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Urns & Jewelry for February Birthday: Birthstones & Pisces Astrology Signs

February 23, 2019 Kim Stacey

pisces astrology star sign

This week we’re looking at the second of the astrology signs Pisces. Often represented as two fish, swimming in opposite directions, Pisces is (rather obviously) a water sign. According to reputable sources (see below); the opposing directions of the fish “represent the duality within the nature of the sign itself. People born under the sign (February 19th to March 20th) are ruled by the planet Neptune.

The Pisces Personality

I’ve only intimately known one Pisces in my life: my mother, Rosemary. Sadly, she was an alcoholic, so I was prone to seeing that quality as a trait of the astrological sign itself. Of course, I was wrong : it was her frustrated efforts to become a published writer (and a lousy relationship with life itself) that made her drink ‘like a fish.’

It is said Pisceans are empathetic and full of “expressed emotional capacity.” That’s where the creativity comes in, I believe. Let me tell you, mother could really write: her single-spaced typewritten letters to family from the years she lived in Iran (1966-1979) were phenomenal. (I say “were” because they no longer exist. How I wish they did!) Publishing was a different business then – much harder to break into – and her short stories never made the cut with those she contacted. I know she died a very frustrated, unfulfilled woman. People born under the Pisces sign have an intuitive understanding of the life cycle and thus achieve the best emotional relationship with other beings.

What about the Negative Characteristics?

Some of the negative traits of Pisceans include fearfulness; the tendency to be overly trusting; sadness bordering on depression, and a deep desire to escape reality. Those traits describe Rosemary perfectly. However, some of the other traits ascribed to people born under Pisces don’t fit my mother at all. But I think those variances had to do with being alive during the 20th century (a century rampant with ware and intolerance). Mother wasn’t, as most Pisceans are said to be; “generous, compassionate extremely faithful and caring.” But, no that I’m older, I understand why, and work to forgive and forget.

Now…Let’s Look at Some Fulfilled Piscean Women

Sources tell me of all the astrological signs, people born under Pisces are inclined to be artistic and have a deep connection to music. That certainly describes our featured Pisceans this month; chosen in honor of Black History Month, Consider these remarkable African-American women:

• Alice Walker: Pulitzer Prize-winning author, who is best known for her novel, The Color Purple.

• Leontyne Price: Award-winning operatic soprano. known for the title role of Verdi’s Aida

• Toni Morrison: Winning both the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, she is best known for The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved.

• Nina Simone: Considered an iconic jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and musical arranger; Nina is also a civil rights activist.

• Marian Anderson: She is the first African-American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955.

I could add so many more African-American women to this list, including Rosa Parks, who changed our world by her actions on December 1st, 1955. (Perhaps it was her astrological gifts of empathy and compassion in action.)

What’s the Birthstone for February?

purple-amethyst-birthstone

It’s the Amethyst, a gorgeous Quartz gemstone. It’s said to be extremely durable and scratch-resistant. Could be that’s one of the reasons for its “rich history of astonishing civilizations with its stunning, saturated beauty.”

Cremation Urn Pendant with Purple Stone
Cremation Jewelry February birthstone

From the Neolithic people living in Europe around 25,000 B.C. to the Greeks, Romans, who valued the stone highly. Bishops of the Christian church wore amethyst jewelry, for “its color was meant to symbolize royalty and an allegiance to Christ. Members of the Catholic clergy wore amethyst stone in their crosses because their amethyst meaning was one of piety and celibacy.” (Source: Energy Muse)

Did You Miss January’s Astrological Post?

If so, you’re in luck: here’s the link to “Astrology Signs and Birthstones: January”. There’s another, perhaps more important post I don’t want you to miss – last week’s “How to Avoid Funeral Mistakes When Planning a Funeral.”

Next week, we’re going to look at some beautifully designed cremation urns we feel are appropriate for the Pisceans we’ve loved, and lost. Until then, have a fine remainder to the week!

Sources:
Wikipeidia.org/wiki/Pisces_(astrology)
Wikipedia.org/wiki/Amethyst
Astrology-zodiac-signs.com/zodiac-signs/pisces/
Energymuse.com/ameth-meaning
Blackintime.info/black-birthday-monthly.html

Filed Under: mental health Tagged With: amethyst birthstone, astrology signs, birthstone for February, birthstones

Astrology Signs and Birthstones: January

January 8, 2019 Kim Stacey

aquarius zodiac sign

This post takes a look at two concepts often used to help us define and represent our character (and maybe to see our destiny more clearly). At the heart of our inquiry is the date and time of our birth. From that information, each of us is assigned the month’s astrological sign and birthstone. For those born in January, the star sign is Aquarius; the gemstone is the richly-red garnet. But first…

Do People Really Believe in Astrology?

The subtitle to “The New Age of Astrology” (The Atlantic: 1/16/2018) answers the question nicely: “In a stressful, data-driven era, many young people find comfort and insight in the zodiac—even if they don’t exactly believe in it.” Still, it’s common to see questions like: “Who should an Aquarius marry?” or “How do I get an Aquarius man’s attention?” on a page of search results. With all that said, let’s explore the 11th sign of the zodiac, Aquarius. Represented as a “water bearer”, Aquarius is actually an “air” sign, (along with Libra and Gemini). “Fire,” “earth,” and “water” are elements represented by the remaining 11 astrological signs.

  • Inclusive dates: January 20 through February 19th. However, if your date of birth actually falls on the 20th of January or the 19th of February, you need to double-check your assignment, due to the fluctuations in the sun’s position (source).
  • Guiding Planets: Jupiter and Uranus
  • Personality Traits:
  • Positive: Aquarians are intelligent, strong, curious, outgoing and social, independent, and good at communication.
  • Negative: Unpredictability, detachment, tendency to go off-track, and inefficient.
  • Possible Health Concerns: There appears to be a star-born tendency to fall into addiction.

When did Astrology Get It’s Start?

It’s no great surprise: it was the Greeks. But much of what they learned and relied on came from Mesopotamia. Or was it Babylonia? Sources differ – so let’s just say the guidance of the zodiac is thousands of years old.

zodiac-signs stars

Famous People Born Under Aquarius

Some folks enjoy knowing they share a birthdate or astrological sign with a favorite celebrity or notable. Here’s a very short list of famous Aquarians:

• Oprah Winfrey: January 29, 1954
• Ben Franklin: January 17, 1706
• Ashton Kutcher: February 7th, 1978
• Michael Jordan, February 17th, 1963
• Christian Bale, January 30th, 1975
• Bob Marley, February 6th, 1945
• Abraham Lincoln, February 12th, 1809

What about Chinese Astrology Signs?

I included the years of their births so we could talk a bit about the Chinese zodiac, Sheng Xiao, describes each year in a 12-year cycle in terms of an animal. It is believed that those born under a certain sign carry the traits of the assigned creature…

chinese zodiac

For example, both Lenette and I were born in the Year of the Horse, as was Oprah Winfrey. Christian Bale was born in a Year of the Rabbit; Bob Marley in the Year of the Rooster; you get the idea. (If you’re curious; Ben Franklin came into the world during the Year of the Dog, and Abraham Lincoln was born in the Year of the Snake.)

January’s Birthstone: The Garnet

Earlier, I described this gemstone as a rich, deep red; now I quickly realized pomegranate seeds remind me of the stone and had the observation validated: some say the very word “garnet” comes from the Latin word for pomegranate, Granatum.

garnet crown

As many things, the origin of ‘birthstones’ is said to come from the Bible; still, it was the American National Association of Jewelers who designated the Garnet as the ‘official’ birthstone for January in 1912. The site, CyrstalVaults.com, tells readers garnets (which come in a variety of colors) are “found the world over,” and have been prized as both an ornament and a talisman with “strong curative powers and protective energies.”

The Real Reason behind Our Focus on Astrology and Birthstones

If you’ve already read the final post in our pet-related series, “8 Easy-to-Keep New Year’s Resolutions for Good Pet Health,” you may remember I closed with Cyril Cusack’s resolution: “If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am.”

The process of self-discovery is different for everyone; for some it’s a natural, relatively painless inquiry, for others it’s just the opposite. In either case, it’s a never-ending, life-long effort. In the pursuit of greater self-knowledge, we dedicate this post to our Aquarian friends and loved ones.

Uh-Oh! AD DISCLAIMER! For anyone who really knows a lot about astrology and the zodiac, this conversation must seem very simplistic – because it is! I’m not an expert on this subject, and this exploration – as are those to follow – are merely to be entertaining, and somewhat thought-provoking.

Source Websites:
Ganeshaspeaks.com
Ancient-wisdom.com
Jewelsforme.com
Africagems.com
Wonderopolous.com
Blogs.loc.gov
Wikipedia.com
Internchina.com
Famousbirthdays.com
Americangemsociety.org
Crystalvaults.com

Filed Under: Confessions Tagged With: astrology signs, birthstones, garnet

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