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The earliest known astrological studies were made by the Chaldeans of ancient Mesopotamia. They worshiped the planets and, believing that all life was governed by them, they assigned a stone to each. The stone's properties corresponded to the traits connected with its planet. When the Babylonians created the zodiacal patterns, the planets' stones were correlated into the signs. These signs were very similar to their present descendants (although Virgo the virgin translates oddly from Tiamat the female origin of evil). The zodiac spread to the Egyptians, Greeks, Persians and Chinese and from there were incorporated into the lore of the bible and eventually European peoples.

In the first century A.D., when the Roman calendar of twelve months was first used, wealthy Romans observed the fashion of wearing ornaments set with the stone for each current month. Less affluent citizens adopted the custom of wearing only the stone corresponding to the month of their birth. Thus were born birthstones.

And what does your birthstone, your cosmic heritage, say about you?

JANUARY
Garnet is a durable stone, of special warmth and depth. Its deep red has a comfort and individuality that make a strong statement. Though it is one of the most often inherited stones, many people fail to recognize other colors of garnet. These include all shades of red and red-brown, gold, orange, rose-purple, a variety of fiery medium to dark greens and the spectacular, emerald-green tsavorite garnet. The Persians prized garnets as a protection from lightening strikes.

FEBRUARY
If your birthstone is amethyst, you enjoy being seen, you are a warm and family-oriented person and you like things that are laid-back and versatile. The sparkling red-purple of amethyst begs to be worn all the time and in all settings. Though not the hardest of stones, it is the only purple gemstone found in quantity and can be readily replaced, if damaged. There is a shade of amethyst for every skin tone.

MARCH
The original birthstone for March was bloodstone, a deep-green, opaque stone with red spots. In antiquity, it was believed that bloodstone protected against nosebleeds, hemorrhages and blood poisoning.

The modern birthstone of aquamarine is the cool blue-green of clear ocean water. It will stabilize and calm the natural ebullience of its March wearers. It is the blue variety of beryl, a close relative the emerald. If you see yourself, in a dream, wearing an aquamarine ring, you are building your willingness to help those around

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