Usually I give you one of the true birthstones of the star sign of the month at the beginning when the Sun moves into the next astrological sign. This month has been so busy with important astro events that I have waited till today to do that before the month is over.

Cancer is the Archetypal Mother and some of her Birthstones Are Pearls

And here at last is the monthly update on the quality of the astrological sign and the nourishing and supportive energy of one of Cancers true birthstones- the pearls. Yes I know it is not really a stone but it serves us as well as one. Pearls are created in the oceans and are formed in the ouster and are different then the normal gemstones which are formed inside the depth of the earth. But because of that different formation process they can soothe our emotions and psyche like none other. Nowadays all pearls are created by mankind but the process involved is the same as it was before we came up with that idea.

Cancerian Qualities

June 22 marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Many people in the Northern Hemisphere love this energetic time of year, when they can enjoy the outdoors until late in the evening.

Cancer is a feminine water sign. All life on Earth depends on water, and all land animals, including humans, are thought to have originated in the oceans. So Cancer is closely associated with giving life, and hence motherhood.

The personality of Cancerians is fluid as well, with a broad range of personal traits. Home and family are always an important theme for this sign, for both men and women. They make loving, protective parents. Cancerians are highly emotional, romantic, and loving people and seek nurturing in relationships. They are also very giving people and often seek to express their nurturing nature in the healing and caring professions. They can be reserved people, preferring to reveal their true natures in the security of their intimate relationships. They tend to be ruled by their emotional ups and downs. They can also be quite artistic and make good artists, actors, and musicians.

How Gemstones Can Enhance Your Cancerian Experience

What better way for the Cancerian to express his or her loving nature than with a gift of gemstone jewelry to a beloved partner?

Gemstones have both physical and metaphysical qualities that can enhance all aspects of your well-being. The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstones creates an energy field that interacts with our own when you hold it or wear it on your body. In this way, the gemstone can be used to calm you, bring you mental clarity, increase your energy, enhance your creativity, and much more. Cancerians have some potentially conflicting qualities (such as a desire to be connected to others, but also a tendency to withdraw) that can be brought into better balance with gemstones.

Astrology and Gemstones

Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation, from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniest particles of atoms—all are part of the same network of universal energy. Based on the hermetic principle “As above, so below,” those universal principles allow us to read relations among the planets and extrapolate those principles to things here on Earth, to events in our lives, as well as to our natural environment. The universal principles that govern the planets are also seen on the much smaller level of gemstones, crystals, and metals.

The Signature of Gemstones

Each gemstone is associated with specific planets. You are already aware that each planet has its own personality in astrology. And each gemstone has a personal “signature”—specific metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, that arise from the stone’s association with its planets.

How to Make Gemstones Work for You

By considering the individual signature of gemstones, you can select the right gems for very specific purposes, according to their astrological qualities.

Gemstones can be used in three different ways:

1. They are precious objects of beauty that may hold a special meaning for us. We enjoy their beauty by giving them a special place on a shelf, desk, or altar.
2. They can be used in meditation by tuning into their frequency for the purpose of balancing our energy field.
3. They can be made into jewelry pieces for our pleasure, enhancing our individual expression of beauty and sense of empowerment.

If you like to learn more about other astrological signs and their true birthstones based in astrology you can find more articles on my website.

Pearls Represent the Energies of Moon, Saturn, Neptune and Chiron

Pearls are found in a great variety colors, including white, cream, rose, silver, golden, blue, and black. Pearl is an organic substance made of calcium carbonate and an organic horn material that form as a reaction to an injury, usually intentionally caused by humans. The Pearl forms concentrically around the implanted microcrystal. Pearls are very sensitive to acids, perspiration, cosmetics, hairspray, dryness, and humidity. They can die through age or improper treatment, or they can become dull, crack, and peel off.

Pearls are sometimes referred to as the “tears of the soul” and some advise against wearing them. There may well be some truth in that notion for some people, but the choice to wear pearls must be left to individual discretion: I feel a strong attraction toward some pearls and appreciate wearing them frequently.

The Pearl can be viewed as a being originating in the depths of the ocean or fresh water seas. Water or the ocean is a powerful symbol and representation of our unconscious mind, the unknown depths of our emotions, the female part of our being. The human body consists of 85 percent water, the mysterious ingredient essential to all life.

And science tells us that we normally use only 5 to 10 percent of the potential of our brains, the conscious mind, meaning that the majority of the brain is hidden in the vast unconscious. The significance of the Pearl’s association with deep waters, and therefore our unconscious mind, is clear!

The Moon rules water, the ocean, the emotions, the female principle, and our unconscious mind. The Pearl is ruled by the Moon, so it connects us with the depths of our unconscious, of our feelings, including those that we often seek to repress, such as grief, sorrow, and pain. We try to avoid becoming conscious of those wounds, but we should take a lesson from the Pearl: Pearl’s host, the shell, also suffered an injury—even died at one point!—and yet produced this perfect, soft, shiny, round beauty.

The transformation is reminiscent of the caterpillar, often ugly, that grows into a beautiful butterfly. And so is it with humans: we can use our wounds like the Pearl, to grow into our own magnificent beauty.

Having this “wound” affinity with humans; Pearl is a wonderful ally and friend to us during our process of healing from these deep emotional injuries. It can soothe and nourish us, bring our wounds up into the light of consciousness, assist us in the transforming healing process.

The round shape of the Pearl, the most balanced form there is, stands for perfection and oneness. [1]

I wish you an enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones and looking at them in a new way! If you enjoy my perspective on things, please come back and sign up for my free weekly newsletter on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal astrological forces and the special powers of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life. If you feel like passing this article on to some of your friends that would be so wonderful. Thank you so much!

I am truly excited and I am looking forward to connect with you in spirit next weekend, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. Her practice spans hypnotherapy, meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and healing with gemstones. She creates beautiful jewelry for the soul and spirit at her studio on Maui, Hawaii. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

[1]Adapted from Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul © 2008 by Shakti Carola Navran. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989. All rights reserved, used by permission of the publisher.

Spring time is all around us with blooming trees and colors in abundance everywhere. Here in Hawaii we have the unbelievable Jacaranda trees with violet blossoms which blow my mind with their beauty and have inspired many painting artists on the island.

With Sun, Mercury and Venus still in Aries for a couple of days I like to introduce you to one of the true birthstones of Aries. Each month I will give you one of the birthstones for the Sun in the sign of the month. Please be aware that each sign has several “birthstones” and over time I will talk about many of them.

True Birthstones
Sometimes I hear from people who believe they only have one birthstone (as the jewelry industry is telling you) and when they don’t feel an attraction to that particular stone they feel that something doesn’t work for them. If you have followed my blog for a while you will know that each stone is composed of a very specific individual “signature” which makes up its personality as discussed further down in this article. That is the reason for your very personal resonance, your likes or dislikes of gemstones. So even if you don’t like your supposed birthstone you might love one of the others I am giving you.

Your Personal Gemstone Profile for Your Power Gems
If you really want to know your true birthstones you need to have your personal Gemstone Profile done based on your whole chart so you will know which gemstone is the best for your particular Sun position in its house and aspect connection with other planets. The truth is you have at least 12 main healing gems based on your 10 planets in their signs and aspects plus your Moon Node and Chiron position.

The highlights of this Week are:
•    The Full Moon in Libra on Monday
•    Venus moving into Taurus in conjunction with Uranus on   March 3-4

The Full Moon in Libra
The Full Moon is concluding one cycle of emotional changes and needs throughout the month. Mother Moon is symbolizing our fluid, always changing inner tapestry of feelings and moods which are sometimes even hard to understand ourselves. With the Full Moon there is some kind of completion in the expansion of emotions. We often feel more restless, have a harder time to sleep through the night and are easier agitated then usual. Pay attention to where the Full Moon falls for you in your chart and be more aware of the theme of that house and the planets in that sign which might get activated.

The Full Moon in the feminine sign of Libra most likely expects to be placated and pleasured by your significant one or others in general. As we all know waiting for that might be the ticket for disappointment. Make a point to take charge to do something with a loved one that pleasures you, express your needs and communicate.

Venus Moving into Taurus in Conjunction with Uranus
Another feminine Goddess wants attention from you this week with Venus in her home sign Taurus. Here the Goddess of love, harmony, wealth and beauty likes to get comfortable, she loves to get pampered with a massage or facial or exquisite love making. Honoring the temple of her body is important to Venus and this is a wonderful time for you to do so. In tandem with Uranus you are due for some excitement and change of your routine.

Take some time with your girl friends, go out have a sauna together, relax and just take the time to hang out. What a concept in the busy times we are living in…

We Live in a Beautiful Vibrational Universe
It is now universally accepted and confirmed by science that we live in a universe made of energy vibrating at different frequencies. Every bit of seemingly solid matter is just a swirling microcosmic world of vibrating, energized particles creating form as we know it.

There is great beauty in the natural form our world takes. Nature can be breathtaking in a sunset over the ocean, a mountain landscape, a flower, or a crystal gemstone. Wherever we perceive balance and harmony we experience beauty.

Beauty is deeply fulfilling for humans. Being in nature, looking at a flower, tuning into a gemstone can realign our own energy pattern to a more balanced flow. I believe that a gemstone that attracts your eye with its beauty will always be beneficial for you.

The Signature and Metaphysical Properties of Crystal and Gemstones
In all cultures throughout history gemstones and crystals have had a special place. They have been used for empowerment and for focusing energy in rituals, sacred objects, and jewelry.

The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstones and crystals gives them their energy and metaphysical properties: they interact with our own energy field and have a balancing and healing impact on our mind, body, and soul. Each gemstone has a personal “signature”—specific metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, that arise from the stone’s chemical composition, color, hardness, crystal structure, and so on. And all this different elements are correlating with different astrological principles and star signs.

Astrology, the ancient science of the universal laws, allows us to understand the creative forces at work in our lives and use them to our advantage. Gemstones occupy an important place in astrology. By considering the individual signature of gemstones, we can select the right gems for very specific purposes, according to their astrological representation.

Astrology and True Birthstones
Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation, from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniest particles of atoms—all are part of the same network of universal energy. Based on the hermetic principle “As above, so below,” those universal principles allow us to read the analogue relations among the planets and extrapolate those principles to things here on Earth, to events in our lives, as well as to our natural environment. The universal principles that govern the planets are also seen on the much smaller level of gemstones, crystals, and metals.

Most of us know the gemstone corresponding to when we were born based on the list created by jewelers. This is a simplified commercial list, not created by astrologers, and therefore most of the stones on this list are not the true astrological birthstones.

Each gemstone represents specific planetary principles and has its own personality. In my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery I teach you how to find your true birthstones based on your horoscope. In this article I will give the example of one of the true astrological birthstones for Aries, Garnet.

Garnet: A Many-Hued Stone
The Garnets are a many-hued family, with different names for each color. The color range includes red, red with a violet tint, reddish brown, orange brown, yellow, and green.

The varieties include Pyrope (reddish brown), Almandine (violet), Spessartite (orange to reddish brown), Grossular (green, yellow, or copper brown), Demantoid (green to emerald green), and Tsavorite (similar to emerald green). All of the colors are strongly reflective.

With a relatively high Mohs’ hardness of 7 to 7 ½, Garnet makes a nice hard stone for rings and other jewelry. It is found around the world, including in the United States, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Zambia, Tanzania, Afghanistan, India, Brazil, Austria, Germany, and Sweden.

Due to its diverse origins Garnet is a very “open-minded” family. It reminds us to welcome and celebrate the diversity of all people and their different ways of self-expression.

Garnet is associated with Mars, Venus, and Mercury and has the qualities of those planets. The Garnet group is very down to earth and practically minded and thus can assist us in our worldly endeavors and in manifesting our dreams and visions.

The Violet Garnet: Almandine
Almandine is a red garnet with a slight violet tint. The form of its crystallization gives it a kind of round crystal-ball appearance. If you can find one it is a nice stone to have in your pocket to play with in order to have the stone’s energy within your aura without needing it to be set into jewelry.

Almandine is a warrior of the heart, longing to express his true being as he walks the path of love. Being connected with Venus and Mars, Almandine supports our growth in relationships and friendships.

This warrior is connected with the higher truth of the crown chakra: it helps to balance the Inner Man and the Inner Woman in us, helps us to rise up out of the limitations of the ego to a greater understanding of love as a state of consciousness. It might support us by asking the question, “What can I bring to this relationship?” rather than “What do I get out of it?”

In the Almandine, Mars and Venus—the lover and the beloved—are united and recreated on the earthly plane for the pure pleasure of experiencing each other. Almandine encourages us to partake of the enjoyment of love and relationships and to become more conscious of our role in their creation.  It gives us deeper insight into the dynamics of relationships as they are projected onto the earthly playground of the cosmos.

I hope I’ve given you a new sense of the very special properties of gemstones. I encourage you to identify your true birthstones and to find creative ways to incorporate them into your life to support your goals and desires.

I wish you an enchanted journey enjoying all the help and tools you can find for your support. If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal astrological forces and the special powers of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. Her practice spans hypnotherapy, meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and healing with gemstones. She creates beautiful jewelry for the soul and spirit at her studio on Maui, Hawaii. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

Astrologically we are having a quiet week! I hope you have been able to check out some of the articles part of the 1. International Blogathon about the T-square and relate the activities of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto to your personal horoscope. The articles will still be available on line for further use as a library.

We talked a little about the Sun moving into Aries last week on the 20th. This week there are no new ingresses of planets into a new sign or other significant events beside the slow moving long term transits. What is of most interest is the Pluto square to the Sun pushing on us for transformation. So we will have time to focus and read up on the slower transits.

You Personal Involvement is Key

Of course we are always most interested and motivated to invest our time and energy when we are personally triggered and touched upon. Self growth seems to be pushed upon us most of the time, but looking backwards those hard and difficult times often turn out to be very fruitful and changing our lives for the better. We feel forced to examine our values, life style, unconscious and conditioned responses to life, our choices and goals we are striving for. Without those times of challenge we would be stagnant and not growing into a fuller potential of our being.

Wherever the early degrees of Libra, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn or late degrees of Pisces and Virgo fall in your chart and the connecting aspects to your planets you will feel yourself very personally challenged. You will feel called to grow into more clarity (Saturn) while building and re-negotiating your place in relation to others (Libra), allow rebirth (Pluto) of a new YOU with the dissolving of old beliefs and values (Uranus).

Keeping a Visionary Focal Point

And we have to do the WORK as individuals as well as a society. I refuse to watch the news. I only snatch glimpses here and there when my husband watches them. It can make you very sad, angry or even depressed to watch. So don’t! News in America are very lopsided, negative and manipulative. Not much good comes out of it beside frustration. Change has to begin with each of us and holding the vision of a world based in a consciousness of oneness and humane ways of doing business and interact with each other starts with you and me. I am on board with Abraham in holding my conscious focal point of attraction where I want it to be, not with my observation of what is or my immediate circumstances.

“One who is mostly an observer thrives in good times but suffers in bad times because what he is observing is already vibrating, and as he observes it, he includes it in his vibrational countenance. As he includes it, the Universe accepts that as his point of attraction and gives him more of it. So the better it gets the better it gets. Or the worse it gets the worse it gets. While one who is a visionary thrives in all times.”— Abraham

Ways to Feel Good and Upgrade your Frequency

So your work is to find ways to uplift your frequency and feel good. Find out what works for you! Maybe just watching your cats can be an inspiration! For me the requirement to be able to feel good seems to be as a first step wanting to be out of pain. Having so many health problems I take it as a constant invitation to find little ways every day to improve my condition a little. As I have shared with you before I have embarked on a new journey for more well being and that encompasses many different aspects of detoxifying and dealing with physical limitations as well as making more time for contemplation, sauna and meditation.

Deeksha or Oneness Blessings

To have a spiritual ever deepening awareness of your connection with the Divine is nourishing your soul and gives deeper meaning to your life. There are so many path to take!

In my life the experiences with the Oneness Blessings or called Deeksha blessings and my involvement with the oneness movement have brought so much grace and have changed my spiritual path forever. I have been in India to the Oneness University twice and had tremendous inner changes and experiences. As a result I feel very connected with my inner being on a constant base and there is no grasping for any other teachings or something out there I need to be or do in order to feel better about myself.

It is the moment to moment awareness of reorienting myself towards the truth and joy which keeps me on track. If you have not had the experience of a Deeksha blessing you can find out on line where you can get one. By now there are Deeksha blessing givers everywhere in the country. I can promise you it is a worthwhile experience. Arjuna Ardagh has written an excellent book about this phenomena.

Meditation with Gemstones and Crystals & Astro Gems & True Birthstones

And then there is the way of uplifting your frequency with crystals and gemstones through meditation or supporting your personal energy field through hand picked gemstones according to your personal needs and imbalances with your true birthstones. Astrology is one way to describe those imbalances and then choose the most potent astro gemstone for you. I have become an expert in that over the many years of practicing my craft of astrology, making soul jewelry for people and guiding many students through their process of inner growth and meditation with gemstones and crystals.

After all these years I still love it because it is such a gentle and soothing way. You can just lie down and put some gems onto your forehead and body and feel uplifted. I call it the lazy meditation, because it doesn’t require a specific sitting pose or breathing technique. Or you can experiment with putting one stone under your pillow at night and see how that impacts you. You can find more articles about meditation with gemstones and crystals on my site. I am always happy to hear back from you and give feedback if you feel a need for it.

Find Out More about Your Specific Needs

• If you want to find out about your personal, 12 main healing astro gems based on your chart you can have me do your Gemstone Profile as a start.
• Or you can start with one of the written, excellent and reasonably priced reports we offer including birth chart, relationships, harmony, and your transits.
• Or you can have a personal astrological consultation with me.

You want to have choices in your life and good choices come from a ground of good information. I hope you will take advantage of the rich wisdom and guidance astrology has to offer for you – one way or the other- with me or somebody else you feel drawn to.

Take Time for Yourself

I am putting aside at least one hour a day, every morning to read and expand my horizon. In the moment what interests me most is to read about wellness and ways to detoxify and support my body on his healing journey. But of course I go through phases and different themes of interest. And I journal regularly what helps me to keep focused on my visions and makes me more honest and accountable to myself. What is your focus in the moment? What is your area of learning and expansion?

I wish you an enchanted journey enjoying all the help and tools you can find for your support. If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal astrological forces and the special powers of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
1135 Makawao Ave. Suite 310
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 96768
Phone: 808.878.8182

Bio:
Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. Her practice spans hypnotherapy, meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and healing with gemstones. She creates beautiful jewelry for the soul and spirit at her studio on Maui, Hawaii. She has written many articles and is the author of the book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

In her book she teaches you about astrology and how to read the blue print of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones, those enchanting allies to raise your frequency and experience more joy. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry; on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

I believe our relationships and the experience of love and connection are the most relevant in our lives right beside food and shelter. Babies will die if they are not touched and loved, no matter how much food you offer them. In the history of humankind we have lived most of the time in tribal or extended family situations. The single life style we know nowadays seems to be so normal to us but is not fulfilling for our soul and deeper layers of our human nature.

A whole industry around love and romance has evolved to nourish that part in us but often leaves us empty and with an unrealistic expectation that if we only find the ONE we will be happy and fulfilled. All our longing for connection and love is projected onto that ideal of the perfect lover. And we all know how well that works out most of the time.

Maybe we need more then the ONE. Maybe we need a network of close friends, family, room mates and other tribal like connections for a healthy spirit. The question is how well do you take care for yourself and make an effort for that connectedness and feeling of oneness? I would love to hear your thoughts about this.

The Inner Man and Inner Woman in Astrology
And we do carry an inner image of an inner man and inner woman inside of us with very specific needs and desires. You can determine through the position of Moon and Venus for the feminine, and Sun and Mars for the masculine and their position in your horoscope what it is your soul needs. Our first relation with father and mother is represented by Sun and Moon and obviously is the most important and revealing patterning and conditioning we will ever have. In a way all later relationships will be somehow in reaction to that first experience.

It is not necessarily true that as a woman we marry our father or the other way round. For example I married a man who is presenting me with many structures which are familiar to me through my mother. An astrological reading can give you deep insight into your inner dynamics around love and relating and that higher awareness will make your friendships and love relationships more fulfilling for you. Most people I have met in my life have some painful or even traumatizing experiences in their childhood and in our maturation process throughout our lives we all have to deal with that to achieve lasting joy and happiness.

As humans we are on a spiritual journey of raising our awareness to higher levels of consciousness and to do that we use what ever history and conditioning we got in the best way possible. Or as my spiritual therapist once said to me: You don’t like your problems? Would you like to have a different set? It just cracked me up. I convulsed into laughter.

In Neuro Linguistic Programming we say that everybody always acts on their best choice available. So if those available choices suck we need to raise our consciousness to find a different perspective and therefore different choices. A problem is never solved on the level of the problem. It is always from a Meta level, that higher perspective we need to find so solutions can arise. Astrology is a fantastic way for you to gain that higher perspective and therefore better choices. And a personal astrological reading can open unimagined doors for you.

This weeks highlights with a Full Moon in playful Leo and the Venus Mars opposition it is an invitation to take care for your inner child and its needs as well as more awareness for your relationship dance.

• Full Moon in Leo
• Venus Opposition Mars
• Sun Opposition Mars
• Saturn Square Pluto

Full Moon in Leo on Friday & Sun Opposition Mars
A Full Moon is always a Sun opposition Moon and this month it is happening in proximity of the Mars opposition. The Sun is shedding light onto our emotions and life force drive, our assertive nature. Leo is a fire sign where it is all about the self expression, creativity, self image, joy, play and romance. The opposing sign of Aquarius brings the qualities of the well being of the collective, the supporting qualities of friendships and connection with like minded souls to the table. The contrast between passionate intimacy and independence as well as individual desires and the collective good wants to be examined.

The sign of Leo and Aquarius both have a strong sense of individuality, need for independence and freedom in common. Both can take care for others from that place of inner strength in a higher expression of their qualities. Leo can be the gifted leader who takes charge and guides. Aquarius known as the rebel directs towards the higher vision of a society based on equality and freedom. Both signs can be very involved beyond their own ego gratification.

The Full Moon in Leo also invites the inner child to come and play more. The closeness of Mars fuels passionate emotions and desires which brings us to Venus and Mars the eternal lovers.

Venus Opposition Mars
Venus the goddess of love and harmony, Mars the warrior and lover are in the opposing signs of Aquarius and Leo as well. The opposition in astrology is a hard aspect which carries the most exposure of the differences of the involved signs. I like to see oppositions in Synastry charts because they carry the potential of integration and acceptance of the otherness. Oppositions are exposing the problem and challenge us into finding the connecting point of oneness in the middle. Both signs have something valuable to offer in finding that place of balance in the middle.

Saturn Square Pluto
This constellation will be with us throughout the year and is the culprit for all the economical upheaval and restructuring we are facing.

Whenever Pluto is part of an astrological constellation we are confronted with a powerful, potent, extremely forceful and transforming influence. Pluto known as the God of the underworld is a very mighty God who forces us into change and deep processes of transformation. Whenever there is a connection with this culprit of death, unrest and alteration we are forced to deepen our self awareness. Unresolved issues of desire and control are exposed and without our attention could trigger strong reactions and backlash onto us.
Pluto in Capricorn is questioning the validity of hierarchy and governments and judges on the ground of what works for the majority of people. Societal Structures that won’t work for the highest good of all will not survive Pluto’s transit through Capricorn.

The movie AVATAR is showing the relentless violence of corporate greed and the extent it is willing to go and extinguish other cultures and lives for profit. The movie shows that it only takes a few who change their state of consciousness to make a difference. We all can make that difference. I loved that movie!

The exposure of the worst manipulations in power structures of all kinds, in politics, concerning our government, corporate America and the stock market; we will see more of that. This is a time of exposure of the worst and with that there is the chance to acknowledge our deficiencies, to truly change and start anew. We are living in exciting times.

In times like these it is important to keep our own balance and as an antidote to fear and anxieties we can center in our compassion and sense of oneness. When we rise in consciousness and approach life from an awareness of what we have to offer and contribute to others around us, we can make a significant difference. When we come from a place of an open and flowering heart we will feel full and abundant. If we approach life from that abundance the law of attraction will bring more of the same to us.

And you can use gemstones like Rose Quartz, Rubellite or Ruby for the heart to recover from emotional trauma and support your personal inner journey towards healing.

Rubellite Has the Frequency of Mars, Venus, Sun, and Neptune
“The Rubellite, the pink Tourmaline, represents a lover of mankind, one who loves unconditionally and teaches us self-love. Self-love is often difficult to achieve. We know our weaknesses and dark side all too well and thus we are often most unforgiving and hard on ourselves. Beginning in childhood we learn to reject and negate a large part of our nature, especially our need for love and acceptance within the family. We resign ourselves to making do without those deep needs and we give up vital parts of ourselves.

The Rubellite heals and strengthens us, helping us to recover those lost aspects of our nature. With its help we learn to love ourselves as we are, in our individuality and beauty.  Rubellite helps us to grow and nourish our own needs. As adults we have the ability to care for ourselves in ways we were not able to do in childhood. We can express our wishes and needs in alignment with our whole being. From that place of self-love and alignment we want to share and give to the world. The Rubellite opens us up to the abundant love that flows through us in all that we do. Our heart is open to joy and exaltation.

Venus and Mars rule the Rubellite in all their different facets. Venus is the goddess of love, harmony, and beauty. She is the muse to artists in all their endeavors. Mars is the pioneer, the warrior who is called to action. Together they help our creativity to be manifested on the earthly plane. They give us the courage and self-esteem to dare to be creative.

Venus and Mars are also eternal lovers. They help us through difficult times in our relationships. They remind us that the bond of love endures beyond all the difficulties that inevitably surface when two personalities merge. It is through our relationship with our intimate partner that we are challenged to grow and examine our behavior and our beliefs. With the solid foundation of love and friendship with our partner, we have the potential to rise out of difficult times like the Phoenix arising from the ashes.” (Taken from my book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul)

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens, I like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of 67 different gemstones through my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. My book will teach you about astrology and how to read the blueprint of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support and balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry— how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

With the Solar Eclipse right in front of our eyes, we do know something auspicious is going on and we might feel touched by the magnificence of the universe and its mysterious ways of working. I live on Maui and when I look up at the night sky I am actually able to see the stars. I love doing that! A girl friend of mine loves to travel with her husband to Solar Eclipses around the world; he actually proposed to her on one of their first trips! Is there something magical going on with Solar Eclipses? Why is it obviously touching our human soul and spirit?

When you imagine how much radiation we receive daily from the electromagnetic energy output from the Sun it is easy to understand that the interruption from that energy stream of radiation from the center of consciousness in our universe will have an impact onto our consciousness and lives. Twice a year, the Sun, Moon and Earth align exactly the way that the constant stream of radiation from the Sun is blocked and there is partial or total darkness. This is bound to have an impact on us.

Think about it. We are energy beings made of energy swirling around on sub atomic levels creating our physical bodies. It is not hard to realize the intricate and fragile balance our life as we know it, needs to continue. Of course every shift in the magnetic radiation through Sun Flares and Eclipses will have an impact.

Therefore it is said that the Solar Eclipses are altering our consciousness with fresh energy. It is like rebooting your computer after the electricity has been down. Solar Eclipses are therefore extremely powerful New Moons and this time it is all happening in Capricorn along with four other planets beside the Sun and Moon. The last time this Solar Eclipse has happened in Capricorn was nineteen years ago in January 1991. I do not remember anything specific happening for me so long back; my memory will not do that. But I am a different person now anyway and the surrounding astrological constellations are very different.

We had a quiet beginning the first two weeks of this year. But now the heavenly stars are making up for it with a big bang.  The year is gearing up to a new level of consciousness with the Solar Eclipse on January 14 – 15, 2010. This is accompanied by a close conjunction with Venus and two planets changing direction around this eclipse; Saturn is turning retrograde and Mercury direct.

Astrology Gives You an Advantage

For me astrology is an elegant way to become more conscious of myself in the magnificence of life in its ever changing cycles and rhythms. I feel embedded in the safe knowledge of accountability of the movements of the stars throughout the skies and have the reassuring feeling of participating in an orderly functioning and therefore secure universe. As an astrologer I know about the specifics and particularities of the planetary constellations and their meaning which helps me to align myself with the universal forces and use them to my benefit. It is easier to release struggles and resistance against the irresistible and it also puts a time frame onto hard times. Understanding and a higher state of consciousness always gives me more of a choice and thus a chance to influence and set the stage to my advantage.

The highlights of the plentiful activities in this week are:

• Sun Conjunction Venus on January 13
• Saturn Turning Retrograde January 13
• New Moon/ Solar Eclipse in Capricorn in Conjunction with Venus on January 15
• Mercury Turning Direct on January 15
• Jupiter into Pisces on January 17

Sun Conjunction Venus on January 13
The Sun is reflecting our consciousness, our self identity and self image. It is one of the male representatives in astrology and thus can be seen as authority or father. Venus, the goddess of love and harmony, one of the female players softens the edges and brings kindness and compassion. This is a nice lead into the Eclipse for conscious alignment with greater kindheartedness and well intentions.

Saturn Turning Retrograde January 13
Saturn always had a bad reputation in astrology till astrologers like Liz Green shed new light and a different perspective onto the much needed qualities of Saturn. She was breaking new ground in looking at Saturn as a deepening and truly beneficiary actor in the chart. Saturn is playing a tremendously important role for us right now through February 2010 with the square to Pluto within 2 degrees.

The Outer World Reflects the Inner World!
When Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn turns retrograde we need to reassess the inner dimensions associated with Capricorn. We have to redefine our goals, coalitions, and roles to clarify our values and where we want to go. Usually we are easily ready to assign blame to outer structures; the failing economy, the corrupted government and the machinations of the corporate world. With Saturn retrograde till May 30 we are assigned to take a look into our own stuff inside. The outer world reflects the inner world! With that we have the responsibility to gain as much clarity (Saturn) as possible, mature and decide on new ways and implement them in our life. And that is a very powerful place. We can change the world, one step at a time within our reach.

New Moon/ Solar Eclipse in Capricorn in Conjunction with Venus on January 15
Again this Solar Eclipse is special because of the Venus conjunction and the two female players, Moon and Venus hand in hand. If the feminine principle in general is one of giving and nourishing life this Eclipse sets the tone of a very encouraging and soul enriching direction to embark on.

Mercury in Capricorn & Conjunction with Pluto is Turning Direct on January 15
With the short term Pluto conjunction squaring Saturn we have a jump start of true inquiry and inner realization. With the help of Mercury, the mythical messenger in his forward motion we have more skills in implementing insights and lay the groundwork for new and transformative real solutions. No more scapegoats and band-aid solutions are acceptable. We need true and honest assessments of what is and act accordingly for the greater good. You might ask yourself:

• What does that mean for you?
• What has ripened in the retrograde motion of Mercury for you to be exposed and acted on now?

Jupiter into Pisces on January 17
Jupiter moves into Pisces shortly after the Eclipse and will remain there till June 5. 2010. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and is the largest planet in our solar system. He represents the principle of expansion, the search for truth, wisdom, deeper meaning and understanding of the bigger picture. Pisces on the other hand is the twelfth sign of the zodiac and deals with the subtle, the non physical realm, the metaphysical, meditation, dreams, imagination, art and the oneness of our true nature.

Jupiter in Pisces can guide you into expansion in all these areas and enhance qualities as compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and enhance your inner connection with the Divine. Out of that miracles are possible!

The Moon’s passage on Sunday over healing Chiron, then over Neptune is enhancing the potential of a new understanding with its brief conjunction with Jupiter in Pisces. All these discussed planetary constellations are somehow tied in with this Solar Eclipse and raise hope for another step in the right direction. True change and evolution happens in miniature steps invisible to the human eye. Astrology is just one way to gain the overview and a deeper understanding over the dynamic of the unfolding of events and history, but a very valid one.

This week’s astrological potential sets the tone for the coming year and ignites hope and a new light of consciousness for the truth of our oneness and divine origin.

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens, I like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. She has studied with many different spiritual teachers. Her practice spans hypnotherapy, meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and healing with gemstones. She creates beautiful jewelry for the soul and spirit at her studio on Maui, Hawaii, and is the author of Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

We have a very active astrological week ahead of us with many significant events spicing it up. The astrological forecast for this week is from November 2 to 8, 2009. But even if you found this article searching for the meaning of specific astrological aspects you will find great value in the following discussion.

Putting on the astrological glasses will help us to tune ourselves to the universal flow and instead of struggling and resisting against what life offers to us, we can be smart and adjust according to the cosmic requirements. The key to happiness and success is always the level of consciousness and awareness we are able to access. In NLP – Neuro Linguistic Programming we say that the solution for a problem is never to be found on the level of the problem. It is found on the Meta level, the next level of awareness which gives us the higher perspective and a more unique and creative approach from there.

Full Moon in Taurus on Monday the 2nd
Full Moon is always opposing the Sun and therefore getting full light exposure and a high level of consciousness with that. The waxing and waning of the Moon throughout the month, the Moon’s path around the Sun, is directly connected with our inner emotional tides and have to do with our gut reactions to people or events around us. Both signs of the Sun and the Moon are activated and need to be looked at for deeper insights.

The Sun in Scorpio is the most intensive month of the year with the challenging, passionate, extreme and transforming energy Scorpio represents. Decisions we have put off, areas of our life we tried to ignore will rear their ugly heads and confront us. But it seems that somehow we always rise to the occasion and deal with the emergencies and problems presented to us by life. It seems like life is the best and most patient spiritual teacher we have. If we don’t get the lesson the first time it doesn’t really matter, we will be presented with it again and again till we get it. There is nothing we can do wrong, no wrong choice or decision we can make, in the bigger picture it is all good. We are here to just experience ourselves in the endless creative circle of life with all these different ways to go and things to try out.

The Full Moon offers us a clear perspective into the emotional unfolding of what has begun with the New Moon. It is the high point, the pinnacle of that emotional theme and way we tend to approach life throughout the month. With the Full Moon in Taurus we are reminded of the joy we have within our body, through the body. Taurus is sensual and very physical. His approach to life is very practical and earthy. You are invited to celebrate the temple of your soul with a massage, a sweat lodge, a hot bath or Jacuzzi or love making with your significant one. It is a time to give thanks and feel gratitude for what that body of yours is giving you and enabling you to do.

For the spiritual beings we are, we need this physical container to participate in the experience of being human and what a joy that can be.

Sun Mercury Conjunction on Thursday the 5th
The Scorpio Sun will be in conjunction with Mercury. It will intensify our willingness to take a deep look into what is the truth of the moment and confront our inner demons. Mercury is representing our mind and mental approach and filter to the world. Mercury in Scorpio is willing to confront uncomfortable areas or people we need to take a stand with. How could you use this to your advantage? Think about which area in your life would benefit from that deep inquiry into truth? Where could you use a little more courage and support to confront what needs to be looked at?

Venus Enters Scorpio on Saturday the 7th
And then there is Venus, the goddess of love, harmony and beauty moving on into Scorpio as well. With that we will have 3 planets Sun, Mercury and Venus in Scorpio for a while. I would think that this particular combination will stir things up in our relationships. Whatever is not right and true will be exposed to the light of the Sun, the deeper look of Mercury and the high standards of Venus. It might not be very comfortable to allow that to happen, but resistance is futile…We will do better by consciously aligning ourselves with the theme and pay attention to our family and loved ones.

Remember what it was that attracted you to your partner in the beginning. What was it about him or her that excited you? Look back at the length of time of your life you have shared with that person and how he or she has contributed to your growth and becoming the person you are today. Take a day off together and go somewhere and do something special, something different then usual. Invite the unexpected and new into your life. Treat your relationship like a plant with a beautiful flower. It will need proper sun light (awareness), water (feelings) and nutrition (fun, intimacy, autonomy, inspiration, growth and good sex) just like a plant.

In the bigger picture this is just the beginning of more awareness in the relationship arena with Saturn who has just entered Libra for a 2 ½ year stint.

Neptune Turning Direct
And last not least we have Neptune turning direct on Wednesday the 4th. Whenever a planet turns direct it will take a little time for the new energy flow to adjust to the new direction. A planet moving direct is more present and available with its energy. Neptune is a planet which is kind of diffuse, nebulous and hard to grasp consciously to begin with. A retrograde Neptune is not so easy to integrate. Neptune connects us with the collective sub consciousness, the undercurrent, the truth of oneness which is below our conscious day to day perspective and the fullest potential of dreams and possibilities. We can expect now to connect easier with our dreams and visions and take steps of action.

We can apply this to our relationships as well. We can sit down with our partner or a journal and tap into the deepest level of our longing and dreams we treasure in our heart. What is it you are really looking for in a relationship? What qualities are a “must have”? Is it important for you how somebody looks? Or what really is it you need, desire and cannot be without?

This is a lot of fun to do and share with your partner or a friend. Here is the gemstone to play with for this week. It is not an expensive stone and one of the more rare and unknown specimens.

Apatite is the Gemstone for the Week
Apatite is a beautiful stone occurring in a great variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The more common colors are the yellow-greenish hues. The crystals are hexagonal and short; it may also be found in the form of a cat’s eye. Its origins include Burma, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. It is not a good stone to set into rings because it is brittle and has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs’ scale, which is relatively soft, making it not rugged enough for a ring.

Apatite has a pleasing shine and a very soft, warm, and soothing radiance.
Its soft light sets up a healing, nourishing energy flow between the solar plexus and the heart chakra. In strengthening our own creative expression in alignment with the heart, it helps us to create and express ourselves from our deepest truth. In this sense this is a stone for artists and people who want to activate the energy of the solar plexus chakra (the “power” chakra) to achieve their innermost dreams.

The blue Apatite connects the heart with the throat chakra. We learn to find and speak our own inner truth with courage. We trust the guidance of our higher self and take the first step towards our dreams and visions. We allow ourselves to be in the exhilarating creative flow of life and enjoy the ride.

The great variety of colors of Apatite reminds us of the importance of our inner as well as outer abundance. – (taken from my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul)

As you can tell I am very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as healing allies for our journey. I have even written a book about it and the connection with astrology.  In my book I teach you how to read your astrological chart and recognize your main themes and challenges. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones or other means.
I hope you enjoyed reading my article, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.
Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

The Blazing Summer Sign of Leo

By the end of July the summer sun is blazing and crops are bursting with their life force. Leo is a highly energetic, masculine fire sign. Leos can be none other than kings, leading all types of enterprises with their strong personalities. They need to be independent in their work, not submissive to others. They have a sense of entitlement and expect to be served. Fortunately, their strong, egocentric, masculine side is balanced by devotion to their children, a warm heart, and generosity. Leos’ courage pays off in the business world, where they take risks that lead to success.

The Ruler of the Star Sign Leo is the Sun

The Sun is a decidedly male heavenly body. It is the ruler of our universe and the source of all life and consciousness on Earth—our father. Life is consciousness! Because it is the center of our universe, it is associated with the center of our conscious selves—our self awareness, ego, personality, identity, and spirit. This is a most creative, powerful, and energetic heavenly body, giving us our life force, health, and vitality, our strength, willpower, and determination.

The male quality of the Sun is associated with authority figures, leadership, husbands, and fatherhood. The creative power of the Sun is associated with all creative endeavors, including the arts, procreation, and even commercial enterprises. In the horoscope the Sun lends its energy to the other planets.

The Sun rules Leo and the 5^th House (Children & Creativity). In medicine it rules the heart and circulatory system.

How Gemstones Can Enhance Your Leo Experience

Leo is a masculine fire sign. Gemstones and especially Diamonds perfectly represent the life force energy, power, and fire of Leos.

Gemstones have both physical and metaphysical qualities that can enhance all aspects of your well-being. The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstones creates an energy field that interacts with our own when you hold it or wear it on your body. In this way, the gemstone can be used to calm you, bring you mental clarity, increase your energy, enhance your creativity, and much more.

Astrology and Gemstones

Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation, from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniest particles of atoms—all are part of the same network of universal energy. Based on the hermetic principle “As above, so below,” those universal principles allow us to read relations among the planets and extrapolate those principles to things here on Earth, to events in our lives, as well as to our natural environment. The universal principles that govern the planets are also seen on the much smaller level of gemstones, crystals, and metals.

The Signature of Gemstones

Each gemstone is associated with specific planets. You are already aware that each planet has its own personality in astrology. And each gemstone has a personal “signature”—specific metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, that arise from the stone’s association with its planets.

How to Make Gemstones Work for You

By considering the individual signature of gemstones, you can select the right gems for very specific purposes, according to their astrological qualities.

Gemstones can be used in three different ways:

1. They are precious objects of beauty that may hold a special meaning for us. We enjoy their beauty by giving them a special place on a shelf, desk, or altar.
2. They can be used in meditation by tuning into their frequency for the purpose of balancing our energy field.
3. They can be made into jewelry pieces for our pleasure, enhancing our individual expression of beauty and sense of empowerment.

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of gemstones through my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul where I teach you more about astrological concepts, how to read your horoscope and how to find the main themes in your chart.

You will know how it all fits together into the bigger picture and you will be able to balance yourself with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones. If that interests you have a closer look at it.

Below you will find a description of the Diamond, one of the true astrological birthstones for Leo. The astrological signature of Diamond is Sun, Saturn, Mars and Venus. That means if you want to support those planetary principles in your chart Diamond is one of the best stones to do that!

Diamond: The King of Gemstones [1]

“Like Leo, the Diamond is the royal king of gemstones. Throughout the ages it has been accorded a place of honor as the most beautiful and precious of all gemstones. It has the highest reflection of light and is the hardest and most durable of all gems.

The Diamond represents the life force energy of the sun, the highest expression of light and consciousness in our solar system and therefore serving as the gateway to higher perceptions of reality, other realms and dimensions.

Many of our myths and stories show the individual hero struggling against some challenge; conquering that challenge requires growth and evolution to a higher state of understanding and consciousness. This is the quest that we all pursue. The Diamond is a metaphor for this process: it is mined, cut, and polished, evolving toward a state of ever more refined perfection until it becomes a perfect manifestation of light and wisdom. Does this not mirror our own path toward a greater state of enlightened perfection?

The Diamond helps us to connect with our creativity and the power radiating out from the center of our being. Supported by the Diamond, we delve below our outward personality and discover our true selves.

As Diamond is the hardest stone, it supports us by helping us to achieve structure, self-discipline, and endurance in our lives so that we may extend the boundaries of our capacities.

The Diamond represents the crown chakra, our connection to unity consciousness, to all that is. It refracts light prismatically like a rainbow, representing our eternal connection to the divine source.

Given all of these superb qualities, we can all benefit from wearing a Diamond, wherever we are on our path. Its strength is enhanced when it is worn with the right awareness, helping us, through our human consciousness, to discover that we are part of the divine consciousness.

Whenever we wear a Diamond in combination with other colored stones, it enhances the qualities of the colored stone. I love to combine Diamonds with other stones in my jewelry; it’s like shining the light of consciousness into specific areas of your life.

The Green Diamond is very rare. It teaches us about the riches of the heart. It is an androgynous being with both male and female qualities. She is the lover and the beloved. He is the healer of the heart and makes it strong to protect it from hurt. Abundance of the heart and spirit and the grace that ensues from them—those are the lessons of Green Diamond.

The Yellow Diamond is also a unique and highly coveted stone. It represents the Sun and pure life energy and joy, meaning also love. Its golden light radiates into our body and soul, reminding us of the truth of who we are: eternal beings of light and spirit.

The Yellow Diamond stimulates and enhances our creativity and self-expression. It represents an artist of life who is able to celebrate and respond to life and its challenges. The wearer of the Yellow Diamond can stay very focused, determined, and patient as projects unfold.

This Diamond imparts the ability to keep the bigger picture in mind without getting lost in details, making us very successful in all our endeavors. We become winners with a golden touch like King Midas.”

• If you enjoyed this article and my musings, I invite you to come back to my blog where I discuss daily aspects of the universal, astrological forces and the metaphysical properties of gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

[1] Adapted from Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul © 2008 by Shakti Carola Navran. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989. All rights reserved, used by permission of the publisher.

We live in a beautiful vibrational universe and to use the metaphysical properties of power gems for our personal well being is a very elegant and deeply satisfying way to connect with the beauty of the mineral world.

There is great beauty in the natural form our world takes. Nature can be breathtaking and nourishing in many ways: a sunset over the ocean, a mountain landscape, a flower, or a crystal gemstone. Wherever we perceive balance and harmony we experience beauty. No wonder the perfect crystallization, the reflection of color and transmission of light touches our human heart and lifts our soul.

Beauty is deeply fulfilling for humans. Being in nature, looking at a flower, tuning into a gemstone can realign our own energy pattern to a more balanced flow. I believe that a gemstone that attracts your eye with its beauty will always be beneficial for you.

A Universe Swirling with Energy

It is now universally accepted and confirmed by science that we live in a universe made of energy vibrating at different frequencies. Every bit of seemingly solid matter is just a swirling microcosmic world of vibrating, energized particles creating form as we know it. That applies to our body and to the world we live in and therefore to gemstones as well.

When our energetic pattern of our bodies are out of balance and harmony it will manifest in some form of dysfunction in the physical body at some point.

When the energy system of the body is in balance we feel joyful and centered, emotionally as well as physically. There are many different natural approaches to achieve that balance.

I am a lover and expert of natural gemstones and of course I use gemstones and their healing properties as my preferred way of beautifying myself into harmony and want to inspire you to do the same.

The Signature and Metaphysical Properties of Crystal and Gemstones

In all cultures throughout history gemstones and crystals have had a special place. They have been used for empowerment and for focusing energy in rituals, sacred objects, and jewelry.

The perfectly aligned crystal structure of gemstones and crystals gives them their energy and metaphysical properties: they interact with our own energy field and have a balancing and healing impact on our mind, body, and soul. Each gemstone has a personal “signature”—specific metaphysical qualities, different for each stone, that arise from the stone’s chemical composition, color, hardness, crystal structure, and so on.

Astrology, the ancient science of the universal laws, allows us to understand the creative forces at work in our lives and use them to our advantage. Gemstones occupy an important place in astrology. By considering the individual signature of gemstones, we can select the right gems for very specific purposes, according to their astrological representation. We can use them with appreciation for their beauty to balance and heal what tensions and frictions we feel and will be reflected in our astrological chart.

Astrology and True Birthstones

Astrological principles manifest at all levels of creation, from the largest bodies in the cosmos to the tiniest particles of atoms—all are part of the same network of universal energy. Based on the hermetic principle “As above, so below,” those universal principles allow us to read the analogue relations among the planets and extrapolate those principles to things here on Earth, to events in our lives, as well as to our natural environment. The universal principles that govern the planets are also seen on the much smaller level of gemstones, crystals, and metals.

Most of us know the gemstone corresponding to when we were born based on the list created by jewelers. This is a simplified commercial list, not created by astrologers, and therefore most of the stones on this list are not the true astrological birthstones. Sorry to tell you the truth! But there is also good news.

Your Personal Astrological Chart

You need to have a look into your whole planetary blue print, your personal horoscope to really be able to find your personal power gems and true birthstones. Doing that you can find the gemstone with just the right signature for the individual you are.

We all have 12 main healing stones which are representing the most favorable ones for the 10 classical planets, the moon node and Chiron. Which ones are the ones to choose is depending on in which sign and house position the planets are in your chart, and how they are interconnected with each other through their aspects.

If you want to find out more about those 12 main healing stones, you will enjoy my book:

Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul where I explain in depth about healing qualities and the planetary signature of 67 gemstones with a cross reference list. I teach you how to find the main themes and challenges in your chart and which stones are the right ones for you in balancing them.

If you know your healing gemstones you can then easily pick the ones of highest attraction and beauty to your eyes and design your own piece of soul jewely, totally personalized jewelry to your souls requirements.

I hope I have inspired you to look with fresh eyes at the beautiful world we are living in and consider adorning yourself with your true power gems in your jewelry.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.