Legends of Moonstone

Moonstone or Feldspar is considered a good luck stone. It is also believed to give lovers the ability to foretell the future. Legend has it that the stone must be placed in the mouth while the moon is full. According to legend, if you buy your loved one a moonstone you will love them forever, that you will not be able to help yourself. Moonstone is associated with the Goddess, Diana. The milky white opalescent stone has a small white spot that appears during the new moon and it gradually moves towards the stone's center, growing larger as the moon becomes fuller in the sky. Moonstone is also known as a 'wish stone' and can bring insight to the wearer. It is also used to dispel negativity. Some of the rainbow feldspar is the prettiest and it may have infractions or inclusions inside. Moonstone was an extremely popular stone in the 1930's and is very popular today. Moonstone is a gem steeped in lore and legend, and many legends credit the moonstone with being born from actual moonbeams or moonlight. Ancient Romans associated Moonstones with the Goddess Diana, and believed Moonstones formed from actual moonlight. Ancient Hindus thought Moonstone were created from tiny parts of moonbeams. In ancient Greece, Moonstones were worn to reconcile lovers, and were associated with the Goddesses Aphrodite and Selene. To ensure being blessed with many children, Arabian women sewed moonstones into their robes. During the middle ages, it was commonly believed that you could look into a moonstone, fall into a deep sleep, and learn of the future. Many cultures believed that Moonstones were the solidified rays of the moon, gifted with the power to change their looks during the lunar phases. The inner light of the Moonstone was believed to be the light of the good spirit that lived in the stone. To this day in India, Moonstones are considered sacred stones, especially protective for women and babies. In Asia, the moonstone is associated with a lack of tears, as a lack of rain adds visibility to the moon. Moonstone is a soft, milky white form of feldspar, with a shimmering appearance and soft, reflective glow which seemingly comes from the inner depths of the stone. Moonstones have long been associated with the moon because of the silvery or bluish iridescence resulting from the intergrowth of two different types of feldspar. In addition to being associated with many aspects of the moon, Moonstones can symbolize water, feminine energy, rebirth, the planting cycles, and new beginnings, as well as balancing, calming, and emotional healing. If the Quartz crystals can be said to represent masculine energy, the intellect, or the sun, then the Moonstone

energy can be considered to be a powerful balance for Quartz. Moonstones represent a receptive, feminine energy related to the heart rather than the mind. Moonstones are reflective, rather than having the potential to shine on their own. They are associated with the psychic and the less obvious inner realms. I frequently recommend Moonstones to people who work with the Crystal energy, because of the balance moonstones provide. If Quartz crystals, like the Sun, can be said to burn and scorch, or illuminate and enlighten, then Moonstones, like the Moon, can be considered less intense, while reminding one of the importance of peace and harmony. When a Moonstone is selected from my personal stone tray, I become aware of the individuals strongly developed intuitive side, as well as their desire for balance, acceptance, and inner peace. Frequently, selecting a Moonstone (or perhaps, beginning to wear a Moonstone) indicates an acceptance of the loving and nurturing qualities within, and a willingness to accept the experience of love. When someone is drawn to a Moonstone from my stone tray, it seems to speak volumes about that persons sensitivity and empathetic nature, as well as an acknowledgement of a serene, receptive, feminine nature. Since Moonstones are considered to be stones of love with the ability to help draw love to oneself, when one selects a Moonstone in a reading, it can be an indication of ones readiness or openness to giving and receiving love. Moonstones are said to calm the emotions and fears, and are believed to be helpful for those with stomach or digestive problems. Additionally, Moonstones have earned the reputation of soothing and relieving pain, curing illness, and promoting healing, especially in women. Moonstones are said to have the power to help women who may be experiencing problems conceiving. I know women who tape a Moonstone over their navel to ease menstrual cramps, and several other women who have worn Moonstones into the delivery room to help ease the pain of childbirth. Moonstone is one of the essential stones for this period in history, and can be beneficial for everyone. Terry

Mithridatism
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Jump to: navigation, search The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (May 2011) Mithridatism is the practice of protecting oneself against a poison by gradually selfadministering non-lethal amounts. The word derives from Mithridates VI, the King of Pontus, who so feared being poisoned that he regularly ingested small doses, aiming to develop

immunity. Having been defeated by Pompey, legend has it that Mithridates tried to commit suicide using poison but failed because of his immunity and so had to resort to having a mercenary run him through with his sword.

Contents
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1 In practice 2 In fiction 3 In poetry 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] In practice
There are only a few practical uses of mithridatism. It can be used by zoo handlers, researchers, and circus artists who deal closely with venomous animals. Mithridatization has been tried with success in Australia and Brazil and total immunity has been achieved even to multiple bites of extremely venomous cobras and pit vipers. Venomous snake handler Bill Haast used this method. Snake handlers from Burma tattoo themselves with snake venom for the same reason.[1] It has been suggested that Russian mystic Rasputin's survival of a poisoning attempt was due to mithridatism, but this has not been proven.[2] Indian epics talk about this practice too. It has been said that, during the rule of the king Chandragupta Maurya (320-298 BCE), there was a practice of selecting beautiful girls and administering poison in small amounts until they grow up, thus making them insensitive to poison. These maidens were called vishakanyas (visha = poison, kanya = maiden). It was believed that making love with vishakanyas can result in death of their partners, hence they were employed to kill enemies. It is important to note that this practice is not effective against all types of poison. While some (primarily natural) poisons, such as poisonous venoms and tree extracts, can have an immunity built up in this fashion, other (primarily synthetic or base chemical) poisons, such as cyanide, will either pass through the system without leaving any lasting immunity or will build up in the system to lethal levels over time. Certain toxic substances, such as hydrofluoric acid and heavy metals, are either lethal or have little to no effect (or may even be beneficial in low doses, but in such a way as to have no effect on later doses at higher levels), and thus cannot be used in this way at all.