So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Saturday, August 6, 2011

My Brief Introduction To The History Of Amethsyt

By John S Stewart


Being Februarys' birthstone, it is the Zodiac Gem of Pisces and the preferred gem of St.Valentines. Amethyts Rings, Amethyst Earrings and Amethyst Pendants are also associated with all kinds of 6th anniversary celebrations.

The Amethyst is considered to be the 'Papal Stone', prevent drunkenness, and from Greek mythology - the gemstone of the Gods!

Poem for Amethyst

The February born shall find

Sincerity and peace of mind,

Freedom from passion and from care,

If they, the amethyst will wear.


The colour is as different as it is supposed to be seductive, although it's thought to protect the wearer from seduction. Its all an extravagance in violet hues!

For several thousands of years, the most striking representative of the family of quartz gemstones has been coveted by princes both ecclesiastical and secular. Moses described the symbol of the Spirit of God in the guise of the official high priest of the Jews, and the Russian Empress Catherine the Great sent thousands of miners in the Urals to look for this gemstone. Legend suggests the amethyst offers protection against drunkenness - the Greek words "amethystos" means "not drunk" in its translation. More apt a stone in February, especially if you have a lot of things in line for celebrations, could thus hardly be desired.

Many other miraculous powers have been due to the amethyst in all sorts of cultures throughout history. It has been said that it will protect plants against storms and locusts, bring good luck in war and hunting, to ward off evil spirits and inspire the intellect. A little research reveals the work of Pliny, that this jewel, if worn around the neck of using hair of a dog, it provides some protection against snake bites. It was also reported that eagles placed amethyst in their nest to protect its small as a threat from snakes also.

In addition to these powers, historians say that the amethyst gemstones have sobering effect and cleanses the spirit. Amethyst is also said to suppress the excessive secretion of gastric acid and, according to Hildegard von Bingen, to fight against insect bites and make the skin more beautiful over time. But the amethyst not only had they found a niche in medicine, it was also considered a stone of friendship. And because it was believed that it put the user in great mind and sound piety, it symbolized trust, and so the amethyst came to occupy a very important role for Catholic priests throughout history. It was the gemstone for bishops and cardinals, and was so found in prelates crosses and also the ring called the "Papal Ring" from 15th century Italy in the Jewellery Museum of Pforzheim.

All through history the amethyst has been engraved and cut into various forms of shape, like the bust of Trajan which Napoleon captured. Amethyst quartz, which is striped with light-colored layers, is much liked to work with, but it is always transparent or opaque. People from older civilizations liked to drink wine in bowls made of amethyst, which brings us back to the fact that this stone gave protection from alcoholism. According to the legend from Ancient Greece, Diana turned a nymph who loved Bacchus in to a amethyst stone, which is why the term Bacchus stone is prevalent today. Anyone who wants to protect a drunkard from delirium mixed their tipple with powdered amethyst.Thank you for reading my article - I hope it has been of some interest.

I Thank you for reading this article on Amethyst - I hope it has interested you in some little way.




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