Llewellyn Worldwide - The Quest Tarot: Excerpt

the stars, planets, and
constellations
The astrological aspects in the Quest Tarot follow traditional interpretations.
What follows is a shorthand guide to the essence of the planets and
their configurations. You can easily look up the cards by referring to the
first few words in each paragraph. Also, the planetary associations have
been highlighted in bold to make them easier to find. Pictures of the actual
cards have been included so that you can become familiar with the symbols
as they appear on the cards.
The planets and stars move like a grand machine above us. They have
been considered magical ever since we could raise our heads and look up.
Astrology has been through quite a renaissance. The planets tell us their
stories using symbols, glyphs, and circles. If we watch the planets carefully,
we will realize that they shed their light upon us as influential energy.
Imagine that a planet or star is a colored light. When that light is in the
right position, it influences how we see our surroundings and therefore
how we react to our surroundings. We still have free will and those who
are enlightened are probably the least affected by the energy of the stars,
though they cast their influence anyway.
It is important that we become aware of the movement of our little
planet through the universe. We are all traveling so quickly (around 700
miles per hour around the sun) that we forget to stop and contemplate
how our existence is a miracle. By taking the time to look up and even to
learn about what we see in the heavens, we open ourselves up to the divine
guidance the heavens offer us.
9
Planets Signs
Moon s Aries 1
Sun a Taurus 2
Mercury d Gemini 3
Venus f Cancer 4
Mars g Leo 5
Jupiter h Virgo 6
Saturn j Libra 7
Uranus È Scorpio —
Neptune l Sagittarius Õ
Pluto Capricorn 0
Chiron c Aquarius -
Pisces =
the suit of wands
Ace of Wands
The Ace in each suit does not have any planetary
connection. The Aces contain time references.
Two of Wands
Mars in Aries. Strength and assertiveness. Running over
the tops of others. Not caring about others as you climb
the ladder.
Three of Wands
Sun in Aries. Fierce determination to succeed. Selfcenteredness.
Disregard for others. High energy level.
Restlessness. Leadership.
Four of Wands
Venus in Aries. Passion and energy. Risk taking. Love of
physical intimacy. Excitement. An enterprising person.
Impulsive.
10 The Stars, Planets, and Constellations
Five of Wands
Saturn in Leo. Kingly and prideful. Great strength.
Serious attitude. Refusal to accept limitations. Extreme
effort. Too much pride and willfulness.
Six of Wands
Jupiter in Leo. Outgoing personality. Blowing your own
horn. Tendency to be bombastic. Noisy. Showoff. Love
of life. Overly optimistic or rash judgment.
Seven of Wands
Mars in Leo. Dominant leader. Encouraging attitude.
Dramatic actions. Courageous and vigorous. Great
physical vitality. Strength.
Eight of Wands
Mercury in Sagittarius. You become more and more negative.
It’s time to think. Be serious in your current tasks.
Avoid scattering your energy.
Nine of Wands
Sun in Sagittarius. Love of physical and intellectual
journeys. Self-improvement. Philosophical. Great
curiosity. Visionary.
Ten of Wands
Saturn in Sagittarius. Improving your mind.
Continuing education. Sharing your thoughts.
Curbed enthusiasm. A love of teaching.
the suit of cups
Ace of Cups
The Ace in each suit does not have any planetary
connection. The Aces contain time references.
The Stars, Planets, and Constellations 11
Two of Cups
Venus in Cancer. The intense desire for a stable and
long-lasting relationship. Don’t sacrifice yourself.
Romance. Nurturing energies. Sentimental. Strong
family ties.
Three of Cups
Mercury in Cancer. Don’t dwell on the past. Emotions
may stop you from progressing. Exaggeration. Difficulty
thinking.
Four of Cups
Moon in Cancer. Self-protection. Hard outer shell.
Appearing different from who you really are.
Mysterious presence. Need for emotional security.
Five of Cups
Mars in Scorpio. High sexual drive. Intense. Penetrating
to the essence of things. Inner strength. Situations are
difficult to understand. Beware of jealousy. Extreme.
Six of Cups
Sun in Scorpio. Examining the inner self. Searching for
the meaning of life. Introspection. Contemplation.
Seven of Cups
Venus in Scorpio. Creating harmony among your many
and varied intense relationships. Possible resentfulness.
Eight of Cups
Saturn in Pisces. Humane. Afraid to be in public.
Lack of self-confidence. Caution around self-expression.
Shy. Vague fears.
Nine of Cups
Jupiter in Pisces. A kind and sympathetic nature.
Caring deeply about people. Taking care of those in need.
12 The Stars, Planets, and Constellations
Ten of Cups
Mars in Pisces. Imagination in sexual performance.
Difficulty asserting oneself. Inner restlessness. Overly
emotional. Artistic and musical.
the suit of swords
Ace of Swords
The Ace in each suit does not have any planetary
connection. The Aces contain time references.
Two of Swords
Moon in Libra. Peacefulness. Sensitive to the problems
of others. Bring peace to situations. Easygoing presence.
Need for harmony and peace. Avoid indecisiveness.
Must be honest with yourself and others.
Three of Swords
Saturn in Libra. Justice, diplomacy, and fairness.
Learning lessons through relationships. Cooperation.
Possible intolerance.
Four of Swords
Jupiter in Libra. Being attractive to other people.
Laid-back attitude. Taking the time to enjoy surroundings.
Refinement. Love of beauty.
Five of Swords
Venus in Aquarius. Emotionally cool. Intellectualizing
relationships. Strong desire for independence. Hating
any restrictions. Head rules the heart. Humanitarian.
Six of Swords
Mercury in Aquarius. Quick and original intellect.
Unique ideas and opinions. Nervous tension.
Be consistent.
The Stars, Planets, and Constellations 13
Seven of Swords
Moon in Aquarius. Brittle energies. Pushing away help.
Surprising responses. Need for independence.
Eight of Swords
Jupiter in Gemini. Unsettling energy. Restlessness.
Upbeat and carefree. Scattered energy. Wanting to be
on the move. Unsettled. Enjoys intellectual activity.
Nine of Swords
Mars in Gemini. Hard to relax. Versatility and energy.
Always busy. Many challenges and events. Experiment.
Ten of Swords
Sun in Gemini. Strong mental abilities. Love of learning.
Passionate about sharing knowledge. Innate curiosity and
versatility. Adaptable.
the suit of stones
Ace of Stones
The Ace in each suit does not have any planetary
connection. The Aces have time references.
Two of Stones
Jupiter in Capricorn. Being grounded. Exercising
caution and common sense. Sensible challenges.
Controlled growth.
Three of Stones
Mars in Capricorn. Incredible stamina. Enduring what
others cannot endure. Taking calculated risks. Stability.
Four of Stones
Sun in Capricorn. Advancement in material wealth and
social status. Strong sense of responsibility. Make your
mark.
14 The Stars, Planets, and Constellations
Five of Stones
Mercury in Taurus. Obsessive and stubborn. Firmly
fixed in your position. Desire for security. Practicality.
Six of Stones
Moon in Taurus. Conservative and conventional. Intense
emotional state. Strong desire for creature comforts.
Need for material security. Sensuous.
Seven of Stones
Saturn in Taurus. Moving forward at a slow and steady
pace. Caution brings stable success. Deliberate motion.
Avoid possessiveness of people and things.
Eight of Stones
Sun in Virgo. Adherence to strict daily routines.
Concerned with health, diet, and exercise. Verbal
communication. Analytical. Perfectionistic. Modestly
serving others.
Nine of Stones
Venus in Virgo. Charming in a quiet way. Modest
appearance. Willing to help others. Can be too
critical of loved ones.
Ten of Stones
Mercury in Virgo. Strong problem-solving abilities.
Common sense. Firmly planted in reality. Short-sighted.
Practical and detail oriented. Nervous. Keen intellect.
Good verbal skills.
the major arcana
The Fool
Uranus. The energy of individuality. Being independent.
A new direction. Personal revolutionary transformation.
Fresh start.
The Stars, Planets, and Constellations 15
The Magician
Mercury. Using the mind. Decision maker. Speaking to
others about what is on your mind. Thinker.
The High Priestess
Moon. Parental and nurturing feelings. Feminine energy.
Instinct, psychic ability, and strong emotions.
The Empress
Venus. Relationships and feelings. Economic and
romantic partnerships. Love and money.
The Emperor
Aries. Initiating. Thinking of yourself first.
Determination. Dynamic situations. High energy.
The Hierophant
Taurus. Possessiveness. Holding on too tightly. The
desire for many possessions. Conservative. Safe. Stable.
A builder. An attraction for structure. Stubborn.
The Lovers
Gemini. Duality. Able to handle many different things
at the same time. Adaptable. Restlessness.
The Chariot
Cancer. Appearing as tough and insensitive but actually
imaginative and sensitive. Melancholy.
Strength
Leo. Autocratic. Reigning over a kingdom. Strong
personality. Knowing what is best. In charge. Use of
self-will. Dramatic.
The Hermit
Virgo. Modesty. Prudish and shy. An introvert. Analysis.
Fastidious and detail oriented.
16 The Stars, Planets, and Constellations
The Wheel of Fortune
Jupiter. Expansiveness. Desire for knowledge. Taking
a philosophical outlook. Optimism and tolerance.
Justice
Libra. Harmony and balance. Understanding and
sympathetic. Possible contentiousness and harshness.
The Hanged Man
Neptune. Making changes that affect generations. Farreaching,
unique perspective. High ideals. Self-sacrifice.
Death
Scorpio. Intense energy. Seeking sexual attention.
Possible jealousy or resentfulness. Very involved.
Powerful desires and emotions.
Alchemy
Sagittarius. Love of being free. Unconventional
behavior. Versatility. Being good at everything.
Searching. A know-it-all.
The Devil
Capricorn. Stiff and unbending. Austere. Calculating
and prudent. Conservative. Single-mindedness. Being
too attached to the material world.
The Tower
Mars. Untamed and powerful. Sexual energy. Hard
worker. Competitiveness. Quick to anger.
The Star
Aquarius. Glamorous. Heads will turn. Possibly cool
and distant. Eccentric and original. Humanitarian.
The Stars, Planets, and Constellations 17
The Moon
Pisces. Self-sacrificing. Loving, kind, and clever. Ego
interests and attachments lead to delusion and deception.
Illusions. Imagination. Being sympathetic.
The Sun
Sun. Primal source of life and energy. Vitality, strength,
and expression of the ego. Vibrant. Healing. A strong
creative force.
Aeon
Pluto. Buried emotions and secret desires. Obstacles
keep appearing before you. Possible cruelty. Transformative.
The process of moving forward.
The Universe
Saturn. Outer and inner authority. A sensible approach.
Not rushing into things. Balanced reactions.
The Multiverse
Chiron. A time of healing. Having the key that opens the
door to a new path. Beginning a new spiritual journey.
Moving from the darkness into the light.
18 The Stars, Planets, and Constellations
the yes/no feature
The yes/no feature is one of the newest additions to the classic Tarot. In
older traditional decks, you cannot easily get direct answers to questions.
The classic Tarot shows, for the most part, what I call energy influences
surrounding the question. These subtle energy influences are most easily
read in the Celtic Cross spread or the Quest Tarot spread.
One of the reasons the Ouija board is popular is because you can easily
and without any training get direct and easily understood answers to your
questions. With the Quest Tarot you can easily get direct and meaningful
answers to your questions using both the subtle and, now, the direct mechanics
of these cards.
Included on the court cards are special symbols that, when separated
from the rest of the cards, allow you to ask direct yes-and-no questions.
The possible answers that the symbols represent are “Yes,” “No,” “Maybe,”
“The Answer Lies in the Future,” and “The Answers Lies in the Past.”
Before you start using this feature, let’s take a look at the symbols.
These special symbols, located at the top-center of the court cards, look
like little daggers. Once you know the key, you can easily remember and
use these little daggers to get your direct answers.
Why daggers? The little daggers are a smaller representation of the
Swords symbols in the Tarot. Swords are the cards of thought, and the daggers
represent “little,” or concise, thought. The answers they give are short
and sweet. Swords are also a very directional signal. From the handle of the
daggers to the tip, you visually get the idea of little arrows pointing the way.
These little daggers cut through our mental fog quickly and pin down a
simple but direct answer.
19
The first symbol, shown here, is the “Yes” symbol.
When you have both daggers pointing straight up, you have
the answer “Yes.” Picture in your mind a hero holding his or
her dagger straight up toward the sky in victory and joy.
The next symbol is the “No” symbol.
You’ll notice that both daggers are pointing down toward
the earth, which ties in with the “thumbs down” symbol
often used today. The energy of the downward-pointing
daggers is toward the earth. This returns the energy of
the question to the earth. This return is a “stopping” energy or an “ending”
energy.
The next symbol is the “Maybe” symbol. One dagger
is pointing up and the other is pointing down. The energy
of this symbol is like the old saying “Six of one, half a
dozen of another.” The visual of these daggers is one of
“fifty-fifty.” Think of this symbol as meaning “Maybe yes
or maybe no.”
The next two symbols point to where the answer lies: either in the future
or in the past.
This symbol is the “The Answer Lies in the Future”
symbol. The daggers both point to the right, or to the future.
This means that the energy surrounding the question
is not yet formed. There has not been enough attention
given to the situation yet. Much of what is to come is still
unformed and can change. This symbol tells you to be patient and wait because
the answer is coming to you. It can also indicate that you must ask
again at a later date when the energy of the question is more formed.
The last symbol is the “The Answer Lies in the Past”
symbol. Both daggers are pointing to the left, or the past
position. When you get this symbol, you will know that
the answer is already set in recent past events. Simply look
at your recent past and you will easily see what is about to
occur. Sometimes the indicator can point to someone or something that
has consistently acted a certain way over a long period of time. An example
of this is if you were to ask your father to go on a trip with you. As you
look at your father’s past behavior regarding trips over the past years, you
20 The Yes/No Feature
can see that he never travels, so the answer would be “No.” The answer
“No” comes from the set patterns of your father’s past performance. Thus
the answer lies in the past.
using the yes/no feature
Now that you know how to decode these simple symbols, here’s how to
use this exciting new feature. First, separate the court cards from the rest
of the deck and place them facedown in a pile directly in front of you, on
the table. Have your questions ready and then shuffle the cards. When you
feel you have mixed up the cards enough, stop, placing the cards once
again in front of you.
Now you are ready to ask your first question. Take a breath, ask your
first question, and then remove the top card and place it faceup in front of
you. The card may be either in its normal or reversed orientation, which is
okay because you can read the symbols in either orientation.
It is how the symbol looks to the reader that is important. Whether the
card is in its normal orientation or its reversed orientation just doesn’t matter.
These symbols are meant to be read from the reader’s point of view.
The Yes/No Feature 21
Normal Orientation Reversed Orientation
The symbol would The symbol would
be read as: be read as:
No Yes

how to foretell
timelines
The Tarot has generally been one of the worst vehicles for telling time,
until now. Astrology is usually a better choice for determining timelines
concerning the effects of energetic influences. You will notice that the
Quest Tarot has astrological symbols associated with most of the cards. If
you are already familiar with astrology, you can see the influence the planets
have on the cards.
The Quest Tarot has direct and powerful symbolism incorporated on the
Aces to help you tell when there is a timeline present and to assist you in its
interpretation.
Let’s get right to it. The Aces have a clock in the
large circle on the upper left. The clock has three red
letters on its face, which represent months of the year.
For example, if the clock has the red letters 12, 1, and
2, then it represents the months December, January, and February.
The large circle on the upper right of the card shows
the season. There are flowers for spring, snow for winter,
a setting sun for summer, and fallen leaves for fall.
The addition of these images on the deck is there to
provide you with additional stimuli when intuiting with the cards.
The pictures of the seasons are representative of the energetic influence
that the specific season would have on the seeker. The clock is used to
determine actual time periods.
23
As you may know, in the Celtic Cross spread the cards in positions 5
through 10 represent current time (5) and then move into the future (10).
When you have an Ace that appears in positions 5 through 9, it indicates
that a timeline is present in the reading. This timeline must be read separately
at the end of the reading. Not all readings have important timelines.
In life, the seasons may play an important role in how we plan to live. If
you know that winter is coming, you will not be likely to plan a trip to the
local beach in your bathing suit.
It is important to remember that you are reading subtle energies. If the
seeker is overly positive or enthusiastic, then he or she will speed up a
given timeline. Conversely, if the seeker is overly negative, then he or she
will extend or delay a given timeline. You need to talk with the seeker to
determine if the person is in balance or not. Most people who come for
readings not only want to know what is going to happen, but also exactly
when it will happen. Don’t bring up a timeline unless you see that it is definitively
present in the reading. If it is not present, then you must also let
the seeker know that time is not an important factor in his or her reading.
First let’s take a look at the formula for determining time. After that,
we’ll cover unique outcomes that will affect your time reading.
determining time in a celtic cross spread
You will need a current calendar ready to use.
1. Reduce the current year to a single digit.
a. If the year is 2002, then add the digits together.
(2002) changes to (2 + 0 + 0 + 2) = 4
b. If the result is more than one digit, reduce the number again.
2. Write down the seeker’s birth month and birth date.
If born in August, then August would be the number 8. If the
month is a two-digit month, then reduce the number to one digit.
If born on the 20th of the month, then the date would be 20. If
the date is a two-digit number, then reduce it to one digit.
(20) changes to (2 + 0) = 2
24 How to Foretell Timelines
a. Add the reduced single digit representing the year to the birth
month and birth date.
(2002) changes to (2 + 0 + 0 + 2) = 4
August (the 8th month) = 8
Birth date (the 20th) = 2
+ _____
14
b. Reduce that number to a single digit.
(1 + 4) = 5
3. Look at the clock on the Ace and determine which three months or
season it represents.
a. Check the large circle on the upper left of the card. If the red
numbers are 12, 1, and 2, then you know that the months represented
are December, January, and February.
How to Foretell Timelines 25
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
December
15 14 13 12 11 10 9
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
1
January
6 7 8 12 11 10 9
15 14 13 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
2 3 4 5 1
February
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
12 11 10 15 14 13 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28
2 1
The fifth week in the season
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 2
December 23, 2002
Reduce numbers by adding digits together
Reduce again if necessary
4. Now take a look at the Outcome card (position 10) in the Celtic
Cross spread. Write down the number of the card.
a. If the card in position 10 is the Five of Cups, then you have the
number 5.
b. Refer to your current calendar.
c. Take the number of the card in position 10 (in this case it is the
Five of Cups, which equals 5). Then look at the number 5,
which equals the fifth week of the month (see previous illustration).
Reduce any two-digit numbers in the selected week
to a single-digit number. Find the number 5 in that week. You
now have your month and date.
Let’s review how this example worked through step 4.
In this example, we have the months December, January, and February. We
have also the number 5 from step 2. This number represents the number of
weeks into the season. From step 4 we see that the Outcome card is the
number 5. We find the day of the chosen week that equals 5 after being reduced.
Now let’s continue.
5. To determine the hour of the day, take the month in which the
chosen week falls (December, or 12) and starting with the next
number on the clock, count the number of the Outcome card (in
our example, the Outcome card is the Five of Cups, or 5).
26 How to Foretell Timelines
Example:
Start with the month indicated (12 = December)
Count, going around the clock, the number of the card
in position 10 (Five of Cups = 5)
The time indicated is 5:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m.
If the Outcome card is even, then the time is in the p.m. If the Outcome
card is odd, then the time is in the a.m. In our example, the date
and time would be December 23, 2002, at 5:00 a.m.
unique outcomes
What if the Outcome card is a court card?
In the event that the Outcome card is a court card, use the following numbering
system to determine which week to use.
Numbering System for Court Cards
Mother = 14
Father = 13
Daughter = 12
Son = 11
The reason you must be able to go to week 14 is that otherwise you will
never be able get to the last week of the season. If your season only has
twelve or thirteen weeks, then reduce the Mother card to 5 and the Father
card to 4. Since the weeks of our calendar are flexible and change every
year, we must also be flexible with how to calculate the correct date.
In the event that a court card has to be used to determine the hour,
simply count the number around the clock starting after the month that is
indicated in step 5.
What if there is more than one Ace?
If you have more than one Ace appearing in positions 5 through 9, use the
first Ace to appear in positions 5 through 9 in the Celtic Cross spread. Ignore
the subsequent Aces.
What if a Major Arcana card appears in position 10?
In this case, treat the message with greater importance. Use the number as
you would normally. With numbers over 14, you must reduce the number to
a single digit.
What if no Ace appears in positions 5 through 9?
Realize that the answers that come from the Tarot actually are a marriage
between the seeker’s “want” of knowing and the kindness of the
universe “giving” the appropriate information. Sometimes it is not appropriate
for the seeker to be given a timeline. Sometimes the seeker has
How to Foretell Timelines 27
to do some work first before things will fall into place sufficiently for a
timeline to be realized.
If you put a cake in the oven before all the ingredients have been added
and mixed, it won’t turn into a cake no matter how long you bake it. The
same is true with predictive situations. A seeker can ask a question that is
so premature that a timeline cannot yet be established.
What if the numbers just don’t match up?
Remember to be flexible when looking at the calendar. Sometimes a
month may have six weeks, and sometimes it may have four weeks. This
all depends on which year it is. In over fifteen years of doing readings, I
have never had any problems with this system. Good luck and stay flexible.
summary of formula
The following page is a worksheet of the timeline formula that you can
photocopy and keep with you as a reference.
28 How to Foretell Timelines
A.Write in the current year, the seeker’s birth month, and the seeker’s birth date.
Reduce the number of the current year and place in box
(Example: 2002 would be 2 + 0 + 0 + 2 = 4)
Determine the seeker’s birth month and place in box
(Example: August would be the number 8)
Determine the seeker’s birth date and place in box
(Example: If born on the 20th, the number would be 20)
Add all the numbers together and place in box
(Example: 4 + 8 + 20 = 32)
Reduce the number and place in box
(Example: 3 + 2 = 5)
This is the number of weeks into the season
B.Write in the months indicated by the clock on the Ace that appeared in the
Celtic Cross spread in positions 5 through 9.
How to Foretell Timelines 29
Month Month Month
C. Look at the card in position 10 in the Celtic Cross spread and write down
the number of the card that appears in that position.
Look at the number on the card in position 10 and place in box
(Example: Five of Cups would be the number 5)
D. Take the result of the “number of weeks into the season” and determine which week to look at by
counting the weeks.
(In our example, the numbers on the clock were 12, 1, and 2. This is December, January, and February.)
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 2
December 23, 2002
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
December
15 14 13 12 11 10 9
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
1
January
6 7 8 12 11 10 9
15 14 13 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
2 3 4 5 1
February
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
12 11 10 15 14 13 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28
2 1
E. Reduce any two-digit numbers over ten. Find the day of the week that matches the number from
step C (the card in position 10). You now have the day and month indicated by the reading.
F. To find the time, take the number of the month December = 12 [1 + 2 = 3] and count around the
clock the number from step C (4).
Example:
Start with the month indicated (12 = December)
Count, going around the clock, the number of the card in position 10
(Five of Cups = 5)
The time indicated is 5:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m.
G. If the Outcome card is even, then the time is in the p.m. If the Outcome card is odd (like 5), the
time is in the a.m. (In our example, the indicated date and time are December 23, 2002, at 5:00 a.m.)
The fifth week in the season
Reduce numbers by adding digits together
Reduce again if necessary

the gemstones
From the beginning of recorded history, humans have been fascinated with
stones, gems, and minerals. Not only are these essential to our everyday
life, but they are in almost everything we use.
In the Quest Tarot, gems are used around the border of the cards. These
gems correspond to astrological associations of both modern and traditional
influences. In older times, the magical qualities of certain stones became
recognized. Many people believe that psychic ability can be enhanced
through the use of crystals. Healers and shamans have used stones to aid
in their practices.
Many types of stones appear naturally in the earth in a variety of different
colors. Diamonds may appear bluish or reddish or with a yellow
tint. Sapphires also come in many different colors. Only one color representation
for each stone is shown in the Quest Tarot (please refer to the card
descriptions for gemstone positioning). Otherwise, there would be hundreds
of different stones to remember. You may use these earth-stone influences
in many and varied ways.
The stones that surround each card are there as visual reminders of the
influences present with that card. When opening up psychically to the
meaning of the stones, you may feel that one stone carries the dominant
influence and the other stones carry only a minor influence. You may also
use the stones as individual messengers that may add to or detract from
the major message in the cards. There is little consensus on which stones
go with each month or with each sign. To the best of my knowledge and
after months of study, here are my conclusions.
31
First let’s take a look at the gem and crystal charts redefined in the
United States by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912.
The bold type indicates the most popular stone associations.
months and their gemstones
January Garnet
February Amethyst
March Aquamarine, bloodstone, jasper
April Diamond, sapphire
May Emerald, agate
June Pearl, moonstone, alexandrite
July Ruby, onyx
August Peridot, sardonyx
September Sapphire
October Opal, tourmaline, aquamarine
November Gold topaz, citrine
December Turquoise, blue topaz, zircon
astrological signs and their crystals
Aquarius ( January 21–February 19) Amethyst, garnet, ruby,
diamond, jade
Pisces (February 19–March 20) Aquamarine, bloodstone,
amethyst, jasper
Aries (March 20–April 21 Diamond, bloodstone,
aquamarine, emerald
Taurus (April 21–May 22) Emerald, diamond
Gemini (May 22–June 22) Pearl, moonstone, agate,
emerald
Cancer ( June 22–July 23) Ruby, emerald
Leo ( July 23–August 24) Ruby, peridot, turquoise
32 The Gemstones
Virgo (August 24–September 23) Opal, tourmaline, peridot
Libra (September 23–October 23) Opal, tourmaline, sapphire,
topaz
Scorpio (October 23–November 23) Topaz, opal, aquamarine
Sagittarius (November 23–December 22) Turquoise, garnet, topaz
Capricorn (December 22–January 21) Garnet, turquoise
mythical and ayurvedic birthstones
January Emerald, garnet
February Bloodstone, amethyst
March Jade, bloodstone
April Opal, diamond
May Sapphire, agate
June Moonstone, pearl
July Ruby
August Diamond, sapphire
September Agate, moonstone
October Jasper, opal
November Pearl, topaz
December Onyx, ruby
planets, stars, and their stones
Sun Topaz, yellow diamond
Moon Moonstone, quartz
Mercury Opal, agate
Venus Amber, emerald
Mars Bloodstone, ruby, garnet
Jupiter Amethyst, sapphire, turquoise
Saturn Pearl, onyx, star sapphire
The Gemstones 33
Uranus Amazonite
Neptune Pearl, beryl
Pluto Kunzite, spinel
Chiron Common stone, multicolor
a brief description of earth stones
Agate: Connected to the throat chakra, or communication chakra, the soft
lacy blue of the agate enhances your ability to speak with both clarity
and subtly. You may find yourself bringing calm to situations that were
previously in shambles. The agate’s power is truly subtle, yet powerful.
Your ability to communicate may seem mysterious to others, but in
truth you will be delivering a strong and needed message.
Alexandrite: This stone has fascinated people for centuries because of its
ability to change color from red in incandescent light to green in daylight.
This stone is extremely rare and expensive. If you wish to be lucky
in love and romance, use alexandrite. You can also use it for love spells.
Only recently has a new source of this stone become available. If you
are fortunate enough to have this very expensive stone, remember that
it means changes between the heart chakra and the passion chakra.
Amazonite: Associated with the heart-chakra and throat-chakra points, this
blue-green stone with whitish stripes has a calming effect. Because of
its color, it has been known to have the ability to increase your psychic
powers. You may notice that your subtler senses have expanded when
using this stone. These higher vibrational energies will enhance your
ability to be creative and intuitive. Answers from the ancient past may
simply pop into your head, as though they had always been there.
Amber: This fossilized resin is over 50-million years in the making. Amber
is electric! Not only can you generate static electricity by rubbing a
piece of amber, but you can also stimulate the electrical systems of the
body. The solar plexus chakra is the home of amber. If you are an energetic
person, you may find amber to be too stimulating to your system.
Amber is a remedy for depression because it can enliven the energy
level of the individual.
34 The Gemstones
Amethyst: This pretty stone, with its range of violets, helps the user take a
sober approach to the situation. Though this stone has a calming effect,
it also enhances your ability to sense the subtle energies in other
people. It is believed to balance all areas of the human body, which
makes it a very popular healing device. Amethyst will help calm any
mental stress you have been experiencing.
Aquamarine, Blue-Green: This stone is most often associated with water. It
is connected to the throat, or communication, chakra. Aquamarine
aids in your ability to communicate in a direct way. It can boost your
immune system by aiding in your body’s cleansing; it can help wash
away infecting agents in the body. This stone can also enhance relationships
with those we love and call friend. Aquamarine washes away
troubles of any kind that are directly related to the seeker.
Beryl: A cousin to the emerald, beryl comes in many different colors. This
pale green-blue stone has a durable quality. It has been used for scrying,
like the quartz crystal ball. The figure of the Hanged Man is made of
beryl. This stone has powers to help with introspection. Beryl also indicates
sacrifice. The energy of beryl is receptive. You can use it to increase
your own psychic ability. It also helps with love. Beryl has a
strong connection with water.
Bloodstone: Because of the combination of colors in this stone, it is found
to work well with the base chakra of survival and the heart chakra of
emotions and love. Together, these influences bring calm to tense situations.
You may notice an increase in your energy level when you use
this stone. Its strong connection to our human blood allows this stone
to bring us energy, endurance, and power. Bloodstone brings you protection
from defeat.
Citrine: The solar plexus chakra is connected to this yellowish-white crystal.
Citrine can aid in relieving stress and tension. Using citrine can help
your digestive process. You may notice an expansive feeling when using
this stone. Citrine is a crystal that brings together the energies on
which you are focusing. You may notice that your thinking is clearer
and that you feel complete when using this crystal amplifier. Citrine
The Gemstones 35
can help increase your psychic experiences by joining together what appear
to be different or opposite energies.
Common Stone: This stone appears on the Multiverse card. Every color of
the rainbow and all colors of common stone are indicated on this card.
This stone is the building block of all things. Its power resides with the
first chakra, but it can also enhance the power of any stone with which
it is used. An altar of common stone can amplify the use of any stone
that is placed on it. A quartz with a horizontal bridge in it can access
multidimensional energy when used with comon stone. The common
stone gives a stablized force to anything attached to it. This stone is the
“first step” stone.
Diamond: The projective energy of the sun is housed in the diamond. You
will notice an increase in your spiritual connection and a feeling of
peace when this stone is present. Your sexual energy and your sense of
physical well-being may also increase. You will feel more confident in
any pursuit. The radiant, bright gleam of the diamond radiates its energy
through you. Mental clarity increases because of the confidence
that this stone brings.
Emerald: The vibrant-green color of the emerald is associated with the life
force of nature. This stone has been considered holy in many cultures.
The emerald brings truth to its user. Lies and deceit are shattered by its
presence. Many believe that growth and long life are also associated
with this special green stone. Because of its association with the heart
chakra, you may also feel a calming sense of well-being and love when
using this balanced and ancient stone.
Garnet: The vibrant reddish-purple color of the garnet is associated with
the base, or root, chakra. Garnet revitalizes the body and gives energy
to the physical self. Focusing the energy of the garnet will activate any
process with which you are involved. If you need to get the ball moving,
then use a beautiful garnet stone. Think of a garnet as a stone that
gets the fire going.
Jade: The soft color of jade is linked to the heart chakra. With jade you
may feel an easy awareness and ability to see the truth in many situations.
Jade connects you to a larger network of energies. This intricate
36 The Gemstones
stone will allow you to become more involved in situations outside of
yourself. You may feel a grand sense of tradition associated with this
stone.
Jasper: As you may have noticed, more that one stone can be associated
with a chakra point. The reddish brown of jasper is connected to the
base, or root, chakra of the body. Jasper has an earthy color and represents
the solid and stable. Jasper has a grounding quality that brings energies
back down to earth. If you need to focus on the practical matters
at hand, then use jasper.
Kunzite: The receptive energy of kunzite helps create a calming influence.
This stone is considered to be very modern in origin. Use it when you
feel the need to relax. If you are carrying tension in your neck and
shoulders, hold the stone tightly to that area. Kunzite is a great stone to
keep in your workplace. If you work on a computer, place a piece of
kunzite on top of the monitor to help create a soothing environment.
If there is any situation that is causing you stress, use this stone to help
release the tension. Many of the magical qualities of kunzite are yet to
be discovered.
Lapis Lazuli: The strong blue of this stone with its gold-fleck highlights
have made it very popular. It is connected to the throat (communication)
chakra, but also to the higher point above the eyes. Lapis lazuli
heals these chakra areas by bringing up the deep issues that have
caused the discomfort. The deep-blue color in the stone is connected to
the deep waters of the ocean and the deep blue of the night sky. The
truth may be hidden, but will be easily found if you are willing to dig
deep.
Moonstone: You can quickly get rid of emotional stress by using this stone.
Because of its strong connection to the moon, anything that runs in cycles
can be affected by this stone. Just as the sun is masculine energy,
the moon represents feminine energy. Moonstone is a highly intuitive
stone full of mystery. You may see fleeting shadows and foggy answers
when using this stone, and you will be highly empathic. Don’t rush the
energy of the moonstone; it allows you take things at their own pace.
The Gemstones 37
Opal, Multicolor: The energy of the opal is dual. It is both projective and
receptive. The opal may be the only stone that can be charged with the
energy of any magical intent. It contains the colors of all stones. The
opal is used to aid you in the ability to astral project. Invisibility is also
attributed to the opal. Placing the opal near your head will help increase
your psychic abilities. You may also find that your inner beauty
becomes visible to others when wearing this stone. Luck is enhanced
with the opal.
Onyx: If you are facing trials or battles, this stone will help you. It is a natural
defense against the negative. In ancient times, this stone was worn
when one was heading out to fight. Do not wear onyx if you are having
troubles sexually. If you are obsessive sexually, this stone can help
you control your impulses. If you wish to control your sexual drive,
then set a diamond surrounded by onyx. You will still be sexual, but it
will be under your own control.
Pearl: This “natural” gem helps you become more flexible and tolerant.
Some consider the pearl to be the best medicine for runaway emotions.
You may notice that your stomach relaxes and you are able to digest
your food without any troubles. Your feelings will flow with ease. The
pearl helps ease your relationships with your parents, especially your
mother or female relatives. The pearl is also connected to the heart and
sacral chakras.
Peridot, Light Green: This stone protects you from the spells of others, especially
when surrounded by gold. Love, health, and wealth come with
the use of peridot. If you are having trouble sleeping at night, place this
stone in a small green sack under your pillow. Peridot can also help alleviate
depression. The deeper the green color of the stone, the more it
will attract wealth and prosperity.
Ruby: Gorgeous in color, the ruby’s energy affects all parts of the body.
One of the most important of the healing stones, the ruby balances all
levels in the heart. The deep colors in the ruby connect to the higher
spiritual planes surrounding love and relationships. It is a very positive
38 The Gemstones
stone and brings optimism. Following from the ruby is a life energy
that feels loving with an air of total acceptance.
Sapphire, Blue: The exotic blue to blue-violet color of the sapphire has made
this stone much in demand. Its higher vibrational qualities put its chakra
connection from between the eyebrows to the top of the head. The blue
sapphire is like a cool glass of water on a hot day. It increases all psychic
abilities.The sapphire makes it easy to take a measured and slow approach.
It will help you be more relaxed and calm.
Sardonyx: Like the peridot, sardonyx can aid in relieving depression. If you
are planning to speak in public, this stone will help you be understood
by making you more concise and persuasive. You will also find that the
power of this stone can help married couples become closer. It helps
people understand each other more. You will also find that you feel
more courageous. Legend says that if you carve an eagle on the stone,
it will bring you luck.
Spinel: This stone of often found in many different colors. Its planetary association
is Pluto and its element is fire. This stone helps give you physical
energy and strength. Spinel can also be used in spells to create
money and wealth. The best time to use this stone is when you are
tired or about to start a project that will take a lot out of you.
Topaz, Blue: Blue topaz works with the throat, or communication, chakra,
helping focus and balance communication. If you are having communication
problems, this stone can help release the block. You should feel
an increase in personal power when using this stone.
Topaz, Gold: This stone brings with it a wonderful sense of balance.
Topaz is a cleansing stone. Because topaz is a crystal, it is a natural amplifier
of psychic energies. Topaz helps create a feeling of confidence.
Gold or yellow topaz works with the crown chakra of higher being
and enlightenment.
Tourmaline: This stone has many different uses depending on the color of
the stone. Various uses include love, money, business, friendship, peace,
energy, courage, and astral projection. The green-colored stone is used
The Gemstones 39
to create money and wealth. To use tourmaline, place it into your wallet
or wherever you keep your money. Think of this stone as a money
amplifier.
Turquoise: Associated with the throat, or communication, chakra, the
beautiful blue of turquoise, with a glint of green, is a natural booster
for the immune system. Turquoise increases your energy and level of
activity, thus helping keep you healthy. You may also notice that your
connections with spirit energy is enhanced. This stone helps you keep
your eyes open and be alert to your surroundings. Turquoise enhances
your sensitivity and energy level. This keeps your body in a “ready to
move” state.
Zircon, Blue: This stone has been found in many different colors. You can
use a zircon for many different uses, depending on the color. With a
blue zircon, you can enhance your ability to communicate and be understood.
The blue zircon helps you radiate confidence and be engaging.
Others will find you easy to understand and inspiring. With a lightblue
or white zircon, you can use it as you would a diamond. The
zircon has protective qualities for the user.
40 The Gemstones