Today, I read Scott Cunningham's book Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, & Metal Magic. I should like to post a excerpt with regard to coral, as it is relatively common, and Cunningham's insightful, down-to-earth writing really gives a lot of good information on a subject I, at least, was quite unaware of.~~~~~~~~~~
"Magical/Ritual Lore: Coral has played an important role in religious and magical rites throughout the Pacific islands.It is often placed on graves to guard the deceased, and temples were sometimes built of lava rocks and coral. In the Mediterranean, coral was thought, like amber, to contain the "life essence" of the of the Mother Goddess, who dwelled in the ocean in a "tree" of coral. There is a Hindu belief that the ocean is the home of human souls after death, and so coral is considered a powerful amulet for the living. It is also placed on dead bodies to prevent "evil spirits" from occupying it. In ancient Norse mythology, coral is again linked with deity. Because coral is neither a stone nor a plant substance, but the skeletal remains of a sea creature, many people object to its use in magic. We've gone beyond the time when we have to sacrifice living things (in this sense, coral) to practice magic. I don't see how picking up a piece of coral that washed up on the beach in Florida, Hawaii, or Italy, however, harms anything. It is up to you to decide if you want to use commercial coral in magic.
Magical Uses: On a warm, balmy day in Hawaii, I walked along a deserted beach. The aquamarine waters glistened and gently lapped at the gritty coral sand. Then, to my surprise and delight, a small piece of white coral washed up almost to my feet. A water-worn hole pierced the coral. I said my thanks and picked it up, recognizing it as a magical object. In ancient times, red coral was a gift from the deities. It was found on beaches throughout the world, but most often in Italy. To be powerful in magic, ancient people used coral that hadn't been worked by human hands; that is, it wasn't polished, ground, cut, or carved. Because coral was thought to be alive (as it once was), people believed that any processing would "kill" the magical energies within it. This isn't absolutely true today, but one belief is still current - if a piece of coral used in magic breaks for any reason, it has lost its power and a new piece must be obtained. Return the broken pieces to the ocean. ... Coral is still used in magic today. When worn so as to be plainly visible, it is a protective amulet. It is used against 'the evil eye, demons, furies, succubi, incubi, and phantasma' among other ills. It guards against accidents, acts of violence, poison, theft, possession, and sterility, the last especially in women. Coral is also worn to effect inner changes. It dispels foolishness, nervousness, fear, depression, murderous thoughts, panic, and nightmares. It confers reason, prudence, courage, and wisdom to its wearer.Placed benath the pillow, it produces peaceful sleep by driving away disturbing dreams. Coral has been used in magic relating to children for thousands of years.If presented as a gift to a child, it ensures their future health. Infants wear a coral pendant or beads to ease the pain of cutting teeth. It was also used in rattles to guard children. Place a piece of coral in a child's room to magically protect him or her. A special use of coral was popular in ancient Egypt and Greece.Powdered coral was mixed with seed and sown or scattered over newly planted fields.This protected the growing crops from inclement weather and insects. Coral was also hung on fruit trees to increase their yield. In healing, red coral was used to cure indigestion, all pains in the digestive tract, eye complaints, and to staunch blood. Also, red coral, when worn, had the power to alert its wearer of ill health by paling in color. Coral is used as a house-luck attractant. Take a piece of coral, and touch it to every door, window, and wall in the house while moving in a clockwise direction. Then put it in a place of prominence and let it do its magic. It also has associations with love. Coral earrings were worn by women in ancient Rome to attract men. Powdered coral was used in 16th century Venusian incenses, and red or pink candles ringed with pieces of coral are burned to draw love. Because of its associations with the sea, coral is also worn as a protectant while sailing or traveling over water, and guards boats against shipwreck. It is also sometimes worn as a protection against shark attack." (Cunningham, pages 99 - 101)
For more information about other gems, crystals, and metals, read Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic!
