemstone. After all, it’s nearly opaque. There’s no glitz to it. It’s not transparent so it won’t glitter and flash. Many don’t consider it important at all; sort of a middle class gemstone and that’s pretty much it. And typical of Jade, it doesn’t toot its own horn or brag about its qualities and skills. And isn’t that just like Saturn? This planet just quietly goes about its business but it has a huge impact on our lives. So does Jade in very positive ways.
Like the “plain Jane” at school who no one notices or pays any attention too, Jade is like that.
The different colors of Jade are infused with a second chakra energy that will work in tandem with the primary root chakra energy. Green Jade utilizes Heart chakra. Yellow Jade has Solar Plexus chakra energy. Red and gray Jade are about the Root chakra. Black and orange Jade work with Sacral Chakra that symbolizes the fertile black darkness of a woman’s womb; the center of birthing creativity of all kinds. White Jade connects the Crown chakra with the Root chakra. Any color of lavender to violet Jade works with in the Brow Chakra.
IMAGES:
Necklace photos by Eileen Nauman
Copyright Eileen Nauman 2010
