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jasper various colors and types

Gemstones and Healing: Jasper

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 Jasper. It is a “Guard Dog” stone and a “Strength” stone.

jasper necklace
Here is one of the Jasper necklaces I created. I call it the “Calming necklace,” because it contains Mookite jasper (round), purple Lepidolite beads that contain natural lithium (a known soother to anyone in a fractious or stressful state) and painted jasper in the oblong cones of the necklace. Mookite comes from Utah and is bright and colorful; usually in deep burgundy, sand yellow, crimson and other delightful hues. This necklace is to not only be a Guard Dog and Strength necklace because the Jasper will ABSORB positive ions and people’s angry or irritable energy around you, but the Lepidolite adds a soothing and calming element as well.

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.

Some stones can do one or two levels of protection, but rarely are able to handle situations on all four levels that may arise. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual are the four levels. For example, obsidian material (obsidian, mahogany obsidian, snowflake obsidian and apache tears) REFLECT back energy that is coming your way. Obsidian is glass and all glass reflects. Agate, Jasper, JASPER, Turquoise, Malachite will ABSORB the hit coming your way, which is why it will change color (grows pale) over time if you are being attacked on any level. Or it will crack and break, indicating an attack. Topaz guards on the mental level only. Amber and Amethyst guards only on the physical level. There’s only one that can deal with any type of heavy energy on all four levels and that is Black Tourmaline.

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.

ceremonial necklace
This is a serious ceremonial necklace I created out of green jasper beads and pendant, mahogany obsidian (small brown/black beads) and medium sized black tourmaline beads. This can be used by anyone who is in a very serious pressured or threatening situation. It’s more weighty due to the large green jasper pendant. If you work in a seriously stressed environment, then this is the necklace for you. The Jasper absorbs the hits. The mahogany and black Tourmaline beads REFLECT, and so this necklace has two ways of coping with incoming unhealthy energy.

THE HISTORY OF JASPER

There are many names for many types of Jasper. Mostly because of the color or the patterns found within it. Some not shown here are colonial jasper, rainbow brecciated jasper, dalmatian jasper, green line jasper, fancy jasper, kambaba jasper, ocean jasper and mustang jasper and that’s still not all of them. You can see that there’s a LOT of Jasper in the Earth’s crust! 

In my Agate blog of 3.13.2010, I mentioned that Agate and Jasper are cousins from the same parent, Quartz. There are two groups and it is based upon the size of the grains or crystals that are contained within a given stone. Macro crystalline quartz means you can see the individual crystals within it with you eye. That would include well know quartz such as Amethyst, Citrine, Quartz Crystal, Ametrine, etc. Jasper (and Agate) are from the crypto crystalline variety which means the individual crystals it contains within it cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are part of the Chalcedony group as a result of this. Chalcedony stones mean they area fibrous crypto crystalline banded variety of quartz. Let’s look at Jasper, a close “cousin” to Agate.

Most people have a tough time telling Agate apart from Jasper. When there are distinct ‘band lines’ it is Agate. If there are ‘mottled’ or ‘pattern’ colors then it is called Jasper. Like Agate, Jasper is a member of the Chalcedony family, a variety of Quartz, SiO2.

Jasper has so many colors and patterns that I feel it’s one of the most beautiful varieties of rock we have. And, it’s plentiful. And, there are banded Jaspers, too which are sometimes called Agate, but they are not. The patterns you see in Jasper are due to mineral impurities and sediments (and including volcanic ash). Erosion also helps create Jasper in its many patterns. On the Mohs scale, Jasper is a 7. It has no cleavage and is a mineral. It can be translucent to opaque. It is usually dull vitreous or greasy looking.

Jasper, because it is from the quartz family, is one of the most abundant minerals on earth. Quartz crystal, itself, makes up twelve percent of the Earth’s crust. Jasper can appear in igneous (volcanic eruptions/fire), metamorphous (pressure) or sedimentary (ocean) rocks. Because Jasper is from the cryptocrystalline (Chalcedony) variety of the quartz family, it is a granular type. Chert, Flint and Jasper all share these traits.

agate and jasper side by side
Here is Agate, which is banded, on the left and Jasper, which is not banded, on the right. This is quick way to tell them apart.

 

Autumn jasper beads
I love the color palette of Jasper! Here’s gorgeous autumn jasper beads.

Jasper is a common, opaque, semiprecious stone that is found in many colors, including white, brown, yellow, red, and green. Jasper is found all over the world; it is often striped, speckled, and multicolored. Jasper has been used for intaglio carvings. Jasper is a type of quartz belonging to the chalcedony family. It is often sealed with petroleum products. Jasper is sometimes dyed to resemble lapis lazuli and misleadingly called “Swiss lapis.” Jasper has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.0. Some of the other names for Jasper are: Jasperine, an unusual type that refers to a banded Jasper. There is Jasperized wood (xyloid jasper) and is petrified wood that has been fossilized.

Jasper is a variety of Chert, a general term applied to this type of quartz. Geologists think that it forms by rocks being infiltrated with silica rich solutions. And Jasper forms in marine ocean depths as well. One can find Jasper inter bedded with Hematite ore deposits from the Precambrian age. It occurs as a petrifying agent in fossil wood and bone. Usually, Jasper has a reddish-brown color due to hematite or goethite impurities intermixed with it.

THE HISTORY OF JASPER

Jasper has been used as gemstones and other ornamental objects for thousands of years. The Greeks, Assyrians and Hebrews all wrote about it in their text. In the primitive times, stone tools (aces) were fashioned by our ancestors over 2.5 million years ago in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia. They found a number of tools made up of Jasper and Chert. They were used precisely because they were tough and wouldn’t break or chip. A “7” hardness can take a lot of beating and use before it will fail the user. At the same time, Jasper is brittle. And it was that inherit brittleness that allowed Man to shape these tools for use.

Leopardskin jasper
This is Leopard skin jasper. And even though the ‘spotting’ is always there look at the multitudes of colors it comes in!
poppy jasper
Here is delightful Poppy Jasper. The better quality has red or red-orange in the stone with spots.

The Egyptians loved red Jasper. During Medieval times, Jasper was said to give God’s help to the wearer. It also was known to heal instantly and those possessed by ‘devils’ of their day. In the 4th Century, green Jasper was said to bring rain and cure snake bites. Amulets were engraved with passage from the Book of the Dead by the Egyptians. Jasper procured safe passage for the dead.

Some of the other attributes of Jasper are they it not only provides protection, but also a calming effect. It can give emotional, mental, physical and spiritual stability to an individual. In olden times, Jasper was said to tread kidney disorders, help remove toxins from our body and aid digestion. It was known to strengthen our bladder as well as our hard working liver. It also was said to provide relief from intestinal ailments, as well.

From a metaphysical standpoint, Jasper is a Root Chakra stone. The colors may also correspond to individual chakras as well (Root is Red, Sacral is orange, Solar plexus is yellow, Heart is green, Throat is blue, Pineal gland/third eye is purple and Crown is white or gold). Jasper can connect on a secondary basis due to its specific color with that specific chakra(s). At the bottom line, it is a Root chakra stone and is well known for its grounding effect. It has the ability to help pull the astral body back into the person’s physical body. This is known as ‘grounding.’ When a person is not fully grounded, they can’t function at a hundred percent and their lives may at times, appear rudderless instead of focused on a hope or dream that they want to fulfill. Being grounded has everything to do with manifesting what a person wants in their lifetime, so it’s a very important consideration.

brecciated jasper
This is gorgeous brecciated Jasper.

For Native Americans, many use agate and jasper necklaces during ceremony for protection. Indeed, Jasper has the affinity to ABSORB heavy energy that may be around at that time, thereby protecting the wearer from it. Stress in a job can really take a person down and Jasper can be worn to do the same thing: absorb the heavy energy that is filled with positive ions that make us feel sluggish, dull and our memory isn’t as sharp as it could be. If you’re in a stress filled job Jasper is a necklace for you. Or, if you have attend a stress filled meeting, or confront a person or authority, Jasper is like a shield of protection for you.

There is an affinity of asking for rain to come to an area and utilizing Jasper to ‘call it.’ Native Americans also utilize this stone to connect with Father Sky and to invite the Thunder Beings (thunder storm spirits) to come and give them life-giving rain in their vicinity. And perhaps on another playing field, Jasper has the ability to draw OUT emotions that have either been repressed or suppressed to the wearer. Someone who is “cut off from the neck down” and not in touch with his/her emotions could change this by wearing Jasper daily. It helps to reconnect the energy of the hear with one’s head, once again. And this is a good thing because we need the balance between our head and heart to grow spiritually and become a more compassionate human being.

Jasper has been seen to give a person more energy and stamina. If you are lacking in endurance (whether mental or physically), then consider wearing a Jasper necklace and see what happens.

THE ASTROLOGY OF JASPER

This is a Saturn ruled gemstone. Although not unattractive, the reason it was chosen was because of the ‘work horse’ ethic of Jasper. This is a quiet stone, humble in origin and not spectacular like diamonds or other transparent gems such as sapphires, emeralds or rubies. Jasper can be quite plain looking but also has beauty within it, too. It’s usually not loud or flashy, although Poppy Jasper can be quite eye-popping. Egyptians used red jasper as one of the transit payments to the gods and goddesses of the Dead. It has an amazing endurance that is like Saturn. Further, it is grounding, just like Saturn. It’s a gemstone that keeps on giving in the best of ways.

spotted jasper
This is spotted Jasper.

ASTROLOGY TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS WITH JASPER

Transits of Saturn to any natal planet in the person’s chart that causes stress (hard aspects), Jasper should be considered.

NORTH DIRECTION

North energy is Earth element 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 JASPER?

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, Jasper is the gem to wear.

SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATIONS

Jasper 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 Jasper can send a signal to Mom Earth that we need more energy than normal. And Jasper, like the Earth, is slow but sure and something that can be counted on when its darkest before our personal dawn.

HOW TO WEAR JASPER

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, Jasper is the gem to wear.

IN SUMMATION….

Jasper is the younger brother of Agate. While Agate is very flashy and has bands or strata in it, quiet little self-conscious Jasper does not. This is the ‘plain Jane’ sibling to Agate. Of course, their jobs are very different. Because Agate has BANDS this means it helps with boundaries and gives support to keep them strong and binding. Jasper rarely has bands or strata. Instead it may be composed of one color, like red Jasper, or it can be interesting like Picasso Jasper or poppy Jasper.

Jasper works quietly, efficiently and few people consider a necklace made of this gemstone. It has nothing eye catching about it, usually. Still, it’s quiet, internal strength is something that many, many people on this planet need now more than ever. With the Grand Square setting up in late July, 2010, Jasper is the ‘go to’ gemstone. It is an anchor of reality. It keeps people in their body so they can function at maximum in this third dimensional world of ours. Like an unsung hero, Jasper does a thorough job with its patient, endurance energy. It isn’t a fancy race car; rather a beat up, ugly looking pick-up truck. That doesn’t mean it can’t do the job, because it can. And do it well.

The patience imbued in Jasper is a life saver for people who are pushed to the edge. It also calms the brain, stops the frantic activity and bestows a quieting energy instead. All things that we need in our world as we go into the gauntlet between June 20 to the second week of August. These are times of great trial and I can think of no better gemstone friend to hang around with than Jasper to tread those times successfully.

Since Saturn is going into Libra fairly soon, Libra people might think about purchasing a nice Jasper necklace. It will help see you through the rough times. One of the many things I love about Jasper is the dim sum plate of stones that it has. If you don’t like one color, Jasper has another. And some types of Jasper look like modern day art; they are so beautiful in their own unique designs. There’s always a Jasper for everyone’s taste. The good news is Jasper is not expensive and it’s widely available. Jasper is “every person’s” gemstone.

IMAGES:
Necklace photos by Eileen Nauman

 

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