|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is Your Birthstone?
Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is. Why is that? Because people still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of the birthstone. They like believing that wearing a birthstone brings them good luck and protects them.
Early civilization as far back as the Assyrians (1400 BC) invested rare and beautiful gemstones with magical properties. Some minerals were thought to contain a force or possess certain values and powers. For instance, amethyst was said to prevent intoxication.
Tradition associates a gem with each sign of the zodiac based on a color system. Color was thought to unleash the power attributed to the stone.
In time, birthstones became associated with calendar months rather than the zodiac. And people began to select birthstones in colors other than the original.
The Roman, Arabic, Jewish, Polish, Russian and Italian lists were all different.
The following list of birthstones, which is the one commonly used today, was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, which later evolved into the Jewelers of America.
January -- Garnet
February -- Amethyst
March -- Aquamarine
April -- Diamond
May -- Emerald
June -- Moonstone
July -- Ruby
August -- Peridot
September -- Sapphire
October -- Opal or Tourmaline
November -- Yellow Topaz or Citrine
December -- Sky Blue Turquoise or Blue Topaz
Julie Lee is a web designer and founder of Julie's Jewelry Design, LLC. Julie's Jewels is a Texas based retail jewelry company specializing in high quality, affordable jewelry pieces created to be treasured for a lifetime.
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Oct 6, 2008
By Brian Maffly The new Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Building opened today on the University of Utah Campus. Friday, October 3 2008. ...
Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) - 7 hours ago
By JENNIFER HOWARD A large-scale, multinational attempt in Europe to rank humanities journals has set off a revolt. In a protest letter, some journal ...
Chicago Tribune, United States - Oct 6, 2008
By Howard Reich | Chicago Tribune critic Two years ago, the Chicago Humanities Festival slipped on a banana peel when its opening-night gala performance ...
San Jose Mercury News, USA - 5 hours ago
He died in 1962. For information, contact Barb Sisson in the UCSC Humanities Division at bsisson@ucsc.edu, or call 459-1536.
Arizona State University, Tempe - 16 hours ago
The study of the humanities – how human beings behave toward and interpret themselves and the world – is as important to the issue of sustainability as ...
Pittsburg Morning Sun, KS - 22 hours ago
The Kansas Humanities Council (KHC) announces grant opportunities available to Kansas non-profits. The Kansans Tell Their Stories grant initiative offers ...
Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL - 23 hours ago
INA — The Illinois Humanities Council will be hosting a IHC Community Grant Application Workshop on Nov. 6 at the Rend Lake College Student Center. ...
Times Online, UK - 17 hours ago
But when it comes to the humanities and arts subjects it often is. “Does John Milton infuse new significance into the concept of 'history' in his poetry? ...
Forbes, NY - 21 hours ago
It is too narrowly drawn to attract the wide audience a real discussion about the arts and humanities would require.
Appalachian News-Express, KY - 2 hours ago
Dr. Brigitte LaPresto, humanities division, Pikeville College, recently graduated from the 2008 Class of the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute, ...
Troubadours
CHRETIEN DE TROYES:Academics will freely admit that this man was a troubadour. But what is a Troubadour? They were important to the genesis of the Cathar mystique... Read More
The Life of Nikola Tesla - Intro
It is not my purpose to claim to know all the wonders of the life of this great man who is acknowledged as one of the great... Read More
Synchronized Swimming, Dolphin Cognition and Visualization
As humans become more technologically advanced and are able to see our environments from the outside looking in, we gather insight to our 3D space that we... Read More
Amaterasu The Goddess of the Sun
Amaterasu is a shining example of how adversity can help us to 'blossom and bloom' more at times. She helps us look for the lesson to be... Read More
Berenguer Sauniere - This Place is Terrible
INSPIRATIONAL COMMENTS:"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws." ? Mayer Amschel Rothschild.Bucky Fuller said these most important words... Read More
Mexican Living: Doctors, Doctors, Doctors
I am sick. I don't know what's wrong nor if what I have has an official name. Maybe they call it, "Ah-ha-now-you-can't-breathe-well-and-feel-like-you-are-going-to-die virus. I don't know. I... Read More
Basic Chinese Pinyin Rules
* Make sure you set your browser encoding correctly to read Chinese words in this article. Chinese Simplified GB2312 is recommended. Please find detail instruction from this... Read More
The Crisis of Human Survival
Environmental Pollution1. Damage to The Ozone Layer Causes Radiation PollutionThe hole in the ozone layer above the North Pole is becoming larger, allowing large volumes of ultraviolet... Read More
Leonardo Da Vinci
THE BICYCLE OF LEONARDO DA VINCI: - "? a man who was at once an artist, an inventor, a scientist - and who saw no contradiction between... Read More
Murder Solved From The Grave
I am very interested in reading about ghostly stories and spirits etc. A couple of years ago I heard about a story which is apparently true, about... Read More
American Citizenship
Can We Pass The Test?American CitizenshipI'm the daughter of an American soldier and with that comes pride of my American heritage, and love and pride for our... Read More
Arthur Koestler
ARTHUR KOESTLER:Humanitarian, historian and scientist are just a few of the labels associated with this most excellent man of letters. Here is a quote from his book... Read More
Celtic Jewelry: Ancient Symbolism in Popular Fashion
The mysterious and the mystical have always had the power to hold human beings in thrall throughout the millennia. Celtic jewelry is no exception to this, since... Read More
Game Theory - What Do Game Theory and Improv Theater Have in Common?
"Game" TheoryThis article was inspired by Mick Napier's book ?Improvise: scene from the inside out" in which he draws comparisons between Physics and Improvisation. It made me... Read More
A Defense of Cultural Intelligence
When humans set off to address fundamental issues about what and how life is to be, two important questions exercise the conscience though a middle-ground question could... Read More
Books on Horsemanship - Xenophon Had it Right
Xenophon was a 4th Century BC Greek cavalry officer and military hero, student of Socrates, historian, author, and expert on horsemanship - a man of many talents.... Read More
Josephine the Merovingian
I cannot emphasize enough the dearth of information, or the outright disinformation, I find in various web world accounts relating to Josephine and Jean Lafitte. I chuckle... Read More
Progress Versus Perfection
From the creative explosion marking the outset of the universe to our advanced human stage in evolution, some fifteen billion years have elapsed. This advanced stage refers... Read More
Cosmic Cow
The cow is a mother to mankind whom we should love,respect and protect. Her milk is the life blood for many species, including humans. Her dung provides... Read More
Mexican Living: Myth Busting
Myth One: Mexicans are lazy, good-for-nothings.I mention this one first because it is one of the vilest myths and an excellent example of Americans' xenophobic stereotyping. The... Read More
To Quote or Not to Quote
"By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote." Quotation and Originality 1876 Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American poet and essayistShould we express our own thoughts... Read More
Tsunami Aftermath
On December 26, 2004 a massive tsunami swept through Thailand killing thousands of people, and changing the lives of thousands more. Although the Tsunami happened months ago,... Read More
Ogham and Aymara
OGHAM:As any reader of my work knows by now, Ogham and an Ogham mentor played a major role in altering my life and commitment to learning about... Read More
Paul Hamm: Did He Deserve Gymnastics Gold in 2004?
What was the controversy all about?In the 2004 Olympics, an all-star group of athletes from around the world gathered together to compete for titles in gymnastics. In... Read More
Working With The Generations
For the first time in history, there are four generations in the work force. Although this is an exciting time, it is not without challenges. Working with... Read More
A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 5 Charles II
Born in 1630, Charles II was the second eldest son of Charles I, who spent most of his teenage years fighting parliaments Roundheads until the execution of... Read More
Mars, the Mighty and Marvelous
Martius, the month of March, is named after him. So is the fourth planet from the sun and a bar of chocolate, but we know him mainly... Read More
Some Villain Thoughts About a Container Village
Preview: "Shipping containers" have yet nothing to do with "housing" in Romania. Is there any chance that they will soon? Belonging to Eastern European block, released in... Read More
The Western Cowboy
In the State of Texas the Western Cowboy can be found home on the range. But can you really find a true western cowboy in the state... Read More
Garnet is Januarys Birthstone
If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't... Read More
Cosmic Cow
The cow is a mother to mankind whom we should love,respect and protect. Her milk is the life blood for many species, including humans. Her dung provides... Read More
Your Stars 2
Leo Some tragic news hits you hard and makes you re-evaluate your entire life. Use this opportunity to think long and hard about the direction you are... Read More
Celtic Jewelry: Ancient Symbolism in Popular Fashion
The mysterious and the mystical have always had the power to hold human beings in thrall throughout the millennia. Celtic jewelry is no exception to this, since... Read More
Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Pentacles
There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in Tarot Cards. There are varying points of view that exist about what each card means or represents.... Read More
Feng Shui Monsters Under Your Bed
Good feng shui often requires making wise decisions based on your specific circumstances, rather than blinding following an ideal rule. The feng shui rule for storing things... Read More
Medieval Siege Weaponry: Castle Walls Beware
Medieval siege weaponry was required in any self-respecting war leader's arsenal in a time when castles with thick defense walls were common and cities surrounded by large,... Read More
Precious Stones -The Big Five: Part 1, The Emerald
The emerald is probably the most rare of all precious stones and is considered by some to be even more valuable than the diamond. Compared with other... Read More
Sterling Silver Jewelry - The Rest Of The Story
Silver is widely diffused but is rarely found in the native state.Silver is originally as widespread as gold, occurring in nearly all of the volcanic rocks. Whereas... Read More
Christopher Columbus
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: - It seems a mystery to most academics why the governments who are based on Manifest Destiny and the 'colon'-ization of the world by Christophe... Read More
Murder Solved From The Grave
I am very interested in reading about ghostly stories and spirits etc. A couple of years ago I heard about a story which is apparently true, about... Read More
Painting as a Spiritual Expression
Is a painting no more than a piece of paper with lines and color or is it more than that? In the hands of the master painter,... Read More
Propaganda and American Journalism, Born Joined at Birth
Passion was the main stuff of journalism long before the Civil War, the birthplace of modern American journalism. The Press of the American Revolution during the War... Read More
Feng Shui Horoscopes
A great tool to help you find out more about yourself.Chinese feng shui horoscope is based on twelve animals which represent you depending on the year you... Read More
The Trafalgar Way - Devon Remembers the Battle of Trafalgar
During the third week of August 2005 the Trafalgar Way was officially inaugurated in Devon to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.The Lorna Doone, an... Read More
Josephine the Merovingian
I cannot emphasize enough the dearth of information, or the outright disinformation, I find in various web world accounts relating to Josephine and Jean Lafitte. I chuckle... Read More
Debussy and Gamelan According to a 150 Year Old Man
Hello!If you haven't been transported by the mesmerizing sounds of Gamelan yet, we highly recommend you hear some. It will change the song you can't stop singing.... Read More
How To Get Rich and Die Quick!
It is funny how web site promotion can suddently plunge you into literary exploits...I am currently at work, my bosses left for the meeting so I can... Read More
Bad Mouthing Fellow Authors
The creative mind is a gift to humanity; but unfortunately it comes with some baggage. We often find people who are creative also have negative and self-defeating... Read More
Learn Chinese Language Tips and Techniques
There's no doubt learning any foreign language requires effort, time and commitment. This holds true even more, especially when there's a big difference between one's native tongue... Read More
Building Catapults Required Engineering Know How
When building catapults, armies had to include in their ranks those people capable of employing complicated mathematical formulas and turning them into machines of war.While their appearance... Read More
The Crisis of Human Survival
Environmental Pollution1. Damage to The Ozone Layer Causes Radiation PollutionThe hole in the ozone layer above the North Pole is becoming larger, allowing large volumes of ultraviolet... Read More
What is Feng Shui, and How Does It Work?
Feng shui (say "fung shway"), often called the art of placement, could just as accurately be called "the art of flow." This ancient Chinese practice, literally translated... Read More