Eye of Saint Lucia Stone

EYE OF SAINT LUCIA STONE CHARACTERISTICS

Origin of the name: From the scientific name ‘rough turbo’, also called Venus’s eye, Virgin’s eye or Shiva’s Eye.
Location: Corsica and countries around the Mediterranean.
Colours: White, Orange, Red, Brown, Purple.

EYE OF SAINT LUCIA: ITS HISTORY, ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION, AND ITS LITHO THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES

History of Eye of Saint Lucia Stone

The Eye of Saint Lucia stone’s history begins with a legend that appeared in the 4th century: Lucy, a young girl of nobility, thanks to her many prayers to the Virgin Mary, managed to procure the miraculous recovery of her mother who was suffering from an incurable disease. They prayed for healing at the tomb of St. Agatha. Lucy then had a dream in which Saint Agatha told her that her mother is cured. She also predicted that she would become a venerated saint in Syracuse. Lucy then devoted her virginity to Saint Agatha. When she returned to Syracuse, Lucy behaved like a devout Christian and disposed of her belongings. She worshipped Mary so much that she tore her eyes out and threw them into the sea to ward off suitors and to prevent herself from deviating from her faith. Devoted entirely towards prayer, she performed a significant number of miracles. In response to her total devotion, Mary restored her sight and made her eyes even more beautiful and radiant. Another version of the legend recounts that as a sign of love for her fiancé who had rejected her because she was a Christian, the young woman tore her eyes out and offered them to him on a platter. A carved figurine depicts this scene. It is this latter version of the legend, associated with the etymology of the first name Lucie for light (lux in Latin, luz in Spanish), that continues to be perpetuated and gives this stone, which takes an eye shape, quite exceptional virtues. This legend concerns the operculum of the Mediterranean Rough Turbo found on the Mediterranean shores of Marseille and which symbolises the eyes of Saint Lucia.

However, a species of operculum that closely resembles the eye of Saint Lucia can be found in various warm seas that often have somewhat similar local legends, particularly in Asia. It is called Shiva’s Eye. It is said that Shiva is the most revered God in Hindu mythology. He represents the balance of the world but also destruction. His third eye has the power to obliterate what he looks at, which is why he always keeps it closed. The god decided to marry the Ocean and the River Ganges. A child named Jalandhara was born from this marriage. On the morning of Jalandhara’s birth, the sea suddenly began to stir, the wind started to blow very hard and the earth began to tremble. The three worlds seemed to recognise the child: ‘A day will come when I will take possession of the three worlds, and I will expel the Gods of the Universe!’ The young child wanted to become the master of the universe. He then began to taunt the gods without worrying for their wrath. The great god, on the other hand, smiled because he was amused by the young Jalandhara. He watched this child grow and develop immense strength. Jalandhara tamed elephants as well as lions and played with volcanoes. In addition, he managed to move huge rocks in a single movement. His desire to own the three worlds was higher than the mountains and deeper than the ocean. Once he became a tall and strong adult, the young man married. Soon after, he triggered a war of unparalleled violence. He murdered the gods in cold blood, one after the other. The survivors then saw the great god who had stayed away. He advised them to unite: ‘Jalandhara is so powerful that he can defeat each of you individually! Brothers, unite your powers into one terrible weapon.’ The gods then created a mass of pure energy in which everyone deposited their own. Vishnu puts his anger into it, the great god immersed the rays of his third eye into it. This pure energy transformed into a burning mass that turned into a disk of fire. When Jalandhara rushed to Vishnu and the other Gods, Shiva threw the fiery disk at him. He then cut off his head. But the great god launched the disk with such strength that his third eye fell to Earth. Some believe that he deliberately lost his eye to give his great power to man. The small shells would therefore represent the symbol of the Great God’s eye and his great protective power. It is also said that when thunder rumbles behind the clouds, it is actually the head of Jalandhara that we hear rolling in Heaven.

This mineral is primarily found in warm seas such as the China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It has a rather round shell, with a size of ten millimetres to one hundred millimetres. There are several species of small shells that produce it and can have different colors. It has a white side with a spiral that resembles that of the Eye of Saint Lucia and one that has a colour that can be dark brown to light orange, or with shades that can range from dark blue to green. Finally, the colourful side is very rounded and does not resemble an ear like the Eye of Saint Lucia found on the beaches on Mediterranean shores. It is often found in shops. They are imported from Asia in handmade jewellery under the name Eye of Saint Lucia, the name not being protected.

In Corsica, the Eye of Saint Lucia is a very worked mineral. It is often combined with gold, silver or the red coral of Bonifacio to make jewellery. Many jewellers on the island offer rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings.

Origin and Composition of Eye of Saint Lucia Stone

Eye of Saint Lucia, also known as the ‘Venus Eye’ or ‘Virgin Eye’ is a mineralised operculum that comes from a mollusc of the Turbinidae gastropod family. It is a type of periwinkle better known as ‘biou’ which has a rounded shell.

Eye of Saint Lucia is also called turbo, astralium rugosum, rough turbo or astraea rugosa by scientists.

The operculum shell has a white surface with a spiral and another vibrant orange coral. The warm orange side resembles the human ear. According to legend, the orange surface is the stylised symbol of the Virgin Mary and the opposite white face symbolises the Eye of Saint Lucia. Oval-shaped, the operculum shell has a maximum size of twenty-five to thirty millimetres. Its thickness is around five millimetres.

Rough Turbo is primarily harvested by professional fishermen. Once the operculum shell is removed, the shellfish is released back into the water.

Eye of Saint Lucia stone is used today in the form of jewels, particularly in the daily practice of litho therapy in order to benefit from its various virtues.

Eye of Saint Lucia is primarily found on Mediterranean shores, particularly in Marseille but also in Corsica where it is found on the beaches or by snorkelling at shallow depths.

Litho Therapeutic Properties of Eye of Saint Lucia Stone

Eye of Saint Lucia has many mental and physical virtues and properties. First, it works on the Root Chakra and the Third Eye Chakra, warding off the evil eye and negative energy, as well as fostering luck. This stone/shell brings protection and joy to the wearer. It is thus considered a lucky charm, especially by fishermen in Corsica who believe it brings good luck. Eye of Saint Lucia stone also promotes wealth if it is stored with money. In addition, possessing Eye of Saint Lucia stone promotes self-confidence, an unwavering faith in oneself and one’s actions. This stone can be worn either as a pendant, or can be carried as a pebble and placed in a pocket or bag. In this way, Eye of Saint Lucia stone provides the bearer with the help, strength and support they need to face the uncertainties of life and to experience happiness. It thus allows one to understand the future with serenity and calm.

Eye of Saint Lucia stone also has many physical virtues. In particular, it is recommended in case of eye problems. It may also be recommended for throat disorders.

Eye of Saint Lucia Stone Symbolism

Unknown.

Eye of Saint Lucia Stone Symbolism

Unidentified.

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