Oh! Where do faerys hide their heads, when snow lies on the hills, when frost has spoiled their mossy beds, and crystallised their rills?

Beneath the moon they cannot trip in circles o’er the plain; and draughts of dew they cannot sip, till green leaves come again.

 

Perhaps, in small blue diving bells they plunge beneath the waves, inhabiting the wreathed shells that lie in coral caves, perhaps in red vesuvias carousals they maintain; and cheer their little spirits thus, till green leaves come again.

When they return, there will be mirth and music in the air, and faery wings upon the earth, and mischief everywhere. The maids, to keep the elves aloof, will bar the doors in vain, no key hole will be faery proof when green leaves come again.

 

Thomas Hanes Bayly

 

Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen.

Jerome K Jerome

Birthstones

 

 

January

Garnet

Garnet - Crusaders used this gem for protection from injury. Ancient warriors thought it would bring victory.

 

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) - Lapis Lazuli

 

 

 

February

Amethyst

 

 

Amethyst - Saint Valentine wore an Amethyst. It made up Cleopatra's signet ring.

 

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) – Turquoise

 

 

 

March

Aquamarine

 

 

Bloodstone - was the preferred stone when carving religious subjects.

 

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) – Aquamarine

 

 

 

April

Diamond

 

 

Diamond - The brilliance of a Diamond as always been appreciated through the ages. It is also a Girl's Best Friend.

 

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19) – Jasper

 

 

 

May

Emerald

 

 

Emerald - was once believed to ward off many kinds of sickness, the green represented life, which is renewed in the spring.

 

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) – Emerald

 

 

 

June

Pearl

 

 

Alexandrite - Discovered in 1839, it was named after Prince Alexander of Russia. It reflected the Russian national colors, red and green.

 

Gemini (May 21-June 20) - Tiger Eye

 

 

 

July

Ruby

 

 

Ruby - the red in a ruby represented blood, which represented life.

 

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) – Moonstone

 

 

 

August

Peridot

 

 

Sardonyx - Roman soldiers wore this gem to bring good fortune and in the middle ages, it was believed to bring gravitas to the wearer.

 

Leo (July 23-Aug 22) - Rock Crystal

 

 

 

September

Sapphire

 

 

Sapphire - represented a pure soul. It was often worn by priests for protection from impure thoughts.

 

Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22) – Citrine

 

 

 

October

Opal

 

 

Opal - represented hope and love in the western and eastern worlds. Thieves wore these in hopes of not getting caught.

 

Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22) – Sapphire

 

 

 

November

Topaz

 

 

Topaz - was believed to have a relaxing and cooling effect: on boiling water, fever, and even anger.

 

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) - Garnet or Ruby

 

 

 

December

Turquoise

 

 

Zircon - was thought to protect citizens from the Black death in the middle ages. It was also used by travelers to bring safety in travel and make the wearer welcome when visiting new places.

 

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) - Topaz