Category Archives: Interesting Information

Pisces

Pisces, The Fish, is the twelfth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 20 February and 20 March is born under this sign. It is one of the earliest zodiac signs on record, with the two fish appearing as far back as c.2300 BC on an Egyptian coffin lid. Pisces is a mutable sign, and is ruled by Neptune. Its symbol is , which represents two fish tied together, yet swimming in opposite directions. Pisces is one of the four water signs.

Amethyst is the traditional stone for Pisces. Amethyst is believed to protect you from drunkeness and poisoning, and to help with insomnia and bring pleasant dreams.

Another stone traditionally assigned to Pisces is aquamarine. Aquamarine is thought to bring peace and serenity, calm the nerves, and protect sailors.

Key words for people born under the sign of Pisces are: Sensitive, compassionate, helpful, and sociable. Pisceans are adaptable, and can be hard to pin down. Pisces rules the feet, toes, lymphatic system and adipose tissue.

Pisceans share their sign with such notables as Albert Einstein, Theodor Geisel and Lou Reed. You can shop for a Pisces pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Aquarius

Aquarius, The Water Bearer, is the eleventh symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 21 January and 19 February is born under this sign. Aquarius is the Latin for water bearer. It is a fixed sign, and is ruled by the planet Uranus. Its symbol is , representing ripples of water. Aquarius is one of the four air signs.

Garnet is the traditional stones for Aquarius. Garnet is believed to promote successful business, and to provide protection while travelling. Garnets have been been in use since the Bronze Age as both gemstones and abrasives.

Moss agate is another stone traditionally associated with Aquarius. Moss agate is known as the gemstone of gardeners and agriculture.

Key words for people born under the sign of Aquarius are: Communicative, humanitarian, progressive and fraternal. They have universal spirit coupled with occasional obstinacy. Aquarius rules the ankles, calves and circulatory system.

Aquarians share their sign with such notables as Charles Darwin, Barrie Humphries and Charles Dickens. You can shop for an Aquarius pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Capricorn

Capricorn, The Goat, is the tenth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 22 December and 20 January is born under this sign. Capricorn, the latin word for “horned goat” or “goat horn”, is a cardinal sign, and is ruled by the planet Saturn. Its symbol is , representing the body and head of a goat with the tail of a fish. Capricorn is one of the four earth signs.

Onyx is one of the traditional stones for Capricorn. Onyx is believed to assist with repelling negative energy.

July – Onyx

Another stone traditionally assigned to Capricorn is Ruby. It is thought to be good for self esteem, and is worn as a symbol of friendship and love.

Key words for people born under the sign of Capricorn are: Enduring, has a sense of purpose, proud, ambitious. Capricorns can be suspicious and aloof. Capricorn rules the knees, joints, and the skeletal system.

Capricorns share their sign with such notables as JRR Tolkien, Kahlil Gibran and Henri Matisse. You can shop for a Capricorn pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius, The Archer, is the ninth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 23 November and 21 December is born under this sign. Sagittarius, the latin word for an archer, from sagitta for an arrow, is a mutable sign, and is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Its symbol is , representing the centaur’s arrow. Sagittarius is one of the four fire signs.

Turquoise is one of the traditional birthstones for Sagittarius. It is believed to be the symbol of friendship, to protect the wearer from negative energy and to bring good fortune.

Another stone traditionally assigned to Sagittarius is Topaz. Topaz is believed to be very calming and soothing, and to be able to assist with problem solving.

Key words for people born under the sign of Sagittarius are: Free spirit, carefree, love of movement and cheerful. Sagittarians often suffer wanderlust, both in body and mind.

Sagittarius rules the hips, thighs, liver, and sciatic nerve.

Sagittarians share their sign with such notables as Bruce Lee, CS Lewis and Edvard Munch.

You can shop for a Sagittarius pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Scorpio

Scorpio, The Scorpion, is the eighth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 24 October and 22 November is born under this sign. According to ancient Greek legend, the huntsman Orion went to the island of Crete to hunt. Orion threatened to kill every beast, which made the goddess of earth, Gaia, angry. To punish him, she sent a huge scorpion which stung Orion to death. Scorpio is a fixed sign, and is ruled by Pluto. Its symbol is , which represents the scorpion’s sting. Scorpio is one of the four water signs.

Blue topaz is one of the traditional stones for Scorpio. Blue Topaz is believed to be very calming and soothing, and to be able to assist with problem solving.

Another stone traditionally assigned to Scorpio is aquamarine. Aquamarine is thought to bring peace and serenity, calm the nerves, and protect sailors.

Key words for people born under the sign of Scorpio are: Corrosive, passionate, piercing; brings about extreme situations. Scorpios frequently cause quarrels. Scorpio rules the reproductive system, sexual organs, bowels, and excretory system.

Scorpios share their sign with such notables as Claude Monet, Carl Sagan and Michael Collins. You can shop for a Scorpio pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Libra

Libra, The Scale, is the seventh symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 24 September and 23 October is born under this sign. Libra is Latin for weighing scales. It is a cardinal sign, and is ruled by the planet Venus. Its symbol is , representing the scales. Libra is one of the four air signs.

Lapis is one of the traditional stones for Libra. Lapis is believed to have cleansing properties, and can help to clear and focus the mind. Lapis has been in use since ancient times, and was once more highly prized than gold. It is used to make ultramarine paint.

Another stone traditionally assigned to Gemini is chrysolite, more commonly known as peridot. Peridot is believed to be a very spiritual stone, full of lightness and beauty.

Key words for people born under the sign of Libra are: Good sense of beauty and proportion, tactful, seek balance and harmony. Librans sometimes have trouble getting off the fence. Libra rules the kidneys, skin, lumbar region and buttocks.

Librans share their sign with such notables as Oscar Wilde, Mahatma Ghandi, and Alfred Nobel. You can shop for a Libra pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Virgo

Virgo, The Virgin, is the sixth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 23 August and 23 September is born under this sign. Virgo, the latin word for virgin, is a mutable sign, and is ruled by the planet Mercury. Its symbol is , representing a sheaf of barley. Virgo is one of the four earth signs.

Carnelian is the traditional stone for Virgo. Carnelian is believed to give energy, guard against poverty, and promote good moods.

Another stone traditionally assigned to Virgo is Jade. It is thought to protect the wearer from coming to harm.

Key words for people born under the sign of Virgo are said to be: Precise, differentiatial, doers of what is necessary, utilitarian. Virgoans take a critical point of view. Virgo rules the digestive system, intestines, spleen and nervous system.

Virgoans share their sign with such notables as Roald Dahl, Stephen King and Jane Addams. You can shop for a Virgo pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

Tool of the Month – Engraving Ball

The engraving ball (also known as the engraving vise) is a steel ball with a slot cut out of it, and a vise clamp across it. It is seated in a cup (in this case, a leather donut, lubricated with graphite) which enables it to be rotated 360 degrees around, and around 180 degrees side to side.

Used most often for engraving (obviously!) the ball gives you a full range of movement so that as you are cutting, you can spin the piece around for ease of access.

Although I have a set of gravers, and understand the principle of engraving (and of faceted stone setting which also requires gravers), I don’t practise those disciplines. Instead, I use my engraving ball for another of its purposes – setting cabochon gemstones.

The same principle applies, in that you can rotate the piece so that you can approach the setting from all angles.I love my engraving ball, and use it all the time – I’d be lost without it!

Inspiration ~ Christopher Trotter

Growth – Christopher Trotter – 2006

This fantastical sculpture amazed me every time I visited my son’s school at Indooropilly. There’s just something about the industrial and functional meeting with the organic and surreal that really appeals to me! On his last day, I finally took the time to take a photo and to read the plaque mounted beside it – I’m so glad I was able to identify Christopher Trotter as the sculptor behind this sublime creation.

Alderley Fossil – Christopher Trotter 2007

I had a feeling that this glorious fossil sculpture (much admired on every journey I make past a park not far from where I live) was also Christopher’s work. I finally found this picture on his website, and was pleased that my eye for style had not deceived me!

Bottle Tree – Christopher Trotter – 2004

Christopher’s sources of inspiration include Australian sculptor, Robert Klippel; Swiss surrealist, H.R. Giger; and even Dr Seuss. His website, full of fabulous creations, states “It is the artists who pursue an individual vision regardless of the fashions of the time that history remembers, and Trotter is such an artist.” A sentiment that speaks to my heart! Thanks, Christopher Trotter, for making the world a more marvellous place. Keep animating steel!

Leo

Leo, The Lion, is the fifth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 23 July and 22 August is born under this sign. Leo, the latin word for Lion, is a fixed sign, and is ruled by the Sun. Its symbol is , representing the lion’s head and mane. Leo is one of the four fire signs.

Tourmaline is one of the birthstones for Leo. It is believed to be good for lessening falls, both physical and emotional.

Another stone traditionally assigned to Leos is Onyx. Onyx is believed to assist with repelling negative energy.

Key words for people born under the sign of Leo are: Glamour, generosity, organizer, the center of attention. Leos like to take the lion’s share of things. Leo rules the heart, chest, spine, spinal column and upper back.

Leos share their sign with such notables as Coco Chanel, JK Rowling and Amelia Earheart.

You can shop for a Leo pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.

the silver forge

jewellery handcrafted by ruthie gray