| MAGICAL
STONES In the ancient world, gems were not only of ornamental value, but were also chosen for the magical or healing powers attributed to them; amongst those most used were chalcedony, with its varieties of changing colours (including agate which was considered to be effective against poison and natural calamities), and above all cornelian, a charm against spells, but also good for treating fevers and diseases of the blood. Lapis lazuli, already a favourite in Ancient Egypt, continued to be popular in Roman times, due to its powers as a potent talisman, which has the same colour as the sky. Jasper, with its blood red colour, instilled and increased the vital energies of its wearer. Amber was known for its many therapeutic powers in the cure of toothache and nervous disorders, including epilepsy, and as a powder it was also used in the preparation of “amazing” cosmetics. Quartz and transparent stones were linked to prophetic powers, while the mysterious properties of emeralds were connected to the sphere of love, to the sense of sight and, symbolically, to mystery knowledge. Particular portrayals and inscriptions could exalt the virtues of the stones. Such is the case of the gems known as “gnostics”, produced between the first and fifth centuries AD by the Gnostics, heretics who followed a particular form of Christianity. Superhuman beings are portrayed on them, with features which are half human and half monster, accompanied often by inscriptions and alphabetical sequences which are apparently meaningless but have the value of real “magic formulae”. It was thought that gems with these dedications to supernatural entities, which were given secret names, had therapeutic powers and provided protection against danger, guaranteed glory, honour and success to their owner, including erotic prowess, and bestowed prophetic powers. The figures portrayed were usually taken from Egyptian tradition. The most common were Harpokrates, the god Horus as a child, sitting on the calyx of a lotus flower, the symbol of the birth of the sun: it was associated with magic for amorous purposes. Another recurring figure was armed like a warrior, had the head of a cock and legs shaped like snakes and was useful against illness and evil spells. The god Serapis combined the features of the Egyptian god Osiris and the Greek god Zeus, a supreme divinity, protector of the universe, healer and inspirer of oracles. The inscriptions, which bear the names of gods and invocations, seem instead to belong to the Jewish heritage. The most important “magic words” were IAO, the Greek transcription of the divine Hebrew name Yahweh, and ABRASAX (or ABRAXAS), which indicated the god of the 365 heavens. The stones most commonly used were jasper, both green and red, agate and cornelian.
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