Ruby

Catherine of Aragon wore a ruby that was said to have turned dark and dull the day before King Henry the VII divorced her. Henry V wore the Black Price ruby on his battle helmet as he fought the French at Agincourt in 1415. That ruby was later discovered to be spinel, an inferior gem; nonetheless, it still graces the Imperial State Crown in London.

Ruby may be any shade of red from pinkish to purple and deep brown. Red is the color of the root chakra, the energy center connected directly to the Earth. The root chakra affects the functioning of the adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal column, legs, and bones. Red ruby is also influential in treating blood diseases such as anemia.

Ruby is associated with the element Fire. It lends force, light, and clarity to one's thoughts and intentions. If you find yourself indecisive or unable to think things through clearly and logically, wearing a ruby may help.

Ruby is a stone of the Sun and the fiery Zodiac signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. It is ruled by the red planet Mars, and bears that planet's warrior qualities. Ruby was worn by kings and common foot soldiers to enhance their courage, fierceness, and battle-readiness.

Ruby is a hard stone that grants powerful protection to its wearer even in non-violent but threatening situations. If you are involved in legal disputes, wearing a ruby may help you defend yourself and even emerge victorious. Blessing the four corners of your garden with a ruby gives it protection against wind, rain, hail, and pests.

Sleeping with a ruby promotes lucid dreams in which your conscious mind can meet and confront unconscious obstacles to happiness. Ruby provides the force of will to overcome past traumas and faces your fears bravely.

Ruby is the modern birth stone of the hot, fiery month of July. It is most strongly associated with the Zodiac sign of Aries. Ruby's influences include wealth, prosperity, love and especially passion of all kinds. Ruby is even said to increase the temperature of the body and feed the furnace of vitality.