About Gemstones


In this article we will not discuss how gemstones work.
The popular interpretation based on color, vibration, wavelength of gemstones affecting us is too peripheral and
not sufficient to explain why wearing a particular gemstone can help a person achieve a material pursuit.
To have a good understanding of functionality of remedial measures in astrology ( gemstones, penance, charity, rituals, mantra, guru) a different mindset and a different approach is required. This approach requires  investigating the areas which are very dear to Indian thought - karma , fate, free will, destiny etc..  and of course a meditative mindset where all things are seen as interdependent and inseparable parts of this cosmic whole.

O V E R V I E W

The  life of a person is constantly overwhelmed  by desires and more desires. Some desire are fulfilled, a lot many remain unfulfilled. Sometimes, despite many efforts the goal remains elusive and unachievable. Sometimes a person is besieged by problems that seem to have no solution. The unorthodox ( and a bit mystical too) methods to tackle these desires and problems  is  what constitutes the domain of  remedial measures in astrology.

Several methods are recommended in astrology -gemstones, penance, charity, rituals, mantra, guru etc..

For a easier understanding of gem therapy you might want to visualize  gemstones  as some sort of medicine.
The unfulfilled desires and the unsolved problems can be viewed as some kind of  deficiency or a diseases in the life-body.
Then a 'dose' of  right gem therapy might address the affliction.

For the sake of more clarity on gem therapy let us divide the medicines into following groups :
a) Tonic Group : You are ok, full of vigor, vitality and cheerfulness, no disease or deficiency as such but you think that extra
    help from tonic might add some more fun to it.
b) Remedy Group : Body has certain deficiencies / disease that need to be addressed. Right medicine can help, wrong medicine
     can cause more harm.
c) Neutral Group : Some medicines will do neither good nor bad. Neutral.
 
So with gemstones.

A) The 'Tonic' gemstones represent the benefic planets  in your horoscope. The success and the vigor in life is due to these 
     benefic planets. You can wear the gemstones represented by those benefic planets to get that extra fun.
B) The 'Remedy' gemstones. Represented by the malefic planets causing obstruction in a person's life-body. When a disease
     strikes - you visit a doctor because he / she has the knowledge to prescribe the right medicine. Same with gemstones. An
     astrologer need to study your horoscope to ascertain the right gem therapy.
C) Neutral gemstones ( represented by the neutral planets in a horoscope) are neither good nor bad.

The benefic, malefic and neutral planets for a person / horoscope.

When a person is born, the instance of birth ( date, time , latitude and longitude) touches a very sensitive point in zodiac that becomes the starting point in a person's horoscope. This is the axis, the pivot, the foundation on which rest of the horoscope is built. This starting point is called as ascendant or rising sign or the lagna. The planets become good, bad or neutral in reference to this point.

For example if a person is born in Scorpio ascendant then :
Sun, Moon, Jupiter becomes benefic or good.
Mercury , Venus becomes malefic or bad
Saturn, Mars becomes neutral

Here is the complete table :
 

Gemstones and the planets

	Planet	Gemstone	Hindi Name	Weight in Ratti ( 1 Carat = 200 mg   1 Ratti = 180 mg)
	Sun	Ruby	Manik	3, 5
	Moon	Pearl	Moti	2, 4, 6, 9
	Mars	Coral	Moonga	7, 9, 11
	Mercury	Emerald	Panna	3, 5, 7, 10
	Jupiter	Yellow Sapphire	Pokhraj	7, 13 ( Avoid 6, 11, 15)
	Venus	Diamond	Heera	1/4 or 1/2 minimum
	Saturn	Blue Sapphire	Neelam	5, 7
	Rahu	Hessonite	Gomedh	6, 11, 13 ( Avoid 7, 10, 16)
	Ketu	Cat's eye	Lahasunya	3, 5, 7

You cant possibly use these tables and conclude which gemstone to wear or avoid. As in medicine, so with gemstones a good deal of diagnostics has to be made on an individual horoscope to prescribe the right gemstone .

..to be continued

Gemstones :
Do's and Don'ts : What should I wear - What to avoid
The birth stone and the dynamic stone
Which finger to wear the gemstone : left hand or right hand
When to wear ...etc..