The birth flower for those born in January is the well-loved carnation. It promises a life of variety and empowers them with the quality of courage.
The birthstone for those born under the Sign of Capricorn (December 22 – January 21) is the Garnet.
Garnets come in various red shades, the deepest so dark it is near-black to the naked eye, the palest a transparent pink. Red-green garnets are rare and highly prized. Emblematic of constancy and fidelity, the garnet is true, too, to the Capricorn instinct to be always rational yet faithful and devoted either to cause, religion, loved one or any focus of attention of their judicious minds and hearts.
Not surprisingly, garnets have an honourable and romantic reputation in legend and history. Noah’s Ark was said to be illuminated by a finely chiseled garnet. The fourth Heaven of the Koran (the sacred scripture of Islam, believe by orthodox Muslims to contain revelations made by Allah to Mohamed) was said to be made of garnets. To honour his marriage and his new Queen, the British monarch, George III, presented his wedding guests with garnets set in gold and inscribed George and Charlotte united in 1761.
Garnets were also believed to possess healing powers. The yellow variety was said to cure jaundice. Red gems were prescribed to relieve fever and depression. Medieval Christian Crusaders believed garnets afforded protection against wounds and other misfortunes.