A bloodstone is a semiprecious stone with magical or healing properties. Perhaps the best known is green jasper with red flecks, used in rituals and charms by sorcerers and witches. It is considered an enabling stone, bringing about the wishes of the user. It protects health, drives away night Demons (see Lamia), guards against deception and pacifies. It is also used in the divination of natural disasters, such as storms, earthquakes and floods. Powdered, it has been used in medicines throughout history, particularly by women as an aid to pregnancy and lactation.
Bloodstone also refers to red coral, red marble, red jasper, carnelian, red agate and heliotrope. The ancient Egyptians associated red jasper with the blood of ISIS. Ancient Greek believed bloodstones fell from heaven and could stop internal and external bleeding.
In Europe, especially in the Mediterranean area, bloodstones have long been regarded as protection against the Evil Eye. See healing; red.
The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – Copyright © 1989, 1999, 2008 by Visionary Living, Inc.