Moonstones and Pendulums

The next gemstone that I’d like to introduce you to is the moonstone, a shimmering and dazzling crystal that matches the mystical object that it’s named after. Moonstone is fantastic for balance, going with the ebbs and tides of life. Even though there’s movement, by the end you will find yourself centred at just where you should be. Moonstone is perfect for getting you through times of turmoil or confusion, and even when you’ve just got a touch of PMS!

But my favourite moonstone crystals item is my moonstone pendulum. If you’ve never used a pendulum before, you will be amazed at how easy it is to use it so it is a great way of divining for the beginner. (For details on how to use a pendulum take a look at this site -the only thing I would add to the info here is that it I usually ask the pendulum the answer for yes and no TODAY, as it can sometimes vary. Why, I don’t know!)

My moonstone pendulum is not the only one that I have. I have different stones for different purposes: rose quartz for love question for example. But I like to use the moonstone pendulum for times of imbalance in my life such as stressful or confusing times when I don’t seem to be getting a straight answer from anyone! I use it when one aspect of my life is taking over others and also if I feel a little taken for granted. It seems to bring me comfort as well answers during these times. I hope it does the same for you. :)

Chris x

The Blushing Pink Stone of Love - Rose Quartz

Now that spring is here and life is coming back to the environment around us, it is not uncommon for thoughts to turn to romance ;)

Whether you are single and looking for someone special, or with a partner and just want to put a bit of magic back into things, you can turn to rose quartz to help you out.

Rose quartz isn’t called the love stone for nothing. Its colour lends itself to the gentle and delicate nature of love but it also has a passionate feel to it to. It is a very vibrant and lively stone to work with so use this strength wisely.

To use rose quartz for love, you can try a little bit of spell work. Don’t be put off or worried by this, it is perfectly simple and harmless. However, please do not try to use this for negative purposes or to bend the will of another person.

So, what do you need to do? Firstly, you need to work on a flat surface and choose somewhere nice and quiet where you won’t get disturbed. Place your piece of rose quartz in front of you and light a pink candle. Hold the candle in your hand and visualise the feelings and emotions that you wish to experience from love. Let the joy and flush of love come to you - experience them as if they were first hand. Place the candle in a holder in front of you and then place the rose quartz in your hand. Meditate for about 20 minutes, all the while focusing your mind on the happiness you wish to draw to you. Do this over 3 nights to increase the energy flow.

Hope this works for you and let me know if we hear the sound of wedding bells!!
Chris x

Carnelian and Motivation

February is a strange time of year. Summer seems way off in the distance and the chaos/excitement of Christmas is long behind us. It is very often at this time of year that we get a niggling feeling that we’re not doing all we can with our life - that we’re in a bit of a rut.

You need some carnelian! Whether your inaction is down to fears of failure or just the fact that it’s cold outside, carnelian is just the galvanising force you need. It introduces life and energy into your aura and making those all important first steps will suddenly seem all the easier. Carnelian is often called the stone of the here and now and will stop you putting things off.

Carnelian is excellent to wear as a piece of jewellery to get you motivated. That way its influence will be on you all day! After all, you’ve been putting things off for weeks and months so you may need carnelian’s help over quite a few weeks too.

However, as with almost all crystals you can also just move a piece or some carnelian tumblestones into a more prominent place as and when you need them and you will find that you effortlessly absorb the energies as you relax. And at this time of year, what could sound more appealing?!

Citrine for the Blues

Citrine gets its name from its beautiful, lively range of colours - from orange to lemon, even through to a brownish red. A member of the quartz family, it is a very tough crystal, able to take the knocks and bumps that all too often happens with our everyday crystals!

Known as the ‘cuddle stone‘, citrine is renowned for chasing away sadness. This is all thanks to its strong nature. A bit like a determined, matriarchal force taking you under its wing and making you feel good about yourself again. Picture Ma Larkin and you can’t go too wrong! Citrine also will not hold on to negativity so even if you slip into a low mood again, it will not keep these emotions near to you.

As this is the cuddle stone, I like to keep this close to my chest and keep it in a breast pocket for the day. In fact I’ll choose a jacket just for this purpose! If you have 3 or 4 pieces of citrine in your possession though, try a trick that I found out purely by accident.

Sit yourself down for the evening, maybe get yourself a good book and a glass of wine. But before you do, place the pieces of citrine around you so that you are surrounded. By being right in the heart of the citrine, you will absorb the loving vibes and energy and by the end of the evening, will have chased those blues away.

Bloodstone and Taking On The World

Bloodstone

Bloodstone - not the most appealing name I always think. It conjures up something quite dark and icky! However, think again and you’ll find associations of a powerful force will come to you, as powerful as a representation of lifeblood should be.

Bloodstone is said to encourage justice. And in a world that is so often unfair (and even more often feels it!), this is a gemstone that we can do with from time to time.

Before I talk of how you can use this crystal, I think it helps to know that it is also known as heliotrope, which can be translated from Greek to mean ‘sun’ and ‘turning’. It was believed that when bloodstone was immersed in water, it changed the sun to red. In essence, bloodstone is very influential indeed!

So bloodstone is perfect for those times when you could use a little help in your corner. How can you absorb this energy? Firstly, it is important to recognise that it should not be used for a negative outcome. Even if you are certain that you are the aggrieved party in whatever situation you would like to change, you must always try to get a positive return for all. Remember, bloodstone is about justice, so it isn’t necessarily personal to you.

But, never-the-less, you are looking for a boost. And bloodstone, for this purpose, is very easy to use indeed. When I need a little help in my corner, I like to keep my piece of bloodstone with me whenever I am trying to solve the issue. Need to do some research ? Keep a bloodstone tumblestone nearby. Need to confront someone and get them to see your point of view? Take yourself off to somewhere quiet and think over what you need to say holding on to your crystal.

You get the picture. Be aware of the bloodstone’s presence, and consciously allow in its grounded and objective energies. When you become more accomplished at using crystals, it won’t be long before you are able to feel its vitality resonating within you. It will give you the strength to face your adversary or even be the one that everyone looks to for the necessary diplomacy.

Chris xx

Amethyst and drunkenness!

Amethyst

Amethyst - the perfect protective talisman. It is one of the most popular of the quartz family crystals and its beautiful, lilac colour is soothing, calm and reminiscent of psychic energies. And for those born in the month of February, this is your stone - and how well you’ve done! I’m quite jealous actually!

So, what can we practically use amethyst for? The good news is amethyst can be practically used for anything!!

Firstly, there’s where it gets its name from - the Greek amethustos meaning "not drunken". It has been used to help with drunkenness and ward off its effects, even to the point of drinking out of amethyst goblets. It was also used for another kind of spirits, although this time of the evil kind, and was said to offer protection from them.

But even if you do not believe that you’re being plagued by evil spirits (and I sincerely hope you’re not!) bear in mind that it is equally relevant to the negative thoughts in your own head. Amethyst can be a great comfort and dissipater.

These negative thoughts are bad for you, not only because they cause you distress, but because they more often than not lead onto more negative thoughts. Before you know it, the problem will spiral downwards and the problem will worsen. Not what you need.

So, this is how I use amethyst during these difficult times. Try to leave yourself at least 15 minutes as you will not be able to see the benefits in a shorter time than this.

I like to take a piece of amethyst (I use a rough piece but you can equally use a tumblestone if you have one) and place it right between my eyebrows. I then close my eyes and relax and try not to think of anything so that I am free to experience any shift in energies within me.

This is always marvellous if I have been feeling churned up and, even if I hadn’t noticed it, if my breathing has quickened with the stress. Within 5 minutes I usually can feel a lightening feeling come upon me and a positive attitude will follow. By the end of the 15 minutes (or half an hour if I can manage it) I will find that solutions or suggestions will start to enter my mind and take the place of the negativity.

If you are going through a particularly bad time, try to fit this in at least once a day if you can and you will soon find that, while amethyst can’t solve all your problems (sadly!), you will be better able to think things through rationally and face up to them in a calmer manner.

Green Aventurine and Difficult Decisions

If I was planning on doing a top 10 of favourite crystals I would definitely have to put green aventurine in the top 5. It is such a wonderful all rounder of a crystal, with gentle and balancing properties. And it’s exquisite to look at.

Green aventurine has been used for physical healing by lots of people who swear by it, but seeing as I have not experienced this myself yet I will not be discussing this use here. I have however, turned to this beautiful crystal many times when I need to make a decision or think things through in a logical or methodical manner. It is amazing how much clarity green aventurine can bring you.

How Does Green Aventurine Work?
It works by bringing out the positive from any situation - working with your own innate wisdom. We can often have our judgements cluttered by too many distractions and stresses in modern life, or simply by letting our emotions rule our heads. Green aventurine, for me, seems to be able to put all of these things to one side and show me the right path or course of action to take. Which of course I knew all the time, but couldn’t see for looking!

So, if I’m feeling indecisive, here are the ways in which I use green aventurine. A very simple method - and the one I try first - is to place it by my bed at night, as close to me as possible to allow it to influence my dreams and subconscious. I may not necessarily have any answers come to me through my dreams but I can certainly feel the difference in my thinking when I wake up in the morning. I have had quite a few eureka moments .

It can also be used with some basic meditation techniques (see my last post about snowflake obsidian for more info) in order to draw out of you the answers you seek. Also try carrying it around with you throughout the difficult times, as of course you can do with most crystals for any of your problems.

But one of the most effective methods for more long term problems is to bring it into the heart of the situation wherever possible.

For example, I have used green aventurine for many a work decision when I’ve been struggling to find the right solution. I have left a green aventurine tumblestone on my desk or taken it with me to meetings (tucked away safely in my pocket), and sometimes even left it nearby to colleagues that were part of the problem!

You will find that the qualities of this crystal will soon have you able to see what is the best thing for you to do, and give you back an empowering sense of control over your life.

Chris