Monday Musings - Tantalizing Turquoise

This beautiful colour derives its name from the opaque, blueish green gemstone that has been prized as an ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue.

The word turquoise, which dates to the 16th century, is derived from an Old French word for "Turkish", because the mineral was first brought to Europe from Turkey.

In holistic medicine, the color turquoise purportedly has a calming effect on patients, and is particularly used to treat patients prone to panic attacks.

 Psychiatric hospitals apparently often use turquoise and other light tones of blue and green to calm patients by painting the walls in these colors....

... and nurses often wear turquoise colored clothing because of its calming nature.

Proponents of energy healing believe that turquoise dispels negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants in the atmosphere.

 They believe turquoise balances and aligns all the chakras, stabilising mood swings and instilling inner calm. (Me - mood swings - never!) (Although a little turquoise box like the one below could swing my mood!)

It is also supposed to be excellent for depression and exhaustion, and has the power to prevent anxiety.

In addition, turquoise is meant to promote self-realisation and assist creative problem solving. (Yes, please - I'll have some of that.)

Finally, it is supposed to be a symbol of friendship, and stimulates romantic love.

Regardless of  whether we believe any of this or not, we could probably all do with a bit of turquoise in our lives.

And if you are born in December, you are lucky enough to have turquoise as your birthstone.

"If cold December gave you birth, 

The month of snow and ice and mirth,

Place on your hand a turquoise blue; 

Success will bless whate'er you do"

Gregorian Birthstone Poem

Till next time

Sharon x

Image source: 1.Classic Casual Home,  2. Tumblr. 3. House and Leisure Mag 4. Meg adams Interiors Design, 5. Dying of Cute 6. Simply Pix 7. Tumblr 8. Tumblr 9. Etsy 10. Dying of Cute 11. TG Interiors  12.  TG Interiors 13. Tumblr 14. Tumblr 15. Tumblr 16. Providence Ltd  17. Tumblr  18. Whimsical Home  19. Tumblr  20. Pinterest   21. Tumblr 22. Campagne Decoration 23. Bees like Homey 24. Casa Decorada  25. Eclectic Revisited 26. Interiors Styles and Designs 27. Love French Bulldogs 28. Belgian Pearls 29. Casa Decorada 30. Whimsical Homes 31. Crush cul de Sac 32. Interiors Styles and design 33. Crush cul de Sac 34. Crush Cul de Sac 35. La La Bonne Vie 36. Tiny White Daisies 37. Simply Pix 38. Simply Pix 39. My Paradissi 40. Crush cul de Sac