or disagreeable dreams, and shall have no fear of incantations or of witchcraft.
"The
beryl is a large and transparent stone. Engrave upon it a lobster, and
under its legs a raven, and put under the gem a vervain leaf, inclosed
in a little plate of gold; it being consecrated and worn, makes the
wearer conqueror of all bad things, and gives protection against all
diseases of the eyes. And if you put this stone in water, and give this
water to one to drink, it cures stoppage of the breath and hiccups, and
dispels pains of the liver. It is useful to be worn, and he that hath
this gem upon him shall be victorious in battle over all his foes. It
is found in India, like unto the emerald, but of a paler cast.
"The sard is good to be worn, and makes the person beloved by women; engrave upon it a vine and ivy twining round it.
"The casteis (callais turquois) is
good for liberty, for he that hath consecrated it, and duly performed
all things necessary to be done in it, shall obtain liberty. It is
fitting to perfect the stone when you have got it, in this manner:
Engrave upon it a beetle, then a man standing under it; afterwards let
it be bored through its length and set on a gold fibula (swivel); then
being blest and set in an adorned and prepared place, it will show
forth the glory which God hath given it."
Some
of the other traditional virtues of gems ascribed chiefly in the Middle
Ages, but many doubtless of earlier origin, are as follows:
Agate
was believed to have the power of averting storms, counteracting
poison, and stemming the flow of blood. A black agate with white veins
was considered a potent talisman against every danger, and to have the
power of rendering the wearer invisible.
Amber
worn in beads about the neck or wrist was regarded a cure for sore
throat and ague, and a preventive of insanity, asthma, dropsy,
toothache, and deafness.
The bloodstone prevented death from bleeding.
The
cat's-eye warned its wearer of danger, storms, and troubles, and was a
charm against witchcraft. It was also a cure for croup when applied
locally.
Precious
coral prevented blight, caterpillars, storms, and locusts, and was a
charm against lightning, whirlwind, shipwreck, and fire. Taken
internally it was a cure for indigestion.
The diamond was a talisman against danger, and gave hardiness, fortitude, and manhood to its owner.
The
emerald gave immortality, won the favor of rulers and pacification of
enemies. If its wearer was unmarried it rendered him invisible.
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