hessonite

wishlists

my shopping bag

quick facts journey to the source journey through history journey to well-being

A hessonite cameo depicting the head of Christ is in the gem collection of the American Museum of Natural History.

In Vedic astrology, Rahu (literally "growler") -- associated with the planet Saturn and the north (ascending) node of the moon -- is the demon who causes lunar eclipses.

In Hindu and Vedic myth, hessonite gems are also the fingernails of the demon, Vala . The stone is also associated with the Vedic god Rudra (meaning "howler"), the malignant god of storm and wind. With the emergence of Hinduism, Rudra's name changed to Shiva .

Rahu is by nature a malevolent planetary influence which can cause personal frustration, sacrilegious habits, abuse of alcohol and drugs, possession of ghosts and demons and infectious diseases.

Rahu rides a chariot pulled by eight black horses, with his mouth wide open, ready to devour the sun -- if he succeeds, a lunar eclipse follows.

In Vedic astrology, Rahu and Ketu are shadow planets who have the powers of Saturn and Mars respectively. The proper worship of both the planets blesses all those who suffer from sudden illness, loss of money and delay in marriage.

head of the dragon

rahu

Hessonite is not well known by consumers in the West although some early examples of its use in Europe do exist. However, it's been popular in India for hundreds, if not thousands, of years where it is an important stone in Vedic astrology.

Known as Gomedhaka or Gomedha in India, the brownish-orange/red hessonite garnet has long been a preferred talisman for warding off the evil influences of the Hindu celestial body, Rahu, known as "head of the dragon."

When located in a powerful spot in one's horoscope, Rahu can elevate one to positions of great wealth and power and confer public influence over the masses.

vamana and the demon king bali

bali, the demon king

Chief of the Celestials, Lord Vishnu, in the guise of the Divine Brahmin Dwarf, Vamana, asked the Demon King Bali who ruled the sky and the earth, for a plot of land -- three paces wide -- upon which to meditate.

Bali agreed, but with his first pace, Vamana, now back in the form of Vishnu, covered all of the earth. With his second he covered the heavens. Bali, realizing he had been tricked, battled with Vishnu.

During the struggle, Vishnu prevailed, breaking Bali's body into pieces, taking on the shape of gems. Bali's fat formed hessonite.

ketu
photo: ancient dieties

Conversely, Ketu (also known as Kalagni), the "fire of time," or "tail of the dragon," is the south (descending) node of the moon, responsible for solar eclipses.

Ketu is a mysterious planetary influence which, like Rahu, is malevolent and afflictive unless located in a powerful position or conjoined with a beneficent planet.