The most popular birthstone for September is Sapphire. It takes its name from the Latin saphirus and the Greek sappheiros, both meaning the colour blue. Historically sapphires have always been linked to the heavens and the Divine. Perhaps this is why the spheres on the Tree of Life were called the Sephiroth, which translates as sapphires.
Sapphire is one of the primary stones of the blue ray which is a ray of purity. The Virgin Mary is usually depicted in blue garments for this reason. Archangel Michael can be called upon to clear your energies with his purifying blue light and you might wear a sapphire to help you stay aligned with this cleansing ray. If you are lucky enough to own a star sapphire this energy is intensified.
Legend tells that King Solomon's magical ring, the Seal of Solomon, was an inscribed sapphire which gave him power over demons. In the 6th century a Papal Bull decreed that every cardinal should wear a sapphire on his blessing hand. Sapphire is still seen as a gemstone of protection and purification for those working in the astral realms.
When we think of sapphires we normally picture a heavenly blue stone, however sapphire is corundum which comes in many colours. The red form is ruby, an orange-pink form is called padparadscha, all the other colours can be called sapphires. Corundum is second only to diamond in hardness. Because of their beauty and resilience sapphires have been prized for jewellery down the ages. The British Imperial State Crown includes St Edward's Sapphire which was taken from the ring of Edward the Confessor. The most iconic sapphire ring is surely the engagement ring of Diana, Princess of Wales, which became the engagement ring of Kate Middleton. As sapphire is most active on the throat and brow chakras it may explain why Diana became increasingly able to speak her truth!
In healing we turn to sapphire when we need clearer insight into an issue and when we have difficulty expressing ourselves openly. Sapphire helps us to be more rooted in our own truth and less affected by the opinions and judgements of others. As the following Gregorian calendar poem suggests, sapphires promote peace of mind:
A maiden born when September leaves Are rustling in September’s breeze, A sapphire on her brow should bind 'Twill cure diseases of the mind.