To
Matthias, the Chrysolite, because pure as sunshine. To Peter, the
Jasper ; hard, and solid ; as the Rock of the Church. To Philip, the
friendly Sardonyx. To Simeon, of Cana, the Pink Hyacinth; denoting a
sweet temper. To Thaddeus, the Chrysoprase, emblematic of serenity, and
trustfulness. To Thomas, the Beryl, as indefinite in lustre, being thus
expressive of his doubting faith.
The
Zodiac Stones of the old Romans denoted a particular Stone dedicated to
each Zodiacal Month. Thus the Jacinth, or the Garnet, stood for January
(Aquarius) ; the Amethyst for February (Pisces) ; the Bloodstone for
March (Aries) ; the Sapphire for April (Taurus) ; the Agate for May
(Gemini) ; the Emerald for June (Cancer) ; the Onyx for July (Leo) ;
the Cornelian for August (Virgo) ; the Chrysolite for September (Libra)
; the Aqua-marine for October (Scorpio) ; the Topaz for November
(Sagittarius) ; and the Ruby for December (Capricorn). These Zodiac
Stones were set all together in an amulet to be worn as a talismanic
ornament. A like notion (taken evidently from the Twelve Stones in the
Breast-Plate of the Jewish High Priest) is still maintained by not a
few believers throughout Eastern Countries.
Whether
or not such an Amulet, of imitative, Sacerdotal Stones has served to
exercise any personal influence, benignant, or malign, on its wearer,
we have no traditional lore to tell us. But it is quite justifiable to
suppose that on a person of pure life, and sanctified motives, the
Amulet (Breastplate) would coruscate with additional brilliancy under
pious exaltation, or joyful conditions of health, and spirits; whilst,
if despondency, and sorrow were depressing the vitality, the contexture
