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FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE - AMETHYST
By Linda Lopez
The month of February is represented by the beautiful hues of the Amethyst.
Colored by Iron, the Amethyst is a variety of Macrocrystalline Quartz that can form in various shades from deepest purple to pale pink as in the Rose de France.
The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.
There is a myth behind these words.
In legneds it was said that the God of Wine; Dionysus, was walking while drinking wine in the forest and came upon a mortal man. The God declared himself and demanded aknowledgement and respect. The man dismissed him as a drunk and passed on by.
Dionysus was so enraged at the insult and decided to take his revenge upon the next human to happen upon the trail. Along comes Amethyst, on her way to worship at the alter of the Goddess Diana. Dionysus called upon two ferocious tigers to attact the terrified girl. Amethyst calls out to her Goddess who quickly changes Amethyst into a statue of white quartz just before the attack. Dionysus realizes his actions and becomes so overwrought with guilt and grief that he spills his goblet of wine, dashing it full upon the Quartz statue, staining it deep purple and thus creating the gemstone we refer to today as Amethyst, gemstone of the Gods.
The ancient Greeks believed that wearing Amethyst would ward off drunkeness as well as high passion or emotion.
The greek word for Amethyst, "Amethustos "translates to "not drunk".
In the Catholic Church, the Popes still wear a ring of Amethyst which symbolizes celibacy, (it is believed the gemstone had not only a "sobering" effect on drunkards but a calming of passion or emotion).
I have recently seen a multicolored Amethyst for the first time. It was striated much like the watermelon Tourmaline only in hues of purple, lavender to transparent. Beautiful.
I recently worked with some natural polished stones. I was impressed by the coolness of the stones as well as the variety of colors. I have posted one for you to enjoy.
 
Natural polished amethyst stones
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about stones or make you your own personal jewelry piece. Please feel free to contact me at lindaloulopez@hotmail.com
More about spiritual aspects of stones
MAY YOU ALWAYS BE CARRIED ON ANGELS WINGS.
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