Rocks and Gemstones: Aquamarine

Copyright 2010 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved

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 Aquamarine. It is a “Stress” stone and a “Psychic’s” stone.

STRESS STONE

There are some gemstones that can work with us to ABSORB, TRANSMUTE or REFLECT what is going on in our environment that we recognize as ‘stress.’ Stress is determined by the individual. What is stressful for one may not be seen as stress by another person. These gemstones work to STOP the stress from reaching us. They might be small, but they are mighty. And while it would be prudent to remove yourself from the stressful situation, if you have to remain in it, wearing such a gemstone can be helpful. Aquamarine absorbs the energy. Over time, as it accumulates more and more, it will change color and become muted or dull looking. If this happens, put it in a salt water bath.

PSYCHIC’S STONE

Aquamarine has a long and honored mystical and ancient past. A Psychic Stone is one that helps you to listen to your intuition or hunches. In some cases, it can make a person clairvoyant, but the other indicators have to be there first. This is a stone that helps people who are usually not listening to their own inner ‘voice,’ get in touch with it via the stone’s help and support. It is also good to wear it while meditating, because it will deepen it.

THE HISTORY OF AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine is from the Beryl family. Green Beryl is called Aquamarine. Other Beryl’s are Emerald, pink Morganite and golden Heliodor. Pure Beryl is clear and translucent. The chemical composition of Aquamarine is Be3A12(Si6O18). Hexagonal, it comes from the cyclosilicates. Some Aquamarines have chatoyancy (cat’s-eye and stars within the crystal). Its color ranges from a very light blue to blue-green, sea-green to a beautiful sky blue color. It has a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, on the scale and is pretty tough, but it’s also fragile. Aquamarine cracks easily if hit the wrong way. They don’t do well in temperature extremes, either. The should never we cleaned in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Instead, some tepid water and soap will clean it.

Found in granite pegmatites, there are pockets or ‘vugs’ in the pegmatite that house these beautiful crystals along with Tourmaline, Quartz and Feldspars.

Historically, the word aquamarine is from the Latin words “aqua” and “mare”, meaning water and sea or “sea water.” Greeks wrote about the gemstone around 480 to 300 BC. Sailors would have Poseidon’s chariot (he was the Greek god that ruled the oceans) carved upon the gem and then worn. This was protection for the sailor as well as his ship to reach safe harbor.

The ancient Roman philosopher Pliny paid tribute to this gem of vitality, stating, “the lovely aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied.”

The first recorded use of Aquamarine as a color name in English was in 1598. Anselmus de Boodt wrote about Aquamarine in a published work in 1609. During the 19th century the sea green variety was held in high esteem. Today, the “Santa Maria” blue from Brazil, is considered the ‘in’ color for people of the twenty-first century. One Aquamarine was discovered in 1910 and weighed 243 pounds. It was cut into smaller stones but it was said the crystal was so clear you could read newsprint through it! This one crystal yielded over 200,000 carats of Aquamarine.

The Romans believed if one carved a frog out of an Aquamarine crystal, that it would help enemies reconcile and become friends. Another Roman legend said that Aquamarine absorbed the energies of young loved. Then, that crystal was worn by someone else and they derived the beneficial energy from it. The gemstone was considered an appropriate morning gift after the bride and groom had consummated their marriage from the night before. The Greeks and the Romans knew that the Aquamarine was the sailor’s gem, ensuring the safe and prosperous passage across stormy seas. During the Middle Ages, Aquamarine was thought to renew or awaken love in married couples. Soldiers liked it because they wore the gem into battle believing it made them invincible.

The light blue beads are Aquamarine, bestowing the calming and soothing energy it is so well known for. The dark blue larger beads are blue Aventurine. This stone always gives something of values and in this case, helps to detach from the swirling emotional cage we sometimes find ourselves in and aids us in making a better choice instead of falling prey to our feelings. The pendant is sterling silver and Larimar, called the “Atlantis stone” or “the stone that came from the sea.” It is found only in the Dominican Republic. This is a rare Pectolite and is the only one that is blue. Larimar is a powerful Throat chakra stone (a blog will be devoted to it shortly) that works in tandem with Aquamarine to access our higher chakras and functions. By doing this, it raises us and helps us to be a better human being that is run by our heart and compassion instead of the lower three chakras.

The oracle and fortune telling qualities of Aquamarine are unique and broad. In the Middle Ages it was said that a crystal ball cut from this gemstone was superior to any other gem sphere (quartz crystal was the usual suspect). Aquamarine preceded the Ouija board! A diviner would write the alphabet inside a glass bowl just below the inner rim. It was then filled with clean water to just below the letters. An Aquamarine was strung from a thread and lightly touched the water’s surface. The querent would then ask a question and the Aquamarine would spell out the answer.

Scrying (using the smooth surface of water to “see” into the future) was popular back then. A bowl was filled with clean water and the Aquamarine crystal was dropped onto the surface. The diviner then read the disturbance and received a message of what it was saying. Others utilized Aquamarine to find lost, stolen or misplaced items.

Battlefields were common all across Europe. Soldiers wore the gem believing it would bring them victory. Those who practiced law wore it to win cases. Anyone yawning or belching could wear this gem and be relieved of these symptoms. Aquamarine was found to have a focus on the jaw, throat, stomach, liver and cured toothaches. Ceremonially, the gem was utilized to bring rain to a drought stricken area. By opposite energy, they would pray to the gem to bring drought to an enemy’s land!

Aquamarine generally occurs in pale colors, but can also occur in a very deep blue color. Much of the gem comes from Brazil. In one Brazilian mine, the Santa Maria de Itabira, the color was incredibly sky blue and that term has stuck to modern times. A “Santa Maria” Aquamarine means it is the highly valued clear, translucent sky blue. And you will play a lot for it, too. If the Aquamarine is from Africa and has the same color, it is referred to as “Santa Maria Africana.”

This gem occurs in large, clear/clean six-sided crystals. They can be very small crystals or huge. A pale blue Aquamarine is not nearly as expensive as a deep blue one. Color, clarity and no inclusions with the gem make it highly valued and sought after. The vivid blue color is becoming increasingly scarce and therefore, far more expensive. Unlike it’s cousin, Emerald, which is filled with a green ‘garden’ of inclusions throughout it, Aquamarine can be absolutely clear and unblemished, possessing no inclusions.

THE ASTROLOGY OF AQUAMARINE

The Moon rules this gemstone. When you consider it is called ‘sea water’ we have a common-sensed clue. The Moon rules the tides of Mother Ocean. The logic of ‘sea water’ gemstone being tied to the tides of the ocean seems highly compatible. Plus, the Moon rules our emotions and Aquamarine is one gemstone that can certainly soothe and smooth out our rocky emotional nature, especially when we’re hooked into a drama (whether it’s ours or not).

ASTROLOGY TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS WITH AQUAMARINE

Any transit to our natal Moon in our chart that is a hard aspect, can cause ripples upon the surface of our emotional structure. Transits or progressions of Mars are particularly rough on our feelings and this is where Aquamarine can pitch in and calm the savage beast in all of us. This gem is best where our emotions are riled, no matter what the planet that is involved in hard aspect with our vulnerable and sensitive Moon.

WEST DIRECTION

Aquamarine is a gemstone of the human emotional anatomy. The West direction is the element water, dying and transforming. This is also the position of the Wounded Healer archetype; wounding and then working through the emotional trauma to come out the other side of the gauntlet to turn around and show others how to heal from similar trauma. It is about our EMOTIONS. And it is our emotions where we so often get stuck and refuse to change when we really ought to be. The West is about surrendering over to a higher power, letting go, releasing and having faith in the unknown that you will survive this and get through it. This is the position of “grace” to accept one’s Fate and yet, try to improve upon one’s attitude toward it in a positive and graceful way.

It is our emotions that get us into trouble. We are incarnated into a human form with a certain set of emotions that are shaped by our first eighteen years of life. Those who come from a dysfunctional family background or a war torn country while growing up, have taken on some very deep and serious wounding. Only by getting in touch with these wounds can we open them up and allow the toxicity to drain out of them so we can finally heal up. This direction helps us to focus on just this. It’s a direction of a great deal of emotional pain as we work through that wounding a second time around, but the good news is, this time it will discharge. And then, true healing can begin and you can move on to a higher evolution spiritually. Plus, your compassion and understanding by taking on this wound is profoundly increased. There is a silver lining to this, after all.

HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF AQUAMARINE

Stress, stress, stress. Who isn’t under the gun right now? We’re in a very rough patch in our world right now and I can’t think of a better gemstone to be on the firing line. Aquamarine always calms. Think of the mirrored surface of the ocean when it is at peace. That is what this gemstone does for us: it ratchets DOWN our roller coaster emotions and helps to bring back some stability to them.

WHO SHOULD WEAR AQUAMARINE?

Anyone who is under stress.

SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATIONS

There is such a sense of peace when Aquamarine is worn; this is truly an unsung gemstone that can help so many. The spirit of this gemstone is about calm when the storms of Life are embracing us. It is a stone that speaks to the Astral field of our aura, our emotional body. The clarity of Aquamarine translates to the wearer as well. It gives us a ‘whole brain’ look at the situation instead of being mired in the whirlpool of just our emotions. Aquamarine works with primarily the right hemisphere, although it has capacity to SHIFT us from right to left hemisphere (our logic center that detaches us from our emotions).

In doing so, the “fog of emotions” that has held us hostage is changed and we utilize the left hemisphere which gives us MENTAL clarity on the highly volatile and emotional pickle we find ourselves in. This isn’t a bad thing at all. Too often we get mired down and like a horse with emotional blinders on, we actually see very little of the whole picture, the focus only on the drama staring us down. With Aquamarine’s help, we can get out of the microcosm of the emotions, raise above it and take in the macrocosm instead. When we see the larger picture, we tend to NOT go back into our emotions, but rather, change them instead.

Like a telescope, Aquamarine moves us from ground zero of our feelings to above the emotional battle we are trapped within. This is an especially wonderful skill to employ as we move from the old world template to the new one that is currently coming in to replace it. We do this at critical junctures in our life, especially with the Saturn return at 28-30, 58-60 and 88-90 years old. Or, with each Jupiter return, every twelve years of our life, there’s always the opportunity to grow in a highly successful way. Uranus takes eighty-four years, but when you quarter them, then age 21, 42, 63 and 84 take on greater shifts and changes. Aquamarine can help all of us see the ‘bigger picture’ instead of being trapped in a storm where we are focused only on it and its consequences to us.

Aquamarine rules the Throat Chakra. It too, is a blue color. When we wear it, we can speak our Truth without fear of confrontation or threat. The gemstone simply moves us to the logical and coolness of our left brain so we aren’t ‘colored’ by our vast emotional array. For those who are into any of the Arts, Aquamarine helps us to express ourselves creatively in all ways. This is a wonderful stone for any teacher, lecturer or workshop leader. It helps in word expression and conveyance.

Although Aquamarine is feminine energy, it’s like Homeopathy: “Like cures like.” This particular gemstone can address the right hemisphere like an antidote and soothe the emotions of that center. The feminine aspects of this gemstone can be immediately felt and the way it works is gently. You can hold it and feel this quietly moving energy.

Those who are developing their Sixth Sense skills will find wearing Aquamarine an amazing support and helper. Because of its clarity, the gemstone triggers our Throat chakra, which is the doorway to our paranormal skills. Claire audience (hearing) is triggered, but so is the Brow chakra (clairvoyance). Being able to perceive auras is something Aquamarine can help us do, too. Many who are in the paranormal business will find this gemstone sharpens their clarity, their knowing and will help to dial in perceptions so they are easier to pick up on.

Any time our natal Moon is unstrung emotionally due to hard aspects (conjunction, square, inconjunct and opposition), by ANY planet, this is the time to use your good friend, Aquamarine. It’s better to traverse stormy seas with it supporting your calm and macrocosmic perspective than the other way around. Spiritually, if you meditate then Aquamarine can calm your busy, super active beehive of a brain, too. You can get that blank slate faster and you can also go deeper into your meditation.

Children who are ADHD or ADD, do well wearing Aquamarine as a bracelet. I’m talking of a child who is 10 to 12 years old. Bracelets are “in” right now and wearing it on the LEFT wrist would infuse the child’s aura with this soothing, calming energy.

I have placed an Aquamarine crystal in a small leather pouch and tied it to the bridle of a fractious horse. The animal settles down and listens much better to the rider. It also isn’t as jumpy and nervous as before, either. You can also do this with a dog that is hyper. Simply purchase a small rough or tumbled Aquamarine, a leather pouch and tie it on the dog’s collar.

HOW TO WEAR AQUAMARINE

If you work in a stressful and emotional job environment, Aquamarine can protect you from some of the pressure and tenseness that inhabits your office. If there is a grinding quality to every day, then think of Aquamarine. If you’re in a job you hate but you have to stay because it brings in the money you need, wear Aquamarine. 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 Aquamarine. When you feel you can go no further, you’re emotionally exhausted, Aquamarine will pick you up and keep you moving.

IN SUMMATION….

Although Asia adores Aquamarine, the rest of the world isn’t that enamored with this beautiful, hardy gemstone nowadays. It had its heyday in the 19th century and has since then, fallen out of favor. That’s ashamed because Aquamarine is one of the best natural tranquilizers around–and there’s no adverse side effects to it, nor will it kill you like traditional drugs can. All it does is quietly, gently, move into your aura and begin to pour cooling, soothing feminine energy into the boiling emotional cauldron of a situation. In this case, ‘like cures like.’ It is taking a feminine energy gemstone and placing it in the whirlpool of our emotional array to ratchet down the intensity and give you some peace and calmness.

In the earlier centuries, Aquamarine was doted upon for its paranormal skills. And this too, has been swept aside as well. If you are doing a lot of clairvoyant work, whether as a body worker, an energy catalyst or doing forecasting of some sort (whether astrology, tarot, numerology or the many other careers that embrace the paranormal) Aquamarine can give you continued clarity. I know after doing two or three medical astrology readings a day, my mind gets muddled and my usually sharp radar antenna that brings me information for the client, gets murky. By wearing my Aquamarine necklace, I remain on target and on the psychic beam. I don’t go ‘down’ or get less information as before. This is an especially important facet of our paranormal business. We want to give the client as much info as we can conduit from the Cosmos. Aquamarine helps us do this.

For those who love meditation, Aquamarine can soothe and quiet the mind much sooner. This is especially good in these super stressful times that are only going to continue to become more intense through 2012. Aquamarine has a special affinity for ADD and ADHD children/adults. Simply wearing a bracelet or necklace (depending upon the age of the child), can work minor miracles if worn daily.

Pets who are hyper by breeding or nature, can wear a small Aquamarine on their collar (I wouldn’t try this on a cat). I once had a very spoiled Arabian mare I’d purchased. Working around her at first, was dangerous. After we got that sorted out, she was constantly hyper. I created a small leather pouch, put an Aquamarine crystal in it (left side of horse’s bridle because it is our left side that pulls energy INTO our aura…) and tied it permanently on her bridle. I could then put on the bridle, saddle her up and ride her without her dancing all over the place. She was a very ‘scattered’ horse and the Aquamarine helped her focus on what was going on.

I also used this on another super skittish horse and the gemstone solved his problem of ‘brush-popping’ all the time. He was literally afraid of everything; even his shadow. Putting the Aquamarine on the left side of his bridle (and also a permanent one on the left side of his halter which he wore all the time), solved this problem over a three month time frame.

Aquamarine is unsung, no longer popular, but I hope this blog will bring it back into vogue. Frankly, EVERYONE needs an Aquamarine necklace right now. Or, a bracelet. The stress in our world is now powering up to a much higher threshold frequency by the end of 2012. Everyone’s aura is undergoing brutal, intense changes as this frequency continues to amp up until 2013 comes in. Let’s be prepared. Let’s let this magnificent blue gemstone help us get there instead of being frazzled and stressed out.

IMAGES:

http://www.list-of-birthstones.com/Pictures%20of%20Birthstones/Aquamarine%20birthstones.jpg

aquamarine facet and rough
http://www.indianetzone.com/photos_gallery/4/Aquamarine_13219.jpg

aquamarine rough deep blue
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/1014/50243907.JPG

oval faceted aquamarine gemstone
http://www.beadaholique.com/skins/Skin_1/beading_academy/definition/images/Aquamarine.jpg

Aquamarine rough
http://snr.unl.edu/data/images/geologysoils/birthstones/aquamarines/aquamarine4.jpg

Aquamarine crystal rough