Antipathes is a rather mysterious black-colored organic gemstone that is said to offer protection against witchcraft and harmful magick of all kinds. Some say it is great as a magickal tool to create a circle of protection.
Many today likely know the name as referring to a genus of coral, known for its black color, and later writers similarly connected Antipathes with black coral.
Antipathes Magick and Witchcraft
Across various ancient and medieval sources, Antipathes was traditionally considered a protective stone. For instance, Roman Naturalist Pliny the Elder recorded that Magi said the stone could counteract witchcraft. Interestingly, he also explained that one can check if it is authentic by boiling it in milk, and it could protect one from “pains in their sinews.” Due to its name, some thought it by possessing it, they could ward off the passions.
Antipathes and Black Coral
Is the Antipathes known today the same ancient Antipathes? Well, that is not entirely certain. Dioscorides associated Antipathes with black coral, and writers after him would make a similar connection.