Crystals and Gem Stones Therapy

Crystal, gems & mineral are solidified reflections of those properties, which are already with in us. In Gem therapy they are seen as aspect of ourselves; as tools, as guides, as gifts from nature, to be enjoyed. Gems and precious metals are used to balance planetary influences and to act directly on life force. Having the capacity to both attract and dispel positive or negative energies, their healing properties are applied by wearing them in jewellery or having them in some way close to the body; placing them in water overnight and drinking the water the next day; drinking water from vessels made of specific metals such as gold, silver, or copper, or talking gem tinctures in water.If gems are to be used for healing, immersing in salt water for at least two days should purify them.

Sacred water is also sometimes used, such as water from the Ganga. Chanting sacred syllables and mantras over them can also enhance their power. Gems are most effective when they more than two carats and are worn in contact with the skin. If a precious stone of two carats or more is not available, it is better use a semi-precious stone that is larger. To allow the direct contact with the skin all rings and pendants should have an open backed setting and the preferred metal is gold.

Individual stones are said to have properties that influence the "doshas"in individuals and increase the well being of the wearer. Some of the stone include the Topaz, which is said to decrease Vata and helps to relieve fear. Precious stone like Diamond, Sapphires Rubies and semi precious stone like Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Beryl and Moonstone-have their own attributes and are recommended to correct various imbalances in the body

To open our conscious to gems, we must learn the right way to wear jewellery on our fingers, hands, on other parts of our body in order to direct the energy flow between the crystal and the human in the best possible manner.

First, we must realize that our bodies have a receiver side and a transmitter side. The left side is the receiving side, of influences from the environment, including radiation from crystals. The right side is the transmitter side (or activator); the side that emits radiation. This is the side that is active and influences the environment. If some wants to radiate particular properties more strongly.

The use of hand plays an extremely important in the human life; since the hand is the basic organ people us in their interaction of the energy. According to this approach, the fingers are channel for the use of the energy. Each finger receives and transits mainly a specific property (which is enhanced and intensified by the gems).

The index finger next to the thumb receives messages from the environment and influences the individual's charisma, goal aspirations and desires.

The middle finger receives and transit in the field of intuitions or, more broadly, enlightens and training. This finger has considerable ability to receive and transmit feelings.

The ring or fourth finger (next to the small finger) relates to the sphere of creativity. it receives creative impulses and properties and transmits them outward. The entire field of love and romance is included in this finger.

The small finger is the finger of change and new paths. On the left hand, the energy will enhance the individual's ability to cope with new challenges. On the right hand, it will help the wearer to motivate other people and energies in order to achieve the desired change.

The following list details the gems most commonly used as rings according to the fingers:

Gems	Index Finger - messages
Lapis Lazuli	Knowledge, intellect, logic & memory.
Garnet	Self-confidence and humanity.
Moon stone	Self love
Mother of Pearl	Love of others
Turquoise	Relaxation and calming
Gems	Middle finger - intuition
Amethyst	Creativity or inspiration capacity
Sapphire	To focus on noble goals
Ruby	To radiate "inner beauty", to expose the pure and conscious soul
Gems	Ring finger - creativity
Diamond	To strengthen tie of love
Emerald	To promote innovations and new ideas.
Tiger eye	To direct creativity to realization
Cats eye	To complement creativity with actual creation
Moon stone	To share love
Turquoise	To blend intuition and practicality
Opal	To engender humane action
Gem	Small finger - change
Pearl	To get organizational and orderly capacities
Turquoise	To calm tension and nerves

Wearing gemstones according to one's birth chart is a fundamental premise of Hindu astrology and in India almost everyone wears at least one or two gems on their hand or around their neck or wrist. Astrologers differ somewhat in their methods of prescribing gemstones but there are certain clearly agreed upon principles. Every person should wear the gemstone corresponding to his or her birth planet (the planet that rules the ascendant or first house) as well as wearing the gemstone corresponding to the current planetary dasa. Please remember, however, that a gemstone worn for a particular dasa should be removed after the dasa ends, unless the stone also happens to be appropriate to wear throughout one's entire life (beginners should consult an expert).

The planet that corresponds to the lagna, the ascendant or first house that is, considered one's birth planet. The stone corresponding to that planet is the "birth stone". The birthstone, as already mentioned, should be worn until one's death. As indicated above, the gemstone for Mercury is emerald. Therefore, a person with a Virgo or Gemini ascendant should wear an emerald because Mercury rules Virgo and Gemini.

A person with a Sagittarius Ascendant must wear yellow sapphire because that is the stone of Jupiter, which rules Sagittarius. (Warning - these recommendations are ONLY TO BE PRESCRIBED FOR ONE'S HINDU BIRTH CHART CALCULATED BY THE SIDEREAL ZODIAC.

Wearing improper astrological gemstones is harmful.). By wearing the gemstone that corresponds to the first house, the most important house of a horoscope, the person strengthens his or her image, confidence, well-being, self-esteem, and the ability to gain recognition. The birthstone is generally the most important stone to wear. The effects of gemstones are subtle, but they are profound enough for most individuals to notice a positive difference. On the other hand, wearing an inappropriate stone can produce harmful effects.

Gemstones should be very high quality and they must be natural. This means gems should not be heated, dyed, and chemically altered. Also, the stones should touch the skin, if at all possible. It is unimportant where the stones are worn, as long as they feel comfortable. Most importantly, gems should be large, two carats or more if possible, and devoid of flaws and imperfections. If this is not possible, one should consider purchasing a slightly smaller gem or a "secondary" stone - a stone that is similar in colour and chemical properties to the traditional gem. Because secondary stones are weaker in their effects, however, their size should be increased. Also, wearing several tiny chips" that add up to two or three carats is entirely ineffective. The gem must be large and pure to give noticeable benefits. Interestingly, the way many Indians choose gems is by picking one they like and taping it to their body for a few hours or a day. They then pay close attention to their moods and the positive or negative news that comes their way while wearing the stone.

Sun: Ruby, used by royalty to focus and sustain their ability to command and rule. It sustains our vitality and will. Traits that it enhances are leadership, independence, purity. Weakness or afflictions are sometimes demonstrated by a sense of helplessness, but very often it shows up as an unreasonableness, egotism or self-absorption, which is a sign of a weak sense of self. A weak planetary ruler of the ascendant (see Rahu, below) can also cause these symptoms, and a weak Mars can cause similar problems as well, which is why they must also be looked at astrologically. The ruby, unless in a balanced multi-gem bangle, should be used with care by Pisces, Gemini and Libra Ascendants, and with companion gems, for every ascendant. Ruby is generally good for Leo, Aries and Sagittarius Ascendants.

Moon: Pearl increases emotional stability, mental strength, friendliness and contentment. Weakness or afflictions are shown by anxiety, mental and emotional swings, worry, isolation or the inability to cope with relationships and people. An afflicted Mercury or Rahu can also cause some similar difficulties. Unless well balanced with other gems, consideration should be taken if the person is overweight, has high phlegm, congestion (Kapha) or for Taurus, Aquarius and Sagittarius Ascendants. Pearls are especially helpful for Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio Ascendants.

Mars: Red Coral helps stimulate courage, energy, insight and ability to win over opponents. Weakness is shown by lack of motivation, laziness, fear, passiveness, or inability to control their passions and/or temper. Care should be taken in the size of red coral used, if high sexuality, or fever (Pitta) is present. Gemini and Virgo Ascendants should be careful wearing red coral except with counterbalancing gems. Red coral is especially good for Aries, Scorpio, Cancer and Leo Ascendants.

Mercury: Emerald gives mental alertness, memory, communication skills, discriminative intellect and mental control. When Mercury is weak or afflicted, a mental dullness, immaturity or poor memory retention may be evident. The logical part of the mind is not functioning in a normal way, which may cause daydreaming, anxiety, fantasies or an irrational outlook on the world. As mentioned, the Moon or Rahu can cause somewhat similar complaints, but Mercury is specifically the planet of intellect and communication. Emerald is generally pretty safe, unless the person is already overly mental. Aries and Scorpio Ascendants may find that it boosts their impulsiveness or egoism. It is especially favourable for Gemini, Virgo, Taurus and Libra Ascendants.

Jupiter: Yellow Sapphire enhances the qualities of Jupiter, such as wisdom, judgment, expansiveness, compassion, joyfulness, enthusiasm and faith. When Jupiter is weak, we feel contracted, without purpose in life, moody, pessimistic or having self-pity. There may be financial problems, as generally this planet more than any other, has to do with prosperity. Too strong a Saturn can cause similar complaints. Jupiter is the best benefic and so is safe to strengthen, although it can be a source of some difficulties for Taurus and Libra Ascendants. It is particularly beneficial for Sagittarius, Pisces, Aries and Scorpio Ascendants.

Venus: Diamond helps increase attractiveness, artistic quality, grace, and charm. When Venus is afflicted we may feel trapped in a sensuous life style, sexually obsessive, or a creature of comfort. When weak, one may be coarse, crude, or aggressive. There may be troubled or inappropriate romances. It may be difficult to express love or other emotions in a positive way. A very strong Mars may appear to be a weak Venus and a weak or afflicted Mercury may make personal expression difficult. Diamonds, if of good quality, are relatively safe, because Venus is a benefic planet. It is especially good for Taurus, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius Ascendants.

Saturn: Blue Sapphire helps bring balanced detachment, calm, practicality, and endurance. When weak or afflicted, it brings troubles, weakness, disease, vulnerability or anxiety. It can cause financial hardship, lack of drive, or insomnia. A difficult Saturn may cause manifestations similar to a weak Jupiter, Sun or Mars. Blue Sapphire should be used with great caution, unless in a navaratna, and even then the size and purity should be watched. It may cause problems for thin people, those having dry skin, or those remote from the world or already overly detached (Vata). It is a difficult planet for most, but is especially favourable for Capricorn, Aquarius, Taurus and Libra Ascendants.

Rahu and Ketu are the north and south nodes of the moon. They are invisible energy fields where eclipses occur and are considered secondary planetary influences.

Rahu: Hessonite Garnet is the gem for the shadowy planet Rahu, called the North Node in the West. In this age of media, electronic devices and electro-magnetic radiation, Rahu is very much affecting the world in general. It helps to balance the influences of media like television; it aids a sense of clarity, of knowing one's own mind, and general popularity in society. When weak or poorly placed, it causes strange reactions, imaginings, occult influences, fear, agitation, addictive behaviour, drugs, lack of sense of self, lack of regard for society's norms or dissipation. Therefore, Hessonite Garnet, also known in ancient India as cinnabar, is obviously a very good gem to wear in a Navaratna during this age.

Ketu: Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye is the gem of Ketu, called the South Node in the West. When weak, it causes doubt, uncertainty, poor discrimination, poor concentration or lack of insight. It is the planet of ultimate spiritual awakening. It causes tendencies that appear to be like a weak Ascendant. But as a weak Rahu brings lack of clarity and a clouding of perception, a weak Ketu brings doubt and questioning. The gem should be used with caution if the person is high in Pitta, as under the description for Mars, or if Ketu is in a sign of a planet that is weak or afflicted. However, if included in a Navaratna, this should be resolved by balancing both Ketu and the planet ruling the sign it falls under.