New Goodies!

Here's a little tidbit for those of you who want crystals but don't really have a fortune to spend...New Agey-type shops obviously know they care catering to a "certain crowd"...people who understand the value of certain objects. I'm not saying that's WRONG, however when you are able to shop at places that aren't necesarily catering to a certain group, you can often find incredible bargains.

Case in point: Gatlinburg. Nearly every shop in that touristy area there had SOME sort of mining/crystal thing.

I was able to buy these items for nearly nothing.

I bought the three points shown (Quartz, Smokey Quartz and Amethyst) for $9 each. They are each between 1-3 inches tall. In my area those would have run me about $20-40, easily.

I was able to buy those Citrine clusters for $3 and $2. The larger one is about the size of my palm...again in my area, that would run me over $20, depending on various factors.

A quartz heart that in my area runs between $12-20 was only $6

And this brings my to my last one, which bears with it a word of caution...those "Fill A Bag With Stones for Only ____ Dollars!!!"

Yeah some of those are just dyed quarz and agate stones....so beware. However I was able to pick out some genuine Hematite, Rose Quartz, Amethys, Smokey Quartz, Clear Quartz and Citrine for only $5 for the whole bag

So if you are in a pinch and cannot afford the crystals at your local supplier, don't overlook tourist spots, especially in areas known for mining.

Gemstone Elixir-A How To

Gemstone elixirs are an excellent way to use your crystals and stones for health and healing. These can be consumed or used in rituals.
You will need:
*One or more gemstones whose properties you wish to infuse the water with-research these stones ENTIRELY to ensure they have no ill effects. Do not use stones containing metals.
*A Clear Jar
*Pure Spring Water

Clean these stones (both under running water and energy-wise), charge them with your intent and place them in the jar
Fill the container with the Spring Water
Leave the water under the sun or moon light (whichever seems the most appropriate for your intent).
They can be left for as long as feels "right" to you
Add some preserver (just a few drops of Vodka will work)
To store, pour into a dark colored bottle and keep refridgerated.

There you have it. If you were looking for energy for your workouts, you might make Carnelian water-left in the SUN. If you are struggling with Insomnia, you might drink some Amethyst water made under the moonlight before bed (but just a little...don't want to have you waking up for OTHER reasons in the middle of the night from drinking too much water before bed!!!)
Have

Tourmalated Quartz

I have been going crystal crazy over the last few months, branching out and buying all sorts of new and exciting things. I found a metaphysical store about 2 hours away from me (that's actually one of the closer ones!) that has an incredible supply of magical stones and crystals...beyond my wildest dreams!

I recently was attracted to a piece of tourmalted quartz there...it really drew me because the quartz itself was incredbly clear with TONS on rainbows in it, and the tourmaline bits ran strong and clear within.

I thought I'd do a post disucssing interesting crystal and it's properties, since I didn' know much about it when I decided to buy a piece. The one pictured is not the one I own (camera battery is currently dead), but it gives a good general idea as to what you can expect when you go looking for a piece.

The coolest thing about this is that is it essentially two things in one: Tourmaline and Quartz. As such it contains the properties of both, and as quartz is an amplifyer and the needle-like formations of tourmaline act like conductors, the properties of each are even more amplified by the two being part of each other-you COULD look up the individual properties of quartz and tourmaline, and then consider them stronger due to the nature of this crystal.

Among it's properties are included the ability to restore balance to mind, body and spirit. It helps to destroy patterns and habits that are destructive, and can help stop self-sabotage. It keeps one's thoughts in the present and can aid in ridding one of past pain and negativity. It is thought to bring an abundance of luck to the person who carries or rubs it. It is also used for problem solving in many situations.

A Crystal Meditation

I've found this especially helpful, as a beginner to meditation.
I've found "clearing my mind" to be something of a joke...I just cannot seem to do it. Thoughts creep in, completely uninvited and before I know it, I've been replaying the scene from the fast food joint yesterday where the server was rude and meditation time is up! So frustrating. A busy mom like me could really use the down time but I just cannot seem to make "nothing" happen in my mind.
I found that this helps a lot ...the reason I like it so much is because it gives you something to focus on doing mentally, but it is something that is still highly soothing and calming at the same time, and allows for the ebb and flow of subconscious thought too.

Take a crystal-I've been using small amethyst clusters but you can use anything you like. I've personally found that crystal points, rather than tumbled stones work better for me, but that could just be personal preference-see what works for you.

Get into a comfortable position where you can hold and clearly see your stone. The room need not be bright, just enough light to see it. Put on some music that aids your meditation if you like.

Now...slowly turn your crystal around, taking time to memorize it. Don't worry-you will not be able to commit a more complicated cluster or a point with many inclusions to memory this first try. Right now just aim for a general idea.

Recreate the crystal in your mind now...it's inclusions, it's shape, the bed it grows from if there is one. Commit it's "feel" to memory; it's vibrations. Is it cold to the touch? Pointy? Try your best to recreate this crystal in your mind.

Now see, in your minds eye, the crystal growing. Larger and larger, until it is as large as the room you are in. Or larger if you like-as big as a house, or a building. Whatever feels good to you. Just see it growing around YOU until you are inside of the crystal. Try and see it from the inside. All you need to do is make it the size you feel OK with. I guess you could also see this as shrinking yourself down-again, whatever works best for you.

Now...you can choose to stay where you are, laying down or sitting inside the crystal. Your mind will still be busy keeping the image of your crystal strong-that will be in the forefront of your brain right now. Or, once you practice some, you can see yourself walking around inside the crystal-take not of any images you see, but always keep the formation of the crystal at the forefront of your mind. If you find yourself getting "used" to the crystal, change it up...use a new crystal, or just a new cluster. I've had to do that once or twice. I am getting better at "being in" the meditation, however, when you have 5 kids thoughts are just going to happen from time to time, and when I notice they are becoming more frequent, using a new cluster has helped me regain my focus.

It's steady and relaxing, but still very engaging mental work, that should help keep your mind occupied and stop too many stray thoughts from entering. I've found it to be very helpful for someone like me who has a mind that tends to wander. I've been working with this meditation for a while and this is all how it works best for me...but remember to tweak it to be what you need.

New Hibiscus Moon Purchases!

They just arrived today...my order consisted of 5 Amethyst Stones and 3 Moonstones..and she threw in a Carnelian (how appropriate for me right now, too. I could so use the energy boost!)
I have to say, this is my second order with her (my third order is on the way!) and I have been COMPLETELY impressed..the size and the color of her stones are always impressive, and they just "feel" good. This order especially felt that way...I just want to hold these babies and not let them go.
Here are links to the properties of each of these stones:
Moonstone
Amethyst
Carnelian
Click each stone name to learn more about them.

And, please visit Hibiscus Moon (just click her name over there<~~) to purchase crystal goodies.

Things I learned about a Saltwater Cleanse...

The number one thing I learned about doing a saltwater cleanse was that some stone PROBABLY should not be cleaned this way.
Like Angelite.

Oops.

Now my lovely, large shiny Angelite has been reduced to some kind of rough, white pumice-feeling kind of stone.

What a bummer too...I really liked that stone.

Crystal Cleanse

These are some pictures of my smaller stones undergoing a 7 Day Saltwater Cleanse. This is the first time I have used such a complete and thorough (and long!) cleanse, but I want my stones to be completely pure and ready to go, so this seemed to be the best option. That bowl is just a purple (looks funny, but it's actually a bright purple glass) candy dish that I adore. It was a gift from my grandma.

Anyways, I got the idea for this cleanse from phanie12's YouTube Video. If you don't have 7 days, or have already done a 7 day and just want to do some extra cleaning, I highly advise you to check out her videos on this topic by clicking here . She also has some videos on how to store them and even just how to use them. I cannot recommend her videos enough

Sneaky Witch

There are lots of ways you can include the
magical/metaphysical in your everday life without attracting too much attention.
Here is my entry table, which I think is the perfect place for doing fun displays that include things that are magical and symbolic without being all "in your face" about it.
I've included a fountain, some seashells that belong to my grandmother and some citrine stones.

Fountains are supposed to direct good "energy" into your home...in that fountain I placed riverstones that my children and I found together on a camping trip.
Seashells are intensely magical to me...there is just some mystical and ancient about the ocean, and I find myself drawn to it. Because I want my home protected, I thought shells were appropriate since their primary function is as a protective home for small, vulnerable creatures
And of course anyone with a metaphysical background in crystals and stones knows I probably am trying to increase the flow of money to my home by placing several citrine stones and clusters there...I even have some situated in the fountain.

So this is my entry table, and I've found several small ways to include spiritual things that mean something to me and include them in a tasteful, seemingly mundane arrangement among photos and lamps.