Garnet
Garnet: from Phoenician word “granatus” meaning “seed.” It was thus named because the garnet’s color, shape, and cluster formation is reminiscent of pomegranate seeds. Garnets are also known by the names “carbuncle” (meaning “coal”), “stone of commitment,” “queen of gems,” “desert rubies,” and “anthill garnets,” (due to the tendency for ants to bring up garnets while excavating their hills and leave them lying around the mounds for enterprising humans to come collect).
Garnets can occur in any color except blue and clear. Unlike most gems the garnets color is intrinsic to its mineral composition and not the result of impurities in the stones.
In Greece its similarity to the pomegranate seed led to it being associated with Persephone and Hades. This may have led to the tradition of giving garnets to loved ones who go traveling in order to ensure their return. The Romans noted its red glow and associated it with Mars and passion, thus leading to the belief that garnets can restore sexual potency and assure victory in battle.
In Egypt ingesting powdered garnets was believed to be an antidote for snakebites and food poisoning. Garnets were also left with the dead in tombs to be used as payment to the gods of the netherworld to ensure safe passage through their realm. The Norse also buried their dead with garnets, believing that the glowing red gems would light the way to Valhalla.
Many Native American relics, most notably shields and dream catchers, have been found with garnet decorations. This seemed especially popular among the Mayans and Aztecs.
In Judeo Christian mythology Noah used a garnet to light his way at night so that he could safely steer the ark. A garnet was one of the 13 stones on Aaron’s breast plate representing the tribe of Judea. King Solomon supposedly wore garnets into battle for protection.
In Abyssinia there are stories of the monarch’s palace being lit with garnets.
In Asia the gem is associated with the first chakra. They were also used by the Hanza tribe as Bullets while fighting the British in 1892, due to the belief that the fiery stones would create more deadly wounds.
Throughout Europe in the 13th century garnets were worn to repel insects, evil spirits, and people with evil intent. Travelers took to carrying lions carved of garnet for protection and garnets were a common gift to traveling friends and newly engaged couples. Today it is still sometimes thought to ward off thieves, burglars, and muggers and is the traditional stone for the 2nd and 6th anniversaries.
One myth suggests that garnets, found washed up on the shores of rivers after a storm, were created by the lightening and still held a spark of captured lightning in their depths.
Garnets have also been found in ancient graves in Czechoslovakia, Australia, Sweden, and Sumeria.
Associated Planets: Mars, Mercury, Pluto
Symbolism: friendship, loyalty, devotion, honesty, revealing secrets, trust, health, protection, light/illumination, fire, blood, passion (sexual), courage, victory, kindness, eternity, chivalry.
Reputed Medicinal Properties: a cure for depression when placed under the pillow, combats lethargy, encourages creativity and implementation, improves mental acuity, provides peace and solace to the grieving, staunch bleeding, clean auras, cure arthritis, counteract poison/venom, help one’s pancreas, heart, liver, testicles, complexion, varicose veins, any blood related ailment, circulation, headaches, nightmares, fevers, jaundice, and even broken bonds between lovers.
It’s also suppose to give you +3 to charisma.
Then again, “carbuncle” can also refer to an abscess!