Stones for Winter

Clear Quartz, Citrine, & Selenite 

Photo by Linda Raphael 

 Magical Stones For Winter

We've turned back the clocks and Hallows Eve has passed, now we welcome the holidays and the winter of the year. Winter is a time of introspection, journeying within and remembering. While all the preparations for the holidays begin, take time for yourself, not only to rest and restore on a physical level, but especially on a spiritual and emotional level. The energies of this season, Winter, help us journey down deep into ourselves to remember and find answers.

When journeying, I like to either hold stones in my hands or enclose myself in a stone grid. Pocket or palm sized stones work very well for this. Stones can be held in the hands while sitting in a comfortable, cozy chair or lying down in soothing surroundings. Placing stones in a circle, at four points (head, feet, right hand and left) or even in a triangular pattern  (head, side of left foot and side of right foot) around you, works very well for making an energetic boundary that focuses energies, intention and also protects. There are many ways to surround yourself with stones, use your imagination.

Here is a bit of information about three of my favorite stones that I like to use for this work. 

The first is quartz crystal, either points or smooth polished pocket stones. The points are great for directing energy, but the polished stones, especially when used in a circle or four points grid, make a gently swirling, encompassing energy vortex. Crystal quartz is an energy amplifier and willingly will assist us. It is also a stone of memory, helping us to "remember" on a spiritual level. In meditation it can enhance one's journeying experience by bringing back to us details and information long forgotten from other lives, dreams and spiritual encounters. One can also gaze into the crystal for divination.

Citrine can assist in opening the third eye and clearing heavy, burdensome energies, making it a perfect helper stone for journeying work. It works to open the way to clearly seeing and accepting information in a positive light, as a mother energy gently guiding. The beautiful citrine is also a stone of manifestation, helping us bring thoughts and desires to fruition. It surrounds one with a golden, healing, positive energy.

Selenite is another stone helper that assists in opening the third eye. It also opens the crown and soul chakras as well making it a good companion for journey and meditative work. Selenite is a perfect ally for reinforcing energy grids, so it is an amazing stone to be surrounded by. It can assist in clearing the blockages that keep us from "remembering" and moving forward with the information received from spiritual realms. It enhances our inner vision allowing us access to past lives and assisting during divination. I keep pieces of selenite with each of my divination tools.  Placing two selenite points at one's front door re-enforces protective energies in the home.

These are just three of the many stones that can assist us, on all levels and in many ways. Each stone has a spirit within, just as we do, as plants, animals, all beings. They are waiting for you to make contact and connection.

Blessings dark and deep!

  

 

Hallows Everyday 11

The Crystal Gazer

Sarah Teasdale

I shall gather myself into myself again,


I shall take my scattered selves and make them one,


Fusing them into a polished crystal ball


Where I can see the moon and the flashing sun.

I shall sit like a sibyl, hour after hour intent,


Watching the future come and the present go,


And the little shifting pictures of people rushing


In restless self-importance to and fro.

Do you ever gaze into a crystal sphere or a bowl of inky water? I find scrying to be haphazard for me. Sometimes I get excellent results and others, nothing. It never discourages me, I justt know that for this particular issue, scrying will not give me the answer; I move on to another type of divination.

When I do scry, if with a crystal sphere, I cleanse it well with a damp cloth that has been dipped in a tea of sorts - water in which certain herbs have been steeped. I wipe it well, dry it, and ask its assistance. For scrying with a bowl of liquid, again, I use a tea made with various herbs that I have found to be helpful, as well as a bit of ink. Each seer must brew her own blend and it should not be shared.

The most important part of scrying is to be sure to cleanse your space well and make it sacred so only those you are willing to have in your space can come through. This is something I learned many, many years ago when I didn't do this - of course, I was very young and knew very little. It did cause some excitement and took a bit of work to clear up the mess!

At this time, when the realms are more open and communication between the living and the dead is easier to accomplish, remember to take good care.

Blessings dark and deep!

Bits of Faerie Lore

I found this bit of faery lore while going through some old articles of mine and thought, since MidSummer is almost upon us, a time when the faery world seems to be more open to us, I would share it. The information is gleaned from various sources, some unknown,  and my personal experiences. 

Come faeries, take me out of this dull world,

for I would rife with you upon the wind and dance

upon the mountains like a flame..    

- W. B. Yeats -

Faeries have their own honor and ethics, therefore, when asking the assistance of the Fae, be sure you work within a sacred circle for protection, or wear a protective charm to keep yourself safe. Be sure to bring them offerings and give thanks appropriately to avoid insults. Be sure to use tools and wear charms made of silver, copper, iron, or wood held sacred by the Fae; Oak is a good choice; flint a protective stone. Not all faerie beings are friendly, some seriously dislike humans. Think carefully before calling them.

*********

How to meet faeries:

Sit beside a pond or stream where the water is still and clear, or anywhere else you sense them. Be quiet and patient. Look for faery rings, sit and wait, but never step within. Tinkle small bells or wind chimes; play a wind instrument such as a recorder, flute or penny whistle while in a meditative state. Anoint your eyelids with a bit of an infusion of elderberries, elecampane (AKA elfwort), and thyme, again, you must wait patiently. 

*********

Faery Healing:

When suffering from a headache or other body aches, sit beneath a willow and allow yourself to release pain to the tree's roots and the earth beneath. The Fae can assist with healing.

When troubled by emotional concerns, sit near or beneath an evergreen of some sort. Allow yourself to release to the tree's roots and the earth, all feelings that distress you. 

Learn the lore of flowers, plants and trees and you will know which ones to use for specific purposes. Each plant has its own spirit, these spirits can be the Fae. 

*********

Where to find faeries:

The Fae can be found almost anywhere - in flowers and plants, trees and stones, hearths and hills, forests and lakes, streams and meadows, gardens and barns, your home  - every place has its spirits, its Fae.

*********

Faery Stones:

Quartz - clear, rose and blue (celestite); selenite, amethyst, amber, flint.

Elemental Fae:

Earth Spirits: an element most dense, represented by the Night and Winter, the Hag. Found in either the North or South, depending on craft tradition. Goblins, trolls, gnomes and Ladies. A green and receptive energy, but very strong and dominant.

Air Spirits: Intelligence, represented by Dawn and the season of Spring. Generally found in the east or north, again, depending on craft tradition. Sylphs and the Wind. A translucent light yellow, the scent of rain or a pond.

Fire Spirits: unpredictable, both creative and destructive, represented by daylight and the Summer. Found in the South in many traditions, but also in the North as well as the East - where the sun rises. Salamanders and dragons. Courage and imagination. A projective and dominant element, red/orange and the scent of burning wood or herbs.

Water Spirits: Healing, transformation, represented by Sunset and Autumn. Found in the West. Nymphs, Nereid, undines, water goblins, these spirits are found in the seas, rivers, lakes, brooks, ponds, the rain. Blue, aqua and teal, receptive.

*********

Old Fairy Dust Recipe

Required items:

Contents of three ripe foxglove seed pods

pinch of stone from volcanic granite (Rhyolite)

pinch of pollen

seven vervain blossoms

pinch of lavender blossoms

pinch of sand (west shore)

On the night of the full moon, mix the foxglove sees with the sandand the Rhyolite grains. Then sprinkle the tiny vervain and lavender blossoms over the mixture. It is now ready.

from

Hereditary Witchcraft

by Raven Grimassi

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What if you'd rather not encounter the Fae? Here are some protection charms:

Turn your clothing inside out

A piece of cold, pure iron, supposedly because it is said to represent movement away from nature.

Rowan & red thread

Oak, Ash, and Hawthorn twigs tied together

A sprinkling of fax seeds on the floor of your home

An infusion of clover and holy water is thought to break the glamour

*********

The Song of The Queen Of The Meadow Fairy

Queen of the Meadow

where small streams are flowing,

What is your kingdom

and whom do you rule?

"Mine are the places

where wet grass is growing,

Mine are the people

of marshland and pool.

"Kingfisher-courtiers,

swift-flashing, beautiful,

Dragon-flies, minnows,

are mine one and all;

Little frog-servants who

wait round me, dutiful,

Hop on my errands

and come when I call."

Gentle Queen Meadowsweet,

served with such loyalty,

Have you no crown to wear?

"Nothing I need

for a sign of my royalty,

Nothing at all

But my own fluffy hair!"

~Cicely Mary Barker

Blessings nine!

And A Lovely Day Was Had By All...

My Solstice shrine 2013

Christmas Eve and Christmas day... quiet, just the two of us at Toadstool Condo, a lovely holiday. We ate lasagna for dinner and it was SO good, followed by some sweets and eggnog. We took a portion of the lasagna to a friend who isn't feeling well and that was the only time we left the apartment. Just lazed around and enjoyed the day.

I had a private little ritual for Mother Night on Christmas Eve, lighting candles and making offerings of incense, shortbread, and spiced wine. I recited invocations and prayers to various mother goddesses. It was a lovely little ritual.

Some goodies, including a bunch of Krampus stuff and a beautiful quartz crystal, from friends. Looking forward to browsing through the Krampus collection. 

More goodies, including a new teapot for my collection! My favorite perfume from my consort, which I wore for the first time on our very first date; I've been wearing it ever since.

Also from my DH, a lovely little citrine heart and a natural citrine pendant, which matches a pair of earrings I have. I don't think one can have too much citrine, it is such a positive energy crystal. All citrine that has that lovely golden yellow color is heated after mining, but the natural citrine is not, it is left as it comes out of Mama Earth. It is not golden, but has a very intense energy.

We shall indulge in the left over lasagna for a couple of days along with the other goodies. It is also time to consider goals for 2014 - no resolutions, just some ideas for improvement of... whatever that may be, and plans for the apprentices and Divine Feminine group as well as my personal workings.

I hope your Christmas was grand!

Blessings dark and deep!

Herkimer Diamonds

Triple Herkimer Diamond cluster

collection of E A Kaufman

There are suggestions that this stone, the Herkimer Diamond, NOT be worn for any long length of time. I, and a few others I know, will dispute this. Personally, I have three small Herkimer diamonds wrapped together as well as a single Herkimer - I wear one or the other EVERY day without any adverse effect. Many of the other stones I wear have a Herkimer included in the wrap, a trademark of the artist who does the wrapping. I wear a number of different stones daily, but one in particular, besides the Herkimers, is a rainbow quartz with a magicians cut and black tourmaline - I always wear these three stones so I'm not sure if these other stones balance the energies of the Herkimers, but I don't really think so. I received my first Herkimer from a neighbor, a herpetologist, who went to Herkimer, NY on a snake hunt. He knew that I collected stones so he brought me one as a gift. Perhaps all these years of being connected to Herkimers enhances my ability to work with them - not sure. Of course, I am an experienced practitioner of the artes magickal, shamanic, and healing, with a strong connection to crystals and stones, I'm sure that helps too.

Single Herkimer Diamon with baby penetrator

Three Herkimers wrapped in gold

collection of E A Kaufman

This is a stone of attunement, allowing us to tune in or link to higher spiritual beings and their realms, as well as other folks while we work magick or healing. While it will clear chakras and allow energy to flow in the body, this does not happen without intent and work. I personally feel energy move and shift easily,  I attribute some of this to the assistance of my Herkimers. I have read that these beautiful stones enhance creativity, telepathy and allow one to access past life information so one can release blockages related to those lives. This release is gentle and activates the light body.

Labradorite with Herkimer dangle, various Tourmalines with Herkimer,

Lemurian Seed with Herkimer, Sugilite, Herkimer, and Amethyst.

collection of E A Kaufman 

For healing, Herkimers make excellent elixirs - used to spray rooms or people, it purifies and detoxifies. Melody, in her book, Love Is In The Earth, suggests that Herkimers can be used for dispersal of toxins in the body, correcting imbalances in RNA/DNA as well as the metabolic rate. Most of you are aware that detox can sometimes be unpleasant and uncomfortable depending upon the issues. Although Herkimers allow for a more gentle detox, it still can be uncomfortable. Calming and stress relieving to all bodies, physical to etheric, Herkimers release tensions in muscles and other body tissues.

Magickally, circles, compasses, and sacred space can be gridded with Herkimers, although personally I find the Herkimer Diamond to be more  effective when used in the center of a gridded circle, the circle itself being gridded with selenite points at each of the four directions and, for me, the cross directions (NW, SW, SE and NE. A very powerful energy realm can be manifested in this way. Be warned that some may react to this intense energy, being effected very strongly, resulting in sleepiness, slower reaction time and thought processes, a sense of out of body-ness as well as encounters one may consider to be hallucinations - they likely are not hallucinations. This compass is truly in another place. The feeling of the energy can be likened to walking through water. This being said, the resulting magick/manifestation/healing when gridding with Herkimers alone can be powerful indeed. The psychic centers of participants are opened, and connection and communication with other realms can be intense - for witches, this is a whole other ball of wax. All of this can only manifest if the correct procedures and intent are used - otherwise, chaos along with the shit hitting the fan can be the result - no kidding!!! It has taken me some time to properly control a Herkimer gridded circle and I don't do so lightly - my butt has been kicked more than once - but no pain no gain, I always say, LOL! Seriously, it isn't a joke, use cautiously and wisely. Gridding your bed or room is fine, gridding a magickal circle or compass is another thing altogether.

Herkimers are really the witch's or magician's stone, enhancing the power of spells and other magickal workings. It is definitely an excellent aid to have at hand. 

I have encountered folks who get nothing from Herkimers or, for that matter, any other stone. They consider it "new agey" - not correct considering how old the use of stones in healing and ritual is. I feel this is because they just do not connect to the mineral realm, let alone this particular powerful stone. That's ok, not everyone does, others just need to work a bit to make the connection. I feel very lucky indeed to have such a strong connection to realms of Nature. As always, when asking for assistance, call the spirits of all stones, crystals, and minerals, with respect, love and integrity.

Blessings nine!



copyright 2010, E A Kaufman

Love!

Judy Hall, the author of The Crystal Bible and other books about crystals, has a lovely little ritual in the back of her book for invoking love. Here, I offer a spell based on her ritual, but with a more goddess and witchy orientation.

Gather together four pieces of rose quartz (no, size doesn't  matter) as well as an amethyst. You will also need three pink candles with holders, some rose incense and an image or statue of Aphrodite, Freya or Venus - or any other goddess of love that you like; rose petals, some ground allspice and a pinch of yarrow,  a piece of chocolate will do for an offering, some red or blush wine sweetened with honey and spiced with allspice; a small pink pouch or a piece of pink fabric and some red yarn or ribbon.

Place the candles in a triangle - one at the top of your triangle, the other two at the lower points. Focus your energy and take a few deep breaths. When ready, light the incense and say:

To you, Aphrodite ( or whichever Goddess you are invoking), I make this offering of sweet smoke. May it bring you pleasure!

Scatter some of the rose petals, allspice and yarrow about the area.

Light your pink candles, one by one, beginning at the top of your pyramid. As you light each one say:

The light in my heart shines brightly for all to see!
Love, most perfect, I draw to me.

When the candles are lit, place the amethyst in the center - focus on its energies as a master healing crystal, healing your heart and all issues that may block love being a strong and healthy force in your life. Now take the rose quartz, one at a time and place at the top of the pyramid, then to the candle in the lower right hand corner, then the left hand corner, and finally, between the two lower candles.

                                    X

                            Rose Quartz

                              Amethyst

  X                                                             X

RQ                              RQ                          RQ

(X - candles)

Focus upon the stones and candles, intone this chant three times:

The love in my heart shines brightly,

Healthy and whole, it draws to me

Love that is perfect and nourishing,

For myself and for my good!

Visualize a swirling mist gathering around you, filling and healing you and your heart. Take the chocolate and some of the herbs, place them outside as an offering; take a sip of the wine and pour the remainder on the ground as a libation. As you place your offering on the ground and pour your libation, say the following:

Aphrodite, here I make an offering of chocolate and sweet wine to you. May it please you.

The remaining herbs should be placed in a pink pouch or piece of fabric tied with red yarn or ribbon - carry this in your handbag or pocket. Allow the crystals to remain in their grid and the candles to burn out. The crystals may then be placed on your altar or next to your bed. Whenever you have need, hold them, invoking their healing, loving energies.

(adaptation copyright 2012, E A Kaufman)

May love fill your life!

Blessings nine!

Aphrodite

This and That

So... I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. Mine was nice. We went to my husband's cousin's club - an incredible spread - turkey, ham, salmon in a cider glaze and probably the best prime rib I've ever had. There were all the traditional trimmings - stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, real cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and other side dishes I didn't/couldn't try.

The really phenomenal part of the meal was dessert. OK, for some this is always the best part; for me it just depends if there are mashed potatoes. If there are mashed potatoes, well that's the best part. But I'm getting away from the dessert - two rooms of desserts. Yes, really.

A good third of the various desserts were chocolate - chocolate covered everything - pretzels, fruits of all kinds - grapes - I couldn't eat those for some reason. I only took one because I thought it was a truffle. Why chocolate covered grapes seem so weird to me I cannot tell you. There were also kiwi slices, pineapple, strawberries and, believe it or not, carrots. The carrots were dipped, as were the fruits, half in chocolate. No, I didn't have any chocolate covered carrots or fruits. If I'm going to overdose on sugar it won't include slices of fruit.

There were cakes, pies, cookies, candy, custards... on and on - enough to overdose on in the most spectacular fashion. The coffee was especially good and finished off the meal nicely. I showed off photos of  my little, cutest baby on the planet, grand nephew over that great coffee. He's six months old and is standing already, yelling for his dada. His father's response to the post on FaceBook was "Oh sh*t." The older adults of my family - me included - are laughing madly!

There was one big problem on Thanksgiving; my husbands cousin, the host of our dinner, did not or actually could not attend - he has kidney stones and was passing one as we feasted. Really. His wife was with us and kept tabs on him via cell phone. He has many more stones. My husband went through this a month ago. A kidney stone gives men a taste of giving birth, or so I am told, never having experienced either - and by the blessings of the goddesses, never will. We spent the remainder of the evening with my husband's aunt, 89 and sharp as the proverbial tack - seriously, she's quite brilliant and we love spending time with her.

My mother went north this year to be with her youngest sister as my uncle, her husband, died on the 14th. I can remember being a very little girl when he and my aunt were dating and my sister and I both wanted to marry him. We were only 4 and 5 years old, I think. He was quite wonderful to us, but in our teens, teased us unmercifully. I married a man very much like him in that respect. They became good friends. My uncle was a great fan of Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons, so I've always loved them too. Very strange, my aunt and uncle became engaged in December, 1963. Many years later, Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons recorded "December, 1963, Oh What A Night" - now that is pretty interesting. We're very sad and miss him. I hope he and my dad are having a heck of a time together.

Into the shop Friday morning - the first time in almost thirty years that I've worked the day after Thanksgiving. Quite a day, as was today. Even in the magickal world, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are important days. People certainly bought gifts for others, but we still sold a lot of ritual and magickal-type goods, the usual. I went to the grocery store early Friday morning to buy mineral water, but otherwise I didn't want to be near shopping centers, malls, etc. other than my own little place.

I only performed a short ritual for the Dark of the Moon and left offerings at the hedge, nothing very elaborate. While dedicated to Hekate, I am hearing the call of Neolithic goddesses once again and researching and experiencing some different ritual. I am also experimenting with some different magick. Someone from a cyber-group I belong to called Hekate the flavor of the month because so many people seem to be drawn to Her. She does seem to be making Herself known to many, but I think that expression, flavor of the month, is rather disrespectful. Neither here nor there for me, but I do feel She is steering me in other directions. I will just have to see.

Sunday I will begin getting the Toadstool into order for the winter holidays. There are some new magickal powders that need making, spell kits for Solstice gifts, winter pot pourri to mix up and other holiday tasks, including the Christmas pudding - an apricot delight with a couple of pounds of butter in it. This pudding of all puddings will sit in the fridge, being doused in rum every Sunday, until Christmas Eve. On that night, with one more good dousing, we set it alight and then pour on the potent hard sauce and enjoy. Sensitive individuals have been known to get drunk on that pudding! Pair that pudding with my Sleigh-Ride Punch - hot and also full of rum, well... that's what brought on the screaming with laughter and playing with those funny little ball and basket things until three AM last Christmas!

The winners of my give-away should have their packages sometime during the week. I am preparing for my Divine Feminine Discussion and Meditation group at the shop on Tuesday. So... there we are, up to date and ready to move along. What a ramble!!! And no rum was involved, I swear!

Re: River of Stones, here's another:

Rose quartz - weighing and pricing for the shop - what a life!

Cotton candy pink crystal, rainbows peeking from within, here and there,

the energy of love vibrates all around me.

copyright 2011, E A Kaufman

Blessings nine!

Framed!

I have a stack of finished needlework projects that need finishing - it never ends, or so it seems - doesn't stop the needle from flying though. Some are being stitched into little goodies and a few others were taken to my LNS, Cross Stitch Cupboard in Fort Lauderdale, for framing. They do a wonderful job and are a great shop, always helpful and so knowledgeable - if you can't figure out a stitching issue, they certainly can! I also photographed some other witchy stitches that hang around Toadstool Condo; I thought you might enjoy seeing them. Some are from a number of years back, all are dear to my heart!


Most recent framing: 


A little freebie design from an alphabet found on line, that I adapted and changed into something a little witchy!

A design by Lisa, may she be on a wonderful journey, of The Primitive Needle. She passed away a few months ago when swept away in her car by a flash flood. I have many of her designs. I was working on this when it happened and so have dedicated it to her memory.

And some old favorites including the witch wall, not a great photo, but there's no other way to photograph it as it is a hallway between the front door and dining/living room area. It is very narrow. All witchy designs - and a few pieces of Jewish art for my darling dear! We mix it up at the Toadstool!

Mike gave me another Jim Shore witch, this one called Wicked, with a flying monkey, a few years ago for my collection. I then found this little stitch to go with it - just perfect! Instead of stitching the broom, I added a silver broom charm. There's also an old, very old,  Cricket Collection design of a cute little witch next to it, to which I added a little crescent moon button - can't seem to stitch anything as designed.

And this is the work I designed for my article, The Ritual of Stitching, which was published with the chart in The Beltane Papers in 1997, I believe. Again, not a great photo due to the hallway, but you get the idea. I am planning to self-publish the chart in the very near future, so if you are interested in obtaining the chart so you can stitch this little blessing, let me know. There are a few specialty stitches as well as some leaf charms, but you could use small leaf buttons - or anything else you like!

A little stitch in a great frame from Cross Stitch Cupboard, to show I am a member of:

And a necessary caution:  

And finally, another designer's work which is changed, if not beyond recognition, then not exactly what she had in mind and too long ago to remember which one! Blackwork, cross stitch, specialty stitches and a verse from Lucius Apuleius, I believe - my contribution to the designs, which is a favorite.

So there we have it, witchy stitches! Most, except for the first three photos, have been framed for many years, but I thought I'd share them anyway. The last was an offering for Hekate, our Great Lady!


Here's hoping you have a lovely weekend. I am at the shop tomorrow with all our wonderful crystals and stones, and other magickal paraphenalia. We now have a Facebook page! If you'd like a virtual tour of our magickal shop, go to the link below and "Like" our page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natures-Emporium/102956843131674

Gorgeous amethyst heart with baby calcite points and some smaller amethyst specimens. Wonderful pieces, great energy. After years in medicine, this job is a dream come true!


Blessings nine!

Abalone

Not a crystal or stone, but a seashell - and a beautiful one, indeed. It has a rather flattened shape with the outer shell looking funky and organic, while the inside is jewel-like. Due to the shape, it is sometimes called "sea ears." 

The water element is strong in shells, making it a perfect ally for healing emotional issues.  The blue and green colors found within are calming, settling overactive emotions and  chakras. Lay the shell over the chakra, adding other crystals as needed. Abalone's energy is soothing, not overwhelming. It heals the emotional body by re-aligning the energy so it flows gently, assisting with the release of what is no longer beneficial and allowing what is to flow freely. It is especially effective for survivors of traumatic situations and also for those who are resistant to or fearful of making needed changes. It can work to heal the heart chakra by gently releasing sorrow, feelings of loneliness, loss and being unloved. For me, shells are womb-like, holding a life within, therefore they carry mother-goddess energies. This may be why their energy brings comfort and peacefulness .

Abalone is also helpful for divination and oracle work, it's reflective iridescence stimulates intuitive and psychic abilities through the third eye. Shells may also be used for scrying, gazing and meditative work.

In magick, abalone can be used in love spells or any other spell involving emotions. Place your charm ingredients in the shell or make amulets of abalone jewelry for your various needs. If you find broken shells or jewelry, grind  and add to magickal powders.   

Abalone shells make beautiful offering bowls, but I advise against using them, as many do, to burn sage, resins and other incense. First of all, the burning damages the beauty of the shell. Why would you want to do that? Second, this womb-like shell was the home of a life, the spirit of that life may still be attached to it, ready to assist you. Burning it may likely damage that connection and is disrespectful.  Allow this shell to work its water element magick by being seen and reflecting its beauty and energies out into our lives. 

(copyright E A Kaufman, 2011)

Blessings nine!

A Traveler's Charm & New Additions

For the third week in a row, I have had to travel four hours, each way, to my mom's home due to some medical issues she has been having. After a  cardiac catheterization, we now know what the problem is and no surgery will be needed, thank the Lady, just some new meds. Ahhh, what a relief! No matter how old we are, we want mommy happy and healthy. She was off to bingo tonight, her usual pursuit on Wednesday evenings. 


Whenever we travel, we always take a stone from around our land, awaken and connect with its spirit and ask that it protect and bring us home safely. We've been doing this for some time. Funny, the same two stones are always in the same place, waiting for us.


If you want to add this little ritual to your travel plans, just find a stone near your home, on your land; nothing fancy is needed, just a stone directly from the land. Awaken it in whatever manner you like; call to it, ring a small bell, whatever, then ask the spirit of the stone to lend its protection while you travel and return you safely back home. Place the stone just under the driver's seat, not so far that it can't be seen - you want to be reminded that it's there. When you return from your travels, and this is very important, thank the stone and return it from whence you found it. A small offering or libation would be a nice way to say thank you.

 We also have some new additions to our family of wild life and they are just adorable! Their little peeps outside the window call to me twice a day, morning and late afternoon, as they make their rounds with mommy and aunts. OK, so they like the seeds and bread we can't seem to help giving them!

The end of another busy day and back to the comforts of the nest, wherever that might be!


Blessings nine!

A Few Helpful Stones

Black tourmaline and aquamarine

Stones and crystals... I adore them and have been collecting them since I was a child. I can remember when I was ten or so, receiving a "geology kit" for Christmas. It had a small collection of stones, a little hammer with a pick on one side and a book. I used to go into the woods nearby and look for stones. A neighbor once went to Herkimer, New York and brought me my first Herkimer diamond. Somehow, I knew those stones were calling me, speaking to me, they were alive.


Some people think working with stones and crystals is too new agey, but I don't agree. Ancient people worked with stones and knew of their magickal/occult/metaphysical properties. For me, the stones have a spirit, just as plants, trees, the Land, do and I am able to communicate with those spirits. 


Here are some stones and their properties that are very healing to work with and not difficult to find, nor expensive. You can combine them or add clear quartz to amplify their energies. Combining the stone with silver, by wrapping with silver wire or wearing on a silver chain, will also intensify the stone's energies.


A couple of other important points: Cleanse your stones by smudging with white sage or other herbs or incense. I don't believe that stones will impart anything negative, but they need the refreshing that cleansing brings, especially if you are working with them during healing sessions with others. While most stones can be cleansed with running water, I don't recommend it as some stones will dissolve in water. Salt can scratch the surface of stones. Smudging is extremely effective without any damaging effects. Respect the spirit of the stone by requesting its assistance and letting the stone know what you need. I like to gently awaken the stone by ringing a bell before working with it. Sometimes a stone will let tell you what is can do and you will not find that information in any book - that's good, no validation is needed, the stone is speaking to you so listen. Handle your stones regularly, keep them out, placed around your home; they are part of your life, your family, don't shut them away.


These are just a few stones that I use regularly besides clear quartz and Herkimer diamonds which are I am very drawn to. Actually, I've never met a stone I didn't like, but quartz and Herkimers seem to have an especial connection for me, however I'll talk about them another time. You will find that certain stones resonate for you more than others and this can change as you change and evolve. 


Carnelian -  High energy but stabilizing, motivating, inspiring creativity, sensual and lusty. Carnelian, a stone for the root chakra, fortifies us with vitality, life force, power and passion. Whatever holds us back, this stone's energy can give us the jolt to blossom and bring into being our ideas. It will kick up vital life force energies, strengthening the physical body bringing good health and the desire to take care of ourselves. This orangey red beautiful being will support us as we strive to make our physical selves healthy and beautiful, breaking addictive habits that harm us, bringing in the radiant life force that heals. Look for the places in your physical life that can benefit from an infusion of carnelian's gift of vital life force. Open yourself and take that energy in like a lover.


Rhodochrosite - Fire and water are the elements of this stone, connecting the root and heart chakras, energizing and balancing. Pale to deep pink, it is a stone of self-healing, working on all levels of our being, assisting us to maintain physical health and emotion well-being .  It soothes, comforts and brings joy. This stone truly comes from the heart of the Great Mother. Rhodochrosite bestows nourishing, healing energies, filling us, embracing us. Whatever our day brings, by wearing or carrying it, we have the support of this stone to keep us in a place of love and balance, its gentle guidance carrying us through the day. 


Turquoise - a master healer, stone of wholeness, with the purist of energies, turquoise  benefits us on all levels. It reminds us that all parts of ourselves reflect the Divine, there are no "bad" parts - all parts of us are sacred. Turquoise reaches its gentle energy toward us so that we are reminded we are beautiful, we are sacred, every bit, inside and out, around and about. 


Emerald - another stone of the water element, emerald's energy is about love and abundance. It helps us stay "in the heart" so that we express ourselves with compassion, acceptance and gratitude. Emerald opens us to all the blessings that our world has to offer and assists us in understanding that we are worthy to receive. Emerald's energy opens us to the love and abundance that is ours; we need only open our hearts and accept it.


Chrysocolla - This stone is a beautiful blue-green turquoise color that proclaims feminine power from the watery realms. It brings calming, cooling and balancing energies that soothe and heal. I call it a priestess stone because its empowering energy is strength tempered by wisdom and love. Chrysocolla  is also a stone that assists us in speaking our truth whether with words or by silence. It connects the root, heart and throat, so the priestess in us speaks openly,  confidently from the heart. This stone will cool and balance any chakra that is over-excited as it will emotion. It brings forth our wise, healing priestess, giving ourselves and others the benefit of the elemental powers of earth and water. 


Staurolite - This little cross shaped being brings much assistance for those of us feeling stress, depression and addictions. It is also known as the fairy stone and a stone of good luck. Staurolite helps us travel astrally and enter the fairy realms. Balancing and grounding, it connects all the realms enhancing our psychic abilities to see into them. It is also an aid in ritual and magical work. Staurolite lets us know that there is more to our world than just the physical and it is important to tend the garden of our spiritual lives. The other worlds are there if we choose to enter. Adventure and wisdom await.


Chrysanthemum Stone - Creation and manifestation is the energy of this beautiful stone, softly black bedecked with white "flowers." It inspires us to bring to fruition our ideas and desires. Whatever we wish to create, chrysanthemum stone can provide the loving nudge needed to begin, pushing aside that which may block the creative flow. It is a true stone of good fortune and abundance on many levels. Chrysanthemum stone is also an excellent stone for shamanic and healing work, even astral and time travel. This stone's energy assists us in pushing aside whatever discourages and obstructs our creative flow and achievement,  bringing a revitalizing surge of abundant fertile, positive energies. What ideas, projects or spiritual work in our lives need this loving push? Chrysanthemum stone offers to take us by the hand, a companion, guiding and inspiring.


Garnet - The deep velvet maroon Garnet has many positive powers to assist us. As I held it in my hand this morning I remembered that the word garnet is from the Latin word granatum, which means pomegranate. This brought to mind the Goddess Persephone who, to be honest is never far from my thoughts. At this time of year, we await Her return from the Underworld, inspiring Her mother, Demeter, to bring growth and fertility back to the Land. 
Garnet, with it's earthy nature brings the excitement of sensual romantic love, but it also brings non-romantic love energies: love of self, most importantly. We can only love others in a healthy way when we love ourselves in a healthy way.  Not over-stimulating, not overwhelming, just appropriate love and devotion, balanced, healthy love is what garnet brings to us. Garnet stirs love around us, but more than that, it shows us the enduring nature of love, through times of trial, separation, loss. Love remains and always is; love is always to be found and will always find us.




Lapis Lazuli: Looking at its deep blue surface flecked with gold and white, in Lapis Lazuli we see the Universe, space, the Otherworlds, all worlds. Here in our hands we hold a key, lapis, to many gates: the gates to spiritual guidance & inspiration, the gate to enlightenment, the gate to self-awareness,  the gate to our intuition and many others including the gate to our highest purpose. The amplified  energy of lapis surrounds us, encouraging us to take the key in hand, reach forward and open the gate. As priestesses and witches, we know that when we open one gate, it will lead us to the next and the next and the next.  When we use lapis in our ritual, shamanic or meditative workings, our journey is enhanced. Where will we start, which gate will we choose? We invoke the Lady's inspiration and step forward.


Danburite: Pale pink, the energy of Danburite is one of connection with the Goddess and release of stress and worry bringing serenity and peace. This stone connects the heart to the higher chakras aiding communication with guides and the Divine. This stone's energy intensifies our connection to the Goddess through our hearts. We feel Her loving energy and know that no matter where we travel during those workings, She will be there, the spirit of this stone, assisting us.


Unakite: This pink & green beauty's energy is one of gentle releasing of repressed negative emotions and bad habits. Unakite assists  us in finding the issues that contribute to illness & negative feelings, then truly release the behaviors that result - not just the emotions. Like a loving mother, this stone works gently and gradually, without  trauma. We can use Unakite's energy to gently bring to the surface that which does not benefit us, but we hold on to. We can peacefully let go of those feelings and habits that do not serve our highest good. 
Unakite is the perfect stone to add to any healing working. I have found it especially effective when combined with other energetic healing modalities.


Black tourmaline: This is a stone of great protective and repelling unwanted, harmful or negative energies while keeping one grounded. I wear one everyday and have larger pieces around my home. It makes a very effective grid for ritual work or home/office protection. Place a small piece in each of the four corners of the home to form a protective grid. This can be done outside, placing the tourmaline in the ground or inside.


There are just a few stones that I have found to be powerful allies. I would love to hear what your favorite stones are.


(compiled from various sources such as Melody's Love Is In The Earth, The Crystal Bible, Vols. 1 & 2 and personal experience.) 


Blessings nine!