South Carolina - AMETHYST

It seems like I’ve taken an extended break from my blog entries but as long as the Cardinals keep winning all other extra curriculums take a back seat.  Well the Cards have a day off to travel to LA to win the Pennant race in the City of Angels, so I thought I’d try and catch up.  (BTW – They had to come home and win it in St. Lou, but all the same, we’re World Series bound.)

First let me fill my wine glass before we talk about Amethyst, the purple quartz believed by the ancient Romans to prevent drunkenness. OK, too late.  The name given to South Carolina’s state gemstone comes from the Greek word "amethystus" meaning not intoxicated.  Amethyst, better known as the patron stone of the designated driver.  

Amethyst is a calming stone which is used to provide serenity, balance and patience.  It can be helpful when dealing with legal problems and money matters.  This stone has been known to protect one from thieves and to watch over travelers.  Amethyst has also been helpful during times of grief and to promote inner strength.  The Amethyst is thought to be a natural tranquilizer which can relieve stress and tension and equalize mood swings.  It can calm your fears and take away your anxieties.

This beautiful purple stone has been used to aid in the healing of addictions to alcohol, drugs and smoking as well as compulsive behavior of all kinds.  It has also been used to cure headaches, insomnia, arthritis and diabetes.  The Amethyst can help you with your circulatory and respiratory issues and lessen the symptoms of menopause and PMS. It can help the body to fight against cancer and aid in tissue regeneration.

The addition of an Amethyst to my necklace will prevent me from drinking too much while I’m traveling.  Oh, that’s no fun.  So I’ll use it to help with the morning after headache.

South Carolina designated the Amethyst as the official state gemstone in 1969.