Agates are one of the most popular gemstones for Czech collectors, mainly because of their variety and colourfulness. They occur in the cavities of almond-shaped rocks (mainly melaphyre) where in layers of chalcedony, quartz and opal they grow from the walls to the interior in different colours, and sometimes inside we find quartz or amethyst crystals. The siliceous matter filled these cavities after the volcanic gases escaped from the solidifying lava, and by gradual precipitation formed the agate strips thus familiar to us, which we can only see when we cut the stone in two. More rarely, agates are also found in basalts, porphyries and other volcanic igneous rocks.
Agates are known in a wide range of colours due to the addition of iron, manganese, nickel, chromium and various minerals such as hematite, goethite and chlorite. They are translucent to opaque, glassy, opaque, and more rarely have a silky lustre.
They are named after the original name of the river Achates, now Drillo, in Sicily.
Archaeological findings prove that agates were worked in prehistoric times, first as tools and later as decorative and cult objects. They were also popular and flourished in ancient Greece and Rome, where they were carved into seals, gems, as well as bowls and cups. As a talisman, it protected against poisons, misfortunes at sea and natural disasters. It was supposed to ensure long life, success and good friends.
In Bohemia there are more unknown sites in Podkrkonoší in Kozákov, in the vicinity of Železnice, in Turnov, Frýdštejn and near Stará Paka, but also near Horní Halže in the Ore Mountains. There are countless sites abroad, the closest being in Poland and Germany, but also in Russia, Mongolia, China, India and Australia. In Africa, they are known to be found in Botswana, Egypt and Madagascar. The best known and richest in agates are the deposits in Brazil and Uruguay.
According to astrology, white to grey agate belongs under Virgo, red and otherwise coloured under Taurus, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Aries. Chakra especially the base chakra, but also the third eye.
As has already been stated, the variety of colours which make up the various patterns with which agates abound have given this fairly common chalcedony species its general popularity. This symbiosis of drawing and colour deepens our imagination, creativity, courage, perseverance and will to live at the very sight. It strengthens our belonging to Mother Earth and her natural manifestations, our consciousness of our own identity, our instinct for self-preservation, protects us from unwanted influences and gives us confidence in our own abilities. It teaches us noble direct action towards our fellow men and adversaries and helps us to communicate and to respond correctly. It supports us in our search for truth, helps us to accept even criticism without bitterness and to bear with patience and humility the various adverse circumstances of life.
In the base centre, where its vibration is most pronounced, it strengthens the reproductive organs of both men and women, protects the health of the mother-to-be and her foetus, and ultimately helps in childbirth. In general, it lowers fevers, relieves febrile infectious diseases, soothes various pains, and as an essence is indispensable for allergies and skin problems.
In addition to these generally valid esoteric and healing abilities, each type of agate has other specific properties that positively affect the overall mental and health state of the body.
White agate, mostly from deposits in India, symbolizes spiritual purity, mental balance and inner peace. It is often referred to as "peaceful" or "friendly". It strengthens our will to eliminate harmful habits and moderates our rude and aggressive behaviour. Medically, it helps in the treatment of malignant tumors, especially skin cancer, and various inflammations. Its essence, agate water, cleanses the skin.
Pink and "apricot" agates, found mainly in Botswana and Australia, support pregnancy and protect the unborn foetus in the mother's body. They soften our feelings and teach us mindfulness. They also help with allergies and protect against harmful radiation.
Red and brown agates are stones of earthy energy. They promote our tolerance and understanding of the problems of our loved ones. They strengthen us health-wise and support the immune system. They help with allergies and reduced potency.
Agates of grey shades from Botswana alleviate depression, strengthen the lungs and rid them of deposits and impurities. The water refreshes and heals the hair and skin.
The agates, also from Botswana, as their name suggests, help the eyes by application, but also with water, like beryl and aquamarine, for organic eye disorders and diseases. They strengthen tired and weakened eyesight.
Centrally striped agates promote concentration and logical thinking. They help with inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, prostate disease, deficient kidney function, inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract, stomach and intestinal problems. Parallel-striped agate relieves the pain of varicose veins.
Agates with dendrites strengthen our protective mechanism and help rid the body of harmful poisons and waste substances. They promote metabolism and cure diseases of the digestive tract.
Star agates activate the immune system, liver function and the central and peripheral nervous system.
Agates with water hollows are traditionally worn as talismans to protect pregnancy. They generally protect us from evil and false friends. They bring calm and peace to our aching souls that have been through suffering. They generally ease the pain. Again, the water in which the stone has been immersed helps with allergies and skin problems.
Similarly, agates with a crystalline centre protect new life. They promote healthy cell growth and give us a sense of security.
The variegated, irregularly colored agate lowers temperatures and relieves febrile illnesses. It activates glandular function and strengthens blood circulation. It protects us from lethargy and depression. It contributes to our good mood.
Lace-agate, a repeated agate with a fine pattern, mainly native to Mexico, can also be found in Brazil, Uruguay, China and India, helping with inflammation and infections. It strengthens and helps in healing the kidneys, bladder and gallbladder. Activates the immune system. Softens our sense of smell. Its water also cleanses and heals the skin and various allergies.
Ruin agate helps heal external injuries, muscle strains, strains and bruises of joints and bones.
Fire agate, a rare species known from the deposits in Mexico and the USA, unlike other agates, acts in the centre of the forehead, or third eye, where it helps us to keep our spiritual balance during meditation and not to lose sight of our relationship with Mother Earth in our spiritual endeavours. It balances our volatile moods and quiets our anger. It strengthens concentration and memory, activates metabolism and cell renewal. In the base chakra it helps with impotence and frigidity of psychic origin.
Turitella agate, which contains the fossilized fossil shells of crustaceans of the genus Turitella, serves as a protective stone in the areas of its occurrence. It supports our relationship with all living things in nature and helps us to find a foothold in our own lives. It strengthens us in courage and perseverance, calms us and relieves our stress. It healthily supports digestion and digestion, strengthens the stomach and intestines and regulates the function of the pancreas.
In addition to these agates mentioned above, there are other agates by name that are actually chalcedony, such as moss agates. They are colorless or white, interspersed with green or brown dendrites in the form of moss. According to Arabic tradition, they help distinguish sincere friends from insincere ones, and in China, so-called qui-gong balls are still carved today, which, when moved in the hand, have a therapeutic effect on a similar principle to acupressure. They support the autonomic nervous and immune systems. They strengthen our relationship with nature, free us from senseless haste and desires, and teach us to know the wheat from the chaff, truth from falsehood, and to live in accordance with God's rules and in love. It will help us to awaken from our emotional stupor and coldness, open our inspiration, and during meditation, with its help, we will find our lost balance. It healthily strengthens the lymphatic system, supports glandular function and heals inflammation, especially of the upper respiratory tract. It lowers temperatures and helps with diabetes and supports the cleansing function of the kidneys and spleen. Strengthens tired eyesight. It is found in our country in the Podkrkonoší region and abroad in India, Burma, Botswana, Brazil, China, South Africa and the USA. Astrologically it belongs to the signs of Taurus, Cancer and Gemini. Chakras especially of the heart and vitality.
Similar is the so-called tree agate, a fine-grained milky quartz interspersed with green dendrites of chlorite. According to astrology, it belongs to the sign of Capricorn and is mainly placed on the heart chakra. It soothes anger, annoyance and unhealthy passions. It teaches us self-control and to control our feelings in every situation. It brings a sense of security, stability, awareness of one's own identity, will and perseverance to complete set goals. In his company we will feel the ancient, half-forgotten consciousness of unity, the connection of our whole earthly existence with the original cyclical laws of nature, we will accept as our own its problems, our participation in its being. It also strengthens the immune system, thus permanently consolidating the overall state of health. It increases resistance to disease and infection. It supports kidney function and strengthens the heart and weakening eyesight.
Clean the agates with a stream of water or overnight in a bowl of water, or together with a crystal. Charge agates of all kinds, except fire agates, for any length of time in direct sunlight.
Article published with kind permission of the magazine Sphere
casopis-sfera.cz / gnews.cz-HeK
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