Some people, the ad cautions, feel a difference, others feel nothing. It does come with a reasonable disclaimer. The “Bioelectric Shield,” a pendant containing amethyst along with other minerals in a specific pattern, will “shield the wearer from harmful radiofrequencies, such as those generated by cell phones.” As an added feature, it will also enhance personal energy. Instead of hawking amethyst as an antidote to alcohol, they now promote it as a substance that can protect against electromagnetic radiation from devices such as cell phones. Meditating with Merlinite “can assist one in contacting souls of the deceased who wish to give a message to the living.” It is also said to “open psychic channels for intuitive understanding and also attracts teachers from other planes to assist in one’s studies during the dream state and in meditation.”Īnd leave it to modern day mountebanks to keep up with modern technology. We’re told that it can “direct energy towards the fortification of one’s weaknesses and create instantly noticeable healing.” Also available is version of amethyst called “Merlinite,” an allusion to its supposed magical properties. Inventive marketers now sell “metaphysical jewelry.” One beguiling item is made from a mineral that features whitish veins, supposedly the result of having captured lightning. In recent years, the balderdash about amethyst offering protection against drunkenness has been replaced by some more modern claptrap. In spite of this, it is considered to be the stone of abstinence and is often present in the rings worn by bishops and cardinals. Amethyst is just a form of silicon dioxide and does not react with alcohol in any fashion. The gemstone, however, didn’t seem to have much of an impact on the legendary drunken feasts of the ancient Greeks and Romans.Ĭhemically speaking, this is not surprising. If wine were to be consumed from these, its intoxicating effects would be neutralized! Just to be on the safe side, the power of the cups was boosted by wearing amulets made of amethyst. In any case, the myth of Amethystos was transformed into the belief that amethyst had the ability to counter the effects of alcohol intoxication, and the Greeks, as well as later the Romans, made cups out of the stone. Perhaps a little tryst with the god of wine may have been preferable to being turned into stone. One wonders if she would have reconsidered her prayers had she known the outcome. The purple stone became known as “amethyst” after the name of the maiden who had successfully resisted Dionysus’ amorous advances by turning into stone. That put a quick end to Dionysus’ chase, at which point the frustrated god poured wine on the white stone, dyeing the crystals purple. Artemis seems to have been blessed with somewhat of a whimsical nature and answered Amethystos’ prayer by turning her into a white stone. She, however, was not interested in his advances and prayed to the goddess Artemis, to remain chaste.
The girl presented a challenge, which is what may have excited Dionysus.
And that she was not into those who favoured wine partaking of her. Since the ancient Greek word for drunkenness is “methyl” and the prefix “a” can be translated as “not,” one might surmise that Amethystos was not into partaking of wine. He had a taste for mortal ladies as well! A particular subject of his affections was a maiden who just happened to be named Amethystos. It seems that Dionysus’ affections were not limited to wine. And what did he have to do with amethyst? Here the story becomes a bit complicated. Dionysus was the god of wine and intoxication. Life was thought to be controlled by their many gods, each of whom had specialties. The notion that amethyst is an antidote for intoxication is of course a myth, but the ancient Greeks, as we well know, were deeply into myths. With “amethyst” the story is about its name, derived from the Greek for “wine” and traces to an ancient belief that wine-coloured crystals can ward off drunkenness. The geode has no function except to satisfy my, some would say peculiar, passion for collecting objects that have stories to tell.
In the case of amethyst that mineral is quartz, tainted with iron and manganese impurities that colour it an eye-catching purple. Geodes are rocks with an internal cavity that is filled with crystals of a mineral.
An attractive amethyst geode sits on my desk.
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