Turquoise.
If you ask Google to show you images of turquoise stones, you‘re going to see a very wide range of colors and a large range of markings. This is because these stones are found all over the world, and each location has it‘s own special characteristics.
This stone has long been used for protection against traumatic injuries. It was thought that the stone would shatter, thus warning the wearer of imminent physical danger. It was also used to decorate the bridles of horses, to protect them against broken bones from falls. Among the Native Americans of the Southwestern United States, Turquoise is believed to be a connector of Earth and Sky. It is one of the four “elemental” gemstones of the Pueblos; (the others are coral, jet and abalone shell). This is considered to be one of the Birthstones for December.
I call Turquoise the “talk to me” stone. I use it at the Throat Chakra, in association with it‘s elemental side (water) to “make the words flow” when an individual has difficulty expressing themselves. In addition, whenever I make an animal fetish to represent a clients totem animal, I normally include a small chip of Turquoise where the throat would be. This is to encourage the Animal Spirit to “communicate” with the person. Finally, I will often carry a piece, or wear a piece of Turquoise when I am going to do a “reading” or teaching, both for mundane or metaphysical topics, because of its connection with Wisdom.
Zen Gem drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using brown and black, Micron pens. Coloring done with Crayola and Copic markers. Shading done with Tombow and Zig markers and graphite pencil.