fet·ish    [fet-ish, fee-tish]

–noun

—Related forms

fet·ish·like, adjective

—Synonyms 1. talisman, amulet.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

fet·ish also fet·ich   (fet'ish, fe'tish)

n.  

1.    An object that is believed to have magical or spiritual powers, especially such an object associated with animistic or shamanistic religious practices.

2.    An object of unreasonably excessive attention or reverence: made a fetish of punctuality.

3.    Something, such as a material object or a nonsexual part of the body, which arouses sexual desire and may become necessary for sexual gratification.

4.    An abnormally obsessive preoccupation or attachment; a fixation.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

fetish2 ['feti?] noun

Something which is regarded with too much reverence or given too much attention
Example: It is good to dress well, but there is no need to make a fetish of it.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.

Fetish

An object believed to carry a magical or spiritual force. Some so-called primitive tribes practice cult worship of fetishes.

Note: Figuratively, a “fetish” is any object that arouses excessive devotion: “Lucille made a fetish of her Porsche.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Zuni fetishes

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Not to be confused with sexual fetishes, Zuni fetishes are small (several inches long at most) carvings from various stones, made by the Zuni Indians. These carvings serve a ceremonial purpose for their creators, or they can be sold, with non-religious intentions, to collectors worldwide. Typically they depict animals such as the wolf, badger, bear, mountain lion, eagle, mole, frog, and others. According to the book Zuni Fetish Carvings by Dr. Harold Finklelstein, the Zuni world is made up of six regions or directions. Each direction has a guardian animal, where are as follows: North - the Mountain Lion, West – the Black Bear, South – the Badger, East – the Wolf, the Sky or Upper – The Eagle, and the Underground or Lower – the Mole. More contemporary subjects may include insects, reptiles, or dinosaurs, but these would be considered non-traditional.

Traditionally, the essential materials used by carvers were often turquoise, jet, shell (primarily mother-of-pearl), and coral. These four materials and their associated colors are principle in the Zuni sunface, a cultural symbol which is present in Zuni jewelry and fetishes. Other materials used are Zuni rock, fishrock, jasper, pipestone, marble, or organic items such as bone and deer or elk antler. Even artificial substances such as slag glass are used. In recent years Zuni carvings, or fetishes, have become popular collectibles and the Zuni artisan has familiarized their self with materials available from all parts of the world in order to serve the aesthetic tastes of collectors.

The artists’ styles are as unique as the artists themselves, and there are many whose works are highly sought after by collectors. Some collectors prefer a figure that is more realistic in appearance, while others prefer the more traditional styles that are intrinsic to Zuni belief. The traditional belief of the Zuni is that the least modification of the original material maintains, or heightens, the power of the fetish as a "natural concretion". Realism in carving style is a matter relative to the beliefs of its owner, and the realism in contemporary carving is a product of collector request and demand and the intent of Zuni carvers to raise the level of their art form through participation in the world of contemporary art. The enigma, or apparent paradox relevant to Zuni belief and realism in art is resolved in the notion that carvings for sale and collection are produced without religious intent. For this reason some carvers prefer the term "carvings" rather than the term "fetishes" when referring to offerings for collectors.

In tradition, each animal is believed to have inherent powers or qualities that may aid the owner. The wolf for example, provides guidance through life's journeys, while the raven and the horse are thought to have the power to provide healing. A fetish in the shape of a horse might also be carried during travel in hopes of a safe, swift journey.

A fetish may be signed by the carver, or not. Personalization by signing a piece of art traditionally violates the Zuni notion of community purpose, and the signing of artwork is a concept introduced to the Zuni by Anglo collectors at the beginning of the twentieth century (c. 1915). Often, though, a Zuni carver feels that their own unique style is readily identifiable and the fetish's style will be enough to identify the carver as surely as would any other mark. Most carvers are the recipients of a family tradition and have learned their skill from parents, grandparents, or siblings, and have passed the art to their own children as well.

Besides being made from various stones and other materials, (each material has unique properties) the fetish can be embellished with an offering, or prayer bundle of small beads of bright red coral, shell, or turquoise, for example. They may carry a miniature arrowhead typically made from shiny abalone shell or mother of pearl, but carvers have been known to use a wide variety of other materials as well. These small items, although colorful to the eye, are intended to protect and feed the fetish itself.

On the subject of feeding, it is believed that the fetishes require a meal of cornmeal and ground turquoise periodically. Fetishes may be kept in a clay pot as it is the tradition, although collectors usually like to keep theirs somewhere where they can be admired. Any but the very delicate fetishes could be carried by the owner in a pocket, pouch or bag.

The first and original publication on traditional Zuni fetishes is Zuni Fetishes by Frank Hamilton Cushing, a pamphlet printed from Cushing's original work for the Bureau of American Ethnology during his tenure as an anthropologist in Zuni 1879-1883.

Gemstone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A gemstone or gem, also called a precious or semi-precious stone, is a piece of attractive mineral, which — when cut and polished — is used to make jewelry or other adornments.^[1] However certain rocks, (such as lapis-lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are not minerals, but are still used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.

Crystal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In chemistry, mineralogy, and materials science, a crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions.

The word crystal is a loan from the ancient Greek word κρ?σταλλος (krustallos), which had the same meaning, but according to the ancient understanding of crystal. At root it means anything congealed by freezing, such as ice.^[1] The word once referred particularly to quartz, or "rock crystal".

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ZODIACAL SIGNS, GEMS & BIRTHSTONES
All gems are related to planetary forces and anyone wearing jewels from their natal planets will be in harmony with his or her stellar rays.

This is a chart of the gemstones related to each zodiacal sign and recommended Maha Lakshmi birthstone necklaces:

Many people prefer to use stones that relate to their astrological sun sign. Your sun sign is the sign that most people identify with when looking up their horoscope. These sun signs are as follows:

Aries
The symbol of this sign is activity – initiative, ambition or creativity. Arians always rise from the lowest to the highest form – from red to white.
Gems: All red stones, like garnet, ruby, red jasper

Taurus
the symbols of this sign are love and wisdom. Taurus are closely attuned to products of the earth. They need to transform the love of personal to that of selfless service.
Gems: All yellow stones like topaz, citrine, amber

Gemini
This is the sign of duality. It symbolizes life and death, joy and sorrow, health and sickness, abundance and poverty.
Gems: All purple stones, like amethyst or fluorite

Cancer
This symbolizes love and life. The magic power of love is the message and quest of this sign.
Gems: All green stones – emerald, jade, peridot, agate, green jasper

Leo
This is the sign of wisdom and activity. Divinity and humility are keynotes for meditation for the native of this sign.
Gems: All gold and orange stones – amber, orange jasper, carnelian, fire opal, topaz

Virgo
This sign symbolizes reason transformed into wisdom. Knowledge and understanding produce wisdom.
Gems: Amethyst and fluorite

Libra
It symbolizes the balance that must be weighed with the deeds of the year. It symbolizes the unfolding of love leading to unity.
Gem: Yellow stones – topaz, amber, citrine

Scorpio
This is one of the most powerful signs. Its force being dual in aspect, it moves from the lowest depths to the greatest heights. It purifies the animal nature and lifts forces to a higher plane of expression.
Gems: Red and clear crimson stones – ruby, garnet, coral, red jasper, bloodstone

Sagittarius
This sign symbolizes high idealism and noble aspirations. Its highest expression is a spiritualized mind.
Gems: Blue Stones – Sapphire, lapis-lazuli, blue topaz, sodalite

Capricorn
This sign denotes the mystery of the darkest night and the glory of the light. This sign symbolizes the crossing of the bridge of darkness before reaching the radiation of the great white light. The goal for a Capricorn is to conquer one’s ego.
Gems: Black and white stones – black tourmaline, jet, moonstone, opal, pearl

Aquarius
This sign symbolizes promotion of communication and group work. The goal of an Aquarian is to achieve oneness of the whole, or wholeness of the one.
Gems: Clear blue stones – blue topaz, lapis-lazuli, sapphire

Pisces
This sign symbolizes selfless service, the ideal way to achieve success. It denotes the spirit struggling to rescue humanity from greed.
Gems: Soft blue and indigo stones – blue topaz, indigo sapphire, azurite

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BIRTHSTONES BY MONTH
The origin of modern western “birthstones” can be traced to the days of Moses when he gave instructions about the “breastplate of judgment.” This is corroborated by the academic texts of the Gemological Institute of America. In the Bible, the breastplate is described as being set with 12 gemstones, each with an engraving of the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel.

In the book of revelations, gems in the breastplate were described as being the foundation stones of the temple of the “New Jerusalem.” The order that the 12 gems were given was used as the order for birthstones for the months. For no seemingly relevant reason the first of the birthstones was assigned to the month of March. Together the two lists are as follows:

These stones were used as birthstones until August 12, 1912 when the American National Retail Jewelers Association (ANRJA) changed the list of stones which would be more advantageous commercially for the jewelry industry. Then, in 1938, the American Gem Society (AGS) adopted the new list, adding one additional stone, citrine, to the list. In 1952, the list was once more changed and gained the approval of ANRJA, AGS, NJA (National Jewelers Association) and ASIA (American Stone Importers Association). This then, established the official list of birthstones that is still used today.

This list has absolutely no correlation to the astronomical/astrological signs of the zodiac. Its purpose is purely commercial. Since the sun changes signs every month around the third week, it is not possible to assign any stone to an entire month. It is the sign of the zodiac that is the determining factor at birth, not the month in which one is born.

The signs of the zodiac each have a planet that is the Lord, or ruler, of that particular sign. Each of the planets also has a gemstone that vibrates and transmits cosmic energy. Therefore the only meaningful system of birthstones is according to the sign which the sun, or moon, tenants at the time of birth, although it is more practiced in Asia to choose a stone according to the moon sign.

The list of birthstones accepted throughout Asia since ancient times is according to the position of sun, or moon, as follows:

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GEMS & PLANETS
Different gemstones are said to receive their potencies from the cosmic energies of various planets. Vedic astrology and the Ayurvedic system of medicine tell us that certain planets can have effects on bodily organs and parts of the body. The planets are also said to have effects on our minds and subtle parts of our consciousness. In addition, their specific positions in the horoscope indicate the path of destiny.

The medical and astrological uses validate each other. Different planets have influence on different parts of our bodies. A weak planet in the chart often manifests physically as a weakness in the part of the body affected by that planet’s cosmic energy. Gems have the power to harmonize planetary influences. The birthstone gemstones for each planet are as follows:

Secondary Gemstones: (for financial purposes, these can be used instead of primary gemstones)

Secondary gemstones may be worn as rings, bracelets or earrings. Either primary or secondary gems may be worn as necklaces. The jewelry should be fashioned in such a way that light will pass through the stone to the body. This means that the piece must be open-backed and the stone must be mounted so that it comes into physical contact with the skin.

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GEMS FOR EVERYDAY
you may wish to wear a certain stone on a particular day, or wear one that represents the day of the week on which you were born.

***ALL OF THE ABOVE INFO & CHARTS IS TAKEN FROM A WEBSITE I PERSONALLY ENJOY LOOKING AT & I REFFERENCE IT’S TRUSTED READING METERIAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

****PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SITE IS NOT AFFILLIATED WITH THEM, & THEY ARE NOT AFFILLIATED WITH OUR SITE, HOWEVER SOME OF THE LINKS HERE ARE TO INFO ON: http://www.annemeplon.com