Garnet

Deep red garnet crystals.

Garnet is most commonly recognized as a crystal deep to bright red in colour. There are many variations of garnet – in fact, garnet is the name given to a group of minerals of various shapes and hues. They are related due to their chemical composition and crystal structure, though mineralogists are debating whether or not to separate the branches of different garnets as individual mineral rocks. The most common branches of garnet include Almandine (red, brown or black), Andradite (khaki, brown, or black), Grossularite (gray, green, or pink), Hessonite (red, yellow, orange, or brown), Melanite (black), Pyrope (dark red), Rhodolite (dark red to red-violet), Spessartite (yellow, red-brown, or brown), and Uvarovite (emerald green).

Garnet is the birthstone for January.

History

In the medieval times, garnet is said to be identical to the era’s carbuncle, which is a stone that was rumoured to glow in the dark. It was treasured by many civilians, especially by the upper class men, due to its valuable traits. This carbuncle was considered to be a spiritual stone because it illuminated the darkened soul and brings the light out of it, and an infinite amount of hope rises. Garnet has received its nickname, “The Stone of Heroes”, with its demonstration of helping its owner overcome their hardships in order to prove their courageousness. Similarly, the stone garnet was also alike to one that is hidden in eternal darkness and requires the assistance of the stone to help them into the light. Its rough form hides the polished form, along with its bright colour and fire that was ready to be brought into the open light. In addition, warriors of the Middle Ages used garnet in their shields and swords that protected them from pain or any injury sustained in battles against the enemies. Garnet amulets were also said to have brought luck, wealth, and an abundance of blessings.

Healing Properties

Garnet assists in spirituality. It helps one deal with situations with “no way out”. It is also the stone that deals with our social crises, such as the collapse of our world or difficult life circumstances. Garnet also helps us to deal with everyday problems, including the most minor and major ones. It helps one decrease their anger level, the desire for self-realization, and encourages its owner to seek mutual help for survival.

Emotionally, garnet promotes self-confidence, the strength of its holder, and a carefree enjoyment of life (“joie de vivre”). It gives one courage, hope, trust, and solutions to overcome challenging obstacles. In the most difficult situations, this stone will bestow patience and endurance to its wearer. It also gets rid of unnecessary taboos, balance in the sex life, and emotional clarity.

Garnet helps us discard outworn or non-usable ideas, views and agreements to help us begin a new life. It also eliminates behaviour or habits that prevent us from moving on in our life and reaching our goal of a free lifestyle. It bestows the power for us to come up with new ideas, despite the resistance or sabotage that usually tends to get in our way.

Physically, garnet helps in the regeneration of our body. It stimulates one’s metabolism, eliminates the “walls” that stand in our way, and gathers the necessary body fluids (e.g. blood) into a composition. It stabilizes blood circulation, encourages our body to absorb necessary nutrients in the intestines, and helps accelerate the healing of internal and external wounds.

Scientific info

References

Michael Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing (London: Cassell & Co., 2000), 288-292.
Cass Jackson, et al., The Healing Power of Crystals (Rutland, United Kingdom: Caxton Publishing Group, 2001), 36.