Addison.
The Moonstone is an orthoclase feldspar of the opalescent variety of Adularia, of a pearly moon-like lustre—hence the name Stone of the Moon. It appears under the forms of moona, mone, mon, mowne, moone, moyne, mione, mune and muni; it is known in France as Pierre de la Lune. Its abundance in Ceylon has earned for it the name of “Ceylon Opal.” The Indians call it “Chandra Kanta,” and according to them it grows under the rays of the moon and absorbs in the process of formation an atmospheric ether which impregnates it with peculiar occult and magical properties. These properties once infused into the stone never leave it. They are said to have a remarkable effect on the psychic nature of man, enabling him to prophesy—according to Leonardus—in the waning of the moon and to love in the waxing. The natives of Ceylon have a story that every third seventh year moonstones of opalescent blue are, by the influence of the moon, hurled on the island shore by the waves. Pliny says that in the stone an image of the moon is impressed, which waxes and wanes in harmony with the luminary. It is related that Pope Leo X possessed a wonderful specimen which, obscure and dull when the moon was old, increased in brilliance as that orb grew from new to full. It is recommended that in order to know the future and to obtain spiritual guidance a moonstone be held in the mouth, under a waning moon. It is also necessary to be quite alone and to send out a mental prayer to the angel Gabriel (angel of the Moon) asking help by God’s grace. The Moonstone was considered as a charm against cancer, dropsy and affections of a watery nature. In fever, if applied to the temples it reduced the temperature and protected the patient. It also cooled heated imaginations and protected against moonstrokes and lunacy. The moonstone is said to protect the wearer from danger on the ocean and to give good fortune whilst travelling. As a symbol it signifies Hope, and as a dream symbol it indicates travelling and health—good when the stone is bright and clear, and bad when it is dark and lustreless. It is under the celestial Cancer.
MOSS AGATE or MOCHA STONE
“Whilst on that agate which dark Indians praise
The woods arise, the sylvan monster strays.”
Marbodus.
The Mocha stone is said to have obtained its name from the Arabian city of Mocha whence it was exported. It has been written in various ways: mocus, mocoe, mocoa, mochoe, mochoa, mocha, mocho. It is called Piedra de Moca in Spain, Pierre de Mocka in France, and Mokkastein in Germany. The Mocha stone is called Dendritic because of the plant and moss-like infiltrations exhibited. These are like frost crystals often formed by the magic hand of Nature, and often also by plants held in hollows wherein the siliceous mineral was composed. The Mocha Stone besides being called Moss Agate is also called Tree Agate in common with silicified trees in which the original structural details are accurately preserved. Remarkable pictures formed by Nature in the Agate have already been noticed. Pliny hints at the employment of artifice in the production of many of these stones, and the secret was long a cherished knowledge of the Italian workers in gems. Early in the 19th century, however, some German scientists obtained possession of the secret and within the past few years artificial productions from Oberstein have reached the gem markets. The Mocha stone was accounted a most fortunate stone. It is associated with the influences of the planet Venus and was always noted as a sign of fertility. For this reason farmers tied specimens to their fruit trees, to the harness of their horses and to the horns of their cattle. In the early 19th century it was highly esteemed in Europe, and in England especially it was used for luck rings, oftentimes surrounded with rubies (stones of the sun). It was also used for mourning jewellery as an emblem of the resurrection and of the eternal life which alone is permanently manifest throughout Nature. Orpheus advises that to secure the smiles of the gods a piece of the stone should be worn, also that the ploughman carrying it would receive heavenly bounty. It was greatly esteemed by physicians and apothecaries as a base on which to prepare their medicines. As a symbol it stood for good health and long life and to dream of it, increase of possessions. It is under the celestial Taurus.
MOTHER OF EMERALD. See [PLASMA].
MOTHER OF PEARL. See [NACRE].
