DIAMOND

Hardness: 10

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Associated Metals: Platinum, Silver, Steel

Zodiac Sign: The birthstone for Aries

Birthstone: Month of April

I have found that this stone is associated with Venus, as well as

with "guardian" deities.

Powers: Spirituality, Sexuality Dysfunction, Protection, Courage,

Peace, Reconciliation, Healing, Strength

Properties: Symbol of purity, bonds relationships, bringing love and

clarity. Amplifies energy. Qualities include fearlessness,

invincibility, and fortitude. Aids in fighting against glaucoma.

Sources: Today, diamonds are taken from sources in Siberia, India,

Africa, Brazil, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zaire, Botswana, Namibia, and

the U.S., with Australia being the main producer.

Facts:

Diamond is the hardest natural stone on Earth, being nearly 150

times harder than corundum which is the second hardest. The

hardness of all other gems and stones is measured against that of

the diamond.

Composed of pure carbon atoms (the element that is the foundation of

life) and formed in magma chambers deep in the Earth diamonds are a

product of thousands of years of intense heat and pressure.

Sometimes these veins, or pipelines, were thousands of meters in

height. If the energy of the diamond could be released, the force

of the resulting explosion would be unimaginable!! Below the

Earth's crust, diamonds are formed at great depths under intense

heat and pressure then rising up from the Earth's mantle to the

Earth's surface. The resultant pure crystalline form has no life of

its own giving the diamond the lone property of absorbing all

energies.

The usual natural form of a diamond is octahedral (2 four-sided

pyramids, base to base), although some are dodecahedrons (12 lozenge-

shaped faces) or icositetrahedrons (24 kite-shaped faces). Diamonds

are sorted into 5 grades, the lowest being industrial. Although

commonly known as clear or colorless, diamonds come (naturally) in a

variety of colors, such as pink, blue, green, canary yellow,

cinnamon and black. In certain parts of Asia, the blood-red

diamond, or a diamond spotted with red, was considered to bring

disaster to any owner. Other natural colors include orange and

steel.

When you hold a diamond, it can feel cold to the touch. This is due

to its high thermal conductivity, whereupon it can suck the warmth

of your body into itself.

Until the 19th Century, most diamonds came from India where they

were mined along with gold, ruby, sapphire and garnet from alluvial

deposits. India traded diamonds around the Middle East as early as

800 B.C.E. The first diamonds brought to Europe arrived in 1584

from Sumbulpour, India, the first known mine of the Golconda kingdom.

In 1728, the excavating of the Brazilian mines began. Finally, in

1851 diamonds were discovered in New South Wales, Australia, and

first dug on a large commercial scale near Kimberly, South Africa,

in 1867.

History, Folklore & Magic:

Due to its exceptional brilliance, the diamond has a considerable

history. It was worn by the aristocratic families to ward off the

plague that hit Europe in the Middle Ages. When ships brought the

plague into the harbors, the poor people who lived near the ports

were the first to die. Therefore, the wealthy thought that if they

wore the diamonds, they would be immune to the Black Death.

Actually, this remedy was ineffective since diamonds do not ward off

anything. In fact, they absorb just about everything!!

Another time in history, diamonds were used as a poison by the upper

classes. The stone was ground into a powder and put into an enemy's

food or drink. The deaths of many prominent people have been

attributed to this method of diamond poisoning. (Wanda's note:

What a terrible outcome from such a lovely, flawless stone! And,

what a waste of a fine gem!) There were many legends that diamonds

were supposed to have mystical powers to ward off any dangers

because of their brilliance, and to protect their wearers from bad

dreams, demons and nightmares like a continual shining light.

It possesses a high psychic energy as well and easily magnetize into

its radiant fields any thoughts and actions. Due to its great

absorption power, you should clean your diamonds often to rid them

of any negative energies they might have taken in.

Soak your diamond for at least one hour in an ionic solution of one

teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda, dissolved in 8

ounces of water. Rinse well. Your diamonds will feel better and

shine brighter.

Symbolically, diamonds have been associated with love. Their great

brilliance is their popular power. In 20th-Century America, the

diamond is traditionally a love-bearing gift. The engagement ring,

wedding ring, and other jewelry symbolize the gift of persons in

love. Many of us also feel that diamonds provide security and

success for diamonds are associated with wealth, power and prestige,

because of their monetary value alone.

Some writers believe that the name, diamond, came from the Greek

word "adamas," "adamantos," which meant "adamant." However, Hindue

writers from an earlier period link the stone with the Sanskrit

word "dyu: meaning "a deity." The Eastern goddess, Dia, is still

called the Diamond Sow, and her yonic shrine in paradise is known as

the Diamond Seat.

In ancient times, only members of royal families were allowed to

wear diamonds. However, the Persians thought that this stone was

sinful because the devil had created it. Other cultures including

India believed that diamonds were created when thunderbolts struck

the Earth.

The Romans word a diamond on the left arm for victory over one's

enemies and to gain bravery. If it was set in steel, it was thought

to prevent insanity. Also known as the stone of Reconciliation, the

diamond was said to repel all sorcery and nightmares as well as

strengthen friendships. The Greeks called the stone "Holy

Necessity", and symbol of the Sun. The Hebrews considered the

diamond the most powerful stone, overshadowing the mystical

lodestone.

By the 13th-Century in Italy, the diamond was known as "amante di

Dio, or "lover of God," and was widely considered a sacred stone for

religious purposes. When Vasco de Gama discovered a new sea route

to India, the trade in diamonds increased.

The diamond did not become accessible or fashionable to the middle

classes until Agnes Sorel, mistress of Charles VII of France, was

given a diamond and gold necklace by the wealthy merchant, Jacques

Coeur.

The ancient Persians and Arabs believed that the diamond brought

great good fortune; this belief is still held today in Egypt.

Writing in the 14th-Century C.E., the mystic Rabbi Benoni said that

the diamond was so powerful it could produce a state of ecstasy,

protect against evil, and attract planetary influences. However,

Sir John Mandeville, an English traveler of the 14th Century, wrote

that he knew it to be possible for a diamond to lose it's positive

virtues if handled by evil people.

The diamond, of all gemstones, has perhaps the most evil-fated

legends attached to some of its largest specimens. The malevolency

of large diamonds is known far back in ancient history. The

cultures that were familiar with the diamond said that the large

stones should never be worn as ornaments. To do so would bring

disaster, misfortune, and even sudden death. In fact, diamonds were

considered to be an unlucky stone by some people (mostly Europeans)

well into the 16th Century. To lose any diamond was considered to

be a dread omen of misfortune to come. However, in both India and

ancient Rome the diamond was considered to be very lucky.

The Koh-I-Noor (Mountain of Light), which is now set in one of the

British crowns, originally came from India and has a male misfortune

attached to it. No male British sovereign is allowed to wear the

crown containing this diamond. Before England possessed this Indian

diamond, however, it was frequently dipped in water to heal every

kind of sickness.

Healing Energies:

Known as the Master Healer, diamond breaks up blockages in both the

Crown Chakra and in the personality.

Diamond is considered a magical stone of great power. It enhances

all energies in the body, mind, and spirit, thus helping with

alignment with the Higher Self. It also helps with all functions of

the brain, and gives victory, great strength, and courage.

Worn, diamond promotes spirituality, even ecstasy, the shaman's

ritual state of consciousness. It is often utilized in meditation

and in spiritual pursuits.

When carried or worn, it promotes self-confidence in relationships

with the opposite sex. It is said to be potent for relieving or

eliminating root causes of sexual dysfunction.

In India, women (presumably rich) wear an unblemished white diamond

with a slightly black hue to ensure male children. It is also worn

to conquer infertility.

Because of its hardness and associations with the Sun, the diamond

is worn or utilized in spells to increase physical strength. In

ancient Rome, it was set in steel rings and worn with the stone

touching the skin. This produced bravery, daring and victory. It

is still worn today for courage.

Rather surprisingly, owing to some of its other associations, the

diamond is a stone of peace when worn. It relieves nightmares and

encourages sleep at bedtime.

Try scrying with a faceted diamond in soft candlelight, dazzling

yourself in its inner world of color and light.

 

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