Black Tourmaline Idea

If you read my previous post, I shared with you what I like to do to get my space cleaned up energetically. Once of the crystals I like to use for this is black tourmaline. This crystal packs a huge energetic punch and, as I've found, pairing it with selenite and clear quartz will boost its effectiveness and help it transmute the globby, feeling down causing energies into something more positive. I know it's a cliche, but it really does feel like a difference between night and day.

I feel that I should quickly point out that while you could make this into a traditional crystal grid! for this purpose it isn't necessary to go through the motions. The energies of these three crystals are powerful enough on their own and linking them together in that way, though beneficial, isn't always necessary. Sometimes I feel like the crystal grid phenomenon has exploded so much that people don't think it's possible to use their energies together with the same benefit without grinding them. I'm here to confirm that isn't true!

Before I share my way, I want to briefly talk about the sizes do crystals. Even the smaller ones are going to be useful, but for this I try to find larger pieces, at least the size of Palm stones. It is easy enough to find selenite, black tourmaline, and clear quartz in those sizes, but yes, they can get expensive. If you can't get the larger pieces at first, know that it will still do what you need it to. If you're using small tumbled pieces then you may prefer to do a grid ceremony and that is fine if that is what you want to do.

Once you've done some physical cleaning, find the center of your room or home, or even property. Set up the crystals and take a moment to put your hands on each of them and tell it what your purpose is. Since you're not asking them to do something against their nature, such as change color whenever someone with bad energy is entering the room, they'll be receptive and willing to work with you. Just the proximity of these three crystals being near each other will amplify their power and what their purpose is. After they're set up I like to take a moment to meditate, picturing the energy of the crystals pouring out into each nook and cranny of the room, then the house, and then my property. It's okay of you just want to keep this contained to your own bedroom, or your side of the duplex.

I picture the energies tangling together and making each other stronger. I end it by saying something along the lines of "the energies of these crystals cleans and purify my space, working together and alone, to create my purified sanctuary." Then you're done! You may not notice any changes immediately, but over time you'll be able to perceive the difference.

You can also experiment with other crystals, such as smoky quartz in place of black tourmaline, and rose quartz in place of the selenite. For me, the clear quartz is the amplifier, but if you have a nice piece of citrine you'd rather use, feel free!

Space Cleansing with Crystal Energy

Hello everyone.

I've been feeling a little blue as of late, so I decided it was time to get my spaces in order, both physically and energetically. After tossing all of my bedding into the washer with a little bit of lavender scented fabric softener, I decided to tackle the hard stuff. Vacuuming, dusting, washing the walls; you name it, I've done it. The place smelled so great but something was still missing.

That's when I knew that the energetic level was off too. The physical cleaning isn't exactly fun for me, but the energy cleaning is like I'm giving myself permission to have fun and go crazy!

I started by burning some sage (I've also used a purifying incense in place of sage in the past, but sometimes a place just needs some white sage to clear out all the energetic gunk). I've been making my own version of Hibiscus Moon's Negativity Neutralizer spray, using a couple of substitutions in place of what she uses in her own recipe, which I got from her Sparkly Space Clearing ekit. I especially like to use this on fabric (like the curtains) because it leaves a fresh scent and takes care of anything trying to latch onto the fibers. Who needs Fabreeze when ya have this stuff?!

Once the place is saged up, I open a window for a few hours to get some fresh air moving around my space. Then I break out the crystals, especially the black tourmaline, selenite, and clear quartz. You can also use amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, carnelian, etc. There are endless crystal combinations you can try. Once the crystals are out I mediate in the room! breathing in the fresh air, and say something to the effect of "my crystal's energies are amplified to give this space positive vibes and to create a sanctuary for me." It's as simple as that!

For more ideas, purchase Hibiscus Moon's ekit. It includes a video tutorial on how to make her Negativity Neutralizer spray which you'll find invaluable. I've even been thinking of turning this into a lotion I could put on my hands before ritual work. Until next time, peeps!

YouTube Recommendation - Sprit Science Crystal Series

If you have an interest in crystals, I suggest checking out the Spirit Science channel on YouTube. They have posted a series of four videos on crystals covering everything from what they are to how to use them. I wanted to share it with all of you because they have great animation and information for even the newest beginner when it comes to working with crystals.. Below is the first video.
Enjoy it!

6) Carnelian

I've read a lot of sources suggesting that the best way to cleanse this stone is by placing it in the sun. While short trips into direct sunlight now and again probably won't do much damage, excessive exposure to sunlight can drain it of its reddish hue. If you're as big on crystals having associations in relation to their color as I am, you may wish to use a different cleansing method. Even holding it under cool tap water will do the job!

Carnelian is great for working with the Sacral Chakra. It boosts personal power and physical energy. Using it in conjunction with clear quartz will amplify that energy, especially when used in crystal grids with "like-minded" crystals. It is also a stone of creative energy and I have used it to work my way through writer's block with great benefit. Some sources say that it can also help protect homes from fire, theft, or destruction from storms.

This one is a great addition to a neophyte's collection because of it's multiple uses, strong energy field, and its ability to pair well with other crystals. It is also inexpensive and can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes.  

Buyer Beware

I've recently stumbled upon an online trend that sort of irks me. Not because I necessarily think that people are trying to be sneaky and get more money from customers, but because they either don't know the difference or they just aren't being specific enough. This trend, fearless readers, is the listing of citrine calcite.

Most of the time, if you see these two words in the same listing, you'll find the color of the calcite to very much resemble the abundant heat-treated citrine on the market. I think, for the most part, the majority of online sellers fall into this category. There likely are a few, however, that may be purposefully trying to confuse potential buyers so that they can charge natural citrine (the stuff that isn't heat-treated amethyst) prices for calcite that has that familiar attractive golden yellow color.

It is very rare for both citrine and calcite to appear in the same specimen. If they were, the prices would likely be in the hundreds of dollars range. Just remember to do your research before purchasing anything, especially crystals. And remember, if it seems to good to be true (price wise), back away slowly and let someone else take the plunge first.

5) Lepidolite

After a long and unforeseen break, I am back with the 5th crystal in my Crystals of Neophytes series.

One of my new favorites, Lepidolite boasts a beautiful coloring that will appeal to most men and women alike. This stone is one of the few that contains natural lithium which makes it great for persons dealing with depression. Because of that, it is wonderful for a variety of emotional ailments, including those dealing with ADHD. It can be used on the heart, third eye, and crown chakras.

Known as a transition stone, Lepidolite helps us to modify our energy patterns and leaves a sense of hope and positivity in the process. It is great for use in meditation and can also be used effectively in mojo bags for anything having to do with emotions, change, or to simply help one find balance. To use this in elixir form I suggest an indirect method of your choosing.

I don't suggest charging this stone in the sunlight because of the high probability of it fading. Instead, use smoke, sound, moonlight, or even placing it on a slab of selenite.

Review: The Book of Crystal Spells

It would be possible for me to walk into a bookstore and come out with half of their Pagan section (or New Age, since we're relegated to a fad instead of being an actual religion in the eyes of most bookstores). It would be great for the learning aspect, which I consider an important part of living life, but not so easy on the bank account. That means I have to be selective with my purchases and I tend to rely a lot on online reviews. When I saw this book on Lewellyn's upcoming titles I knew that I had to get it, which is what I did.

I've never heard of Ember Grant, but the premise of her book, The Book of Crystal Spells - Magical Uses for Stones, Crystals, Minerals...And Even Sand, was of interest to me. I'm a crystal junkie, this much is known by all that are close to me, and I tend to collect books on the subject almost as much as the crystals themselves. I've been interested in crystal magic for quite some time and have used it with successful results in the past. For that reason, and because of my sense of curiosity, I knew I had to have the book. I'm so thankful that it turned out to be a good read and a valuable resource that I will likely refer to again and again.

The book has ten chapters and contains a lot of useful information. Even as an admirer of Judy Hall, I must admit that a lot of current books on the market tend to feature the same information that she has in her works, so I was pleasantly surprised to find her name and titles missing from the author's bibliography. Instead, she used a variety of other research materials combined with her own experience, making this book a great tool for anyone interested in crystal magic. Even better is that the majority of it isn't redundant and not available in any other book that you could buy.

This book is less about crystal healing and more about spellcraft via crystals, so if you're looking for the latter you'll be surprised. While the author herself admits there is overlap between the two, such as using crystal grids and elixirs, and meditating with the crystals, the two are just as equally different from one another. This book gets to the nitty gritty (no pun intended) of using your own energy, pairing it with crystals, and using the enhanced product to bring about change in the world. Crystal healing is similar, yes, but also not quite the same.

The Book of Crystal Spells features some of the usual subjects, such as cleansing and empowering crystals, but it also delves into newer waters that some people may not think of exploring. One of those is using sand, which is given an entire chapter. It's a subject that I didn't give much thought at all to before this book, but now I find myself looking at it in an entirely different way. Is there anything more you can ask of a book?

Another gem (pun intended) of this book was the association with numerology. My eyes have been opened to numerology before but through this chapter I was able to calculate my life path number and pair them to crystals. Many of them were ones that I've used before though I was saddened to see some of my favorites missing from the list. Which is okay, in the long run, as we all have different crystals that speak to us throughout our lifetimes.

I could go on and on about the positives of this book, but I feel I should touch on a couple of the negatives. The first isn't much of a downside for most people, but as a lover of ametrine, I was a little bummed to find no references to it in this book. I tend to think of ametrine as a crystal that is more than just the sum of its parts, so it would have been nice to see it featured here in some aspect or another. To those of you that couldn't care less about ametrine, you likely won't miss it.

My second issue with the book is kind of a double edged sword. I enjoy using rhymes when it comes to my spells. I find they set the tone and help me with my focus. Also, if I do say so myself, I seem mysterious and powerful as I wave my hands over crystals and candles and chant some rhyming couplets. But I have to be honest here as some of the chants are a little hokey and a few are just downright silly. All in all, I would only consider using about 40% of those given, but I also tend to write my own spells anyway.

This book is geared to a beginner to crystal spell work. Even experts at the subject will find some use here, even if it is just the appendix. This thing is loaded with useful information including Platonic Solids descriptions, associations by season and day of the week, and even important details in relation to the color spectrum. All in all, get this book. I don't think you'll regret it one bit.

Review: Crystal Guidance Oracle Deck

During my participation in Hibiscus Moon's 7-Day Oracle Challenge, I stumbled upon quite a few fellow participants posting their own videos on YouTube. One of them was Jen, who used a unique deck of oracle cards that she herself designed. I quickly purchased a set of my own and have been working with them pretty frequently from the day I received them in the mail. This is my review.

For the price of $25, I was able to obtain everything pictured in the photo above, minus the 7 chakra cards on the top right of the photo. I will have links on how to purchase and how to get more information at the end of this post.

Simply put, the photographs on the cards are beautiful. The designer used her own crystal collection when taking the photos which allows each image to show a good representation of the crystal specimen for identification. Each image is clear and crisp. These cards are a pleasure to look at.

While the box the cards comes in seems to be nothing more than card stock, the actual cards themselves are made with a sturdier material. They are playing card size which means that they fit comfortably in the hand and are easy to shuffle. When moving to Washington, the box bent slightly inward because I had it crammed into my carry on bag. The cards themselves were well protected however, which is the true purpose of the box. While it may seem flimsy it does its job well.

One of the things I really enjoy about the deck is the information presented just below the image. The first thing you will notice is that there is a word or phrase that is the essence of the card's message in relation to its crystal's energies. This makes using the cards without having to go back to the PDF guide easy. Instead of trying to memorize a bunch of information, users are able to use their intuition at this point, which I find useful in any tarot or oracle reading. The other two symbols are also useful.

The icon on the left is the chakra correspondence for the crystal. No more do I have to look through a book or try to remember which crystal goes with which chakra. Yes, I have 7 crystals that I use on a regular basis, but sometimes it is good to experiment with other crystals and even better that we use one that we drew in an oracle reading. The icon to the right is the elemental correspondence. I have found both of these icons to be accurate in my workings and I think you will as well.

I cannot suggest these cards enough. They are easy to use, easy to learn with, and a great way to utilize crystal energies on the go when you aren't able to bring your entire crystal collection with you. The cards themselves are durable and if they are properly taken care of, will last for many, many years.




To Order: Dragon Fae Creations Etsy
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Inmate Sues Prison for Wicca Supplies

There was an article posted on the International Business Times website concerning an incarcerated prisoner suing prison officials to obtain items he has stated are required to practice his faith. Among them are herbs, essential oils, view of the moon for rituals, and a piece of jewelry commonly known as "Thor's Hammer." His crimes aside, I must admit having conflicted feelings on the rights of prisoners and what they do and do not have access to.

The fact of the matter is that Daniel LaPlante was convicted of murder by a jury. I agree that even prisoners should have the right to practice their faith without ridicule or harm, and that if something is truly necessary for a faith, it should be provided if at all feasible. My question is, if you are being punished for committing a crime, where do you stop at what is provided and what is not? Should prisoners be able to request specific meals if their religious beliefs prevent them from eating certain items? Should prisoners be allowed to request specific clothing, such as robes, or access to books and music? If they are entitled to anything they deem fit, who is responsible for paying for it?

The way that I see it, prison exists to serve two purposes: as a means of punishment, and to provide an opportunity to provide rehabilitation for those that are going to be released. The request that this inmate made irks me because the items requested are not required to practice Wicca. Yes, they help one develop their spirituality further, but they aren't things that a person couldn't practice Wicca without. On the opposite side, he isn't asking for steak at every meal, a bottle of wine for each ritual, and a sword to cast a circle with. Even if the requested items aren't necessary, does an individual's freedom of religion extend into the prison population?

What are your thoughts on this subject? Please comment to share your opinion.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes - Where Have I Been?!

Have you ever noticed how your life seems to go from bad to worse right about the same time you realize that every aspect of your life is finally fitting together and starting to work? It is some weird combination of Chaos Theory and Murphy's Law. The past few months started out exceptionally well and have slowly diminished as time has gone on.

I no longer live in Mid-Missouri. It was a difficult decision to leave but considering my personal struggles with depression, it seemed like the right choice to make. Having no money and no ability to move any of my stuff, I bought a plane ticket and stuffed my suitcase and carry-on full of as many of my clothes as I could fit. And my iPad, of course.

I'm now a resident of Washington state.

I'm still getting accustomed to the time difference and the cleaner air, though I don't think I'll ever get accustomed to looking out of my window and seeing Mt. Rainier off in the distance. The abundance of trees is almost purifying in a way and I think that if nothing else comes from my change of circumstances, at least my connection to the natural world stands to improve.

Sometimes it is difficult to look at where we are in life and find the blessings that are present, but it is times like this where it is the most important to be able to do so.

Negativity Knock-Out Spray

Hello everyone.

I've been working on modifying the recipe for Hibiscus Moon's "Negativity Neutralizer Spray." It isn't that her recipe is difficult or the process too time consuming. I simply wanted to add my own personal touch and amp up the energy a little bit. In fact, my first batch probably won't even be a spray at all!

It's looking like it's going to be more of an anointing "oil" meets cleanser that comes in a bottle with a dropper. This will make it perfect for putting a small amount on your crystals (those that can handle water, of course!) to soak up all the gunk they may be collecting. I've been telling you all that great things are on the way, and this is only the first of many!

Once I have the recipe perfected I'll be selling it via my Etsy shop.
Keep an eye peeled for that. Since my shop is currently on hiatus, signing up for an email alert by clicking the link above is a great way to get an email announcement to known when I'm back in business.

If you're interested in making your own Gem Elixirs (it really is easier than you think), check out this handy guide by Hibiscus Moon. The guide contains video instructions and even contains recipes, such as her "Negativity Neutralizer Spray."

Online Witchy Shopping? Yes please!

I don't know what it is about my relaxation routine that gets me in the mood to shop, but I've done it again. I placed an order for a variety of items last night, and now I'm forced to wait for the USPS and UPS to deliver my items. We all know that's really the hardest part, because spending money is the easiest thing I've ever done in my life. I'm pretty sure I learned how to do that when I was 2 years old.


I have a nice variety of crystals and herbs headed my way. I'm excited to get back to creating and looking into restocking my Etsy shop to get it functioning again. I haven't forgotten about the Crystals for Neophytes series either. I've been sidetracked by a few things, but these next few days should get be caught up and back on schedule.

I'm also going to be uploading a review of a shipment of crystals I received over a period of two weeks. Maybe it's a good thing my debit card is about to expire?

Until next time.  
(C:5

4) Blue Lace Agate

Blue Lace Agate is a soothing stone. Often corresponding with the throat chakra, uses include anything relating to communication. I have only two tumbled pieces of BLA because I have found that they work so well for me that purchasing more of them isn't necessary. I especially like using this crystal when working with my throat chakra. A few weeks ago I felt a cold coming on and I knew a sore throat was sure to follow. Deciding I had nothing to lose, I grabbed one of my crystals and placed it on my throat for twenty minutes as I caught up on the week's television shows that I had DVR'd.

I ended up getting a cold that lasted just over two weeks. What's amazing is that I didn't get a sore throat at all, which always accompanies a cold from my experience. Some would find this a coincidence, but the fact that Blue Lace Agate is so closely tied to the throat gives me the confidence to know that this wasn't a fluke. Crystal healing is real, and we can use it to enhance our health and being about the change we desire.

The Next Crystal Is....

Blue Lace Agate!

3) Selenite

Some people find this crystal impossible to hold for extended periods because of it's extremely high vibration. Selenite, one of the three forms of Gypsum, is readily available and at moderate prices. It is water-soluble, so keeping it dry and away from dampness is paramount in ensuring that you have it for quite some time.

When used in conjunction with other crystals, Selenite has the ability to strengthen the power of others like a battery. It is also a powerful aid for clearing blockages from the aura and during meditative sessions in which one is trying to receive messages from Spirit.

When I first started out on this path, I had difficulty sensing the energies of crystals. Holding Selenite changed me because as soon as I touched it, whatever was blocking me was cleared and I felt it's energy almost immediately. I suggest this crystal because of that reason, as well as it's amplification properties.

Message of the Day

I drew two Crystal Guidance cards today. I received Ametrine and Red Tiger's Eye. The messages each card represents is in the photo below. Tell me, does this message ring true for you as well? Comment below.

Click for a larger view.

Something Special

I decided to draw a few Crystal Guidance cards before heading off to work. Here are my results.
I find the message quite clear. Don't you?

Sorry about the poor lighting. I'm looking at ways to improve it.

The Goddess Danu. Click to expand.

I'm on Facebook!

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Connect with me!

Delays

I apologize for the delay in posting the 10 Crystals for the Neophyte series. I am off work for the next two days and will have time to finish writing about the eight remaining crystals. I also am planning on creating some YouTube videos, which I will embed as they become available by updating the previous entries and posting them along with the new ones. I promise that I haven't forgotten about what I promised you. I just need a little bit more time to get it developed and ready to release.

We should be caught up by Thursday. ;)

2) Black Tourmaline

Welcome back for the second in my list of ten stones that every neophyte crystal healer or crystal magic practitioner should have. Today we have: Black Tourmaline!



Like many other people, I first became curious about Black Tourmaline through HibiscusMoon's YouTube videos. This baby can absorb a lot of negativity and transmute it into something positive. Black Tourmaline comes in a variety of sizes and with varying degree of quality, but even the smallest and cheapest can be a powerful ally.

Also known as Schorl, Black Tourmaline is associated with the Root Chakra and brings stability and grounding to those that meditate with it. It helps to cleanse and purify us so that we can greet the world with a positive outlook. For that reason, I suggest keeping some next to your pillow at night. Also a powerful protector, you can also use Black Tourmaline in a crystal grid or by simply placing a piece in each corner of a room.

Another beneficial quality is that it can help protect us from electromagnetic stress. Placing a piece on your computer, satellite dish, Internet router, and anything else that strikes your fancy will help alleviate the electromagnetic forces we interact with. If you don't own any, I suggest that you purchase a few rods or tumbled pieces to experience all that it can offer. You won't be disappointed.

Check this out for more info!

Ametrine

Ametrine is a personal favorite of mine, as you can easily tell from some of my previous posts about it. Hailing from South America, the best quality pieces come from the Anahí mine in Bolivia. It is also sometimes referred to as Bolivianite as a geographic reference. This specific crystal features the merging of two of the world's most popular specimens: Amethist and Citrine.

At times this crystal can be difficult to come by in it's rough state, but tumbles are readily available through Etsy, EBay, and dozens of online rock and gem stores, which will feature smaller rough pieces from time to time. Tumbled, it's price is typically under $3.00 per stone. While that may seem like a lot, an investment in a few Ametrine pieces will give you the best properties of both Amethyst and Citrine, as well as provide you with a foundation for working with those two stones individually in the future.

It has been said that Ametrine helps us to focus our dreams and manifest them into reality. It is used to activate both the Solar Plexus (Citrine) and Crown (Amethyst) chakras. If you have students in your household, gifting them with a bit of Ametrine will help them with their ability to focus and study, thus retaining more information.

On a personal level, I am able to feel both the soothing and energetic aspects depending on what my specific needs are. This is a great stone to meditate with and I use it in crystal grids and elixirs.

Crystal Grids

Crystal Grids are a powerful way to utilize your crystals. A lot of people have confusion on the construction of crystal grids, so I thought it best to share with you a video on this very subject by the crystal grid expert herself, HibiscusMoon.




If you haven't already purchased her Crystal Grid Template Package, click the image below. She provides step by step instructions and grid layouts that you can download right away!

10 Crystals for the Neophyte - An Introduction

We've all been there at one time or another. So many of us come to crystal healing and crystal magic from different avenues that it can be difficult to find the right tools to get us started on this new journey. Nothing will be more challenging for the beginner than finding the necessary crystals, especially since there are so many of them. Since each crystal is different and carries a different energetic frequency, they will connect with a person and their needs on an individual level. Still, it can be helpful to narrow a beginner's first choices down in an effort to save both time and money, as well as the energy required in tracking down quality crystals from reputable sources.

My personal collection is growing rapidly now that I have steady employment and have worked purchasing crystals into my budget. I am aware that not everyone has that luxury, which is why the list below will contain crystals that can be found inexpensively in most situations. Of course the price does go up with higher quality and larger specimens, but for the beginner that isn't always as much of a concern. Feeling the energy of the crystals and discovering how you can use them in your daily life is the best path for the beginner to take.

Spending time with the crystals is a great way to begin connecting to the energies that they offer. There are a myriad of ways to bring crystals into your life, but the most basic is simply by holding them in the palm of your hand. More on that is coming soon. First, I want to discuss the 10 crystals that I feel every beginner should have. Yes, as you learn you may be called to purchase other crystals. That is perfectly normal! If your wallet can handle it, by all means, purchase away.

Each day I will post one of the ten. They aren't in any specific order, and I have tried to present both information from my personal experience with each crystal in addition to what the books, magazines, and YouTube videos have to say about their uses. Feel free to comment with any questions you have and I will respond as quickly as I can.

10 Crystals for the Neophyte

I am currently in the process of writing a guide for people new to crystals, whether for magic, healing, or a mixture of the two. Each day I will be posting information about the specific crystal and why I feel that every beginner should have it. Since I'm limiting it to ten total crystals, there will be a lot that won't be mentioned. My thoughts behind this is that beginners are often lost when it comes to getting started.

I am also thinking about doing a few videos to post on my YouTube channel.

Coming soon!

Where I've Been

I am happy to say that I have been absent, not because of illness or issues with funds and Internet access, but because I have been busy working two part-time jobs. I am still preparing for the videos on the Wicca survey results which I promised you back in December. Please believe me when I say that I haven't forgot what I set out to do. I've just been delayed slightly.

Here in central Missouri we received around 12" of snow which shut businesses down, as you can imagine. We can handle snow, just not so much falling at one time. The weather reports for that morning were saying we would only get a maximum of 3". I love snow so this is like a holiday for me, especially since I was given two days off of work because of travel issues.

So today I slept in. Now that I'm rested, I'm putting the finishing touches on a Peace Incense that I am making. Developing the recipe gives me opportunities to be creative in ways that are different from writing, so it's an enjoyable experience.

I also have plans to return to my Etsy shop and revamp the entire thing. Incense will still be my primary focus, but I'm looking to expand into a few other areas as well. Lots of things are happening so please stick around!