Ask any woman that question about her jewelry and you will probably get a clear answer. Most of us, both men and women, have a distinct preference for one metal over the other. Our preference is not determined only by the monetary value of gold or silver -- we are drawn to these metals for their unique physical and metaphysical properties.
I have been a jeweler and astrologer for over 30 years now. I work with the healing properties of gemstones and crystals in combination with thoughtfully chosen metals to create what I call jewelry for the soul.
My life's work led to the publication of my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul, in which I share my expertise with you. If you would like to learn more about your true healing birthstones, go to http://www.JewelryandGemsforSelfDiscovery.com .
The Metaphysical Properties of Gold and Silver
My work with gold and silver has shown me that metals, like gemstones and crystals, have their own distinctive metaphysical properties that can be used to your advantage.
In a nutshell, gold represents the male energy of the sun, and silver the female energy of the moon. Balance is an important concept in astrology. Just as the universe is a balanced ensemble of opposing forces working in concert, so we must seek balance among the opposing forces in our personality. Your horoscope will reveal which of the heavenly bodies is most important to you, but it will take some thought to decide which of those aspects of yourself you want to strengthen or bring into balance.
Understanding the personal traits associated with each metal will also help you understand why you have an intuitive preference for one or the other, so you can put your preferred metal to work for you in your jewelry. So let's take a closer look at gold and silver.
Do you need Gold or Silver for Balance?
Our life journey starts from where we are right now and takes us where we need to go. Our multifaceted personality tries to lead the way. With the help of astrology we can deepen our understanding of the many different aspects of our personality, sometimes beset by conflict. We become conscious of our true virtues and acknowledge our vices and weaknesses. Only then are we prepared to move forward to in our quest for balance.
Whether man or woman, we all have necessary male and female qualities that need to be brought into balance in order to fulfill our potential and enjoy harmonious relationships with others. Because they represent male and female energies, gold and silver can help us achieve this balance. I use 18-karat or higher karat gold to strengthen the masculine (the air and fire elements in astrology), or sterling silver to strengthen the feminine (the earth and water elements) in my clients' charts.
Gold and its special Qualities
The beauty of gold derives from its color and luster. It is the most ductile (meaning that it can be stretched without breaking) and malleable of all metals and can be rolled into exceedingly thin translucent sheets. It is quite resistant to acids and chemicals in general, as well as to moisture and heat, making it well suited to jewelry.
Gold, from ancient times to modern, has always been the most precious and valued metal. In many ancient cultures gold was considered to be the metal of the gods. It was used in jewelry, coins, and sacred objects. Across the ages it has been used by the wealthy and powerful to display their status.
One reason for the high value we place on gold might be that it has the color of the sun, the source of all life on this planet. As I see it, life is consciousness itself! In astrology the sun represents the center of our being, our self-awareness, identity, and life force, as well as our highest state of consciousness. It is our true nature! So gold is beneficial when you feel you have lost your center or your identity, bringing you into alignment with the sun and your true self.
Silver and its special Qualities
Silver, though less precious than gold, also has special physical characteristics that make it highly valued in many applications. It is also very ductile and malleable and can be highly polished. It conducts electricity and heat extremely well. It is used in coins, utensils, electronics, dentistry, batteries, and more.
Colloidal silver is used for its antibacterial properties by alternative medical practitioners. Its very high reflectivity makes it of value for making mirrors and in photography. A great deal of jewelry is made of silver because it is so much cheaper than gold. Some people also prefer the white color of silver.
The moon enfolds the feminine principles, including receptivity, nurturing, motherhood, giving life, giving and receiving, our unconscious mind, fantasy, creativity, safety, and feelings. Like a mirror, the moon reflects the light of the sun, lighting our way in the dark of night.
Trust your Intuition
I have observed that many women who prefer silver for their jewelry have a strong cancer or moon position in their astrological chart, or a lot of water energy. For them it seems intuitively natural to flow with the moon energy represented by silver.
But for many women it might be more helpful to wear gold to support decisiveness and self-expression and to strengthen the inner male aspects. On the other hand, if a woman has a lot of fire energy in her chart and problems around finding and expressing her feminine side, silver should be considered.
Often it is helpful for men to wear silver to support their feminine qualities of intuition, creativity, and imagination. But if a man has a lot of water energy in his chart or a strong cancer or moon position, gold is essential to achieve balance.
As you can see there is much more than monetary value and beauty to gold and silver. Along with the other elements of a piece of jewelry -- the gemstone, shape, color, and where the piece is worn on the body -- your choice of metal deserves special consideration, as it can enhance the qualities you are striving to express in your personality and your life.
About the Author:
Shakti Carola Navran, astrologer, jeweler and author of the book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery, Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye and Strengthen the Soul(Llewellyn)For more information go to
http:/www.JewelryandGemsforSelfDiscovery.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Are You a Gold or a Silver Person?
