Garnet
gemstones, minerals, rolled stones, bracelets, pendants, beads
A stone reputed to bring strength and courage to warriors, Garnet is, according to legend, the 3ᵉ eye of dragons, the one that allows them to see the world of matter.
What are the virtues and properties of garnet in lithotherapy?
Born from the alliance of earth wisdom and the transformative power of fire, the spiritual virtues of Garnet in lithotherapy help to free you from your shackles - limiting beliefs, repetitive patterns, obsolete behaviors. By grasping the stone's significance, you can take a broader look at your reality, a fresh eye that will enable you to accept new perspectives by learning from past mistakes.
The origins of its symbols
The name Garnet comes from the Latin malum granatum, meaning pomegranate; often, the names of its different varieties come from those who officially discovered them.
In ancient times, red garnets were known as charcoal, and in the Middle Ages as carbuncle.
It's a stone that has always had a great reputation around the world and is the stuff of many tales.
It was already used 4,000 years ago by the Sumerians. Its great hardness enabled them to cut other, softer stones. It was also ground into powder for sanding. These uses of garnet are still relevant today, particularly for precision cutting.
Garnet, sometimes found in Viking burials, is today interpreted as a symbolic stone in funeral rites. While historical sources do not confirm its role in Nordic eschatological beliefs, some modern interpretations attribute to it the function of spiritual guide to Walhalla, the paradise where one could feast and toast with the gods.
Known since antiquity, garnet has been used by various civilizations - notably the Egyptians (who appreciated its color and solar symbolism), the Romans (to mark the seals of important documents), the Greeks (associated with Aphrodite, as a talisman to ward off evil or for its vitality-enhancing curative virtues) and certain Asian cultures - to make jewelry and amulets.
In the Middle Ages, garnet was said to have protective properties - against wounds, poisons and evil spirits. It was also common to make ceremonial or prestige sword pommels set with Garnet to bring protection and courage to the owner.
While the fact is not confirmed by British military records or primary historical sources, legend has it that in 1892 the Hunzas of northern Pakistan used projectiles made from Garnets against British troops in Kashmir: they believed that Garnet's blood-red color would have a more lethal range than lead bullets.
In the Swiss Alps, where garnet has long been considered a woman's stone, it was sewn into many traditional costumes.
A birthstone for people born in January, garnet is widely used in jewelry. Cut into facets, the beauty of its dark and pinkish reds reveals all their splendor.
Other myths and legends about Garnet
Legend has it that, during the Flood, Noah used a Garnet lantern to guide his ark through the dark of night.
Garnet is also said to be the 3ᵉ eye of dragons, enabling them to see the world of matter.
In Vedic astrology, the talisman that protects against Rhahu's demonic influences is a Hessonite garnet.
The benefits of a good self-image in lithotherapy
In lithotherapy, the company of Garnet can help you maintain your self-esteem and confidence in your resources and abilities at all times. This renewed lucidity will help you preserve or rediscover your essence, wisely separating it from any pain you may be experiencing.
The fire of change and the benefits of evolving perception are suddenly possible. Garnet helps you to act concretely, its properties being able to create your reality in matter, the one you desire deep down.
The almandine garnet
Almandine garnet is a stone that can give great strength and courage in lithotherapy. It acts as an anchor for strong roots, so you can draw strength from the sacred energy of the earth's womb and nourish yourself with it. This energy of earth and fire brings vitality and dynamism, courage and strength. It helps you to realize your projects in matter and to accept your incarnation.
According to tradition, almandine garnet is also reputed to prevent miscarriage, ease childbirth, prevent the formation of clots in the uterus, relieve post-partum trenches and reduce bleeding in the event of heavy periods.
Pyrope garnet and rhodolite
Pyrope Garnet has the same virtues as Almandine Garnet.
According to the same traditions, it is ideal during convalescence, for recovering from illness or as a support in difficult and exhausting situations.
It may also help with erectile dysfunction.
Rhodolite garnet is a blend of pyrope and almandine garnets, with the same lithotherapy virtues.
More about almandine, pyrope and rhodolite garnets
Hessonite garnet
Hessonite garnet is an invitation to joie de vivre. Its company stimulates your creative power and libido. It's a welcome companion in times of depression, loneliness or lack of warmth.
It is traditionally said to act as a hormone regulator and can help improve fertility.
Find out more about Hessonite garnet
Chrome Garnet
Chromium grossular garnet carries a springtime energy that enthusiastically invites renewal. In lithotherapy, it works on the heart, encouraging the expression of feelings. It helps us to live through periods of change with gentleness.
It connects you to the energies of nature and its healing forces, which can bring you new confidence in life and its magic. It is also said to have detoxifying properties for the body.
Uvarovite garnet
This garnet has great healing power in lithotherapy, acting primarily on the heart area, dissolving emotional blockages. With it, you can find a new lease on life, far from the feelings of frustration, jealousy, unspoken words or resentment that may have clogged you up for too long.
It can be a great help in the event of shock or intense emotional stress.
How to use garnet in lithotherapy
- Wear a Garnet as a talisman to give yourself strength and courage in everyday life
- place almandine garnets or pyropes in your socks, or make yourself an ankle bracelet to improve blood circulation, prevent varicose veins and improve your anchorage and
- do a relaxation or meditation session with a Garnet Grossulaire placed on your heart to harmonize the energies in this area.
Where to place the Garnet?
- A Garnet in your living space can bring energy to get you through difficult situations and prevent things from stagnating too long.
- place an almandine garnet, rhodolite or pyrope under your bed to protect you from possible telluric disturbances
- a garnet hessonite in your kitchen can enhance conviviality and make you want to cook up a storm.
- a Grenat almandin is perfect in your wine cellar to preserve their aromas.
Who is Grenat for?
- For and who need courage to face difficult events
- for people who lack anchorage, have difficulty fully embodying themselves in matter or have blood circulation problems.p
- for the adventurous and life
- for and who lack independence, willpower or vitality
- Pyrope garnets, rhodolites and almandines are not suitable for angry people who tend to abuse their power.
What stones, crystals or minerals can garnet be associated with in lithotherapy?
Garnet is a stone of vital energy, linked to courage and personal evolution. To amplify its effects, it can be combined with other crystals, such as :
- Citrine or yellow hyaline quartz promotes motivation, good humour, self-confidence and creativity.
- Hematite or Anhydroferrite can balance the revitalization of garnet with its anchoring power.
- Anchoring black Tourmaline will also bring balance when working on emotions.
How to purify garnet?
To clean and recharge the stone
Exposure to moon/sun, fire, earth, running water, waveform, fumigation, singing bowl, breath/windChakras
Almandin, rhodolite and pyrope : 1er chakra - RootGreen or pink grossular and uvarovite: 4ᵉ chakra - Heart
Hessonite: 2ᵉ chakra - Sacred
Astrological signs
Capricorn, Aries, Taurus, Virgo, Libra, Gemini and ScorpioElements
Almandin and pyrope: EarthGrossular and uvarovite: Water
Hessonite: Fire
Garnet mineralogy
The garnet group belongs to the neosilicate class. It comprises 16 different minerals, each divided into different varieties. Most garnets are formed in metamorphic rocks, some in magmatic formations, and some in both.
Almandine garnet is an and silicate, dark red to brown in color. Its main deposits are found in India, Nepal, Scandinavia, Austria, Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Alaska and Brazil.
Pyrope garnet is a silicate of aluminum and magnesium, its color is bright red to reddish-black, sometimes orange-brown. The main deposits are found in Bohemia, the Alps, the USA, Argentina, Madagascar, Russia and China.
Rhodolite garnet is a blend of pyrope and almandine garnets. Its color is red-purple or dark red-pink. It is found mainly in India, Argentina and Sri Lanka.
Grossular garnet is a and silicate. It is found in Tanzania, Canada, the United States, Russia, Mexico, Italy and Switzerland.
The grossular chrome variety comes mainly from Mali. It contains chromium, which gives it its green color.
The hessonite variety contains iron, which gives it its orange to yellow-brown color. It is found mainly in Namibia, Russia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Italy.
The emerald-green tsavorite variety contains vanadium and chromium and comes mainly from Tanzania and Kenya.
Uvarovite garnet is a dark-green and silicate found in metamorphic chromite deposits in the Urals, Finland, Silesia, Canada, the USA and the Himalayas. It occurs in meadows of microcrystals.
Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 6 to 7.5 - very hard, but less so than quartz.
Did you know?
Garnets come in all colors, except blue.
Lithotherapy
- Zodiac(s) :
- Libra, Aries, Capricorn, Gemini, Scorpio, Taurus, Virgo
- Purification :
- Singing bowl, Water, Fire, Fumigation, Moon, Form waves, Sun, Breath, Earth
- Physics :
- Blood circulation, Strength, Vitality
- Emotional :
- Action, Self-confidence, Courage, Self-esteem, Strength, Self-image, Perseverance, Self-respect, Balance
- Spiritual :
- Anchoring, Harmony, Embodiment, Protection, Meaning of life
- Miscellaneous :
- Childbirth, Protection
Mineralogy
- Hardness :
- 6.0-7.5
- Moths scale:
- 6, 7
- Strunz classification :
- Silicate
- Crystalline system :
- Cubic
- Chemical element :
- Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Al, Cr, V, Sn, Si, O
- Line color :
- White, melanite: light brown
- Density :
- 3.5-4.3
- Cleavage :
- Imperfect
- Fracture:
- Conchoidal, fragmented, fragile
- Transparency :
- Transparent to opaque
- Colors :
- Red-brown, dark green, black
- Magnetism :
- yes
- Radioactivity :
- no
Earth element
*Please note! Some minerals may be toxic and must not be licked or ingested (as such or in the form of powder, elixir or stone water) or be in prolonged contact with the skin or mucous membranes.
*The information on the stones described here are general indications based on our research and experience, and are not exhaustive.
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