Hello, March! It's finally the month of Spring!
March's Birthstone is
Aquamarine – “The Sea Stone”
Bring Courage & Safe Travels
Saturated in folklore, legend and ancient culture, the soft serene aquamarine stone was hailed as a mighty oracle and protection stone. The name aquamarine is literally translated as ‘sea water’, derived from the Latin words for Aqua (water) and Marina (the sea). In ancient lore, it was believed the serene Caribbean sea-colored stone was actually crystallized sea water, a treasure of mermaids, which invokes the tranquility of the sea.
Part of that belief came from the stone’s history as a sacred stone of Poseidon / Neptune, the Greek / Roman God of the Sea. As such, ancient Greeks and Romans knew the gem as the sailor’s gem, and wore amulets made of aquamarine engraved with Poseidon / Neptune, as a protection talisman.
Used especially by sailors, wayfinders and voyagers as protection, aquamarine promised a prosperous and safe voyage for all those at sea, under the protection of the Sea God. Aquamarine’s myths and legends claim it was worn to guarantee safe travels on long voyages, particularly the perils of ancient sea monsters, like the leviathan, kraken, Scylla, mermaids and sirens, and was believed to prevent foul weather.
“The lovely aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied."
- Ancient Roman philosopher, and author, Pliny the Elder.
An abundance of ancient civilizations, including Sumerians, Egyptians, Hebrews, Christians, and the Greeks and Romans admired the aquamarine for its numerous benefits, like courage, tranquility, loyalty, fealty, calmness, friendship, and re-awakening romance. Of all its elements, though, serenity is the most well-known benefit of this water colored stone. In fact, aquamarines, ofttimes called the ‘Magic Mirror’, were thought to be the source of power for soothsayers and oracles, used for telling fortunes and addressing the future. Aquamarine was one of the most popular and effective of the “oracle” crystals of ancient times, as well as a meditation aid, to help cultivate inner tranquility.
In addition, the sea-stone was thought to cool the temperament and keep one peaceful, and allows it wearer to be calm and levelheaded, despite provocation. Which made it more valuable still in ancient lore, where many warriors wore aquamarine to bring victory in battles and legal disputes, through levelheadedness. This aspect of the lore took another turn in Medieval times, where aquamarine was gifted to brides at their weddings to symbolize long unity, loyalty and love. Some even believed it could re-awaken love between two people, or married couples. For this reason, serene aquamarine is also the 19th (and in some cases, the 18th) Anniversary gift of marriages today.