Wednesday 1 January 2014

Birthstone Unicorns - Garnet

Happy New Year everyone!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and maybe added to your TBR pile by acquiring some new books! I know I am set for a few months of excellent reading material.

January is my birthday month which makes garnet my birthstone. The traditional birthstone for January, the garnet is normally thought of as deep red in colour but they can actually be found in many other colours such as orange, yellow, green, purple, brown and black. Associated with purity, truth, faithfulness and friendship they are also thought to remove negativity in the wearer. I'm definitely going to be wearing my garnet this month to ensure I start the the year with lots of positive thoughts!

There are lots of stories and legends surrounding the garnet below are just a few!

* Legend suggests that the garnet originated with Persephone, the Greek goddess of sunshine. Persephone was captured by Hades, the god of the underworld. Hades gave Persephone some pomegranate seeds to ensure her return. Take a look at the seeds next time you eat a pomegranate!

* The word garnet comes from the Latin 'granatus' which  means seed. 

* Garnet is said to prevent bloodshed between enemies.

* Garnets have been found in burial sites dating back to 3000 BC. It is thought they were placed there to protect the dead on their journey to the afterlife.

* Stories from the Bible say that Noah hung a garnet on the ark to help light the way through the flood.

* Native American tribes decorated dream catchers with garnets and used them on their hunting shields.

* Many cultures have suggested the wearing of a garnet would help calm a fever, protect from poison, reduce swelling and stop bleeding.

* Some Eastern  Legend says that dragon's eyes were garnets.

Hope your 2014 is getting off to a good start. Don't forget IWSG is next Wednesday, see you all then!


For Helen who requested proof of my 'doe ears' enjoy!



49 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Suzanne!

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  2. My mc in my wip is named Garnet! Tho I'm having trouble deciding if I want to spell it w/one or two t's...

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  3. Never knew that about the seeds, Happy new year

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    1. Happy new year, Pat. The seeds are very jewel like aren't they?

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  4. Happy New Year AND Happy Birthday!

    Listen, I know I'm always whining for photos, but if you really have been out and about in a pair of papier mache ears, I NEED to see this! xxx

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    1. Picture added, enjoy!
      PS. Please remember it was late in the evening when the photo was taken! x

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    2. Hahaha - they're golden! And little horns too! I love them. You've made 2014 for me already xxx

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  5. Most interesting to read, much I didn't know.
    Happy New Year.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it Yvonne. Happy New Year to you too.

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  6. Happy birthday early then! Go ahead and celebrate it the whole month.

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  7. Wishing you all the best for 2014.

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  8. Happy New Year! Sounds like there are so many cool legends about garnets. I'm surprised I've never heard about their ties to Persephone, since I love reading up on Greek mythology so much!

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    1. There is so much interesting info out there, Heather.

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  9. Interesting stuff! And the doe ears don't even look silly - how did you pull that off??

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    1. Thanks Linda, I must have been in touch with my inner deer!

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  10. Happy New Year! I wish I could start 2014 with doe ears too.

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  11. Oh cute picture! I did indeed add, blissfully, to my reading pile. Sigh. I love it. Now to make the time!

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    1. I know I had four new great books arrive today, love it!

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  12. Woot! I love it. Suzanne, why can't I hire you to be my full-time research assistant? I'll pay you...in cheese. =)

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    1. I'd apply, Crystal as long as you throw in the crackers to go with the cheese!

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  13. I'm a January baby too!! I did not know garnets came in orange. I would love an orange garnet stone!

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    1. It would be awesome wouldn't it! Happy birthday to you :)

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  14. It was fun learning more about your beautiful birthstone, Suzanne. Thanks for sharing this interesting post with us. Happy New Year!

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  15. Hi Suzanne .. garnet is me too .. so I'll join you with these wonderful birthstone educationals you give us! Love the colour ... and they're so often found in the various Hoards discovered in the fields of centuries of dirt ...

    Happy New Year .. and here's to a very successful 2014 - Hilary

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    1. Happy birthday, Hilary. All the best for 2014 to you too.

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  16. Happy New Year, Suzanne!
    Now I need a garnet, its not my birthstone but who can go wrong with a negativity-remover? :P

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    1. Exactly, everyone should have one! Happy New Year.

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    2. I was given a ring with garnets in by my grandma, who told me it came from a cousin of my late granddad. She also told me I shouldn't really wear it because I am not a January baby and it would bring me bad luck. I wore it anyway because I liked it - and I'm fine (as far as I know).

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  17. HAPPY NEW YEAR, SUZANNE. Love garnet. My daughter brought me home a garnet ring from Prague, my fave.

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    1. What a lovely daughter you have, Cathrina. Happy New Year.

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  18. Happy New Year to you, Suzanne, hope it is a good year, and thank you so much for your kind support. Carole.

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    1. I wish you and your husband all the best for 2014.

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  19. Happy birthday month, Suzanne! Mine is next month. I always thought garnets were a pretty birthstone. Interesting info, especially about the supposed medical aspects of wearing one. Never heard that before.

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  20. Cool doe ears! And best wishes to you and yours for 2014!!

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  21. Well, we're into 2014 a week already. How did that happen? Hope all is well with you so far and that this year continues to treat you kindly. I love garnets. Now I'll appreciate them more.

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  22. Hi Suzanne,

    At the rate I'm going, I discover it's almost 2015. Okay, slight exaggeration. And January is your birthday month. Garnets are awesome. Very much like your good self.

    Here's to a fulfilling, peaceful 2014.

    Gary :)

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  23. Happy New Year, Suzanne. Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a happy, fruitful 2014.

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