BIRTH STONES.
*ARIS: Spinel, Diamond, Bloodstone, and Amethyst..
*TAURAS: Emerald, Jade, Malachite, and Diamond.
*GEMINI: Agate, Opal, Aquamarine and Citrine.
*CANCER: Orthorlase, Opal, Moonstone, and Pearl.
*LEO: Ruby, Peridot, Jasper, and Amber.
*VIRGO: Garnet, Fossil, Sapphire and Sugilite.
*LIBRA: Sapphire, Opal, Tormaline and Ametrine.
*SCORPIO: Topaz, Opal, Kunzite and Jasper..
*SAGITTARIUS: Obsidian, Topaz, Lapis and Jasper.
*CAPRICORN: Amethyst, Jet, Malachite and Garnet.
*AQARIUS: Amethyst, Jade, Garnet and Amber.
*PICIES: Coral, Opal, Aquamarine, and Bloodstone.
Many birthstones are used because of the elemental signs associated with them, either a earth, air, fire or water sign. These stones work in conjunction with the month one is born in. Keep this in mind when working with and choosing a birthstone.
Stones can also be used along with herbs and oils with the same purpose as the stone itself or to empower the herbs and oils. Such as..
1.Rose Oil & Rose Quartz = Love
2.Patchouly Oil & Malachite = Money
3.Sandalwood Oil & Amethyst = Spirituality
Not all stones and oils will work with all people. You must find a harmony between the herbs, oils, stones and the witch. For instance red some herbs will play havoc with my sinuses. If I am trying to cast a spell and feel all stuffed up, my mind will not be on the spell at hand but more on trying to breath. This is why I say no two spells are alike no more than no two witches are alike. You must find what works for you. Use your nose, your sense of touch, your gut feelings to lead you to a higher understanding of what is right and what will work for you. And if all else fails, go to the Lord and Lady and ask them. They will lead you to find what will work for you.
The use of stones in magick is as natural as nature itself for it is created by the earth. Over the years the definitions of stone's magickal properties have changed greatly. I have books that give almost a completely different definition of a stone as a book written just 5 years before. Some add to the properties, some detract. There has been a few stones that have stood the test of time and have kept most or all of their magickal properties when written in books. One rule of thumb helps when you are not sure which stone to use. Use the stone for the color it is. There is a color chart in this website that will aid you with that task. As you grow in the craft there will be certain stones that work best for you in a certain spell. If you find this to be true, keep records of this for the next time you plan to cast a spell of the same sort. I personally will use clear quartz to boost a spell, tiger's eye for psychic powers, rose quartz for love, moon stone for moon magick, but you will find that trial and error is the best teacher. Not only gem stones bought in a shop are the only stones to use, any stone you pick up can be used in your magick if you feel the power within the stone. Fossils have long been used in the craft and our coven carry them with them during Samhain. Fossils are noted as having a "link" to the past. A witches stone is one with a natural hole in it and is carried as a amulet for protection and luck. I tend to like to use rocks in their natural form but polished stones will work nicely. There is the thought that man has changed the stone by polishing it, but if you pull from the stone's properties it still works the same. I just think stones in their natural state are easier to do this with especially for beginners. To use a stone in magick is to hold the stone in your hand and anoint it with a matching oil. Such as a rose quartz anointed in rose oil for love and so on. Now, hold the stone and connect its energy with your own. Feel the two merge. Once done, empower the stone with your thoughts and magick to "fix" it to the spell at hand. You can then proceed to use the stone in any fashion you choose. You can add a stone to a poppet, to a gris-gris bag, carried in a pouch, put in candles, added to magickal powders or bath salts, used as a talisman or just placed on your alter, used there are so many uses for stones in magick. Once the stone has been anointed and empowered for its task how you use it can be endless. I don't know too many witches who don't carry one stone or another on them at any given time. Tap into the magick that lies within a stone and you have taped into the power of nature itself. Have fun with them and don't be afraid to play around with them. Bless be.