So here's my feedback specifically on my experimentation with gemstones.
My charts are attached further up in the post for reference.
I have not been able to follow all the advice here due to lack of time and unavailability - bad excuse I know!
On Gemstones specifically,
I had worn pearl and felt the effect. It certainly helped with my meditation. I felt more connected to my inner self for longer periods of time than without it
MOON OVER 9TH FOR LUCK-SPIRITUALITY, LOWER DEG, ELEVATED TAURUS IN NAVAMSA/DHANAMSA. MOON FOR ARIES ASC AS BENEFIC LORD 4TH KENDRA CONSIDERED WEAK, AND CAN BE STRENGTHENED- ok
On Red coral, I certainly get more energy, can feel its effects in the gym particularly. It also helps with illnesses like cold and back pain.
MARS ASC LORD OVER 6TH VIRGO FOR DISEASE ENEMY SIGN WITH DEBILATED VENUS ? MARS 8TH LORD OVER 6TH ACCIDENT PRONE, COPING WITH ENEMIES ALL THE WHILE, SUCCESS AMIDST ADVERSITY. MARS ELEVATED NAVAMSA GOOD/RELIEF.
MARS ASPECTS OWN ARIES ASC PROTECTIVE OVERALL. BUT MAY NOT BE GOOD FOR GENERAL HEALTH.
MAY BE SHOULD AVOID DURING MARS DASAS.
BETTER PRAYERS-DONATIONS TO MATA DURGA.
1.25KG RED MASOOR DAL ON WED EVENINGS
ONCE A YEAR AROUND THE BIRTHDAY, OR AS PER NEED.
MARS EARTHY VIRGO 6TH.
Diamond - I have not been able to determine the exact effect. Not saying there isn't any,
I just haven't been able to figure out what it is
WEAR 0.25 CARAT ONLY OVER PLATINUM PENDANT, NOT FINGER.
VENUS DEBILATED OVER VIRGO 6TH FOR DISEASE.
VENUS-SAT OVER BADHAKA ACQ NAVAMSA MOREOVER.
Ruby - I wore one for a while but it was poor quality and had many inclusions. I am not sure what effect it had. This is one I am confused about. I have had conflicting view on whether I should wear one. Also, Indian astrologers advice wearing 5 carat, but such large stones have many inclusions. Astrologers abroad and some Indian ones say it is better to wear a very high quality 1.5 carat. In summary, there are conflicting views on both whether I should wear and of what size. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated?
SUN LORD 5TH FOR EDUCATION-ROMANCE ETC DEBILATED OVER 7TH FOR MARRIAGE WITH SAT ENEMY PLANET, SUN SEPARATIVE MOREOVER ELEVATED ARIES NAVAMSA BECOMING STRONGER MALEFIC FOR 7TH HOUSE, THOUGH SUN LIBRA COULD BE GOOD FOR PUBLIC-SOCIAL RELATIONS.
BETTER PERFORM JAPA FOR SUN AIRY LIBRA DEBILATED 7TH.
JAPA ALSO FOR MER AKARAKA LORD 3/6 OVER AIRY LIBRA 7TH.
Yellow Sapphire - I am not sure of what effects it had. Again, not saying there wasn't any. I relocated after wearing this and the pearl, so maybe that was something
JUPITER LORD 9TH NEGATING TO 8TH, NEGATING LUCK,
DEBILATED-NEECHA CAPRICORN NAVAMSA/DASAMSA FOR CAREER.
BETTER WEAR OVER PENDANT, JUP-KETU 8TH ACCIDENT PRONE ETC
APTITUDE FOR OCCULT-ASTROLOGY! RESEARCH APTITUDE.
Its very tricky as some may have an effect, but you cannot link it to the gemstones. Others have a good effect that you can feel, but I am not sure if there are other things that I am losing out on because of it. For example, the coral and ruby give me more energy and passion, but that comes with heightened anxiety too. I may have unknowingly ruffled feathers due to it.
Mantras
They help me only when I do it with great concentration and dedication, otherwise they don't quite work for me. Sometimes, level of concentration is outside of my control. Also, the effects are subtle.
JAPAS ARE NORMALLY GOT DONE ELABORATELY BY A QUALIFIED PUNDIT
FOR LONGTERM WHOLESOME EFFECT, ELIMINATING THE WEAKNESS.
CAN BE REPEATED ANNUALLY OR DURING DASAS-TRANSITS AS NEEDED.
DONE WITH ALL SUDDHI.
DOING IT BYSELF IF POSSIBLE WITH FULL CONCENTRATION
COMPLETING THE JAPAS AT A TIME OVER A FEW DAYS IS OK.
BETTER IF PUNDIT DOES IT AT OUR OWN HOME AND GIVE TIRTHA DAILY.
Other remedies
I do not mean to offend anyone, but I find the lal kitab type remedies illogical and baseless. Also very impracticable.
There is at least some science to gemstones and mantras, if not an exact science.