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Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day!

 Ancient Artifacts & Treasures, Inc.

While we should honor our fathers every day, this is the day set aside to officially honor our fathers. It is the day we honor our fathers including those who are no longer with us.

Father’s Day, a holiday honoring fatherhood, is observed in different forms throughout the world. Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.

 

The History of Father’s Day

A customary day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe is known to date back to at least the Middle Ages, and it is observed on 19 March, as the feast day of Saint Joseph, who is referred to as the fatherly Nutritor Domini (“Nourisher of the Lord”) in Catholicism and “the putative father of Jesus” in southern European tradition. This celebration was brought to the Americans by the Spanish and Portuguese, and in Latin America, Father’s Day is still celebrated on 19 March. The Catholic actively supported the custom of a celebration of fatherhood on St. Joseph’s day from either the last years of the 14th century or from the early 15th century, apparently on the initiative of the Franciscans.

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June Birthstones

JUNE BIRTHSTONES

 Moonstone, Pearl, Alexandrite

 

PEARLS

Pearls are the first birthstone for June. Pearls are organic matters and harvested from mollusks and oysters. The gems are highly valuable and have a long history. Pearls are known as the symbol of purity and innocence and because of this, pearls are often sewn to brides’ gowns or worn as jewelries by the brides.

 

ALEXANDRITE

The next birthstone for June is Alexandrite. This is a relatively new gem that was found approximately 150 years ago. This gem is named after Prince Alexander who became Czar Alexander and found during the prince’s birthday. The gem is known as the symbol of both love and jealousy. Alexandrite is unique and rare because it changes colors in different lighting. It will stay green in daylight and sometimes can have a brownish tint or also bluish cast. But the stone will turn into red, violet or even violet under the softer lighting. Due to its rarity, Alexandrite is very expensive.

 

MOONSTONE

Moonstone is the last alternate of the June birthstone. It is the Florida state gem. Just like the name, the gem is always associated with the moon. The moonstones are unique. The gem itself has white spots in them and when being held to the light it will shine like the moon. Moonstones are believed to have a spirit that brings good fortune for the one who wears jewelry with moonstone. The moonstones are also believed to be the protection as well as fertility stones.

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EMERALD May Birthstone

   EMERALDS

     May Birthstone

 

EMERALD MEANING

Traditionally associated with the attributes of fertility, love and rebirth, the emerald was dedicated by the Ancient Romans to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. The striking magnificent lush shade was one of Cleopatra’s favorite gems. Today, emerald meaning represents wisdom, growth and patience.

 

THE MAY BIRTHSTONE

The May birthstone, the emerald, is a truly feminine spirit full of nurturing qualities. It is unsurprising that those born under the month of May usually have behavioral characteristics of loyalty, faithfulness and are more predisposed for friendship. Wearers of Emerald can benefit from the metaphysical properties of improved memory and enhanced mental capabilities. May babies are truly wise.

 

THE HISTORY OF EMERALD

The word Emerald is derived from the Greek word “Smaragdos” meaning “green stone”- an apt description for this beautiful gemstone. The rich green color, a variety of beryl gemstones, is valued as a precious gem. It was used popularly during the Victorian period for jewelry for royals. Ancient folklore believed that wearing emeralds could positively contribute to a romantic relationship of the wearer.

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History of Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day!

 Ancient Artifacts & Treasures, Inc.

 

While we should honor our mothers every day, this is the day set aside to officially honor our mothers. It is the day we honor our mothers including those who are no longer with us.

Mother’s Day,  a holiday honoring motherhood, is observed in different forms throughout the world

The History of Mother’s Day

The celebration of Mother’s Day began in the US in the early 20th century. It is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration (originally a celebration of the mother church, not motherhood).

The modern American holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton West Virginia. Her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905. It was that year her beloved mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Due to her efforts, in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation creating Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.

Other early Mother’s Day pioneers include Juliet Calhoun Blakely, a temperance  activist who inspired a local Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the 1870s. Slightly later, Mary Towles Sasseen and Frank Hering both worked to organize a Mothers’ Day in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some have even called Hering “the father of Mothers Day”.

 

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