Items of Interest The Birthstone for August is the Peridot Today's birthstone for August, peridot, was also a favorite of the ancients. This lovely transparent yellowish green to deep chartreuse stone was quite a powerful gem. It was considered an aid to friendship and was also believed to free the mind of envious thoughts. Because of the yellowish green color, it was also believed to cure or prevent diseases of the liver and dropsy. And, if that were not enough, if peridot was worn on the left arm it would protect the wearer from the evil eye. Peridot, the gem form of the mineral olivine, traces its jewelry roots back more than 3,500 years. It was first mined by the ancient Egyptians on the island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. Zebargad was known as the "serpent isle" because it was infested with snakes that interfered with mining activity until one Pharaoh finally had them all driven into the sea. Found in various shades of green, peridot is most prized in lime hues. The Romans called peridot "evening emerald" because its green color was said to glow at night. The gem was also used to decorate medieval churches and was most likely carried back to Europe by the Crusaders. Large peridots of more than 200 carats in size adorn the shrine of the three magi at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Small crystals have been found in volcanic rock - in fact, Hawaiian legend called peridot the divine tears wept by Pele, goddess of the volcano. Samples of the gem also have been discovered in meteors that have fallen to earth. The ancients believed that peridot had the power to ward off evil spirits, nightmares and enchantments. It was also used as a medical remedy to treat asthma and other ailments. Its power was considered most potent when the stone was set in gold. Peridot was also said to strengthen any medicine drunk from goblets carved from the stone. The Flower for August is the Gladiolus A member of the Iris family, it originated in Africa. Gladiolus species were recognized over 2,000 years ago growing in the fields of Asia Minor and were called ~corn lilies.~ They began being used as cut flowers in North America in the early 1800s. Today, there are at least 180 known species. It's name was derived from the Latin word ~gladius,~ meaning the ~little sword.~ It is considered to be the flower of the Gladiators, called ~sword lily,~ because of the shape of the leaves. Mashed gladiolus roots were used in medicine for drawing out splinters and thorns. Dried gladiolus seed pods were ground to powder and swallowed with goat's milk, as a remedy for colic. However, modern medicine has proven these gladiolus remedies to be untrue. The engineer who built the bridge over the Zambesi river at Victoria Falls, Sir F. Fox, developed miniature hybrids from the gladiolus primulinus, and sent them to Kew Gardens, known as the ~Maid in the Mist.~ Gladiolus grew abundantly and wild in the Holy Land and the waste lands along the Mediterranean coast of Africa. They were thought to be the ~lilies of the field~ that Jesus referred to in the Sermon on the Mount. Flower of August, Gladioli have a vase life of 10 - 14 days. ~Flower of the Gladiators~ (Roman) In the language of flowers it signifies ~Strength of Character~ Astrology Signs for August Click The Horscope Symbols To View Today's Horoscope! About Leo (July 21 to August 20) The sign of the lion. Leo's are forceful, demanding and sometimes bossy, but despite this they also have a generous nature, when need be. Leos like to be the centre of attention all times, and are prone (if need be) to draw attention to themselves. They have much respect for family life and children and admire others who do so too. Leos are very big on Authority, but deal with all situations with integrity and fairness. Quality: Positive Ruler: Sun Triplicity: Fixed Quadruplicity: Fire Traditional Leo Traits Generous and warmhearted Creative and enthusiastic Broad-minded and expansive Faithful and loving On the dark side.... Pompous and patronizing Bossy and interfering Dogmatic and intolerant Speculative ventures Lavish Living Pageantry and Grandeur Children Drama Dislikes Doing things safely Ordinary,Day to day living Small minded people Penny pinching Mean spiritedness About Virgo (August 21 to September 20) The sign of the virgin. Typical virgos are supposed to be pure wholesome and good, but this is not always the case. Be sure for every 1 true virgo, there are 3 who should have been a leo. A place for everything and everything in its place, that is the organised life of the virgo in a nut shell. Virgo are very industrious and enjoy dissecting large quantities of information and analysing it. Quality: Negative Ruler: Mercury Triplicity: Mutable Quadruplicity: Earth Traditional Virgo Traits Modest and shy Meticulous and reliable Practical and diligent Intelligent and analytical On the dark side.... Fussy and a worrier Overcritical and harsh Perfectionist and conservative Likes Health foods Lists Hygiene Order Wholesomeness Dislikes Hazards to health Anything sordid Sloppy workers Squalor Being uncertain Birthday Corner Main Page Mystickal Realms Main Page   MR Birthday Corner Designed & Maintained by Corvus the Familiar ©2003 & Up All rights reserved Mystickal Realms