A fascinating ancient practice, astrology offers a unique perspective on human behaviour and relationships, and has been used throughout history to gain insights into the past, present, and future. Whether you're a believer or a sceptic, astrology provides a lens through which to view the world and a means of connecting with something greater than ourselves.
At its core, astrology is a poetic and evocative discipline that helps us to better understand ourselves and the world around us. It offers a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and invites us to explore our inner selves through the lens of stars and planets. Whether used for personal reflection or as a tool for divination, astrology offers a unique perspective on the mysteries of life that is both timeless and endlessly fascinating.
The roots of this discipline can be traced back over 4000 years to the ancient civilisations of Babylon, Egypt, and India. In its earliest forms, astrology was used primarily for determining auspicious times for important events such as planting, harvesting, and marriage. With time, as this study became more formalised, it became clear that certain celestial objects such as the Moon, had a heavy influence on Earthly processes such as tidal pulls and river flows, which consequently established the belief that the stars and planets emit a mysterious flow of energy which influences all life on Earth. Today, astrology remains a popular practice worldwide, with millions of people using it to gain insights into their personalities, relationships, and life paths.
For thousands of years, the connection between gemstones and astrology has intrigued and captivated humanity. In the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and India, astrologers noticed that certain gemstones corresponded with the energies of the planets and zodiac signs. They believed that wearing or carrying these gemstones could align a person's energy with the cosmic forces that govern their life, and help them achieve success and fulfilment. For example, the green emerald was associated with the heart chakra and the planet Venus, the celestial embodiment of love and beauty. Over time, this association between gemstones and astrology became more formalized, and today, many people still use gemstones as a tool for harnessing the energy of the cosmos and supporting their personal endeavours with a touch of elegance and poise.
Types of Astrology
The development of astrology has taken thousands of years of observations and studies conducted by individuals belonging to various geographies and cultures. As such, each civilisation developed its own perspective and interpretation of this discipline, which in turn has led to the formation of different types of astrology. Below is a list of a few of the most popular forms of astrology prevalent today.
1. Natal Astrology
Natal astrology is a branch of astrology that uses a birth chart, detailing the description of certain celestial bodies at the time of one’s birth, to study the influence of celestial bodies on an individual's life journey. It provides insight into relationships, careers, health, and spirituality.
One unique aspect of natal astrology is the interpretation of the angles in a birth chart, which are the four cardinal points - the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven, and IC (imum coeli). These angles indicate the orientation of the birth chart in relation to the horizon and the meridian, and are believed to have a significant impact on romantic partnerships. They define the strength and weakness between the individual and their partner.
2. Vedic Astrology
Vedic Astrology, also known as Jyotisha, is a widely practised form of astrology in India based on ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. It uncovers key insights into an individual's unique personality traits, skills, and potential life trajectory.
A unique aspect of Vedic astrology is its orientation towards karma, or the idea that a person's actions in past lives can influence their current life circumstances. It is also used specifically for spiritual development, personal growth, and emphasizes on mantra recitation to mitigate negative planetary influences.
Gemstones are often used in Vedic astrology as a remedial measure to counteract negative planetary influences and enhance the positive ones. Each planet in Vedic astrology is associated with a specific gemstone and wearing that gemstone is believed to have a beneficial effect on that planet's energy.
3. Western Astrology
Western astrology is a system of astrology that originated in ancient Greece and Rome and evolved over time in Europe and the Americas. It is based on the tropical zodiac, which divides the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, with each sign representing a different personality archetype.
Western astrology is unique in its emphasis on psychological and spiritual growth, as well as its use of a system of houses, which divides the
birth chart into 12 sections, each representing a different area of life. It also focuses on one’s sun-sign to interpret natural skills and talents of an individual, helping in providing insights into one's career path and professional development.
Gemstones are also used in Western astrology as a form of spiritual and energetic support. However, the use of gemstones in Western astrology is generally less systematic and structured than in Vedic astrology. In Western astrology, gemstones are often associated with specific zodiac signs, planets, or astrological houses, and are believed to enhance the energy of those placements in a person's birth chart.
4. Palmistry
Palmistry is the art of reading a person's character and future life events by examining the lines, shapes, and mounts on the palms of their hands. It is based on the belief that the lines on the palm reveal information about a person's career potential, health, wealth, relationships, and destiny.
Palmistry is different from other forms of astrology as it uses the physical features of a
person's hand, and not celestial objects, to make predictions and provide insights. It is more personal and focuses on the individual's unique characteristics like shape of fingers, size of pam, skin texture and colour.
5. Numerology
Numerology is a system that uses numbers to gain insight into a person's life, personality, and future events. It is based on the idea that every number has a unique vibration and meaning, and that these vibrations can be used to reveal hidden patterns and truths about an individual’s life.
Numerology astrology is unique in that it does not rely on the positions of the planets or the
physical features of a person's body, but rather on the numerical patterns and vibrations of their name and birth date. Numerology also reveals auspicious and inauspicious numbers for an individual, which can be used to guide important decisions such as choosing a business name or a lucky number.
Gemstones are often used in numerology as a form of energetic support and to enhance the vibrations of a person's numerology profile. The specific gemstones used in numerology can vary depending on the individual's numerology chart and their personal preferences, and are typically chosen based on their metaphysical properties and the vibrational frequency they emit.
Gemstones & Astrology
Gemstones have long been associated with different forms of astrology, including Vedic astrology, Western astrology, and palmistry, as a form of energetic support and to enhance the vibrations of a person's birth chart. Various gemstones are used to influence different aspects of an individual’s life like love, career, health, relationships and more. The belief in the healing properties of gemstones is a form of alternative medicine, and individuals who practice gemstone healing believe that these minerals have unique energetic properties that can help to balance and harmonise a person's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
The central idea is that gemstones can absorb and transform negative energies, helping alleviate stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. The colour, composition, and shape of the gemstone are believed to have a specific effect on the individual's mind, body, and soul. Some practitioners may also use gemstones in combination with meditation, visualisation, or other forms of energy healing. Whether you believe in the power of gemstones or not, exploring their use in astrology can be a fascinating and enlightening journey into the mysteries of the universe.
