Ah, June, the beginning of summer. You can almost taste the corn on the cob and feel the sun on your shoulders. In the Pacific Northwest we still will have cool days and some rain, but the days are long with sunrise at 5am and sunset after 9pm! Enjoy the Summer Solstice, June 21!
The energy of June is about making choices regarding home, love and compassion. As you move into the Solstice decide what you want to release, including relationships that no longer serve you. If you feel trapped, remember there is always an opening, a way out. Have courage and find that way.
June feels like a feminine month and the pearl and moonstone birthstones really reflect that. I became curious about the recent auction of the “Sleeping Lion” pearl, recently sold at auction for $494,000. It’s the largest known fresh water pearl at 2.75 inches and 5.4 oz. The pearl originated in China and was owned by Russian empress Catherine the Great. After being traded around Europe for many generations it was sold in 1979 to the Amsterdam Pearl Society which recently auctioned it off.
Since 1912 the “modern” birthstone list has been used by jewelers to define the month stones.
The mystical birthstone list is originally from Tibet and dates back over a thousand years.
The Ayurvedic birthstone list is the oldest, dating from 1500 B.C. in ancient India.
June is an unusual birthstone month in all three traditions. Modern, Mystical and Ayurvedic name both the pearl and moonstone as the birthstones options. Another stone, alexandrite is also listed as a June birthstone in some birthstone charts.
The pearl and moonstone are both connected to the moon in the sky and the Divine Feminine.
Pearl – There are both fresh water and salt water pearls and, unless a pearl is a rare vintage, has been farmed.
Pearls are unusual in that they are created by a living being in the water. Perhaps because they are formed in the water and are fairly delicate, they are considered a feminine stone that is ruled by the moon and water.
As such, pearls are said to work with the lunar cycles to help balance the body’s natural rhythms and hormone levels. It is also said to help nurture true love, especially with discovering love and caring for your own self.
Pearls can calm emotions and quiet negative thoughts and feelings, anxiety and uneasiness.
Peals are often given as a gift of love to demonstrate loyalty and sincerity.
Moonstone – The Romans believed that moonstone was formed from the light of the moon. In many parts of India the moonstone is still held sacred and holds special significance for lovers. In many cultures this stone is credited with bringing good fortune and protection for women and children.
Because of the relationship to the moon in the sky it’s been connected to women’s cycles and health issues, as well as with enhancing intuition and emotional healing.
Moonstone can be emotionally calming and help in releasing frustrations brought on by emotional triggers to clear the mind for taking appropriate action.
Moonstone can be a tool as you work to increase your intuition and psychic abilities.
Alexandrite is considered a “new” stone in that it was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830 and was named for the former czar Alexander II.
Alexandrite is unusual in that the color changes according to the light. It can be red to violet in some light, and then the same stone can turn to green in a different light. Because it is such a rare and expensive stone there are many synthetic alexandrite gemstones on the market.
Alexandrite is said to be especially useful while working to heal the chakras and as a calming stone. Perhaps because of the magic of changing colors, Alexandrite is a joyful gem that prompts your imagination and can help you find emotional maturity as you become attuned to your inner voice.
