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Agate

Agate, a form of chalcedony, is an excellent
gem material because of its many colors, patterns, hardness and ability to take
a brilliant polish. Agate is named after the Achates River in Sicily, now known as
the Drillo River, which remains a major source of this gemstone.
Agate was valued by ancient civilizations back to
the beginnings of time; the
Egyptians are known to have used it before 3,000 BC. It has been
found amongst the artifacts of Stone Age man in France (20,000 -
16,000 BC).
Lore
In general agates are considered to be protection and good
luck stones.
- Banded Agate: Promotes strength of body and will. Bolsters one
in times of stress.
- Botswana Agate: Increases sexual power. Helps with
emotional understanding. Said to strengthen the auto-immune system.
Sometimes used to ease the pain of loneliness.
- Blue Lace Agate: Peace, happiness and harmony. Inspires hope and optimism.
Calms the emotions and eases mental distraction.
- Mexican Lace Agate: Said to lift depression and strengthen your attitude.
- White Lace Agate: Elevates your thoughts and increases
friendliness and happiness.
- Moss Agate: Eases emotional pain and anxiety to bring peace of
mind.
- Moss agate aids creativity, confidence and strength. Farmers use it
as a talisman to ensure a bountiful crop as it connects one with the earth and
helps us communicate with animals, plants and all of nature.
- Iris Agate: Brings us to a new level of awareness about
physical pleasure and our world. Fosters truth, honor, joy, and physical
well being.
- Fern Agate: A communication aide. Helps to improve our awareness
of the mystical world of nature.
- Fire Agate: Associated with courage and enthusiasm, fire
agate can help one in overcoming timidity to become more self assertive and
expressive.
- Plume Agate: Said to improve imagination and creative visualization. Aids
you in keeping focused towards achieving your goals; thus making it a good stone
for job-hunting.
- Dendritic Agate: In addition to general protection this form of agate is also
associated with safe travel, and is thought to prevent accidents due to
tiredness. Stimulates tranquility.
- Red Agate is known as Carnelian. Carnelian is a stone of good luck.
Mohammad, Napoleon I and Napoleon III wore carnelian. It is said to help
asthma, and blood pressure.
In the eleventh century Marbodus, Bishop of Rennes, said that agates make the
wearers agreeable and persuasive and also give them the favor of God.
"The agate possessed some wonderful virtues, for its wearer was guarded
from all dangers, was enabled to vanquish all terrestrial obstacles and was
endowed with a bold heart . . ." 1
1) George Frederick Kunz "The
curious Lore of Precious Stones"
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