Mythology and History
Emerald is derived from the Persian word meaning "green gem." It changed from Greek to Latin as smaragdus, then to esmaude, esmralde, and in the 16th century to esmeralde. Emeralds are ancient gemstones. According to the oldest book in the world, the Papyrus Prisse, "But good words are more difficult to find than the emerald, for it is by slaves that it is discovered among the rocks."
This book is 4500 years old, but the passage was copied from a writing 1000 years earlier. The book was probably referring to the Egyptian mines, the oldest of which dates back to 3000 BCE.
In ancient Egyptian myth, Thoth, the god of wisdom, gave emeralds to the world. The semi-divine Egyptian magician Hermes Trismegistos created the legendary Emerald Tablet, on which, it was said, were engraved all the secrets of magic and alchemy.
According to the Book of Revelations, the throne of God is made of emerald. An early Christian bishop, Andreas of Caesarea, declared the emerald to be the stone of Saint John the Apostle and to have the power to release penitents from their sins.
It was recorded that Nero would watch the gladiator games through flat emerald crystals. Pliny, the Roman scholar, was the first to suggest emerald was a member of the Beryl family of stones. It was not until the early 19th century that modern science proved him right!
Healing Properties
Emerald assists eyesight and helps with eye infections and conditions linked with the heart, lungs, thymus, pancreas and lymph nodes. It aids recovery after infectious illness, and has a detoxifying effect on the liver. Emerald helps biliousness and soothes headaches. It is a soporific and will ease shock and fatigue. Worn around the neck, emerald is believed to ward off epilepsy, alleviate rheumatism and assist with the healing of malignant conditions. Using an emerald gem essence will increase inner radiance and preserve youthfulness, and has been shown to improve the general health of older women, making the transition through the menopause easier and more comfortable. It is an excellent stone for women in labour.
Emotional/Psychic Attributes
A stone of inspiration and infinite patience, emerald is a life-affirming stone with great integrity. Known as the "stone of successful love," it brings domestic bliss and loyalty. It enhances unity, unconditional love, and partnerships and promotes friendship. Emerald helps keep a partnership in balance. If it changes colour, it is said to signal unfaithfulness. Emeralds are potent for use in both magic and psychic development. Use emeralds for rituals for the gradual increase of prosperity and for preserving fidelity in a permanent relationship. Wear an emerald out of sight near your heart for attracting love. Wear one openly for healing a relationship after infidelity or separation.
Emerald opens the heart chakra and has a calming effect on the emotions. This stone ensures physical, emotional, and mental equilibrium. It eliminates negativity and brings in positive actions. It enhances psychic abilities, opens clairvoyance, and stimulates the gathering of wisdom. Emerald gives the strength of character to overcome the misfortunes of life. It is a stone of regeneration and recovery and can heal negative emotions. Emerald is very centering and will bring stability to the emotional body; it releases jealousy, resentment, selfishness, scarcity mentality, greed, frustration and hypochondria. It is a gateway crystal into healing and wholeness. This beautiful green gem just loves harmony and abundance; because of this it is valued by healers, as it acts like a magnet, drawing life force to it. Wearing an emerald enhances the ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
In the workplace, emerald strengthens women and helps them to overcome prejudice and sexism. Even a very small uncut emerald will shield counsellors and care or social workers of both sexes and help them not to become weighed down by their responsibilities. Emerald is extremely beneficial to mutual understanding within a group of people, stimulating cooperation.
Recharging Emeralds emergies
Wipe your emerald with a soft cloth and recharge its powers in the light of the waxing moon.