CHRYSOLITE: “EVENING EMERALD”: THE ANCIENT AMIANTHUS: BANISHER OF EVIL INFLUENCES: STONE OF INSPIRATION: “THE PRECIOUS STONE”: CHRYSOPRASE: STONE OF DREAMS AND HAPPINESS: BAD EFFECT OF EXCESSIVE LIGHT: CINNAMON STONE: CITRINE OR FALSE TOPAZ: ITS TALISMANIC VIRTUES: COAL: BLACK DIAMONDS: “HAULING OVER THE COALS”: TAX ON COAL: FIRST COAL LICENCES: PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE USE OF COAL: FIRST COAL EXPORTED TO PARIS: THE NATURE OF CORAL: OLD BELIEF: TREVISA ON THE CORAL: CORAL SPECIES: PERSEUS AND THE MEDUSA: THE WORK OF THE SEA-NYMPHS: THE RISING OF THE LOVE GODDESS: THE EVIL EYE: FASCINATION: ROMAN CUSTOM: CORAL AND HEALTH: DISPELLER OF EVIL SPIRITS: INCUBI AND SUCCUBI: DR. HARTMANN’S TESTIMONY: BARTHOLOMEUS AND THE WYTCHES’ STONE: MYSTICAL PROPERTIES ASCRIBED TO CORAL: CUSTOM OF OLD GREEK SAILORS: LEMNIUS AND CORAL: THE GEM OF THE GARDEN OF EVERLASTING LIFE: A 17TH CENTURY PRESCRIPTION: THE STONE OF THE DANCERS: CORUNDUM: CORDIERITE: CROCIDOLITE: CRYSTAL: EARLY USE ON SCARABEI, ETC.: TRIAL OF PSYCHE: THE ETHIOPIAN KING AND THE CRYSTAL TOMBS: THE HAPSBURG CRYSTAL VASES: CRYSTAL IN CHINA AND JAPAN: THE TALISMAN OF CONCENTRATION: THE MEDICINE INDIANS: AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS AND THE CRYSTAL: RAIN STONE: THE CORADGEE: CRYSTALLOMANCY AMONGST THE NATIVES OF AUSTRALIA: CRYSTAL BALLS AND THE SUN’S RAYS: DR. BABBITT’S REMARKS ON THE CONVEX LENS: HYDROLITES: THE THIRD EYE: AN ANTIQUE SEAL RING: CRYSTALS IN THE HIGHLANDS: SIR WILLIAM RIDGEWAY ON CRYSTALS: SWEDENBORG’S STONE OF TRUTH.

CHRYSOLITE

The Chrysolite obtains its name from the Greek CHRYSOS, gold, and LITHOS, a stone. This gem is of a light greeny-yellow; when deep olive green it is known as a Peridot, when yellowish-green as True Olivine. Among the ancients the Chrysolite was our topaz. Its name, literally “Golden Stone,” indicates the beautiful golden topaz so highly esteemed by gem-lovers, which, we are told, derives its name from that mysterious Island of the Mists which Pliny calls Topazion. Dr. G. F. Herbert Smith writes of the variety peridot as bearing the pretty name of “the evening emerald,” and the most charming specimens resemble the light green of the sea waters near the shore, illuminated by the setting sun. This gem appears to be the Amianthus of post-Biblical writers, known as “the gem of miracles,” which drove away the spirits and influences of evil, protected against obsession, dissolved enchantments, and the phantoms of the night, gladdened the heart with hope, strengthened the soul, inspired thought, banished illusion, despair, madness, aided the faculties of inspiration and prophecy.

In the History of Monsieur Oufle—quoted by Brand—it is advised: “To expel phantoms and rid people of folly, take the precious stone chrysolite, set it in gold, and let them wear it about ’em.” Francis Barrett says that it is good for the lungs and cures asthmatical complaints; also that when held under the tongue it cures fevers, aids prophecy, bestows eloquence and inspiration. The peridot was known as “the” precious stone, and was often valued more than the diamond.

The hardness of the chrysolite is from 6 to 7 on Mohs’ scale. It is under the zodiacal Pisces.

CHRYSOPRASE

The chrysoprase derives its name from the Greek CHRYSOS, golden, and PRASON, a leek. It is an apple-green chalcedony, the colour being caused by oxide of nickel. The chrysoprase was esteemed the perfect stone of dreams in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It was believed that if one condemned for any offence whatever held a chrysoprase in his mouth he would escape punishment. It was a stone for the voyager on deep seas, a kindler of the imaginative faculties, a banisher of greed, selfishness and carelessness. It was the stone of happiness and enterprise, awakening slumbering faculties. It calmed irritability, the pains of gout, and, bound to the left arm, it prevented or cured the stone. It was the stone of prudence, adaptability and versatility, rousing to action, progress and adventure. To gaze into the chrysoprase was said to strengthen the eyes, especially when the Moon was passing through Taurus and Cancer. In many ways the chrysoprase was a religious symbol. In its Hebrew name of NOFEK it was the fourth stone of the Breastplate, and as the tenth jewel of the Rosicrucians it was the symbol of strength, moral and physical, and of invisible power. Swedenborg sees in it “the supreme heavenly love of truth,” and the Fathers see “triumph over sin.” Its symbology is reflected to the gateway through which the soul passed when entering the sphere of earth, and its dream influence was like an angel’s smile. Light in excess has an unfavourable effect on this stone, robbing it of its colour. Introduced into England in the reign of Ann, it was much loved by the Queen. It enjoyed great popularity during the times of the 3 Georges, and was a favorite gem of Queen Victoria.

The chrysoprase is under the zodiacal Cancer.

CINNAMON STONE. (See ESSONITE.)

CITRINE

Citrine is a clear light yellow quartz crystal, obtaining its name from its citron tint. It is correctly called False Topaz, and incorrectly Brazilian Topaz. It presents no cleavage like the topaz. It is also known as Spanish topaz and Occidental topaz. The citrine was carried as a protective talisman against miasmatic exhalations, plague epidemics, eruptive diseases, evil thought forms, alcoholic and other forms of indulgence. It was also employed as a charm against the bites of snakes, venomous reptiles and insects, and against scandal, libel and treachery.

The Citrine is under the zodiacal Scorpio.

COAL

Coal derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon word KOL, to kindle. It is a well-known solid black combustible substance, the remains of old forests and earth vegetation which chemical action has changed chiefly by the elimination of oxygen and hydrogen. Many dyes, acids, gases, flavourings, etc., are obtained from this important product. Amongst these are tar, coke, creosote, carbolic acid, naphtha, sal-ammoniac, ammonia, various explosives, drugs, mineral vanilla, etc. Dr. Brewer explains that to “haul over the coals” is historically and literally true: “At one time,” he says, “the Jews were ‘bled’ whenever the Kings or barons wanted money, and one very common torture, if they resisted, was to haul them over the coals of a slow fire to give them a roasting.” Sir Walter Scott alludes to this practice in “Ivanhoe.” Professor John Henry Pepper, writing, on “Coal and Coal Mines,” introduces the following interesting details: "In olden time, before a cargo of coals could be discharged from a collier, it was necessary to obtain the permission of the Lord Mayor who, for a certain consideration, granted the required permission. This much honoured magistrate and his worthy coadjutors, the aldermen, with the common councilmen and livery called the Corporation were permitted to lay a tax upon the “black diamonds” that amounted to something like £50,000 per annum. In 1830 the heaviest of the coal duties were abolished: and since that time the trade has assumed gigantic proportions which have made it the marvel of the civilized world. The first licences to dig coals were granted to the burgesses of Newcastle by Henry III and in 1281 a very good trade existed in that fuel. A proclamation in the reign of King Edward I shows the introduction of coal as a substitute for wood, and a charter of Edward II indicates that Derbyshire coal was used in London. In the same reign coals were first sent from Newcastle for the benefit of those trades which required fuel: and in 1316 a petition was made from Parliament to the King praying His Majesty to forbid all use of the new and pestilent fuel called “coals,” which was acceded to, and a proclamation made, commanding all use of coals to cease and determine, and threatening all who burnt coals to be mulcted, and on a second offence to have their furnaces demolished. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth the burning of stone coal was again prohibited during the sitting of Parliament. At a subsequent period, about 1648, coals were once more placed under a ban.... In 1520 Newcastle coal was first exported into Paris."

A piece of coal was carried by thieves in the belief that it would protect them from detection, and help them to escape when pursued. To dream of coals is indicated as a symbol of disappointment, trouble, affliction and losses, except if the coals be burning brightly when the symbol gives promises of uplifting and advancement, for the fire symbol of Mars is rousing to action the coal symbol of Saturn. Coal is under the celestial Capricorn.

CORAL

Coral is a carbonate of lime effected by gelatinous marine mollusks known as “polypi.”

For long ages coral was supposed to be a marine plant of which Trevisa wrote in 1495: “Corall is gendred in the Red See, and is a tree as long as it is coveryd with water, but as it is drawen out it torneth into stone,” and Jordan in 1699 tells us that “coral also being a plant and nourished with this juice, turns to a stone.” The name is derived from the Greek word Korallion, and is found written as corale, corral, correil, curalle, curroll, quyral, etc.

The various species have been set down as follows:

In more modern times species have obtained names from their appearance. Thus:

The appeal of coral to the poet finds expression in some charming legends:

Ovid (Metamorphoses) wrote that Perseus, after he had cut the head from the body of the dreadful Medusa, laid it on the branches of the trees which grew by the sea shore; but the power never departing, turned these branches, as it had turned every other living thing, into stone. The sea nymphs drew these fossils beneath the waves and they became the coral seeds. A variation of this legend tells that the blood which fell from the bleeding head on to the shrubs, flowers and trees turned them into seeds of coral which the sea nymphs drew beneath the waves. It arose again in flower-like beauty with Venus when she emerged in all her glory from the sea, symbolical of the exaltation of Venus in the zodiacal Pisces, and in this connection also concealing a deeper meaning. No gem has been more employed as a charm for averting the fell spell of the evil eye than the innocent coral which was credited with the power of destroying the first stroke of the glance, after which it—like the drawn fang of the serpent—was rendered incapable of injury. Scot writes in “Discovery of Witchcraft:” “The coral preserveth such as bear it from fascination or bewitching and in this respect corals are hanged about children’s necks.” Pliny mentions that the Romans hung on babies’ cradles and around their necks pieces of red coral as an aid in teething and an influence against the falling sickness and infantile diseases. Plato says: “Coral is good to be hanged about children’s necks, as well to rub their gums as to preserve them from the falling sickness. It hath also some special sympathy with Nature, for the best coral, being worn about the neck, will turn pale and wan if the party that wears it be sick, and comes to its former colour again as they recover health.” Brand mentions a similar idea in the “Three Ladies of London,” 1584: “Coral will look pale when you be sick.” Little bells were also attached in the Middle Ages to children’s coral charms in order to ward off evil spirits, storms and pestilence, and scare away the Furies; this same belief exists in Japan, China and other countries. It is a fact that coral is affected by the health of the wearer; some writers say that it becomes spotted or stained when the illness is of a serious nature. It was regarded as a very potent charm for women. In Italy the coral was also called the Witch Stone, because it was said to protect women from the wizards and men from the witches. In connection with these Paracelsus writes: “They are the outgrowths of an intense and sensual imagination of men and women, and which Rabbinical traditions relate in an allegorical manner, are connected with Adam (the animal Man), and Lilith, his first wife. They are afraid of red corals as dogs are afraid of a whip: but the brown corals attract them. Red corals are disagreeable to monsters, Incubi, Succubi, Phantasmata and all evil spirits, but brown corals are not, and they delight in them.” In commenting on this Dr. Franz Hartmann, a physician of note and distinguished writer, says that he knew of cases of melancholy, depression of mind, hypochondria, etc., that had been successfully treated by the wearing of red corals, while other articles employed for the same purpose had no effect, the cure therefore not being merely attributable to the belief of the patient. He concludes: “The ignorant will find it easier to ridicule such things than to explain them.”

A curious passage in Bartholomeus (“De Proprietatibus Rerum,” 1536) is of interest: “Wytches tell that this stone withstondeth lyghtnyng, whirlewynde, tempeste and stormes fro shyppes and houses that it is in. The Red Corall helpeth ayenst the feudes, gyle and scorne, and ayenst divers wonderous doyng and multiplieth frute, and spedeth begynnyng and ending of causes and of nedes.” Oriental mystics warn against the wearing of dull, dirty or discoloured specimens. The pure coral was deemed a protection from plague, poison, storm and tempest. In a house it charmed away disharmony, envy and evil influences. It banished evil dreams and the “terrors of the night,” wild animals, the lightning stroke, witchcraft, epilepsy, stomach complaints, night sweats, etc. It was a cure for sores, diseased gums, whooping cough, disorders of the spleen, teething troubles, troubles of the feet and toes, madness, etc.

It is interesting to note that natural corals in the form of vegetable growths were, and in some places still are, tied to fruit trees to ensure their fertility, and that women of ancient times wore such specimens as charms against sterility. Thus, “she who hath risen from the sea foam,” Venus, was regarded as employing the moistures so needed in perfecting the material dresses of the animal, mineral and vegetable worlds when entering earth conditions: and the ancient masters held that such examples of the doctrine of Sympathies, Similitudes, Signatures and Correspondences guide man to a correct knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of Nature. The ancient Greeks attached coral to the prows of their ships to protect them from the onslaughts of sea and storm. Lemnius says: “Bind corall to the neck, it takes off turbulent dreams and allays the nightly fears of children.” The gem of the Arabian Garden of the Everlasting Life—Jannat al Khuld—is the yellow coral.

To dream of red, pink and coral of beautiful lustre is said to denote recovery to the sick and good health to any one, but ill-conditioned specimens symbolize the opposite. As a cardiac stimulant, for stopping hÆmorrhages, warding off contagion, etc., the old physician Rulandus (Medicina Practica, 1564) prescribed half a drachm of powdered coral.

The following 17th century prescription was administered as a cure for colic, purging and vomiting, and is given here as of especial interest:

Amongst the Spaniards it was usual at one time for conjurers and jugglers especially to wear tight-fitting coral-coloured costumes. Good specimens of coral are greatly esteemed by dancers. It is especially a luck gem of the ballet, the sign Pisces of the Zodiac, under which all corals are placed—ruling the feet.

CORUNDUM. Also written at earlier periods as coriundum, corundon, corindon. (See under Ruby, Sapphire.)

CORDIERITE. See IOLITE.

CROCIDOLITE. Also written Krokydolite, krocidolite. This stone was named in the year 1831, from the Greek KROKIS, a variation of KROKUS, the nap of woollen cloth, and LITHOS, a stone. It is well described as an asbestiform variety of hornblend of indigo-blue, leek-green or golden-brown colour—the latter variety being also known as Tiger’s Eye. When cut en cabochon this stone has a fine chatoyant effect. There is little doubt that the ancients knew of this stone of the asbestos family under the zodiacal Gemini. It was regarded as a fortunate stone for people of literary or mercurial tendencies, and as a nerve and lung soother. Held against the temple when the Moon is passing through the sign Gemini, in good aspect to Mercury, it would assist thought and mental speculation.

CRYSTAL

The crystal obtains its name from the Greek word KRUSTALLOS, ice. It is a pure and transparent variety of Quartz, so called because of its resemblance to clear ice. In literature it appears as cristalla, cristal, crestal, kristall, cristalle, christall, chrystal. Webster writes that the English spelling was gradually changed to CRYSTAL between the 15th and 17th centuries. We have evidence of its early use by man, Egyptian scarabei and Babylonian cylinders having been found, dating back as far as 1500 B.C. In the trial of Psyche—that beautifully symbolic legend—Venus gives this graceful lover of Eros the magical vase of pure crystal with the request that it be filled with the waters from the Fountain of Forgetfulness. The Fountain waters flowed through a narrow channel at the summit of a steep mountain, and they murmured: “To attempt is to perish. Be warned. Be warned. To attempt is to perish; fly from us.” Psyche saw two caves, one on each side of these icy waters, and in these caves were two terrible dragons. With the precious vase in her trembling hands, the faithful lover prayed for help in her perilous task. Jupiter heard her prayer in pity, for love had been kind to him, and he sent his eagle to her. The eagle drew the vase from Psyche and, filling it with the waters, brought it to her. Then she ran to Venus, thinking that pitying love would exact no more. “Thy witchery has gained thee these waters,” said the Goddess, “I have another test for thee.”

The King of the Ethiopians showed the messengers of Cambyses amongst other wonders the tombs of pure crystal in which could be seen the bodies of the departed, perfect in form and feature. In the imperial vault of the Hapsburgs in the Church of the Capucins, Vienna, there are 150 crystal vases, gold mounted, with a crown on the top of each, which contain the hearts of the Royal members of the Family. This practice dates from Duke Francis who, dying in Switzerland, directed that his heart should be preserved and sent to Vienna.

In China and Japan the crystal is called SINSHO. The Japanese know it also as Tama or Jewel of Perfection, and it is used by them for making crystal balls and beautiful objects of art. It is cut in the shape of a ball, esteemed in Japan as the Stone of Concentration, and several in a family will sit round gazing at a specimen in which they see guidance and help in the path of life. In China it is also known as CHING, and symbolized as an upright triangle of three suns, it has always been highly esteemed. It is cut with great patience into figures of deities and sacred objects. The Chinese regard it as a talisman of concentration and perseverance; it recalls to them the magnificence and immensity of what man calls space, this “jewel of perfection” which the Japanese also term “Breath of the White Dragon.”

The Medicine Indians of South America say that a holy spirit is in the crystal, and for this reason the sacred stones must not be seen except by initiates. The aboriginals of Australia and Tasmania regarded the crystal in a mystic way. It was known by the Murray tribes as Katto and Maako. The South Australians generally termed large crystals Kanwenmuka, and smaller specimens Kanyappa. It is the Teyl of the West Australian, the Leeka and Heka of the Tasmanian and it is called Tendeagh by the East tribe and Mughramallee by the South. The late Mr. James Bonwick says that the natives usually wore the crystal in its bag, suspended from the neck; he gives their song of magic as follows:

Mr. Bonwick also gives instances of the prevalence of Crystallomancy amongst the aboriginals, the use of the Rain Stone, the Coradgee Stone which was wrapped in hair and was not to be seen by a female, “not always a simple white stone, it was more commonly a quartz crystal.” He says further “Some men, by proper use of this magical agency (the crystal) could work wonders.” Thus, the crystal has been employed by savage and civilized man in all ages. It was said to enclose within its bright form all the knowledge and secrets that have ever been; if worn during sleep it banishes evil dreams and spells, and guards the wearer against sorcery, witchcraft, secret enemies and evil thoughts. It was said to indicate the presence of poison by clouding or by breaking—hence its employment in the manufacture of precious goblets by the ancients. It was employed as a preventive of watery, wasting and infectious diseases, tumourous complaints, blood impurities, heart, bowel and feet troubles, renal affections, etc. Pliny recommends it as an external medicine for women when in the form of fine powder mixed with honey. With regard to the employment of crystal balls and lenses for medical purposes, this venerable author says: “I find it asserted by physicians that when any part of the body requires to be cauterized it cannot be better done than by means of a crystal ball held against the sun’s rays”; it is interesting to compare this statement with a more recent one made by the late Dr. E. D. Babbitt, M.D.:

“Sunlight can lubricate and even vesicate the skin without causing much pain or without leaving any permanent scars like those formed by sinapisms, moxas, lancings, etc. Many a tumour which under the old system is cut out without even reaching the cause, is destroyed by concentrating the light upon it through a convex lens.”

Many beautiful crystals bearing intagli of a large size have been discovered. Mr. King mentions two choice specimens of Valerio il Vicentino and his rival Geo. del Castel Bolognese. Some crystals have been found encasing drops of water very much like the spirit in the spirit-level. These are known as Hydrolites or, as Pliny writes them, Enhydros. They are mentioned by the poet Claudian as—

Mr. King received information that miners in California have died from drinking the water from a hydrolite, and this circumstance exhibits the subtle action of some of the stones attached to the sign of the Fishes. The crystal, wrongly but frequently termed “beryl” stone, is highly esteemed as an instrument for heightening the imagination and bringing out the gazing power of the third eye previously mentioned. Mr. William Jones gives an illustration of the seal of a divination ring from Licini’s “Antiqua Schemata.” It shows a half nude woman holding a serpent in her left hand, the head of which is bending towards a crystal ball held by a nude man, his right leg resting on a wooden stand, his left stretching towards an altar on which the sacred fire is burning. The female bends over the male who gazes intently into the crystal ball. The work is full of expression and force.

In the Highlands of Scotland large pieces of crystal were used for charms, and cattle were given to drink water which had been poured over crystals. Similar crystals were employed for the protection of cattle in Ireland, a fine specimen being still kept by the Tyrone family.

The sign Pisces is the natural 12th celestial House, ruling large cattle. It is also the sign of occult and mysterious things and of the elevation of Venus. Thus, all the legends, stories and philosophies connected with this bright stone of the sign Pisces are easily understood. Professor Sir William Ridgeway, of Cambridge, England, in his work, “The Drama and Dramatic Dances of Non-European Races,” draws attention to the fact that “crystals have always been and are still regarded as the most amuletic of precious stones, and comedians also are frequently cut into faceted shapes by the Arabs and others. The diamond and spinel are both octahedral. The Japanese are especially fond of rock crystal, one of their favorite amulets being a double gourd cut out of such a crystal.” Swedenborg recognized in the crystal “Divine Truth in all its brightness” and truth certainly has its correspondence in the clear glistening magnetic crystal.