💎️ Gemstone Overview
The common name for this gemstone is Sapphire, and its scientific name is Corundum.
Sapphires have a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations. The Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection colored the sky. In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens were convinced that blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm. During the Middle Ages, clergy wore blue sapphires to symbolize heaven. In 1902, French chemist Auguste Verneuil developed a process to make synthetic sapphire which led to widespread industrial use of this hard mineral.
Sapphires hold deep spiritual significance in various cultures around the world. They are considered symbols of wisdom, virtue, good fortune, and holiness for royals. In an engagement ring, a sapphire means faithfulness and sincerity too.
In Hinduism, it's believed that Saturn governs Sapphire; hence it's also called 'Neelam' stone in India.
The British Crown Jewels are full of large blue sapphires signifying pureness and wisdom; they're often worn by queens and princesses as protection against jealousy.
Sapphires are mined from alluvial deposits or from primary underground workings. They're commonly found in Eastern Australia (especially New South Wales), Thailand (Kanchanaburi), Sri Lanka (Ratnapura), China (Shandong), Madagascar (Ilakaka); certain parts of Montana USA also produce some beautiful specimens known as Yogo Sapphires. Other locations include Cambodia, Brazil and Africa; however these aren't major sources comparatively speaking but still contribute towards global supply chain.
🔬 Physical Properties
Sapphires are typically blue, but they can come in a variety of colors including green, yellow, pink, purple and even clear. The most valuable sapphires are a deep blue that appears bright and vibrant under all types of light. Some sapphires exhibit the phenomenon known as color change, most often going from blue in daylight or fluorescent lighting to purplish red under incandescent light.
Sapphire has a Mohs hardness rating of 9 making it one of the hardest materials on earth after diamond. This makes it very durable and suitable for everyday wear.
It belongs to the trigonal crystal system which means its internal structure is characterized by three equal vertical axes and one horizontal axis. It forms naturally as crystals within rocks or as large individual gemstones.
While sapphire is not considered rare overall, certain colors like padparadscha (a pink-orange variety) are quite rare. Blue sapphires from Kashmir are also highly sought after due to their exceptional quality and rarity.
🌙 Psychic and Spiritual Attributes
The Sapphire gemstone is primarily associated with the Throat and Third Eye Chakras. It stimulates these chakras, promoting clear thinking, intuition, and self-expression.
Sapphires are particularly beneficial for those born under the signs of Virgo and Libra. They can help to balance their energies and enhance their natural strengths.
In spiritual practices, Sapphire has a strong connection with the element of Water. This association symbolizes its ability to enhance clarity in thought processes as well as emotional depth.
Sapphires carry a profound psychic energy that promotes wisdom, mental focus, and spiritual truth. Known as "the stone of wisdom," it brings order and healing to the mind by aligning physical, mental, and spiritual planes to achieve a serene state of mind. Furthermore, it encourages introspection which allows one to find effective solutions to problems while enhancing one's communication skills.
🍀 Healing and Therapeutic Properties
Sapphires are known for their powerful emotional healing properties. They can help to calm the mind, release mental tension, depression, and unwanted thoughts. It encourages positivity, enhances self-confidence and promotes motivation. By bringing balance within the body, it alleviates feelings of fear and anxiety.
On a physical level, sapphires are believed to have many therapeutic benefits. They are said to be beneficial in treating blood disorders and alleviating excessive bleeding. The gemstone is also used for improving eye health as well as managing ear problems, nosebleeds, fevers and headaches.
Sapphires stimulate concentration, focus and mental clarity which makes them excellent aids for scholars during exam times or when undertaking significant projects at work. This gemstone helps in aligning with higher consciousness thus enhancing intellectual understanding along with wisdom.
Spiritually speaking, sapphire has been long associated with peace and enlightenment. It's often used in meditation practices due to its ability to open up the third eye chakra (the spiritual eye) thereby promoting intuition or psychic awareness. It assists those seeking spiritual truth by clearing away confusion or beliefs that no longer serve one’s highest purpose.
🕯️ Use in Magic and Rituals
Sapphires are often used in spells and rituals that involve wisdom, prophecy, divine favor, spiritual insight, and protection. They're also traditionally used for attracting wealth and prosperity. In love magic, sapphire is believed to enhance fidelity and commitment between partners. Furthermore, it's frequently utilized in healing rituals due to its reputed ability to soothe mental stress and anxiety.
To cleanse a sapphire gemstone of any negative energy it may have absorbed over time, you can use running water (preferably natural like a stream), but be careful not to lose your stone if it's small. After cleansing it with water, leave the sapphire under moonlight overnight - preferably during a full moon - as this will help charge the stone with lunar energy which enhances its psychic properties. You can also place your sapphire on an amethyst cluster or clear quartz point for 24 hours for charging.
In divination practices or psychic readings, sapphires are typically associated with clairvoyance abilities; they're believed to open up one’s third eye chakra thus enhancing intuition and inner vision which is crucial during such sessions.
Some psychics use them as meditation tools before conducting readings because they aid in achieving higher levels of consciousness quickly.
🌠 Gemstone in Astrology
It is traditionally associated with the month of September. It's considered to be the birthstone for those born under the astrological sign of Virgo, but it also has a strong connection with Taurus and Gemini.
In astrology, Sapphire is primarily linked to the planet Saturn. This association comes from ancient beliefs that Sapphires have a calming effect on their wearers, similar to how Saturn represents discipline and control. However, some also associate this gemstone with Jupiter due to its blue color which symbolizes wisdom and royalty - traits often attributed to Jupiter.
As mentioned earlier, it has a special affinity towards Virgos, Taureans and Geminis. For Virgos, wearing sapphire can help them achieve clarity of thought and purpose while reducing their inherent nervousness. For people born under Taurus or Gemini signs who are known for being practical yet indecisive respectively; wearing sapphires can provide balance by enhancing focus and mental clarity while diminishing confusion or anxiety.
In general though, any sun sign could benefit from wearing Sapphire as it promotes wisdom, spiritual insight and good fortune across all astrological spectrums.
🧿 Talismanic Use
Sapphires have been used as talismans and amulets for centuries due to their believed protective and healing properties. To use Sapphire as a talisman, it can be worn in jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, rings or pendants so that it remains close to the body. This gemstone is also often placed under pillows or kept in personal spaces like work desks or car interiors for protection and good fortune. For spiritual purposes, sapphire can be used during meditation by holding it in your hand or placing it on your forehead (third eye chakra) to enhance clarity of thought and wisdom.
The Sapphire symbolizes wisdom, virtue, good fortune, and holiness for royals. In an ecclesiastical context, this gemstone was considered the jewel of jewels - representing celestial hope and faith. Its deep blue color is associated with feelings of sympathy, harmony friendship which makes its wearer noble-minded and dignified.
As a talisman or amulet, these symbolic meanings make Sapphire ideal for seeking spiritual truth while providing protection against negative energy. It's also commonly used by those who wish to attract prosperity into their lives due to its association with good fortune.
The stone’s calming energies are said to promote peace within one's self - making them useful tools for meditation practices too.