Coral
Source: Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic
By: Scott Cunningham
Energy: Receptive
Planet: Venus
Elements: Water, Akasha
Dieties: Isis, Venus, The Great Mother
Associated Metals: Silver, Copper
Powers: Healing, Regulating, Menstruation, Agriculture, Protection, Peace, Wisdom
Magical/Ritual Lore: Coral has played an important rold in religious and magical rites throughout the Pacific Islands. It is often placed on graves to guard the deeased, and temples were sometimes built of lava rock and coral.
In the Mediterranean, coral ws thought, like amber, to contain the 'life essence' of hte Mother Goddess, who dwelled in the ocan in a 'tree' of coral.
There is a hindu belief that the ocean is the home of human souls after death, and so coral is considered a powerful amulet for the living. It is also placed on the body of the deceased to prevent 'evil spirits' from occupying it. In ancient Norse mythology corals is again linked with diety.
Because coral is neither a stone nor a plant substance, but the skeletal remains of a sea creature, many people object to its use in things (in this sense, coral) to practice magic.
However I don't see how picking up a piece of coral that washed up on the beah in Floriday, Hawaii or Italy harms anything. The commercial harvesting of living coral is another matter. Its up to you to decide if you wish to utilized commercial coral in magic.
Magical Uses: On a warm, balmy day in Hawaii I walked along a deserted beach. The aquamarine waters glistened and gently lapped at the gritty coral sand. Then to my surprise and delight, a small piece of white coral washed up almost to my feet. A water-worn hole pierced the coral. I said my thanks and picked it up, recognizing it as a magical object.
In ancient times red coral was a gift rom the dieties. It was found on beaches throughout the world, but most often in Italy. To be worked by human hands; tha is, it wasn't polished, ground, cut or carved. Because coral was thought to be alive (as it once was), people believed that any processing done to it would 'kill' the magical energies within it. Tis isn't absoluely true today, but one blief is still current -- if a piece of coral used in magic breaks for any reason, it has lots its power and a new piece must be obtained. Return the broken pieces to the ocean.
Coral comes from two Greek words meaning 'daughter of the sea.' Italian women used to wear it near the groin to regulate the menstrual flow, recognizing the link between coral, the sea, the Moon and their cycles. The coral, usually red, was believed to grow pale during the flow, the grow brighter afterwards. It could have been used to predict their periods. Coral used for these purposes was carefully hidden from the eyes of men, for if seen by them, it lost all it magic power.
Coral is still used in magic today. When worn so as to be plainly visible it is a protective amulet. It is used agains 'the evil eye, demons, furries, succubi, incubi and phantasma' among other ills. It guards against accidents, acts of violence, poison, theft, possession and sterility, the last especially in women.
Coral is also worn to effect inner changes. It dispells fooishness, nervousness, fear, depression, murderous thoughts, panic an nighmares. It confers reason, prudence, courage, and wisdom upon its breare. Placed beneath the pillow it produces peaceful sleep by driving away disturbing dreams.
Coral has been used in magic relating to children for thousands of years. If presented as a gift to a child, it ensures thier future health. Infants wear a coarl pendant or beast ot ease the pain of cutting teath. It was also used in rattles to gaurd children. Place a piece of coral in a child's room to magically protect him or her.
A special use of coral was popular in ancient Egypt and Greece. powdered coral was mixed with seed and sown or scattered over newly planted fields. This portected the growing crops from inclement weather and insects. Coral was also hung on fruit trees to increase their yeild.
In healing, red coral was used to cure indigestion, all pains in the digestive tract, eye complaints and to staunch blood. Also, red coral when worn had the power to alert its wearer of ill health by paling in color.
Coral is used as a house luck-attractant. Take a piece of coral and touch it to every door, window and wall in the house while moving in a clockwise direction. Then put it in a place of prominence and let it do its magic.
It also has associations with love. Coral earrings were worn by women in ancient Rome to attract men. Powdered coral was used in 16th centrury Venusian incenses, and red or pind candles ringed with pieces of coral are burned to draw love.
Because of its associations with the sea, coral is also worn as a protectant while sailing or traveling over water, and guards boats against shipwreck. It is also sometimes worn as protection against shark attack.
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