According to ancient Vedic authority, natural gemstones transmit astral powers (like radio crystals transform sound)! Fine, flawless gems promote good fortune, while poor quality gems have the opposite affect (Ref. Garuda Purana: Chapter 68, Verse 17). The power of gems emanates from the nine planets (nava-graha ) recognized by the ancient, "Sidereal" science of astrology. The nine planets and their associated gems are Ruby for the Sun, Pearl for the Moon, Yellow sapphire for Jupiter, Hessonite for Rahu (the ascending node of the Moon), Emerald for Mercury, Diamond for Venus, Cat's eye for Ketu (the descending node of the Moon), Blue sapphire for Saturn and Coral for Mars (Ref. Mani Mala: page 575, verse 79). These "planets" influence different aspects of life and, as luminous bodies, also radiate specific cosmic colors. According to ancient belief the colors radiated by the nine planets are identical to the cosmic colors of the different gemstones. Sometimes the cosmic colors are obvious while in other cases this is not so. Thus red is the cosmic color of rubies, while orange is the cosmic color of pearls.

Gemstones strengthen planetary powers and will boost theirspecific influences in three ways. The first way is by adding "cosmic color"to one's own aura. The second way is by "astrologically" enhancing theirassociated area of one's life. For instance, Moon (pearl) influences mindand emotions while Venus (diamond) rules art and sex. The third way isby attracting the attention of their ruling planetary deities, the Sun-god,Moon-god, Mars, Jupiter, etc. The "cosmic colors" and gemstone powers willbe explained further in Chapter III.

The single biggest obstacle to the world-wide, modern day practice of "Planetary gemology" is wide-spread acceptance of the so-called birth stone system from the West. The history of this practice is explained in Chapter II. It is no secret that this list of birth stones was created by the American National Retail Jewelers' Association in 1912. The origin of this system is attributed to the early Hebrew civilization and has nothing what-so-ever to do with any system of astrology. Furthermore, birth stones cannot be based on a list of months because birth signs change on or about the 22nd of each month. Thus two different signs rule each month according to the date of one's birth.

The color hue of each gem will almost always fit intoone of the 4 social-economic-intellectual categories (varnas ). Everyoneis advised to use the color that best suits their needs. Refer to ChapterIII for this information.

Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans combinesthe essential knowledge from the ancient Vedic texts with modern gemologicaldata. We sincerely hope that readers find the resulting information bothhelpful and enlightening.

It is our hope and belief that this ancient knowledgeof "Planetary Gemology" we are presenting will soon become an importantpart of World culture and will be remembered and practiced for at least1,000 years into the future.

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