STONES of the
GODDESS
STONES of the
GODDESS Crystals f for or the Divine Feminine
NICHOLAS PEARSON
Destiny Books Rochester, Vermont
Destiny Books One Park Street Rochester, Vermont 05767 www.DestinyBooks.com www .DestinyBooks.com Destiny Books is a division of Inner Traditions International Copyright © 2019 by Nicholas Pearson All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
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Text design and layout by Virginia Scott Bowman This book was typeset in XXXXX Photographs and illustrations by Steven Thomas Walsh unless otherwise indicated To send correspondence to the author of this book, mail a first-class letter to the author c/o Inner Traditions • Bear & Company, One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767, and we will forward the communication, or contact the author directly at www.theluminouspearl.com www.t heluminouspearl.com.
Contents
Acknowledgments
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Introduction: The Goddess as the Mother of Minerals 00
PART 1
Crystal Basics 1
Crystal Energy
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Your Crystal Toolbox
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PART 2
Meeting the Goddess 3
The Goddess in Herstory
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4
Facets of the Goddess
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5
The Triple Goddess of Stone
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6
Crystal Spells and Rituals
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PART 3
Crystals for the Divine Feminine 7
Compendium of Crystals
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Agate (Blue Lace Agate Fire Agate Moss Agate ◆
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Orbicular Agate) ◆
Ajoite ◆ Alabaster ◆ Amazonite ◆ Amber ◆ Amethyst ◆ Ammonite ◆ Aquamarine ◆ Aventurine ◆ Azurite-Malachite ◆ Biotite Lens ◆ Calcite (Cobaltoan Calcite Isis Calcite/Boli Stone Mangano ◆
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Calcite Orange Calcite Peach Calcite) ◆ Calcite) ◆ ◆
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Carnelian ◆ Chalcedony (Blue Chalcedony Chalcedony Rose ◆
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Moroccan Chalcedony Pink Chalcedony ◆
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Turkish Chrome Chalcedony) ◆ Chrysocolla ◆ Copper ◆
Coral (Red Coral White Coral) ◆ Coral) ◆ Creedite ◆ Cuprite ◆ ◆
Dioptase ◆ Emerald ◆ Fairy Stone Concretions ◆ Fossil Sea Urchin ◆ Garnet (Green Garnet) ◆ Garnet) ◆ Geode ◆ Holey Stone ◆ Jade (Blue Jade Lemurian Jade) ◆ Jade) ◆ ◆
Jasper Jasp er (Green Jasper Ocean Jasper Red Jasper) ◆ Jasper) ◆ ◆
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Jet ◆ Kamba Ka mbaba ba Stone ◆ Kunzit Ku nzitee ◆ Lap Lapis is Laz Lazuli uli ◆ Lari L arimar mar ◆ Lepidolite ◆ Malachite ◆ Moonstone (Black Moonstone Peach Moonstone Rainbow ◆
Moonstone White Moonstone) ◆ Moonstone) ◆ ◆
Nebula Stone ◆
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Obsidian (Green Obsidian Midnight Lace Obsidian Silver ◆
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Sheen Obsidian) ◆ Obsidian) ◆ Opal (Dendritic Opal Pink Opal White Opal) ◆ Opal) ◆ ◆
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Pearl (Mother-of-Pearl) (Mother-of-Pearl) ◆ ◆ Peridot ◆ Pink Tourmaline ◆ Quartz (Blue Tara Quartz Faden Quartz Isis Crystal ◆
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Lemurian Seed Crystal Moon Quartz ◆
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Romanian Smoky Quartz Rutilated Quartz Scarlet ◆
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Temple Lemurian Seed Crystal Cr ystal Veil of Isis Crystal ◆
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White Quartz Witch’s Finger Quartz) ◆ Quartz) ◆ ◆
Rainforest Rhyolite ◆ Rose Quartz ◆ Sakura Stone ◆ Sapphire (Padparadscha Sapphire Star Sapphire) ◆ Sapphire) ◆ Selenite ◆
(Desert Rose Selenite Peach Selenite Satin Spar Selenite) ◆ Selenite) ◆ ◆
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Serpentine Silver ◆ Tiger’s Eye ◆ Turquoise ◆ Vanadinite ◆ ◆
Vivianite ◆ Yeh Yeh Ming Zhu
A ppendix: Tables of Correspondences Appendix:
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Goddess ◆ Elemental ◆ Planetary ◆ Zodiacal
Notes
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Bibliography
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Index
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Acknowledgments
IT TAKES A TRIBE TO BIRTH A BOOK, from its humble beginnings
as the insight that inspired me, to the finished volume you hold in your hands. It would be impossible to list everyone who has helped in this venture, but know that my gratitude g ratitude flows to each person involved. First and foremost, to the many women I have known, thank you for everything you’ve done. Most people are fortunate to have a single mother, but I feel like I have been raised by a tribe of women: my mum, my birth mother, my grandmothers and great-grandmothers, my aunts—not to mention my innumerable friends, colleagues, teachers, and mentors. In some way or another you have shaped my life. My sisters, cousins, and other women in my family are also shining examples of the Divine Feminine in the everyday world. You have inspired me in so many ways, and it is my sincere wish that you be recognized as the goddesses you are. I couldn’t possibly name each of you, so I throw this blanket of gratitude as wide as the ocean over all of you. Thank you for being the living embodiments of the Goddess. Thank you for teaching me to see her in each of you, for you are the real-life Maidens, Mothers, and Crones. To Steven Walsh, thank you for your unerring support and artistic photography. Working with you on this book has been like making magick. I love you more than words can express. To Maggie Marullo, thank you for unknowingly inspiring me to reconnect with the Goddess, and for gifting materials to help me hone my magickal craft. To Sharron Britton, thank you for years of friendship, for sharing ix
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
your crysta crystall wisdom, and for supporting this and many other projects. Thank you for the magick that you work every day, and thank you for sharing your insights into the stones that speak most directly to the Goddess and her radiant heart. To Miranda Solace, thank you for helping me find a home amid your team at Avalon, in Orlando, Florida. I am so gratefu gratefull that you’ve allowed me to use the store and its selection of stones for many of the photos in this book, as well as for hosting my first “Stones of the Goddess” workshops. Thank you to the rest of the team at Avalon for becoming part of my spiritual family. To Mat Auryn and Dan Lupacchino, I am grateful for your effort in reading initial drafts of chapter 5 and providing feedback on the Triple Goddess of Stone. To Victor Lugh, thank you for the gift of the biotite lenses that you found in Portugal. To Kathy and Miguel, my gratitude extends to you for introducing me to Atabey and helping me connect to her gemstones. To the visionary team at Inner Traditions, I cannot thank you enough. Your expertise and experience have helped guide and refine this work into the beautiful book it is today. Thank you to everyone who has helped make Stones of the Goddess a reality.
INTRODUCTION
T he Goddess Goddess as the Mother of Minerals
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND Stones of the Goddess began with my
desire to deepen my connection to the tides of life, magick,* and mystery that keep the cosmos in order. What started out as a mere inkling in the back of my mind took root and grew as I worked on other projects. However, my personal muse kept highlighting the connections between the Divine Feminine and the mineral kingdom in ways that I could no longer ignore. I’ve always held a pluralistic, immanent view of the Divine. Having been raised in a not very religious household, from a young age I was given the freedom to explore spirituality on my own terms. Two areas of interest struck me in my early years and have stayed with me throughout my life, no matter which direction I have chosen to explore. The first is the mineral kingdom. I have managed to weave my love for rocks, minerals, crystals, and gemstones into virtually every aspect of my life, starting in adolescence and continuing to the present. The second area of interest that really spoke to me on some unknown level was the family of practices that you could loosely group under occultism.. That there are subtle forces umbrella terms like paganism or occultism magick in lieu of magic throughout this text. The *I have elected to use the spelling magick evidence in my library indicates that it is the preferred spelling of many occultists and witches today, and it is the spelling we use in my own spiritual community (with the k ending used to distinguish spiritual practice from stage performance). 1
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INTRODUCTION
that constitute some unseen reality that are responsible for everything that happens in the universe was something that I immediately recognized as true, even as a young person. Perhaps the most comforting theological idea I encountered was that the Divine (Creator, Source, God) wasn’t monopolized by any one religion, path, or teaching. Still more intriguing was the idea that many spiritual traditions regard the power responsible for creating and a nd sustaining the universe as not being exclusively male. As a young gay man still working out his own identity, the premise and feminine of perceiving divinity as both masculine and feminine (and sometimes neither) helped me in ways that I couldn’t quite express at the time. Over the ensuing years, my relationship with the Goddess has been a continual blessing. I believe that widespread acknowledgment, if not outright worship, of the Divine Feminine principle is necessary for humanity’s progress.
DEITY AS A S GODDESS, GOD, GOD, AND ALL When we look to the natural world, we find expressions of polarity and gender in many forms of life. The spiritual traditions that lean toward a polytheistic, pantheistic, or animistic worldview see this same expression of gender in the form of the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine. Among ancient peoples the archetypal Mother Goddess figure was frequently given greater emphasis in religious and magickal rites. In fact, there is evidence that some of the earliest human cultures may have first worshipped only the Goddess, a subject we will turn to in a later chapter. My experience of the Divine is that it is simply far too great for anyone to wrap their head around. Creator is truly beyond the words, symbols, and texts that attempt a definition. Nevertheless, we have been striving to achieve union with this spiritual source since humankind first appeared, and in this quest we have recognized that divinity already dwells within us and all of creation. The Divine Presence in its primal state is neither masculine nor feminine. This cosmic force entails the sum of both the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine,
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and as the principle of synergy reminds us, it is greater than the sum of its parts. However, this undefinable, ineffable, nearly unknowable essence of Creator, which I sometimes call the Divine Androgyne andros for “male” and g ynos for “female”—though this concept is (from andros (from and gynos much greater than the sum of the Goddess and God) is hard to relate to. This is where the idea of Goddess and God comes into play. Because humankind experiences itself through the lens of gender, it is easier to relate to divinity in the same manner. Qualities that are assigned to feminine roles in nature and society are thus attributed to the rulership of the Divine Feminine. These include the themes of pregnancy and childbirth, nurturing, maintaining the home, and more. Stereotypical male traits are similarly attributed to the Divine Masculine, including the themes of warrior, hunter, king, fertilizer, timekeeper, and others. Because of the principle of polarity, understanding one part of the spectrum enriches our understanding of the other. Thus by embracing the Goddess, we better understand her consort, the God, and vice versa. Remember, though, that while there are general trends among these traits, no single characteristic is universally regarded as either feminine or masculine, especially given the context of our changing world. By the same token, no individual person is wholly masculine or wholly feminine; we each have a trace of both the God and the Goddess within us.
MINERALS, THE SACRED CELLS OF THE EARTH EAR TH MOTHER Among the most widely recognized images of the Divine Feminine is the depiction of Mother Earth. Since our planet gave rise to life, we see the symbolic themes of conception, gestation, and birth wherever life arises on Earth. Though we traditionally view this through a biological lens, the same language can be translated to the mineral kingdom. In the cooling of molten rock we see the formative principles responsible for the genesis of crystal lattices—much the same way in which embr embryonic yonic cell cellss multipl multiplyy to build new life. The kingdo kingdom m of stones has long been associated with the Great Goddess. She rules
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INTRODUCTION
over the fertile soils composed of minuscule grains of weathered rock, and she has been petitioned in the depths of mysterious caverns whose forms are thought to represent her birth canal and womb. Even today, this motherly connection to rocks persists. Common in the mineral matrix, referring sciences is the term matrix, referring to the host rock in which a mineral forms. This word is Latin for “womb,” indicating the parallel relationship between rock and mineral genesis and the gestation of new life. Even the word matter is derived from mater, Latin for “mother.” All earthly substance is birthed from spirit by the Great Mother. The image of Earth as the body of the Great Mother is not new. The ancient Greeks knew her as Gaia, first-born out of the primordial void, or chaos. c haos. Gaia’s influence lives l ives on in the modern world. world . In science there is a model called the Gaia hypothesis that states that biological organisms and their inorganic surroundings have evolved together synergistically as a single living system. Self-regulating, this integrated system maintains and perpetuates the conditions for all life on the planet. This means that all living things—microorganisms, plants, animals, etc.—depend on and influence inorganic substances such as air, water, and rocks, to ensure that life continues. The premise of this model is that everything is interconnected. Traditional peoples the world over hold a similar view, wherein the mineral kingdom is perceived as part of the greater Gaia organism. Rock and stone, crystal and gem have all been regarded as the sacred cells of the Earth Mother. In the metaphysical community we often see quartz in particular described as the “brain cells” of the planet because they retain memories, or they are featured as Earth’s “lungs” because they breathe in the life force as we breathe in oxygen. When we hold stones we are literally holding the body of the Goddess. They become tangible tools for making change in our world by providing us with a link to the immanence of the Divine Feminine.
USING THIS BOOK In working within the context of occult traditions and the healing arts, I’ve done my best to write a book that appeals to all levels of exper-
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tise regarding stones and crystals. For this reason, part 1 of this book opens with a discussion of crystal basics. This includes preparatory information on working with crystals from a magickal perspective. As in my previous books you’ll find here a synthesis of spiritual practices and the science of rocks and minerals; this is intended to provide even experienced readers with new perspectives on how to work with crystals. This section includes hands-on techniques for working with your stones, including methods for cleansing, consecrating, and empowering your favorite tools. Part 2 focuses on the significance of the Divine Feminine. These chapters offer a glimpse at the many roles of the Goddess in history and mythology. Here I describe the stones that relate to each of the archetypes of the Divine Feminine. Chapter 5 looks at the Triple Goddess—Maiden, Mother, and Crone—through the lens of the rock cycle; it relates these three faces of the Great Goddess to the genesis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. You’ll also find an exploration of goddess-related symbols, along with sample grids, rituals, meditations, and other recipes for incorporating crystals into your magickal and spiritual practice. Part 3 is a compendium of crystals. After a brief introduction to the compendium, you will find over a hundred entries for various rocks, minerals, fossils, and gemstones that are intimately linked to the Divine Feminine. Each stone description contains references to myth and mineral science, and each provides suggestions for how to include the stone in your practice. The appendix includes several tables that summarize the magickal correspondences for the stones in this book. The first table describes various god goddess dess fig figures ures and their corresponding stones. Each god goddess, dess, saint, or heroine in the table is matched with her country or culture of origin, a few keywords about her, and whichever rocks, minerals, or gemstones correspond to her. The table has been compiled from a mix of traditional and contemporary source material, as well as from my own personal experience. Though I have attempted to cover as many aspects of the Divine Feminine—and as many stones—as possible, it would be an insurmount insurmountable able task to include ever everyy popular godd goddess ess in
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INTRODUCTION
this table. Furthermore, some of the goddesses and stones listed here are not described elsewhere in this book. Check the bibliography for an overview of the publications I consulted in constructing this table. The other tables found in the appendix consist of lists of elemental, planetarr y, and zodia planeta zodiacal cal correspond correspondences. ences. These lists include only the stones that appear in chapter 7. Use them for fine-tuning your magickal or healing practice.
THE CHANGING FACE OF THE GODDESS We live in a worl We worldd that is chan changin gingg at an unpre unpreced cedented ented pac pace. e. Technology, culture, and language are moving ahead, and many of us struggle to adapt. This points to what is really changing: human consciousness. As we move forward, so too does the collective consciousness, the communal soul of humankind. There is a metaphysical axiom that states “As above, so below.” It reveals that as one part of the cosmos changes, it mirrors all the other parts. part s. If humankind is changing , so, too, are our go gods. ds. In our world today this means that in a sense the patterns of the “old” Goddess are yielding to a new and emerging face of the Great Mother Mother.. The nature of the Goddess is the nature of change itself. Like the phases of the moon or the changes that take place in women’s bodies, the Goddess herself changes and adapts to the ebb and flow of consciousness. The mineral kingdom is here to support us during these times of transition and transformation, and an unimaginable variety of new crystals has made itself available to us in recent years—as if the Goddess herself has gifted us with the tools we need for our evolution.
PART 1
Crystal Basics
1
Crystal Energy
THE MINERAL KINGDOM PROVIDES US WITH some of the most
potent tools for magic magick, k, transformation, and heal healing. ing. Rock Rocks, s, cr crystals, ystals, gemstones, fossils, and minerals evoke their unique energetic connection to primordial Earth—a time that existed before the first appearance of humankind. These minerals are timeless beings, masters of crystalline perfection whose consummate composition and precise structure are the foundation of their energy and effects.
THE BASIS OF CRYSTAL ENERGY To understand what influences a crystal’s energy we first need to examine energy in general. You have probably come across the idea that the world of form that we see and experience on a daily basis isn isn’t ’t quite qu ite as solid as it seems. All matter is comprised of minuscule particles that are in constant motion. Most of these tiny particles are made of even tinier particles.. These little bits of matter are in continual flux, and what we particles perceive as solid is mostly empty space. More interesting still, still , when the tiniest, most basic units of matter (and energy) are examined, they can be either particles or waves; recently they have been observed as both at once! This means that packets of energy like photons, the fundamental unit of light, as well as other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum can exist as matter and have a measurable mass as a particle, or they can 8
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be pure energy—waveforms that have no mass. All matter produces fields, or EMFs, which are generfields of energy called electromagnetic fields, or ated by their component vibrating particles. EMFs and other forms of energy are measured by their frequency and their amplitude. Frequency is akin to a station on your radio; it’s the state of being that something is tuned to. Amplitude is the volume of the energy field. These electromagnetic fields expand in all directions simultaneously at the speed of light. They theoretically expand infinitely into space, but they are usually undetectable beyond a certain distance; this distance depends on the amplitude of the signal produced by the field. When two such energ energyy fields come into contact with each other they exchange information. You’ve probably felt the effects of this when some someone one wal walks ks into a room room.. Som Somee peo people ple rad radiate iate so much joy that you can’ can’tt help but smile, while others are capable of spreading their foul moods just as easily. This happens as a result of a proentrainment, wherein one energy field syncs with another. cess called entrainment, Entrainment is a function of amplitude rather than frequency, as the field with the greater amplitude—which is to say the louder volume— draws the other field into resonance with it. No matter what station you’ve set your etheric e theric dial dia l to, unless the amplitude is appreciably high, your energies can easily be offset by those around you. Why do we as cry crystal stal coll collectors ectors,, healer healers, s, and mag magick-makers ick-makers care about particles and waves and energy fields? In short, because there are tangible, measurable energies produced by every piece of matter in the universe—from you, to this book you are reading, to the gecko on the wall, to the stars. This of course includes crystals. Each energy field is unique; it is influenced by its chemical composition, its physical structure, and other factors. In living organisms we refer to these reso aura, the L-field, or sheath . nant fields of energy as the aura, the L-field, or the biomagnetic sheath. Living systems have highly variable vibratory signatures in their energy fields. This is because our thoughts, feelings, diet, location, pathology, and other factors fluctuate from moment to moment. Whenever there is discord in body, mind, or spirit, there is also disharmony represented in the energy field around us. Crystals, on the other hand, produce energy fields that are clear,
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CRYSTALS CRYST ALS BASICS
consistent, and highly ordered. This is a direct reflection of the inner perfection embodied in the mineral kingdom as a whole. The hallmark of crystallinity is order, which can be felt on all levels. Highly coherent energy fields such as those produced by crystals naturally have greater amplitudes. They can therefore entrain the lesser fields they encounter, thereby transforming disharmony into perfection. It is the innate perfection of crystals that provides their physical, optical, mechanical, and energetic properties, each of which has a corresponding spiritual effect. SOME HELPFUL TERMS
Although many people use the terms crystal, stone, and rock interchangeably, they each denote something different. Here are some brief explanations of these and related words: • Crystals are substances that exhibit regular composition and a geometric, symmetrical structure that repeats throughout. While crystals are typically solid, there are also liquid crystal states; for example, our bodies contain many crystalline substances, such as the hemoglobin in our blood and the calcium phosphates in our teeth and bones. The symmetrical, repeating framework of atoms, ions, and molecules in a crystal is called a crystal lattice. • Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic, homogeneous solids with a crystalline structure. Minerals always form as crystals, but the crystalline structure may not be readily seen by the naked eye. Organic crystals like those in your body don’t qualify as minerals, nor do stones like opal and obsidian, which meet most of the criteria except for lacking a crystalline structure. These materials are often called mineraloids, meaning “mineral-like.” • Rocks are aggregates of one or more minerals. The composition of rocks is fairly variable, although there are nevertheless some loose parameters in their classification. They can be igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic in origin. Limestone is an example of a rock comprised largely of a single mineral, calcite, whereas granite is predominantly made of feldspars,
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quartz, and biotite, and may contain dozens of other accessory minerals. • Stone Stone is is a solid substance of geologic origin. It often refers to rocks, especially those rounded by natural forces, but it can be loosely applied to any of the above materials. • Gemstones can be any of the preceding materials when they are used for adornment. Faceted diamonds are a gemstone made from a single element (crystalline carbon), while lapis lazuli is actually a metamorphic rock used as a gemstone. Organic materials like shells, pearls, coral, horn, and bone are frequently used as gems, as are mineraloids like obsidian, opal, and moldavite, though organic gems are better referred to as gem materials rather than gemstones.
FIVE ESSENTIAL CRYSTAL FUNCTIONS Because of their inherent order, crystals have certain unique physical, chemical, optical, and mechanical attributes. These properties are generally indicative of how crystals interact with energy as a whole. Crystals of all varieties are Oscillators ◆ Harmonizers ◆ Prisms and lenses ◆ Translators ◆ Recorders ◆
As oscillators, crystals are able to send and receive precise signals signals.. Quartz has a long history of being connected to crystal radio sets, and it is used as an oscillator in timepieces. It maintains a clear signal that can be transmitted, received, and translated across many media. Crystals of other minerals are equally capable of performing these duties; all crystal lattices act like fractal antennae, thereby making them ideal tools for broadcasting the message or intent you desire. In their role as harmonizers, crystalline materials work primarily
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to cohere energy or information. Quartz, for example, is an excellent polarizing medium. This means that as light passes through it, the phopho tons are arranged in perfect order so that the waves of both the electric and magnetic frequencies (as light is part of electromagnetic spectrum) of every photon are perfectly aligned with one another. Coherence is the greatest gift that crystals offer; it confers similar order, regularity, and precision to various energies, such as our thoughts and feelings. A secondary function of cohering energy is amplification; when all the components of an energy field are marching in step, the amplitude is increased. This is why quartz and other crystals are thought to amplify the energy of your intent. Crystals have long shared a relationship with light, as evidenced by their role as prisms and lenses. Light passing through prisms is broken into its components, revealing the full spectrum from which it is formed. Lenses reflect, and they also refract, albeit by bending the light onto a specific area of focus. Continuing with the optical imagery, crystals can illumine our internal world by reflecting our inner landscape and providing understanding by refracting its makeup to us. Crystals are tools of focus, just focus, just as a lens can focus a beam of light onto a single point. It’ It’ss worth noting that spiritual spiritually ly a cr crystal ystal does not need to be transparent to offer these benefits, which are derived by the interaction between the crystal (and its lattice) with subtle energy, rather than with visible light. Translation is the function is most often described in metaphysical books on crystals, although usually erroneously. This oft-cited mecha piezoelectricity, city, nism in quartz and a handful of other minerals is called piezoelectri which occurs as an electrical charge is created when the crysta crystal’l’ss lattice is bent or otherwise deformed under mechanical stress. Piezoelectricity, along with pyroelectricity (generating electricity from heat), and several optical phenomena like thermoluminescence and fluorescence, are all forms of transduction, wherein one type of energy or information is converted—i.e., translated—into another. Crystalline materials can similarly translate our ideas and intentions into the requisite frequencies to manifest healing, transformation, deeper connection to Source, or anything else we desire.
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Finally, the crystal lattices of rocks and minerals enable them to record energy and information. In this case, it is imperfection that pro vides this mechanism, as tiny flaws in the crysta crystall lattice leave gaps for electrons, photons, and other particles to become temporarily trapped. These open spaces, called lattice defects, are responsible for a crystal’s ability to store information. Since nature is always perfectly imperfect (or maybe that should be imperfectly perfect), all rocks and minerals contain these defects. Thus ancient stones keep a record of what they have witnessed, and crystal healers can program their tools by imprinting a specific intention within the lattice defects. Regular cleansing clears unnecessary or disharmonious patterns that may be encountered and subsequently stored in a stone in the course of an ordinary day. While the mechanisms described above are general qualities shared by all crystalline materials, the individual effects of different crystals and stones are determined by their composition, crystal system, mor pholog y, diaphaneity, specific gravity, hardness, and other physical and optical properties. To a lesser extent, color also affects the energy of a rock or mineral, although color is generally the result of composition and/or structure. Factors like mass, purity, shape, and color can also influence the unique personalities of individual specimens, thereby engendering two examples of the same mineral that are radically different tools. Crystalline materials such as rocks, minerals, and the crystals in your bod bodyy natural naturally ly perfo perform rm their roles as oscil oscillators lators,, harmon harmonizers, izers, prisms and lenses lenses,, transla translators, tors, and reco recorders rders in any gi given ven moment. Conscious direction and an intentional partnership with the stone are necessary to direct the focus of the minerals you are harnessing for any outcome.
THE ENERGETIC SIGNATURES OF STONES Human beings have been in relationship with the mineral kingdom since prehistory. Our Paleolithic ancestors fashioned the very first tools and ornaments from stone, and from this point on humans have been attributing symbolic and energetic significance to rocks and minerals,
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with the most beautiful and unusual stones receiving the greatest spiritual value. As a result of this partnering with humankind, the mineral kingdom has accrued various magickal correspondences that serve to explain and guide your work with crystals and gemstones. For example, since antiquity, gems have been assigned different astrological rulers. The symbolism of these correspondences may vary from one culture and spiritual tradition to the next, but overall these associations point to the deeper messages contained within the stones themselves. For instance, magnetite is not considered to have a Mars energy because it originates from the Red Planet but because its symbolism, and therefore its energy, is overtly Martian: energizing, mobilizing, and it is attracted to metals in a way that represents the ambition and drive of Mars. Likewise, moonstone doesn’t come from the moon, but it does convey lunar symbolism through its color and optical properties. Thus a stone may earn its astrological affinity based on its appearance and composition. Similarly, a stone’s astrological association may suggest its applicaton. A Saturnian stone such as calcite might be used to promote healthy bones and teeth, as this planet governs these aspects of the human body. Likewise, you might turn to a lunar stone such as selenite or moonstone to increase your intuition or to connect more deeply to a mother or child. A stone’s esoteric and healing properties often derive from what is known as the doctrine of signatures, which is an aspect of the spiritual axiom “As above, so below.” The doctrine was initially proposed by Swiss physician, esoterist, and astrologer Paracelsus (1493–1541) and expanded by German philosopher and mystic Jakob Böhme (1575–1624), who wrote that God marked objects with a sign or “signature” indicating their purpose. Many herbalists are familiar with this concept, wherein a kidney-shaped herb may help the kidneys, or an herb with a flower that resembles a human eye can be used to treat eye conditions. This same idea has been applied to stones. In the mineral kingdom, we see stones like tiger’s eye, so named for its resemblance to the big cat’s eyes, relating to vision and and sight, both in the literal and metaphorical senses. Different cultures may also ascribe different corresondences for the
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same crystal or gemstone. Emerald, for example, has long been connected to the planet Venus because like the planet, it relates to matters of the heart. However, in ancient Vedic astrology, emerald is the principal stone of Mercury, and in the esoteric Theosophical teachings that emerged in the nineteenth century, emerald is ruled by Saturn. Each of these unique planetary signatures—Venus, Mercury, and Saturn—can be accessed through the same stone, emerald, which makes it a versatile tool for rituals, spells, and healing spellcraft. Elemental correspondences can be similarly multifaceted. Obsidian, a natural volcanic glass, is a dense stone commonly used for grounding, protection, and introspection. Its characteristic black color is due to the dense metallic elements contained within this mineral; these help account for obsidian’s earthy elemental signature. Since obsidian is birthed by volcanic activity and was once fiery, molten lava, it also con veys a strong fire association. Finally Finally,, the once-fluid nature of obsidian is an ideal representation of the element of water, while in traditional Chinese medicine black usually represents water. In this particular stone, not all these correspondences have an equal presence; for exam ple, obsidian has a stronger fire element e lement than it does a water element e lement in its makeup, while earth is likely somewhere between the two. A stone’s energetic signature may be obtained by its appearance, color, texture, composition, or morphology. Nephrite, a form of jade, has long been used for beauty, longevity, and overall health. Its crystal structure is comprised of tiny fibers of crystals that are crumpled, twisted, and woven together. This actually resembles the structure of collagen in your body—the same tissue responsible for maintaining a youthful appearance. The ancient Chinese masters certainly didn’t have the means to microscopically examine the composition of jade, but they nevertheless found a way to tap into the energy generated by jade’ss structure and formation, as they used jade to rejuvenate the skin jade’ and promote beauty. Similar and more obvious signatures exist, too. Hematite, whose name derives from the Greek word for “blood,” changes from silvery gray to blood red when powdered. Like the hemoglobin that makes our blood red, this stone contains iron; it has long been used to staunch
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bleeding, to protect against wounding, and to bring vigor, courage, and vitality—even vitalit y—even before the ancients knew about the common element in both blood and this stone. Apatite, one of the crystalline components of bone tissue, is a favorite among modern crystal healers for strengthening the skeletal system. Each of these signatures lends itself to multiple applications and interpretations. As magick-makers our goal is to select the stones and crystals that best match our intentions, which is an exercise in creativity.
STONES AS ARCHETYPES While some magi magickal ckal correspondenc correspondences es are the direct result of certain features common to all crystals, such as the chemical, optical, physical, and mechanical properties of a rock or mineral, other correspondences have no particular scientific model to explain their function. For exam ple, what makes copper minerals especial especially ly Venusian? Or why is obsidian so protective? The short answer is, because we believe it to be so. But why? The idea that crystals and other stones hold different kinds of spiritual power is deeply embedded in the collective consciousness. These kinds of associations transcend location, time, language, and culture, making them truly archetypal. In contrast to the Jungian archetypes, which are mythic roles and personae dwelling solely in the colle collective ctive consciousness, the archetypes of stones are the domain of mythology and anthropology, art and industry, language and religion, geology and medicine. For years I struggled to find a way to adequately describe this ethnogeology when I wrote kind of study; I finally settled on the term ethnogeology my first book, The Seven Archetypal Stones. It’s a word that points to the intersection of the human world and the mineral world of stone, the space where the archetypal spiritual symbols of the mineral kingdom dwell. The archetypes conveyed by crystals and gemstones are a part of our mutually agreed-on reality. We as a collective human species have always co-created with the mineral kingdom. Each time we employ a stone for healing, spellcraft, or personal transformation, we are tapping to a current of energy that has been accumulating since earliest time.
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Biologist Rupert Sheldrake coined the term morphic resonance to describe the paranormal influence by which a pattern of events or behavior can facilitate subsequent occurrences of similar patterns. Although Sheldrake used this theory to explain laws of nature, it applies equally to spiritual, archetypal patterns. Over eons, the raw belief in the power of rocks and minerals has generated its own field of energy. Wee tap into that timeless field of potential W potentiality ity each time we connect to crystals in a meaningful way. The energy we experience in ritual, meditation, or when we wear a favorite crystal isn’t merely the product of that crystal’s precise composition and perfect structure. Rather, the power we feel is the end result of a legac legacyy older than recorded histor historyy, one passed on to you the very moment you met your first stone. In this book we will be examining these spiritual symbols and archetypes through the lens of the Goddess in her many guises. Some of the earliest religious rites were matrifocal and goddess-centered; stones were surely part of those acts of worship. A wealth of mythical and folkloric traditions related to goddesses and gemstones survives today, and it has intersected with modern innovations in culture, the rise of Neopaganism, and heightened interest in all things related to crystals.
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Your Crystal Toolbox
ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECTS of working with
stones is building your collection. Rocks, minerals, crystals, and gemstones are beautiful treasures with a value that far exceeds their material worth. Before learning how to use your stones in spellcraft it is necessary to build a personal relationship with them so you can understand how to get the most from your connection with them. Whether you intend to use them for healing or for ritual (or both), the only way to efficiently and effectively co-create with any mineral is by developing an affinity for it. No two specimens are exactly alike, no matter how similar they may appear at first glance. Spend time with each of your stones in order to learn its persona personalit lityy, energ energyy, and quirks. You may find that some specimens don’t fit the textbook definition for a given stone and thus they may have a different spiritual effect. To get the most from your collection of stones, a little preparatory methodology will help you and your specimen sync up. Likewise, by setting the right intention from the moment you choose a stone, you set the tone of co-creation. Below you will find some helpful guidelines and exercises to use when working with your stones.
CHOOSING YOUR STONES If you’re reading this book I’m sure you’ve had the experience of walking into a crystal shop and marveling at the wide array of specimens. Even after decades of collecting I still feel awe in the presence of these 18
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truly magickal gifts of Mother Earth. Getting started with your work with crystals cr ystals means that at some point p oint you’ll need to pick p ick some crystals and gemstones to take home with you, and that can be a daunting task. Recently, my friend and colleague Brian Parsons invited me to contribute a short article to an online group that we oversee about how I select my stones. He knows that I am an avid collector with some experience in the field of mineral science. Brian thought it would be nice to read about how that type of background informs my decision-making process. The challeng challengee was that I just didn’ didn’tt know how to sum up the how and why behind my selection methods. Try as I might to be an informed buyer looking for something very specific, there is always a strong chance that I will choose a new mineral specimen because of some sort of indescribable draw. Some stones just pull you in. There are a lot of books that give you recommendations on how to choose your stones. Look for the one that jumps out at you, they say. Or wait until you find one that makes your hand tingle, others insist. At the end of the day you’ll probably weigh a lot of factors to find the perfect new addition to your crystal toolbox. I usually sort stones by their grade, as I typically prefer higher-quality minerals. Then, after assessing everything visually, I just feel just feel the stones. This usually helps me narrow it down pretty well, because even my logical brain seeking the most perfect specimen is often trumped by the invisible connection a less-than-perfect crystal offers to me. Don’t worry if there aren’t any mystical sensations when you first begin working with crystals. If you don’t find yourself drawn to anything in particular, there are other methods for choosing the right tool. Many people use dowsing methods such as a pendulum, while others use applied kinesiology (also called muscle testing ) to determine the best stones for them. Still others will consult their favorite books to pick a stone; this practice can be risky, though, as soon you may find yourself in need of every stone imaginable according to what the books says. Perhaps the best way to ensure that you have the right new addition to your collection is to simplyask for guidance. Connect to the Divine in whatever manner works for you, whether with an elaborate prayer to the Goddess or a simple request for help. By surrendering the process
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to the guidance of the God and Goddess, there is surely a chance that the stones you connect with will change your life.
CLEANSING YOUR STONES clearing, is the one step in crystal Cleansing, sometimes referred to as clearing, work that can make or break the success of your work. In the previous chapter we explored how crystals function as recorders; their natural inclination is to keep a record of the energy fields with which they come in contact. These energy patterns aren’t inherently negative or disharmonious; rather, they may simply not be congruent with the intention you are working to manifest. Cleansing your crystals regularly helps to sweep away unnecessary energetic patterns so that you and your crystals can focus more precisely on the task at hand. According to crystal expert Naisha Ahsian, cleansing and clearing methods generally fall into two different camps: those that are physicsbased, and those that are faith-based. Examples of physics-based cleansing methods are those that directly interact with the crystal lattice of the stone: using sound, alternately washing in warm and cool water, and similar methods serve this purpose. Most other methods fall into the faithbased camp; they work because of our innate belief in them. With this method we tap into the same potential fields of morphic resonance as described in the previous chapter. Some of these belief-driven methods include sunlight and moonlight, sacred smoke, flower petals, and oils. Arguably each of these methods has its own signature energy field, but there is no proof that it makes any tangible change in the crystal’s lattice. A handful of methods make use of both science and the the power of belief, such as the method used by Marcel Vogel, described on page X [x [x-re -reff ]. There are probably as many cleansing methods as there are people who collect crystals. We all have our own personal touch that we add to our work with wi th the the min miner eral al kingd kingdom om,, whic whichh allows allows for for cus custo tomiz mizat atio ion n and and perso personal naliz izaation while we develop a relationship with our stones. Here is a short list of many of the more popular methods involved in cleansing and clearing: Salt ◆ Water ◆
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Oils, such as lavender, lavender, sandalwo sandalwood, od, or lemon Immersing Im mersing in flower petals, brown rice, or dried herbs Drawing a banishing pentagram over the stone Using the breath Cleansing with with symbols of the four four elements elements Smoke, such as from sag sagee or incense incense Passing through a candle flame Sunlight or moonlight Burying in the earth Showering in rain Washing with flower essences essences such as crabapple, magnol magnolia, ia, garlic, or yarrow Immersing Im mersing in in sacred sound sound such as chanting, chanting, toning, toning , bells, or singing bowls
It would be a monumental task to explain how each of these cleansing methods works. Instead, let’s take a brief tour of some of the more popular methods. Water W ater is a universal solvent, and the element of water in magick magickal al practice can represent cleansing and release. Water is a popular means of cleansing crystals, too, though I’ve had many a student report that they resorted to immersing their favorite new stone under water only to find that it was irreparably damaged. Many stones aren’t suited to getting wet, including halite, marcasite, some calcites, selenite (gypsum), and many others. Generally, soft and fragile stones should not be soaked in water; similarly, avoid saturating crystal clusters or specimens on their matrix rock in water, as the rock matrix may crumble. Dissolved minerals in tapwater can also mar the finish on stones like lapis lazuli, malachite, calcite, and fluorite. Many practitioners will soak their crystals in pure water or holy water, usuall usuallyy made from a combination of water and salt salt.. However, salt can be problematic, as it can damage many stones. Water-stable stones like corundum (ruby and sapphire), beryls, members of the quartz family, and other tough stones are well-suited to being cleansed with water water.. The most effective method, however, is to gently rinse the
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stones in alternating warm and cool water, as that will cause the crystal lattice to expand and contract—a bit like wringing out a sponge. (See the exercise that follows for more details.) Cleansing by sound is quite a popular method as well. You can use singing bowls, drums, ritual bells, cymbals, or your own voice. Other instruments and even recordings of sacred sound or music are helpful, too. This method of cleansing stones is excellent because it makes use of little or no props (if you use your own voice), so that it can be performed almost anywhere (as long as it’s acceptable to make some noise). Sound works to cleanse crystals by causing minute deformations of the crystal lattice; the sound itself is a vibrating column of air that bends and squeezes the crystal lattice when it makes contact with the stone. This frees any trapped particles or waves of energy within the lattice defects. Ceremonial cleansing can consist of anointing the stone with holy waterr or oil, passin wate passingg the stone th through rough repr represen esentati tations ons of the four elements, or exposing your gems to sunlight or moonlight. Be wary of some of these methods, however, as salt and sand can scratch delicate crystals, moisture and oil can discolor or damage porous stones, and sunlight causes most of the colored gemstones such as amethyst to fade. Consult a good reference book to ensure that you won’t be doing more harm than good when clearing your crystals. In these cases, try using a consciousnessdriven method, such as the technique pioneered by crystal healer and former IBM scientist Marcel Vogel.* Vogel’s method consists of quieting the mind and visualizing a purifying, white light. You then breathe this light into your body, and exhale it into your stone with a short pulse of the breath through the nose. By using a deep inhale and short exhale through the nose, the breath takes on a minute ionic charge; it is this energy— guided by your consciousness—that interacts with the stone itself. Few of us cleanse our crystals often enough, although the frequency required will differ in each situation. Think of it as like washing the sheets on your bed; we don’t all subscribe to the same schedule. With your stones, the nature and intensity of the work in which you are engaged, as well as the frequency of use, will be determining factors in *For more information on Vogel’s cleansing technique, see my other works, The Seven Archetypal Stones and Crystals for Karmic Healing.
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figuring out when to cleanse your stones. Jewelry that you wear every day without witho ut fail would benef benefit it from more regular cleansi cleansing, ng, especially when you are stre stressed ssed or proces processing sing difficult emot emotions. ions. Stones reserved for use in ritual may only need an occasional gentle cleansing. As you develop a relationship with your crystals, you will be able to tune into their state of being and assess their needs. Alternately, you may have success with dowsing (via a pendulum, especially) to discover when your stones need to be cleansed. � Cleansing Cleansin g Stones with Water Water is probably the simplest medium m edium for cleansing your stones. Ensure that your crystals are water water-stable; -stable; I suggest using only nonso nonsoluble luble and nonfr nonfriable iable minerals. Although softer stones can be cleansed in water, those with a hardness of less than 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness may have their finishes dulled over time from dissolved solids in your water. For this method you’ll need access to running water water.. You You may want a plastic colander or strainer to hold your specimens, as well as a towel to dry them with afterward. For a single stone, you can cleanse it in your hand; for larger quantities or specimens, place them in a strainer. In your sink or bathtub, place the stones under warm running water for approximately five to fifteen seconds. Gradually lower the temperature of the water and allow the cool water to rinse over the stones for the same amount of time. Repeat the process at least one more time. For stones that require heavier cleansing, you should repeat this process several times. Note that with this method the temperature of the water should not be outright hot or cold. Rapid temperature changes can cause delicate stones to break apart. Dry Dr y your stones on a towel, or air dry dr y. I like to place stones that don’t fade in sunlight on a sunny windowsill to air dry. � Cleansing Stones with the Four Elements When I have an exceptional new crystal or gemstone, I sometimes like to cleanse it more ceremonially. This simple rite uses physical representatives of the four elements to cleanse the stone. Gather the crystal cr ystal that you would like to cleanse, then a fresh candle to represent fire, incense for air, a vessel of water water,, and dish of salt or soil for earth. As before, ensure that the crystal is compatible
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Use representatives representatives of the four elements to cleanse a crystal. with water and salt, so as not to cause any damage. Lay all of the ritual tools in a circle around the stone (or stones) you will be cleansing. Bless or consecrate the elemental symbols according to the tradition that you follow. follow. Start by holding the stone in your hands. For several at once, hold your hands over the stones, palms down. Ask the Goddess and God to guide and bless your ritual to cleanse your stone. Draw a banishing pentagram with the first two fingers of your dominant hand (or with a wand or athame) over the stone on your altar. altar. Visualize the pentagram in blue or violet light; allow it to loosen disharmonious or unnecessary energy patterns from the stone. Gently sprinkle the stone with salt or soil. For softer stones that might be damaged by this action, sprinkle the salt in a circle around the stone. Say, “Element of earth, cleanse this stone. May your blessings bring support and grounding.” Pass the stone through the smoke of the incense; alternately, you can waft the smoke over the stone with your hand or a feather. Say, “Element
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of air, sweep away impurity from this stone. May you bring gifts of movement and flow.” Next, hold the stone above the candle’s flame; you can quickly and carefully pass it through the flame, but ensure that you harm neither yourself nor the stone. Say, Say, “Element of fire, burn away any patterns that no longer serve. May your light and warmth surround this stone.” Sprinkle the stone with water, or sprinkle the water in a circle around the stone if it could be damaged by moisture. Say, Say, “Element of water water,, wash away whatever remains. With your grace this stone is refreshed and restored.” Return the stone to its position in the center of the elements. The cleansing is now complete. One of the secrets to cleansing this way is to really feel the power behind the symbolic movements and words. Don’t just go through the actions by rote; instead, surrender your entire awareness to these conscious acts of magick. Do not proceed from one element to the next until you sense that it has done its work.
DEDICATION AND CONSECRA CONSECRATION TION Dedicatio n is a term I have not found in many crystal books of late. Dedication It is a simple step in preparing a stone for use, yet one that can make an enormous difference. In short, dedication is the act of inviting your crystal or gemstone to be used only for works of the highest order, i.e., they are dedicated for sacred rather than profane uses. While dedication seems to have fallen out of favor among many crystal therapists, witches and magi magick-m ck-makers akers often perform consecration rituals, which are effectively analogous to dedication. Consecration means “to make sacred.” In the case of crystals and gemstones, these precious stones are already sacred, as they are part of the body of the Earth Mother. Consecration in this case is our act of dedicating such that the stones continue to be sacred, by using them in perfect love and perfect trust. The outcome is that your crystals are instilled with an underlying program that supersedes any subsequent intentions; your stones will automatically seek to harmonize your intention with the unconditional love that flows from the Goddess and the God. It also ensures that your beloved crystals won’t inadvertently
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pick up negative or detrimental energies that they may encounter encounter.. Generally, your stones only need to be dedicated or consecrated once. After acquiring a new stone, cleanse it thoroughly and follow the directions below, or devise your own consecration method. � Consecrating Your Stone Once your new stones are cleansed, place them on your altar with a white candle. You You may burn incense if you like; select a scent such as sandalwood to uplift the energy energy.. Light the candle and spend a few short moments clearing your mind. mind. Place Place the stone(s) stone(s) in your your hand, hand, or hold hold your hands hands above above them them if they are too large to comfortably hold. Recite the following incantation: Stone be sacred—holy Earth Innate perfection, boundless worth Blessed to work by Goddess above In perfect trust and perfect love I dedicate you to this cause Bound to uphold the cosmic laws
As you speak these words, imagine that your stone(s) are being filled with a brilliant white light. When finished, draw an equal-armed cross above the stone with your hand to seal the working.
PROGRAMMING AND EMPOWERI EMPOWERING NG If you are using crystals for healing, programming is an essential practice that helps to focus and fine-tune the work you do with your stones. Over the years I have found that many magickal practitioners may be unfamiliar with the term programming, term programming, yet yet they often engage in analogous practices, such as empowering or charging magickal tools. To me, empowering or charging means “to imbue an object or tool with a magickal inten intention. tion.”” Essentially, this overlaps with programming, which is the process of instilling a specific intention or goa goall into a crystal. Programming or empowering takes advantage of a crystal’s innate ability to store information, which results from the minute imperfections and vacancies in its crystal lattice, as described in the previous chapter. With focused intent and a genuine connection to your crystal
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or gemstone, you can implant a specific set of directions into the stone, thereby installing a program that influences how it functions. The benefits of programming or empowering are many. For one, a mineral such as quartz has a wide range of functions; programming helps it narrow those down to a single purpose. This, in turn, makes your work with a crystal more effective effective.. Second, and arguably more importantly, when you program your crystals you are also programming yourself. Repeating your intention or goal as well as visualizing it helps you believe that the end result is attainable. Programming helps you drown believe out the voice of your inner saboteur, who constantly lets you know that you aren aren’’t good enough, successful enough, rich enough, etc. Thu Thuss you are consciously training your mind to aim for the goal at hand. Empowering or charging a magickal tool like a crystal gives you the same result. Ultimately, this practice entails distilling your intention to a single word or phrase, or perhaps associating it with a color or symbol that you can visualize filling the crystal. Additional tools such as candles, incense, or oils may be used, but they are nothing more than props; the real magick takes place in your own mind. I usually suggest to my students that they program their crystals as often as possible. It is especially helpful to charge or program any crystals or gemstones that you intend to use in ritual or spellcraft. You can easily work this step into the act of magick itself. Crystals can be cleansed and reprogrammed on a weekly basis if they are worn daily; this helps maintain the integrity of the program within them. In other cases you may choose not to cleanse a crystal (and effectively erase its programming)) until your programming yo ur outcome has manifested. � Programming Your Stone: Version 1 This method is ideal for stones that are small enough to hold. Select a freshly cleansed crystal or gemstone that matches your intention. Formulate a short affirmation or phrase to support your goal, such as, “Money flows to me effortlessly in ever-increasing amounts.” As an alternative you can select a color or symbol that t hat represents your magickal intention. You You might visualize gold coins, banknotes, or the balance of your bank account growing, or you can simply visualize colors that represent abundance, such as gold or green. Hold the stone in your dominant hand, at your brow. Repeat your
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affirmation (silently or out loud) while picturing your chosen symbol or color. Let the image sharpen in your mind’s eye, then mentally project it into the stone as you continue to repeat your affirmation. When you feel that the stone is completely saturated with the energy of your intention, lower the stone to your heart
� Programming Your Stone: Version 2 For this version you’ll need to gather the t he appropriate gem, an oil to anoint it with that matches your magickal intent, and any incense or candles that you would like to use. You You may make this short ritual as simple or involved as you like. In lieu of the script below, you can write down your own incantation and choose to add a circle and quarter calls (described in chapter 6). In this way, empowering a gemstone can become a full-fledged ritual, or it can be shortened to t o fit within the context of a larger working. Place the stone on your altar or other working surface. Light a candle and some incense if you opt to include them. Gently dab a small amount of the oil on your stone (as long as it is safe to do so; some softer minerals can be damaged by this). Draw an invoking pentagram over the stone, place your hands, palms down, above the stone, and recite the following: I empower this [ type of stone] stone] with the energy of [intention]. May [intention]. May it serve to anchor this energy in my life, radiating it out into the universe.
Envision the stone being filled with your intention. You You may feel your palms tingle as the stone becomes saturated with the intended energy. When finished, draw an equal-armed cross over the stone to seal the intention. If desired, leave the candle and incense burning in a safe place, and proceed to use your stone in the appropriate application.
THE MANY FORMS OF CRYSTALS The mineral kingdom blesses us with a wide range of tools that we can employ in magick and healing. Trying to figure out which tool is the right one for the job can be dizzying. To help you become a little better acquainted with the many forms that rocks, minerals, gemstones, and crystals can take, descriptions of the more popular forms are out-
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lined below. Special attention will be given to those forms that have an innate connection to the Divine Feminine.
Rough Gemstones in their raw, unpolished form are usually referred to as “rough.” They may or may not exhibit crystal faces depending on how and where they have been sourced. Rough stones tend to have a slightly more erratic energy than their polished counterparts. In this form, crystals and gemstones have versatile uses, such as in a crystal grid, placed on the body for healing, carried in a magickal pouch or conjure bag, placed on an altar, or simply carried in your pocket.
Assorted rough stones
Tumbled Tumbled gemstones may be the easiest and most versatile form available. The lack of sharp edges and rough surfaces means that they are generally more comfortable to wear, carry, or placing on the body. They are usually inexpensive, readily available, and easy to store. Tumbled stones can be used in virtually any application.
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An assortment of tumbled tumbled stones stones
Points (Polished and Natural) I remember receiving my first terminated quartz crystal decades ago. To this day I still find its natural geometry charming. Crystal points have fascinated humankind for millennia; they are woven into the mythology and folklore of cultures around the world. Terminated crystals are essential tools for any crystal-loving magick-maker; they direct energy and work like natural wands (more on crystal wands later in this chapter). While not all minerals form natu naturally rally termi terminated nated crystals, it is usually possible to find a variety of stones that have been cut and polished into such forms. Terminated crystals offer a directional focus in spellcraft and ritual, and they can be combined with other stones in myriad ways. Natural and polished crystals of quartz are all-purpose tools that can be programmed program med or charged with virtu virtually ally any magickal or ritual inte intentio ntion. n. Generators and Obelisks Many polished crystals are given a flat base, thus allowing them to stand upright. When cut with equal-sized facets at the termination, these crystals are often called “generator crystals,” while others take on a more classical obelisk shape. The effect is much like an antenna sending out a signal. These crystals can adouble as wands and can be used like ordinary single-terminated crystals.
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Crystal points
Polished Pol ished obelisks obelisks and crystal points points
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Crystals such as these derive their generator effect from their pointed shape, which can produce substantial force, thus making them excellent tools to use in spells, grids, and many other applications. Generators and obelisks serve as a focal point for the energy of crystal grids, helping to cohere the energies of all the components before amplifying and releasing the energy of the overall grid. Magickally, these crystals have a more masculine energy, and they can be used on your altar to symbolize the Goddess or the God.
Double-Terminated Crystals When crystals exhibit points at both ends they are called doubleterminated . Most such stones available today have been polished to render a point at each end; naturally double-terminated crystals are appreciably less common. Crystals with two points are often said to simultaneously transmit and receive energy or information. Their overall effect is that of movement and connection, as they can help you link up energy centers, ideas, or the influences of other stones. In most cases, polished stones have a similar, though milder, effect as their naturally occurring counterparts.
Crystals with terminations at each end
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Clusters Crystal clusters form when the crystals of a particular mineral species are densely packed together. A cluster usually attaches to a host rock, called a matrix . Clusters of various quartzes, like clear and smoky quartz, amethyst, and citrine, are commonly available.
Assorted clusters clusters
Clusters support the transfer of energy by diffusing an intention or goal in a much wider field than single crystals. They symbolically represent community and family, thus they can help stabilize and harmonize groups of people. Clear quartz clusters can be used to amplify and broadcast the energy of smaller stones placed atop them. Many practitioners use quartz or amethyst clusters to clear or charge other crystals; personally persona lly I find other methods more effective for reg regular ular use, as the cluster itself needs to be cleansed or cleared afterward. In spellcraft, clusters can lend more heft to your working. Try writing your intention or goal on a piece of paper and tucking it beneath the base of your crystal cluster during ritual; this will serve to carry your goal outward, thereby helping it to manifest.
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Assorted geodes
Geodes Geodes are rounded vugs—cavities in rock lined with crystals. Named for their resemblance to our planet, most geodes are hollow, and they may be comprised of virtually any mineral. Geodes are wonderful tools for tapping into the energy of the Earth Mother since they represent her womb. They can tap into a variety of goddess archetypes as well, determined by the minerals they contain. A simple way to employ geodes in spellcraft is to write out your wish or inten intention tion on a slip of paper paper,, then fold it up and place it within the two halves of a geode. Secure the halves with some yarn or ribbon (the color of which matches your intent). Keep the geode on your altar until your desire has manifested. Think of the geode as a sacred vessel in which the inte intention ntion or goal is incubati incubating ng,, as if it were in the Goddess’ Goddess’ss womb. You can tailor your work with a geode to be as simple or elaborate as you like, by including candles, oils, herbs, and other tools. A special variety of geode, the thunder egg, is not hollow, as it is entirely filled in by the crystals growing within the vug. These stones can be potent healing tools, and they often tap into a Chironic energy, helping to heal the wounded healer. Many thunder eggs have a more
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masculine, warriorlike presence, depending on the mineral content and location in which they are found.
Spheres The image of a crystal ball evokes the sense of something mystical. Spheres of polished quartz crystal or other gemstones have a strong connection to magickal forces, especially those connected to the Goddess in her many guises. The shape of these stones echoes that of the planets, stars, moon, and sun; even our own auras—bodies of light in their own right—are rounded. Crystal spheres symbolize the power of the Goddess because of this relationship to the celestial bodies; they are tools to tap into the cosmic forces that she embodies.
Gemstone spheres
Crystal spheres are three-dimensional representations of the circle. Like the magick circle cast before a ritual begins, spheres have no beginning and no end. The circle and the sphere encompass All That Is, just as the Goddess herself embraces all of creation. The symmetry of spheres is a physical embodiment of the principle of correspondence, the spiritual law of “As above, so below.” Spherical gems can be used to connect to the heavenly forces to enact magickal changes here on the material plane. Gemstone spheres are potent healing tools. Because of their form, spherical stones draw in energy and radiate it out in all directions equally. They are symbols of completion and wholeness, so they resonate with healing at all levels of our being, from the physical body to the
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nonphysical, spiritual bodies. Gemstone therapy, a form of healing with crystals that emphasizes quality and consistency, makes use of gemstone spheres almost exclusively because of their efficacy. Spheres can also be used in ritual to radiate your intentions out into the universe, to symbolize the Goddess, to tap into Earth energy, and for attracting a lunar influence in spells. Spheres are excellent tools for protection, as they relate to the protect pro tective ive influ influenc encee of the magick circl circle, e, which which in reality is also spheric spherical. al.
Eggs Gemstone eggs are naturally imbued with the energy of the Divine Feminine. They represent the womb of the Goddess and signify her creative influence. A number of creation myths describe the world (or the universe) as being born of a cosmic egg. In general, eggs symbolize Earth herself, as well as fertility, creativity, birth, and resurrection. As eggs are laid by female creatures, they directly tap into the energy of the Mother Goddess. In healing work, egg-shaped stones are employed for stress relief, and they also make wonderful massage tools. Gemstone eggs can be
Eggs carved from various stones
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used for healing issues related to sexuality and reproduction. Egg stones are gently protective and may be carried, worn, or placed in such a way as to gently veil a person or place in their protective embrace. In ritual, a polished egg can be placed on the altar as a representation of the Goddess, especially if it is carved from a crystal or gemstone with strong Goddess energy, such as moonstone, selenite, clear quartz, or moon quartz (girasol). Crystal eggs are especially pertinent to the celebration of the festival days of Imbolc (a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring) and Ostara (the namesake of the Christian festival of Easter), as they awaken a current of springtide energy and fertility.
Wands Crystals make excellent wands. The naturally elongated form of minerals like quartz, tourmaline, stibnite, kyanite, and selenite lends itself to
An array array of crystal wands
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the projective applications of a magickal wand. Polished wand shapes such as Vogel-cut crystals* (as developed by former IBM scientist Marcel Vogel) as well as other pointed tools can be used in the same fashion. Wands made from wood, copper, pewter, and other materials are also sometimes tipped with quartz and other gemstones. The wand, with its phallic shape, is a masculine tool that represents the Divine Masculine principle—the God. Use crystal wands in rituals for casting circles, for invoking the quarters and Divinity, for raising and directing the cone of power, and for providing balance to the Divine Feminine principle (these ritual methods of consecration are described in chapter 6). Wands made from polished gemstones can also be used for healing, massage, and bodywork.
Cups and Bowls Cups and bowls made of gemstone are excellent tools for connecting to Goddess energies, as cups, bowls, chalices, cauldrons, and other vessels are symbols of the Divine Feminine in all magickal traditions and in many cultures. They are often used as symbolic representations of the Goddess and factor into rituals like the Great Rite. Crystal and gemstone cups and bowls represent the womb of the Goddess, acting as receptacles of her generative power. Use them to symbolize the Goddess on your altar, and pair it with a crystal wand to represent the Divine Masculine, particularly in the symbolic Great Rite. Bowls and other vessels carved from stone can be used for creating crystal elixirs and holy water. Filled with water or a mixture of water and herbs or ink, they are excellent tools for divination, too; just be sure *To be a “Vogel” the crystal must be natural quartz and cut with the appropriate care, intent, and precision necessary to assure that the universal life force is attracted, amplified, and transmitted properly. There are certain criteria: the crystal must be natural quartz; it must be hand-cut with the necessary intent, skill, and understanding of the crystal and its intended use; it must be doubly terminated or cut and polished to this shape; the crystal has to be cut completely aligned with the c-axis of the quartz crystal; the receptive, or female end of the crystal must be faceted forming the same angle as the angle of the sides of the Great Pyramid at Giza (an internal angle of 51 degrees, 51 minutes, 51 seconds); the crystal must have four or more side facets; the transmitter, or male end of the crystal must be faceted with a more acute internal angle than the receptive end.
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A rose quartz and carnelian carnelian bowl
that your stone isn’t porous if you opt to darken the water with ink as this can permanently stain or damage your stone. Place stones, jewelry, herbs, or other items in cups of stone to magickally empower them.
Other Shapes It would be impractical, if not impossible, to summarize in this book all the potential forms in which stones are available. Some other notable shapes include cabochons, faceted gemstones, skulls, angels, animals, flames, and free-formed pieces. Each shape has its own personality. Cabochons are gemstones made for jewelry; they have flat backs and a domed top. They sit on the body easily and are attractive additions to crystal grids. Crystal skulls have a profound connection to the human condition, and entire books have been written about their spiritual potential. Carving Carvingss such as angels and animals are perennially popular popular;; you can certainly add such stones to your colle collection ction whenever you feel drawn to them.
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Rocks and minerals minerals can be carved into a wide ran range ge of shapes.
Ultimately, what’s more important than even a crystal’s appearance is its internal composition and character. Work with your stones and find out which forms best suit your needs. An inexpensive tumbled stone or a good-sized bead will be ample for a ritual or spell. As you deepen your connection to the mineral kingdom, it is likely that you will be attracted to new and exciting stones and shapes. Explore them all as you continue your spiritual work with stones.
CRYSTAL APPLICATIONS Crystals are versatile tools that have a multidimensional focus. They can be used in the art of laying-on-of-stones for therapeutic benefit,
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and they can also be woven into your magickal workings to support and amplify your spellcraft. There are many methods of tapping into the gifts offered by the mineral kingdom, and we shall explore some of them here.
Meditation Meditating with crystals can be the most profound way to unlock their secrets and blessings. Deceptively simple, meditating with crystals doesn’t require pomp and circumstance to be effective—just find some quiet time to sit with your crystal or stone without any expectation. The best meditation is usually one with no agenda; merely being present while holding, wearing, or laying the stone on you is enough to attune to its gifts. Meditating with crystals can be enhanced with the addition of candles, incense, and other tools. You can prepare for a ritual or act of magick by meditating with the crystal beforehand, or spend some time in quiet contemplation with the relevant stone as part of the work you are doing. Meditating with grounding stones can be a soothing balm after an intensive healing or transformation session. To get the most from meditation, practice it regularly. Just fifteen minutes a day can make a difference. Crystal meditations can add intrigue to your meditation routine, as they make excellent points of focus. You can gaze into the interior landscape of a quartz crystal or merely hold the stone in your hand. Experiment to find what works best for you. Jewelry Crystal and gemstone jewelry are helpful for virtually any circumstance. Pairing the stones you wear to the task at hand can offer additional support to your every moment. The variety and availability of jewelryy featuring stones has increased exponentially in recent years, as jewelr the popularity of crystals has only increased. Crystals in jewelry form can sustain our comings and goings quite easily. For optimum efficacy, be sure to cleanse, consecrate, and program the stones you carry or wear. You can tailor your selection and
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Crystal and gemstone jewelry
placement of crysta crystals ls to help you curry the favor of the Goddess, ace a test, or keep you grounded on a busy day. Jewelry serves as the perfect medium for infusing your every moment with the blessings of crystal energy.
Pouches and Conjure Bags Pouches or conjure bags are a great way to employ crystals in magick. The right selection of stones can be partnered with other ingredients, such as herbs, oils, feathers, coins, or sigils, to manifest a specific goal or outcome. Many magickal traditions have spells that involve filling a bag or pouch with magickal ingredients; you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your purpose. Cloth color, herbal ingredients, and
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crystals can all be curated for your specific working. Small crystals make excellent choices for conjure bags, as they tend to be more economical and weigh less when carried. You can usually find small stones at a good price. Some suppliers offer bulk pricing for rough stones, thus enabling you to stock up. Creativity is the key; polished beads and gemstone chips will do the trick just as well as a pristine crystal. Since conjure bags are usually tied or sewn shut to permanently seal them, you’ll likely never see the stone once it has been placed inside. In light of this, there isn’t any great need to invest in a museum-quality specimen for this type of spellcraft. As with any other crystal work, be sure to cleanse, consecrate, and charge the stones you use in conjure bags and magickal pouches so you can infuse them with specific directions for the intended results. Magickal pouches are often buried in the earth, burned, or otherwise destroyed or disposed of once they have served their purpose; the choice is yours whether or not to recycle your stones. For details on how to make a pouch or conjure bag, see chapter 6.
Grids Crystal grids have become quite popular, more so now than ever before. Entire books can be found on the subject, and so now crystal lovers can exercise creativity in crafting breathtaking arrays of rocks and minerals. Grids can be used in meditation, to anchor a particular energy in your sacred space, or as a focal point in a spell or ritual. Crystal grids can be simple or complex, geometrical or free-form, depending on the need and the tools available. Constructing a crystal grid can be a ritual in itself, and it will serve as a visual reminder of the working you have performed. The energ energyy of grids is subject to the law of synergy, wherein the total energy field is greater than the sum of its parts. This means that the energy is not additive, it’s exponential. You can make crystal grids in any shape you desire. For connecting to the Goddess, try making grids patterned after her symbols: the triple moon, the crescent, the spiral, the circle, or other sacred signs (more on this, and on making grids in general, in chapter 6). Making a grid like this can be a powerful way to petition her for assistance or to attune to her various guises.
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Essences, Oils, and Potions Over the years I’ve relied on a handful of crystal essences or elixirs for improving my everyday life. The general idea is that since water has a memory all its own, you can imprint it with the cohesive energy field that a crystal emits. The resulting infusion can be taken internally, applied topically, sprayed in a room, used for dressing candles and anointing ritual tools, and other uses. I cover the subject of elixirs and oils in greater in detail in chapter 6; the following is an overview. Imprinting water usually takes only a couple of hours for infusions made in direct sunlight. Bear in mind that some colored stones such as aquamarine or amethyst can visibly fade in even that short a time , so these crystals should be infused out of direct sunlight. Crystal elixirs can also be made in moonlight; select the phase of the moon that best matches your intention. Longer infusions, such as those that last an entire lunar cycle, can be used, too. never be Toxic, fragile, and soluble stones should never be placed directly in water; instead, use an indirect method for infusing them into an elixir. This can be achieved by gridding the relevant stones around a vessel of water or by placing the stones in a second, smaller glass container within the one filled with water. In this way a wall of gla glass ss will wil l separate the stones from the water, and only their energy will be transferred. When the infusion is complete, essences can either be used immediately or preserved for later use. Alcohol, usually vodka or brandy, is traditionally used as a preservative; use a ratio of approximately one part alco alcohol hol to three parts elixir. For those who prefer a nonalcoho nonalcoholic lic infusion, apple cider vinegar can be used in the same ratio, or glycerin can be used in a 1:1 ratio. Some elixirs, such as aquamarine-infused water,, are enhanced by a small amount of water o f sea salt, which prolongs their life by several hours if not being used immediately. Crystals and gemstones can also be infused in oil, although this method usually requires a much longer preparation time. Use a carrier oil such as grapeseed, jojoba, almond, coconut, or olive, and allow the stones to infuse for a minimum of twelve hours for lighter oils and up to four weeks for heavier ones. 1 Be sure to use freshly cleansed stones when making elixirs, and sterilize your equipment if you intend to use
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the resulting infusions on or in the body. Water-based elixirs should be preserved preser ved by adding alcoho alcoholl (brand (brandyy or vodka), apple cider vinegar, or glycerin; this will prevent the growth of any bacteria or fungi. Keep all of your elixirs sealed, labeled, and away from direct sunlight. Crystals should be cleaned with a mild detergent after being infused in oil. You can make crystal essences and elixirs from single stones or from combinations; experiment to find the ones that give you the best results. Gem essences can be used in tandem with dried or fresh herbs, herbal infusions and tinctures, essential oils, and other ingredients to make potent recipes for magick. Potion-making with stones can be great fun, and it allows witches and magick-makers to infinitely expand their toolbox. Unlike herbs, stones aren’t used up in the process of infusing; they can be used time and time again.
Divination Crystal and gemstone divination is an art with ancient roots. Crystallomancy—the art of crystal-gazing—is probably the most famous method of divination using stones. Transparent or translucent gemstones work best. Quartz is an obvious choice, though beryl was once favored for this practice. Scr Scrying ying can also be performed with opaque gems, such as the ancient tradition of using obsidian mirrors. In addition to specially made tools like spheres and mirrors, natural crystals, large tumbled stones, and other shapes work well. Crystals can be cast onto a cloth or specially marked board for divination, too. Runes can be carved into durable stones, and pendulums are easily available in a diverse range of stones. Nowadays there are even popularr tarot decks and oracle cards, such as Naisha Ahsian’ popula Ahsian’ss Crystal Ally Cards, that feature the symbolism of crystals and gemstones. Each of these tools can be used for readings in the same way that any other tool can. Consult the stones before a magickal working to ensure its timing, intent, and efficacy are aligned with the will of the Goddess. Rituals and Spellcraft Magickal workings such as spells and rituals can incorporate crystals, gems, rocks, and minerals in myriad ways, such as those already
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mentioned. There is no limit to your imagination. Throughout the rest of the book I’ll be introducing you to some of the specific ways that I use crystals in my magickal practice, but here are a few ideas to inspire your own magicka magickall workings. Use stones to demarcate your sacred space. Your magick circle can be marked with a ring of crystals or with stones you have collected from nature. Consider placing minerals at each of the four directions to represent the elements. If you are unable to erect a permanent circle of stones, four stones can be placed at the cardinal directions. Similarly, try placing quartz crystals in each of the four corners of the room in which you conduct ritual ritual.. A slab of slate or any other stone, raw or polished pol ished,, makes for a great altar altar—one —one that’ that’ss fire-sa fire-safe, fe, too. Stones to represent the Goddess and the God can be placed on the altar, as can any ritual tools made from or adorned with crystals. Crystals can be placed around a candle (perhaps in a subtle grid formation) to augment their power. Try adding small gemstone chips to candles when you dress them. Small stones can be gifted to nature as a token of thanksgiving or as an offering for co-creating with the elementals, the fairy folk, or the gods. Hanging protective stones in your home or car to prevent disharmony from entering is a fun and meaningful way to decorate while incorporating a little crystal magick. Individual crystals and stones can become the foci for your workings. They can be enchanted during ritual and imbued with the energy that you have raised within sacred space. Crystals thus prepared are powerful talismans that can be carried, worn, gifted, or placed in a strategic location. However you use crystals, they blend seamlessly with other magickal workings to enhance and support your spells and rituals. Use them consciously and intentionally, and your life is sure to transform.
PART 2
Meeting the Goddess
3
T he Goddess Goddess in Hersto erstorr y
FIRELIGHT CASTS DANCING SHADOWS as Paleolithic artisans
etch and paint their mythos on a cave wall. The murals in their holy place depict depict beasts, beasts, trees, trees, and the the myster mysterious ious silhoue silhouette tte of a woman. woman. Small Small figurines of anonymous goddesses with exaggerated features are buried within withi n the inn innermo ermost st sanctu sanctums ms to accompan accompanyy their supp supplicants licants to the grave. These earliest of artistic endeavors capture the essence of the Divine Feminine—the Great Goddess—as she was worshipped in prehistory. Long before the rise of patriarchal monotheism, female deities were known and loved the world over. Many claims have been made about a universal religion that worshipped a singular deity, the Great Goddess. Though these ideas are contested by many academics, there is sufficient evidence to point to a near-universal adoration of the Divine Feminine in one form or another by our ancient ancestors. There are even linguistic similarities among the names of many of the most beloved goddesses of the world, for example, Isis, Auset, Ishtar, Inanna, Nana, Nuit, Nut, Anat, Asherah, Astarte, Attar, and Hathor. 1 These similarities indicate a common ancestor for these myths. Today, passionate worshippers of the Goddess as well as feminists, magicians, and healers continue to draw inspiration from the distant past when the Goddess reigned supreme. To truly appreciate how the Divine Feminine manifests in the mineral kingdom, let’s first examine a brief history—or perhaps we should herstory—of say herstory —of the Divine Feminine. 48
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DIVINE ANCESTRESS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD Among the earliest pieces of art are primitive renderings of the female form in stone, bone, and clay. These small statues are generally regarded as the first representations of the Great Goddess; they are called “Venus figurines,” after the Roman goddess. (See the photograph on pagee 50.) These statues date from the Paleolithic era pag era;; the oldest known was found in 2008 in Hohle Fels Cave, in present-day Germany Germany.* .* This statue is carved from bone, and it has been carbon-dated to between 35,000 to 40,000 years old, making it 10,000 years older than previously discovered Venus figurines. 2 These figurines have been found in many parts of Europe, and they share several features—namely, exaggerated sexual and reproductive characteristics such as large breasts, buttocks, thighs, and vulvas, as well as highly schematized faces and arms. Many of these carvings exhibit an extraordinary amount of care given to the features and symbols rich with meaning—all of which flies in the face of the notion that “primitive” people carved them. Why is it that these female figures are so often interpreted as being goddesses? Perhaps it is the lack of male representation in the art of this period, which suggests that there was something distinct, even divine, about femininity. Early societies may not have understood the causal link between sexual intercourse and procreation, thus it was understood that only woman could bring new life into the world, since there was no means of tracing or acknowledging paternity. Given this perspective, matriarchy would be the natural order. For this th is reason, the earliest societies (as well as many indigenous peoples up to the present day—for instance Native American tribal peoples) were certainly matrilineal, where matrilineal, where lineag lineagee is traced through the maternal line. *Archaeologist Marija Gimbutas outlines several examples of much older representations of the Divine Feminine, though they lack the overall anthropomorphic features of the Venus figurines. The oldest examples she cites are triangular figures crudely knapped from flint in the style of the Acheulean hand axes. These prototypical goddess figures, which may be up to 500,000 years old, are adorned with breasts and/or vulva, and sometimes a head/face near the uppermost point of the triangle. (Gimbutas, Language (Gimbutas, Language of the Goddess, 237)
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The Venus of Willendorf is thought to be a representation of the Great Goddess. She is carved from oolitic limestone and tinted with red ochre. (Wellcome Collection, CC BY)
Although usually characterized as personifications of motherhood and fertility, the most ancient goddesses in history were many-faceted. Marija Gimbutas writes, It is inaccurate to call Paleolithic and Neolithic images “fertility goddesses,” as is still done in archaeological literature. Earth fertility became a prominent concern only in the food-producing era; hence it is not a primary function of the Goddess and has nothing to do with sexuality. se xuality. The Goddesses were mainly main ly life creators, not Venuses or beauties, and most definitely not wives of male gods. The other prevalent preval ent genera generall term for the prehi prehistoric storic divini divinity ty is the “Mother Goddess,” which is also a misconception. It is true that there are mother images and protectors of young life, and there was a Mother Earth and Mother of the Dead, but the rest of the female images
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cannot be generalized under the term Mother Goddess . . . They impersonate Life, Death, and Regeneration; they are more than fertility and motherhood.”3
Goddess worship was complex, even tens of thousands of years ago. Ancient peoples sought to understand the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth through the mythic cycles and symbols of the Divine Feminine. These early peoples honored the Divine Feminine by carving the likenesses of their goddesses into geologic materials such as limestone and clay or painting or etching them on the stone walls of natural caves and cliffs. Stone was the natural medium for depicting the Great Mother, for her silhouette and symbol can be witnessed in the layout of the land. Rolling hills are her pregnant belly, and mountain peaks her breasts.* Wells W ells and spri springs ngs are her flowing flowing milk and menstrual menstrual blood, while cav caves, es, both natural and man-made, are her sacred womb. Thus pieces of stone are pieces of her very body, and ancient peoples would have revered rocks and stones as gifts of their divine ancestress, the progenitrix of all life on our planet. Like the Great Goddess herself, stone is eternal.
OUT OF ONE, MANY The Hermetic teachings, the religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition based on writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, describe seven principles or axioms. The first, the principle of mentalism, says that all creation is the result of divine mind—referring to the creative void or the cauldron of chaos. Out of this cosmic principle all things are born. Initially, what we see expressed in early religious beliefs is the nearly singular figure of the Great Goddess. Eventually, the Divine Feminine began to be explored in her many facets, such as in her roles as mother of life and mother of the dead—this is the fourth Hermetic principle, the principle of polarit polarityy in action. All things have a dual nature in our relative world. To appreciate day, we must experience night; the same is true for hot and cold, wet *The name of the Teton Range in Wyoming comes from the French téton, meaning “nipple.”
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and dry, above and below, earth and sky, life and death. These polarities were applied to the Great Goddess, resulting in myriad expressions of the Divine Feminine. Since the Divine Feminine is an unlimited force beyond the comprehension of our finite perspective, giving the Great Goddess (and the God, for that matter) individual expressions makes her more approachable. Janet and Stewart Farrar express this in The Witches’ Goddess: “The Goddess herself is both infinitely simple and infinitely complex, unknowable in her totality, at least at our present stage of evolution.”4 In this way, the Goddess came to be expressed in local variations, as the patron of sacred wells and holy trees, or the personification of various other aspects of life and nature. We see this same movement from singular divinity to a pantheistic or polytheistic view of divinity throughout the world. The various polarities embodied in each facet of the Divine are given their own personalities, mythos, and missions. Over time, each deity manifests more fully as a being in its own right.
A SON IS BORN The Great Goddess, in exploring her own polarity, eventually creates an opposite, a complement to her own femininity. In some myths she separates the light from her own darkness, and from her cosmic womb is born her son, the God. Since early humans may not have understood the relationship between coitus and conception, many myths of divine children are centered around parthenogenesis, or virgin birth. The Hermetic teachings give us another important principle, the seventh: the principle of gender. Although the principle of polarity includes duality in all material forms, the principle of gender concentrates on one important pair of opposites, that of masculine and feminine. This principle tells us that everything that emanates from the divine mind exhibits gender in one form or another, with most of creation exhibiting both masculine and feminine energies at once, although in varying proportions. The Great Goddess fulfilled the need for expressing the Divine Masculine by giving birth to her son. Mythic cycles in many cultures depict the young God growing to maturity and becoming the lover of the Goddess. He is often shown aging or being
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sacrificed, too, such as in the myths of Adoni, Attis, Tammuz, Damuzi, Osiris, and Baal5 (note the linguistic similarities among many of these names). Later, this image of the Mother Goddess and her divine child was carried over into the popular iconography of many religions, notably as Isis and Horus, and later, Mary and Jesus.
Isis and her son, Horus, carved carved in schist (Photo by Robert Valette, CC BY)
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Initially, there is no evidence of a father figure in the religious practices and artifacts of the Stone Age. The Goddess reigned supreme, even when her consort, the God, was introduced. Gradually, cultures began to apportion various aspects of nature and human life to these two primal deities. For example, matters of reproduction, both human and animal, fell within the purview of the Goddess, while the God ruled over hunting and game animals. Even though not every culture assigned the same roles to the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, there are certain trends that point to the archetypal roles of the Divine Feminine (which are explored in greater detail in chapter 4).
DETHRONING THE GODDESS Over time, some groups of people began to elevate the worship of the Divine Masculine, giving primacy to a central God form, usually a god of the sky or storms, mountains, or war. This shift took place around 2000 to 3000 BCE, when warlike Indo-Europeans roamed throughout Europe, bringing their sky gods and warrior gods with them. This change corresponded to a shift from hunter-gatherer societies to more organized agriculture. As cultures clashed, there was a marked decline—sometimes a disappearance altogether—of traces of the older matrifocal societies, as evidenced by the dwindling number of temples, cult tools, and symbols of the Great Goddess, as well as an overall reduction of her images in religious art. 6 As the Indo-Europeans conquered ever more new lands, their religious beliefs and symbols spread far and wide. The overall shift in focus from worship of the Goddess alone, to polytheism/pa poly theism/pantheism, ntheism, and ultimately to a mascul masculinized inized GodGod-centric centric worship was a gradual process. Gimbutas writes, This transformation, however, was not a replacement of one culture by another but a gradual hybridization of two different symbolic systems. Because the androcentric ideology of the Indo-Europeans was that of the new ruling class, it has come down to us as a s the “official” belief system of ancient Europe. But the Old European sacred
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images and symbols were never totally uprooted; these most persistent features in human history were too deeply implanted in the psyche. They could have disappeare d isappearedd only with the total extermination of the female population.7
This mix of cultic symbols and myths produced hybrids between the systems, such as the militarization of certain goddesses like Athena/ Minerva, as well as the inversion and misrepresentation of old myths under the new regime. As human reproduction became better understood, myths were rewritten to include the Divine Masculine element. Soon, the Great Mother could only conceive new life with the help of the God. This shift provided an opportunity to stress the importance of paternity, thereby conferring authority to men. Imposing restrictions on the worship of the Goddess, even demonizing her, fortified the power of male authority figures. Part of this process included the rewriting of old myths, to cast the Goddess into the shadows. There are several analogous myths in which the symbols of the Great Mother are demonized, especially her supreme emissary of regeneration, wisdom, and sacred sexuality—the serpent. Wee find ample evidence of male deities conqueri W conquering ng serpent serpentine ine figures representing the Goddess throughout the ancient world. The Mesopotamian storm god Marduk slew Tiamat in Babylon, while Apollo, Greek god of light, defeated Python at Delphi. Biblical tradition too records the serpent in Eden as being responsible for tempting Eve, thereby engendering the Fall and the concept of sin, while older stories of the great beast Leviathan are memories of the Canaanite personification of the primal sea (like Tiamat) being slain by the storm god Hadad. These serpent figures represent the unknowable mysteries of the Divine Feminine embodied in the deepest waters and darkest caves, themselves symbols of the Great Mother’s womb. Even our word python is taken from Greek mythology; its root ultimately comes from a Proto-IndoEuropean word for “cavern,” “hollow,” and “depths”—likely the same source as the word pit. word pit. These symbolic and linguistic connections imply that the ancient world revered the innermost parts of our planet as the domain of the Great Goddess in her telluric or chthonic aspects.
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These darker, more mysterious aspects of the Divine Feminine were the first to be vilified. The denigration of the Goddess soon encom passed pass ed her popu popular lar forms when Ishtar/As Ishtar/Astart tarte* e* beca became me the demon Astaroth (or Ashtaroth). It is often said that the gods of the old religion become the devils of the new one; thus the old Goddess became the archetype of the witch and hag; she was temptress, harlot, and succubus. Finally, with the onset of monotheism via the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the once great and shining Goddess was consigned to darkness.
THE GODDESS IN DISGUISE With the spread of Chr Christi istianity anity,, worship of the old dieti dieties es was exorcised to make room for Christ. Some sects, such as those that still celebrated the mysteries of Isis, maintained their hold for some time before eventually succumbing to the juggernaut of Christianity. However, the common folk managed to maintain their connection with the Divine Feminine in the form of the Holy Virgin Mary, God’s mother. Church officials no doubt figured that the familiar face of the mother of the divine child may have encouraged conversion from the old pagan religions to the new form of monotheism, since it permitted people to continue adoration of their Mother Goddess under the veneer of Christianity. Even now there are many parts of the world where the worship of Mary seems to supersede even that of Christ himself such as in the developing countries in Latin and South America, some of the last places in the New World to be conquered by Christianity. Mary was given the formal title Theotokos, “Mother of God,” at the Third Ecumenical Council, held in 431 CE in Ephesus—ironically, a place once home to the cult of the Great Goddess. Where the new religion of Christianity spread, solace was found in Mary’s maternal qualities, which could be syncretized with local beliefs about goddesses far and wide. For For this reason, Mary has been connected with “life-water and miraculously healing springs, with trees, blossoms, and flowers, with fruits and harvests.” 8 *Astarte is the Hellenized form of the Middle Eastern goddess Astoreth, a form of Ishtar, who herself is a later form of the Sumerian goddess g oddess Innan Innana. a.
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Mary and Christ carving at Nôtre Nôtre Dame de Paris Paris
In addition to Mary, the Mother of God, certain sects of mystical Christianity, mainly the Gnostics, have venerated Mary Magdalene; she is considered to have been a priestess of the old Goddess religion and historically may have been the consort of Jesus. Her iconography has been borrowed from goddesses such as Isis and Cybele, and it is possible that some miraculously discovered statues of the Virgin are actually images of older goddesses that have been painted over with Christian symbolism. Other female saints have been popularized and adored by
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millions worldwide; they are beloved for performing miracles—not unlike those of the Great Goddess. By transferring some of the role of the Great Goddess and her many facets to the female saints, the current of the Divine Feminine wound its secretive course through Christendom and has managed to survive to the present day. When pag pagan an relig religions ions succumbe succumbedd to monotheism, the archet archetypal ypal roles of the Divine Feminine were stowed away in myth and legend, where they could hide in plain sight. Goddesses of local lands became the shining maidens, fairy queens, and wizened hags of folk and fairy tale alike. Many of these stories are watered-down, Christianized portrayals of pagan myths, and they are rife with magickal imagery. The Goddess assumed the role of healer and wise woman, witch and evil stepmother. Consistent with the Church’s demonization of the Goddess and her pagan followers, these mythic and folkloric figures often serve as the antagonists in fairy tales. Magick, nature, and the old pagan religions may have been shrouded in fear and misunderstanding, but their symbols lived on, even as the Goddess went into hiding. Occasionally, the Great Goddess of the past can be found in the disguise of her animal emissaries. In story and art alike, we see beasts sacred to the Divine Feminine as recurring themes. Birds, in particular, are sacred to many goddesses—and gods—and appear throughout myth and legend. Feathered totems of the Goddess include owls, crows, ravens, and songbirds. Dogs, sacred to Hekate, are often associated with liminal journey journeyss in folklore folklore,, and may portend death. Famously, snakes represent the mysteries of the Great Mother, and they have perhaps received the most villainous treatment in the arts. Pigs, horses, cats, spiders, and mice are also among the many animals by which the Great Mother disguised herself in order to remain ever-present but just out of sight. Vestige V estigess of the Great Godd Goddess ess are ensconce ensconcedd in art, archite architecture, cture, literature, language, and culture. Goddess figures that could not be sup pressed were assimilate assimilatedd into the ever-chang ever-changing ing monotheistic societies in new ways. Sacred sites of old became the locations of new Christian churches. Surely the stone walls were impregnated with the energy of adoration of the Great Mother, and this helped the Goddess remain
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in the hearts of her supplicants, even if the rites and symbols changed over time. Suppression of the Divine Feminine is not unique to the Abrahamic faiths. We see the shift from goddess worship to more male-centric worship happening around the world. In Eg Egypt, ypt, go goddesses ddesses were sup plantedd by go plante gods ds with analo analogous gous roles roles.. Througho Throughout ut Asia Asia,, Buddhi Buddhism, sm, with its focus on a male role model of enlig enlightenment, htenment, displace displacedd local goddesses, while some strains of Buddhism incorporated local deities and added female bodhisattvas such as Kuan Yin and Tara in order to provide examples of the Divine Feminine.
THE REBIRTH OF THE GODDESS There are several cultures around the world in which goddess worship has continued uninterrupted for millennia. One prominent example is Hinduism, where the Rig Veda, a Hindu scripture, declares feminine energy to be the essence of the universe, that which creates all matter and consciousness, both eternal and infinite . Aboriginal peoples in Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania, and the Americas have also managed to preserve the Divine Feminine in art, song, dance, and oral tradition. However, most communities around the world witnessed the dis placement of the Divine Feminine at one point or another in histor historyy. Nevertheless, the Goddess is still alive and well. In the last few centuries power has generally shifted from absolutist monarchies and religious states to focus more on themes of liberty, tolerance, and progress. Many of these ideals were typefied during the Age of Enlightenment. During this era, which stressed reason and science, a resurgence of classical themes appeared in the arts. Ancient gods— chiefly those of the Greco-Roman pantheon—became the muses of the arts, appearing in sculpture, painting, literature, theater, and music. On a recent trip to Paris I saw these deities everywhere, not merely on dis play in muse museums, ums, but also on buildin buildings, gs, foun fountains, tains, and bridges. Po Popular pular figures include Diana/Artemis, Medusa, Psyche, Minerva/Athena, and many others. Though renderings of these goddesses may not have been strictly religious in nature, their appearance certainly heralded a shift in
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the attitude toward women and signaled the return of the Great Mother. Once again, the many faces of the Great Goddess were being carved into marble and other stones, crystalizing the Divine Feminine not only in physical physi cal form form,, but also in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Around this same era, ideals of virtue, liberty, and justice were personified as woman. Robert Hieronimus and Laura Cortner explain this phenomenon in their book The Secret Life of Lady Liberty: The long-standing artistic tradition of allegorizing virtues as women is ultimately explained by Latin grammar, which assigns feminine gender to these nouns. In addition to Liberty, the following virtues are others that have traditionally been depicted in female form: faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Romanticizing virtuous ideals as feminine also worked to enforce the codes of conduct for the perceived ideal woman, who was encouraged to faithfully uphold moral principles for the benefit of her sons and husband.9
It is from this tradition that we derive the Statue of Liberty as well as the representation of Lady Justice (who originates from the Roman goddess Justicia, or Iusticia), who is blindfolded and holds a scale and is commonly seen at courthouses today. These ideals are stand-ins for goddesses in the modern era—beacons of the Divine Feminine for our times. The shift to honoring and personifying these virtues as feminine set the stage for the emergence of the women’s movement in the twentieth century, along with a rebirth of interest in the Goddess in the Western world.
THE DAWNING OF A NEW AGE Renewed interest in ancient wisdom came in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The rising importance of occult and esoteric traditions was in part guided by strong female leaders like Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Annie Besant, Alice Bailey, Dion Fortune, and many others. Their efforts, combined with the activities of other mystical orders such as the Golden Dawn, which valued and even ordained women,
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prim ed the path for the rena primed renaiss issanc ancee of the Divi Divine ne Femin Feminine ine.. The twentieth century also witnessed a renewal of interest in witchcraft witchcra ft and pag paganism anism.. The genes genesis is of these movements is a continuing story, one beyond the scope of this book to examine at length. Suffice it to say, traditional strains of witchcraft have emerged, many claiming to have ties to pre-Christian religio-magickal practices. These religions stress the value of the Great Goddess and her relationship to the Great God, for in nature neither principle exists without the other. These goddess-worshipping sects have empowered women and men alike, helping to honor and elevate the status of the Divine Feminine in the modern era. Traditional forms of witchcraft have influenced countless more emerging groups. As the importance of feminism has grown all over the world stage, so, too, has it blossomed in the magickal world. New varieties of the craft have emerged that have reestablishe reestablishedd the primacy of the Great Mother, honoring her many forms as the One Goddess. Organizations such as the Covenant of the Goddess arose to provide tools tool s for networking and strengthening the commu community nity of worshippers of the Divine Feminine the world over. At the same time, it seems that more conventional religions have a growing impulse to honor the Divine Feminine. Some Christian and Jewish sects have even seen the ordination of women in the twentieth century. Similarly, the Divine Feminine has grown in prominence and popularity popula rity in the metaphysical scene. Godd Goddesses esses great and small have been adopted as teachers, guides, and ascended masters, to lead humanity into the next golden age. It’s not surprising that so many women, more so than men, are drawn to metaphysical circles. At the intersection of science, spirituality, and the expansion of human consciousness, we are witnessing the rise of eco-spirituality. If planet Earth is viewed as the body of the Great Goddess, then the preservation preser vation of the world’ world’ss ecosystems has become a spiritual as well as a social and political imperative. Feminist spirituality is often closely linked to ecology; respecting the environment is at the fore of the practices of many witches, healers, magicians, and metaphysically minded people peop le today. Even more conventional science has beg begun un to support these philosophies via the emergence of environmental science, the
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Gaia hypothesis, and deep ecology. Green lifestyles, recycling, and demands for organic produce are entirely mainstream today, and they all help us honor and respect the Earth Mother.
TOWARD THE FUTURE The Goddess is alive and well. Her role in human evolution has never been more relevant, for we cannot move forward as a species without correcting the imbalance in power and justice, especially between men and women. The time has come for the human race to elevate the station of women across the world, thereby honoring the Divine Feminine and bringing us into balance with Earth and all her beings. It is my belief that rocks, minerals, and gemstones are facilitating the return of the Great Goddess. The mineral kingdom is perhaps the oldest abstract representative of the Goddess; though perhaps she can be seen more concretely in all living things, the very planet on which we live is made mostly of stone. Stone has factored into the adoration of the Great Mother since prehistory. Humankind has known her in the ancient rock and clay carvings of the Stone Age. We have felt her presence in the sacred mounds, hills, and rock structures that embody the essence of the Divine Feminine on the sacred landscape. We see her in chapels, wells, and cathedrals erected from stone. She has been glorified in marble statues in many ages, from the classical world to the present day, and we will continue to honor her in our art and architecture into the future. And in the realm of crystal healing, the Goddess makes her presence known as discoveries of new rock and mineral formations that are named in her honor, with stones such as Rosophia (a form of granite), Isis calcite, witch’’s finger crystals, and Blue Tara witch Tara quartz. The impulse to seek and know the Divine Feminine has never disap peared, although she has changed forms over over millennia. millennia. Mov Moving ing forward, the face of the Great Goddess will continue to reveal herself in all that we do, and by embraci embracing ng her we can undo much of the damage done to the world around us. Honoring the Divine Feminine—alongside the Divine Masculine—permits us to heal the rift among peoples around the world and can help us restore health and balance to our broken broken world.
4
Facets of the Goddess
TO BETTER KNOW THE GREAT GODDESS, ancient peoples began
to look at her through different lenses. Their perspectives yielded various archetypal roles, each one with its own personality and spiritual domain. These various aspects of the Great Goddess can be likened to the masks that she wears so that we, her worshippers, can better know her; indeed, through this relationship we can better know ourselves. This is the very nature of myth and religion: the Divine is transcendent, ineffable, and impersonal, but through personification and anthropomorphization, deities become the means for expressing the mysteries of the universe. These individual aspects of the Great Goddess took on their own names, developed their own mythic stories, and were honored through specific rites of worship. Hard polytheists view each deity as a discrete divine being, believing that the ancient gods and goddesses named and worshipped thr throughout oughout history are as real and distinc distinctt as you and me. Soft polytheists, on the other hand, view the separate divinities of cultures past and present as aspects of a single divine source. Soft polytheists regard all gods as one God, and all goddesses as one Goddess. This view holds that differe different nt pantheon pantheonss repr represent esent the same archetypal roles espoused by the Great Goddess and her divine consort. Personally, I find myself straddling these two perspectives in my own practice. I relate to individual deities as the various masks worn by the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine; however, I also sincerely believe that eons of 63
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worship and praye prayerr hav havee actualiz actualized ed these separate deities as fully formed beings in their own right. Still, I don’t wholly subscribe to the idea that we as hu human man beings are truly separa separate te from one another or from Source; it stands to reason that the gods and goddesses are related to Source in the same way—as individuations of the Divine rather than as discrete entities. Ultimately, it is up to each practitioner to decide whether hard or soft polytheism—or a combination—supports her or his worldview. One way to visualize the concept of soft polytheism is through the metaphor of a faceted gemstone, with each deity visualized as one of the facets polished into the stone. Every plane that is cut and polished enables you to look into the depths of the stone from a different angle. As these individual facets allow light to enter the heart of the gemstone, they also reflect and refract light, creating a radiant and luminous appearance. We can appreciate every facet for adding value to the gemstone, just as each individuation of the Great Goddess enables us to experience her magick and mystery. However, we must not confuse the facet for the light that it reflects; in the same way, the guises worn by the Goddess are not the transcendent spiritual experience itself, though they do provide the means to reach it. Individual gods, goddesses, and spirits are not merely magickal correspondences. Through eons of reverence and preservation in lore and legend they have been etched into the collective consciousness. This makes them archetypal beings—forces that are universal, idealized, primal, but beings nonetheless. The gods and goddesses are stepping stones for reaching the ineffable. We do not simply add a goddess to the ingredients of a spell or ritual as we do herbs, oils, or gemstones. In spiritual practice our aim is to cultivate a conscious and conscientious relationship with the Divine, be it masculine, feminine, both, or neither. Thus, any tool that is aligned as a correspondence for a particular deity or spirit, be it a gemstone or any other object, is a vehicle for tapping into or enhancing the relationship with said being. In this way, crystals are powerful tools for invoking and evoking the Great Goddess in her many guises. Few, if any, goddesses fit neatly into a single facet or archetype such as those described here. As cultures evolved and the lifestyles of their populations changed changed,, their deities reflecte reflectedd these changes by adopting
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new characteristics. The exchange of ideas between cultures has also influenced the evolution of their gods and goddesses. For example, a goddess like Isis, whose worship has spread far beyond her original homeland of Egypt, has accrued many roles as a result of her adoration through the ages in many distant lands. Thus the archetypes explored in this chapter are merely starting points for relating to individual aspects of the Divine Feminine.
THE THREEFOLD GODDESS: MAIDEN, MOTHER, AND CRONE In modern goddess spirituality, the best-known depiction of the Great Goddess appears in her threefold form: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Triune deities are common the world over, but it was the work of poet and mythologist Robert Graves (1895–1985) who introduced the idea of this female trinity to the modern world, where it was absorbed by those who practice magick, witchcraft, and paganism. The three facets of Maiden, Mother, and Crone are related to the waxing, full, and waning phases of the moon—which is the life cycle of womankind and the flux of life in all of nature. History is rife with examples of goddess trinities. Renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) cites three distinct aspects of the Goddess in Paleolithic worship: she who gives life, she who receives us in death, and the initiatrix, who inspires spiritual and poetic realization.1 Hindu mythology speaks of the threefold nature of the Goddess as she who creates, she who sustains and transforms, and she who destroys. These ancient echoes e choes of the nature of female divinity d ivinity live on in today’s reverence for the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Triple goddesses are especially prominent in Celtic mythos. Morrighan is seen as comprised of the pagan goddesses Anu, Badb, and Macha. In Celtic Christianity we find that Saint Brigid—herself a remnant of the solar goddess Brigid—is often represented as the “three Saint Brigids.” W Wee find three Zor Zoryas yas in Slavic lore, one each as a goddess of the dawn, dusk, and midnight. The Roman goddess Carmenta is the central figure in a trinity of goddesses, too. As the patron of
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childbirth, she represents the Mother, and her two sisters, named Antevorta Antevo rta (looking ( looking forward) and Postvorta (looking back), corres correspond pond to the Maiden and Crone, respectively. 2 The Greek myths have dozens of triplicities, such as the three lunar goddesses Artemis, Selene, and Hecate. Though unrelated in a familial sense, they can be seen as representing the waxing, full, and waning or dark moon, respectively. Demeter, goddess of grains and growing things, and her daughter, Persephone, are part of several triads. Persephone, as the daughter, is the Maiden; Demeter is Matron; and Rhea, Demeter’s own mother, is a stand-in for the Crone. Likewise, the myths of Demeter and Persephone revolve around the latter’s descent into the underworld. Thus Persephone in her dual nature can represent both the innocence of the Maiden and the wisdom and transformation of the Crone when she assumes the role of Queen of the Underworld. Recently there has been some criticism of the notion of the Triple Goddess, which charges that this model reduces the stages of a woman’s life to her reproductive cycle. Though the symbolism of the chaste Maiden, the fertile Mother, and the wizened Crone is traditional in Western occultism, it is important to bear in mind that these are archetypes; the lives of living women are rich and varied, and not every milestone fits this model. Much of contemporary paganism, especially British traditional witchcraft (such as Gardnerian Wicca), is inspired by fertility cults, which naturally center around the biologically driven symbols of sex and procreation. However, not all traditions of the craft nor all spiritual traditions that honor the Divine Feminine are based on the symbolism of fertility cults. Similarly, not all people have bodies that mirror the life cycle of Maiden-Mother-Crone. Bearing this in mind, the Triple Goddess can be a representation of metaphorical rather than biological themes of fertility and creation. There are many examples of deities from cultures far and wide that fit the model of Maiden-Mother-Crone, either embodying a single facet of this trinity or by adopting all three roles at once. Like the cycle of the moon, the three aspects of the Triple Goddess represent the cycles of life in all its forms: genesis, sustenance, and death. These cycles repeat without end in nature, and out of this observa-
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tion our ancestors first came to know the mysteries of the Goddess. The Triple Goddess as expressed in stone is discussed in greater detail in chapter 5; the following is an overview of these three aspects of the Great Goddess.
The Maiden Fair as flowers in the spring, the first face of the Triple Goddess is that of the Maiden. She is the embodiment of youth, freshness, and budding growth. Her beauty is radiant and spellbinding, and she is the dawning of a new day, ripe with the promise of fresh starts. The Maiden is inde pendent, innocent, and ready to dive headlong into something new new.. The Maiden starts the cycle of the Triple Goddess. She will one day grow into the role of Mother, who will, in turn, eventually reach the age of the elder Crone. To modern goddess worshippers, the Maiden is the embodiment of springtime and the waxing moon. She is the goddess of new beginnings, and her aid is called on for any working requiring increase, such as prosperity, love, and luck. Her carefree, capricious nature can inspire independence and empower witches and magick-makers to break free from limiting beliefs or situations. Because she is typically seen as unmarried and has not yet birthed eros, the her firstborn, the Maiden cultivates love and eros, the sensual romantic instinct that drives us to find a partner. The Maiden is a virgin in the truest sense, unburdened by the conventional social obligation to marry and raise a family. This is the true nature of the virgin attendants of the Goddess throughout the ancient world—they fully owned their sexuality and owed it to no one but the Goddess. These priestesses were unattached and did not depend on their marital status to maintain their position in life. This threatened the early patriarchy, such that these priestesses were labeled “temple whores” and simply “prostitutes.” Several archetypes have been born of the Maiden, including the Goddess of Love, who rules romance and beauty, as well as the Sacred Harlot, whose sexuality is dedicated to the Divine and who represents fertility incarnate. She oversees the hunt, for without her fertile embrace there is not enough wild game to feed the people. We know this Maiden as Artemis and Eos, as Aphrodite and Hestia, as Parvati and Oshún. The
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myth of Demeter and Persephone records the most famous of Maidens, Persephone, who is also called Kore, Greek for “Maiden.” To connect to the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess, work with gemstones that evoke images of springtime, growth, innocence, and new beginnings. Moss agate, aventurine, chalcedony, emerald, kambaba stone, kunzite, opal, peridot, fairy quartz, and sakura stone may be excellent tools. Peach and rainbow moonstone have a relationship with youth, growth, and innocence, so they are the most appropriate types of moonstone for the Maiden. Amethyst is a wonderful Maiden stone, as the origins of this stone’s name are found in the Greek myth about the nymph Amethyst, herself a maiden, who calls on Artemis (who is conflated with the Roman goddess Diana). Scarlet temple Lemurian seed crystals and copper-based stones integrate the independence, both sacred and sexual, of the Maiden, and they can be used for connecting to her energy.
The Mother The Mother is easily the most revered aspect of the Triple Goddess. The life-giving, creative power of motherhood has always been revered as the holiest of holies. Cults devoted to the primal Mother are found worldwide, and many famil familiar iar god goddesses desses are real really ly just aspe aspects cts of this archetype; she has been both the Bona Dea, “the Good Goddess,” and the Magna Mater, the “Great Mother.” The Mother is both a creator and a sustainer of life. She provides for her children (and we are all are all her children) by nourishing, protecting, and teaching us how to survive. The Great Mother is the aspect of the Triple Goddess with the greatest number of faces. She is Isis, Gaia, Yemayá. She is known to others as Hera, Hathor, Demeter, and Frigg. She gives birth to the God and takes him as her sacred lover. The Mother receives his seed and transmutes it into new life, shaping the child in her womb just as seeds transform into the plants that grow in fertile soil. The Mother provides provi des love and protec protection tion to her children, and she repr represen esents ts the mysteries of birth and transformation. By taking the God as her consort, she transforms him from a child to a man; her love, indeed, transmutes all. Traditionally, the Mother has been associated with the many other archetypal roles of the Great Goddess. She is the patroness of hearth
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and home, and she is Earth Mother, the primal womb from which all life springs forth. The Mother is sometimes the goddess of the oceans and the abyss, for out of formless chaos is born land and sky in many of the world’s creation myths. She is also a goddess of the moon, especially at the height of the full moon, whose roundness alludes to the ripeness of a womb heavy with child. Earlier myths associate the Mother with the sun, for it is the light and warmth of the sun that provides energy and sustenance to all life forms. The Mother is the divine arbiter; she is the bringer of truth and justice. She is the unknowable expanse of the sky and the darkness of the chthonic realms of our planet. The Divine Mother presides over every creative impulse, whether it is the birth of humans and animals, the sprouting of seeds, or the production of art and industry. Call on her when you need help in all creative endeavors. Like the other facets of the Triple Goddess, the Matron has her dark, fierce aspects, too. Scott and Janet Farrar write in The Witches’ Goddess that the “devouring Dark Mother is not evil; she is our friend, if we are not to stagnate and thus truly die, she urges us forward to new life, and to her other self, the Bright Mother.” 3 She is the weeping Demeter, whose sorrow brings winter to the world. She is the Black Madonna. She is Kali. She is the darkness of the cave, her telluric womb. She is the void of space from which stars, planets, and moons are born. Since she grants life, she can also take it away. The Mother was depicted at Stone Age burials because tombs are symbol symbolic ic of the womb;; our remains are returned to the belly of the Great Mother so womb we can be reborn into our next life. The Mother as life-giver and protectress is also a healer and wise woman. She is the Witch Mother and Queen of Heave Heaven. n. These archetypal roles justify her primacy in rites of magick and initiation. She is the eternal tutor for all the magickal arts, and she implores her children to live within the rhythm of her cycles of life. The stones of the Mother Goddess are many and varied, and they tend to be as luminous as the full moon. To tap into her radiant splendor try working with pearl, white or rainbow moonstone, selenite, moon quartz, clear quartz (especially spheres), and other white and
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transparent stones. Other gemstones associated with the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess include aquamarine, biotite lens, carnelian, cuprite, emerald, fairy stone concretions, garnet, lapis lazuli, malachite, and rutilated quartz. Some chalcedonies, like the chrome-bearing nodules from Turkey and the earth-toned pieces from Morocco, also have a strong link to the Great Mother. Nourishing, loving stones invoke her energy, as do earthy, protective ones. Since all rocks, minerals, and crystals are pieces of the body of Mother Earth, each one, no matter the variety, can be used to tap into the energy of the Great Mother.
The Crone Of the three facets of the Triple Goddess, I must confess that my most beloved is the Crone. Even in my teenage years I felt a strong kinship with her, and I often sought her aid in times of transition. Traditionally, the Crone represents the aged face of the Goddess. She is wisdom incarnate, and her vast experience makes her a fastidious and formidable teacher. She is the stereotypical hag-faced witch and the patroness of magicka magickall arts. The Crone is linked to the waning cycles of life—the shrinking of the moon’s silver orb after its fullness and ripeness has passed and the shortening of the days (and consequent lengthening of the night) after the harvest has finished. This association with maturity, with receding and ending cycles, makes her the one who receives us in death. Thus it is the Crone who rules over initiation, for initiation is a symbolic death and rebirth. The Crone represents the acquisition of wisdom that precedes transformation. When we open our hearts to her we can learn from experience. She is compassionate, as she has seen and known all the trials and challenges that life offers. She helps us meet these moments with cunning and compassion; her sagacity leads us on our own quest for wisdom. The Crone is typically connected to the darker aspects of the goddess, as the queen of witches and mistress of death. As depicted by the stiff Paleolithic nudes described in chapter 3, she is the psychopomp, the one who leads our souls to the other side after we shuffle off this mortal coil. Crones and dark goddesses are found everywhere in the world’s myths. In Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man there is the Cailleach
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Bhéare, the veiled hag who rules the winter. Slavic folklore records the Baba Yaga, the Crone-witch who is the liminal guardian on the hero’s journey journ ey.. Goddesses associated associated with the darker darker aspects of human human nature nature as well as the superna supernatural tural are sometimes sometimes relegated to the role of the Crone, Crone, no matter their age. Hecate, witch queen and ruler of the crossroads, is sometimes given the same role as the Crone. In the Afro-Caribbean pantheon, Yemay emayáá is occasionally depicted as an old woman or hag hag,, as well as a powerful witch and sorce sorceress, ress, as seen in her various emanat emanations: ions: Yemayá Aggana, Yemayá Awoyó, and Yemayá Okuti. Out of the death, destruction, and darkness of the Crone, the Maiden is regenerated. In the forest, old logs decompose and return fertility to the soil for new plants to sprout. In the same fashion, the Crone honors death, knowing that it leads to rebirth. Darkness is needed to understand light, and the Crone provides the necessary balance so that we can experience the fullness and richness of the human experience. Through her fierce wisdom and altruistic compassion, the Crone initiates the witch in the greatest of all mysteries: that of death and rebirth. The Crone’s crystals help to part the veil between the worlds. Many are dark in color, like the appearance of the dark moon. Some of my favorite stones for connecting to the Crone are obsidian and black moonstone, though one could also use jet, dark smoky quartz, and faden quartz. Holey stones (sometimes called “hag stones”) are traditionally associated with the Goddess in her guise as the Crone. Stones that help us connect with nonordinary reality, such as kyanite, jade, phantom quartz, and vivianite, also a lso tap into the Crone’s Crone’s wisdom. Fossils connect to the Crone through their age and sedimentary action; they are the whispers of the past that are etched in her memory. Lepidolite can represent the gentler, grandmotherly aspect of the Crone.
THE GODDESS ARCHET ARCHETYPES YPES Archetype is a word that has taken on many layers of meaning. In its Archetype purest sense, the word denotes “an original pattern from which duplicates are made,” a definition based on the Greek archetupos, meaning “first-molded.” Archetypes are the literal and metaphorical blueprints—
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the idealized forms—of all of reality. In a material sense they can be prototypes from which objects are derived. From a literar literaryy perspective, archetypes are the symbols, motifs, and stories that recur without end in myth and story and art. In a psychological sense, archetypes are the subconscious ideas and symbols that humans inherit on a collective level; these patterns exist in our psyche and are ever-present. Deities are archetypal in the truest sense of the word. They are the blueprints on which we model our myths, stories, and art. There are patterns and symbol symbolss that repeat all over the world, rega regardless rdless of language, culture, and era. Similarly, the traits of these divine beings represent the psychological archetypes that we humans also embody. For these reasons, we are hard-pressed not to sort gods and goddesses into their many archetypes, such as Earth Mother or storm god. Although deities the world over can be interpreted through the lens of their respective archetypal roles, these models do not define them absolutely. Any given goddess or god is more than just an archetype. It is possible that the individual gods of various pantheons began as unknowable archetypes in the subconscious minds of their worshippers. However, these figures have evolved and grown just as human culture has. Earth Mother figures are more than just personifications of nature; each has her own personality that has accrued through eons of worship. By the same token, few deities fit neatly into a single archetypal category. You’ll often see goddesses wear the mantle of several archetypes, sometimes over the course of centuries and other times all at once. Hekate, for example, is sometimes a Maiden, sometimes a Crone; she rules the underworld and all things related to the moon and the heavens. Others may not fit neatly into any categories at all. Hard polytheists might argue that associating deities with their archetypes glosses over the individual temperaments and teachings that each offers. We must remember that although gods and goddesses do have certain archetypal qualities, they can also be viewed as individuals, just like you and me. Examining these prototypic themes can help us, as human beings, relate to the unknowable, ineffable experience of divinity. To truly know any god or goddess we must find common ground on which to build a relationship; the archetypes offer solid ground for this kind of exploration.
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The facets of the Great Goddess as seen in their various archetypes are described in this chapter. Use these delineations to help you navigate the numerous goddesses available to work with, as each archetype rules specific areas of our material and spiritual life. Some aspects of the Great Mother are better suited to specific magickal workings than others, so the following descriptions are intended to help you figure out which goddess is most appropriate for the work you have planned. The following entries on the archetypes will provide you with general information on the best stones and crystals to work with.These stones can be used in meditation, carried or worn, or worked with in spellcraft or ritual to invoke the presence of the Goddess. While most of these stones are listed in the compendium, several additional stones will be referenced throughout this chapter. Those not discussed elsewhere may relate to a very specific aspect of the Divine Fe Feminine minine and not merit inclusi inclusion on in the compendium itself.
The Earth Mother As the personification of our planet, the Earth Mother is the most ancient aspect of the Great Goddess. To ancient peoples the Earth Mother was the Mother of All, for she nurtures and provides for all life. Today we know her as Mother Nature, though she is also the goddess of grains, the harvest, and the hunt. She is the primordial Mother from which all life arises, and she is the one who receives us in death, for we are returned to her womb when we are buried. The Earth Mother is Gaia, Freyja, and Danu. She is Demeter and Persephone (or Ceres and Proserpina to the Romans), goddesses of grains and harvests. In the Americas she is the corn mother and Mother Earth, known by different names according to different tribes. Many goddesses throughout the world are linked to Earth, including Isis, Inanna, and Asherah, while the primitive Venuses of the Paleolithic Pale olithic era are the first figurative representations of the Earth Mother. Magickally, this aspect of the Goddess can be invoked for workings of fertility, prosperity, protection, and healing. Stones that are connected to the Earth Mother include aventurine, moss agate, azurite-malachite, jas per,, chalc per chalcedon edonyy, eme emerald, rald, fos fossil sil sea urc urchin hin (ot (other her fos fossils sils not disc discuss ussed ed in
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the compendium, such as petrified wood, are also relevant), jade, jet, and serpentine.
Fierce Goddess The Fierce Goddess is the mask worn by the huntress and the warrioress. She is the divine defender, the Maiden of the hunt as well as the Mother who channels the primal ferocity of the Divine Feminine. The Fierce Goddess may overlap with aspects of the Dark Goddess or Underworld Goddess (see subsequent descriptions of these archetypes), since they share many of the same traits. Different cultures have visualized the Fierce Goddess in different roles. The Morrigan, a Celtic war goddess, embodies the power of the Fierce Goddess, with her battle cry and fearsome presence. The Amazons and Valkyries are also part of the family of warrior goddesses, as are Athena/Minerva, Macha, Badb, and Sekhmet. Inanna, too, was revered as a goddess of war in Sumeria. As the divine huntress, the Fierce Goddess is Artemis/Diana. She is also Brimwylf of Denmark, Dali of the Ossete people in southeastern Europe, and the Glaistig of Scotland. Oyá is the warrioress in several traditions of the African dias pora,, and she is a powerful force of nature. pora As the archetypal warrior, the Fierce Goddess can be invoked when you are experiencing conflict or wish to pursue your ambition. She provides motivation and action, and she is the fierce protectress of all her children. When you encounter dangerous situations, the Fierce Goddess can help you not only cope but thrive. She helps us transform fear and rage into raw fuel for inner and outer transformation. As the huntress, her magick helps us obtain our goals, and she is especially close to the animal kingdom. Stones that embody the energy of the Fierce Goddess include amazonite (the gem of the Amazons) and many iron-rich stones like carnelian, hematite, and tiger’s eye. Obsidian, long used to make weapons, taps into the warrior energy of the Fierce Goddess, and its blackness reflects the dark themes of many of these goddesses. Other stones used to tap into the Fierce Goddess archetype include copper, pink tourmaline, and rutilated quartz.
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Mistress of Magick When the Godd Goddess ess is honored as the patroness of the arts mag magickal ickal,, she wears the mantle of Mistress of Magick. She is the progenitor of all witches and magick-makers and is sometimes addressed as “Witch Mother” and “Queen of the Witches.” The Mistress of Magick is the archetype of the healer, oracle, wise woman, weaver of magicks, and walker-between-the-worlds. The Mistress of Magick is a facet of the Great Goddess revered by those who live in the liminal spaces, on the fringes of society. This archetype often overlaps with other, more exoteric facets of the Goddess, including Underworld Goddess, the Queen of Heaven, and the Great Mother. She is the esoteric counterpart recognized by initiates. She is Isis and Inanna/Ishtar; she is Hekate, who rules the crossroads, the threshold between this world and the next. Often she is called Aradia or Diana. The Mistress of Magick is also Medea, Circe, Yemayá, Cerridwen, and Holle. The Mistress of Magick is also the Fairy Queen, the ruler of the Shining Ones and wielder of their elder magick. In the British Isles, this figure is closely associated with witchcraft and fairy lore: there she is known variously as Mab (Medb, Maeve), Danu, Etain, the Lady of the Lake, Nimue, Titania, and countless other names. The title “Fairy Queen,” or “Queen of Elphame,” is sometimes given to the goddess Diana in some circles of modern witchcraft. As she who walks between the worlds, the Fairy Queen is naturally the patroness of witches and magick-makers. The Mistress of Magick is invoked for rites of magick, worship, and transformation. She can be called on in virtually any of her indi vidual forms for nearly all type typess of mag magickal ickal workings workings.. She can help open the doors to astral travel and otherworldly journeys, whether in ritual, meditation, or during the dream state. Petitioning her can lend power to your rites and may help you tap into your own innate power, or witch blood, for your magickal workings and ritual observances. Crystals and gemstones connected to the Mistress of Magick archetype are quartz, moss agate, midnight lace obsidian, Romanian smoky quartz (wedding veil quartz), moon quartz, lapis lazuli,
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rainbow moonstone, vivianite, and carnelian. Staurolite, a mineral that forms cross-shaped, twinned crystals, symbolizes the crossroads and is thus a perfect tool for connecting with the Mistress of Magick archetype as well.
Goddess of Hearth and Home The home has always been swaddled in the arms of the Great Mother. As the Goddess of Hearth and Home, she is the warmth and love that surrounds the home and all who dwell therein. Perhaps the reason that housekeeping, cooking, and raising families has been called “women’s work” is because of the int intima imate te conn connection ection between the home and the Goddess herself. Household shrines to gods and goddesses were once the cultural norm, and those dedicated to the Goddess of Hearth and Home have invited her blessings since prehistory. Among the best-known of goddesses in this archetypal role are the Greek Hestia (and her Roman counterpart, Vesta). The Celtic goddess Brigid protected against household fires and prevented mishaps in the kitchen. Holdja, a goddess of Estonian origin, lived on a roof beam and showered good luck to whomever greeted her upon entering the home. The rice goddesses of Asia, such as the Indian Annapurna, are often enshrined as household deities. Athena was originally a Minoan or Mycenaean household goddess who protected the family’s food supply, chased away pests, and strengthened the family bond. The Goddess of Hearth and Home may be petitioned for health, healing, and protection of your family. She ensures household happiness, prosperity, and fertility. Many examples of this archetype double as aspects of the Mother Goddess and share her responsibilities. Stones that connect to the Goddess of Hearth and Home include amber, aventurine, blue lace agate, geodes, holey stones, jasper, citrine, spirit quartz, and crystal clusters of many varieties. Ocean Mother The salty sea evokes the symbolism of the womb of the supernal Mother. Goddesses linked to the sea are common throughout the world. Water
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is a feminine element that symbolizes the emotions, especially love. Sometimes the Ocean Mother is the goddess of lakes, rivers, and ponds, as well as larger bodies of water. Ocean goddesses are often syncretized with lunar symbolism, since the moon rules the ocean ocean’’s tides. Yemayá, from the Afro-Caribbean pantheon, is a prime example of the Ocean Mother, although her worship originated in Africa among the Yoruba as a goddess of the rivers and lakes. When Europeans enslaved the Yoruba and brought them to the New World, their beloved goddess was transformed into the Mother of the Oceans so she could journeyy with them. She is sometime journe sometimess depicte depictedd as a mermaid and is thus conflated with other watery deities such as Ezili, Mami Wata, and Oshún. Other mythic figures that personify the Ocean Mother include Amphitrite, Greek mother of the monsters of the ocean; Anuket, of the Nile River; Sarasvati and Ganga, both of the Hindu pantheon; and Chalchiuhtlicue, the Aztec jade-skirted goddess who rules over lakes, streams, and rain. (More Ocean Mother figures are described in the entry for aquamarine in chapter 7.) Oceanic goddesses point to our birth from both the aqueous environs of our mother’s womb, as well from the primordial and chaotic abyss, the cosmic waters from which the whole of the world was born. Water W ater endows us with an understanding of the gifts g ifts of flux flu x and a nd change. Water W ater takes the shape of its vessel, and it is a universal solvent, thus water itself and the go goddesses ddesses who personi personiff y it empower us to adapt and transform our lives. Call on the aid of the Ocean Mother with gemstones such as aquamarine, mother-of-pearl, larimar, and coral. Amber, amazonite, copper, ocean jasper, and moonstone also have oceanic qualities that can be used to invoke the Ocean Mother.
Queen of Heaven The moniker “Queen of Heaven” dates back to antiquity, when it was applied to a number of deities who served analogous functions among their worshippers. The Great Goddess is often referred to by this title among contemporary worshippers, who draw on an ancient tradition in doing so. The Queen of Heaven is the sovereign
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of the sky; her reign oversees sun and moon, clouds and stars. Inanna, Anat, Isis, Astarte, Asherah, Ishtar, Frigg, Nuit, Hera, and Juno all claim the role of Queen of Heave Heaven. n. Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, is called “Empress of Heaven” by those who revere her. Such deities are often viewed as Mother Goddess figures as well; for this reason they often share traits with other divine mothers. Related archetypes include the goddesses of the sun, moon, and stars. Today, millions of people address the Virgin Mary as “Queen of Heaven,” thereby perpetuating this archetype. In fact, there is a Catholic shrine near my home in central Florida dedicated to Mary as Queen of the Universe. It is one of my favorite local spots to connect to the Divine Feminine. Invoking the Queen of Heaven in your magickal workings can sup port endeavors related to rulership. She grants insight and can be petitioned for workings for nearly any aim. The stones of the Queen of Heaven include amazonite, chrysocolla, copper, emerald, fossil sea urchin, lapis lazuli, malachite, nebula stone, clear quartz, veil of Isis quartz, sapphire, silver, turquoise, and yeh ming zhu.
Solar Goddess Long ago, the sun, rather than the moon, was the heavenly body attributed to the Great Goddess in many cultures. The Solar Goddess is an aspect of the Queen of Heaven, and she is also usually an aspect of the Great Mother. The sun is the ultimate source of light, heat, energy, and life itself here on our planet, thus it is only natural that ancient peoples would revere the sun sun as the Goddess herself. herself. In many languages the word sun is for sun for is feminine, attesting to its connection to the Divine Feminine. Solar goddesses are many, although scholars once thought them an anomaly because the classical myths of Greece and Rome usually depict the sun as masculine and the moon as feminine. Solar goddesses include Sekhmet and Hathor from Egypt, the Japanese Amaterasu, Brigid and Rhiannon from the Celtic people, and the Baltic Saule, among many. The Solar Goddess archetype represents sovereignty, success, and power. Many sun goddesses are also creator deities who can confer their creativity on us.
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Use solar gemstones such as amber, fire agate, orange calcite, creedite, copper, malachite, peridot, quartz, tiger’s eye, and turqoise for working with the Sola Solarr Godd Goddess. ess. Other stones connecte connectedd to the sun include citrine, sunstone, pyrite, and ruby, as well as the metals gold and brass. Silver is occasionally linked to the Sun Goddess too.
Lunar Goddess Arguably the most beloved aspect of the Goddess today is her manifestation as the Lunar Goddess. She is the embodiment of the ever-changing moon and the lover of the sun god. The moon’s phases link the Lunar Goddess to the three faces of the Triple Goddess: the Maiden represents the waxing moon, the Mother the full moon, and the Crone the waning moon. The Lunar Goddess is sometimes synonymous with the Queen of Heaven and the Mistress of Magick. She is truly the Great Mother known by many names the world over. Perceiving the moon as an inherently feminine energy no doubt derives from the menstrual cycle as determined by the moon’s phases. In fact, the words menstruate and moon share an etymological root, the Latin mensis, “month.”* The archetype of the Moon Goddess is typified by the lunar aspect of classical goddesses like Artemis/Diana and Selene/ Luna. Many other goddesses are also ascribed to the moon, including Isis, Hekate, Arianrhod, Ix Chel, Ch’ang O, Menil, Sina, and others. Moon goddesses typically rule over the themes of magick and transformation, women’s mysteries, intuition, children, and the other worldly realm of spirits, fair fairyy folk, and other nonhuman beings. Lunar Goddess figures are usually honored during the esbats, or lunar celebrations, of traditional witchcraft. The Lunar Goddess is the initiatrix, the timekeeper, and the illuminatrix of the subconscious mind. Lunar gemstones like moonstone and selenite are chief among the Lunar Goddess’s jewels. Spheres of rock crystal can also harness the power of the moon, and varieties of quartz such as moon quartz and white quartz also symbolize the moon’s magick. Pearls have long *Traditional peoples the world over have always followed a lunar calendar of approximately twenty-eight days, the average length of a woman’s cycle. This contrasts with the Gregorian Calendar introduced by Pope Gregory in 1582, still in use today.
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been visualized as miniature moons in their own right; they are excellent for contact with the Moon Mother. Yeh ming zhu, Chinese stones both natural and manmade that exhibit persistent phosphorescence— often fluorite or calcite—are sometimes called ming yueh zhu, meaning “bright moon pearl,” thus connecting to the lunar mysteries of the Great Goddess. Other gemstones with an overtly lunar energy include orbicular agate, moon quartz, chalcedony (especially white and gray), white coral, mother-of-pearl, aquamarine, opal, some forms of jasper, and sapphire.
Stellar Goddess The Stellar Goddess archetype is often seen as an aspect of the Queen of Heaven. As the Star Goddess she is the central figure in the Faery (or Feri) Tradition, the branch of pagan witchcraft that arose in the United States in the 1960s. She is venerated as the Egyptian Nuit in the spiritual philosophy know known n as Thelem Thelema, a, developed by English occultist Alistair Crowley in the early 1900s. She is also sometimes associated with the Black Madonna, since the void of space is comparably hued. The Star Goddess is the cosmic void, the stellar womb from which creation arises. She is the uncreated one—the goddess who always was and always shall be. In the Faery or Feri Tradition, the Stellar Goddess is sometimes called Mother Night, Sugmad, Sugmati, and the Great Infinite Darkness. Other Stellar Goddess figures around the world are Aya (Semetic Akkadian), Breksta (Baltic), Baachini (Navajo), and Nemissa (Algonikan). The Stellar Goddess also exists as the personification of the Pleiades constellation, called the Seven Sisters, for the seven maidens who became stars in Greek mythology. These seven stars are known as the Meamei to the Aborigines of Australia, while the Paiute people of North America call them Coyote’s Daughters. Working W orking with the Stel Stellar lar Go Godde ddess ss can yiel yieldd trans transformat formationa ionall magick. Generally, stars represent hope; they are wishes waiting to be fulfilled. The Stellar Goddess is our most ancient ancestor, the cosmic Mother. Connecting to her opens the door to personal gnosis and deep-seated healing. The most famous of gems ascribed to the Stellar Goddess is lapis lazuli; the body of the goddess Nuit was depicted as resembling its
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pattern of gold golden en flecks amid a dark blue background. Lemurian jade, consisting of pyrite flecks against a backdrop of black jade, is also a perfect representation of the Star Goddess. Other stellar stel lar stones include moldavite and other tektites, meteorites, and gemstones with asterism, such as star sapphire, star ruby, and exceptional examples of rose quartz, moon quartz, garnet, and black diopside. Nebula stone is also deeply attuned to this aspect of the Great Goddess.
Underworld Goddess and Dark Goddess I’ve grouped these two archetypes together, since the distinctions between them are not clear-cut. The Dark Goddess is the complementary pole of the bright aspect of the Great Goddess; they are at once opposite and conjoined. To know one, we must know the other. Janet and Scott Farrar, authors of eight books on witchcraft, write, “The Dark Goddess . . . represents the mysteries of the Unconscious, both personal and colle collective, ctive, the indirect awareness of intuition, of instinctive attunement to the environment and the processes of fertility, of the useful warning stimulus of pain or discomfort, of the instinctive urge to achieve and create the merging of identities in sexual union.” 4 The Dark Goddess archetype rules over fear, darkness, death, and night, all of which are a natural part of life. By embracing these often repressed aspects of life we can mend the fragmented parts of our psyches, the bits that are battered by the throes of life and death. The Dark Goddess is no less loving than any other goddess, but her love is severe; she sets boundaries and teaches us our deepest lessons. Sometimes she is called “Underworld Queen,” as with the Greek goddess Persephone/Kore (or Proserpina to the Romans). Other times she is the ruler of nonhuman realms like that of the fairy folk. The Underworld Goddess is the chthonic aspect of the Earth Mother who represents the unseen and unknown realms. Her role can overlap with that of the Fierce Goddess, who oversees war and strife, or with that of the deathly Crone and the Mistress of Magick. She is the complement to each face of the Great Goddess. Dark Goddess figures can be the Maiden, the Mother, or the Crone. We know her as Persephone and Hekate, as the Cailleach and
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the Morrigan. She is the Egyptian goddess Nepthys, associated with the underworld and with death and decay. She is also Kali of India, at once the great creator and destroyer. Other forms of the Dark Goddess and the Underworld Goddess are Hel, Ereshkigal, Eris, Sedna, Blodeuwedd, Scathach, and sometimes Epona and Rhiannon. Many strains of traditional witchcraft honor her as Lilith, the first wife of Adam. The Dark Goddess and the Underworld Goddess can be invoked for magick related to transformation. She is the healer of our deepest wounds, granting us the reser reserves ves of power and strength neede neededd for our most powerful magick. These two closely related archetypes can also work with us for defensive mag magick ick such as protection, banish banishing ing,, and bindings. They often rule the theme of divination and communication with spirits. Crystals that relate to this aspect of the Great Goddess include obsidian, jet, carnelian, and holey stones. Garnet represents the meal of pomegranates that bound Persephone to the underworld, thus it is a potent ally in working with her and her fellow queens of the under world. Ammonite depicts the spiral spiraling ing force of the chthonic mother of serpents, the dark aspect of the Earth Mother. Black moonstone represents the waning and dark of the moon, which represent these archetypes in the lunar cycle. Red coral, kunzite, and turquoise are also associated with the Underworld Queen.
Goddess of Love Aphrodite, foam-born maiden with golden tresses, probably comes to mind when you envision the Goddess of Love. This archetypal role of the Goddess is often associated with the Maiden, whose independence in love and romance inspires us to pursue beauty and seduction. However, the Goddess of Love is also connected to the archetypal Mother, as she celebrates fertility, like that of the earth. The Goddess of Love is represented by the symbols of love, beauty, and romance. She is the bright star that appears in the morning and the evening, the planet Venus, whose effulgent beauty adorns the sky like a gemstone in a celestial crown. Other goddesses representing this archetype include Freyja and Frigga, Hathor, Hera, Gwynhwyfar, Parvati,
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and Var. The goddesses Isis, Inanna, Ishtar, and Astarte are also con joined in the Goddess of Love archetyp archetypee at times. In the pantheon of the African diaspora, Erzulie and Oshún wear the guise of the Goddess of Love. Invoke the Goddess of Love for drawing love and beauty into your life. She can help you find your inner beauty, which boosts self-confidence. She also rules fertility, which we can use for both biological fertility and for a fertile imagination. Loving gemstones such as rose quartz, ruby, and jade, are employed under her auspices. Minerals rich in copper such as chrysocolla, azuritemalachite, cuprite, dioptase, malachite, and metallic copper are excellent tools for working with the Goddess of Love in spell and ritual. Amber, sacred to Freyja, has long been used for love-drawing magick, too. Try using rutilated quartz (nicknamed “hair of Venus”) and vanadinite (named for titles by which Freyja is known), as well as pearls, pink tourmaline, and emerald for connecting to the Goddess of Love.
Sacred Harlot A minor archetype that in many ways overlaps with the Goddess of Love and other goddesses is the Sacred Harlot. She represents unbridled sexuality; her very body is her instrument of magick. In the poem “The Charge of the Goddess” by the English witch Doreen Valiente (1922–1999), there is a line that reads “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.”5 This is the heart of the Sacred Harlot. Priestesses and female worshippers of the Great Goddess in antiquity were sometimes described as “temple whores” or simply as “whores” and “prostitutes” by later Christian theologians and writers. Though this terminology is derogatory, meant to steer the people away from their pagan worship worship,, it offers a patriarchal patriarchal perspect perspective ive on the sexual and social autonomy that women enjoyed at a previous time during the reign of the Great Goddess. By reclaiming the Sacred Harlot as embodied by the lustful face of the Goddess, we can once again elevate the status of women in our world. By permitting the Goddess to wear her sexuality without judgment, judgme nt, we empower empower women today today to reclaim their sexual sexual identity identity and
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the power that comes with it, thereby removing the shackles of shame and objectification that women have worn for too long. The Sacred Harlot is revered in the spiritual practices of Thelema, where she is known as Babal Babalon. on. Babal Babalon on is call called ed “the Red Godd Goddess” ess” and “the Scarlet Woman,” and she is often regarded as Inanna-Ishtar or as the secret identity of their goddess Nuit. Her symbolism is a juxtaposition of the sacred and the profane; she mixes life and death, lust and love, light and dark. Lilith, first wife of Adam in early Hebrew lore, is related to an earlier Mesopotamian goddess who was turned into a demon by later religious writers, who asserted that Lilith was cast out because she refused to be sexually submissive to Adam. The Sacred Harlot offers her flesh as a conjugal communion. It is probably for this reason that she was vilified by the rabbinic tradition. To the Aztec, the Sacred Harlot is Tlazolteotl, and the Hindu people know her as Rati. Additionally, ancient goddesses whose female supplicants were cal called led “temple prosti prostitutes” tutes” inclu include de Asher Asherah, ah, Inanna, Astar Astarte/ te/ Ashtoreth, Anath, Aphrodite, Cybele, and others; those women who devoted themselves to this aspect of the Great Goddess were themselves embodiments of the Sacred Harlot. The Sacred Harlot can be invoked for rites of love, lust, beauty, pleasure, and power power.. Her sexualit sexualityy is alchemica alchemicall in that she transmutes what she touches. Of all the crystals that attune to the archetype of the Sacred Harlot, the scarlet temple Lemurian seed crystal (also called strawberry Lemurian seed crystal) represents her most fully. Other crystals that can be used to connect with her include alabaster, orange calcite, copper, pearl, and vanadinite. vanadini te. Carne Carnelian, lian, with all its carnal symbolism, is used for magick that falls in her domain, and creedite is sexually empowering and liberating, thus connecting it with the Sacred Harlot, too.
The Muse The Muse is the archetypal goddess of the arts, crafts, learning, and wisdom. She is the light of inspiration for poets and writers as well as the vision visio n tha thatt sculpto sculptors, rs, paint painters, ers, and othe otherr visu visual al artist artistss purs pursue. ue. She can be the patron of wisdom and learning, as this, too, requires inspiration. The
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Muse can refer to the classical muses of Greco-Roman mythology, as well as to goddesses such as Athena, Minerva, Ariadne, Saraswati, Aphrodite, and Benzaiten. In many cases the goddess-as-muse is an aspect of the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. Call on her for help with any creative endeavor, as well as in the pursuit of truth and beauty. Crystals and gemstones appropriate for connecting to the Muse include alabaster and marble (both of which are artistic media for sculptors), carnelian (to activate your creativity), fluorite (for the selfdiscipline and follow-through to carry out your artistic or intellectual pursuits), pursu its), and kyanite (to help you see the bigger picture). Chrysocolla Chrysocolla is one of my favorite Muse stones, as it helps you pursue beauty and express it unflinchingly.
The Fates The concepts of destiny, time, and karma are often embodied in the form of the Goddess known as the Fates and the Wyrd Sisters. Though the Divine Masculine principle in Western magickal traditions is viewed as the dying god or sacrificial king, the Great Goddess is eternal. For this reason she is the embodiment of time and fate. The Fates are frequently depicted as a Triple Goddess, though some traditions personify fate and time as singular rather than plural. To the Nordic people the personification of the Fates were the Norns, or the Wyrd Sisters: Urdhr, Verdhandi, and Skuld. The Greeks knew them as the Moirai (or Fates): Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Their Roman equivalents are the Parcae: Nona, Decima, and Morta. They are believed to spin, measure, and cut the thread of each person’s life. Analogous figures in the mythology of other cultures include the Bulgarian Orisnitsi, the Nordic Valkyries, the Celtic Matrones, and the Lithuanian goddess Laime. In northern India, the Goddess of Fate is Behmata. To the pre-Islamic people of the Arabian peninsula, fate was personified person ified as Manat. The Spider Woman of some Native American Indian storytellers is also known as Spider Old Woman and Spider Grandmother, the spinner of fate. Work W ork with the Fates to heal on the causal causal,, or karmic, level. They can offer you the tools and lessons needed to break persistent cycles
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in your life and overcome obstacles that have held you back for great periods of time. They can also be contacted to support divination and prophecyy, as well as to provide healing during times of grief and loss. prophec Crystals connected to the Fates include gray and black moonstone, fossils, obsidian, and amazonite. Faden quartz, named for its threadlike inclusions, is strongly linked to the imagery of the thread of life that is spun, measured, and snipped by the Fates; it is one of my favorite stones for connecting with this archetype.
SYMBOLS OF THE GODDESS In addition to working with the crystals listed in the previous entries on archetypes, symbols are another powerful way to connect with the many facets of the Great Goddess. Symbols serve as an archetypal language, one that speaks to the subconscious and superconscious. Cultures around the world have developed their own tradition of symbolic imagery, and many of these symbols overlap. The symbolism built around Divine Feminine tends toward figures built from circles, curves, and spirals. These representations build on the primal symbols of womanhood and the very essence of the feminine mysteries. They are inspired by the fertile curve of breast and belly. They are sometimes tokens of the birth canal, the portal of life. Natural features that echo these forms are considered sacred to the Divine Mother—images like the changing phases of the moon and the curve of holy hills and the opening of the sacred cave. Birds, beasts, trees, and flowers also lend themselves to the language of the Goddess. An overview of goddess-oriented symbols follows. These symbols can be incorporated into meditation, ritual, and spellcraft. You may inscribe them on candles or on parchment. They are the perfect patterns for making crystal grids, serving as templates for the arrangement of stones, whether for healing, meditation, or spellcraft.
Yonic Figures Symbols of the yoni are among the earliest representations of the Divine Feminine, for they represent the female reproductive organs. The downturned triangle representating the pubic delta is connected
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to the alchemical symbols for water and earth. Chevron patterns adorn ancient vessels and statues that depict the Great Goddess of the Stone Age; these chevrons may represent the breasts and pubic triangle, though some may symbolize a bird goddess once widely worshipped. 6 Eggs are also vaguely yonic in shape, and they, too, represent the Goddess’s power to create life.
Chevron, triangle, lozenge, yoni, and vesica piscis
These symbols are often ascribed to rites of fertility, creativity, and empowerment. They are most closely related to the archetypes of the Mother from the Triple Goddess (as well as all mother figures among the archetypes of the Divine Feminine), the Goddess of Love, and the Sacred Harlot.
The Spiral The spiral is easily one of the most universal and recognizable symbols of the Goddess. Spirals represent the sacred labyrinth wherein the mysteries of initiation might be experienced. Spirals are associated with the serpent, the chthonic or telluric aspect of the Earth Mother and a symbol of fertility and sexuality. Archaeologist Marija Gimbutas posits that spirals in ancient art were symbols of the Goddess because they represent the life force, such as in the uncoiling of new plant growth and the ever-changing cycles of the moon. 7 For many, the spiral is a symbol of the soul’s path of reincarnation representing the never-ending journey of birth, death, and rebirth. Spirals
A variety of spirals spirals
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are thus connected to the Fates. Practitioners of most branches of the magickal arts associate clockwise-turning spirals with drawing an influence inward, and counterclockwise spirals with banishing or removing a particular particul ar influence. influence. However However,, this language is not universal, universal, as some cultures, like the people of Japan, use these directions in reverse.
The Circle Circles mirror the shape of the sun, moon, and our planet Earth. Circular and spherical objects like dishes, bowls, mirrors, and cauldrons are typically considered sacred to the Divine Feminine. Like the Great Goddess herself, the circle has no beginning or end; it is eternal and holds us safely in her embrace. Circles may be protective, and circles of crystals or stones can be used to delineate sacred space.
Circle
The Moon The moon in its various phases has long been connected to the Divine Feminine. Crescent moons are often connected to the upturned shape of a bull’s horns; both have long been considered symbols of fertility. The connection between such figures and the Divine Feminine lies in the similarity between the shape of the female reproductive system (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) and that of the outline of the bull’s cranium. 8 Since antiquity, crescent-shaped axes, knives, and other ritual implements have been used to symbolize the Divine Feminine.
Symbols Symbo ls of the Divine Femi Feminine nine as seen in the shapes of the moon
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Crescent shapes and triple-moon figures are the most common representations of the Goddess today. They are typically used for lunar magick and for connecting to other aspects of the Moon Goddess.
Triple Figures Triple knots, overlapping circles, and triple spirals are but some of the many triune formations used to represent the threefold aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Many of these symbols are also considered protective. They are often used as general symbols of the Divine Feminine by practitioners today. Ancient sculptures depicting the Great Goddess often exhibit triple lines or dashes; they are painted on her eyes, mouth, and body. This symbol depicts the multiple streams of sustenance that the Great Mother provides. 9
Left to right: triple knot, triskelion, triskelion, and three tri-line tri-line symbols
Pentagrams and Stars Vario V arious us stel stellar lar symb symbols ols corre correspond spond to many asp aspects ects of the Divine Feminine. The five-pointed pentacle, especially when enclosed by a circle, represents the four material elements of the Western mystery traditions (earth, air, fire, and water), crowned by the immaterial quintessence, the spiritual element variously called ether, space, void, and spirit. In many traditions the pentacle or a tile, paten, or dish inscribed with a pentagra pentagram m is the symbol for the element of earth on the altar, earth being a feminine element.
Pentagram, Pent agram, septagram, septagram, pentacle, pentacle, and transit transit of Venus Venus
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The five-pointed star is related to the pattern the planet Venus makes as it traverses the sky. Since Venus is intimately linked to the Goddess, such a fivefold figure may have its origin as a symbol of the Goddess on this planet’s path. Other symbols modeled on the star can help you connect to the Stellar Goddess.
Planetary Symbols The astrological symbol for Venus has been used to denote the female gender since the 1750s when the Swedish scientist and physician Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) used the symbols for Venus and Mars to refer to the sex of plants. It is used by both spiritual and secular schools to represent the nature of femininity, and thus it carries a strong connection to the Divine Feminine. Originally meant to resemble a necklace, this symbol has been likened to Venus’s mirror; it was also used by alchemists and chemists to indicate the element copper. The symbol for Venus may be used for all energies under this planet’s domain; it relates to the archetypes of the Goddess of Love, the Sacred Harlot, and the Muse.
Left to right: the symbols for Venus Venus (the first first figure) and Earth (the second second and third figures) figures)
The symbols for Earth as shown above were used by astrologers only after heliocentrism was established scientifically by Copernicus in the sixteenth century. The circle with the cross inside represents the four cardinal directions, while the circle mounted by the cross is taken from the alchemical symbol for antimony. These figures may be used for magick related to the element of earth, such as for grounding, healing, prosperity, and protection.
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The Cross Crosses are related to the four cardinal directions, the four elements, and the four seasons. The cross formed by the four points of the compass is often connected to the Medicine Wheel and to the element of earth; thus it may be used as a representation of the Earth Mother. Equalarmed crosses, including Saint Brigid’s cross, are often connected to solar symbolism. Use crosses to invoke the sun for centering and protection.
Left to right: solar cross and Saint Brigid’s Brigid’s cross cross
The Flower Floral patterns depict the blooming, springtide aspect of Mother Nature. The five-petaled rose is a symbol of the Divine Feminine in Western W estern mystery traditions, and it can be b e used to invoke and a nd honor h onor the Goddess. The Flower of Life, the last figure shown in the illustration, is a fundamental symbol in the study of sacred geometry. It is the creation pattern that leads us into and out of physical existence, and thus represents the Goddess as the womb from which all form is birthed and the cosmic void to which we all return. It is composed of overlap ping circles, another sacred symbol of the God Godess.T ess.The he Flower of Life is a popular template for making crystal grids. Flowers can be used as offerings on the altar, and floral symbols work in many of the same ways as the star symbols described above.
Flower imagery, including the the Flower of Life, Life, far right
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JUST AS THE GREAT GODDESS IS SEEN in the three different
guises that follow the human life cycle, she also appears in the three phases of the rock cycl cycle. e. The rock cycl cyclee is a model used in geology to describe the genesis and transitions of the three categories of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are those born of cooling magma or lava. Sedimentary rocks are made of the weathered remains of other rocks cemented together. Metamorphic rocks are created when extant igneous and sedimentary rocks are exposed to heat and pressure, causing their constituent minerals to transform. The rock cycle as illustrated above is not a linear progression from one phase to the next. Accordingly, there is no definitive, black-and white correlation betwe between en the three catego categories ries of rocks and the faces of the Triple Goddess. Although it is possible to find aspects of each of the Goddess’s faces in any of the phases of the rock cycle, my own personal experience has led me to general generally ly correlate the Maiden with igneous rocks, the Mother with metamorphic rocks, and the Crone with sedimentar sedimentaryy rocks. The three faces of the Goddess as reflected in the mineral kingdom do not come from myth or traditional lore; rather, they are the result of my listening to the whispers of the Goddess of Stone and my own personal gnosis. Although these Goddess G oddess forms may not be b e ancient, the stones from which they draw their symbolism have always been part of Earth (and therefore therefore part of the Great Goddess herself herself ). 92
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The rock cycle
THE MAIDEN: IGNEA Ignea is the Maiden of Stone. She is the newborn rock that forms as lava and magma cool. She is the bright gem hidden in the womb of the Earth Mother, still waiting to be polished. Ignea represents all that the Maiden does, but her symbols arise from the start of the rock cycle from igneous processes. Deep in the belly of our planet, molten rock churns, eventually rising upward to find its way out. Sometimes this molten rock empties into pockets and seams in preexisting stone. There it cools slowly, enveloped by its matrix like a baby in utero; this process yields intrusive igneous rocks. Such rocks are referred to as plutonic rocks, a named derived from the underworld god of Greco-Roman religion, Pluto
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or Plutus/Hades. Extrusive rocks, on the other hand, erupt from the earth, such as in volcanic events. Extrusive rocks are called vulcanites, borrowed from the same source as for the word volcano, the Roman god of fire and metallurgy, Vulcan. Extrusive rocks are born with all the pangs and pains of childbirth, and the youngest rocks you can find belong to this class. Igneous rocks and their constituent minerals are grouped in the primary formation process process.. These rocks and minerals are the very first iterations of crystalline form to arise from the primordial chaos, the cauldron of liquid magma. Thus igneous rocks and primary minerals give rise to all other rocks, either by being weathered into sedimentary formations or transmuted by heat and pressure into metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are comprised of other rocks that have been transformed in some way, but igneous rocks alone are made fresh, born of liquid magma. They radiate vitality and represent the clean slate and pure potential of the archetypal Maiden.
Maiden of Fire Ignea is embodied in igneous rocks and the minerals from which they are comprised. Her name derives from the Latin ignis, meaning “fire” as Ignea means well as “luminary “luminary..” Ignea means “the fiery one” in Latin. Thus Ignea is the face of the Triple Goddess who is born of fire and stone; she is the luminous maid ready to embark on life’s journey. Among the Celtic people, Brigid is perhaps the most beloved of fire goddesses. She is the solar maiden who was later syncretized with the pious virgin Saint Brigid, an early Irish Christian nun. To the Egyptians, the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet is associated with fire and is sometimes described as the daughter of the sun god Ra. Vedic literature records Agneyi, the fire maiden born to the god Agni.* The Romans had their Vestales, the maidenlike priestesses of Vesta who tended her eternal flame. So there clearly is a widespread connection between the element of fire and the archetype of the Maiden. *The names Agneyi and Agni are both derived from the Sanskrit root agni, root agni, “fire,” a word that gave rise to the Latin ignis, from which Ignea’s name comes.
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Ignea lives where fire and stone meet. Together these two elemental forces provide the means to create new rock, which in turn can be used to build new structures. Ignea provides not only the raw material, but also the heat and light. Molten rock radiates a mesmerizing glow and intense heat. It can raze anything in its path on the surface of the earth and transmute surrounding bedrock when tracing its chthonic course through the crust. The Maiden archetype Ignea can thus ignite our own creativity and offer rapid transformation. She is fertility embodied, and her fiery glow is the light of passion itself. Like the raw element of fire, Ignea generates heat and illumination in our lives, helping to pave the way for new ideas to be born.
Manifest Potential Igneous rocks begin as liquid rock cools. Compared to the innate order of crystalline solids, liquid materials display chaotic arrays of atoms and molecules. The composition of magma dictates which minerals will be formed as it cools, thus it is already encoded for the potential crystals that manifest from its liquid chaos. Other factors involved in the crystallization process include time, temperature, space, and pressure; these fine-tune how the minerals will ultimately form. There are three primary igneous formation processes: liquidmagmatic, hydrothermal, and pneumatolytic. 1 The liquid-magmatic process proce ss is simply the cool cooling ing of magma or lava lava,, where see seedd cry crystals stals precipitate precip itate from the liquid as the temperature fal falls. ls. This takes place at extreme temperatures, usually in the range of 700 to 1100 degrees Celsius. Hydrothermal mineral formation occurs when the critical tem perature of water (375 degre degrees es Celsius and below) has been reache reached. d. Mineral solids are dissolved in superheated water, which can reach into cavities in the rock matrix. Crystals eventually precipitate from the aqueous solution, lining the rocks with crystalline druze. Pneumatolytic pneuma, meaning “breath” or “soul,” and lysein, “to dis processes (from (from pneuma, solve”) involve gases and vapors escaping from molten rock and water; minerals dissolve from the surrounding rock and form new compounds with these gas gases, es, which are later deposited as new minerals. No matter which specific mechanism is behind the growth of
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igneous rocks and primary minerals, the underlying theme is always the crystalline potential arising from the chaotic void of liquid or gas. Order is birthed from the fiery womb as Ignea enters the scene. The late Michael Gienger, one of Europe’s most respected experts on crystals and their uses, writes, “The first formation principle demonstrates a crystallization process based on the cooling and solidification of liquid magma. The mineral-forming elements contained in magma represent the potential and predisposition for formation, as they already determine what can be formed. The crystallization process itself, however, is determined by the factors of pressure, heat, space, and time, all of which decide in which manner the existing potential will be realized.”2 This statement reminds us that igneous rocks and minerals are the manifestation of pure potential. This is the very promise held by the Maiden; it is her springtide glory of flowers awaiting pollination. Janet and Stewart Farrar describe describ e the archetypa archetypall Maiden as “the adventurous young flame that banishes indifference and leapfrogs obstacles, the lively curiosity that blows the dust off stale knowledge and gives it new perspectives.” 3 Her potential is just coming to be realized, and she is willing to break free from the mold. Ignea, though crystalline, still retains the wildness of her liquid state. She is unfettered by social norms and therefore free to explore all avenues that excite her. Ignea holds the promise of your inner potential, thus she can help us find ways to tease out hidden talents and secret yearnings. As the Maiden of Stone, she adds counterpoint to wanton caprice, for she is still grounded and stable. Her freedom to grow and change is shaped by circumstances, thus she helps us seek advantageous conditions for cultivating our own potential. Michael Gienger goes on to say of igneous rocks that “because of their similar manner of origin involved, [they] will encourage learning processes. Every magmatic mineral represents certain spiritual values and will support and encourage their development. In connection with this, the mineral will also encourage a certain kind of spiritual experience and corresponding thought and behaviour patterns, and may help with healing if these values, experiences, thought and behaviour patterns in any given case are conducive to overall good health.”4
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The unearthing of buried talent is one of the gifts that Ignea and her totemic igneous rocks and primary minerals convey. The Maiden of Stone offers her fertile, volcanic ash and brilliant light to encourage higher learning and self-discipline. Working with her and her stones can encourage you to find order in chaos, to manifest your highest potential.
The Dual Nature of the Maiden Igneous rocks are usually classified by their composition and texture, the latter of which reveals the environment in which they were formed. Aphanitic rocks are those with fine-grained textures. Their crystals are of diminutive size because they formed extrusively, such as from lava cooling from volcanic activity; this allows them to cool more quickly than intrusive rocks. Examples of extrusive igneous rocks include basalt, andesite, obsidian, pumice, and rhyolite. Phaneritic rocks, on the other hand, are coarse-grained rocks with visible crystal structures within their matrix. These rocks are formed by intrusive process, proc ess, meanmea ning they occur as magma cools slowly within the crust. Since these rocks form slowly over time, the minerals of which they are comprised have more time to form large crystals. Intrusive igneous rocks include granite, pegmatite, gabbro, anorthosite, and diorite. Extrusive igneous rocks tend to relate to the bright, fertile aspect of the Maiden as embodied in the myth of Persephone. They are formed more or less above ground, and they have structures that support the movement and fine-tuning of subtle energy. The fine-grained crystals within these rock rockss promote movement, chang change, e, and fluenc fluencyy. Some extrusive rocks, like pumice and obsidian, lack crystalline structures altogether. These rocks often maintain a carefree fluidity that provides a sense of freedom and fulfillment to those who bear them. Unlike their vulcanitic relatives, intrusive igneous rocks are formed within Ear Earth’ th’ss crust and thus bear a deep connec connection tion to the darker aspects of the Maiden as Underworld Goddess. These rocks are the plutonites, so named for having been formed in the telluric terrain of the underworld. Like the pomegranate that Persephone ate that bound her to the realm of Hades, intrusive igneous rocks are the fruits of the
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This example of basaltic porphyry is an extrusive igneous rock; note its fine-grained fine-grain ed texture. The The larger crystals in this rock are called phenocrysts, and they are typical of porphyry.
underground, and they are deeply grounding and supportive. Intrusive rocks such as granite may even contain crystals of garnet, which bear a strong resemblance to pomegranate seeds.* Intrusive igneous rocks and minerals provide a distinct connection to the introspective qualities that best serve self-development. These are the stones that are incubated within the womb of the Earth *Some etymologies even link the words granite, garnet, and pomegranate to the same granum, meaning “grain” or “seed.” This serves as another connection Latin root: granum, between such stones and the myth of Persephone in the underworld.
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This polished granite granite is an example of intrusive igneous rock; note its large-grain large-grained ed texture.
Mother, and they take their time forming larger crystals. Pegmatites, for example, are a class of granite that boasts the largest gem crystals among igneous rocks. Many precious and semiprecious gemstones are found within pegmatites, including amazonite, apatite, beryl (such as aquamarine and emerald), chrysoberyl, garnets, kunzite, topaz, most varieties of tourmaline, and zircon. The underlying symbol symbolism ism is that within the depths of the psyche, hidden within our subconscious shadows, there are luminous gems waiting to be unearthed. By connecting to the underworld aspect of Ignea, we can follow her lead in journeying to these depths for our own healing and transformation.
Working with Ignea Contact with Ignea can be used for sparking the creative process. She can help you receive inspiration, and especially in her extrusive aspect Ignea can invite movement and change. Igneous rocks are often formed by dramatic natural events, some of which can change entire landscapes in virtually an instant. Ignea holds this same potential. She is the one who can level your roadblo roadblocks cks and supply a more creative perspective, like volcanic ash making soil more fertile for new growth. Use any of Ignea’s rocks or minerals to connect to her energy for meditation, ritual, and spellcraft related to any of the following areas:
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Evocation ◆ New beginning beginningss ◆ Spiritual cleansing ◆ Illumination ◆ Prosperity ◆ Love ◆ Learning and growth ◆ Creativity ◆ Fertility ◆ Removing obstacles ◆ Pyromancy ◆
Igneous rocks and primary minerals are many and varied. Common igneous rocks include granite, rhyolite, andesite, basalt, anorthosite, peridotite,, obsidi peridotite obsidian, an, gab gabbro, bro, and diorite. The most frequent primar primaryy
An assortment of igneous rocks rocks
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minerals include quartz, feldspar (including amazonite, moonstone, labradorite, etc.), muscovite and biotite mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. Other minerals that are usually formed by primary or igneous processes include danburite, rutile, r utile, apophyllite, ap ophyllite, hematite, most varieties of quartz (agate, chalcedony, amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, etc.), beryl (aquamarine, heliodor), several species of garnet, fluorite, pyrite, sodalite, and vesuvianite. Metallic ores found in igneous rocks are primary minerals such as gold, silver, and copper. � Meeting Ignea Find a comfortable place to meditate. You You may like to use igneous rock in this meditative journey, journey, either holding it, placing it on your navel, or surrounding yourself your self with with a ring ring of igneo igneous us rocks rocks or prima primary ry minerals, minerals, prefer preferably ably garnet garnet or peridot. Light a candle, dim the lights, and close your eyes. Relax fully and deeply,, and feel yourself becoming grounded and centered. deeply As you slip into the meditative state, an image of a rocky crevice sharpens in your field of vision. The cleft is big enough to crawl into, and you feel compelled to climb into it. Once inside, darkness obscures your vision; you are forced to feel your way as you descend into the t he earth. ear th. You pass roots and rocks and underground creatures, eventually reaching the point where heat and pressure mount. Soon the incline levels off and the opening widens to reveal a vast expanse of open space with a river of molten m olten stone flowing through it. You have arrived at Ignea’s chamber. Red-hot magma blazes, and its drifting light illuminates the silhouette of a young woman dancing on its surface. sur face. She is the Maiden of Stone. She is Ignea, the Bright One. Ignea’s playful, sultry groove is infectious—you can’t help but sway as you watch her. Ignea approaches. She takes your hand, and her eyes, bright as dazzling jewels, enchant you as you start dancing with her, uninhibited. Still dancing, you glide across the hidden chamber,, following the stream of magma deeper into the chamber t he earth. Ignea’ss dance slows to a halt, and she asks why you have come to her. Ignea’ You may reveal an area of your life that would benefit from her help, or you may simply tell her that t hat you have come to build rapport with her. She listens intently, and her innocent heart opens to you as you speak. Ignea offers you whatever assistance she can, then she reveals a platter heavy with
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food and drink. Among the delights are garnet-red pomegranate arils. By accepting her offering you are bound to her in some way, making it easy for you to return to her inner-world chambers whenever you like. After you have finished your meal, Ignea offers of fers you an uncut gemstone— a ruby, ruby, sapphire, diamond, tourmaline, tourm aline, garnet, or aquamarine. aquama rine. It is a large, clear stone of igneous origin. Unable to refuse, you humbly receive her parting gift, offering your sincere gratitude. She bids you farewell, and you retreat, going back the way you came, falling to your hands and knees to climb back through the cleft in the rock and out to t o the world of everyday life. lif e. Once you reach the outer world, this vision begins to fade. You feel your awareness returning to its normal state as you note note your physical self and the room around you. Breathing deeply, consciously ground and center. Stretch or adjust your posture as needed and open your eyes. Record your experiences in your journal if desired. desired.
Invocation to Ignea Hail Ignea! Maiden of Stone, lava-born beauty Share with me your underworld feast Bless me with your freshness and your freedom. Maid whose breath forms crystals and whose molten path levels obstacles Let your fiery ash nourish creativity creativity.. May your bright jewels illumine my mind and inspire me to new vistas.
THE MATRON: METAMATRIX Regal and compassionate, the motherly face of the Triple Goddess of Stone is Metamatrix. She dwells where heat and pressure act on rock to direct its transformation. She births new stone; in her womb the alchemical processes of metamorphism work their magick. Metamatrix is the mountain-maker, the heavenly queen, and her chthonic womb incubates her underground treasures. Her name is matrix, “womb.” She is the taken from meta, meaning “beyond,” and matrix,
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mother who transforms all that she touches, taking old stone and granting it new life. Metamorphosis occurs where heat and pressure transform preexisting rock. Metamatrix is the divine embodiment of this process. To better understand metamorphism, first let me paint a picture of the structure of our planet. The hard, rocky crust on which we live represents only a fraction of the depth of planet Earth. The seemingly solid rock on which we build our lives actually floats atop liquid magma that lies just below. That crust is comprised of multiple tectonic plates that shift from the convection-driven currents of magma below. Whenever tectonic plates meet or when magma intrudes into the bedrock of a tecton, the resulting heat and pressure causes the minerals in the old rocks to rearrange themselves into new, more stable forms. This is metamorphism at work. Though there are several different processes of metamorphism, the basic theme is always the same. The key words pertaining to metamorphic rock, and therefore to Metamatrix herself, are transformation, change, and alchemy change, alchemy.. As an aspect of the Great Mother, Metamatrix overflows with the currents of life and change. To live is to change, and she oversees all acts of transformation.
Queen of Earth and Heaven Metamorphic rocks are born through two basic processes: contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism. The former takes place exclusively within the depths of the crust, while the latter is created by the movement of tectonic plates. These two main processes of metamorphism relate to the dual nature of the Great Mother as both Earth Mother and Queen of Heaven. Contact metamorphism takes place where igneous rock is formed intrusively. It is a relatively low-pressure environment with high heat. As we learned from the previous account of Ignea’s birth, magma pools within plutons to cool slowly over time. Because this fresh igneous rock is insulated by older rock, it can take thousands of years to cool. The heat from the molten rock affects the solid rock that it makes contact with, and the host rock, or matrix, is transformed. The
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nearer to the source of heat, the greater the transformation will be. The metamorphic rock that results is like a womb enveloping the younger igneous rock as it cools. The symbolism of this process is overtly motherly. The seeds of new crystals grow within the matrix, a word that translates as “womb” in Latin. As these crystals precipitate from the molten solution, new rock is slowly formed. The process of birthing new stone utterly transforms the parent rock. Even terms used by geologists like matrix and parent rock imply a motherly relationship between the old and the new rock. It seems that Metamatrix has been lurking in the subconscious minds of geologists for centuries. Contact metamorphism is also deeply connected to the Great Mother in her darker aspects. Such stones embody her telluric transformation, and they become the matrix, the womb of the newborn igneous rock. Because they are formed within the darkness of the interior landscape of Earth, such rocks (and their constituent minerals), hold the keys to inner world journeying, and they may help us confront our shadow side, those aspects of the self that are hidden in the subconscious mind or denied altogether. Metamatrix, in her underworld shroud, is the stone from which Hades’ home is built. Metamatrix is the one who births us and the one who receives us in death. The Dark Mother archetype resides in Metamatrix, for the great stone tombs of the world are human renderings of her chthonic womb. Her stony kingdom is the dwelling place pla ce of dra drago gons ns and mons monsters ters,, and le leyy lin lines, es, or dra drago gon n lin lines, es, criss criss-cross her body. The second type of metamorphism is called regional metamor phism.. It occurs when tectonic plates converge, especially during the phism proces pro cesss ca calllled ed orogeny, a term derived from the Greek word meaning “mountain birth.” These rocks experience high pressure and lower heat. The constituent minerals in metamorphic rocks rearrange themselves such that they can withstand the increased pressure. Their crystals move to be perpendicular to the direction of the force, often exchanging elements with neighboring minerals to create new com pounds poun ds that are bet better ter suit suited ed to sur survive vive the forc forces es at pla playy in meta meta--
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Metamorphic rocks such as the one Metamorphic one pictured here here often exhibit swirling layers called bends and folds.
morphism. Such rocks are often foliated, meaning banded, and the bands of different minerals may twist and bend as the tectonic plates continue to shift. Orogeny gives rise to mountains as tectonic plates crash into one another, lifting masses of rock high into the sky. For this reason, rocks created by regional metamorphism tap into the ouranic aspect of the Mother Goddess, i.e., the Queen of Heaven. Even the words orogeny and ouranic are related etymologically; both ultimately come from a root that means “elevated” or “heavenly.” Mountains are the meeting place of heaven and earth, thus they are sacred to the deities of storm, sky, and earth. Rocks and minerals that are found in mountain ranges, especially those of metamorphic origin, are consequently the preeminent stones for communing with the celestial aspect of Metamatrix. Just as in her telluric aspect she is the womb in which igneous rocks are born, this aspect of the Great Mother births mountain ranges, which ascend toward her heavenly throne. Lapis lazuli
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Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic metamorphic rock. Note Note the distinct distinct bands, or folia, of blue lazurite, golden pyrite, and white calcite.
is such a metamorphic rock; it’s no wonder this gemstone, which resembles the sky, has been associated with the Queen of Heaven across cultures and times.
The Great Rite One of the traits that marks a woman’s passage from maidenhood to the status of mother is ownership of the creative power of the Great Goddess. In a visceral sense this means the ownership of female sexuality and the reproductive cycle, though in the bigger picture it includes all acts of love, pleasure, creation, and transformation. Metamatrix oversees this creative impulse through her geological symbolism. Motherhood follows the creative reproductive act. Though the earliest humans may not have initially recognized the precise relationship between sex and childbirth, it surely didn’t take long to observe their causal relationship. The most ancient and primal alchemy takes place with the union of opposite forces, such as when male and female come together to create new life. At this moment, the Maiden becomes the
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Mother; her belly grows heavy as she transforms the seed of her consort into the divine child. In witchcraft and other magickal traditions, this holy union is depicted in ritual form in the Great Rite. Typically, this ritual is performed symbolically when the blade (representing the male) is placed in the chalice (female), though it also features the pri vate sexual union between the high priest and the high priestess.* In the rock cycle we see Metamatrix engaged in the Great Rite, too. She is impregnated as a result of the intimate dance of converging tectonic plates and the flowing seed of molten rock. In this symbolic union, the forces of the skyward-reaching masculine and the under world feminine coll collide ide in an act of reg regional ional metamorp metamorphism, hism, and the fiery male principle seeds the earthy womb of the Goddess in contact metamorphism. In either case, the rock is transformed in the same manner that the Maiden becomes the Mother. Metamatrix is the high priestess of the mineral kingdom, for she is the one who oversees the magick of earthly transformation. In Latin, the word for “metamorphose” is mutare. Mutare is an anagram of our mature—in word mature —in this case, the Mother must reach maturity to transmute the seed to create new life. Because she has crossed this threshold and become familiar with the acts of transfiguration, Metamatrix rules over all acts of magick and alchemy.
Personal Alchemy In spiritual practice, the acts of transmutation and metamorphosis are part of the process of alchemy alchemy.. Since Metam Metamatrix atrix is the divine personification of metamorphic rocks and tertiary minerals, she is naturally the chief alchemist of the mineral kingdom, conducting the Great Work of the alchemical arts through her transfiguration of rock. Her metamorphilosophorum, the phic realm is symbolicall symbolicallyy comprised of the lapis philosophorum, philosopher’ss stone sought by classical alchemists that transfo philosopher’ transforms rms base metals into gold and produces the elixir of life for achieving immortality. As a Mother archetype, Metamatrix seeks to guide and nourish *Although traditional literature on the magickal arts defines the Great Rite with heteronormative language and symbolism, it can, in fact, be enacted with any consensual pair of adults, regardless of their gender.
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her children physically, psychologically, and spiritually. She herself has been made stronger by her own transformation such that she can lead us through our metamorphoses. Though metamorphic rock is formed dramatically—by extremes in heat and pressure as mountains rise sky ward and magma flows undergr underground—persona ound—personall alc alchemy hemy often takes place within the internal landscape of our hearts and minds. Our own transformations require honest self-reflection and a willingness to grow, and Metamatrix provides the security and reassurance that we can make it through times of transition with ease. Metamorphic rocks and the tertiary minerals comprising them initiate the internal processes necessary for positive change to take place. They can jump-star jump-startt our sense of awareness and offer the courage necessary to take the first steps toward transformation. In this sense, personal alchemy is not aimed at unimaginable wealth or eternal life; instead, it is the realization that our leaden consciousness can be sloughed off, like a snake shedding its skin, to reveal the golden light of the soul. Typically, we experience the need for this only when the pressures of life become unbearable, as if the weight of mountains was bearing down on us. Metamatrix and her totemic rocks and minerals offer themselves at moments such as these to help us rise to the occasion. In The Eight Crystal Alliances, the authors, a group of therapists known as the Group of 5, state, “Since metamorphic stones have been transformed by pressure and heat, they have the potential to rescue us and guide us toward a sometimes radical change. They can help unveil certain facets of our being that remain hidden from us and from others. We will emerge from this process transformed. The pressure and heat that have tested metamorphic rocks symbolize an unease within us that can often persist for years or even entire lifetimes.” 5 It is this very process that we experience in life that often initiates the transmutation. Metamorphic rocks have themselves been transformed by extreme situations, and they can help us harness the challenges we experience in everyday life in order to change for the better. Most importantly, they do this by helping us comprehend what internal and external changes are most needed to grow and thrive. Michael Gienger writes of this, saying, “Metamorphic rocks and tertiary miner-
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als stimulate this inner transformation process. They encourage critical self-reflection and help us to realise and understand those things in our lives that are not durable and what needs ending because it makes us feel dissatisfied. These minerals and rocks bring radical changes that lead to a more fulfilled, purposeful life.” 6 Metamatrix mothers us through the alchemical operation. At times she offers comfort; sometimes she nudges us toward our next step. No matter the counsel she gives, Metamatrix invites us to find greater strength under pressure. When we turn to her, she envelops us in her telluric womb,, the very ves womb vessel sel in which matter matter and conscious consciousnes nesss are tra transm nsmuted uted..
Working with Metamatrix In a practical sense, Metamatrix is the patron deity of the magickal arts. All acts of magick are transformative processes, the domain of this Goddess of Stone. She is the initiatrix, the alchemist, and the protectress of witches and magick-makers. Metamorphic rock and tertiary minerals can be used to invoke her power whenever needed. Connect to Metamatrix for assistance with any of the following: Change ◆ Protection ◆ Strength and courage ◆ Healin Healingg , especially emoti emotional onal ◆ Sex magick ◆ Love ◆ Int Introspection rospection and clarity ◆
Common metamorphic rocks include marble, quartzite, gneiss, schist, slate, anthracite, soapstone, and serpentinite (a serpentinerich metamorphic rock) . Minerals birthed during the Tertiary period (about 65 million to 2.58 million years ago) and formed by metamorphic processes include kyanite, staurolite, andalusite, some forms of garnet and mica, emerald, corundum (ruby and sapphire), jade (both nephrite and jadeite), rhodonite, serpentine, zoisite, and others. Minerals like quartz, calcite, amphibole, quartz, and feldspars,
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An assortment of metamorphic rocks rocks
among others, are frequently found in metamorphic rock. Tektites such as moldavite and indochinite (the common black variety) are considered metamorphic rocks as well. � Journey with Metamatrix Make yourself comfortable. You may like to use metamorphic rock in this meditative journey, journey, either holding it, placing it on your heart, or surrounding yourself with a ring of metamorphic rocks and minerals. Light a candle, dim the lights, and close your eyes. Relax fully and deeply, and feel yourself becoming grounded and centered. With eyes closed, visualize yourself following a wide footpath through mountainous terrain. The trail rises and falls as it winds between rocks and cliffs. You can see the bends and folds in the rock itself—the evidence of tectonic plates moving and colliding over eons. Many of the stones are peppered with glints of mica. You follow the path as it narrows. Turning sideways to ease your body between two boulders, you find yourself in a
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secluded space, a hallowed clearing amid giant stones. A mountain peak looms high above you. In the stillness, you begin to feel a faint f aint tremor in the ground beneath you. Looking around to find the source of the movement, you notice that across the spot where you sit encircled by boulders there is a gap between the boulders that beckons to you. Moving through that portal you find that you have entered a twisting labyrinth bordered by fallen rocks. The path itself bends back and forth and winds around itself like the swirling patterns of metamorphic rock, as if it were the processional entryway to an ancient temple. As you reach the end of the winding path, you arrive at a doorway carved into the mountainside that leads into the inner sanctum of this temple of stone. With head bowed reverently, you step into the heart of the mountain, and sitting on a throne glittering with gemstones is Metamatrix, the Mother of Stone. She is adorned in fineries befitting the queen of the mountaintop and high priestess of the mineral kingdom. She waves you forward, and you kneel before her majesty. majesty. Metamatrix rises and invites you closer. closer. She takes your hand and leads you into the inner sanctum of her holy space. Inside her sanctuary, Metamatrix stands before an altar hewn from the rock wall of the room itself. On it are her ritual tools: wand, knife, dish, and cup. In the center of the room there is a mighty stone cauldron that casts an eerie glow around these strange environs. Metamatrix leads you to it, and you see magma swirling within this vessel. She bids you to prepare yourself for transformation. You cast off your clothes and allow your worries and fears to fall to the floor with them. Metamatrix offers a hand to help you climb up onto the lip of the cauldron. You take a deep breath, close your eyes, and drop down into the glowing liquid stone. Inside the cauldron you feel no discomfort, only a gentle warmth. Your Your body becomes hardened in the pool of magma; your mind and spirit are transformed along with it. You find that you can breathe effortlessly, too. Spend as much time in the cauldron as you like, and then, when you’re ready to climb out, Metamatrix hoists you from the vessel. She dries you and offers you a new set of vestments to don. You have been transformed by your dip in her cauldron of metamorphic rock. You may spend time with the Mother, perhaps asking her for help or guidance. When your time together comes to an end, Metamatrix pulls a
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talisman from her altar and fastens it around your neck. You feel its comfortable weight against your chest and thank her for her gift. Metamatrix bids you farewell as you leave her mountain home by way of the path that brought you to her. Before long you are back where you started. Begin to draw your awareness back into your body. body. Ground and center yourself, and shift your focus to the room around you. Begin to move or sigh or stretch as you wish, until you feel as though you are firmly back in your body, in the here and now. Open your eyes and reflect on your journey with Metamatrix. Record it in your journal if desired.
Invocation to Metatrix Hail Metamatrix, whose womb incubates new rock! Hail Metamatrix, mother of mountains! Heavenly queen of earth and sky I raise my heart to thee that it may be transformed by your touch. Grace me with your mysteries of transformation Show me how to use the pressures of life to reinvent myself and guide me now and always.
THE CRONE: SEDIMENS With her wizene wizenedd face face,, like weathere weatheredd as rock expos exposed ed to the ele ele-ments, Sedimens is the final aspect of the Triple Goddess of Stone. Her domain is that of sand and silt, fossils and timelines; she is a record written in stone. Sedimens Se dimens is cloaked in the strata of deep canyons. Her stones are those beaten down and rebuilt by the passing of time. Sedimentary rock symbolizes time itself, and in its layers is the record of the ages of planet Earth. This phase of the rock cycle represents the Crone, as she too is the one who holds memories of the past. The Crone is the wisdom-keeper and the bearer of traditions; she is the living embodiment of time, the recorder of time who passes her memories on to the next generation. Sedimens’ body has been collected from the grains and fragments of other rocks of all three phases (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary). She knows the mysteries of death and
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rebirth, for her rock and mineral allies are born again and again. Sedimentary rocks and the secondary minerals formed by sedimentary action are grouped in two distinct categories: detrital and chemical.* The former consists of those rocks that are broken down and re-formed by mechanical means, meaning the action of sun, wind, water, and ice, which gnaw the exposed surfaces of stone. The resulting fragments are carried away, broken down further, and lithified—turned back into stone. Chemical sedimentary rocks, on the other hand, are dissolved by the elements and later preci pre cipit pitate ate out of sol solut utio ion. n. Due to th thee er erosi osive ve qu qualit alities ies of wi wind nd and rai rain, n, sedimentary stones correspond to the dual elements of air and water.
The Subconscious Realm Sedimentary rocks, more so than any other variety, are the result of environmental forces; they are at the mercy of the natural world and its elements. Heat from the sun, overnight freezes, falling rain, flowing streams, and howling winds that sandblast exposed rock with the sediments they carry will eventually wear away entire mountains. Rocks are not only broken down by the environment; the fragments they eventually become are then carried great distances by the same forces. Eventually these particles are deposited in a new location through the process of sedimentation. They then lithif l ithifyy by means mea ns of o f compaction c ompaction or cementation, or both. Thus, new rock is recycled from old. Our very identity is formed in a similar process. We, too, are a product of our environmen environment. t. We are shaped by the belief beliefss and behaviors of our family, teachers, and friends. The habits we learn early in life often crystallize into the patterns that form our subconscious beliefs. Wee are clearly molded by our past; the choices we make are colored by W previous experiences, goo goodd or bad, and therefore we continue to play out our patterns time and time again. With each new experience, we build new memories; these usually reinforce the habits, goals, dreams, and beliefs that have aggregated in our subconscious—just like sediment accreting into stone. Because of this similarity, sedimentary rocks rocks . *A subset of chemical sedimentary rocks is known as biochemical sedimentary rocks. These are minerals like limestone, chert, and coal that are formed from the remains of once-living organisms.
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and their constituent secondary minerals are helpful tools for recognizing the subconscious programming we carry. In traditional Chinese medicine, sedimentary rock is associated with wei qi, the qi, the essence that functions at the instinctual level of your being. 7 Your instincts respond to external stimuli much the same way sedimentary processes like erosion and compaction are a response to environmental factors; in this way stones that are formed by sedimentary action reveal how the internal landscape of your mind responds to external situations. Invoking Sedimens and working with her sedimentary rocks and minerals can shed light on the unconscious patterns in your life. Because of the causal relationship between your subconscious and your environment, you can leverage the insight gleaned from these rocks and minerals to create positive change through adaptation. These rocks, say the Group of 5, “enhance our understanding of the events that have shaped and molded our lives, forging the being we have become today. They can help us transform our vision of life and of ourselves so that we can continually adapt to our environ environment. ment.”” 8
Keeper of Time Like sand collecting at the bottom of an hourglass, the formation of sedimentary rock records the passing of time. Sedimens is the memorykeeper and storyteller of the three faces of the Goddess. As the eldest, she has the longest memory; it stretches far back to the beginning of time sedimentum um and itself. Her name is a portmanteau of two Latin words, sediment mens, meaning “sediment” and “mind.” She is the one whose mind holds the collective memory of our planet, both geological and biological. Sedimentary rock is a storied stone, often wearing many colors, each one a memory of a different age. Geologists use the strata in this rock to date events in the geological record. We, too, sort through the layers of our memory to locate hidden memories and old wounds, the buried or repressed events of the past that continue to affect our daily life. The elemental energies of the forces that weather sedimentary rock resonate with the mind: air with the conscious, water with the subconscious. Sedimens can expose the connections between the two so that we can integrate the lessons that dwell there for deep healing. In particular, fossils are sacred to Sedimens. Fossils are the remains
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of once-living organisms that have been preserved in stone. They may be impressions left by organisms, such as footprints or casts of tree limbs, or they may be the mineralized tissues of living beings. Fossils have a strong link to memory, karma, and fate—all the domain of the Crone. In Crystals for Karmic Healing , I describe the effects of fossils: As sedimentary stones, fossils help to sift through the debris and baggage that we carry. This makes them helpful for resolving karma, especially that which is stored in the causal body [the layer of the aura that records karmic memories]. The causal body is composed of bands and layers reminiscent of sedimentary rock, thus making fossils attuned to sorting through and stabilizing the information of the causal body. Fossils are traditionally connected to the past, since they are the product of the passage of time. They serve to provide a window into other eras, era s, such suc h as a s by connecting conne cting to ancestral energ energyy or for undertaking past-life journeys.9
Sedimentary rock, whether fossiliferous or not, carries the memories of our world. It records the passage of time. Comprised of bits of
Fossils Fo ssils are sacred to Sedimens.
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the past that are cemented together, sedimentary rock symbolizes the way that myth, history history,, and memory are woven together as part of the fabric of time. Sedimentary rock is the storyteller of the rock tribe, the weaver weav er and poet. Like the thr three ee Fates of Greco-Roman myth mytholog ologyy who spin, measure, and cut the thread that determines the story of our life, Sedimens deposits sediment layer by layer, to grow her stones that tell the story of our planet.
Alpha and Omega Traditional myths associate Crone figures with death and decay. Sedimens follows in this tradition, as she oversees the forces that grind mountains and dissolve bedrock. The Crone is the face of the Triple Goddess who has known the greatest loss; as the elder, she has buried kin and clan, friend and foe. She is midwife, nurse, and undertaker in one. Her role is to be the intermediary between life and death. Sedimens is thus the psychopomp of the mineral kingdom. A psychopomp guides the souls of the dead from this world to the next. Sedimens guides the remains of old rock—now reduced to dust—to its next incarnation. She is the gatekeeper between the world of the living and the realm of the dead. Her weathered weath ered face has witnessed endless deaths, but it has also a lso brought new life into the world. The Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess is alpha and omega incarnate; she is the walker between the worlds, straddling the land of the living and that of the dead. Sedimentary rock forms as old rock symbolically dies and is reborn in a new form. Unlike metamorphic rocks, which are transformed in situ and made of the same components as their parent rock, sedimentary rocks are broken apart and carried away. Their constituent minerals intermingle, much the way our souls do on the other side of the veil between the worlds. Sedimentary rocks are not classified by discrete composition and formation process alone; they are defined by the journey they take, which sorts and shapes the particles from which they are made. In the same fashion, our soul learns its lessons through multiple Earth journeys. Sedimens is the shaman of the geological kingdom. She travels between life and death, silt and stone, to guide rock through its stages of death and rebirth. She can work to assist us in crossing our own
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alpha-omega thresholds. Sedimens extends her hand to support us in endings and beginnings. She offers comfort to those grieving the dead, and she joyously celebrates the arrival of new life. Sedimens, the Crone of the Goddess of Stone, is near at hand any time we cross the liminal zones, whether through the stages of life or in ritual and meditation; connect to her for help whenever you need it.
Working with Sedimens As a partner in your work, Sedimens offers her expertise in times of transition. As the storyteller and wisdom-keeper, the Crone is a teacher and tutor; she can assist in acquiring and assimilating intellectual and spiritual lessons. Sedimens offers deep healing from old wounds, and she helps you find your ancestral roots, whether those of your genetic family or your spiritual family. Since her stones are formed by others breaking apart, Sedimens is an expert at banishing, breaking bonds, and cutting energetic ties between people. She can be invoked in rites of protection, too. From her connection to the cause-and-effect nature of time and destiny, Sedimens rules divination and prophecy. Connect to Sedimens through sedimentary rock and secondary minerals for workings related to ◆ ◆
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Shamanic journeys Spirit contact Divination Healingg , especially Healin especially on on the the karmic level Connecting to the ancestral realm Banishingg , bindin Banishin bindingg , and uncr uncrossin ossing g Protection Learning Rites of passage Birth and death Regeneration
Working with sedimentar Working sedimentaryy rocks and mineral mineralss aids in connecting with the Crone of Goddess of Stone. Some common detrital sedimentary rocks include sandstone, mudrock, conglomerates, and breccia.
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An assortment of sedimentary sedimentary rocks
Those that form as a result of chemical weathering include chalk, chert, flint, limestone, shale, travertine, and dolostone. Speleothems (cave formations like stalactites, stalagmites, etc.) are also sedimentary in nature. Minerals that are frequently formed by secondary processes include calcite, aragonite, dolomite, halite (salt), gypsum (selenite), pyrite, apatite, aventurine, cerussite, celestite, vivianite, azurite, malachite, howlite, turquoise, and opal. Fossils are naturally the domain of Sedimens, too. � Journey with Sedimens Make yourself comfortable. You may wish to use sedimentary rock in this meditative journey, by either holding it, placing it on your brow, or surrounding yourself with a ring of sedimentary stones. Light a candle, dim
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the lights, and close your eyes. Relax fully and deeply, and feel yourself becoming grounded and centered. In your mind’s eye, visualize yourself walking on a sandy path leading toward a canyon. As you reach the edge of a divide in the earth, you see an ancient stairway that has been cut into the side of the cliff face. Cautiously,, you take your first steps down toward the bottom of the gorge. As you tiously descend, take note of the layer upon layer of rock, each layer a different hue. When you reach the bottom, there is a hollow cave etched into the stone. Follow it inside. Firelight from deep within seems to beckon you. The warm glow reflects off stalactites and stalagmites; crystals of calcite glitter from alcoves in the cave, and shadows dance all around you. A shrouded figure takes form in the distance—Sedimens awaits you. When you reach her, her, you find that she is wrapped in a stony cloak; it is patterned with strata, like the layers of sediment in the Grand Canyon. She bids you to come toward her and greets you aloofly. Inspecting her, you get lost in her wild tangle of hair and the crisscross crisscross of wrinkles wrinkles etched on her face. Her gnarled hands hold a pouch of sacred stones; she will cast the stones to divine the answer to any question you may have. If you have a particular question, ask it now. Sedimens casts stones on a circle drawn on the cave floor on which arcane figures are traced in chalk. Stones of different colors, shapes, sizes, and textures tumble onto the ground. Sedimens stoops low to see them and lets out a knowing grunt. Her raspy voice offers an interpretation of their pattern. Listen to her he r guidance and thank her. You You may ask more questions quest ions of her lot of stones, or you may simply listen to her stories, her memories and myths. When your visit draws to a close, Sedimens opens her arms to embrace you. Though she appears fierce and terrible, she softens at this moment to reveal her tender, grandmotherly side. You know that you are welcome to visit her whenever the need arises. Before you turn to leave, Sedimens reaches into her robes to draw out a stone—a precious gift for you. You bow your head in gratitude and proceed toward the mouth of the cave. As you step into the canyon, you find that the sun has set, set , and you have only starlight to guide you. Ascending the steps, you notice how the strata in the rock faces have taken on new colors. Finally, Finally, you reach the top of the stone staircase and step back on the path that led you here.
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Begin to feel your awareness returning to your body. Listen to the sounds of the room; stretch, sigh, or wiggle in any way that helps you return more fully to the present moment. When you feel fully aware, open your eyes. Reflect on what Sedimens has revealed to you; add it to your journal if you feel compelled to do so.
Invocation to Sedimens Sedimens, craggy Crone of stone, She who is weathered and resurrected, I call thee. O keeper of time and ancestral wisdom, weave the web of erosion and crystallization and open the gates between life and death that I may better know thee.
FINDING YOUR OWN CONNECTION Since the combinations of rocks and minerals on our planet are practically innumerable, there will never be a clear-cut delineation of the archetypal faces of the Triple Goddess. Some aspects of the phases of the rock cycle may overlap with more than one face of the Triple Goddess. For example, igneous rocks—and the processes that form them—are attributed to the Maiden. A volcanic eruption, though it creates new rock, does wreak havoc on the countryside, destroying everything in its wake. This could be seen as an aspect of the Crone, who straddl straddles es the world of the living and the world of the dead dead;; by bringing destruction, she prepares the way for new life, as the volcanic ash is rich and fertile. In a similar fashion, you will find rocks and minerals in your toolbox that do not neatly fit into just one of the three aspects of the Triple Goddess. In those instances you can meditate with the stone (or stones) in question and find out just how it relates to the Triple Goddess. One of the fundamental mysteries of the Triple Goddess is that she is three-in-one and one-in-three at once; thus, reaching only one of her aspects opens the door to contacting all three facets. This is
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rather like a hologram, wherein any fragment of a holographic image can produce the entire image. So it is with the Triple Goddess. To really enrich your practice with stones, pay heed to how they are formed. Look for correlations between formation processes and the Triple Goddess. Use them as tokens for reaching out to Ignea, Metamatrix, and Sedimens in meditation and ritual. Most importantly, visit these goddesses in your work often, in meditation or via shamanic journeying. With each visit you can explor exploree a differ different ent aspect. Meet Ignea Ignea’’s extru extrusive sive counterpart after seeing her underworld intrusive visage as described in the meditation in this chapter. Likewise, look for the telluric, dark aspect of Metamatrix or the fearsome face of Sedimens. Because they have no ancient lineage of worship, we have an opportunity to get to know them through our own ecstatic states of personal gnosis. One of the most powerful ways to work with the Triple Goddess is to select three stones, one representing each formation process, and place them in a triangle around you. Sit within this simple stone circle to meditate, or make it large enough to conduct a ritual within its confines. Small stones may be used to lay out a plain crystal grid on your altar, perhaps encircling a candle. I suggest you try this with the consecrated talismans of Ignea, Metamatrix, and Sedimens as a means of drawing on the power of these goddesses, thereby recharging the stone talismans and enhancing your magickal workings. However you choose to work with the Triple Goddess of Stone, know that respect, humility, and an open mind will go a long way toward furthering your understanding. Invite these archetypes to meet you in your dreamtime journeys j ourneys and invoke their aid in spells and rituals. In time, you will come to know them and their respective rocks and minerals in a new light.
6
Crysta l Spells Crystal Spells and Rit Rit uals
ROCKS AND GEMS HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT role in rit-
ual and worship for as long as humans have been around. The earliest versions of these practices would have only involved materials found by the practitioner: raw stone, ground ochre, shards of obsidian, etc. Those stones that exhibited unusual physical traits, such as a naturally pierced holey stone or a transparent piece of quartz, would be deemed as having greater spiritual power.
CREATING SACRED SPACE One of the cornerstones of ritual is the concept of sacred space. Traditions around the world honor the notion that our spiritual work, wor k, whe whether ther de devot votion ional al or ma magg ick ickal al,, is be best st per perfor forme medd wit within hin a sanctuary of one sort or another. Sacred space is made when we consecrate an area, symbolically sweeping away the vestiges of the mundane and imbuing it with a holy otherness. Sacred space can be permanent perma nent or tempo temporar raryy. It can be a natura naturall spac spacee such as a blo bloomoming meadow or thicket of trees, or it can be a created space, such as a cathedral, shrine, temple, or any other place of worship. Many people also have a part of their home dedicated as sacred space; this can be an entire room or a small corner or tabletop depending on the space available. Your personal sacred space can be home to your altar, which is discussed below. 122
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An altar adorned adorned with crystals and other other ritual tools
The Altar It has been said that the altar is the heart of the witch’s practice, its placement plac ement anch anchoring oring your sacre sacredd space space.. Altar Altarss are the plac placee where offerings to the Divine are made. Altars are featured in Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and in a host of magickal traditions. Ancient Judaism made use of altars, as did the polytheistic
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religions of many peoples in antiquity. Today, many healers, meditators, and magicians create their own altars as a focal point for healing, meditation, and transformation. Ancient altars most likely consisted of flat stones or they were delineated on bare earth. The essence of sacrifices and burnt offerings placedd on them were thought to be spirited away to the abode of the place gods. Over the eons, altars have taken many forms, though stones are commonly found adorning altars everywhere. Modern spiritual seekers often find themselves arranging their sacred objects—stones, shells, feathers, and ritual implements, as well as crystals and gemstones—into spontaneous altars, even when they have no formal training. � Creating an Altar to the Divine Feminine Feminine Find a flat surface in a suitable location in your sacred space. Ensure that it will not be disturbed, especially if you plan on lighting candles or incense. Cleanse the location thoroughly. thoroughly. Remove any trace of physical dirt or dust, and clear away old energies using your favorite method. Next, gather the materials that you would like to have on your altar. Many altars include some sort of representation of divinity. You may select a statue or image of a Goddess with whom you have a personal connection, or you can use an abstract representation of her, such as an appropriate crystal. Polished crystal spheres are wonderful symbols of the Goddess, and they make a beautiful focal point in the center of an altar. Refer to the compendium of crystals in chapter 7 for a delineation of some of the many crystals that represent the Divine Feminine. I usually like to also include representations of the four elements (earth, air, water, and fire) on my altar as well. Ordinary stones, especially those from sacred places or from the environment around your home, are ideal tokens for earth; a dish of salt, sand, or soil can also be used. For air, consider incense or feathers. Fire can be symbolized by a wand, candle, or piece of igneous rock. Water is best represented by a vessel that contains it, although seashells work beautifully, too. For a more abstract and crystalline altar setup, the four elements can each be symbolized by a stone bearing the appropriate elemental correspondence (see more about correspondences in the appendix).
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Gather any other offerings or tools that you would like to add to your altar space. Candles provide soft lighting and can be lit to honor the Great Mother.. Incense is a popular offering, and many practitioners provide fresh Mother flowers, food, or drink for the Divine, too. Every tradition has its own guidelines for setting up an altar; for our purposes, arrange your tools in a manner that is pleasing to you and still leaves space for magickal workings, such as candle spells, creating charm bags, or building crystal grids.
Incorporate your altar as part of your daily practice. My main altar sits close to my desk, and when I write I light a candle (or occasionally some incense) as an offering to the Divine in return for being granted inspiration, clarity, and motivation. I also meditate before my altar and use it as a focal point when I send remote healing or during other spiritual endeavors. Treat your altar and its contents with respect, for it becomes the receptacle for not only your magick, but that of the divine beings you invoke there.
On Consecration, Casting Circles, and Calling Quarters In the magickal arts, as well as in other forms of spiritual practice and healing, creating sacred space is a requisite for ritual. This includes the symbolic cleansing of the space as well as delineating or marking the boundaries of the working space. Often this is accomplished through the power of the four elements: salt is scattered to represent earth; smoking the sacred space with incense represents the element of air; candles are lit to represent fire; and water is sprinkled. Each of these elemental emissaries helps to prepare both the practitioner and the space by wiping the energetic slate clean, so to speak. There are other methods of cleansing as well: sweeping with a sacred broom, burning sage or other sacred herbs, sprinkling herbal powders, or simply meditating or visualizing the energy being cleared. The second aspect of creating sacred space is erecting the spiritual “structure” of your working space. Different traditions variously call this casting the circle, ploughing the furrow, hallowing the compass, and building the temple. temple . This sacred space is visualized as circular or s pherical s pherical
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in nature. The purpose of the circle is to define the liminal space— the very space between the worlds. Within this sacred circle, the work we pursue, whether for healing healing,, meditation, manifestation, or personal gnosis, is held in sacred trust. Our consciousness is heightened, and the energy we raise is intensified within the circle. It becomes the holy vessel in which our inner work incubates until it is directed and released into the outer world. The circle is sometimes described as the “meeting place between gods and man,” though I prefer “the meeting place between the Divine and humankind.” And recall that the circle is a symbol of the Divine Feminine, thus it is a fitting place for deepening your connection to the Goddess, or to Divinity in general. As well, the circle serves to delineate the material and the spiritual planes, thus facilitating contact with the Great Mother (or any other aspect of the Divine). Although the Goddess is found in all of creation, entering the circle strips away the practitioner’s practitio ner’s ordinar ordinaryy conscio consciousness usness and expand expandss your awareness to better perceive her sacred presence. Finally, many traditions invoke the powers of the cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north—for additional protection and support throughout the ritual working. Many magickal and spiritual traditions begin in the east, as it is the direction in which the sun and moon both rise. Others prefer the north, because this direction symbolizes the element of earth; it also represents the foundation of one’s work. Since the subject matter in this book relates to the rock and mineral—themselves part and parcel of the earth element—I have elected to begin the rituals in this chapter in the north. The act of invoking the powers of the cardinal directions is variously referred to as calling the quarters, calling the directions, laying the compass, invoking the watchtowers, watchtowers, etc. Traditionally, this act is used to stabilize the circle and invoke a different elemental ruler for each of the four directions. Candles, stones, or other objects are sometimes used to mark the four directions, usually at the perimeter of the circle or on the altar. There is some disagreement about the precise correspondences for the directions and the elements. Magick-makers of yore would have
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aligned them according to the energy and symbolism of their local environment. Modern-day practitioners frequently use the following correspondences: ◆
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East is most frequently frequently connected to the element of air, though some traditions link it to fire. South is typically the residence of the fire fire element, though it corresponds to air in others. West is rul ruled ed by the element of water. North is usually usually associated with the the element element of earth. The center center is considered the home of spirit, the quintessence, quintessence, or fifth element.
Like all magickal acts, there is no singular protocol for calling the quarters. Some traditions invoke archangels as representatives of the four directions, while others use elemental beings. In the quarter calls described below, I use gemstones to represent the four directions. � Consecrating Sacred Space Gather representations of the four elements that you will use to cleanse the space: salt to represent earth, ear th, water (perhaps some moon water, described later in this chapter, or one of the crystal elixirs also described later in this chapter) for the element of water water,, incense or sage for air, and a candle for fire. Cleanse each of these representations and set your intention to consecrate your ritual space. Light the incense and candle, and prepare for the consecration. Beginning in the north, carry the dish of salt clockwise* around the perimeter of your working area. Sprinkle some as you go and say, “I cleanse this space with the element of earth.” Repeat this process for each of the elements in turn, in the sequence of air, fire, and water (unless your tradition suggests otherwise). As you carry each of the elemental representations around the space, visualize it clearing away negativity and imparting an air of sanctity. *Some traditions use a counterclockwise direction, as it represents banishing and cleansing.
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� Casting the Circle To cast the circle, many magickal traditions use either a wand, staff, or ritual blade. Circles can be cast with natural crystal points and with polished crystal wands, as well. Your Your fingers also work well, especially if your ritual is spontaneous. Select the crystal or tool that you’d like to use for this exercise and ensure that it is cleansed beforehand. Hold it in your dominant hand, starting in the north quadrant of your sacred space. Trace the boundary of the circle with the tip of your crystal, picturing an energetic barrier—perhaps of light or flame, the color of your choice—encircling your sacred space as you move. Moving clockwise, I prefer to trace the circle three times, reciting an incantation as I go. Here is a simple circlecasting prayer that you can use: I conjure this circle as the vessel for my magick. May it be a safe haven, free of all harmful influence. I cast this circle to allow only the energies of perfect love and perfect trust, as a sanctuary for the Great Goddess herself. May this circle be the doorway beyond time and space, a perfect temple for the magick and transformation. As above, so below. This circle is sealed.
These words can be adapted to your own personal preference, substituting any specific intentions, deities, or energies as needed for your working. To release the circle at the end of your ritual, move counterclockwise around the perimeter once, again tracing the boundary with your crystal. Say the following: I release this circle, sending its energy out into the world around me. The circle is open but never broken.
� Calling the Quarters After the circle is cast, the quarters are called in a clockwise fashion, usually beginning in the north or the east. I’ve chosen to represent the four sacred directions with jasper in the north, quartz in the east, carnelian in the south, and chrysocolla in the west. Feel free to use the stones that you
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have available (consult the tables of correspondences in the appendix for the elemental correspondences). Pieces of these four gemstones can be used if desired; place them at the four points of the compass prior to casting the circle. Face each of the directions in turn, reciting the appropriate invocation, such as the following: Gemstone guardian of the north, mighty spirit of jasper, hear my call. Lend me your strength and stability. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be. Gemstone guardian of the east, mighty spirit of quartz, hear my call. Lend me your clarity and focus. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be. Gemstone guardian of the south, mighty spirit of carnelian, hear my call. Lend me your warmth and inspiration. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be. Gemstone guardian of the west, mighty spirit of chrysocolla, hear my call. Lend me your wisdom and grace. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be.
Return to the center of the circle and proceed with the rest of your ritual. After the rite’s completion, release the quarters by turning to face each direction moving counterclockwise to release the energy to the world, beginning with the direction that is your starting point. Address each of the directions, saying, Gemstone guardian of the [name the direction], thank direction], thank you for standing your watch throughout this rite. Go if you must, but stay if you will. Hail and farewell!
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CREATING YOUR OWN RITUAL One of the most enjoyable aspects of a magickal practice is the freedom you have to exercise your creativity by creating your own rituals. Whether you are a seaso seasoned ned witch or a veteran cry crystal stal heal healer, er, ritual helps you shift to a higher state of consciousness. Adapting rituals and ceremonies to make them your own does more than simply add your own personal touch; it infuses all that you do with your energy, often increasing the efficacy of your working. In creating your own ritual there are a few key steps to keep in mind. Not every ritual needs to include every single one of these steps, but understanding how they work and what they do can help you design your own crystal spells and rites. The most basic stages of ritual include: Consecration ◆ Casting the circle ◆ Calling the quarters ◆ Invocation/evocation ◆ Statement of intent ◆ Magickal working ◆ Closing and thanks ◆ Releas Releasing ing the quarters and the circle ◆
The first three steps (consecration, casting the circle, and calling the quarters/directions) have already been discussed. Invocation (or evocation) brings divinity into your sacred space, thereby facilitating partnership between the human and the divine realms. With the Goddess (or one of her apsects) and/or the God (or one of his aspects) as your audience, your statement of intent provides an opportunity to focus on the desired outcome of your working. The ritual working itself follows; this might be a candle spell, building a crystal grid, drawing down the moon (see the exercise later in this chapter), or a more elaborate process. Ultimately, this part of the working involves raising and focusing spiritual power to be directed toward manifesting your goal.
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Once your working is complete, it is time for the closing and thanks. At this stage, offer your gratitude to any entities that assisted you in your rite. Include deities, spirits, gu guides, ides, and gua guardians rdians ali alike. ke. Thank the guardians at the quarters and give them license to depart. After releasing the quarters, release or open the circle. Your ritual is complete.
Invocation and Evocation The summoning and the drawing in of spiritual powers or beings such as deities—the practice of invocation and evocation—are the cornerstones of magickal practice. Because crystals are catalysts, they can facilitate the process of invoking the Goddess, enabling you to better receive her gifts. The very best invocations and evocations I have experienced in my own personal craft have been spontaneous ones, composed in the moment. When we are filled with inspiration we are already close to the Goddess. The relationship we build with divinity is ultimately a personal one, no matter what our traditions may be, therefore, I urge you to spend time connecting to the aspects of the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine in order to write your own scripts for invoking these forces. Although a full discussion of invocation is beyond the scope of this work, I have provided a sample text that can be used to invoke the Great Mother. It is inspired by a traditional invocation called “The Charge of the Goddess,” which exists in many forms today, the most beloved and famous of which was written by Doreen Valiente. “Charge of the Goddess of Stone” can be recited in a circle or during meditation to help you attune to and merge with the essence of the Great Mother as she manifests through the mineral kingdom. Charge of the Goddess of Stone Listen to the echoes of stone, the forgotten voice of the bones of Mother Earth. I am the divine body of Earth herself, she who has been called Gaia, Rhea, Pele, Mara, Coatlicue, and by more names now forgotten. ◆ ◆
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I am the Maiden of newly crystalized rock, I am the jewel-encrusted beauty whose dance transforms landscapes. I am the Mother in whose womb stone is transformed. I am she who rises heavenward on the mountainous throne. I am the Crone, whose shawl is caked with the dust of ages. I am the wisdom-keeper who records history in the strata of canyon walls. Whenever you have need of my blessings, gather the pieces of my body as will suit your need: rock or mineral, fossil or jewel, metal or sand. Know that wherever you are, I am there, too, for my mineral treasures have seeded every aspect of your life. Pray to me when you need support, when you seek to crystallize your goals out of the primal void. Wear and carry my emissaries—the gemstones—whenever you have need, and they shall guide you to your goals. I am the soul and structure of the planet, the minerals who nurture the growth of plant and animal alike. From my molten core all form arises, and to my sediments all must return. Your Your adamantine light will be revealed in my embrace. I am rock eternal—seemingly static, but everevolving. I was firstborn out of chaos at the beginning of time, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
LUNAR RITUALS The silver orb of the moon has long been connected to the Goddess and thus has always factored into magick and myth. The rituals in this section are attuned to her lunar cycle, as most practitioners try to time their workings to the appropriate phase of the moon. Each lunar phase has its own significance and contributes a different energy to your
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work. You can program crysta crystals, ls, build grids, create charm bag bags, s, or craft whole rituals around the shifting face of the moon. Use the following lunar phases to help plan your rites: The new moon begins the lunar cycle, after which the first crescent appears in the sky; in fact, many practitioners will consider the moon to be new only when the first sliver of a crescent moon reappears in the sky. It represents new beginnings and fresh starts as well as the empty vessel, waiting to be filled. It is used for goal-setting, new projects, and preparation. ◆ The waxing moon carries the tides of growth; it is a time of planting seeds, se eds, both literall literallyy and a nd figuratively. Use Use it to steer ste er your goals toward completion. ◆ The full moon is most often linked to the Mother Goddess. The days surrounding the full moon are when lunar energy is at its most powerful. This is an excellent time for divination, and it marks the shift between the waxing and waning cycles. Because of this, the full moon is also an effective time to begin banishing or removing negative influences from your life. ◆ The waning moon is ideal for severing ties, binding, banishing, and deep cleansing. Ceremonies of healing during the waning moon can focus on diminishing illness or injury. The waning moon is sacred to the Crone. ◆ The dark of the moon lies opposite the full moon; it occurs at the very end of the lunar cycle. It encompasses the waning crescent and reaches its culmination when the moon disappears from view altogether. This is a powerful time for introspective work. Though some traditions prefer not to work mag magick ick outright during the dark of the moon, I find it a catalyst for our work. ◆
As a teenager, when I first began my studies in esoteric lore, I came across several versions of a ritual called “drawing down the moon.” There was something alluring about the nature of it; I eagerly awaited the next full moon to try it firsthand. My first experience with drawing
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down the moon filled me with hope and peace, and I felt a powerful and inviolable bond to the Great Mother. Ever since then it has become one of my favorite rituals, one that I often perform spontaneously when the moon inspires me to create more magick in my life. Through the ritual of drawing down the moon, the magician becomes a vessel for the moon’s light and energy. Since occult traditions acknowledge that the moon is feminine, this rite enables you to become a vessel for the Goddess. Its origins trace back to the fifth century BCE in ancient Greece, when witches were described as plucking the moon from the sky. Today, drawing down the moon is considered a sacred ritual, usually performed within the boundaries of the circle. It may be performed simply as a rite to draw the energy of the moon into the practitioner’s body, or it can be woven into a magickal act such as a spell or ritual, to provide additional power to the working. With so many variations on the rite of drawing down the moon, I wanted to include something simple that could easily be adapted to anyone’s practice. Although it is traditional to draw down the moon when the lunar orb is full, this ritual can in fact be performed at any point in the lunar cycle, depending on the energy you’d like to access. � Drawing Down the Moon To perform this version of the ritual of drawing down the moon you will need a single crystal, preferably one that is strongly associated with the moon. Quartz is usually my first choice, and I’ve performed this many times over the years with a fist-sized natural crystal cr ystal as well as my favorite sphere of polished crystal. Selenite, moonstone, moon quartz, and opal are all excellent choices, too, and you can consult the planetary planetar y correspondences in the appendix for more lunar stones. You You may even use a goddess stone from your altar, if you like. Cleanse your crystal, if necessary, and find a spot in view of the moon to begin your ritual. Begin by establishing your sacred space; this may be a formal circlecasting as described in this chapter, or it may be a simple act of consecration for a spontaneous act. Hold your crystal in your dominant hand while gazing at the moon. Raise both arms overhead in a V shape, shape, with feet shoulder-width apart; this is referred to as the “Goddess position” or
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“chalice position.” Picture yourself becoming a clear vessel for the moon’ moon’ss energy,, and empty yourself of attachment, ego, and expectations. energy Next, lower your arms to release the Goddess position. Lift the crystal toward the moon in your dominant hand. Heavy stones or shapes like spheres may best be supported with both hands. Point the stone directly at the moon if possible. See it filling with moonlight; picture it gleaming with the same silvery-white radiance as the moon. Gently draw the tip of the crystal downward, toward your heart, stopping when it is lightly touching your heart or rests along along your sternum, whichever whichever is more comfortable. As the crystal moves toward t oward you, visualize it drawing the energy of the moon with it, filling you with the energy of the Lunar Goddess. After drawing down the moon, meditate, pray, or conduct a ritual to make use of the energy that you have just drawn into your body. It is important to ground and center after aft er this ritual, thereby releasing any extra energy before attempting to return to the mundane world.
� Moon Water Magickal lore from many traditions describes a process of charging water with the power of rock crystal cr ystal and moonlight. Traditional witch Lee Morgan cites the Irish and Welsh custom of making healing water with a crystal sphere, itself a representation of the full moon.1 The sphere is placed in a vessel of fresh water and a charm is recited; the resulting elixir is used for healing and breaking curses. Occultist David Rankine records a similar concept, which he calls “moonraking.” 2 In this version, a metal m etal bowl, preferably of silver (or silver plate) or copper holds fresh water; under the light of the full moon, a crystal wand is used to draw down or “rake” the moonlight into the bowl of water, imbuing it with the moon’s radiant energy. For this version of this ritual select a piece of clear quartz. quar tz. I use a naturally terminated crystal, but you can use any shape s hape or style as long as you have a connection with the stone being used. Cleanse the crystal before starting this rite and fill a glass, silver, or copper bowl with clean water. Cast the circle and call the quarters, then invite the Goddess to join you. You may choose to work with the Great Goddess herself or invoke one of her many aspects, such as Diana, Isis, or Selene. Hold the crystal in your dominant hand and raise it overhead, but be sure to hold it in front of or
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below the moon in your field of vision so that it appears to glow from the moon’ss silvery moon’ silver y light. In your mind’s mind’s eye, picture this silvery white radiance growing stronger. Then, draw the crystal’s point toward the water, as if raking the moonlight into the bowl; repeat this process several times, visualizing the same glowing light entering the water water.. When finished, place the crystal in the bowl so that it will diffuse the energy it has picked up into the water. Leave the vessel of water for at least an hour, preferably preferably overnight. Be sure to transfer the water to a dark bottle before the sun’s rays breach the horizon, as sunlight will dissipate the efficacy of this moon water. Pour a little of the water out on the earth, offering it as a libation to the Divine Mother as the moon (if she is still visible), as well as to the spirits of the land. Store your moon water in a dark place and do not let it come into contact with iron. Use it for consecrating magickal objects, anointing yourself or others during lunar rites, cleansing your house, healing, or breaking curses. curses. Moon water can be made during during any lunar phase, depending on the desired effect, but be sure to label what phase the moon was in when you bottle your moon water.
CRYSTAL CRYST AL GRIDS Making and using crystal grids has caught on in the last few years. A crystal grid is a geometric arrangement of crystals and gemstones created to support a specific intention. Whether you call it a grid, a placement, a layout, an array, or a mandala, this way of arranging crystals can be as simple as three stones placed on an altar, or as complex as hundreds of stones artistically and intricately laid out on a large surface. In magickal workings a crystal grid can be used as a focal point, like a three-dimensional sigil that anchors and radiates your intention. A crystal grid can be a versatile application for the stones in your collection. A grid can be created as the sole focus of a ritual, or it can be built to support various endeavors. You can add a grid to candle spells by selecting a candle color to match the goal of the grid, lighting the candle after the stones have been arranged. Or you can create seasonal grids on your altar to represent the turning of the wheel of the year. Grids can consist solely of crystals and gemstones, or you can
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incorporate candles, statues, herbs, flowers, and other ritual tools and ingredients as you feel inspired. Before building your crystal grid, select stones that support your intention. It’s important to choose how you’d like them arranged. For goddess-themed grids, consider using any of the symbols listed in chapter 4 as a template. Thoroughly cleanse and empower your crystals and cleanse the space in which you plan to lay out the grid. You can make the process of grid-building as elaborate or elementary as you see fit. Once the stones have been set in place, I like to empower my grids, either by acti vating them with a wand or by placing my hands over the grid and visualizing the stones radiating their light and energy outward. Experiment with different methods to find out what works best for you. � Triple Goddess Grid This simple Triple Goddess grid3 consists of only six stones: three quartz crystals and three pieces of moonstone. Try working with this grid to attune to the three faces of the Great Goddess; you can meditate with it or add it to a lunar ritual to attune to the ever-changing tides of the Divine Feminine. This grid facilitates change, supporting us through t hrough our life changes and rites of passage. Ideally,, this grid makes use of three different forms of moonstone: peach Ideally to symbolize the Maiden, white or rainbow for the Mother, and black or gray for the Crone. The quartz crystals can all be of the same variety variety,, either polished or natural, or you can use a different variety of quartz for each facet of the Triple Goddess: try using amethyst or polished rose quartz for the Maiden, clear quartz for the Mother, and smoky or tourmalinated quartz for the Crone. Place the stones as pictured on the next page, beginning in the lower left-hand corner, corner, the area that corresponds to the Maiden. Place the peach moonstone and the first quartz crystal in that corner while meditating on the Maiden and her symbols, such as the waxing moon. Next, place the white or rainbow moonstone at the upper point of the triangle, followed by the second quartz crystal. Reflect on the Mother and the full moon as you do so. Finally, Finally, place the black or gray moonstone and the last piece of quartz quar tz while reflecting on the waning moon and the Crone’ Crone’ss mysteries.
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A simple grid to represent represent the Triple Triple Goddess Goddess in her aspects as Maiden, Mother, Mother, and Crone Crone When you have finished creating this grid, recite the following three times: Three in One, and One in Three Triple Goddess, arise in me By Maiden, Mother, and Crone My magick consecrated in stone Three-faced Goddess, my will be done One in Three, and Three in One
� Spiral Grid The spiral is a beloved symbol of the Divine Feminine. Spirals abound in nature, such as in the whorly form of seashells, the unfolding fiddleheads of
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a fern’s new growth, and the interwoven inter woven spirals of the seeds of a sunflower sunflower.. Spirals represent change, movement, and expansion. A spiral grid can be created to petition the Goddess for assistance in such matters, as well as for attuning to the rhythmic changes of the world around us. Spiral grids can be adapted to a wide range of needs. Built from the inside-out, they symbolize growth and expansion, as well as moving energies away from you. From the outside in, a spiral grid draws your goals to you; it can also promote introspection and centering. Those that move clockwise tend to represent manifestation, while those that move counterclockwise are usually used for banishing or clearing. Decide which variation matches your intention and select the stones that correspond to this intention. You You can use one type of stone or a variety of different stones in a spiral pattern, in a sequence of your choosing.
An example of a spiral spiral grid for drawing drawing love, consisting of clear quartz crystals cr ystals and tumbled rose quartz
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Once your crystals are cleansed and programmed, begin constructing your spiral. If using quartz points or other terminated crystals, make sure that the direction in which they are placed corresponds to the clockwise or counterclockwise direction direction of the grid itself. Focus on your intention as you place each stone; allow it to become a moving meditation. When you’ve finished building the grid, activate it with a large quartz crystal cr ystal or a wand by tracing it from its start to its finish.
� Venus Grid Use the Venus grid to manifest love, beauty, romance, emotional balance, or simply to connect with the archetypal goddesses of love such as Aphrodite, Venus, Venus, Ishtar, and others. I prefer using copper-based minerals such as chrysocolla, turquoise, or malachite, but any stones with Venusian energy
A Venus Venus grid consisting of copper-bearing copper-bearing chrysocolla and malachite malachite
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can be used. Consult the appendix for a list of stones corresponding to the planet Venus. To make this grid, cleanse your stones and reflect on your intention for your work. Begin to arrange the stones you’ve chosen into the shape of the astrological symbol for the planet Venus ( ♀). Hold your hands over the finished grid and visualize your intention filling the stones. Recite the following incantation: Lady Venus, Morning Star bright Bless this grid with your love and grace May my heart be open, day and night That I may know love’ love’ss embrace
� Cauldron Grid The cauldron crystal grid g rid centers on transformation. The two stones used to make it, obsidian and quartz, are in many ways polar opposites. Obsidian represents the cosmic void—dark, formless, shapeless, s hapeless, limitless.
A grid outlining the the shape of the Goddess Goddess’s’s cauldron cauldron
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Quartz, on the other hand is ordered and brilliant. The two together represent the emergence of light and order amid the primordial chaos of the Great Mother’s womb. Use it for any rituals or meditations themed around transformation, regeneration, inspiration, and healing. Before making your grid, focus on your intention in building it, such as for healing or inspiration; write your goal down as an affirmation if you like. lik e. Select Sele ct a stone s tone that t hat represent re presentss this intenti intention, on, such suc h as chrys ch rysocolla ocolla for inspiration. To make this grid you’ll need the stone that represents your goal, three quart quartzz crys crystals, tals, and enough tumbl tumbled ed obsidia obsidiann to make the outline of a cauldron, as shown above. Charge your personal stone by holding it while visualizing the outcome. Arrange the stones as shown above; if you wish, you can place your written affirmation or intention inside the cauldron with your personal stone on top of it.
� Brigid’s Cross Brigid is perhaps the most beloved goddess in the Celtic pantheon. Her worship was so prevalent among the pagan Celts that it later crept into Christianity,, where the goddess Brigid was syncretized with Saint Brigit, a Christianity sixth-century Christian nun later canonized by the Church. The most recognizable sign of this goddess is an equal-armed cross, aptly called Brigid’s cross (or Saint Brigid’ Brigid’ss cross). Equal-armed crosses are often symbolic of the sun in Western occult traditions, and this one is no exception. Brigid is a solar goddess, though she also rules healing, the element of fire, the art of blacksmithing, inspiration, poetry, poetry, and sacred wells. This crystal cr ystal grid can be used to tap into any of her areas of expertise, or it can be placed on the altar or circle to celebrate the sabbat of Imbolc, the Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring that is sacred to Brigid (and which under Christianity became known as Candlemas, a church festival in commemoration of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple). Traditionally, a cross woven of rushes is hung in the kitchen or elsewhere in the home to prevent accidents, and a grid made in a similar shape could be used for protecting your home, hom e, too. To make this grid you’ll need four longish stones and at least twelve other stones, preferably in graduated sizes to approximate the shape of
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A grid inspired by the shape shape of Brigid’s Brigid’s cross
Brigid’s cross, as in the photo above. Be creative in your stone selection; Brigid’s I like to choose stones that represent her dual fiery and watery natures, and metallic stones such as hematite are representative of her relationship to metallurgy, metallurgy, as in the element of fire. Any number of stones can be used in any pattern or sequence that supports suppor ts your intention for the grid—you are limited only by your creativity and the t he stones available to you. Once your crystals and space are properly prepared, begin to arrange them in the basic shape illustrated above. Place each stone intentionally, reflecting on the intention you have chosen for it as a part of your grid. When the construction is complete, hold your hands above the grid and ask Brigid to bless and empower it.
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CHARM BAGS gris-gris gris,, Charm bags, also known as conjure bags, spell pouches, and grisconsist of magickal ingredients tied together in a piece of cloth or drawstring pouch. Magickal traditions all over the world use charm bags that contain herbs and other plants, animal remains, and mineral substances mixed with amulets, hand-drawn sigils, and other spiritual symbols as well as various other ingredients. Charm bags are simple and powerful tools that can be placed in your environment or carried with you to achieve your desired result. Perm Permanent anent or semi-permanent charm bags, such as those made into protective amulets for the home, may be re-empowered or even replaced periodically. Many practitioners dispose of or ritually destroy their bags once the results have been achieved. Use the following recipes as starting points for creating your own charm bags, tailored to your own personal needs.
An assortment of charm bags bags
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� Cleansing Charm Bag Ingredients: salt, lavender, sage, selenite, black tourmaline This charm bag can be used to clear the energy in your home, work space, or ritual space. You can even store one (or more) with your crystal collection to help the energy of your stones stay fresh and clear. Sage, salt, and lavender are traditional elements of cleansing. Selenite invites the frequency of a brilliant white light that loosens stagnant or disharmonious energy,, while black tourmaline helps to flush away and ground such enerenergy gies. Together, these two stones have a harmonizing influence over their surroundings. To make the charm bag, start with a white or silver cloth or bag. Mix together equal parts salt, lavender, and sage. Add a piece of black tourmaline and some selenite to your mixture when filling your pouch. I like to use fragments of selenite that have been crushed in a mortar and pestle, though raw or tumbled selenite works equally well. Tie the bag together and visualize its purpose as you do so. This pouch is best made while the moon is full or waning, so that it will help to diminish negativity and invite peace and balance.
� Wealth Pouch Ingredients: citrine, pearl (imitation will suffice), coins, sandalwood, clove, lotus oil This pouch invites the blessings of Lakshmi, the Vedic goddess of abundance. Pearls, coins, and sandalwood are sacred to her her,, while citrine and clove are added to focus on prosperity. prosperity. For a more powerful version, substitute padparadscha sapphire for citrine. Cleanse the stones st ones and empower all the ingredients to bring you wealth. Make this pouch on a Friday (sacred to Lakshmi) or a Thursday (traditional day for money magick). Use a pouch or cloth in one of her favorite colors—gold, red, pink, or orange, or choose a color that represents prosperity to you. As you fill the charm bag, pray to her openly, from the heart, or recite one of her mantras, such as Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Mahalakshmi Namaha. Seal the pouch and anoint with lotus oil. Carry it with you or place in your home or place of business to ensure a continuous flow of abundance in your life.
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� Happy Home Charm Bag flower, juniper Ingredients: blue lace agate, lavender, passion flower, Blue lace agate is the epitome of peace. It helps to slough off stress and disharmony, thereby revealing our reserves of inner and outer strength. This suave gemstone is sacred to the Goddess of Hearth and Home and can be used to invite peace and harmony into your living space. Combine it with lavender for relaxation, passion flower for peace, and juniper for protection; use a blue pouch or cloth for the bag. Best made during the waxing moon. Be sure to cleanse and program your stones and other ingredients. Use equal parts par ts lavender and passion flower flower,, and add three juniper berries to the bundle. Tie it together and recite the following incantation: Goddess of the Hearth and Home Hear my call, let your presence be known. Protection, peace, and harmony I ask you to bestow on me. Peaceful vibes within and throughout As your blessings fill my house.
Hold the pouch in your hands, charging it with your intention as you recite the charm. Once finished, hang the pouch in a special place in your home—perhaps the center of the house, in a room where you and your family spend the most time, or above the main entrance to your home.
� Exorcism Bundle Ingredients: rue, hyssop, black salt, emerald Sometimes a stronger cleansing is required. Emerald, rue, and hyssop each have long traditions of being used to cast out negative energies and entities from your life and environs. This particular part icular mixture can be used to combat persistent negative patterns in your life as well as for driving out harmful forces, whether psychological or paranormal. The best time for making this charm bag is on a Saturday during the waning moon—the later in the lunar cycle the better. Light a black candle and empower the ingredients to bring you the desired results. Mix equal parts of the herbs and add a pinch of black salt and an emerald before tying the bag closed. Afterward, anoint
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the finished charm bag with a purifying or protective oil such as juniper or rosemary.. The charm bag may be placed in and around the home and/or rosemary carried to reap its benefits.
CRYSTAL CRYST AL ELIXIRS ELIXIR S Crystal elixirs and essences (see also chapter 2, “Essences, Oils, and Potions”) have a variety of uses and can be made either in water or oil with equal effect. Elixirs made withwater can be consumed or offered as libation to the Goddess; oil-based elixirs should not be taken internally. Both water- and oil-based essences can be used to anoint yourself or your tools, to dress candles or charm bags, to use as a component in spiritual baths, and much more. The following crystal elixirs are all goddess-themed; some require only gemstones to prepare, while others include ingredients like fresh flowers, dried herbs, flower essences, and essential oils. Use what you have available, substituting as necessary. May these recipes inspire you to make your own personal blends.
Crystal elixirs in the making � Aphrodite Elixir quar tz, copper (or goldstone) Ingredients: rutilated quartz, rose quartz, The Aphrodite elixir aims at increasing love in our lives—from the inside out. Rose quartz works to tease out our resistance to love and awakens
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our inner beauty. Rutilated quartz penetrates those barriers and magnifies our beauty, charisma, and strength; think of it as being an antenna that boosts your receptivity to loving and being loved. Copper, which is sacred to Aphrodite/Venus, facilitates connection and romance. Note that elixirs using copper or copper-based minerals should be made via indirect methods as described in chapter 2 if they are intended for internal consumption. Goldstone, an articifial stone made from glass with copper spangles, can be used as a substitute for copper in direct infusions. Cleanse your stones and empower them to draw love into your life. For a water-based infusion, add the stones to water on a Friday morning when the moon is waxing, let the preparation sit for three days, then remove the stones and add a preservative, such as vodka or brandy, as needed. For an oil-based elixir, place the stones in the carrier oil of your choice for a full lunar cycle, from full moon to full moon, and be sure to prepare and store them out of direct sunlight. Use the Aphrodite elixir to anoint candles, charm bags, jewelry, or other objects used in love spells. Try placing a couple of drops on the heart, hear t, wrists, or other pulse points. When this elixir is made with water water,, several drops can be added to food or drink.
� Persephone Oil Ingredients: Garnet, snowflake obsidian, pomegranate oil, narcissus oil Garnet is sacred to Persephone because of its similarity to pomegranate arils and because being formed by igneous processes, garnet is truly the fruit of the underworld. Garnet helps to light an inner fire during times of darkness, helping us navigate change with grace. It also grants the powers of regeneration so that we can retreat from everyday life and practice selfcare. Snowflake obsidian’s dual color scheme symbolizes the dual nature of Persephone as both Maiden and Crone, and it can help bring insight. Narcissus and pomegranate are both sacred to this goddess. Place the cleansed and programmed stones in a carrier oil on the dark of the moon (the new moon). Store in a dark place, away from all light for about two weeks, then place under the light of the full moon. Remove the stones and add several drops each of the oils of narcissus and pomegranate. Use this oil to attune to the changing seasons, for inspiration and introspection, and for personal strength during times of transition.
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� Isis Elixir Ingredients: lapis lazuli, carnelian, Isis crystal, rose flower essence or essential oil, lotus flower essence or essential oil The Isis elixir consists of the stones sacred to this popular goddess. Lapis lazuli represents her celestial nature as the Queen of Heaven, while carnelian signifies her womb blood that confers her strength. The Isis crystal signifies the magick and mystery of this goddess, and being clear quartz, it amplifies and harmonizes the other two gems. Rose and lotus are flowers traditionally ascribed to Isis, and they make for a potent blend that invites divine love and opens your consciousness to better know the Great Mother Mother.. For a water-based infusion, use flower essences made from these plants; an oil-based elixir can be made with either the essential oils or dried herbs. For a water-based essence, add the stones to water and place on a windowsill for three days and nights leading up to the full moon. Add four drops each of rose and lotus flower essences and preserve with alcohol. For a gemstone-infused oil, place the stones in the carrier oil of your choice for a full lunar cycle, from full moon to full moon, but be sure to keep the preparation out of direct sunlight. The rose and lotus ingredients can be added as dried herbs for the duration of the oil-based infusion, then strained along with the stones; alternatively, essential oils of these flowers can be added once the stones have been removed. Add the oils to create the strength of aroma that you desire. The Isis elixir can be used for anointing yourself and others during ritual, for blessing your ritual tools, or worn throughout the day to petition the blessings of this Mother Goddess for healing, protection, and spiritual awakening.
� Babalon Blend Ingredients: rose quartz, ruby (preferably star ruby), cuprite, rose water The stones in this elixir evoke passion, love, and sensuality. Rose quartz helps to remove our barriers to love, while star ruby draws strength from the emotions and symbolizes Babalon’s connection to the Stellar Goddess archetype, as she is worshipped as the secret face of the Queen of Heaven. Cuprite embodies sexuality and creativity creativity,, and its copper content also represents the Sacred Harlot archetype. Roses are sacred to Babalon,
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so rose water (or a few drops of rose essential oil) adds a lovely perfume to this elixir. Due to cuprite’s copper content, use an indirect method as described in chapter 2 for creating this elixir. Place the stones in a grid around the container of water or place in a smaller, dry glass within the larger vessel of water. water. Leave them in place for one week, then remove. Add a splash of rose water and a preservative as needed. Use this elixir for rites of love, romance, lust, and healing sexual trauma. This essence is best used to anoint the body or added to the bath. Try adding a splash to your laundry, laundry, especially when washing your bedsheets or blankets. A few drops can also be added to the contents of the chalice used during the symbolic Great Rite.
� Diana’s Essence silver,, jasmine (optional) Ingredients: moonstone, amethyst, silver This essence combines three materials that have long been associated with the traditional witches’ goddess, Diana. Moonstone represents her lunar connection and gently awakens your second sight. Amethyst recalls the myth of the nymph named after this stone, who was rescued from the clutches of Bacchus/Dionysus by Diana, who transformed the nymph into quartz; this stone was then transformed into amethyst when the drunken god poured his wine onto it as part of admitting his defeat. Amethyst is a stone of magick, and it can better enable you to connect to the spiritual planes. Silver is the metal of the moon and has long been associated with Diana. Jasmine, which blooms at night, is a lunar flower that is commonly used in incense, oils, and perfumes dedicated to Diana. Three days before the full moon, combine the moonstone, amethyst, and silver in water. Fresh or dried jasmine blossoms may be added. Leave the blend in a location that receives plenty of moonlight for three nights. During the day, day, shelter the infusion from the sunlight to prevent the oil from being harmed and the stone from fading. Strain the stones and flowers, add a preservative, and bottle. In lieu of jasmine flowers, thirteen drops of jasmine flower essence may be added, one for each of the lunar months in a year. For an oil-based infusion, choose a lighter carrier oil such as apricot kernel or sweet almond; either jasmine blossoms or a jasmine essential oil may be used in an oil-based infusion.
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Use this blend in lunar rites, such as before drawing down the moon. It can be used to consecrate ritual tools such as a crystal sphere, silver jewelry, or crescent-shaped knife. This oil is also used for increasing your psychic senses and for psychic protection.
� Sun Goddess Oil Ingredients: amber, tiger eye, golden calcite, cinnamon stick, ginseng, angelica Each of the stones in this oil-based infusion embody the bright and cheery nature of sunlight. Together Together,, they help you stay focused and grounded while removing harmful energies from your energy field and tapping into ancient wisdom. The herbs have been chosen for the solar correspondences, too. Make the oil on a Sunday close to the new moon. Cleanse and program the stones and mix together roughly equal parts of angelica, cinnamon stick, and ginseng. Add the stones and a heaping teaspoon of the herbal mixture to about one-half cup of carrier oil, preferably sunflower oil. Leave in a bright location (though not in full sun) for one to three days; strain the herbs and stones and store in a bottle. Use this oil that expresses the Solar Goddess archetype for protection, fulfilling wishes, healing, breaking curses, beauty, and love.
� Earth Mother Essence Ingredients: moss agate, amber, serpentine, a piece of natural stone from where you live The stones in the Earth Mother Essence are deeply connected to the natural world. Moss agate resembles the moss that carpets old logs, and it attracts the assistance of benevolent nature spirits. Amber is the resin of ancient trees—sunlight made solid. It contains ancient wisdom and memories of the Earth Mother from the distant past. Serpentine, too, is a stone of Earth wisdom, and it awakens the chthonic aspects of the Earth Mother. Incorporating a native stone from where you live in this essence will help attune this mixture to the land on which you live. It can be any stone at all that you feel attracted to, such as a river-tumbled pebble or a jagged rock dug up from your garden; just be sure to wash it thoroughly before using it.
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Cleanse and program the stones to invoke the blessings of the Earth Mother. Place them in pure water in a sunny place and leave for at least one week. Remove the stones from the water and bottle. A preservative may be omitted if this elixir is used only as an offering to the Earth. Use this elixir as a libation to the Earth Mother and the fairy fair y folk or other spirits of the land. I like to use it as an offering when I harvest herbs or when I gather wood for wands, or when gathering other items from nature. The Earth Mother essence can also be incorporated into rituals for healing the land itself.
� Yemayá Essence Ingredients: aquamarine, seven cowrie shells, sea salt Aquamarine is one of my favorite stones, and I find that the oceanic deity Yemayá, of the Yoruba tradition—one of my favorite aspects of the Divine Feminine—also adores this gemstone. Coupled with her sacred seashell, the cowrie, this essence is perfect for connecting to her loving guidance, protection, and wisdom. Seven is her sacred number, so seven cowries are used to represent her in this essence. Make the essence on a Saturday during the waxing moon, one week or more before the full moon. Add the cowries and aquamarine to the water and place them out of direct sunlight (as aquamarine is prone to fading). Allow the stone and shells to infuse for seven days before removing the seashells and gemstone. Add a pinch of sea salt; a small amount of preservative may be necessary if you plan on storing this for more than a few days. Use the elixir for cleansing, protection, fertility, fertility, inspiration, and healing. Yemayá is especially protective of women and children, and her essence can be used to bless mother and child alike. The Yemayá Yemayá elixir can also be used as an offering to the Ocean Mother, perhaps by pouring some into the ocean or onto the shoreline, and it can be placed in a chalice or cauldron to represent the element of water during ritual or meditation.
PART 3
Crystals for the Divine Feminine
7
Compendium of Crystals
THE STONES IN THIS COMPILATION reflect a wide range of min-
erals, rocks, fossils, and gemstones. While all members of the mineral kingdom are gifts of the Goddess, those listed here are among the most potent crystals for tapping into the Divine Feminine. It would be impossible to list every single stone connected to goddesses around the world. I’ve done my best to make this compendium as thorough as possible, focusing mostly on stones that are readily available and that work with the Divine Feminine most directly. Some of the stones that owe their allegiance to the Great Goddess come directly from myth and legend, while others come down to us through their traditional use in ritual and magick that in some way connects to the Divine Feminine. We see traces of the Divine Feminine in the carving of talismanic gemstones dating from the Middle Ages, as well as in the medical uses and astrological and elemental correspondences recorded throughout history. For those stones that were unknown to our ancestors, modern crystal mystics—myself included— have learned directly from the consciousness of these jewels of Mother Earth, and in this way we have discovered a flourishing group of rocks and minerals that embody the Divine Feminine. Each entry in this compendium examines the stone’s uses in history and tempers this perspective with modern mineral science and contem poraryy crysta porar crystall wisdom. For easy eas y reference, so that you can easily choose crystals for the specific working you have in mind, I have included a 154
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brief summary of the stone’s energies in terms of its magickal uses, elemental signature, astrological signature, goddess archetypes, and formation process. The following is an explanation of these correspondences: Magickal uses: This refers to the stone’s general uses, including basic themes in magick, meditation, and healing, though it is not an exhaustive description of how to use it. Some of these applications are derived from historical sources, although many uses are my own interpretation of the stone’s energy and purpose, especially when it comes to stones that have been added to our toolkits only recently. Use this information as inspiration; there are likely many more applications that a stone will reveal to you once you start working with it more intimately intimately.. Elemental signature: This describes the stone’s relationship to the alchemical elements of earth, air, fire, and water, as well as the void,, or simply the fifth element, variously called spirit, ether, space, void quintessence.. These elemental forces can be harnessed for magickal quintessence or curative purposes, and they are often reflected in the stone’s magickal uses. Generally, water and earth are considered feminine energies, while air and fire are masculine; the fifth element, spirit, is androgynous. •
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The earth elemen elementt has a stabilizing, stabilizing, grounding effect. Earth is the element of physical form and the material plane. It symbolizes the body and the home. Earth is often used for rites of abundance, fertility, strength, protection, healing, and manifestation. Water is intrinsically linked to the subconscio subconscious us world. It It represents the emotions and the dream state. Water is also connected to the ancestral realm and to the shamanic state of nonordinary consciousness. Working with the water element yields love, empathy, and cleansing. Fire is associated with willpower, illumination, passion, sexuality, and transformation. As the alchemical flame, it purifies by burning away the dross of the old, thereby preparing for evolution. Fire brings warmth and light and thus represents intuition, spiritual growth, and movement.
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The element most connected to the mind and intelle intellect ct is air. It symbolizes the realm of thought, logic, communication, language, and flux. Air, like the mind, is invisible, but can shape the world around us, just as the unseen wind can alter the landscape. Use the air element for better expression, clarity, and truth-seeking. The final element element is sometimes perceived as the confluence of the other four; others perceive it as the force that flows through all the other elements, and indeed through all of creation. Ether, or spirit, is associated with creation, divinity, harmony, and all things that are sacred. Harness this element for deep transformation on all levels.
Astrological signature: The connections between the stars and stones is truly ancient. Some of the earliest magickal lapidaries are based on the astrological observations of the Chaldeans. The spiritual axiom “As above, so below” has inspired seekers throughout the ages to illuminate the connections between the planets and the twelve signs of the zodiac with various earthly phenomena, including stones and herbs. These astrological correspondences are helpful when it comes to healing, spellcraft, and ritual, because they cement the link between our work and the outcome we desire. As explained in chapter 1, astrological correspondences have varied from culture to culture and from one era to another. I’ve supplied as many of the planetaryy and zodiaca planetar zodiacall correspondences for each gemstone as I find relevant. Most literature on planetary gemstones includes only correspondences for the sun, moon, and the five planets visible to the naked eye. When possible I’ve included correspondences to the more recently discovered planets (Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto). Goddess archetype: This is derived from a combination of myth, ceremonial use, and the symbolism embodied in the stone’s structure, composition, and habit—a subject taken up at length in chapter 4. Formation process: This refers to the genesis of each rock or mineral. Stones can be either igneous (primary formation), sedimentary (secondary formation), or metamorphic (tertiary formation). Many minerals can be derived from more than one formation process; where possible, possibl e, I have listed all the options. Since pearl pearl,, mother-of-pe mother-of-pearl, arl,
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and coral are organic materials derived from biological processes, they do not entirely adhere to the normal formation processes of minerals. The gradual accretion of layers of nacre around the nucleus of the pearl and the buildup of the exoskeletons of coral polyps is reminiscent of the formation of sedimentary rocks and minerals, and thus they can be used in a similar fashion as other sedimentary stones. In this compendium I have endeavored to make the descriptions of each stone as complete as possible while keeping the material relevant to the relationship between the mineral kingdom and the Divine Feminine. Entries may include inspiration for how to include the stones in ritual, meditation, spellcraft, and healing. Ultimately, how you use this information is up to you. It is my hope that it will inspire your creativity and encourage you to find your own connections.
AGATE Magickal uses: energy, strength, protection, love Elemental signature: earth (varies by type and color) Astrological signature: Mercury, Mars, Venus; Gemini, Cancer (varies by type and color) Goddess archetypes: varies by type and color Formation process: igneous
Agate is the name given to banded formations of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline* variety of quartz. Though all agates are chalcedony, not all chalecedonies are agates. Generally speaking, only those with pronounced bands will be called agate, and they have somewhat different properties than other forms of chalcedony. Described by Roman writer Pliny the Elder in 77 CE, ag agate ate was named for its occurrence near the Dirillo, a river in Sicily that in Pliny’s day was known as the agate. Agates Achates, thereby giving rise to the word agate. Agates come in virtually *Having a crystalline structure so fine that no distinct particles are recognizable under a microscope.
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An assortment of agates agates
every color of the rainbow, and they exhibit a wide array of patterns, inclusions, and formations. This entry describes the general properties of agates; various types of agate exhibit additional properties. These forms of agate (blue lace agate, fire agate, moss agate, orbicular agate) are described separately. Agate has been a magickal gemstone since prehistory. Cylinder sealstones (stones engraved with seals, commonly dating from prehistoric times) carved from agates have been recovered by archaeologists. These seals, which are carved with goddesses and other figures, were held in high regard for their magickal properties. Agate was known by various names in antiquity, and different colors and patterns were often ascribed unique planetary and zodiacal correspondences. Though not inherently
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a stone of the Goddess, agate has been used magickally for protection, energy, healing, love, and other intentions. Agate provides a push in a favorable direction, no matter what you may be trying to manifest.
Blue Lace Agate Magickal uses: peace, communication, innocence, fear, emotional balance, peaceful home Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Mercury; Gemini, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Mother, Goddess of Hearth and Home Formation process: igneous
Blue lace agate is the name given to varieties of agate that exhibit lacy bands of blue, white, and lavender. Bands can be translucent or transparent in the finest varieties. It is largely mined in Kenya, though deposits in Malawi, Namibia, and Romania are also extant. Most blue lace agate available today is polished, although crystalline, druzy nodules and geodes are also seen in the market. Among the agate family, the blue lace variety is especially soft in nature, energetically speaking. Though it conveys the traditional properties of agate, it is more refined overall. Using blue lace agate promotes peace, emotional balance, and forgiveness. This gemstone helps you to more consciously know your true self, as it helps release fear, judgment, worry, anger, jealous jealousyy, and other negative emotions once and for all all.. It unwinds physical stress in the body and soothes patterns of emotional and spiritual disharmony. Its peaceful vibration has led blue lace agate to be connected to the the Roman goddess of peace, Pax. 1 Pax can be invoked to offer serenity; she is typically depicted with symbols of peace and plenty, such as the olive branch and the cornucopia. Use blue lace agate as an offering or in spellcraft to invite her many blessings. Judy Hall, a karmic astrologer, regression therapist, and expert on crystals, suggests using blue lace agate for connecting to the Blessed Virgin (Mother Mary) or any other manifestation of the Divine Feminine. 2 Since blue lace agate imparts tranquility and an air of innocence, it is an ideal stone for tapping into the archetypes of the Maiden and
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Polished Pol ished and raw raw blue lace agate agate
the Goddess of Hearth and Home. Wearing or carrying blue lace agate helps you cultivate inner and outer strength, facilitates communication, and refreshes your outlook on life. This stone imparts the purity of the springtime Maiden, with the blossoming innocence of greenery and flowers. The lacy patterns of this stone will radiate into your energy field, helping dislodge foreign energies to return you to your purest state. The overall effect of blue lace agate brings deeply seated peace. The late Wiccan author Scott Cunningham suggests using this stone in tandem with light blue candles to pacify the household and reduce quarrels.3 Displaying blue lace agate in a prominent place in the home can open lines of communication among all the residents, thereby strengthening the family or household bonds. Because of this effect on the home environment, blue lace agate can be used to petition the favor of the Goddess of Hearth and Home, as well as to appease any household spirits or devas.
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Fire Agate Magickal uses: passion, creativity, protection, problem-solving, personal power, healing Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Mars, Mercury; Aries Goddess archetypes: Solar Goddess, the Muse, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous
Fire agate is an iridescent variety of agate, usually exhibiting a red, orange, or brown color. Its fiery optical phenomenon results from minute crystals of limonite that form between layers of chalcedony. Most fire agate comes from Mexico, though some is available from the American Southwest, too. The iridescence of this stone is best seen in polishedd specimens. polishe Like other agates, fire agate is formed by the percolation of silicarich water in the cavities of rock during volcanic processes. This combination of elemental forces resembles the same confluence of energies present in metallurg metallurgyy and other crafts. In light of this, fire agate is my favorite gemstone for connecting to the goddess Brigid, patroness of poets, poe ts, heal healers, ers, and black blacksmiths. smiths. Fire ag agate ate is prescrib prescribed ed for inspira inspira-tion and healing, two of Brigid’s principle themes. This stone exudes a warming,, sensual energ warming energyy and is used to inspire passion, thereby fueling the creative impulse. Use it to enhance all your creative endeavors as well as to solve problems creatively creatively.. Fire agate is especially protective. Its fiery energy dispels fears that arise from the innermost depths of your psyche, in addition to providing a shield that reflects the threat of harm back to its source. 4 This stone also provides a gentle tether to the earth, as its iron content has a grounding influence. Together, the protective and grounding qualities enhance fire agate’s propensity to awaken passion; fire agate helps you feel safe and secure during moments of intimacy. It also helps you overcome sexual hangups as it instills confidence and fosters genuine connection between partners. Use fire agate to call on the Great Goddess for inspiration, healing, and protection. It augments personal power and clarifies decision-making and problem-solving skills. Placed on the altar, it
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Fire agate agate symbolizes symbolizes the goddess Brigid.
can represent the fire element, perhaps replacing a candle when it is unsafe or unwise to have an open flame. Its iron content and Martian astrological signature also associate this stone with the warlike aspect of the Fierce Goddess, exemplified in deities such as Athena, the Morrigan, Sekhmet, and Brigid.
Moss Agate Magickal uses: herbal magick, wealth, healing, fertility, fairy contact, grounding, longevity, beauty, inspiration Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus, Jupiter; Taurus, Gemini, Virgo Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Mistress of Magick Formation process: igneous
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Moss agate is a translucent variety of chalcedony with dendritic inclusions that resemble plant matter. These branching, mosslike forms are typically green, brown, reddish, or black. Because moss agate does not usually exhibit the bands that characterize the agate family, it is not technically an agate, but rather a chalcedony. Moss agate is found worldwide; it is often formed in association with weathered igneous rocks. Moss agate connotes a sense of fertile growth. This gemstone was once used in Persia to help crops grow, a practice that continued in India, where it was maintained that moss agate protected crops from floods, drought, and damage from insects. 5 Accordingly, it can be used in your garden to promote healthy plant growth, to increase the
Moss agate agate evokes evokes images of nature.
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magickal and medicinal potency of herbs, and to hold the energy of the sacredness of your home and garden. Try gridding your garden with moss agate to take advantage of these effects and to establish a deeper relationship with the nature spirits that may visit it or reside there. The tiny plantlike structures within this translucent stone are reminiscent of fresh moss, which enables this stone to blur the lines between vegetable and mineral, living and nonliving, organic and inorganic. The liminal nature of this juxtaposition endows moss agate with the ability to connect to the fairy folk. Offerings of moss agate are also effective for developing relationships with the fairy folk and the spirits of the land. Carrying moss agate can protect against the mischievous deeds of these beings by marking you as respectful and in tune with their way of life. Moss agate is stone that honors the Earth Mother and Mistress of Magick archetypes. Since it can be used to establish contact with the Shining Ones (the fairy folk), moss agate can also be used to connect to the Fairy Queen, an aspect of the Mistress of Magick who rules over the liminal reality of the fairy folk. She is beautiful, beguiling, and cunning; her magickal talents include powerful glamourie,* longevity, and beauty. Since the Shining Ones were gifted in the fields of art and music, the Fairy Queen can also be a personal muse; moss agate can thus be employed for seeking inspiration in artistic endeavors. It offers a gentle but continual sense of grounding, thereby keeping you on task as you paint, sculpt, compose, write, cook, sing, or otherwise engage in creative pursuits. Magickally, moss agate is a stone of grounding, healing, and wealth. It was once employed for divining the location of hidden treasures; today it can be used in workings to uncover hidden talents, draw money, or stabilize your finances. Moss agate is also a gentle tonic for the physical body, providing overall healing and balance. Use moss agate in seasonal rituals to facilitate attunement to the rhythms of the Earth Mother. *Glamourie is a Scots word referring to a charmed condition in which everything is invested with magical properties and possibilities. It also refers to the magickal art of glamouryy or changing or augmenting the way you are perceived by others, often called glamour simply a glamour a glamour today. today.
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Orbicular Agate Magickal uses: astrology, regeneration, inspiration, physical healing, attunement to natural rhythms, glamourie Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Moon; Virgo, Libra Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Stellar Goddess, Goddess of Love, the Muse Formation process: igneous
The orbicular patterns on this agate are reminiscent of the full moon.
Orbicular agate (occasionally called bullseye agate) is a fortification agate (an agate with sharp-angled bands that resemble the aerial view of a fort) that when polished reveals circular or spherical bands with pronounced boundaries boundaries.. Orbicula Orbicularr ag agate ate can be found in a variety of color combinations depending on locale. It is occasionally available as polished poli shed nodule nodules, s, some of which contain inclusions of water and air. Orbicular agate is found chiefly in Mexico, Brazil, and Madagascar. The circular patterns in orbicular agate naturally link it to the energies of the moon. Orbicular agates can be used to attune to the lunar cycle as well as to connect to the moon, this stone’s planetary correspondence. Its circular patterns suggest celestial bodies, so it can be a helpful learning tool for budding astrologers and astronomers. In
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addition to helping you attune to the movements of the heavens, this member of the agate family also promotes precision and attention to detail in measuring the aspects that the planets and constellations form with one another.6 Orbicular agate inspires artistic sensibilities and fosters grace in your movements, eloquenc eloquencee in speec speech, h, and melody in song. Use it as a talisman to connect with the Muse. Orbicular agate can be used for glamourie, as well. This agate is strongly healing to physical tissue, and it promotes regeneration.
AJOITE Magickal uses: love, beauty, communication, emotional healing, earth healing, psychic development, contact with spirits/fairies/angels Elemental signature: water, spirit Astrological signature: Venus, Neptune; Virgo, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Earth Mother, Goddess of Love Formation process: sedimentary
Ajoite is a rare copper mineral named for its discovery in Ajo, Arizona. Originally found as a massive green rock, later occurrences of ajoite as inclusions in quartz were discovered in South Africa. Inside quartz, ajoite appears as a bright turquoise-colored inclusion, and it frequently occurs with minerals such as hematite, shattuckite, papagoite, cuprite, and native copper. Ajoite is a stone that engenders deep peace. It is a remedy for anger, spite, sorrow, grief, and other difficult emotions. Ajoite, especially when found in quartz, is expansive. It teases out pain and disharmony, aligning the subtle bodies of the aura as it does so. It is a skillful healer of the emotions, chiefly due to its copper content. Copper (see the listing for this metal in this compendium) is a chief constituent in many minerals associated with the Divine Feminine, and ajoite is one of them. Crystal healer Robert Simmons says that ajoite “emanates one of the sweetest, most nurturing and loving energies of any stone in the mineral kingdom. It is a pure bearer of the vibrations of the Earth Mother, the feminine aspect of the life force of our planet.” 7 He likens this cur-
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Copper-rich ajoite
rent of energy to Sophia, the manifestation of the Divine Feminine in the living world, sometimes referred to as “the soul of the world.”8 Ajoite imparts deep healing by steeping our hearts in the love of the Great Mother. My dear friends and fellow crystal lovers Marilyn and Tohmas Twintreess discuss ajoite in a similar context in their Stones Alive! series: “In some societies, the peoples of the earth have pulled pull ed away from knowing the interconnect interconnectednes ednesss of all life. Ajoite insists, lovingly and fully, that we embrace the earth. It instills in us the knowledge that all the elements that make up the earth [also] make up our bodies. In these times, ajoite symbolizes the heart of the earth.” 9 When we open our hearts to the gif gifts ts that ajoite brings, we can experience attunement to Mother Earth and open to the mystery of her many layers of reality. Ajoite refines and clarifies the inner sight; it deepens the intuitive faculties and helps us become more receptive to the spiritual realms. Many modern-day crystal mystics find that the sweet, angelic energy of ajoite (especially ajoite in quartz) enhances contact with angels and spirit guides guides.. I find that ajoite works equally well for opening the gates to communicating with the intelligences of nature— nature spirits, devas, and fairy folk. It can be placed on the brow in
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meditation, carried, worn, or used in crystal grids for such work. Ajoite is also cleansing to the auric field, and it helps to remove energetic cords and implants. As a result, it can facilitate spiritual contact by ensuring that you are free of energetic hitchhikers—denser entities or energies that may attempt contact and feed on your spiritual essence. Ajoite supports the resurgence of the Divine Feminine by helping cultivate greater stillness, receptivity, and surrender. One of the key themes of the Great Mother is the gift of receiving; she receives the seed of her consort just as the soil receives rain and leaves receive sunlight. By the same token, the essence of the Divine Feminine within each of us often works through quiet acceptance. In accepting and surrendering to what we are experiencing, we can wholeheartedly give ourselves to the present moment—an act necessary for ecstatic communion with Source. Ajoite’s copper content relates it to the Goddess of Love archetype, and its oceanic hue is reminiscent of the waves that gave birth to Aphrodite. Ajoite is an excellent crystal for use in romantic workings. It is adept at deepening connections that already exist and mending relationships that have been battered by flared tempers. Ajoite releases the karmic underpinnings of relationship issues, enabling greater and more loving connection between partners. The profoundly loving energy of ajoite reminds me of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin, sometimes called the Goddess of Mercy, for it embodies limitless compassion. Like the saintly figure of the Divine Feminine in Buddhism, ajoite entrains a compassionate response in your heart, teaching us through the example of its own loving-kindness. It also improves your outlook on life and helps us find the silver lining in every e very cloud. Ajoite provides a keen sense of justice as a result of the wisdom and truth it reveals from within. In teaching the interconnectedness of all life, ajoite reminds us to be mindful and fair to others. On the one hand this is related to the model of the goddess of compassion, Kuan Yin, but it can also be related to the energy of goddesses such as Ma’at, who seek truth and justice above all else. Use ajoite a joite for spells spe lls and meditations aimed at uncovering the truth or promoting justice, as it will facilitate working with Ma’at.
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Ajoite is sometimes said to represent the Age of Aquarius. 10 It is here to help us rebirth the Great Goddess and initiate the next golden age. Use it for workings related to planetary healing, as well as for matters of personal healing, love, and emotional balance. Ajoite as an elixir helps reveal inner and outer beauty and thus is a wonderful addition to spiritual baths.
ALABASTER Magickal uses: death, transformation, beauty, sacred sexuality Elemental signature: all elements Sagittarius us Astrological signature: Venus; Taurus, Sagittari Goddess archetypes: Crone, Underworld Goddess, Sacred Harlot Formation process: sedimentary
Alabaster refers to two different materials, both of which are finegrained sedimentary stones. The first is comprised of gypsum, and the second of calcite; geologists only recognize the former as true alabaster, while students of archaeology and other fields still use the term to refer to both stones. Alabaster is soft, making it easy to carve. The calcitic variety was used throughout the Middle East, including ancient Egypt. Gypsum-based alabaster is more common in Europe. Alabaster is found worldwide, including China, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The pale colors in which alabaster is usually found often resemble bone. It was frequently used for depicting “stiff nude” representations of the Goddess in the Stone Age. These highly schematized images of the Divine Feminine are suggestive of the nature of death and were meant to represent the aspect of the Great Goddess who receives us in the afterlife. Later uses of alabaster include funerary carvings, masks, and sarcophagi. Since alabaster is a sedimentary rock, it connects to Sedimens, the Crone aspect of the Goddess of Stone. Two parallel streams of symbolism relate alabaster to death and dying, thereby making it an excellent stone for endings, transformation, and other areas related to the Crone. Vessels V essels carved from alabaster have a long tradition of being used to
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A lemniscate carved from Egyptian alabaster
hold cosmetics and perfume. Alabaster has been used to enhance beauty and sensuality. An alabaster jar is also associated with Mary Magdalene, herself a representative of the Sacred Harlot. The inherently receptive nature of jars and bottles (and masks and sarcophagi, for that matter) points to the essential lesson of alaba alabaster: ster: its softness and openness teaches us to learn to receive and embody the Divine Feminine from the inside out. Just as light passes through this translucent stone, the energy of the Great Goddess illumines us when we submit to it. Love, beauty, and sacred sexuality are all the Sacred Harlot’s domain. Use alabaster for workings ruled by her. Keeping a piece of alabaster near your beauty supplies will help raise your self-confidence and enable others to perceive your beauty with greater ease.
AMAZONITE Magickal uses: truth, freedom, self-expression, peace, individuality, creativity, relaxation Elemental signature: water, air Astrological signature: Uranus, Saturn; Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Ocean Goddess, Queen of Heaven, Fierce Goddess, the Fates Formation process: igneous
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Amazonite refers to blue to green microcline feldspar. Though named for the Amazon River, it is unlikely to have ever been found there; its watery color is probably what accounts for its name. Amazonite is usually translucent to opaque, and its unique color is derived from trace amounts of lead. Amazonite is commonly found in Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, Russia, Madagascar, Tanzania, and several locations in the United States. Amazonite is a rather tranquil gemstone. Its soft turquoise palette inspires peace and relaxation, and it relieves tension. Amazonite is a gem that is soothing on all levels, and it helps free the mind from negative patterns of thinking. Thanks to its color, its energy is closely aligned with the Goddess in her roles as Ocean Mother and Queen of Heaven. Its overall effect is expansive, and it can help you experience the vastness of the oceans and skies in a single moment; in doing so, it inspires hope and peace. Amazonite is often prescribed for greater self-confidence and self worth. Its crystal cr ystal structure belongs to the triclinic system, which is the crystal class with the least amount of symmetry among its axes and faces. To look at crystals of amazonite is to see beauty amid the uncon ventional. On the surface, its structure may not appear as orderly and congruent as that of other crystals. This unconventional crystal form,
Amazonite is a member member of the feldspar feldspar group.
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especially when coupled with the color of the stone, is the perfect signature to indicate a Uranian influence. Uranus is the planet in our solar system that breaks all the rules—its axis is tilted differently, and it rotates in an opposite direction as other planets. As such, a stone bearing such a strong Uranian energy helps you feel more at ease when your life doesn’ doesn’tt subscribe to the norm. Amazonite also promotes creativity and thinking outside the box, thus helping you to embrace the gifts that your quirks bring. With this stone comes the relief and assurance that result from living your personal truth; it truly helps you to live out your dreams. It empowers you to live your truth boldly and unapologetically. This member of the feldspar group is sometimes recommended for balancing male and female energies. 11 Amazonite balances this polarity both within and without, and I find that it is especially helpful in breaking free from culturally defined gender roles. Its energy is neither overtly feminine nor overtly masculine; it can help tap into both polarities within any person and facilitate the expression of whichever is most needed in a given moment. Amazonite is especially helpful for reconciling the masculine aspects of the Goddess and the feminine aspects of the God. Use it to channel your inner Amazonian warrior as you defend your inner truth in a world where being differen differentt can be challenging. Amazonite bridges the imaginal and material planes just as easily as it balances the feminine and masculine. This stone is capable of both inviting you to dream bigger dreams and leading you to follow those dreams. It helps you to live your truth and defend it with all your heart. For this reason, amazonite embodies the Fierce Goddess in her role as warrior and protectress. The minute lead content in this stone also links it to the planet Saturn; amazonite can therefore be used for Saturnian magick involving structure, time, fate, and karma. Use amazonite in spells for boosting confidence, overcoming obstacles, or breaking the hold of negative magick or karma. Likewise, it is an ally in manifestation by providing creativity and the impetus to put your magick into action. In healing hea ling,, it works to bring relaxation as well as action depending dep ending on what is most neede needed. d. Amazonite promotes healthy expression, and it can help you enforce your boundaries, too.
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Used for healing, amazonite supports the structure of your physical tissues; it mends wounds, both physical and psychological. All in all, amazonite is the perfect stone for finding your inner Goddess and invoking her influence for living your best life.
AMBER Magickal uses: protection, healing, courage, happiness, success, attraction, glamourie, luck, spirit contact, power, breaking curses, abundance Elemental signature: fire, spirit Astrological signature: Sun; Leo Goddess archetypes: Solar Goddess, Mother Earth, Great Mother, Goddess of Love, Crone, Ocean Mother Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
Amber is the solidified resin of extinct coniferous trees. Though not truly a rock or a mineral, amber is one of the most ancient ornamental gem materials, having been used since at least the Paleolithic era. Varieties of amber range in color from yellow and gold to red and brown, with cream-colored, green, and nearly black hues also found. Amber is most famously found along the coasts of the Baltic Sea, including Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. It is also found along the shores of Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Other deposits of amber are found in Mexico, Lebanon, Myanmar, Canada, Sicily, and Australia. Newer deposits of amber have been found in the Dominican Republic and Indonesia and are known amber, as they fluoresce so strongly in ambient light as to appear as blue amber, as blue. True amber is considered a fossil, even though it has not undergone a process of petrification or mineralization, while other ancient plant resins are too young to be considered fossils. Examples of these relatives of amber include copal and kauri gum, which do not have the resiliency of fossil resins. Amber has factored into many myths throughout history. It is often found washed ashore, as it floats in seawater. For this reason, amber is considered a gift of the Ocean Mother. Baltic mythology records the
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An amber ring ring gleaming like like sunshine sunshine
image of the sea goddess Jūratė’s undersea palace being made of amber. In Norse mythology, Freyja’s tears were said to become amber when they fell into the sea. Freyja is recorded as having a magickal necklace, named Brísingamen, made of amber. Ancient Goddess worshippers felt that this gem was sacred to the Great Mother, as amber was believed to contain the very spark of life. 12 In fact, amber may be among the very first gemstones employed by early humans, as amber artifacts, some of which may be ten thousand years old, have been found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Amber has a decidedly solar influence; ancient people once believed that amber formed as the rays of the sun congealed as it set over the water. As a fossil resin, it once flowed like sap within the trunks of cone-bearing trees. This viscous liquid was the lifeblood of these ancient plants; it carried the nutrients converted from immaterial sunlight into tangible energy and food. Thus amber is literally a product of the sun’s rays—it is as close to solidified sunlight as you can get. To the Baltic people, amber was intrinsically linked to the sun goddess Saule. This gem was often called the “tears of Saule” or the “tears of the sun.” 13 She shed these tears when she witnessed horrific acts,
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violence, or trage tragedy dy (especial (especially ly involving children), and also upon seeing the death of her sacred animal, the žaltys, a type of grass snake. 14 Amber has been worn to draw the blessings of the Solar Goddess so that her protective gaze will ensure a happy and fruitful life. Though many stones can put us in touch with the principle of light, few also provide the warming quality of amber. Its bright, cheery disposition underscores its ability to break up stagnant cycles, purify your energy field, and uplift otherwise heavy emotions. Through the ages amber has been credited for assisting in practically every magickal aim possible, from luck and healing, to protection and prosperity. It is a catch-all stone that lends strength to all workings. Wearing amber or placing it on your altar can lend additional power to your spel spells. ls. As night flees the rising sun’s rays, so is evil averted by amber’s grace. Amber protects against harm and ill health, and it thwarts the effects of curses, the evil eye, and malevolent spirits. Amber does not encircle you in a protective barrier; instead, it improves the resilience and integrity of your energy field by removing harmful influences, while at the same time brightening your spiritual body (or aura/energy field) so that no negativity can possibly affect you. Amber has been carried as a protective amulet since antiquity, and it continues to be used worldwide by magicians and laypeople alike. Scott Cunningham suggests adding nine pieces of amber to your bathwater and soaking until the water has cooled entirely; after ward, war d, carr carryy one of the ston stones es to ensur ensuree your pro protec tection tion at al alll time times. s. 15 This stone can prevent meddlesome spirits from negatively impacting your life, as well as strengthen the bond between the witch and her familiar or guide. Amber’s association with goddesses of love such as Freyja also points po ints to its gi gift ft of mag magnif nifying ying your natura naturall bea beauty. uty. Weari earing ng amb amber er boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence, which naturally makes us more attractive. It is an ancient talisman for ensuring fertility, and it can attract a new romantic or sexual partner. Since it draws out inner beauty so easily, amber can also be employed in glamourie, to change your appe appeara arance nce via mag magicka ickall mean means. s.
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When rubbed rubb ed vigorously with a cloth, amber amb er generates g enerates an electrical charge that allows it to attract small objects like grain or ash or bits of paper. This resulted in its Greek name, elektron, from which the modern English word electricity is derived. In an act of sympathetic magick, amber can be used to attract good fortune, love, success, and money. Its golden hues are also linked to money magick, so it can be combined with other elements to manifest financial wealth and abundance. Among witches, amber is especially sacred. It is often paired with the more masc masculi uline ne jet jet;; tog together ether the theyy are the stone stoness of the hig highh priestes prie stess. s. Wear earing ing amb amber er can help attun attunee to the curren currentt of lif life, e, the animating principle that flows through the entire universe; this is the breath and heartbeat of the Great Goddess herself. It is a “key to ancient knowledge and can stimulate the remembrance of one’s lineage and the genetic lessons and experiences passed down from one’s ancestors.” 16 As a fossil, amber is connected to the memory and ancient wisdom of Sedimens, the Crone of the Triple Goddess of Stone. I think this may be why so many witches and pagans are attracted to amber—it awakens the soul’s memory of having walked this path in previous lifetimes. However you use amber, know that it is among the most sacred of gems, despite not being a true mineral. It will enhance all of your magickal workings and deepen your connection to the Great Mother.
AMETHYST Magickal uses: protection, wisdom, psychic development, healing, purification, curse-breaking, devotion Elemental signature: air, spirit Astrological signature: Venus, Moon, Uranus; Aquarius Goddess archetype: Maiden Formation process: igneous
One of the most beloved gemstones around, amethyst is a violet-colored variety of quartz. Its color is derived from trace amounts of iron,
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Amethyst is a violet-colore violet-coloredd variety of quartz.
and it is found worldwide. Amethyst is available in a wide range of crystal forms, and it spans a range of shades from lavender to purple and violet. Its name means “not drunken” in Greek, as it was believed to cure inebriety. There are a variety of legends surrounding this stone, as it has been prized since antiquity. Perh Perhaps aps the best-known is the classical myth of the nymph Amethyst. The young nymph had set out to visit the temple of Artemis (the Roman goddess Diana) for rites of worship and honor, but along the way her beauty catches the eye of Dionysus (the Roman god Bacchus), god of wine and revelry. On a drunken whim, Dionysus decides that he should pursue Amethyst with the aim of sexual conquest. Amethyst cries out to the goddess Artemis during the chase, and the goddess takes pity on her devotee. To protect her from Bacchus’s unwanted pursuit, Artemis transforms Amethyst into white quartz. An enraged Dionysus spills his wine over the nymph-turned-crystal, and the drink transforms the color of the stone into the violet-colored
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amethyst. Having been sobered by this event, Dionysus bestows amethyst with the ability to restore sobriety. In this myth we see Amethyst being blessed by the goddess for her sincerity and devotion. Amethyst has long been a stone of protection, not only warding off drunkenness, but also used as a charm against evil spirits, nightmares, and negative magick. It was once believed that when set in silver and worn while hunting hunting,, amethyst would attract wild game. 17 This is surely a holdover from the stone’s association with Artemis/Diana—silver represents her lunar association, and she also rules over the hunt. Christian lore associates amethyst with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing the love that “men and God devote to [her],” 18 thereby preserving the connection between amethyst and the Divine Feminine even in the era of patriarchal monotheism. Amethyst is often closely linked to purification, protection, and sacred space. In the modern world amethyst is regarded as a spiritual cleanser. Its energy transmutes negativity into positive vibrations, making it the ideal stone to keep in your home environment. It has been used in ecclesiastical jewelry, as a facade on churches, and in other sacred settings. In fact, when viewed under polarized light, the structure of amethyst reveals a whorly pattern in its growth called an airy spiral, which resembles the labyrinths found in Gothic cathedrals. 19 spiral, This growth pattern within the crystal is meant to serve as a reminder that each and every step that we as spiritual aspirants take can be dedicated to our growth, as if each moment of the day we are walking the path of the labyrinth. l abyrinth. The spiraling form of amethyst’ amethyst’ss crysta crystall structure also deeply links it to the energy of the Goddess, as the spiral is one of her universal symbols. When you yo u harness the power of amethyst, you yo u uplift the vibrations of your space, both inner and outer, in order to build a sanctuary for the Divine Feminine. Amethyst allows you to purify within and without by abstaining from beliefs and behaviors that pollute your soul and your environ environment. ment. Working with amethyst provides you with the wisdom necessary to make life choices that reinforce your devotion to all that is sacred; it enables you to be more sincerely dedicated and connected to the Goddess herself.
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Amethyst holds a spiritual frequency that engenders tranquility, wisdom, and dedication to your path. It is a stone that activates latent intuitive faculties, and it instills great confidence in psychic pursuits. In ritual it can be used for healing, spiritual development, and protection. Amethyst allows you to construct sacred space wherever you are, and it facilitates magickal workings of all kinds. Wear or carry amethyst to receive the blessings of the Goddess, and you will find that all aspects of your life become inherently more magickal.
AMMONITE Magickal uses: protection, fertility, wisdom, regeneration, divination, karmic healing, connecting to deities Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Neptune; Aquarius, Virgo, Gemini Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Crone Formation process: sedimentary
Among fossils, ammonite is particularly enchanting for its spiral shape. Ammonites are the fossilized remains of an extinct group of sea mollusks that resemble the modern-day nautilus. The name is taken from Ammonis cornua, meaning “horns of Ammon [Amun],” as they resemble the ram’s horns that the Egyptian god Amun often sported. Ammonites are found in many locations around the world such as Canada, India, Iran, Madagascar, Nepal, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with a variety of mineralizations replacing the original organic tissue. Those preserved in soft clay usually retain the nacreous luster of the original mother-of-pearl in the shell. The spiral shape of this stone has long been considered sacred to the Goddess. Virtually Virtua lly al alll fossi fossils ls have made their way into the mythos and magick of cultures around the world. Ammonite, whose coiled shape is reminiscent of a snake, has been variously known as “snake stone,” “serpentstone,” “ophite” (from the Greek ophis, for “snake”), and “draconite” (Greek for draco, “dragon”). In a classic example of sympathetic magick, ammonites were believed to counteract the venom of reptiles, avert the gaze of serpents, and enable a person to handle snakes
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Ammonite’s spiral Ammonite spiral form symbolizes symbolizes the regenerative regenerative power of the Goddess.
without fear of being bitten. Serpents are also symbo symbols ls of the Great Goddess, and her worship throughout the world has included snakerelated imagery. The serpent is a symbol of fertility, and these fossils were traditionally used to enhance the fertility of both livestock and humans. Since snakes also represent wisdom, immortality, and regeneration, ammonites took on the same characteristics. In truth, the serpent or dragon reflects the underworld aspects of the Earth Mother. Across the body of Earth are etched the sinewy currents of chthonic energy—ley lines, or dragon lines. Like a spiral staircase, meditating with ammonite draws the attention inward and downward, helping you descend to the realm of the subconscious mind. This stone can help you reach the underworld via meditation, astral travel, and dreamtime journeying. Once there, you can call on the assistance of the Queen of the
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Underworld—the Dark Goddess—for healing and transformation. The fossilized ammonite is a potent karmic healing stone. It can be used for past-life awareness, as well as for healing the deep-seated patterns carried over from previous lifetimes. It brings renewal and hope. Like the unfurling of fiddlehead ferns, the coiled ammonite brings the promise of new life. Its spiral form is the cosmic dance of lifelife-deathdeathrebirth, the rhythm of the Great Mother’s heartbeat. Serpent stones have factored into many myths and legends. Lore from Whitby, North Yorkshire, England, describes Saint Hilda of Whitby turning a pla plagu guee of snakes into stone stone;; she is often depicte depictedd with them at her feet. Though not a god goddess dess outright, this Christian saint is a representation of the Divine Feminine in her own right. She is the patron of learning, poetry, and culture. The ammonite, with its ophidian nature, shares these qualities with Saint Hilda, as it fosters growth and wisdom. Carrying these stones is still believed to grant miracles today.20 Ammonites have been found in abundance at Glastonbury Tor, in Somerset, England. According to archaeologist Philip Rahtz, Glastonbury Tor, which is terraced in a series of spirals first modified in Neolithic times, may have been inspired by the shape of ammonite. He says that “such stepped natural hills . . . may be analogous to the ziggurats and pyramids found in Africa, the Americas, and Asia: ‘structures that when ascended bridged the space between earth and the sky, the sun and the heavenly regions.’” 21 Glastonbury Tor is closely associated with the legendary Avalon of King Arthur legend, and it is esteemed by Goddess worshippers today. Both the Tor and Whitby Abbey (where Saint Hilda was the founding abbess) exhibit this spiralshaped terracing. As an amulet, ammonite is apotropaic in function; it wards off negativity, ill health, bad luck, and evil spirits. Ammonite has been used in divination, both to encourage prophetic dreams and to conjure spirits with the gift of prophecy. 22 Used as a healing charm, ammonite cures problems of the head (especially the eyes and ears) and was once considered a remedy for possession by spirits. 23 In modern-day ritual, ammonite has a reputation for deepening your connection to the gods.
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AQUAMARINE Magickal uses: purification, courage, communication, clairvoyance, protection, peace, illumination, stress relief, healing Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Moon, Neptune, Venus; Pisces, Taurus Goddess archetypes: Ocean Goddess, Great Mother Formation process: igneous
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family, a mineral species composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. Aquamarine occurs when beryl has traces of iron, and its color range goes from blue to green. In fact, this gemstone is named for its color, which evokes images of seawater. Aquamarine is found worldwide, including Brazil, China, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Russia, the United States, Vietnam, and Zambia. Among the beryl family, aquamarine is perhaps the most popular and widely available. It has been used since at least 2000 BCE, with the earliest aquamarine artifacts found in Egypt. This gemstone is a popular stone for imparting courage, inviting serenity, and initiating purification. It was once considered to be among the best gemstones for improving your psychic abilities. All beryls, including aquamarine, have long been associated with magick and witchcraft, and they have been the favored medium for crystal balls for centuries. Scott Cunningham writes that aquamarine “reduces the conscious mind’ mind’ss hold on the psychic mind and allows the ever-present psychic impulses to be heard and to enter our consciousness.” 24 Aquamarine is deeply connected to the energies of the ocean. Fishermen and sailors once carried this gem to ensure safe passage at sea. Its clarity and color represent the ocean, and it can be used to connect to goddesses of the oceans and water in general, such as Yemayá, Sarasvati, Ezili (or Erzulie), Tefnut, Amphitrite, Thalassa, Tiamat, Oshún, and Salacia. Aquamarine can be worn or carried to attune to the element of water and connect to the energies of the Ocean Mother. Use it to petition these goddesses for their help in ritual, or meditate on it to dive into their mysteries. In meditation, aquamarine can take
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Aquamarine, one of my favorite favorite gemstones
us into the depths of the soul, as if plunging deep into the sea to find sunken treasure. Once there, it helps sweep away what is hidden in order to bring light to our innermost struggles. Aquamarine is prized for its purification properties. Its overall effect is one of release, and it is a helpful tool for bringing movement and clarity to stuck situations. Aquamarine can facilitate emotional release as well as promote healthy elimination in the physical body. Drinking water infused with aquamarine is especially helpful for detoxifying on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. As you work with this gemstone, its energ energyy beg begins ins to penetrate more deeply. Where once you may have experience experiencedd stag stagnation, nation, there will instead be light, as aquamarine also possesses illuminating properties. It is like stirring muddy waters in a stream; at first things may become more turbid, but the murkiness eventually flows away, leaving clean water in its wake. In a similar fashi fashion, on, aquamarine brings clarit clarityy and illumination through its mechanism of release. As you let go of stagnant patterns, there is room for peace, courage, and connection to the Divine Mother.
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Aquamarine nourishes you with her blessings while encouraging you to let go of your pain and struggles. In kabbalistic lore, aquamarine is associated with the sefirot Binah, meaning “understanding.” 25 Binah is credited with exhibiting a feminine energy, and it is sometimes equated with the Shakti, the creative force of the Divine Feminine. Similarly, aquamarine helps you tap into the raw creative fuel of the universe and use it for magick, manifestation, and healing. The crystal structure of aquamarine, which reveals a pattern similar to the Flower of Life,* points to the same symbolism; aquamarine allows you to reach beyond the experience of individuation and incarnation in order to tap into the work of the Divine Mother. By attaining the spiritual perspective that this confers, aquamarine, in turn, endows you with psychic talents such as clairvoyance or proph prophetic etic dreams. Aquamarine lends itself to a variety of magickal uses, including purification, purificatio n, enhancing intuition, hea healing ling,, and prote protection. ction. It can be made into a gemstone elixir by putting it in water overnight, preferably under the light of the full moon; afterward, add a pinch of sea salt to preserve preser ve the energ energyy of the liquid. Aquamarine elixir can be sprayed to clear the energy of a room or ritual space, anointed on the body, or added to the bath to purify yourself before ritual or spellcraft, and a few drops can be placed under your tongue or in your drinking water for more physically focused clearing. Try using it to cleanse other crystals, as well. For enhancing your psychic abilities, wear or carry a programmed aquamarine. You can also meditate with one against your brow or sleep with aquamarine under your pillow. Clear specimens, whether natural or polished, make excellent tools for scrying. Aquamarine has been used for healing the eyes, digestive tract, and jaws for centuries. Its purif purifying ying influence is also helpfu helpfull for the skin and respiratory system. It can be carried, worn, taken as an elixir, or placed on the body wherever it is neede needed. d.
*The Flower of Life is a figure composed of overlapping circles; in sacred geometry it is used to express the first act of creation and the original information system of the uni verse. For more on this variation of a circle, see “Symbols of the Goddess” in chapter 4.
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AVENTURINE Magickal uses: healing, growth, luck, prosperity, perception, inspiration, stellar magick, fairy magick Elemental signature: earth, water, air Astrological signature: Venus, Mercury; Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Maiden, Stellar Goddess, Mistress of Magick, the Muse Formation process: igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic
Aventurine usually refers to massive, granular formations of quartz that display the property of aventurescence, which causes the stones to sparkle when turned in the light. Aventurine is commonly green, though it can occur in virtually any color, notably red, orange, yellow, blue, and brown. This stone’s aventurescence is caused by minute, platelike inclusions of other minerals. Green aventurine often has inclusions of fuchsite (a green mica) and/or pyrite. Goethite, hematite, other micas, copper silicates, and dumortierite can be present in other colors of aventurine. Most aventurine on the market is mined in Brazil, though other deposits are found in Canada, China, India, Italy, Russia, and the United States. Since green aventurine is the most commonly available variety, the properties described in this entry apply to green aventur aventurine ine unless noted otherwise. Aventurine’s color and structure connect it strongly to the elements of earth and water. It is reminiscent of the natural world, and it helps attune us to the cycles of Mother Nature. Aventurine is gently grounding, softening, and opening. It can be used to facilitate contact with the devic kingdom (the spirits of the natural world) and with the fairy folk. Its color evokes scenes of budding leaves, lush beds of moss, and greenish ponds—truly a stone of the Earth Mother. Use it for boosting the growth of plants in your garden. Green aventurine is a gentle catalyst for emotional healing, as it opens the heart with the promise of renewal and change. It is soothing and detoxifying to the physical body and promotes a sense of overall well-being. Aventurine provides a sense of tranquility in which we can surrender to the present moment. It opens your perception to the
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Beads of aventurine being being empowered for for prosperity
opportunity and inspiration available in every moment of the day. Accordingly, aventurine is helpful for writers, musicians, visual artists, and others involved in creative pursuits. 26 Use it to find your inner muse or to connect with the goddesses of the arts. Aventurine is sometimes connected to the element of air and associated with the mind; these correspondences can be the result of inclusions of more mentally oriented minerals such as mica and pyrite. Aventurine can therefore be used to boost mental powers, improve your abilit abilityy to plan, and balance an overactive mind. Wiccan pract practitioner itioner and master herba herbalist list Paul Be Beyerl yerl descri describes bes aventurine as the “High Priestess of healing stones” and relates its symbolism to the High Priestess card of the traditional tarot deck. 27 This card represents wisdom, intuition, and the subconscious mind. The symbolism found on this card in most standard tarot decks is dripping with representations of the Divine Femini Feminine. ne. Aventurine Aventurine can be helpful in tapping into the feminine mysteries hinted at by this card; it can be
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used in meditation, contemplation, or ritual to draw your awareness to the veiled current of wisdom found in the High Priestess’s teachings. sandastros, ros, named To the ancient world aventurine was known as sandast for an ancient source of the stone in Sandaresus, India. 28 There was an ancient belief there that aventurine stones could come in either male or female genders as distinguished by their appearance; 29 this belief is echoed in the modern idea that aventurine can balance masculine and feminine energies. 30 This balancing effect can help each of us find the inner current of the Divine Feminine—or Divine Masculine, for that matter—and bring it forward for meditation, ritual, or everyday life. The aventurescent quality in this gemstone has been likened to the glimmering appearance of stars in the sky. Occult scholar Claude Lecouteux writes that there are “some religious associations with this stone because of the rapport it has with the stars. In fact, their scintillating drops of gold resemble in arrangement and number the stars of the constellations of the Hyades, which is why the Chaldeans used it in their ceremonies.” 31 We, as modern healers and magicians, can continue this legacy by using aventurine as a means of connecting to the Stellar Goddess; use it alongside lapis lazuli, Lemurian jade, or star sapphire for this purpose. Aventurine is unique among the stones of the Stellar Goddess in that it is more grounding than it is celestial in its energy. It helps us find the whimsy and magick of starlight amid the comings and goings of everyday life. Among magickal practitioners today, aventurine is best known for its wealth- and luck-drawing properties. Sometimes called the “gambler’s stone,” aventurine can be used to increase luck, attract prosperity, and open the path to new opportunities. It is a very peaceful stone, and it is sometimes used as a substitute for the more valuable jade, as the two share several magickal uses. Place a large piece of green aventurine between a green and a gold candle on your altar as a means of manifesting money. Aventurine is commonly used in healing magick, a characteristic echoed by its uses in gemstone therapy. Lighter shades of green aventurine are remarkably soothing to the body, while dark green aventurine has detoxifying effects. Additionally, blue aventurine (sometimes
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marketed as “blue quartz”) is soothing to the mind; it can help you be more patient. Peach aventurine is also soothing to the body and emotions. Sometimes known as “whisper stone,” peach aventurine can be used to release stagnant emotional patterns. Red aventurine is so colored by its iron oxide content; it has an overtly masculine energy and is ruled by the planet Mars. Use it for increasing energy, improving metabolic function, and for toning the physical body.
AZURITE-MALACHITE Magickal uses: dissolving ego, connecting to Earth energies, planetary healing Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Venus; Libra Goddess archetype: Earth Mother Formation process: sedimentary
Azurite-malachite is an intergrowth of two closely related minerals. Both azurite and malachite are carbonates of copper; they often replace each pseudomorphism. The copper content of this other in a process called pseudomorphism. stone links it to the planet Venus, which engenders a feminine vibration in azurite-malachite. The luscious green of malachite against the deep blue of azurite resembles our planet, especially in polished specimens. Azurite-malachite is commonly found in China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, and in the southwestern United States. Traditionally, azurite is considered a stone for developing inner vision or seco second nd sig sight. ht. Its deep, azure-bl azure-blue ue hue helps pee peell back the veil betwe between en ordinary consciousness and the psychic mind. It is exceptionally helpful for self-reflection. Occult scholar D. J. Conway suggests that it may have been used by the priestly class in Egypt to “raise the consciousness to such a high level that they could contact the Goddess.”32 Malachite carries a more outward focus. It draws out pain and helps establish the right use of will. (For more information specifically on malachite, see the separate entry in this compendium.) The lovely combination of azurite and malachite makes it a balancing stone. Malachite on its own has an earthy and fiery signature,
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A polished slab of azurite-malachite azurite-malachite
but the fire is cooled by the presence of azurite. Together, they help tap into the dynamic elemental currents of our planet. In gemstone therapy, the combination of azurite and malachite in a single stone is used to reinforce our connection to the earth star chakra, an energy center that lies outside of the physical body, about twelve inches below the soles of the feet. The earth star chakra acts as our umbilical cord to the planet, as it nourishes us with the energies of Mother Earth. Azurite-malachite strengthens your connection to the planet while simultaneously revealing the information stored within your earth star chakra. In a therapeutic setting this gemstone can help you awaken to your destiny and find the resources necessary to bring it to light. Azurite-malachite opens you to receiving the wisdom, guidance, and grace of the Great Mother so that you can be an instrument of her service. She wants each of her children to fulfill their highest potential. In receiving the blessings of the Goddess, we learn to live in harmony with one another and with the planet and all its denizens. Azurite-malachite facilitates meditation; it assists in traveling “deep within in order to be reborn into the light—the change being profound or minor as necessar necessaryy.” 33 The action of this gemstone allows you to plumb the depths of your soul, providing a fresh perspective on
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old memories, beliefs, and behaviors. It is especially helpful in releasing deeply rooted fears. Azurite-malachite also helps dissolve the ego and egocentric traits such as conceitedness, arrogance, and vanity. 34 This paves the way for developing a new outlook and understanding of the intrinsic oneness of all life on our planet. Meditating with azurite-malachite helps you prepare your consciousness to embody the qualities of the Divine Feminine in this present ag age. e. It is a deeply nourishing stone to the emotional body, propro viding support and understanding of the patterns playing out in your life. This gemstone lends a helping hand in times of transition, and it stirs the distant memories of a time when the Divine Feminine ruled the land. Like other copper minerals, it can be used in spells of love and beauty, though its energy blends the emotional with the intellectual. An elixir of this gemstone (made by indirect method only, due to the copper content) can be used to attune to the planet in ritual and meditation, or it can be offered to the earth for planetary healing.
BIOTITE LENS Magickal uses: new projects, vision, rebirth, flexibility, divination, clairvoyance, protection, fertility Elemental signature: air, earth Astrological signature: Mercury; Aquarius, Gemini, Scorpio Goddess archetype: Mother Formation process: metamorphic
Biotite is a member of the mica group, and it is sometimes referred to as black mica. Though there is a single mineral species called biotite, this tite, this name applies specifically to the series of dark-to-black-colored mica that is closely related to it. Biotite is a common rock-forming mineral that is formed in both igneous and metamorphic rock. The largest biotite crystals in the world are those found in Iveland, Norway; they measure approximately seventy-five square feet (or seven square meters). Though most forms of mica have an overtly mental, masculine energy, biotite lens tends to lean more toward the soft, feminine side of the energy spectrum. They are found in Portugal and Norway.
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Called lentoid (meaning “lenslike”), biotite lens superficially resembles a biconvex (double convex) lens. The biotite nucleates around a core of white quartz or feldspar. These mineral formations are the result of the regional metamorphism that produces mountains. The metamorphic rock that serves as the lens’ host matrix is slowly weathered, eventually revealing the biotite itself. In the summertime, heat causes the biotite to expand until it breaks loose from the host rock in a sudden burst. The unusual genesis of biotite lens has endowed it with the moniparideira eira—in ker pedras parid —in Portuguese, “parturition stone” or “birthing stone.” These stones have a long tradition of being used in childbirth; the lore surrounding them suggests that they provide safety and ease during childbirth, and prehistoric sites have yielded evidence that these stones were once used for fertility rites. Since childbirth is the domain of the Great Mother, these crystal formations can be used to invoke her presence. A biotite lens can be placedd on the altar to represent the Mother God place Goddess, dess, or one can be carried or worn to ensure that her protection follows you always—just as a mother protects her children. In meditation, biotite lens facilitates contact with the archetypal Mother Goddess and provides support and clarity in your practice. Biotite, as a form of mica, imparts flexibility. Mica formations are phyllosilicates cates—silicate known as phyllosili —silicate minerals whose structure resembles sheets. Because of this structure, biotite, like all forms of mica, exhibits good basal cleavage—it flakes off in sheets parallel to its base. Though euhedral fully-formed crystals are occasionally found, biotite more often occurs in grainy masses comprised of tiny crystals. Such formations are soft, easily cleaved, and sometimes bend if found in thin enough sections. Biotite therefore physically embodies flexibility and can thus lend this property to all who connect to it. Use biotite lens to engender adaptability and creativity when solving problems or beginning new projects. Biotite lens gently stirs the psychic senses. Although visible light cannot pass through it, this crystal formation acts as a spiritual lens that focuses and magnifies clairvoyant messages, dreamtime imagery, and messages or symbols received from the spirit realm. Its earthy
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Biotite lenses are named named for their unique unique biconvex shape. shape.
appearance and iron-rich composition lend a grounding energy to the mental body and intuitive processes. Placed on the brow chakra, this stone can muffle the conscious mind, facilitate astral travel, and enhance psychic vision. Biotite lens can also be used for channeling, as it strengthens your ability to connect to spiritual beings and refine the information or symbolism received from them. Other magickal uses for biotite lens include mental clarity, inspiration, and clearing obstacles from your path. These stones foster creative thinking, enhance analytical pursuits, and support the health of the mental body. Meditate with this stone or add it to spells for inspiration, as it helps you think outside the box, encouraging the exploration of new modes of thinking. Biotite lens’ association with protection and birth enable it to act as a road-opener; it is an ally in clearing unwanted energies, situations, and people from your path in order to help you ful-
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fill your dreams. It can also be beneficial for resolving conflict between mother and child. However you choose to work with biotite lens, consider it a gift of the Mother Goddess to her children. The relative rarity and unique manner in which biotite lens is released from its host rock makes it a dynamic magickal tool. This stone is a wonderful tool for spiritual seekers and dedicants new to goddess-worshipping traditions, as it deepens our relationship with the Great Mother and helps us feel reborn as children of the Goddess.
CALCITE Magickal uses: amplification, vision, psychic development, mental powers, memory, healing Elemental signature: water, fire (varies by type of calcite) Astrological signature: Moon, Venus, Saturn; Gemini, Cancer, Taurus (varies by type of calcite) Goddess archetypes: Mother, Crone, the Muse Formation process: sedimentary or igneous
Calcite is an abundant mineral, composed of calcium carbonate and belonging to the trigonal crystal system. Up to 40 percent of Earth’s surface is covered in calcite-bearing rocks, including limestone, chalk, and marble, although it only comprises about 4 percent of the weight of Earth’s crust. The word calcite is derived from calx, Latin for “lime,” referring to inorganic minerals of calcium. Calcite exhibits a wide range of colors and a dizzying array of crystal forms. This mineral is relatively soft, ranking only 3 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and it has perfect cleavag cleavagee in three directions. Found worldwide, calcite remains ever-popular among collectors. Despite its pervasiveness and popularity as a carving medium for millennia, there is little magickal lore ascribed to calcite. As the finegrained alabaster of the ancient world, calcite was used by Phoenicians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians among their grave goods. In folk medicine, calcite was once a popular remedy for ulcers and conditions of the skin such as warts and wounds. 35 Though there may be
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A colorful array array of calcite
no known description of calcite’s spiritual powers dating from ancient times, it has nevertheless become one of the most highly regarded crystals among crystal mystics and healers today. Calcite is considered an amplifier of intention, an energizer, and a capable tool for accelerating spiritual development. The calcium content is stabilizing, especially to the mind and physical body. It is thanks to its calcium content that it is associated with the well-being of the human skeletal system and is thus considered a crystal ally for those in the fields of chiropractic and osteopathic medicine. Usually regarded as a secondary mineral, calcite often forms out of aqueous solutions. This connection to water encourages empathy, trust, and creative expression. Calcite brings our awareness into the present moment. According to crystal healing pioneer Katrina Raphaell, this stone teaches us how to merely be. She goes on to tell us that its relative softness and readiness to cleave indicates that it is unattached to any spe-
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cific physical form or condition. 36 We can use it to integrate the influx of new energy on our planet and for walking our spiritual path at all times. One of calcite’s more interesting properties is birefringence, i.e., double refraction, the refraction of light in two different directions. When a transparent piece is placed atop an image, the stone produces a double vision of it. This enables us to see from a new perspective. Calcite allows us to better understand the experiences and perspectives of those around us. Likewise, it stretches our awareness beyond the material plane; calcite can actually open the doors to higher perception so we can explore other levels of existence. In addition to its birefringence, the geometry of calcite, based on its rhombic cleavage, helps unite seemingly unrelated worlds. It helps us bridge the material and the spiritual worlds. Calcite helps us connect to the Divine Feminine through its empathetic gift of vision. In magick, calcite is a versatile tool. Use it to support manifestation, as it can double your focus due to its unusual optical phenomena. Different colors of calcite can be matched to your intention and paired with candl candles es to suppor supportt your spel spells. ls. Calci Calcite te als alsoo suppor supports ts learn learning ing,, boosting mental faculties, and attainment of wisdom. Use it for creativity, and healing, both physical and emotional. Several varieties of calcite, as described in what follows here, have an exceptionally strong connection to the Divine Feminine.
Cobaltoan Calcite Magickal uses: love, emotional healing, beauty, confidence, creativity Elemental signature: fire, water Astrological signature: Pluto; Leo Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Love, Mother, the Muse Formation process: sedimentary
calcite and cobaltian calcite Cobaltoan calcite, sometimes called cobalto calcite and cobaltite), (and often incorrectly referred to as cobaltite ), occurs when cobalt ions replace some of the calcium in calcite. It is usually found in brilliant shades of pink and magenta, often as druzes on matrix; fine examples crystallize in euhedral crystals. Most of the material available on the market today is mined in Morocco.
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This calcite derives its vibrant hue from cobalt.
Cobaltoan calcite resonates strongly with the emotional body. It is one of the premier stones of forgiveness, helping to release the burdens of grief, anger, and shame. A compassionate healer, cobaltoan calcite balances the intellect and the emotions, thereby helping to release blocks that result from dissonance between them. Sometimes referred to as “Aphrodite stone,” it develops a loving and nurturing attitude. Appropriately enough, in Greek mythology the Graces are often connected to Aphrodite, and this stone cultivates grace, confidence, and poise. As well, cr crystal ystal healer Judy Hall sugg suggests ests that cobal cobaltoan toan calcite encourages emotional maturity, as it “sends out a profoundly nurturing energy that helps you to mother yourself.” 37 One of this stone’s gifts is its ability to reveal our latent talents. First, cobaltoan calcite works to release patterns of fear, mistrust, and unworthiness that inhibit self-expression. 38 This opens the heart, enabling us to reach out to others from the space of vulnerability and authenticity, which are the breeding grounds of creativity and spiritual growth. The energy of this stone also supports self-discovery, open-
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ing the doors to creativity and allowing free and safe expression of the emotions through art or other creative endeavors. As a stone of the Goddess, the magenta-colored cobaltoan calcite soothes centuries’ worth of fear, shame, and repression that have impeded the free expression of the Divine Feminine. It instantly transforms negative thinking into positive, encouraging lightheartedness, joy, laughter, and wit.39 A regal stone with an intense color, cobaltoan calcite calls to the Goddess within each of us to help her shine forth in all that we do. This stone helps us feel the unrestrained presence of the Great Goddess everywhere we go, for she is the cosmic force that holds the universe in balance. My friend, the late JaneAnn Dow, a crystal healer, called cobaltoan calcite the stone of “ultimate initiation,” describing this as experiencing Creator and creation as one. 40 Accordingly, it stretches the limits of our consciousness and broadens our perspective. The transcendent nature of this realization helps us move beyond merely conceptualizing the Great Mother everywhere—it guides us to know that she is everywhere and fosters the experience of her ineffable wisdom and grace. Use cobaltoan calcite for rites of love and beauty, as well as for enhancing creativity and communication. Keeping a piece near you can inspire you to create innovative and artistic rituals. This crystal also supports sensuality, confidence, and self-worth—qualities that can help you attract new romance or breathe new life into existing partnersh par tnerships. ips.
Isis Calcite (Boli Stone) Magickal uses: intuition, spiritual growth, shamanic journeys, karmic healing, compassion, planetary healing Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Sun; Leo Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Mistress of Magick, Crone Formation process: sedimentary
Isis calcite was first discovered in late 2008 in the Rub’ al Khali desert, on the Arabian Peninsula. The unnamed discoverer intuitively received stone for these calcites. Isis calcite occurs as a whitish, the name boli stone
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A sand-polished sand-polished calcite from the Arab Arabian ian peninsula
transparent-to-translucent stone. It often displays slightly irregular formations, as the original scalenohedral shape of the crystal has been eroded to a satiny finish by desert sands. Isis calcite remains relatively uncommon on the market today. The Isis calcite or boli stone is a humble formation. Many exam ples of this variety of calci calcite te are wind-polis wind-polished hed frag fragments ments of cry crystals. stals. Its mineral-stained, pitted surface and benign, unassuming appearance belies the great power contained within this gemstone. Despite its humble appearance, Isis calcite radiates a potent field of energy once awakened. The mission of this stone is to draw the light of the Divine Feminine to the core of the planet, 41 thereby awakening the slumbering Goddess. I find that these stones appreciate bright sunlight, and
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I prefer to allow them to soak up as much sunshine as possible before working with them. The Isis calcite is the elder priestess of the calcite clan. Though it may not be as brilliant and sharply terminated as other forms of calcite, this stone contains immense wisdom. From having withstood the abrasive weathering of sun, wind, and sand, these stones have been naturally polished by the passage of time. They awaken the innate reserves of wisdom within the soul and helps us claim our own priestesshood and priesthood. Boli stones are teaching stones, for they empower us to learn from the soul’s journey and pass the wisdom of these experiences on to the next generation. These crystal formations are named for the Egyptian goddess Isis, one of the most renowned Mother goddesses. They can thus be used to facilitate contact with the Great Mother archetype. Isis was also a skilled sorceress and healer, and the Isis calcite exudes an aura of magick and mystery; use it to work with goddesses linked to the Mistress of Magick. As sedimentary formations shaped by erosive processes, these stones are also ideal for tapping into the archetypal Crone. The Isis calcite is a capable emotional healer, and it can help untangle the threads of karma, especially the karmic patterns of disease. 42 Use it to anchor and support any ritual aimed at connecting to the Great Goddess in any of her guises. Placed on the third eye chakra, Isis calcite facilitates meditation, astral travel, and shamanic journeys. It can be used to awaken compassion for yourself and others, and in this way it is an excellent tool for healing the planet as a whole.
Mangano Calcite Magickal uses: forgiveness, love, beauty Elemental signature: fire, water Astrological signature: Venus; Libra Goddess archetypes: Mother, Goddess of Love Formation process: sedimentary
calcite, is usually found as Mangano calcite, also known as manganoan calcite, opaque or semitranslucent mass in creamy shades of pink and white, available almost entirely from Peru. More recently, terminated crystals
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Mangano calcite calcite invites invites forgiveness.
have been found in China and Inner Mongolia; they tend to be more translucent than the massive Peruvian formations. Mangano calcite owes its name to its manganese content; around 30 percent of the calcium has been replaced by manganese. It is strongly fluorescent under ultra violet light. There is an irrefutable quality of tenderness present in mangano calcite. It has a softening, soothing influence that helps us feel safe and loved. Mangano calcite is overtly motherly; it seems to speak to the child within, helping reconcile whatever hurts we have carried throughout our lives. Use this gem to quell repetitive, pervasive thoughts and emotions that eat away at your peace of mind. Mangano calcite balances the polarities of fire and water. These two elements are considered opposite ends of the energy spectrum, but in mangano calcite they find a middle ground. For this reason, mangano calcite can be used to find forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace whenever conflict arises. As a stone of the Divine Feminine, mangano calcite reminds us that all children we are are all children of the Great Mother. This works as the great equalizer, as it draws our focus away from drama and pain so we can see the
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holiness of each interaction. This pink stone is loving, and it can be used for Venusian endeavors such as attracting love, reconciling with lovers, and finding beauty in each moment. As a stone of the Great Mother, mangano calcite is also helpful for families, and it can gently encourage us to find greater appreciation for the mother figures in our life.
Orange Calcite Magickal uses: creativity, inspiration, sexuality, emotional healing Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Sun; Leo Goddess archetypes: Fierce Goddess, Solar Goddess, Sacred Harlot, the Muse Formation process: sedimentary
Orange calcite, usually colored by the presence of traces of iron, is one of the most plentiful varieties on today’s market. It forms mostly as masses, with terminated crystals being relatively scarce. This mineral can be opaque to translucent, with transparent oranges being quite rare. Most orange calcite is mined in Mexico, though it is found in other locations around the world as well. The primary word associated with orange calcite is creativity. It appeals to those who are pursuing the creative arts, such as writing, painting, sculpting, dance, music, and more. If you are drawn to this stone it may be signaling a need to find a new outlet for self-expression. Orange calcite dissolves blocks to innovation with its playful, imaginative presence. For this reason it can be used to connect to the Muse archetype. It fosters a deep, spiritual relationship with our modes of expression, helping us draw inspiration from the spiritual planes in all that we do. Orange calcite contains traces of forms of iron oxide such as hematite. This iron content awakens a certain amount of ambition and drive within us. We can use it to connect to goddesses like Sekhmet, who embodies the Fierce Goddess archetyp archetype. e. It has a fiery energ energyy that relates to the Sun and the sign of Leo, thereby connecting it to the Solar Goddess archetype, too. Orange calcite is one of the most important stones of the Sacred Harlot. It works to dissolve guilt and shame surrounding sexuality and
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Orange calcite from Mexico
intimacy. Working with orange calcite can help to release painful memories and experiences that may be holding us back from knowing authentic intimacy. Through this action, orange calcite helps us experience physical intimacy as a means of spiritual connection. Thus orange calcite is ideal for both men and women wanting to reclaim their sacred sexuality. Magickally, orange calcite can be used for spells to boost creativity, expand awareness, and provide emotional relief. Orange calcite lends its warmth and light to endeavors that require a fiery signature; it is helpful for finding motivation, dissolving writer’s block, and for acts of transformation.
Peach Calcite Magickal uses: love, creativity, wisdom, inspiration, the Great Rite Elemental signature: fire, water Astrological signature: Venus, Mars; Libra Goddess archetypes: Mother, the Muse Formation process: sedimentary
Peach calcite is usually available in masses and as rhombohedral crystals and cleavage. Most peach calcite is translucent to transparent, and its
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color may be derived from trace amounts of manganese and iron. Its composition and energy lie somewhere between that of golden calcite and pink calcite. Peach calcite’s relative clarity helps it bring light to both heart and mind. This gemstone unites complementary forces, like those embodied in heart and mind, spirit and matter. One of its missions is to integrate the Divine Feminine with the realm of the higher mind. This stone represents the marriage of knowledge and wisdom, of psyche and pneuma.. Peach calcite helps us explore how this sacred union, often pneuma inspiring creativity and activating joyful expression along the way. According to crystal healing pioneer Katrina Raphaell, peach calcite is an important stone for the new age we have entered. She informs us that this stone represents the marriage between the higher mind and an open heart, which provides the “balanced union of conscious, loving action.”43 Peach calcite can be used in spells and meditations aimed at gaining love, creativity, wisdom, and inspiration. It also symbolizes the gamos—of the Great Rite. Placed on your sacred marriage—the hieros gamos—of altar, it can serve as a focal point for meditating on the themes of the Great Rite, or it can be attached to the tools used in this ceremony, such as the chalice and ritual knife.
Peach Pea ch calcite
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CARNELIAN Magickal uses: mysteries of life and death, empowering magick, protection, intuition, healing, action, courage, peace, forgiveness Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Sun, Mars; Aries Goddess archetypes: Mother, Mistress of Magick, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous or sedimentary
Carnelian is the name given to agate or chalcedony colored by the presence of iron oxide. Its name derives from the cornel cherr cherryy, further altered to resemble the Latin carnem, meaning “flesh.” It is usually orange or red, but many stones occur in shades of brown, yellow, and pink.. Carnelian has a long tradition of magi pink magickal ckal use, and it has been employed for talismanic purposes for centuries. Carnelian is a common stone found worldwide, including Brazil, India, Madagascar, the United States, and Uruguay. In the ancient world, carnelian was prized for dissipating anger, assuaging fear, bolstering courage, and healing wounds. The people of ancient Egypt especially prized this stone, and fine-quality carnelian was sometimes call called ed “the blood of Isis. Isis.”” 44 This gemstone was held in high regard, and an entire chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead is dedicated to a carnelian amulet called a tyet or tjet , which resembles a knot or buckle that held the Egyptians’ traditional costume in place. This symbol, sometimes referred to as the “buckle of Isis” as well as the “blood of Isis,” served to protect its wearer by her blessings. The tyet was traditional traditionally ly included with human remains after embalming so it could assist the deceased on the journey through the underworld. On a recent trip to the Louvre in Paris I was struck by the beauty and light of several of these buckle-shaped amulets from Egypt. The carnelian was rich and nearly candescent, appearing to be lit from within. Medieval lapidaries often prescribed carnelian as a remedy against injury, as it was believed to stanch the flow of blood. European texts from the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries indicate that carnelian can be used to diminish the monthly flux of menses in women. 45 The belief that carnelian influences menstruation is most likely derived
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Carnelian was once known as “blood of Isis.”
from the earlier myths of Isis’s blood. Carnelian may not actually reduce menses, but its dynamic link to the archetypal Mother (through Isis) means that this stone can help a woman step into her power during her menstrual cycle. It can help reduce rain and bloating as well as help a woman embrace the mystery of her body’s rhythms. The blood of Isis stone comes from the Red Sea, in Egypt. Crystal healer Judy Hall writes of her experience with this stone, saying, “The goddess Isis was both a powerful priestess, with power over life and death, and the archetypal devoted wife and mother. Each year in her honor, a great mystery was enacted in the temples: that of birth, death, and regeneration. Meditating or sleeping with this stone under your pillow pill ow invokes a profound connection to the universal feminine and the goddess-within, and also helps remove the veils of Isis to reach spiritual clarity and true sight.” 46
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In this way, carnelian helps to sort through the repressed memories, experiences of pain, and negative beliefs that prevent us from living the truth of our divine heritage. We are all children of the Goddess, born of her life-giving magick. Isis was a powerful magician. Her magick was so powerful that it could revive the dead and subvert natural laws. Carnelian lends Isis’s strength and vitality to your own magickal workings. It can support spells and rituals of virtually any type, although it is especially effective for protection, healing, and regeneration. Carnelian’s energy revitalizes your entire being—body, mind, and spirit—just like Isis’s magick restored Osiris to life. It also fosters forgiveness, just as Isis forgave her brother Set for dismembering Osiris. 47 Use carnelian for rituals or meditations on the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth. It can help you master states of fear and uncertainty, as well as provide relief during stages of transition. This gem can foster empathy and alleviate grief, especially after the passing of a loved one. Carnelian is also a potent tool for finding inner and outer strength, as well as for taking action—a result of the Martian correspond correspondence ence of the iron that colors this gem. Carnelian is a versatile gemstone that will enrich your life in myriad ways.
CHALCEDONY Magickal uses: healing, peace, safe travel, protection, success, court cases, charity, purity, beauty Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Moon, Mercury; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Mother, Formation process: igneous or sedimentary
Chalcedony is a member of the quartz group, which is defined in two different ways. To gemologists, chalcedony refers to any cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline formation of massive quartz, including true chalcedony, agate, chert/flint, onyx, and jasper. In a mineralogical sense, chalcedony refers only to aggregates of fibrous, microcrystalline and submicrocrystalline formations of quartz. These minute fibers grow parallel to one another in radiating patterns, usually resulting in
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botryoidal, stalactitic, nodular, and otherwise rounded growth habits. When chalc chalcedony edony shows conspicuo conspicuous us banding , it is usually classi classified fied as agate. Chalcedony occurs in a wide range of colors, patterns, and formations, and it is found worldwide. Chalcedony is an attractive stone, durable enough for carving and common enough to be readily available. It has thus been used with great frequenc frequencyy over millennia millennia.. Arg Arguably uably the most common use of chalcedony in the ancient world was in the crafting of seals, particularly cylinder seals and signet rings. Such gemstones were carved in relief so they would leave a raised pattern or insignia when pressed into hot wax. Chalcedony seals were coveted for their spiritual qualities, as they were highly protective and brought good fortune to their owners. Cylinder seals and signet rings may have laid the foundation for the widely popular tradition of engraved gemstones. The images on these stones were chosen for their talismanic influences; they would be pairedd with the best gemstone and empowered when the ideal astro paire astro-logical timing was available. Carved chalcedonies have been uncovered with many different symbol symbolss car carved ved into them, but two in partic particular ular emphasize the stone’s relationship to the Divine Feminine. Athena (or Minerva) was engraved on the surface of this chalcedony to bring triumph in all areas of life. 48 Similarly, the image of a virgin holding a laurel branch—possibly the nymph Daphne—would be engraved to represent victory. Chalcedony is attributed to the Mother Goddess in several tra pietra tra lat lattea tea,, ditions. The peasants of Italy called white chalcedony pie “milky stone,” and they wore spherical beads of this stone for centuries to increase the milk supply of lactating mothers. 49 Examples of these chalcedony talismans have been found in archaeological sites dating from the Iron Age. Among Rosicrucians, chalcedony is known as “mother stone,” employed to increase enthusiasm and ensure divine victor vict oryy. 50 Their use of chalcedony bears a strong resemblance to the tradition of engraved talismanic gems, and I suspect that the two traditions share a common source. Today, we can use this Mother stone to ensure our victory in reestablishing the Divine Feminine and in elevating the status of women worldwide. Use it in workings for
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Chalcedony Chalce dony has been known as a talismanic gemstone since antiquity; here a variety of specimens.
social change, planetary healing, and for sending healing to disem powered power ed pe people ople ever everywh ywhere. ere. In the Christian lapidary tradition, chalcedony symbolized discreet service, and it was included among the twenty stones given to the Virgin lus, by Konrad von Hamburg, wherein this stone Mary in the poem Anu poem Anulus, represents her charity. 51 In Tibet, chalcedony is “regarded as the mineral equivalent to the purity of the lotus flower.” 52 The floral symbolism attributed to this gem also aligns it with the Divine Feminine. Chalcedony’s chief action in old literature is apotropaic. It is a capable protective tool that assuages fear, banishes phantasms, deflects the evil eye, and dispels illusion. Placed under the pillow or at the bedside, chalcedony averts nightmares and prevents nighttime visitations from harmful entities. In the ancient world this gemstone was used to
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protect ag against ainst storms and drowning drowning,, perhaps because its color often resembles fair skies and calm waters. Chalcedony is a multitalented stone in healing and in magick. Use it for a favorable outcome in any working. Add it to spells dealing with the legal system, whether seeking a successful court case or in preventing unwelcome attention from the law. It is highly protective and can be used as an amulet. Try gridding a space with it to both protect and pacifyy the area. pacif
Blue Chalcedony Magickal uses: communication, truth, peace, inspiration, emotional healing, hope, renewal Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Venus, Jupiter; Sagittarius Goddess archetype: Queen of Heaven Formation process: igneous or sedimentary
Blue is one of the most highly valued varieties of chalcedony. Its color chiefly owes to optical phenomena like Rayleigh scattering—basically, the scattering of light off its molecules, the same phenomenon that gives us a blue sky—rather than to any trace elements. When held to the light, the color of this stone often appears grayish or pinkish. Blue chalcedony is found in Brazil, Malawi, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, the United States, and several other countries around the globe. I have found blue chalcedony to be one of the most soothing gemstones to work with. Its energy has a settling effect on the mental body, permitting a state of deeply seated peace to emerge as tumultuous thoughts and energies slip away. It initiates a process of renewal by bringing hope and peace. As tension slips away, blue chalcedony opens the door for deeper healing and transformation. The Romans held blue chalcedony sacred to Diana, and the Greeks believed it to be a stone that helps speakers and orators. Even today this gemstone is used in healing related to communication, self-expression, and the Divine Feminine. Katrina Raphaell writes that blue chalcedony “relieves depression caused by lack of feminine expression,” adding that it helps “nurture from within and gain strength to express the sensitive
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Tumbled blue chalcedony
female side.”53 She says that the soft, celestial blue color of this gem represents the Goddess principle, as the combination of blue and white softens, nurtures, and helps cool the inner masculine principle. 54 Blue chalcedony helps us listen to the Great Goddess and act on her words, while simultaneously empowering our inner feminine side to be heard. The overall nature of blue chalcedony is pacifying and expansive. It can help you through your spiritual journey in making the transition to a higher consciousness. It can give you the confidence to confront and resolve sensitive issues with tact. In crystal healing, blue chalcedony is also suggested for healing issues related to the throat chakra and alleviating the symptoms of menopause. 55 It is used for protection, weather magick (especial (especially ly to banish storms), and for communication. Blue chalcedony facilitates authentic connection and enables you to step into the role of the storyteller. Use it to help channel the Divine Feminine in all that you do.
Chalcedony Rose Magickal uses: good luck, love, protection, talent Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Moon, Venus; Virgo, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Earth Mother Formation process: igneous
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Small rosettes of chalcedony form in Brazil, Mexico, and the south western United States. They usually crysta crystallize llize as round or oblong oblong,, flat masses and are dusted with a fine layer of quartz druze on the underside. They occasionally show botryoidal growth on one or both sides and can be found in a variety of color combinations, including brown, reddish, yellow, green, blue, pink, lavender, gray, and white. Chalcedony roses are named for their floral appearance, and they are also known conchas, Spanish for “shells.” Chalcedony roses are sometimes sold as conchas, under the name amorite name amorite in in the metaphysical market, often for a greatly inflated price. My first exposure to chalcedony rose was in my teen years in a book of young adult fiction about a group of teenage witches. I wasn’t entirely convinced such a stone existed, but it wasn’t long before I stumbled across them in a newly opened rock shop in my home town. I keenly looked them over, fascinated by the swirls of chalcedony on one side and the miniature crystals of quartz that clung to the other. It soon became one of my favorite magickal talismans. As near as I can tell, there are no ancient sources of information about this particular variety of chalcedony; it appears that no distinction was made between it and other types. I suspect, though, that this may have been the chalcedony used by some of the indigenous peo ple of the Americas, who used chalc chalcedony edony to confer stabili stability ty during ceremony.56 Chalcedony roses are lucky stones; whoever carries one has a knack for finding fortune and favor wherever they go. They plant seeds of hope and inspire joy. Chalcedony roses, like many other strange products of nature, are believed to have an inherently magickal quality. This probably comes from their otherness, a quality that makes them exceptional alongside chalcedonies of similar composition. They can be used to boost the potency of your spells and rituals. I’ve found mine to provide restful sleep and facilitate meditation. These stones are described as highlighting a person’s natural talents and promoting success in all endeavors. 57 As a stone of the Divine Feminine, chalcedony rose represents the capricious beauty of the Maiden. Chalcedony rose also represents the Earth Mother archetype. Like desert roses and some varieties of prase
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A rosette of chalcedony, chalcedony, the reverse of which is coated in tiny quartz crystals
(green quartz)—stones that bear a passing resemblance to plants— these mineral formations have an elemental energy closely connected to the natural world. They can be used for contacting the intelligences of nature as well as for gridding sacred spaces.
Moroccan Chalcedony Magickal uses: grounding, centering, connecting to nature, fairy magick, fertility, creativity, protection Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus, Mercury; Taurus, Virgo Goddess archetype: Earth Mother Formation process: igneous
Recently, handsome nodules of chalcedony in warm shades of cream, brown, and russet have reached the market. They are botryoidal— rounded and even globe-shaped—and translucent and may show banding when broken open or polished. They are sometimes sold as elemental chalcedony and womb stones, implying stones, implying their connection to the
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natural world and the Divine Feminine. When I first saw these mineral formations at a local store I was totally enchanted with them. They were inexpensi inexpensive, ve, and each piec piecee had so much charac character ter;; I coul couldn’ dn’tt help but find them charming. These chalcedony nodules might be easily overlooked, as they won’t win any beauty contests compared to their more colorful kin. Yet despite its bland color scheme, Moroccan chalcedony has a charm all its own. Though this variety of chalcedony is found exclusively in Morocco, there are some instances of similar formations in the Gobi Desert and in the United States. The Goddess connection exhibited by these formations is obvious. All are round, with the majority appearing roughly spherical. I’ve found a handful with spiral whorls of growth, and occasionally a cluster of botryoids will vaguely resemble the Venus figures of the Stone Age. Their colors further evince their connection to the Earth Mother, as the range of browns is reminiscent of rich, fertile soil from which springs new life. Holding Moroccan chalcedony is deeply nurturing and can help you ground effortlessly. Their round morphology is at once centering and protective; it feels as though these stones help to call in and collect scattered energies, restoring you to a state of focus and harmony. These stones nourish the aura with the Earth’s vital energy, strengthening it and building its resiliency. Moroccan chalcedony can also be a remedy for exhaustion, and it soothes a sore throat. Chalcedony nodules with reddish brown hues are ideal tools for opening the energy centers at the back of the knees, which Katrina Raphaell calls “the eyes in the knees.” 58 When placed in the soft area on the back of each knee, Moroccan chalcedony can be expected to help you move forward in beneficial directions, provide protection, and help you step into your life’ life’ss purpose. Raphael Raphaelll writes, “ The earthy brown red of the Eyes in the Knees can be found in many places in nature. It is the color often seen in tree bark, in eucalyptus sap, in the mineral kingdom, and in soil rich in iron, turning it to red dirt, such as you find in the Hawaiian Islands. This color represents walking uplifted in the world and moving in alig alignment nment with your soul’ soul’ss purpose with confidence and clarity.”59 The effects of working with Moroccan chalcedony on the “eyes in the knees” energy centers are much like being guided by
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Botryoidal formations of Moroccan Moroccan chalcedony chalcedony
the Earth Mother herself. In a way, they help you see through the Earth Mother’s eyes, thereby offering attunement to the natural world and its cycles, helping you navigate your place within it. Like all chalcedonies, Moroccan brown chalcedony is calming, protective, and helpful for purification. It can be worn for good fortune and a push in a favorable direction. It offers this gift by helping you stay attuned to the rhythm of life, as though you are dancing to the heartbeat of Gaia. It helps with growing new projects, spreading inspiration and motivation like fertilizer, and staying grounded and centered for the appropriate follow-through. In magickal workings, Moroccan chalcedony can be placed on your altar to represent the Goddess or worn for additional focus during ritual. It can be made into an elixir and sprayed or drunk to connect to nature spirits such as fairies and devas. These stones enjoy being outdoors; they can be cleansed and refreshed by being left in a conspicuous place in the garden (just be sure to remember where they are!) or nestled among the stalks of a plant in a container. They have a joyful, playful energ energyy that is sure to enrich your magick magick..
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Pink Chalcedony Magickal uses: innocence, beauty, love, peace Elemental signature: water, fire Astrological signature: Venus; Libra Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Goddess of Love Formation process: igneous or sedimentary
Pink chalcedony derives its color from traces of manganese and from an optical phenomenon called the Tyndall effect, wherein light is scattered by the structure of the chalcedony. It usually occurs as masses, sometimes botryoidal (globular), and is found in Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, and several locations throughout the United States. There is little ancient lore regarding pink chalcedony, as it was probably treated no differently than other colors. However, crystal therapist Michael Gienger notes that the manganese from which it derives its color did indeed have lore of its own. Gienger tells us that manganese represents sustaining warmth and liveliness. 60 Both Western and Chinese traditions suggest using pink chalcedony to support breastfeeding—a trait
Pink chalcedony chalcedony is used to attract attract love.
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granted to chalcedony thanks to its connection with the Great Goddess. Pink chalcedony instills a sense of innocence and enables us to see the world with childlike wonder. In light of this, I associate this gemstone with the archetype of the Maiden. This pink stone engenders a lighthearted attitude that is helpful for lifting your spirits in the face of challenges. It feeds the child within and opens the heart to the promise of each new day. Pink chalcedony is best empowered at sunrise; meditate with it or consecrate it as the new day dawns so that it will bring appreciation, luck, and joy. Use pink chalcedony in spells for beauty and confidence—it strengthens self-esteem and helps you become more attentive of your appearance. 61 Like other pink gemstones, this chalcedony is associated with the planet Venus and can therefore be used in ceremony to connect with Aphrodite, Venus, or other goddesses of love and romance.
Turkish Chrome Chalcedony Magickal uses: love, healing, growth, prosperity, fairy magick Elemental signature: earth, fire Astrological signature: Venus; Taurus Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Great Mother Formation process: igneous
Chrome-bearing green chalcedony is found in Australia, the Balkan Peninsula, Bolivia, Russia, Turkey, and Zimbabwe (where it is known as mtorolite). In recent years a new deposit of delightful nodules of chrome chalcedony has been discovered in Bursa, Turkey. The rich green hues of this variety are derived from chromium oxide, and the nodules occasionally exhibit tiny black flecks of the mineral chromite. This new variety of Turkish chrome chalcedony stands out from other finds of this same material because they are coated in a dazzling druze of clear quartz. The properties discussed below refer specifically to the recent discovery of the druze-covered nodules from Turkey. Generally, chrome chalcedonies from any location have a carefree, whimsicall energ whimsica energyy. They are said to bestow a lig lighthearte htheartedd disposi disposition tion
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Sparkling nodules of chrome chalcedony from Turkey
even in the midst of stress or worry. 62 Chromium minerals tend to have an enlivening, expansive effect on the heart chakra; they can help redirect our awareness to the heart. In particular, Turkish chrome chalcedony refines these properties; the quartz overgrowth has an amplifying effect that also coheres the energy. The rich, verdant hues in Turkish chrome chalcedony remind me of a lush spring garden. The energy of this stone speaks to me of fresh growth and the budding promise of new life. It conveys a current of renewal, as if these chalcedony nodules are wellsprings of healing energy. Their currents move in a helical fashion, like a spiral or vortex of the Goddess’s healing light. This fount of energy can be used for repairing the aura, especially the etheric body (the layer closest to the physical body), as well as for nourishing physical tissues as they recover from injury. Turkish chrome chalcedony invites a loving, healing presence any where it is placed placed.. It can be used for increasing the love in your life, as well as for finding a greater love for the world around you. It promotes prosperity prosperi ty by remindin remindingg you of the everever-abundant abundant flow of God Goddess dess energy through the natural world.
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Because their country of origin, these green chalcedony nodules immediately bring the Great Goddess to mind. Turkey is home to many great archaeological sites that have revealed ancient goddess worshippin wors hippingg cult cultures. ures. Medita Meditating ting with these stone stoness forg forges es a dire direct ct link to the heart of our planet, and therefore to the Great Mother. My favorite way to use them is to sit outdoors with the stone in my hands in direct sunlight; allow your eyes to unfocus slightly as you gaze softly at the stone. Turning it slowly in the light allows each tiny facet on the surface to twinkle—an effect that draws you into a trancelike state that can be used to commune with the Great Mother herself. In magick, use Turkish chrome chalcedony for the energy of increase. It can be used to increase health, wealth, and luck. Use it in workings designe designedd to lift the spirits and bring forth lighthear lighthearted ted laughter. These nodules of chalcedony also enhance your connection to the natural world. As a healing stone, chrome chalcedony can be used to treat inflammation, pain, and arthritis. It can also be used for inspiration and balance.
CHRYSOCOLLA Magickal uses: inspiration, wisdom, love, expression, memory, calming, emotional balance, luck, wealth Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Venus; Virgo Goddess archetypes: the Muse, Goddess of Love, Great Mother, Queen of Heaven, Earth Mother Formation process: sedimentary
Chrysocolla is a hydrous silicate of copper. It typically occurs in association with other copper minerals as well as with quartz, which yields a variable hardness. Chrysoco Chrysocolla lla is usually found in shades of blue, green, and turquoise, but colorful inclusions of other minerals are found frequently. Common in the American Southwest, this gemstone is also mined in Chile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel, Mexico, Russia, and Zaire. It usually occurs as masses, stalactites, and botryoidal crystal forms. The most resplendent forms of chrysocolla occur with
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quartz druze, and such combinations are sometimes referred to as “gem silica.” Curiously, the name chrysocolla is taken from the Greek words chryso and and kolla, meaning “gold cement.” This term once denoted a mineral that was used as a solder for gold, though whether that mineral is today’s chrysocolla has never been definitively proven. Like other members of the copper family, chrysocolla has a strong link to the Divine Feminine. The energy of this gemstone links the earthly and the celestial realms. Its hues of green and blue depict this union and thus make this gem sacred to the archetypes of the Great Mother, the Queen of Heaven, and the Earth Mother. It has an ancient, wise presence, not unlike these aspects of the Great Goddess. Chrysocolla is an apt stone for awakening the Goddess within, whether in people (of any gender) or in the earth itself. It draws together the currents of celestial and telluric energy to awaken the sleeping Goddess in the land; this makes it an excellent ally in healing the planet. Astrologically, the copper in chrysocolla aligns it with the planet Venus, V enus, and by extension, with the energ energies ies of the God Goddess dess of Love in her many guises. It can be used in workings for love, beauty, and romance, as well as for all of the other themes that astrologically are the domain of the planet Venus. Chrysocolla invites us to love more deeply and with greater presence (and fewer distractions), so that we can give ourselves over to ecstatic union, whether that be union with the Goddess in meditation, or union with a romantic partner in the throes of erotic passion. The composition of chrysocolla contains water, which points to the water wateryy birth of Aphrodite Aphrodite,, whose name means “foam born.” Many writers and teachers associate chrysocolla with music and selfexpression. It was once used talismanically by musicians, 63 and modern therapists use this gemstone for healing conditions associated with the throat chakra, including issues with communication and self-expression, as well as for treating diseases of the throat, larynx, and lungs. When viewed withi within n the cont context ext of the Divi Divine ne Fe Feminine minine,, this associa a ssociation tion with communication and flow leads us to experience the Muse archetype through this gemstone. To the Greeks, the muses were primordial goddesses who provided inspiration for the arts, sciences, and literature.
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Druzy chrysocolla from the American American Southwest and polished polished specimens from Africa
They were the source of all artistic expression, and chrysocolla represents their gifts in crystalline form. Worki W orking ng with chrysocolla foste fosters rs grace, beauty beauty,, and crea creativi tivity ty.. It can help you channel your whole heart into your creative work, whether it is writing, cooking, painting, sculpting, dancing, music-making, or any other creative pursuit. Chrysocolla, especially for its musical association, helps you harness the power of sacred sound for self-expression. While this might overtly apply to singing or playing an instrument, this gem offers inspiration to anyone, as we each have our own voice. Chrysocolla is a stone of communication-as-communion; however you choose to express yourself, it will enable you to reach your audience with authenticity and intimacy. Since chrysocolla is the stone of the muses, and the titaness Mnemosyne is their mother, chrysocolla can petition Mnemosyne’s aid. Both Mnemosyne and chrysocolla have rulership over language and speech; carrying or wearing this stone may provide inspiration in your comm communica unication tion from Mne Mnemosyne mosyne herself herself.. Wearing or holding the stone while studying can also boost memory and recall, another gift of
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Mnemosyne from whose name the word mnemonic is derived. The watery energy of chrysocolla provides fluidity, adaptability, and grace, while the copper in this stone helps you create and communicate with love in your heart. Ultim Ultimately ately,, this gemstone fuels your spiritu spiritual al development through creative endeavors, no matter how great or small. It can inspire you to sing, dance, write poetry, or create visual art to express your relation relationship ship with the Divine. Originally Originally,, all arts were sacred and reserved for the gods; today we can use chrysocolla to help reclaim this relationship by inspiring us to dedicate our creations to the gods. Chrysocolla’s etymology may have precipitated a curious belief about this gem in medieval lapidaries. Several sources report that chrysocolla exhibits magnetic properties—specifically, that gold was mysteriously magnetized by this bright blue gem. 64 Though this may be a vestigial memory of its use as solder, the relationship between gold and chrysocolla points to a connection to the muses and the arts they inspire. In some myths, Apollo, the Greek Sun God, is named leader of the muses. Since gold is a traditionally aligned with the sun, chrysocolla’s affinity for this metal hints at the relationship between Apollo and the muses. This mineral’s soft, serene shades of blue and green are a balm to the heart and soul; coupled with chrysocolla’s copper content, this makes for a wonderful stone of emotional healing and balance. Holding a piece of this stone in meditation can bring deep peace and spark inspiration. It is also recommended for healing after abuse, rape, or other traumas, as well as for recovery after hysterectomy. 65 It alleviates guilt, assuages fear, and eases tension. Since it is also a stone of communication, chrysocolla is a helpful tool for strained relationships, as it will restore balance and help you initiate a health healthyy discussion. In magickal pursuits, chrysocolla is a potent talisman for emotional well-be well -being ing and the pursui pursuitt of th thee arts arts.. It can be added to spells and rituals rituals for luck, love, and romance thanks to its Venusian energy. Chrysocolla is a stone of inner beauty and refinement, so it can also be used in glamourie to help the magician change his or her appearance via magickal means. Nevertheless, this gemstone is a tool of discernment, so it can be used to drive off illusion,66 such as another person’s glamourie or deceptive speech. Although chrysocolla will not literally attract gold as if by magnetism,
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it has been employed for attracting wealth and prosperity through the ages. In particular, in Near Eastern and Asian cultures chrysocolla is thought to increase material wealth and business acumen. 67 For artists and other creative people this gemstone can be used to ensure a steady stream of income from creative pursuits, in addition to keeping the well of inspiration from running dry.
COPPER Magickal uses: love, healing, wealth, connection, luck, attraction Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Venus, Sun (rarely); Taurus, Libra, Virgo, Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Love, Earth Mother, Sacred Harlot, Queen of Heaven, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous (native copper), sedimentary (copper ores), or metamorphic (copper pseudomorphs)
Copper is a metal peppered throughout the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, one renowned for its ductile, malleable, and conductive nature. In its native state, copper is a reddish gold color and crystallizes in the cubic crystal system. It can be found in crystals, plantlike dendrites, and natural formations of wires and veins; it is also widely available in deposits of ore minerals. Copper’s name is taken from Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean that was once the ancient world’s chief supplier of this semiprecious metal. (Cyprus is known as Kúpros in Greek; this gradually altered to the Latin cuprum and became “copper” in English.) Copper minerals are found worldwide today, and nearly all crystallize in brilliant colors. Copper is an important element in all of nature. It is highly conductive of heat and electricity (second only to silver) and has long been implemented in magickal, medicinal, and mundane applications. While we humans (and most other vertebrates) rely on iron-bearing hemoglo hemog lo-bin for carrying oxygen in the blood, mollusks and arthropods use a hemocyanin instead. copper-carrying copper-car rying protei protein n called hemocyanin instead. Copper is a metal steeped in magick and myth, with longstand-
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ing connections to the Goddess. It is most famously attributed to the planet Venus; in fact, the symbol for Venus ( ♀) is also used as shorthand for this planet’s metal, copper. Though this glyph originally represented the Goddess’s necklace, it was suggested in the nineteenth century that it might be derived from the shape of her hand mirror, which surely would have been made of polis polished hed copper. As the planetary metal of Venus, copper has been used for workings related to the archetype of the Goddess of Love. Aphrodite, the Greek counterpart of the Roman Venus, was often referred to as the “Cyprian Goddess,” for in antiquity her worship was relayed to Greece via this island. Copper plays an important role in the biochemistry of women. The amount of trace copper in blood serum is nominally higher in women than in men, and the percentage of copper in women increases during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy. 68 This phenomenon forges a bond between copper and the feminine mysteries of moon blood and birth. Copper jewelry can help any person invoke the wisdom of the Great Mother, who is the keeper of these mysteries. Traditionally, copper is related to the element of water. Its ductility, conductivity, and malleability give copper a sense of fluidity. Studies of aquatic invertebrates show that copper gives many organisms the ability to extract dissolved oxygen from water, in the same way that our blood employs iron-bearing hemoglobin. Copper salts virtually always crystallize in oceanic colors—shades of green and blue. Thanks to this watery connection, copper can be used to signify the element of water in ritual and spellcra spellcraft. ft. In heal healing ing,, it offers movement to stuck or trapped emotions, initiating movement and flux to the emotional body. Copper minerals of all varieties are therefore excellent emotional balancers. Wilhelm Pelikan, a chemist and student of Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy, muses on the connection between hemocyanin, Venus, Metals : “The medieval painter and Cyprus in his book The Secrets of Metals: Venus ], representing the Cyprian [Botticelli, who painted The Birth of Venus], goddess being carried to land upon a conch shell, did not know, of course, that the conch is a [mollusk] that breathes with copper, but nevertheless he painted wholly in the spirit of the ancient conception. Where the copper goddess lands is just where copper, out of the etheric
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Copper symbolizes the foam-born goddess Aphrodite/Venus.
cosmic streams, has so strongly condensed as an earthly ore.” 69 In addition to Aphrodite/Venus, copper has been sacred to other goddesses throughout history. In Mesopotamia, copper was the holy metal of Ishtar/Astarte, who fulfills the role of Queen of Heaven. 70 It is probable that the earlie earlierr Su Sumeria merians ns also held copper sacred to thei theirr goddess Inanna, a figure correlated with both Ishtar and Astarte. Even today, copper can be used as an offering to these goddesses; though any form of copper can be used for this purpose, copper coins (such as pennies minted before 1982 in the United States) make a perfect votive offering. Copper is also sacred to the orisha Oyá, the Yoruba goddess of storms, wind, change, and transformation. She rules over the gates of the cemetery and oversees the marketplace; each is considered a liminal space where transformation and transition abound. Oyá’s initiates wear nine copper bang bangles les in her honor, and offering offeringss to her sometimes include nine copper pennies, nine being a number sacred to her. Oyá characterizes the traits of the Fierce Goddess and the Queen of Heaven; as the receiver of the souls of the dead she is also related to the archetype of the Dark Goddess. Copper can thus be used for connecting to these archetypal forces.
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The alchemists of yore bestowed on copper one of its most unusual monikers: meretrix metallorum, meaning “the harlot of metals.”71 This epithet suggests how readily copper combines with other elements. For this reason, my friend and colleague Barbara Evans, a transformational healing artist and spiritual thought leader, calls copper “the eternal synergist.” This metal offers itself in union with substances in a chemical sense, and it links energies just as readily in a spiritual sense. Like the guise of the Sacred Harlot, copper refuses no lover; she gives herself over to the alchemical union of metal and nonmetal, wherein she is transformed. Through this union, copper and its mates become something greater—something more colorful, resplendent, and energetic. Copper can therefore promote our own sensuality and versatility; use it to draw out not only love but erotic passion as well. It is empowering to the inner essence of the Divine Feminine to own your sexuality, and this can boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. In ancient Babylon as well as among native peoples of the Pacific Northwest today, copper has been associated with the sun. 72 The reddish golden hue of this metal is admittedly a fiery color, which gives rise to the connection to the star at the center of our solar system. Copper can therefore be used to invoke the Solar Goddess. Notably, it may be from this solar imagery that copper derives its luck-drawing properties. To To this day finding a penny p enny is considered lucky lucky,, even e ven though nowadays these coins are only coated in a thin layer of copper. Copper wands are popular tools among witches and healers alike. Copper’s natural predisposition for conducting energy is evidenced in its relationship with heat and electricity. It is comparably conductive of subtle energies, such as those harnessed in magick or healing rites. Copper heightens the ability to conduct energy toward your magickal goal. Copper wands are wonderful tools for circle-casting, empowering spell ingredients, and for performing healing ceremonies. Copper helps in channeling energies, which is an inherently receptive task. This receptivity is reflected in the femininity of copper and in its inherent relationship to the Goddess. Therapeutically, copper supports the circulatory system, reduces inflammation, and draws out pain. It is adept at resolving sexual
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imbalances and supporting the overall health of the female reproductive system. Its cubic crystal structure is balancing, grounding, and tonifying to the physical body. This metal also combats exhaustion and emotional turmoil. In ritual, copper is a versatile tool. It can be added to the ingredients of charm bags, candle dressings, spiritual baths, and virtually any other magickal application. Use copper in spells for healing, love and romance, luck, protection, and power. Copper filings or coins are ideal spell ingredients; not only do they lend Venusian energies, they synergize and harmonize all of the other ingredients in your working, as well. Copper coins placed in the kitchen are thought to attract money to the household.73 Coins can also be used as offerings to deities or spirits as tokens of gratitude, as well as for attracting your desired outcome. Wear W ear or meditate with copper c opper to heighten your receptivity re ceptivity to the spirit world and for channeling messag messages es with greater ease. Copper placed in or around the tub can enhance rituals for love, beauty, and passion. Gazing into a polished piece of copper helps you find and cultivate your inner beauty. Finding reasons to love and admire yourself makes you more attractive to others; in this way, cop per subtly helps you draw more love and romance into your life. As well,, the loving energ well energyy of copper eases tension and helps to prevent confrontations and arguments in favor of fostering tranquility and love.
CORAL Magickal uses: protection, healing, energy, wisdom, growth, psychic development Elemental signature: water, spirit (varies by type) Astrological signature: Neptune, Moon, Saturn; Pisces (varies by type) Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Goddess of Love, Ocean Mother, Lunar Goddess, Fierce Goddess, Underworld Goddess (varies by type) Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
Though organic in origin, coral has been considered a sacred gem for thousands of years. It is comprised of the calcite- and aragonite-rich exoskeletons of tiny marine organisms. The most prized corals of the
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An assortment of coral: coral: red, white, and agatized agatized
ancient world were the pink and red varieties, which today have suffered from overharvesting and polluted waters, resulting in greatly diminished populations of such corals. The decision to use coral is a personal one, as a s har harvesting vesting new coral requires the death de ath of these organisms. As an alternative, practitioners can select only those found along the seashore or seek out vintage or antique coral jewelry. In addition to the general properties of coral, separate entries for red and white coral follow. Coral is found everywhere there are oceans, but in decreasing supply, except, perhaps, for those pieces that have washed ashore. Generally, all coral is sacred to the Ocean Mother archetype. Coral is connected to the lore of Yemayá and other oceanic goddesses, and can be worn to attract the blessings of the Ocean Mother. Virtually all varieties of coral are considered protective, especially of children, as this gem is also connected to the Great Mother. Coral amulets have been worn by children and fastened to cradles since at least the days of ancient Rome. Coral is used almost universally among seafaring cultures for protection at sea and for preventing rough seas, storms, and drowning, as well as for chasing away the unknown creatures lurking in the ocean’s depths.
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From its plantlike branching forms, coral is often associated with growth, vitality, and fertility. Corals are worn to ensure human fertility, and some traditions have even used powdered coral in the fields to ensure an abundant harvest. As a once-living organism, coral is imbued with a strong life force. It can be invigorating invigorating,, stabilizing stabilizing,, and protective, as it shares its vital energy with us. Coral is a magickally potent material, and as a talisman it confers reason, courage, prudence, wisdom, and health. Coral is a powerful amulet that drives away all manner of evil, from the envy of other peoplee to demons, monsters, and harmful mag peopl magick. ick. It has a longsta longstandnding tradition of countering fear, melancholy, anger, and panic. There is a widespread belief that coral’s magickal efficacy is diminished or lost altogether when it is cut or broken; other lore recommends cutting and polishing polish ing the stone so that it can be worn as jewelr jewelryy. As a stone of the Divine Feminine, coral is predominantly related to the archetypal forces of the Ocean Mother in whose waters it grows, and to the Lunar Goddess, who drives the tides that bring coral to the seashore. Additional lore associates this organic gem with the Go Goddes ddesss of Lov Love, e, the Fierce Go Goddes ddess, s, and the Under Underworl worldd Goddess. Red coral factors into several goddess-centered myths, as explored below.
Red Coral Magickal uses: protection, healing, energy, wisdom, ambition Elemental signature: water, fire, spirit Astrological signature: Mars, Venus, Neptune, Sun; Aries, Libra, Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Mother, Ocean Mother, Fierce Goddess, Goddess of Love, Underworld Goddess Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
Red and pink coral, sometimes referred to as “precious coral,” belong Corallium genus. to Corallium rubrum and several other species of the Corallium genus. Red coral was arguably the most coveted in the ancient world and thus it has accrued the greatest amount of lore, especially as pertains to the Divine Feminine. Red coral figures prominently in the mythos and magick of ancient
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Greece. It was claimed to be the gift of Athena (later, the Roman goddess Minerva), and its origin is attributed to the gorgon Medusa. After Perseus defeated Medusa, he placed her severed head by the water’s edge as cleaned himself after battle. The blood from the gorgon’s head mixed with the seaweed, carrying her petrifying power along with it. The plants were turned to stone and stained red with her blood; sea nymphs carried the newly created coral to the ocean floor, where it took gorgoneia; this root and flourished. The ancient Greek word for coral is gorgoneia; this myth lives on, as some varieties of coral, chiefly sea fans and sea whips, are still known as “gorgonians” today. Medusa herself was a pre-Olympian figure; her name translates as “queen.” 74 She was not always a monstrous villain with a stony gaze; rather, she may be connected to an early goddess who mated with the sea god Poseidon. After being slain by Perseus, Medusa’s head was place pla cedd on the shi shield eld of Athena Athena.. Repr Represent esentation ationss of her hea head, d, ca calle lledd gorgone gor goneion ion,, were use usedd for apo apotropa tropaic ic func functions tions throu through ghout out the cla classsical world. These same protective attributes are also ascribed to red coral, suggesting their shared origin. We can therefore infer that the connection between coral, Athena, and Medusa explains the belief that red coral sharpens ambition, yields success, and conquers enemies. Mars is the common planetary ruler of red coral in both the ayurvedic and the classical traditions. Mars, the planet of war, invokes the face of the goddess of the battlefield; thus red coral is allied with the archetype of the Fierce Goddess. These correspondences are illustrated in the classical use of red coral in battle, both to defeat enemies and prevent mortal wounds. This carried over into the medicinal use of this gem for treating open wounds, preventing infection, and stanching the flow of blood. Red coral is connected to blood in more ways than outlined above. Among ancients, the most holy of blood is moon blood, or menstrual blood. This stone has long been connected to the mysteries of menstruation, fertility, sex, and conception of new life. Minerologist and Neopagan writer Barbara Walker sums this up, saying, “Coral was the oceanic Tree of Life. Its red color was associated with the life-giving uterine blood supposedly bestowed by
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Red coral coral is sacred to the the Ocean Mother Mother archetype.
the Goddess upon all women. To this day, the archaic connections between coral and the blood bonds of the maternal clan and feminine fertility still lead some Italian peasant women to believe that their coral jewelry will change color in rhythmic harmony with their menstrual cycle.” 75 Thus we see that red coral is sacred to motherhood and is an emblem of the Great Mother. The seas are often seen as the primordial womb, from which all life arose, and any precious gem born of them, such as pearl and coral, has been symbolic of the Mother Goddess in her many guises. Because it is so sacred to the Mother Goddess, red coral is a popular amulet for children. It prevents harm and has traditionally been affixed to cradles and placed in rattles for the safety and health of children. Beads of red coral continue to be worn by teething children in the Mediterranean countries, much the way amber is used in other parts par ts of the worl world. d. Re Redd cor coral al is al also so bel believ ieved ed to pre prevent vent chi child ldhoo hoodd
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afflictions, including whooping cough, fever, convulsions, and other ailments. The otherworldly connotations of the ocean may also account for the curious link between coral and Hekate, goddess of the crossroads. The ocean is a liminal space, regarded with awe and terror by early cultures around the world. In antiquity, the oceanic realm was sometimes regarded as the dwelling place of the souls of the dead as well as the void out of which the world was created. Talismans of red coral were often engraved with images of Hekate or her animal messengers; these magickal gems were used for protection against poisoning, lightning, witchcraft, and spirits.76 Red coral can be used by modern practitioners to similar ends, as its liminal symbolism aligns this gem with the archetype of the Goddess of the Underworld. Red coral is also sacred in Christian tradition. Though there is veryy littl ver littlee mention of this stone in the Bibl Bible, e, a fourte fourteenth-centur enth-centuryy Dominican text called the Rosarius equates this gem with Mary. The familiar treelike symbol of coral reappears here, where it represents Mary as the “tree of life” that bore Jesus. 77 Red and pink shades of Corallium species are sacred to the planet Venu V enuss and are held in high regard by Aphrodite. Aphrodite. These gems g ems are popular love-drawing talismans, being most effective when worn by women who wish to draw the affection affection and desire desire of men. Coral has also a lso been used to fashion talismans that invoke the planet Venus, as well as to foster a warm and caring disposition, emotional openness, and appreciation for beauty in all its forms. These corals were once popular talismans for dancers, although they bring inspiration to all types of artists and performers. Red coral can be used in magick and ritual for drawing love, increasing libido, and creating beauty within and without. In the home it inspires peace and confers safety. Wiccan and magician Scott Cunningham outlines a brief ritual to bless the home, in which a piece of coral is touched to every door, window, and wall of your home and subsequently placed in a prominent location. 78 Such an act brings luck and averts household accidents. As an amulet, red coral is highly regarded for protection, as it works against illness, misfortune, injury, storms, negative magick, and evil spirits.
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White Coral Magickal uses: protection, healing, psychic development, forgiveness Elemental signature: water, spirit Astrological signature: Moon, Neptune; Cancer, Pisces, Virgo Goddess archetypes: Ocean Mother, Lunar Goddess Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
White coral collected from the beach
White coral is by far the commonest variety and is found on beaches worldwide. Many species of coral produce white exoskeletons that are bleached to a crisp white by the action of the sun, sea, and sand. These corals are the most environmentally friendly to use, especially when hand-collected by practitioners at the shore. White cora corall has a motherl motherlyy energ energyy that is idea ideall for prote protecting cting children and helping maintain a sense of innocence among children and adults alike. Like other forms of coral, white coral is employed in strengthening and healing the physical body; it is especially helpful for regenerating bones, teeth, and tissues of the brain and sensory organs. Energy healer Diane Stein recommends white coral for helping
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children adapt to being incarnated in a physical body. 79 The motherly nature of this organic gemstone supports the spiritual development of children, protecting them from the social programming that closes down their intuitive faculties and sensitivity to the unseen world. In gemstone therapy, white coral can be used to maintain your physicall and mental reser physica reserves ves of vital energ energyy. It protec protects ts and purifies this inner energy and in this way is especially effective for children. White coral is also helpfu helpfull for relea releasing sing judg judgments, ments, frustrations, and the feeling of being held back. This gem helps us learn to forgive and surrender, allowing feelings to come and go like the changing tides of the ocean. Through this process it fosters realization of your self-worth and bolsters confidence. From its maritime provenance and white color, this variety of coral is associated with the Lunar Goddess. In the alchemical lore of the medieval period, white coral was regarded as the “tree of the moon.” 80 This may account for its association with psychic development, as in astrology the moon rules intuition. Coral is carried to the seashore by the ebb and flow of the ocean’s tides, themselves a result of the moon’s tugging at the seas. Thus white coral is gifted to humankind by the combined efforts of the Ocean Mother and the Lunar Goddess. Use it to adorn your altar or wear it to invoke their blessings. In magick, white coral is used for purification, protection, and healing. It can help you attune to the tides and rhythms of life. White coral imparts a healthy amount of detachment and surrender, thus this marine gem improves the efficacy of your workings by leading you to a state of surrender. By detaching from outcomes, you allow magick to follow the best course, one that is often greater than you could imagine yourself.
CREEDITE Magickal uses: wisdom, learning, creativity, male and female balance, expansion, evolution, enlightenment Elemental signature: fire, spirit Astrological signature: Sun; Leo, Virgo Goddess archetypes: Solar Goddess, the Muse Formation process: metamorphic
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A creedite creedite cluster from Mexico Mexico
At first glance the crystal structure of creedite does not appear overtly feminine. The orangey gold color and spiny appearance have a masculine, almost solar signature. However, when I initially began work on this book I kept coming back to this stone. Creedite helps us in a way that outright is neither feminine nor masculine, but through its sup port there is great heal healing ing offered through the Godd Goddess’ ess’ss archet archetypes. ypes. This stone is predominantly found in Mexico and the United states, and other occurences are found in China, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. When you work with cree creedite dite its prima primarr y effe effect ct is on the sacr sacral al chakra, the sexual and creative center of the energetic anatomy. Especially in women this center is often viewed as predominantly receptive; it is the sacred vessel for receiving creative energy. Creedite, however, has an expansive energy. My dear friend and fellow crystal lover Sharron Britton describes creedite’s work thusly: it enters the sacral chakra and expands the chakra’s energy outward. As it reaches critical mass, that energy begins to rise upward until the creedite
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guides that energy through the crown. She says that this upward and outward energy is neither feminine nor masculine, though many might assume such an outward, projective energy relates to the Divine Masculine. Instead, this is the energy of divine unification; it helps us seek enlightenment through our physical embodiment, as in the act of conscious sex. In this way, creedite helps us honor and heal the forgotten aspects of the Goddess that are found within each one of us. It harmonizes the Divine Masculine within the Divine Feminine and vice versa.. After thous versa thousands ands of year yearss of oppre oppression ssion of the Divine Feminine Feminine,, creedite has emerged as a healing tool to help reconcile what might otherwise feel like opposing forces. Feminine and masculine cannot be reduced to yin and yang; they aren’t opposites. Instead, they are creative energies that are in an endless dance with each other to open our hearts and minds to healing, expansion, and transformation. Creedite helps us honor this expansive, masculine current within the Goddess energy, and it does so without needing to enter her guise as the fierce warrior or destroyer. Many crystal healers prescribe creedite for revealing and comprehending the wisdom of the ancients. In particular it is recommended for integrating the knowledge of sacred texts 81 and for reaching into the current of wisdom of your ancestral line. Creedite can be especially helpful in understanding information about the roles that goddesses have played throughout time. In magick, try using creedite when you are having difficulty connecting with a specific deity or pantheon. It can help you integrate whatever energ energyy or idea may be missing or blocking you from forming a meaningful relationship with the Divine. Creedite has a predominantly expansive energy, which means that it can be used for raising consciousness, enhancing intuitive skills, and achieving ecstatic union with the God and God Goddess. dess. The orang orange, e, porcupin porcupinelike elike creed creedite ite formations from Mexico have a more solar energy than those found else where. Since they balance the masculine and feminine polarities, these orange creedite clusters can help you integrate the feminine archetypes of the sun.
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CUPRITE Magickal uses: receptive power, shadow, introspection, banishing, creativity Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus; Taurus, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Love Goddess, Mistress of Magick Formation process: sedimentary
Also known as ruby copper and red copper ore, cuprite is a copper oxide mineral that belongs to the cubic crystal system. Its color ranges from a deep crimson to a nearly reddish black, sometimes appearing metallic. It often crystallizes as cubes, octahedra, and related forms, and there is a fibrous variety known as chalcotrichite, which resembles brilliant red hair. Cuprite is found in oxidation zones of copper mines worldwide, frequently in assoc association iation with other copper mineral mineralss such as azurite, malachite, chrysocolla, tenorite, and native copper. Cuprite’s energy is deeply grounding and nourishing. It expresses the Divine Feminine through its receptive energy and is an excellent ally in partnering with the Earth Mother aspect of the Great Goddess. This stone clears away any latent resistance to receiving and helps us become the symbolic chalice, or grail, the receptacle in which the elixir of life is made. Crystal healer and teacher Naisha Ahsian says cuprite is the embodiment of Yin energy in the mineral kingdom. It teaches us about the power of the receptive. Receptive power is not a power that comes from force, action, or creating. It is the power of potential. It is the power of the void. It is, in many ways, the power of the shadow. The shadow is not evil. It is simply the unseen, as yet unrevealed or unmanifested, subconscious, raw aspect of self and psyche that we fear and avoid because of its potential, because of what it may bring or what it may be when it becomes manifest into form or experience.82
It is through this process of receding into the shadow that cuprite invites deep healing. Cuprite helps us leverage the potential stored in liminal spaces, whether in the subconscious or in the world around us.
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Sparkling Spark ling metallic crystals of cuprite from Sonora, Mexico
Witches, healers, and shamans are those who enter the liminal realms on behalf of both humanity and spirit, and cuprite empowers us to make these journeys. Cuprite represents the figure of the alchemist or magician,83 thus relating it to the archetype of the Mistress of Magick. It acts as a conduit between the material plane and the spiritual or inner plane, carrying the essence of magick to its manifestation. Curpite also represents female sexuality. Most specimens appear silvery and opaque at first glance, however, this stone reveals its inner warmth when held to the lig light, ht, when its transluc translucent ent crimson color shines. Cuprite is an essential tool for ameliorating sexual dysfunction related to a person’s inner and outer sense of femininity. Furthermore, it can empower you to engage as an equal partner in the bedroom, and it lessens anxiety, fear, and low self-esteem, especially when related to sexual activity. As a stone of magick, use cuprite for grounding, creativity, and introspection. This mineral can also be used in banishing spells to eliminate unwanted influences in your life, 84 especially former relationships. As a result of its copper content it can naturally be used in spells and rituals for attracting love, emotional balance, and increasing confidence.
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DIOPTASE Magickal uses: healing, love, beauty, abundance, herb magick Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Venus; Taurus Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Goddess of Love, Earth Mother Formation process: sedimentary
Dioptase, sometimes called copper emerald, is a silicate of copper. It is a rich emerald green color in natural light, and its color shifts to bluish green in most artificial light. It is a trigonal mineral that is formed from secondary (i.e., ( i.e., sedimentary) sedimentary) geological processe processes. s. An uncom uncommon mon mineral, dioptase is found mostly in arid regions, and the majority of specimens are found in Arizona, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kazakhstan, and Namibia, though numerous deposits exist in other places around the world. Very V ery little lore is attributed to dioptase, as it was large largely ly unknown to ancient peoples. There is evidence that it was used in the Neolithic era, as it was found around the eyes of three statues from Mesopotamia. Crystal authority Michael Gienger relates that dioptase “was always considered to be a stone of abundance and riches” and that it “represents a sense of beauty.” 85 Considering the eye-related imagery ascribed to dioptase’s powers of healing as well as other traditional uses of this stone, you will see a lot of overlap between dioptase and emerald. It may be that ancient peoples used dioptase, though it has gone unrecorded in history since it was misidentified as emerald. As a stone of the Divine Feminine, dioptase ushers in deep healing via forgiveness. To my friend Sharron Britton, dioptase is one of the preeminent stones of the Goddess because of the forgiving energy it radiates. She explains that forgiveness, in its essence, is an act of surrender. To truly forgive you must surrender your will, your ego, and your pain to a higher power—that of love. In surrendering to the love that surrounds you, you touch the face of the Great Mother. It is her love, her support, her quiet state of receiving that paves the way for us to give away our hurts in order to forgive.
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Dioptase in calcite from the the Democratic Democra tic Republic of the Congo Congo
Dioptase harmonizes us with the natural order, allowing the heart to see the bigger picture. This green gemstone opens us to the wells of deepest mystery wherein we are immersed in the heart of the Mother Goddess. Meditating on dioptase reveals that you are a part of all that is; you are part and parcel of the body of the Goddess as the Earth Mother. This stone offers attunement to her rhythmic dance so that you can stop dwelling on past hurts or future worries. By revealing your inner wellspring of love and forgiveness, dioptase shows you that you are enveloped in the heart and soul of the Goddess. Dioptase is an essential stone for reintegrating the Divine Feminine in today’s world. As a stone of forgiveness it helps to loosen the hold of the patriarchal way of thinking in order to make space for the Goddess’s reemergence. This gemstone absolves the roles of victim and victimizer, thus ending cycles of pain, suffering, and separation. In ritual and spellcraft, dioptase offers many of the same qualities as emerald. It can be used for manifesting prosperity, nurturing love,
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revealing inner beauty, and deepening your vision. It is a Venusian gemstone, closely following many of the properties of copper, one of its chief constituents. Use dioptase to mend a broken heart and to heal and protect children. Through its attunement to the natural world, worl d, dio diopta ptase se can al also so be use usedd for enha enhancin ncingg the eff efficac icacyy of herb magick and for promoting the healthy growth of houseplants, though it is generally too delicate to leave out in the garden.
EMERALD Magickal uses: healing, truth, love, psychic vision, exorcism, protection, protect ion, fidelity Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Venus, Mercury Mercury,, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn; Sa turn; Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Mother Goddess, Earth Mother, Love Goddess, Maiden Formation process: metamorphic or igneous
Emerald has beguiled humankind for thousands of years. It is a green variation varia tion of ber beryl, yl, whos whosee col color or is due chi chiefly efly to chrom chromium, ium, thoug thoughh iron and vanadium may also affect emerald’s color to a lesser degree. smaragdus, meaning “green The word emerald originates in the Greek smaragdus, stone,” a term once used for virtually any green gem. The earliest known emerald mines were in Egypt, and today emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, India, the United States (chiefly in North Carolina, though emeralds are sometimes found in several other states), and several other countries. Of all precious gemstones, emerald is the only one in which large visible inclusions are considered admissible, as stones that appear free of inclusions to the naked eye are rare. Emerald has long had a celestial connotation. It is said to have originated in paradise, including both the Christian Garden of Eden and the Islamic paradise. Its heavenly connection is also seen in polytheistic cultures, where this green stone was thought to have been a gift of the gods and sacred to the Great Mother. Worldwide, emerald is consid-
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Emerald Emer ald is one of the most most valuable valuable gemstones in the world. world.
ered sacred to the Divine Feminine, and it is woven into the myths of many beloved goddesses. As a green gem, emerald is connected to the natural world and therefore is a stone of the Earth Mother. The visible inclusions in emerald are called jardin, French for “garden.” These imperfections in the stone may be remnants of other minerals and trapped gases and liquids, hence they often superficially resemble plants. For this reason, emerald is sacred to goddesses who embody nature and protect the green world. It was wa s ascribed to Ceres, the grain goddess, as well as to Diana/ Artemis, the huntress whose domain is the forest. In some cultures the color of emerald was thought to change with the cycle of the moon and stations of the seasons. It was believed to start as a colorless stone, and its verdant hue was conferred by the sun’s rays, much the way a fruit’s color develops as it ripens. Emerald was often used to attune to the natural world, and it was believed to confer the blessings of the Earth Mother to whomever bore it. Thus this stone came to be an amulet for pregnant women, ensuring safety during pregnancy and an easy birth. It was sacred to Umiña, the Mother Goddess of the Manta Valley, in Peru. Umiña is said to dwell within a natural emerald the size of an ostrich egg; this gemstone
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was hidden away from the Spanish conquistadores and has never been discovered. Elsewhere in the Americas, emerald was held sacred by the Aztec goddess Coatlicue, whose name means “she who wears the skirt of snakes.” This Earth Mother goddess is said to have been impregnated by emeralds, resulting in the birth of Quetzalcóatl, the plumed serpent and god of wind, air, and learning. 86 Among the Egyptians, emerald symbolized springtime and eternal youth. 87 The Egyptians fashioned talismans from emerald inscribed with an image of the Mother Godde Goddess ss Isis; it would confer goo goodd fortune to whomever carried it. This stone represented chastity to the authors of medieval lapidaries, hence emerald was associated with the archetypal Maiden of the Triple Goddess. Emerald’s virtues are believed to preserve purity and innocence, and it factored into the springtime festivals of the Romans, ostensibly to honor the goddesses of that season. Like other green gemstones, emerald has been ascribed to the influence of Venus in magickal lore. As it is sacred to Venus/Aphrodite, it can be used to invoke the Goddess of Love for your magickal workings. Emerald was once exchanged between lovers as a sign of their connection, in the hope that the emerald would preserve their fidelity. Scholar and occultist Claude Lecouteux reports that this stone was believed to have “erective virtues,” for it was famously set in the codpiece of the mythical giant Gargantua.88 Emerald was thought to be strongest when worn or carried on a Friday, the day named for the Norse goddess Frigg, herself a goddess of love, romance, and marriage. Paracelsus advises that this green gem is at its most powerful when set in Venus’s metal, copper.89 Some of the richest symbolism linking emerald to the Divine Feminine is the story of the Holy Grail. This mythic tale has been recorded in several iterations, the most famous being Wolfram von Parzival. arzival. In Eschenbach’s telling, the Eschenbach’s medieval romance P Grail is carved from a green stone, and it is depicted carried or accom paniedd by women. The Grai panie Graill is akin to the chali chalice ce or the cauldro cauldron, n, a symbol of the womb of the Great Mother in pagan traditions. The Holy Grail is thus the receptive vessel in which the raw materials of the
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alchemical work are transmuted into something greater.* Several candidates for the Holy Grail carved from green gems have been sequestered in sacred spaces throughout Europe, though none are proper emeralds. Other grail-like cups, bottles, and vessels made from emeralds are found around the world. Emerald is one of the most vital stones for rebirthing the consciousness of the Divine Feminine on our planet. In part this is because its storied past exemplifies the devaluation of women in myth and culture. Though once sacred to worshippers of the Goddess around the world,, the emeral world emerald, d, in bibli biblical cal lore, beca became me asso associated ciated with Lucifer, the so-called fallen angel, for it was an emerald that was said to have adorned his brow. As the story goes, this gemstone fell from his crown when Archang Archangel el Michael delivere deliveredd his final blow to Lucifer, casting both angel and gemstone from heaven. This particular emerald is said to have later come under the stewardship of the Queen of Sheba, who passedd it on to King Solo passe Solomon. mon. At some point it was polis polished hed into a cup and delivered to Joseph of Arimathea. This emerald chalice was said to be the very cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper, and it was the cup used to catch his blood at the Crucifixion. Lucifer’s lost emerald tells a tale woven from many mythic threads. On the one hand, Lucifer literally means “light bearer,” and his symbol is the Morning Star, a poetic name for Venus. In occult lore, the planetary Logos, the spiritual blueprint of Earth, was said to have descended from Venus from its seat in the heavens—its throne on the Morning Star—to arrive on the dense physical plane of planet Earth. That the Logos comes from Venus reminds us that the spiritual origins for everything on Earth ultimately come from the Divine Feminine. Thus emerald represents the descent of spirit into matter as well as symbolizing the eventual setbacks to the Divine Feminine, as patriarchal traditions eventually attacked and demonized the Goddess. Emerald lore is fraught with serpent symbolism. In the Middle East, emeralds were used to ward off venomous snakes, while in the *For a complete discussion of the Grail archetype and other emerald symbolism, see pages 123–53 of my book b ook The Seven Archetypal Stones.
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Americas goddesses linked to the emerald are ringed with skirts of snakes and give birth to flying serpents. Lucifer is conflated with the serpent in the Garden of Eden, and his temptations are said to have goaded Eve into defying the order not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the ancient world, serpents symbolize the Great Goddess, their images representing her powers of self-regeneration and her affinity with the natural world. Even the terrifying visage of the dragon is none other than the Earth Mother’s chthonic guise; these dragons are also her ley lines (or dragon lines), which crisscross her body. Emerald is the stone for regenerating the Goddess in today’s world. It helps to rebirth the Divine Feminine by acting as the alchemical vessel, the very cauldron in which we can transmute our world. In doing so, we reestablish the sovereignty and divinity of women everywhere and return them to their rightful place as divine creatrixes. Emerald can restore the Great Goddess to her throne, and it can help undo the damage to our collective psyche by healing the rift between male and female. As a talismanic gemstone, emerald is a potent tool for healing and transformation. It was once believed that no evil can remain where emerald is placed. It casts out evil spirits, breaks enchantments, and reveals deception. Emerald is powerful in workings to counter negative magick of all sorts. Combine this gemstone with rue and hyssop for exorcism and curse-breaking; the three can be steeped together as a potion or wrapped in a charm bag bag.. Medieval lore purports that emeralds will lose their color in the presence of falsehood, and that gazing through this gemstone would help a person see the truth in all things. Naturally, as a stone of Venus, emerald can be used for all workings for love and romance. It can be added to the bath for sweetness and beauty, and placed on the altar with a green or pink candle it curries the favor of the Goddess of Love. Such workings are most effective on a Friday, the day sacred to Venus (both the goddess and the planet). It can also be carried or worn for fidelity and sincerity in romance. As a result of its truth-showing gifts, emerald is also a stone of the psychic arts. At one time transparent ber beryl yl was the preferred medium
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for the proverbial crystal ball; emerald, a green beryl, can be similarly used for crystal gazing to reveal future events. Setting it in silver can enhance its ability to part the veil. Emerald is also excellent for sharpening the conscious mind, as it improves the memory and brings clarity. In Vedic tradition, emerald corresponds to the planet Mercury. Deities associated with Mercury rule over emerald and confer the gift of communication and bestow success in business. Emerald has similarly been used in Western occultism for drawing wealth. Emerald can be used as an essence or added to anointing oils for ritual purification. The energy of this gemstone can help sweep away stagnant energies from your space, and its regenerative qualities will transmute disharmony into peaceful vibrations. Emerald can also be gridded around your ritual space to ensure continuous renewal of the energy contained therein, as well as for attuning your sanctuary to the tides of the seasons and the energy of the Goddess. It is especially sacred during the sabbats of Ostara (the vernal equinox) and Beltane (May 1). Emerald is among the holiest of stones in antiquity, and it remains popular popu lar today. Use it to facil facilitate itate deep communion with the Great Mother and to manifest powerful magick.
FAIRY STONE CONCRETIONS Magickal uses: grounding, protection, fertility, reclaiming the Goddess, healing, shamanic journeying Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus, Pluto; Cancer Cancer,, Libra, Scorpio, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Crone Formation process: sedimentary
Fairy stone concretions are glacial concretions of variable composition. The most common are composed predominantly of calcite and are sometimes known as “calcite fairy stones.” These calcite concretions are found in Quebec, Canada. Other fairy stone concretions are called menalite (or menilite), after Ménilmontant, France, where they are found; these stones have a composition rich in opal (amorphous silica). They are usually formed by the process of glaciation, and they
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can be white, cream, gray, or brown in color. These unusual sedimentary stones are usually rounded, either in spherical or flattened forms. They have been known as “biscuit stones,” “fairy stones,” “mud babies,” “clay dogs,” “abitibi stones,” and “imatra stones” by different cultures. Fairy stone concretions of all varieties have a striking appearance that has generated the belief that they are supernatural in origin—that they are made by fairies or are the remains of divine activity. These concretions have been carried for protection, placed in the home to pre vent mishaps, and presented to lovers to ensure a happy and longlasting relationship. At first glance, many fairy stone formations resemble the rounded forms of Paleolithic Venus statues. Their composition and curvy shape endows them with the gifts of grounding and fertility. These stones offer gentle protection and assist in shamanic journeys. Their resemblance to the ancient depictions of the Earth Mother mean that we can use them to connect to all of her children; they attune us to the natural world. Fairy stones also a lso facilitate communicatio communication n with the devic orders, the consciousness of nature. The fairy folk are often called the Ancient Ones and the Shining Ones. This race of spiritual beings lives in harmony with the Earth as Mother, and they are sometimes contacted for magickal assistance. Not all fairies are amenable to helping human beings; fairy stones can ensure that only those friendly sprites that have your best interest at heart will join you in ritual and spellcraft. Fairy stone concretions can be carried to prevent the more mischievous and malevolent of the fairies from endangering you, and meditating with one of these stones on the third eye can help you to psychically see the fairy folk. According to crystal guru Judy Hall, menalite (and thus their sister concretions) holds the energy of female wisdom and the power of the priestess. Judy suggests sugg ests that these stones can help us reclaim the Divine Feminine: “Menalite reminds you that in ancient times, menstruation was a sacred process process.. Menstrual bloo bloodd was offered to the god goddess dess to ensure continued fertility and to stabilize creation. The menstrual hut was sacre sacred, d, a place of solit solitude ude and sisterho sisterhood od where women dreamt their dreams. Divination and prophecy held sway. That sacredness
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Fairy F airy stone concretions resemble resemble the primordia primordiall Earth Mother, Mother, such as the Venus Venus of Willendorf. Willendorf.
has been lost, along with respect for the Crone, the female elder of the tribe whose wisdom was honored.” 90 This stone assists in regaining respect and understanding of the sacred wisdom held in blood. Menalite guards and guides the soul as it incarnates, from conception through pregnancy to birth, and on through the rites of passage that mark the stages of womanhood: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. 91 Use menalite and fairy stone concretions to honor the Divine Feminine and reclaim her power. As sedimentary formations, these rocks relate to the Crone; many even contain fossils. Fairy stones in all their forms are wise allies with surprisingly strong personalities. Each one contains its own essence, not unlike a familiar spirit of the mineral kingdom, which can be invited to join you in your magickal workings. Keep one on your altar or in a special place in your garden to build a relationship with its essence. A fairy stone kept in the house will offer protection to all who reside there. These concretions can be placed in a child’s room, especially a girl’s,
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to guide and nourish her as she grows. Carried or worn, a fairy stone can help alleviate growing pains and ease the transition into adolescence. Fairy stone concretions also offer comfort during the times of female power and tran transform sformatio ation: n: mens menstruat truation, ion, pregnancy, pregnancy, and childbi childbirth. rth. Use fairy stone concretions in spells for creativity and fertility. They can be used to empower your herb garden, granting you plants that are more potent magickally and medicinally. Cleanse and charged under the light of the moon, fairy stone concretions will naturally radiate a space of calm and harmony in which the Great Goddess can be invoked. They can be placed at the four quarters during rituals designed to honor the Goddess, or placed on the altar during esbats for the same purpose.
FOSSIL SEA URCHIN Magickal uses: protection, elemental magick, fairy magick, weather magick Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Venus; Virgo Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Hearth and Home, Mistress of Magick, Queen of Heaven, Stellar Goddess, Crone Formation process: sedimentary
Fossilized sea urchins are found in sedimentary rock such as limestone and flint. They are often weathered from their parent rock and dis placedd in fields where they subsequently are found. Fossil urchins are place dome-shaped, and they usually exhibit a five-pointed star on their upper surface. They are found in fossil beds worldwide. As a child I can remember climbing along a thin, rocky section of beach along the Gulf of Mexico, on the western coast of Florida. Always a rock lover, I can recall to this day my surprise at finding a strange stone marked with a perfect star. It was as if I’d found some secret treasure. In my eagerness I began to imagine just how that symbol found its way onto this domed rock. To this day I have a stash of fossil urchins that I collected in childhood. Much lore has been attributed to these curious stones. They were once thought to be the eggs of serpents or stones born from a mass
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These fossil sea urchins were treasures found in my childhood along the Gulf Coast.
of serpents. They have been called “thunderstones,” as people of many cultures believed them to be heaven-sent, born from the rumblings of storms. The oldest recorded use of a fossil sea urchin is in a stone tool hei delbergensis, sis, a species of archaic humans that likely created by Homo by Homo heidelbergen lived between 200,000 and 600,000 years ago; this specimen is housed today in a museum in Liverpool. 92 Surely the ancients were no less fascinated with these stones than I was in my youth. Fossil urchins have been found in graves, stone mounds, and in other archaeological sites throughout the world. Much folklore surrounding fossil urchins has been recorded, especially in England, where they are colloquially known as “shepherd’s crowns” and “fairy loaves.” Considered to be lucky and protective stones, rituals such as spitting on them, throwing them over the shoulder, and placing them on windowsills windowsil ls were still commonplace in rural part partss of the Engla England nd in the early twentieth century. 93 In some areas the stones were varnished or blackened and placed on the mantelpiece to protect the home, as they are thought to ward off mischievous fairies and evil spirits. Fossil
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urchins were also believed to avert lightning and offer protection from witchcraft and the evil eye. 94 The many folk names for fossil urchins indicate their connection to the supernatural, especially the realm of fairies: “fairy’s nightcap,” “fairy pexy is related to pixie piskey)) weights,”” and “colepexy head” (where weights, ( where pexy to pixie and and piskey are a few more of the nicknames this stone has acquired. 95 These stones usually have a flinty composition, flint being another stone sacred to the Fair Ones. Thus fossil urchins are tools for contacting the forces of nature and the residents of Elphame, the fairy world. In so doing, we can connect with the legendary Queen of Elphame, an aspect of the Mistress of Magick who presides over all the magick of the fey. As fairy loaves, fossil urchins point to a deeper level of symbolism. These stones may have represented the sabbatic banquet or fairy feast. As such they are reminiscent of a passage in the Bible, in Matthew 4:1–11, where during his travels through the wilderness, Christ encounters the devil, who challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread. Peter Grey inter prets this passag passagee in his book Apocalyptic Witchcraft : “We see the Devil and the fairy folk often do likewise, turning stones into bread and coins, as well as providing the Sabat banquet or Fairy feast that we will sample in due course. Christ does not deign to do so.” 96 The sabbatic feast is spiritual sustenance; it is the cakes and ale of the Great Rite, Persephone’s pomegranate, and Eve’s apple. It transforms us when we eat it, often signaling a change in consciousness or state of being. Eating the cakes and ale signifies the end of a rite in modern Wicca and thus helps us return to a state of ordinary consciousness. However, partaking of the fruit of the underworld binds the person to the liminal realms, thus fossil urchins can help us traverse these zones in mediation by giving us the immaterial sustenance we need to cross the boundary between the worlds. Perhaps fairy loaves were regarded so highly because they were thought remnants of the feast at the sabbat; they would symbolically feed the fairy folk, spirits, devils, ancestors, and other beings in the spiritual realm, thereby keeping them from engaging in mischief and malice. The thinking goes that keeping fossil urchins displayed in a prominent location or at the entryways to your home can avert
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misfortune by placating the spirits with a food only they can enjoy. The five-rayed stay atop a fossil urchin connects this stone to celestial goddess archetypes such as the Queen of Heaven and the Stellar Goddess. Fossil urchins were known in Egypt, where they were likely sacred to Nuit, whose body is depicted as being covered in stars much the same shape as the one etched into the urchin. The Egyptians saw the goddess Isis embodied in the sky as Sirius, the Dog Star, and thus they may have used fossil urchins as a representation of her as well. 97 In magick, fairy’s loaves and shepherd’s crowns are used to protect the home, avert misfortune, draw good luck, and ensure that there is always a supply of food. Since these are household affairs, use them to connect to the Goddess of Hearth and Home; they are always a welcome addition to a household shrine or altar. Placing them in a welltrafficked part of the home, especially the kitchen, is best. They can also be placed near entrances and windows to the home, a longstanding practice that keeps negativity out of the home. Wearing W earing the moniker “thunderstones,” fossil sea urchins can ca n also be used for weather magick; though mostly used to protect against storms, their celestial appearance can also be employed to curry the favor of the gods and spirits to petition rain, shine, or other phenomena. The ser pent imagery imag ery that has grown around a round fossil urchins (as evidenced in folk fol k anguinum, or “snake’s egg”) indicates that these fossils names like ovum anguinum, or can also be used for spells related to healing, fertility, and regeneration, much like other stones with serpentine symbolism.
GARNET Magickal uses: strength, courage, fertility, abundance, creativity, stability, grounding, protection, fire, love, fidelity, regeneration, healing Elemental signature: fire, earth Astrological signature: Mars, Pluto, Sun; Aries, Capricorn, Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo Goddess archetypes: Underworld Goddess, Maiden, Mother, Fierce Goddess, Goddess of Love Formation process: igneous or metamorphic
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Garnets are a family of closely related minerals; they have variable com position posit ionss but similar similar structur structures. es. Garnets Garnets of diff differe erent nt species are are fou found nd worldwide, worldw ide, in all colors of the rainbow rainbow.. The general prope properties rties in this entry for garnet apply to red garnet, which includes the species almandine, rhodolite, pyrope, and spessartite (though the latter crystallizes in several other colors, too). Though there is disagreement about the etymology of garnet, t, one popular and persistent idea is that it is related to the word garne granum num and gra granatu natum, m, Latin words such as gra Latin for “grain” and “pomegranate,” respectively. Old texts often refer to garnet as “carbuncle,” from the carbunculus, “little Latin carbunculus, “little coal”—a reference to garnet’s fiery countenance. Old records of garnet’s talismanic uses tend to center on themes of healing, strength, victory, and protection. Garnet has a rich tradition of being used for warding off danger, preventing drowning, and promoting passion and sexual vigor. Most of these virtues can be ascribed to this gem’s Martian influence; it was even worn or carried into battle— sometimes set into swords and shields—to ensure triumph over a person’s foes. These practices, at first glance, appear to point to the Divine Masculine; however, digging deeper into the myths of garnet reveals this stone’s connection to the Goddess. In an ancient act of sympathetic magick, the crimson hues of garnet were used for healing disorders related to the blood. It was thought to help detoxify the body, staunch bleeding, improve circulation, and increase energy. Some sources report that natives of Kashmir once used garnet projectiles to inflict lethally bloody wounds. 98 Minerologist and feminist Barbara Walker, who has written on subjects concerning Neopaganism, says that “garnet blood magic was leftover from ancient ideas of the life-giving powers of uterine blood. Garnet was named from granatum, the pomegranate, a red-jeweled womb symbol ever since the matriarchal age. Because of these ancient connections with feminine life force, it was sometimes thought that garnets should be worn only by women. women.””99 Bearing this in mind, much of garnet’s power can be contextualized within the framework of the Divine Feminine. Eve Even n the grisly, warlike uses of garnet can be linked to Athena/Minerva, as well as to Ares/ Mars. Occultist Claude Lecouteux records an ancient talisman fash-
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Garnets and pomegranates share several symbolic uses.
ioned from a garnet on which the image of Athena holding a heron and her helmet was engraved. This talismanic gem was employed for obtaining “triumph over all foes and rivals”; so powerful was this gem that it transformed foe into friend. 100 Garnets are also connected to the archetype of the Earth Mother. Their high specific gravity makes them dense, heavy gems. Couple with their cubic cr crystal ystal structure, this endows them with the gif giftt of near-instant grounding. They remind us of the vital connection to the planet and help us maintain an even keel throughout life. Garnets are traditionally used for attracting prosperity, uncovering riches, and for manifestation—all of which are under the purview of the Earth Mother. A folktale found in Germany and Sweden preserves another connection between garnet and the Great Goddess. In Moyra Caldicott’s telling of the legend “The Cow-herd and the Goddess Holda,” the eponymous cowherd stumbles upon Holda in a cave with walls of “pure and dazzling crystal decorated with huge garnets that glowed like flame”; Holda herself is witnessed wearing a “diadem of fiery carbuncle.”101 Holda is probably analogous to goddess figures like Holle
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and Huldra; these visions of the Divine Feminine are often related to agriculture, weather, and weaving. At times they are also regarded as the Fairy Queen or the patron goddess of witchcraft, both of which are aspects of the Mistress of Magick archetype. Use garnet to work with these mythic figures. Garnet, as carbuncle, has long been connected to the element of fire and the concept of illumination. illumination . A carbuncle set in Aladdin’s legendary lamp cast light in the shadows, and garnets provided light in the underground world of the dwarves. They were found at the tops of towers (like lighthouses), and the Talmud even testifies that a carbuncle was the sole source of light on Noah’s ark. Glowing garnets were sometimes said to be found in the skulls of drag dragons, ons, serpents, and wyverns; these no doubt are representations of o f the chthonic aspects of the Earth Mother. Garnet’s ability to “change night into day” 102 was unlikely to be literal; rather, the fiery Mars energy of this gemstone provides courage enough to explore the unseen realms and face the fears hidden in the depths of the psyche. Ancient writers believed that it also protected against demons, night phantoms, and poison gas; it even repelled insects, according to the popular lore of the time. 103 The protective quality intrinsic to garnet strengthens the aura, provides stability, and boosts your self-confidence. self-confidence. For me, garnet symbolizes the pomegranate eaten by Persephone that bound her to the underworld kingdom of Hades. In the mythic cycle of Persephone, she is secreted away from her mother, the harvest goddess Demeter, by Hades (usually called Plutus in these myths). After her daughter’s disappearance, Demeter searches far and wide for her; her grief causes the once-fertile crops to wither and die. Zeus, seeing her discontent, implores Hades to return Persephone to the overworld and to her mother. However, Hades intends to keep his newfound bride, for he had already tricked Persephone into eating the seeds of a pomegranate. pomegra nate. Partaking of food or drink from the underworld binds a person to it for eternity. Out of this situation was born a compromise, wherein Persephone would spend part of the year with her mother, Demeter, and part of the year with Hades. The descent and ascent of
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the Maiden, and her mother’s ensuing responses, were an ancient explanation for the turning of the seasonal tides. Garnet has been symbolically related to the pomegranate for pomegranate, share a linguistic centuries. The two words, garnet and pomegranate, root, and both stone and fruit are symbols of life, blood, and fertility. Moreso, which are dodecahedral garnet crystals, even resemble pomegranate arils—both are angular, translucent, and a deep red color. The underworldly meal offered by Hades came from his telluric kingdom; garnets, too, are born within the earth.* Occasionally, reddish and violet garnets are assigned to the planetary influence of Pluto (named for Plutus), underscoring this stone’s underworld connection. Garnets represent the need to nourish and replenish our vital energy. They feed our body, mind, and soul with their regenerative virtue vir tues. s. Gar Garnet netss pro provide vide us with ad addit ditiona ionall res reser erves ves of ener energg y and stamina; they also inspire passion and creativity. In connection to the myth of Persephone’s descent, garnets offer us respite from everyday life by encouraging us to withdraw and practice self-care whenever needed. We can retreat to our inner world, the psychic sanctum that our soul sometimes visits in meditation and dreamtime journeying, so that we can rest and recover our fortitude before rejoining the worldly world ly way of life life.. One final connection between garnet and the Divine Feminine worth considering is its relationship to the tarot. Crystal expert Ember Grant provides a list of correspondences between the major arcana and the mineral kingdom in her book The Second Book of Crystal Spells . She lists garnet as one of the primary stones representing the Empress, a card associated with the archetype of the Great Mother. She writes that this card (and therefore garnet, the gemstone associated with it) symbolizes “the primitive life force—nourishment and sensory experience.” 104 In your magickal work, garnet is a potent ally known for its powers of manifestation, healing, and attracting prosperity. Use it to bolster courage and skew the outcome of any situation in your favor. Garnets *Refer to the discussion of garnets and Ignea, the Maiden of Stone, in chapter 5.
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are used to inspire love, fidelity, and passion; try combining them with rose quartz and rutilated quartz for love spells. Garnets are apotropaic amulets, turning away ill luck, averting danger, and shielding you from harmful or mischievous entities. In healing, garnets have a variety of talents. They can be used to massage the body to improve circulation and energize sore muscles. Added to the bath, garnet boosts your overall health; polished stones can be placed directly in the water, or an elixir can be used instead. Garnet is ideal for conditions related to the circulatory system, the liver, and for injuries. It is a versatile stone that provides support during convalescence, offering its nurturing energy until you reach optimum health.
Green Garnet Magickal uses: strength, fertility, abundance, grounding, court cases Elemental signature: earth, fire Astrological signature: Saturn; Capricorn Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, the Muse, Maiden Formation process: igneous and metamorphic
Green garnets belong to several species of the garnet group, most within the ugrandite group, a name that is a portmanteau of u varovite, ossular, and andradite. Of these, grossular garnet is likely the most gr ossular, common, though all three species produce vivid greens, such as the tsavorite (a form of grossular) and demantoid (andradite). This section, unless otherwise noted, discusses the general properties of green garnets. Green garnets are found in Brazil, Finland, Kenya, Madagascar, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Like all garnets, green garnet is an excellent grounding tool. Its cubic structure is a strong indication of its grounding effect, as is its relative density. Green garnet can be used for releasing blocks at the level of the base chakra, as it brings a cleansing, detoxifying effect to this center. Green garnet inspires optimism, hope, and self-worth; it is also a potent tool for manifesting abundance. 105 It teaches us that peace and strength are virtues that often walk hand-in-hand, leading us to fulfilment and joy.
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Demantoid, a green variety of andradite andradite garnet garnet
As a stone of prosperity, green garnet is connected to the rhythm of planting and harvesting. Though I associate red garnet species with Persephone, green garnet has always reminded me of her mother, Demeter. Grossular garnet (and presumably other green garnet species) are sometimes associated with the holiday of Lammas or Lughnasadh, the celebration of the grain harvest. 106 Historically, this was a time that honored the bounty of grains and would have honored harvest goddesses such as Demeter. Through this attunement to the Earth Mother archetype, green garnet inspires us to consider the true nature of abundance, reminding us that it is more than just material and financial success. Green garnet enables us to work with the natural order to seek ideal moments to “harvest” our ideas and efforts for the best rewards, whether material or spiritual in nature. Green garnet, though earthy in vibration, still conveys a touch of fiery energy. It can bring inspiration and help us reach out to the Muse, the goddess who rules the arts and sciences. Uvarovite, in particular, is an excellent stone for writers, no matter their genre. 107 Green garnet tends to marry our inspiration with motivation, bringing a boost in energy similar to its red cousin, so that we are likelier to finish the projects that we begin. As a healing stone, green garnet clears away guilt, shame, and other baggage associated with sexuality. It restores balance to the reproductive system, especially in women, and this gem can be used to recuperate
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from sexually transmitted infection, sexual assault, childbirth, or abortion.108 Green garnet is a potent tool for catalyzing healing in these situations, as it enables us to release the guilt and shame that prevent us from reclaiming our inherent sense of self-worth. Green garnet is best employed in magickal workings focused on stability, abundance, and financial freedom. It enhances creative pursuits and can be used for fertility, both biological and metaphorical. Use green garnet for success in court cases, boosting self-esteem, and motivation. Combine it with other money-drawing stones to ensure a bountiful financial harvest. Paired with red garnet, this green gem sup ports contemplation of the change in seasons, and it can be placed on your altar during celebrations of the har harvest. vest.
GEODE Magickal uses: healing, manifestation, grounding, fertility, psychic communication, planetary healing Elemental signature: earth, water (varies depending on mineral content) Astrological signature: Virgo, Gemini (varies depending on mineral content) Goddess archetype: Earth Mother Formation process: igneous or sedimentary
Geodes are so-named for their earthy appearance; the name derives from the Greek ge, Greek ge, meaning “earth,” while geodes while geodes means “earthlike” and “with deep soil.” Geodes belong to the family of vugs—hollow cavities in rocks lined with crystals. While vugs can take any shape, geodes are essentially rounded, like the shape of our planet. Geodes usually form by primary (igneous) processes as molten rock cools. Sometimes they are formed by secondary (sedimentary) processes as a result of chemical precipitation. Mineral-rich solutions deposit crysta crystals ls within the hollow cavities during their formation. Geodes can be comprised of virtually any mineral, though members of the quartz family such as clear or white quartz, amethyst, and agate are among the more common specimens found. While many geodes are hollow, the crystals can in fact
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Geodes are versatile tools for spellcraft.
grow until all the available space is filled. Geodes are found worldwide. Due to its round shape and usually hollow interior, the geode is linked to our planet and thus to the archetype of the Earth Mother. Geodes usually resonate with the earth element, though this varies by mineral content. Some geodes, when opened, reveal water that has condensed from their formation process. This represents the womb of the Great Mother (especially in her aspect as Earth Mother), and geodes can therefore be used for attuning to the mother goddesses of many different traditions as well as to the element of water. The shape of the geode represents the cauldron of transformation, a metaphor for the Goddess’s womb. These stones can be used to connect with the Celtic goddess Cerridwen whose cauldron grants healing, transformation, and renewal. A geode also serves as a representation of our planet and thus is an excellent tool for sending healing to the planet as a whole.
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Barbara Walker describes geodes in The Book of Sacred Stones as being connected to the natural world: A geode symbolizes inner space, a private world, or a hidden beauty known only to its possessor. It may also represent the disguises of Mother Nature, who does not necessarily flaunt her best works in the open but sometimes conceals them in dark places, not caring whether or not they will be admire admired. d. In consi consideration deration of this, a geode can remind us that in relation to the great cycles of the natural world, human ambition and praise-craving are pointless indeed. A geode may also serve as a symbolic model earth. 109
The plain, stony appearance of the outside of a geode belies the gemmy crystals contained within it. Thus geodes can be used to help you see the bigger picture and employed in spells related to secrets. 110 Geodes impart patien pat ience, ce, and they help you look mor moree clos closely ely at a sce scenar nario io un until til you can comprehend the true significance of what’s taking place. Geodes also make excellent aids for meditation, as they provide a focal point for contemplation. Two halves of the same geode can be shared between friends; subsequently, when each partner meditates with their half of the geode, it can be like a psychic telephone relaying messages back and forth. 111 In the ancient world, geodes were sometimes known as aetites, or “eagle stones,” as well as lapis praegnans, “pregnant stone.”112 The former name comes from a belief that they were found in the nests of eagles and helped the birds conceive and lay eggs. The moniker “pregnant stone” comes from the observation that the dull exterior rock is incubating another mineral within its “womb.” In both cases, geodes are connected to fertility and reproduction, thereby attributing them to the Great Goddess. Even the link to the eagle may be a vestige of the once widespread avian symbolism attributed to the Great Goddess during the Stone Age, and avian symbols represented the goddess for the Egyptians, too. Such stones were used for helping women conceive and for ensuring a healthy pregnancy and safe birth. According to Pliny, geodes were used in the ancient world for treating the eyes, breasts, and testicles. 113 This is an ancient act of sym-
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pathetic magick magick,, whereby the naturally round shape of the stone symbolizes these body parts. Along the same line, writings attributed to Albertus Magnus describe using the egglike geode for preventing miscarriage—the homeopathic principle of “like cures like .”114 The geode has a centuries-old tradition as a healing stone. An ancient charm involves engraving the image of an eagle on a geode and combining it with a grape seed and the feather of an eagle; whosoever wears this will be free of all disease. 115 While most of us are not legally permittedd to har permitte harvest vest eag eagle le feathers, you can easil easilyy amend this recip recipee for a simple healing spell by using a small feather placed inside a geode along with a grape seed (or a healing herb such as cedar, elder, or mint) and a photo of the person to receive the healing (in the absence of a photo, their name written on a piece of paper will suffice). Tie the two halves of the geode together with red yarn or ribbon and leave it in a safe place, such as on your altar. Recite a prayer or charm for healing over the geode and visualize the healing energy reaching the intended recipient. Geodes are versatile tools in magick and spellcraft. Herbs, stones, sigils, and other magickal ingredients can be placed inside this stone to incubate. Tie the two halves together with a colored cord that matches your intention. From its more-or-less egg-shaped form the geode is associated with the celebration of Imbolc, the sabbat held on February 2. Geodes can be used to concentrate magickal forces for spell or ritual, and gazing inside one is a method of scrying, much like using an obsidian mirror. Each geode has a unique energy and additional properties based on the minerals it contains.
HOLEY STONE Magickal uses: protection, psychic vision, good fortune, dreams, fairy magick Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Moon Goddess archetypes: Mother, Crone, Goddess of Hearth and Home Formation process: sedimentary
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A holey stone can be any rock with a naturally occurring hole. Also called “holed stones,” “holy stones,” “hag stones,” “wishing stones,” and “Odin stones,” these rock formations may have been the very first stones ever worn as talismans by our ancient forebears. Holey stones are regarded as magickal objects because of their unusual appearance. The holes in them are caused by erosion from water, sand, or wind, or by the activity of small organisms. Their connection to magick and witchcraft is largely due to their quality of otherness, as naturally pierced stones probably looked very strange to early humankind. Holey stones are found worldwide—you may even find one at your local shore. The holey stone may be the earliest abstract representation of the Goddess in stone. Doreen Valiente, considered by some to be the mother of modern witchcraft, explains that the holey stone “is a female emblem, representing the portal of birth. Hence it is a life symbol and a luck bringer.” 116 Folk customs around the globe ascribe magickal influence to these rocks, and these customs are likely inherited from ancient traditions. Charles Godfrey Leland, a journalist and folklorist, records an incantation for holey stones that he purports comes from pre-Christian tradition. He introduces the incantation thusly: thusly : “T “Too find a stone with a hole in it is a special sign of the favour of Diana. He who does so shall take it from his hand and repeat the following following,, having observed the ceremony as enjoined.” 117 Because of the yonic symbolism of the holey stone, it is most often attributed to the Mother Goddess archetype, such as Diana. It confers protection, draws out illness, and grants second sight. When hung on a red cord and placed over the bed, a holey stone provides relief from nightmares. Hung on a black cord and placed above the entrance to the home, a holey stone is believed to protect inhabitants from harm. It can also be hung in the home or carried to mitigate the effects of negative magick. The association of these stones with banishing nightmares is the source of the nickname “hag stone.” There was once a belief that nightmares were caused by a witch or hag sitting atop a person’s stomach or chest during the night. Since hag stones were considered protective and life-giving, they would counter the evil influence of such practitioners
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Stones that naturally display holes are potent receptacles receptacles of natural natural magick.
of the dark arts. In truth, the nocturnal symbolism of the hag is likely a result of witches practicing their workings under the cover of night. That they are linked to the hag, a guise of the Crone, may come from the darkest phase of the moon, as this was a time when witches were believed to perform their workings. Since many holey stones are formed by sedimentary processes, they are inextricably linked to Sedimens, the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. Holey stones can be used to peer beyond the veil between the worlds. Various sources indicate that looking through them allow allowss you to see ghosts, fairies, and other beings, especially under the light of the full moon. It is also possible to meditate with one held to your brow chakra to enhance your intuition and facilitate contact with your personal guides and teachers in the spiritual realm. 118 In healing lore, holey stones were typically used for pain such as rheumatism or arthritis, as well as for various childhood conditions. Very V ery larg largee hole holeyy stones could be crawled through to remove all traces of sickness, while smaller stones could be rubbed on the body or passedd through the aura to draw out disea passe disease. se. Looking through them was belie believed ved to improve physica physicall vision. Because of their assoc association iation
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with female reproductive organs, holey stones were worn by women or placed near female animals for fertility. In ritual, the holey stone can be placed on your altar to represent the Goddess or meditated on to attune to her. You can carry or wear one for luck, protection protection,, and heal healing ing,, as well as for petitioning the favors of the fairy folk. In meditation you can visualize yourself passing through the hole in the stone to reach the astral plane or the underworld/shamanic reality. Holey stones are powerful amulets and talismans, and their pierced form makes them powerful conduits for spiritual power. As magickal tools they can be imbued with virtually any ritual intent.
JADE Magickal uses: peace, abundance, fertility, healing, luck, longevity, beauty, protection, spirit communication, dreamwork, astral travel Elemental signature: earth, water, spirit Astrological signature: Venus, Moon; Libra, Virgo, Gemini Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Ocean Mother, Goddess of Love, the Muse Formation process: metamorphic
Jade refers to two different minerals. The first is nephrite, an admix Jade ture of actinolite and tremolite, both members of the amphibole group. Nephrite’s structure of interwoven fibers of its constituent minerals resembles a felted mass; this makes nephrite tougher than steel. The second jade is jadeite, a granular formation in the pyroxene group. Jade is found worldwide in a variety of colors, and it has been sacred to virtually every culture that has known it. The general properties of jade in this entry are based on the virtues of green jade; separate entries for blue and Lemurian jade follow. Jade in all its permutations has been esteeme esteemedd since antiquit antiquityy. It is generally considered to be a stone of peace and good fortune, and it is connected to several goddesses around the world. One of the earlier mythic references to jade is in connection with the descent of Ishtar/Inanna. As the goddess travels through the underworld to find
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her lover, she must remove a garment at each of the seven gates she encounters; at the fifth gate she sheds her girdle adorned with jade. 119 Jade was once popular among midwives, who would wear the stone or fasten it around the bodies of pregnant women. It was employed for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. This use of jade during pregnancy likely stems from Ishtar’s famed jade girdle. Jade is considered sacred to the Eg Egyptian yptian god goddess dess Ma Ma’at, ’at, bestower of justice. It has been used since the time of the Egyptians to reveal the truth and draw justice into a person’s life. 120 Because it also draws good fortune, jade can be a helpful aid in rites for favorable rulings in court cases. To the people of China, jade is associated with the natural world. Its characteristics represent virtues such as beauty, truth, and wisdom, and various colors of jade were connected to the cardinal directions, the heavens, the earth, and the elements. Jade remains a preferred medium for carving the likeness of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. In popular belief in China today, Kuan Yin shares many characteristics with the Great Mother archetype. Jade invites her blessings of compassion, loving-kindness, and healing. Some of the richest lore about jade, especially in relation to the Divine Feminine, comes from the cultures of Central and South America. Jadeite is prevalent in several parts of the Americas, and the indigenous cultures there have valued it above all other substances. Jade in shades of green and bluish green is sacred to the Aztec godd goddess ess Chalchiuhtlicue, whose name translates as “she who wears a skirt of jade.”” She is revered as the godde jade. goddess ss of water—lakes and rivers—and of other natural forces such as storms, and was also the patroness of childbirth. To the Aztec, pieces of jade “were more than just an emblem of the goddess; they were ‘fractions’ of the same goddess, and as such were objects of profound veneration.” 121 Jade effigies of Chalchiuhtlicue were used in rituals of adoration. A description of such a rite is recorded in the writings of the Spanish conquistadors in 1580; a statue of Chalchiuhtlicue was taken outdoors, washed in the river, and returned to a temple to be ceremonially “fed” with human sacrifice. 122 Jade has also been connected to the godd goddesses esses who rule the maize
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Green jade from around the world
harvest, an aspect of the Earth Mother. They are revered as Xilonen and Cintéotl. Because corn exhibits green silk, both deities are traditionally depicted with large locks of jade-colored hair. As late as the 1980s, women in Tetelcingo, Mexico, were reported to dye their hair green to resemble the jade-colored locks of the goddess of maize. 123 The lore of the Aztec goddess of love and beauty, Xochiquétzal, the “flower of the quetzal bird,” is also steeped in jade symbolism. She represents fertility and romance and is depicted with an ample bosom and hair adorned with green quetzal feathers. 124 From the similarity between the feathers’ hue and that of jade, talismans of jade are used to invite her blessings. In a similar fashion, jade is exchanged among lovers in China to ensure a loving and faithful marriage. The Chinese even call the resonant tone produced when jade is struck as “the concentrated essence of love.” 125 Jade’ss many colors reflect the natural world all around us. Though Jade’ most modern practitioners visualize it connected with the elements of water and earth earth,, ancient peop peoples les considere consideredd it sacred to each of the elements, the pervasive idea being that it is a gift of the heavens related
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to spirit, or the quintessence. Jade has accrued several, sometimes contradictory, astrological associations through the ages, too. Ultimately, it proves to be a versatile stone of many virtues indeed. Jade lends itself well to matters of money, business, and luck. Use it in spells to attract better financial opportunities or to tilt negotiations in your favor. Jade can be used in workings for successful court cases; add it to a charm bag with herbs such as calamus, licorice, and deerstongue to help you succeed. Jade also encourages compassion, fairness, and a charitable mindset. Because it is connected to the Goddess of Love archetype, jade can be used to draw romance into your life or to breathe new appreciation into an existing relationship. Jade is a popular tool in the cosmetics industry in Asia—massage the face with it to reduce puffiness, promote circulation, and to reveal your inner and outer beauty. Several cultures have used jade to make beautiful music, too; it can be polished or shaped into a lithophone, a percussion instrument made of stones. Accordingly, jade is connected to many art forms and can help you find your inner muse. Jade J ade is also used for heali healing, ng, pro protect tection ion,, and weat weather her magick. Many modern crystal mystics find it helpful in the garden, as it helps plants grow vigorou vigo rously sly.. Jade Jade has long been connect connected ed to ot otherwo herworldl rldlyy beings beings lik likee dragons, and it can be used for spirit communication. Jade, for all its tenacity and resiliency, has connotations of eternity. Use it to reach into the distant past for karmic karmic healing healing and for tappi tapping ng into into ancest ancestral ral wisdom. wisdom.
Blue Jade Magickal uses: fertility, mental powers, healing, happy home, abundance, communication Elemental signature: earth, air Astrological signature: Uranus; Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Goddess of Hearth and Home Formation process: metamorphic
Blue jade is found as either nephrite or jadeite with a bluish green to bluish gray appearance. Blue jadeite is found in South America and was favored above all other shades of jade by the Olmec people, an ancient (1500–400 BCE) group who lived in present-day Mexico. It is also
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Blue jade from California California
occasionally found in Japan and Myanmar. Blue nephrite occurs in China, and in the United States it is found in California and Washington. Being sacred to the deity who personifies the life-sustaining maize plant,* the Olme Olmecc peop people le used blue jade in great quantities. Thoug Thoughh their pantheon of gods and goddesses was usually depicted without gender-defining characteristics, many subsequent indigenous cultures throughout the Americas attribute maize to the Divine Feminine. Blue jade represents the nourishment offered by the corn mother, an Earth Mother archetype; by her blessings we are fed, clothed, and guarded. Blue jade, therefore, is the perfect choice for a talisman that ensures the abundance and well-being of your household. Blue jade has an airier signature than most other jades. It is unusual in its earth-air combination, which is usually depicted as the polar forces of feminine and masculine. This makes blue jade a mediating force between the intellect and the intuition as well as a balancing influence on the inner currents of masculine and feminine energies within us. This member of the jade group also helps to calm fiery states such as anger, overactivity (mental or physical), hypertension, and *Many species of corn, or maize, in the Americas is blue in color.
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inflammation. Blue jade also refines our communication skills and sup ports us in times of transition. Use blue jade for rites of fertility, abundance, and for ensuring a happy home. It can be added to workings designed to cool tempers and quell passions, thereby lending itself to objectivity and impartial decision-making. As a healing stone, blue jade relieves pain and inflammation.
Lemurian Jade Magickal uses: grounding, dreamwork, healing, connecting with the Earth, ecstatic ritual/trance, spirit contact, manifestation Elemental signature: earth, spirit Astrological signature: Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Stellar Goddess Formation process: metamorphic
Lemurian jade is the name that has been given to a member of the jade group* that contains inclusions of pyrite minerals and smoky quartz. Both iron pyrite and chalcopyrite can be found in these stones, and the jade itself ranges from black to green greenish ish gray. Lemurian jade is found in Peru, in the vicinity of a copper mine there; a comparable material (confirmed to be jadeite) found in Guatemala is called “galactic gold Lemurian jade jade was jade.”” The term jade. term Lemurian was coined by my friend JaneAnn Dow in 2004, as she felt it carried a strong link to the essence of the fabled Lemurian civilization. Lemurian jade is a union of opposite forces. The golden pyrite against the backdrop of black jade leads us to find the union of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, life and death within this stone. This jade thus is a symbol of the creative impulse of the Earth Mother, for its black color “represents the inconscience [ sic [ sic ] of physical matter, and gold is the divine light of the Mother which has descended into the *The metaphysical community generally claims that Lemurian jade is an aggregate of both jadeite and nephrite jades. Geologically this is not possible. I have yet to find a conclusive and authoritative study published on the content of this material, though I suspect that it is a greenstone that contains both jadeite and serpentine.
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depths to accomplish her transformative work.” 126 The dark hues of this jade link with the telluric forces of the planet, echoing the song of the Dark Goddess who dwells in the twin realms of the subterranean world and the subconscious mind. JaneAnn described Lemurian jade as a stone of dreaming the “new dream.” She writes that this gemstone initiates the level of perception necessary for the transformation of our planet, and that it offers an see what opportunity to truly see what is unfoldi unfolding. ng. As part of this rebirt rebirthing hing of the Great Goddess in our times, Lemurian jade helps to heal the residual imprints of the old dream patterns, such as those of the patriarchy.127 This stone gently reaches into the soul’s memories to sweep away the karmic patterns preventing us from moving in a new direction. JaneAnn says that this stone invites the Great Goddess into our lives, its energies being aligned with figures such as Kuan Yin, Isis, and Mary. Lemurian jade offers a lesson in strength through surrender. It engenders a softness that belies true power. Lemurian jade teaches us to embrace vulnerability, thereby opening the doors to spiritual growth. It helps us achieve the same level of receptivity embodied in the Divine Feminine and taps into the cosmic void from which all creation is formed. For this reason, Lemurian jade is among the best stones for working with the archetype of the Stellar Goddess Goddess.. That Lemurian jade is a stone of the Earth Mother is undeniable. It is grounding, stabilizing, and nurturing, like all jades. Crystal therapist Naisha Ahsian describes Lemurian jade as emanating “the frequency of the heart of the Earth”; she writes that this stone “facilitates connection with the Earth and the incredible bounty this planet offers us.” 128 Lemurian jade awakens us to the immediacy of the Earth Mother’s presence, reminding us that she is always with us, even when urbanization obscures the wildness of Mother Nature from our view. Wearing this stone is effective for remaining connected to the Great Mother and the heart of our planet and for combatting the sense of alienation so many of us feel in the modern world. At first glance, Lemurian jade bears a strong resemblance to the midnight sky; it is thus symbolically and spiritually related to lapis lazuli. Accordingly, Lemurian jade is the domain of the Stellar
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Lemurian jade resembles resembles the nighttime nighttime sky.
Goddess. In the Feri (or Faery) Tradition of the craft, the Star Goddess is envisioned as wearing a “robe of black, bespangled with stars of all the natural colors.” 129 Lemurian jade shines in this same color scheme, with its metallic stars of several hues gleaming against the inkiness of the jade itself. This gemstone has revealed itself only recently in the history of our world, so perhaps the Great Mother, as the Stellar Goddess, is ready to reclaim her throne. Use this stone to connect to her and to deepen your conscious attunement to her. Energetically, Lemurian jade grounds energy from higher realms into the heart and root chakras, just as it connects heaven and earth. 130 You can use this gemstone to bridge the telluric and celestial archetypes of the Great Goddess. With its connection to the heart, this stone enables the heart center, the veritable center of your being, to be the meeting grounds of heaven and earth. Lemurian jade has an energy that is apocalyptic in the etymological sense—it pulls back the veil between the worlds, thus initiating contact with the realm of the absolute, the realm of the eternal Goddess. In magick, Lemurian jade is helpful for healing, grounding, and psychic development. It is protective like other jades in that it carries an
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ancestral energy to both ward off harmful influences and provide guidance on your path. Lemurian jade can help you balance masculine and feminine polarities, thereby assisting you to find your inner Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, for the great alchemical acts require both. Lemurian jade can be used to connect with your spirit guides and familiar spirits. As a stone of the Earth Mother, it allows you better access to her emissaries in the spirit realms: nature spirits, devas, and the fairy folk. Wearing this stone during outdoor ritual or meditation allows for greater ease in attuning to the energies of your environment.
JASPER Magickal uses: grounding, protection, luck, prosperity, beauty, strength, healing, weather magick, stopping gossip (varies by type and color) Elemental signature: earth (varies by type and color) Astrological signature: Mercury, Venus, Mars; Leo, Aries, Virgo, Libra (varies by type and color) Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Hearth and Home, Earth Mother, Maiden, Lunar Goddess, Crone (varies by type and color) Formation process: sedimentary
Jasper is an opaqu opaque, e, micro microcr crystal ystalline line member of the quart quartzz group group.. Usually categorized as a form of chalcedony by gemologists, jasper’s structure is more commonly composed of minute grains of quartz in lieu of the fibrous structure of true chalcedony. Jasper is available in a wide variety of patterns and textures that result from traces of other minerals and elements that intermix with the grains of quartz. It is typically formed by sedimentary processes, and varieties are named for their appearance and/or place of origin. Jasper is a common stone found throughout the world. Many common rocks and minerals are misidentified as jasper; common examples include leopardskin and kambaba “jasper,” both of which are actually rhyolite. Jasper J asper is a gemsto gemstone ne with ancie ancient nt prov provenan enance. ce. Since it is both dur duraable and relatively easy to carve, it has enjoyed a long history of use in ornamentation, magick, and medicine. It is generally considered to have
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Jaspers in many many colors
an earthy vibration; its effects are grounding, settling, and stabilizing. Because of this, jasper relates to the domain of the Earth Mother; many forms of jasper resemble the natural features of the earth and therefore are ideal for attuning us to the energy of the planet. Because it is such a nurturing gemstone, jasper reflects the Earth Mother’s nourishing qualities. History records many uses of jasper, most commonly as a protective stone. Jasper was used by the Greeks and Romans to drive away demons and wild animals alike, and there was a widespread belief that jasper offered protection during travel and prevented drowning. It was also used against nightmares and hallucinations. The power of jasper confers strength, courage, and invulnerability, especially varieties with a high iron content such as red jasper. Yellow jasper was considered especially sacred to Athena. 131 Jasper has been describe describedd as having several virtues relevant to the Divine Feminine, such as conferring grace and beauty and assisting in childbirth. In the Middle Ages, a popular belief held that when tied to the thigh, jasper would ensure the health of both mother and child. In modern gemstone therapy, poppy jasper is frequently used to assist during the pushing phase of childbirth. 132 Jasper is generally said to con vey luck and success, perhaps because it is belie believed ved to be a holy stone by many. One particular method for receiving the blessings of jasper
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included engraving the image of a maiden holding a laurel branch—an image of the nymph/minor goddess Daphne—onto its surface; such a stone was believed to be an object of “perpetual consecration.” 133 Another goddess symbol sometimes seen carved into jasper is that of the hare. Rabbits and hares are frequently linked to the moon in mythology, thus relating these carved talismans to the Lunar Goddess. Such a gemstone would bring great luck to its owner. Several ancient sources regard jasper as most potent when set in silver, the moon’s planetar plan etaryy meta metal,l, thereby unders underscoring coring its conne connection ction to the Lunar Goddess. Other talismanic uses for jasper include success in business, and it was noted for bringing rain. To the Greeks and Romans, jasper was a sacred stone for speakers and an d orators, orator s, for it would help them find success, influence, and power in their field. 134 The Judeo-Christian tradition recognizes jasper as a sacred stone. It was one of twelve stones used in Aaron’s breastplate, and it served as Anulus, writ part of the foundation of the New Jerusalem. In the poem poem Anulus, written by Konrad von Hamburg, jasper is one of twenty stones offered to the Virgin Mary; 135 it was chosen to symbolize her faith. Today we can use jasper to bolster our faith in the Divine Feminine and in ourselves. Jasper may not be the most exotic or glamorous of gemstones, but it is a tried-and-true aid in your spiritual practice. Though many jaspers have an overtly masculine energy, as an essential tool for finding stability in the midst of change it is a valuable catalyst during this time of the rebirthing of the Divine Feminine on our planet. Jasper works to ground the work that we do to elevate the station of women by recognizing the primacy of the Great Mother. As a healing stone, jasper curbs anxiety, reduces insecurity, and promote prom otess a strong bod bodyy and mind mind.. Jasper is an over overtly tly menta mentall ston stone, e, especially green, yellow, and picture jasper varieties. Jaspers are sometimes considered uplifting, energizing stones, especially those rich in iron oxide, including red jasper, poppy jasper, mugglestone (a blend of jasper and hematite), peppermint jasper, bloodstone (a green jas per dis displa playing ying stre streak akss and spe specks cks of re redd iron inc inclus lusions ions), ), and som somee brecciated jaspers. Jasper was worn in the ancient world to improve the diagnostic faculties and healing abilities of those in the medical
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field; today we can use it to improve our own healing abilities. Jasper is a helpfu helpfull tool in spells and rituals rituals.. Use it for grounding after your spiritual work; it will help you integrate the magick you have performed and return to ordinary consciousness with greater ease. Jasper lends its ground grounding ing and stabil stabilizing izing influenc influencee to any mag magicka ickall pursuit;; this makes it best for themes related to protectio pursuit protection, n, prosperity, healing, and peace. Sandra Kynes suggests that jasper helps to keep secrets, making it a good choice for spells to stop gossip. 136 Jasper lends a gentle power to your spellcraft, and it helps sustain the energy of your working until your goa goals ls are brought to fruition. Individual types of jasper exhibit the above properties in addition to several unique skills of their own. Most jaspers have a predominantly masculine signature, but the following entries for green, ocean, and red jasper illustrate how these gemstones are connected to the Divine Feminine.
Green Jasper Magickal uses: grounding, stability, success, prosperity, luck, love Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus, Mercury; Taurus, Virgo, Gemini Goddess archetype: Earth Mother Formation process: sedimentary
Green jasper is available in a range of shades of green depending on the location where it is mined. It is found in Mexico, China, the Middle East, the United States, several locations in Africa, and in Brazil, among other locations worldwide. It was once popular in Egypt, where it was regarded as an amulet of exceptional virtue. Indigenous peoples of Mexico and China occasionally used green jasper in place of jade; modern magicians can also find it a suitable substitute for many of jade’s properties. Green jasper’s merits focus on prosperity and business success. It helps build business acumen, for it stimulates the mind. This stone promotes goo goodd luck, especi especiall allyy in matters related to buying and selling.137 In the Egyptian magickal tradition, green jasper was one of the ab, an amulet in the form of preferred materials for car carving ving into an ab, a heart.138 Other green jasper amulets from the ancient world often depicted Isis and other deities.
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Green jasper
Green jasper has a whimsy and brightness that speaks to its mercurial alliance. It brings pep and vigor and can combat the sense of gloom on dreary, gray days. Green jasper provides a counterpoint to imbalances caused by too much masculine energy; this mediating effect can harmonize the currents of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine within each one of us. Green jasper can be used in magick for love, fertility, wealth, grounding, emotional well-being, and physical healing.
Ocean Jasper Magickal uses: attuning to the tides of life, uniting land and sea, regeneration, community, conflict resolution, calming, sabbat celebrations Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Neptune; Virgo, Leo Goddess archetypes: Ocean Mother, Earth Mother, Maiden Formation process: igneous
Ocean jasper is found only in the northwest of Madagascar. There are two sources for the stone, one along the shore and another further
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inland. Ocean jasper was discovered in 1999 and released to the public at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in 2000. 139 Though marketed as a form of jasper, this stone is actually chalcedony. Chalcedony in this instance refers to the mineralogical interpretation, which points to ocean jasper’s formation of thin fibers of quartz. On the other hand, from a gemological perspective the opaque portions are still classified as jasper. Ocean jasper is an intergrowth of spherules of chalcedony in a chalcedony matrix; you can often find pockets of transparent, crystalline quartz or quartz druzes. Other names for this material include ocean spray agate, ocean orbicular jasper, and spherulitic chalcedony. chalcedony. Its color range includes many earth tones, white, red, orange, yellow, green, black, pink, blue, and purple. The original discovery of ocean jasper was along the water’s edge. Since it was collected at the seashore, ocean jasper could only be gathered when the tide was low. Although the original occurrence is currently depleted, all ocean jasper still conveys this tidal energy. Its watery provenance has led many crystal lovers around the globe to associate this stone with the symbolism of the sea. It helps you attu attune ne to the rhyth rhythms ms and
A charming pendant of polished polished ocean jasper
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tides of life, initiating a state of surrender to the natural order. Its patterns resemble ripples in the water, and it helps you examine the inner tides of your emotions. Working with ocean jasper can clarify turbulent emotions and help you find stillness at the center of your being. This gemstone was literally gifted to us by the actions of the earth and sea, and we can thus link it to the archetypes of the Ocean Mother and the Earth Mother. Use it to harmonize your daily life with these currents of the Divine Feminine. Since this stone is born of igneous activity, it also symbolizes the Maiden, and it can be used to invoke Ignea, the Maiden of Stone, with great success. As a stone of the new millennium, ocean jasper is intimately connected to the ever-evolving expression of the Divine Feminine on our planet. It is a vital tool for anchoring the work of the Goddess, and it feeds the heart of community. Ocean jasper is the stone of gathering; it allows the Great Mother to inspire her children to come together for healing, worship, and transformation. Like the individual spherules of its structure that are connected by a sea of chalcedony, ocean jasper jasp er nurtures the connectio connections ns bet between ween human hear hearts. ts. It promotes understanding and helps us see how our thoughts, actions, and energies impact those around us. Ocean jasper facilitates cooperation, settles disputes, and promotes service to all. This gemstone is an ideal tool with which to build a cohes cohesive ive spiritual community or orga organization nization that benefits all. Naisha Ahsian refers to ocean jasper as “cellular jasper,” a name that describes not only its appearance, but also its ability to tap into the cellular memory and facilitate regeneration and detoxification at the cellular level.140 As a magickal gemstone, ocean jasper can help you attune to the seasonal tides of energies—the tides of light and dark and life and death—of the land in your area. I’ve always felt a little disconnected from the traditional lore of the seasons here in my home state of Florida. Vegetation doesn’t die here as it does in other parts of the world, nor is our shift shif t in seasons sea sons marked by the weather patterns found in more northerly regions. Ocean jasper has helped me tap into the local currents of energy that rise and fall. Becoming centered in the
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rhythm of these tides helps us to live and co-create with Mother Earth more consciously. Ocean jasper is grounding, centering, and calming. It can be used in magick to end conflict, whether on a global or a personal level. Use it to soothe arguments, find peaceful resolution in legal disputes, and strengthen the bonds of family and community. Ocean jasper is refreshing, inspiring, and deeply nurturing.
Red Jasper Magickal uses: grounding, strength, invisibility, protection, love, beauty Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Mars; Aries, Leo Goddess archetypes: Mother, Fierce Goddess, Goddess of Love Formation process: sedimentary
Red jasper is found in many locations worldwide, including Brazil, China, Madagascar, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, and countless others, and in a range of shades and patterns. Like other jaspers, it is a form of chalced chalcedony ony.. Its color is derived from a generous amount of hematite (iron oxide). Among crystal lovers today, red jasper is regarded as one of the best stones for grounding and stability. It has a rich history of use throughout the ages. Red jasper was a common talisman in ancient Egypt, where it was occa occasional sionally ly used as a substitute for carnel carnelian ian (ano (another ther chalc chalcededony whose color is derived from hematite). Because of this, there is some overlap in the magickal qualities attributed to these two gems. Red jasper was used for the tyet amulet, a symbolic representation of the goddess Isis, used to confer her blessings of protection, especially during the underworld journeys of the recently deceased. Red jasper was sometimes fas fashione hionedd into the shape of a serpent’s head to ward off snakebite. 141 The serpent imagery may be a vestige of the chthonic aspect of the Great Mother or Earth Mother; the snake regenerates itself by shedding its skin, much the same way that the Earth Mother is renewed through the changing of the seasons. Among the jasper family, red jasper has a prominent Martian influence due in part to its color and iron content. Because of its
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Red jasper is colored colored by traces traces of hematite.
association with the Red Planet, this form of jasper can be used to invoke the warrioress aspect of the Fierce Goddess. Its association with success and power likely derives from the connection to conflict, ambition, and battle via this astrological correspondence. Red jasper is chief among stones used in defensive magick. Many beliefs about the jasper family as a whole center on its protective qualities; in red jasper they reach their zenith. Not only a protective amulet, this stone helps to shield from and return negative energy to its source. It can be added to workings for uncrossing, exorcism, and cursebreaking alongside gems such as emerald to both increase the efficacy
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of the spell and to turn the negative energy back on the sender. When jasp jasper er is more of a brick red rather than a true red, it is sometimes called “mother of all stones.” 142 Red jaspers (and other red stones for that matter) are sometimes ascribed to mother goddesses, as their color is reminiscent of the blood shed during the menstrual cycle. Red jasper is also used for cultivating beauty and grace, 143 a purpose that connects this gemstone to the archetype of the Goddess of Love. Red jasper displays a diverse array of uses in a magickal setting. It can be used for attracting love; it fosters a healthy environment for romance and aids in discernment for finding a trustworthy partner. Red jasper is also used for increasing passion and improving stamina in the bedroom. An old Italian belief holds that this stone could confer invisibility. 144 Use it for protection, power, and confidence. Like all jaspers, red jasper is used in healing hea ling,, as a s it is fortif fortifying ying and enlivening to the physical body.
JE T Magickal uses: protection, curse-breaking, binding, banishing, luck, psychic development, healing, grief, road-opener, rites of passage Elemental signature: earth, spirit Astrological signature: Saturn, Pluto; Capricorn Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Dark Goddess, Crone, Ocean Mother, Triple Goddess Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
Jet is an org organic anic gem, neither cry crystal stalline line nor truly a gemston gemstone. e. It is actually fossilized wood, a form of lignite coal. Jet generates an electrical charge when rubbed, is soft enough to be easily carved, and takes a high polish. This gem is sometimes called “black amber” and “witches’ amber.” It is found in England, France, Germany, Poland, the United States, and several other locations worldwide. Jet is one of the most ancient gemst gemstones ones used by humankind humankind.. Paleolithic burial sites uncovered in Switzerland and Belgium have yielded pendants, beads, and other implements made of jet. Elsewhere in the ancient world, jet, along with amber, has been recovered from
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Jet is sacred sacred to the agricultura agriculturall goddess Cybele. Cybele.
tombs, including several Venus figurines carved in jet—the earliest depictions of the Great Goddess, which may be as much as fifteen thousand years old. These small, figural representations of the female form are tangible links between jet and the Great Goddess in her role as Earth Mother. In later goddess-worshipping cultures, jet maintained its status as a jewel of the Earth Mother. The ancient Greeks dedicated jet to Cybele, who ruled over growth and vegetation, and wore it to obtain her favor. 145 This practice continues to the present, as modern-day witches and worshippers of the Goddess use jet to encourage the growth of their gardens. The Greeks also considered jet sacred to Pan, the woodland god; this may be because jet is derived from ancient wood. This black gem is also favored by the Welsh goddess Dôn, counterpart of the Irish goddess Danu. Both figures are mother goddesses who rule over elemental forces and have connections to the sky, stars, and fairy folk. Jet helps us commune with Mother Nature and can be used for experiencing it beyond the material plane. Other feminine qualities attributed to jet lay coded in its medicinal lore. The Romans used powdered jet to determine a woman’s virginity by adding it to her drinking water. If the woman did not pass the black powder in her urine she was considered chaste and pure. Despite
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the fact that it wouldn’t be possible to attain any other outcome with this test, it points to the intrinsic sanctity of the Divine Feminine in that respect for a woman should not be predicated on her sexual history. Jet was also used by medieval physicians to lessen menstrual pain, restore a period (presumably this means terminating a pregnancy), and inducing labor.146 Jet was often combined with coral to protect young children. 147 Because these attributes represent the feminine mysteries, jet has clearly been connected to the Divine Feminine, even when the Church attempted to erase the Great Goddess from our collective human memory. Jet was espe especia cially lly sacre sacredd to the Ear Earth th Mother in her chthon chthonic ic aspect as the Underworld Goddess, the one who receives us in death. As evidenced by its widespread use in burials, jet has long been associated with death and darkness. In kabbalistic lore, jet is assigned to the sefirot Binah, where its inky color is associated with the role of the Dark Goddess.148 Jet is considered the stone par excellence for grief, and it is a trusted stone for those mourning the loss of their loved ones. Queen Victoria popularized the stone when she began to wear it after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. So strong was its association with mourning that at one time it was only worn by widows and those attending funerals. There is a certain liminal quality to jet, one shared with other black stones such as obsidian, black moonstone, and Lemurian jade. This has led modern-day practitioners and writers to connect jet to Hekate, a goddess of witchcraft. Though there is little hard evidence to support this, I see how the connection fits. Folklore from the Middle Ages records that there was no lock that jet could not open, 149 and keys are one of Hekate’s most prominent symbols. Like Hekate, jet opens the doors to other planes and throws wide the gates to the subconscious realm. Some of the more popular uses for jet in magick include binding, banishing, protection, preventing nightmares, and hex-breaking. Its contra-witchcraft virtues are well-documented through the ages. Burning jet was a remedy for possession and was alleged to make both devils and serpents flee. We are reminded that the chthonic aspects of deities from the old religion were demonized under Christianity, so
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these “devils” may actually be the very same goddesses once petitioned for assistance with jet. Because it is a fossil, jet is naturally a suitable tool for connecting to the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, and some modern sources justify jet’ jet’ss affinity for Hekate by depicting her as such. Regard Regardless, less, jet has come to be associated with the older generation. Widows are generally older in age, and the image of the wizened Crone is today synon ymous with the popular image of the witch. Such figures once led lives on the outskirts of the bustle of everyday society. Occultist and Wiccan D. J. Conway suggests meditating with or wearing jet to come to terms with the ag aging ing process, as well as for forging better relationships with your elders. Jet represents the transition from one phase of life to the next, making it an apt stone for all rites of passage. Since jet is usually found at the shoreline, it is also connected to the Ocean Mother. A peculiar origin legend for this stone states that it was formed at the bottom of the primordial sea and attached itself to the hulls of ships.150 Wives of fishermen in the British Isles burned jet to protect their husbands while they were away at sea. Perhaps these women knowingly or unknowingly were offering jet smoke as an offering to a near-forgotten sea goddess in the hopes that their husbands would have bountiful catches and smooth sailing. Crushed jet can be added to incense blends to petition the favor of oceanic deities; since it is coal, it burns easily. Magickal uses for jet are varied. It can be added to spells for binding, banishing, averting the influence of the evil eye, exorcism, and breaking hexes. Jet has a purifying effect, as it is strongly absorbent. Pass it through the aura after psychic work and spiritual journeys to remove any entities or energies that may have attached themselves. Placed on the altar with white candles, jet can be used to purify and protect the home. Jet is hig highly hly rega regarded rded for protection during travel, and has been since the days of the Roman Empire. Jet can be used to grant relief from both physical and psychological illness. It assuages fear, soothes grief, and is a great remedy for both headache and toothache. Use it to draw luck and as a road-opener (since it cannot be bested by any lock). Jet also helps curry favor and is helpful in legal matters.
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K AMBABA STONE STONE Magickal uses: grounding, healing, attunement to nature, protection, abundance, growth Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Venus; Libra, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Maiden Formation process: igneous
Kambaba stone’s Kambaba stone’s greenish, greenish, earthy appearance appearance suggests that it is deeply attuned to the energy energ y of the natural world.
Kambaba stone is the name given to a variety of rhyolite found exclusively in Madagascar. These stones are occasionally called crocodile jas per,, and are someti per sometimes mes confused with jasper (cryptocrystalline quartz), stromatolite (fossilized blue green algae, a sedimentary rock), and nebula stone (a lightly metamorphosed igneous rock with a different appearance and composition). Kambaba stone is not a form of jasper, however, since it is rhyolitic in composition. Nevertheless it does retain some of the general properties of the jasper family such as its grounding and strengthening effects. Its chief constituents are greenish quartz, dark feldspar,
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cristobalite, and amphibole. The origin of its name is uncertain. Holding kambaba stone offers immediate support and grounding. Its dense, dark appearance is the result of minerals that are rich in grounding and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Crystal expert Judy Hall writes that this stone “goes right to your founda foundations tions,, bringing stability—physically and of purpose.” 151 She calls it a “deeply earthing stone” and advises that its energy will harmonize you with the rhythm of the natural world.152 For this reason it can be surmised that kambaba stone is intimately connected to the energy of the Earth Mother. Kambaba stone, as a formation of igneous rhyolite, can be used to invoke the Maiden of Stone, Ignea, too. The primordial look and feel of this stone evokes the memory of planet Earth in its primitive, youthful state. The vesicular structure of kambaba stone resembles the structure of living cells; though it does not contain the fossilized remains of once-living organisms, it does convey the energy of the ancient earth through its structure. In meditation with this igneous rock, I see glimpses of early life evolving, as well as images of living processes unfolding at the cellular level. Kambaba stone represents the primordial body of Earth-as-Goddess in her still-growing phase. This is the very energ energyy of the Maiden, who is still maturing and develop developing ing,, on her way to becoming the Mother. Melody, author of the beloved Love Is in the Earth series, connects the energy of kambaba stone to the mother goddess Cybele, as well as to the gods and goddesses of Sumeria. 153 She suggests that this rock formation is an ideal resource for pregnancy and childbirth, both of which are the domain of the Great Mother Mother.. The patterns on this stone can be interpreted as womblike structures, thereby enriching this stone with the Mother’ Mother’ss energ energyy. It’s greenish, earthy appearance also sugge suggests sts that this stone is deeply attuned to the energy of the natural world of the Earth Mother. It helps us live within the cycles of natural time and therefore leads us to become more aware children of the Mother. Kambaba can ignite the fires of transformation to help with your own growth. It is a stone that straddles the divide between the Maiden and the Mother, awakening the primordial directive that lies dormant within the cellular c ellular memory of the Maiden. This ancient memory m emory holds
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all the wisdom needed to become the Mother. Kambaba stone can usher in your own development in a similar fashion, stirring ancestral memories stored in your body. It can initiate the process of healing as well as impart goo goodd judgment by helping you trust your instincts. In magick, kambaba stone offers support and attunement to the natural cycles. It has an earthy energy, but with traces of the water element, which fosters the energy of growth and stability in your magickal workings. Use it for abundance, healing healing,, and protection, as well as for synchronizing with the seasonal celebrations of the sabbats and esbats. Meditating with or wearing kambaba stone can also promote a deeper understanding of astrology, as it is an art centered around the cycles of the stars and planets. This stone can be placed on your altar during Beltane (May 1) to symbolize the Great Rite and the marriage of the Divine Feminine with the Divine Masculine—the moment that transforms the Maiden into the Mother. Use it in spells to seek the truth, as it will awaken your latent instincts and help you trust your intuition.
KUNZITE Magickal uses: love, forgiveness, relaxation, joy, peace, household harmony Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Pluto, Venus, Mercury; Libra, Scorpio, Taurus Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Love, Underworld Queen Formation process: igneous
Kunzite is the name given to pink-to-purple spodumene. This mineral was first identified in 1902 and named after American minera mineralog logist ist George Frederick Kunz. Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral, a lithium aluminum silicate. Like other varieties of spodumene, kunzite exhibits a strong pleochroism, an optical phenomenon that causes it to appear in different colors from different angles. Kunzite’s pinkish hue is derived from trace amounts of manganese. It is mined in Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and in California, in San Diego County. Kunzite has become a gemstone emblematic of the New Age. It represents unconditional love, and it helps propel the heart toward union
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Kunzite on a bed of lavender— Kunzite together they invite deep peace into the home.
with the Divine. Kunzite’s color palette, which includes pink, lilac, orchid, and magenta, suggests that this stone spiritualizes love; these colors, which unite pink with violet, represent love and spirituality. We can use this stone as a talisman of unconditional love that eases heartache, initiates deep forgiveness, and invites a serene peace in all matters. The discovery of kunzite seemingly presages the discovery of Pluto, and it has often been assigned to this planet by astrologers and crystal healers alike. Pluto is named after the god of the underworld who took Persephone as his bride. This mythic cycle not only describes the passage passa ge of the seas seasons, ons, it als alsoo represents the growth and maturation process that occurs when we dig deep into our shadow side. Kunzite helps us plumb the depths of our psyche to find hidden opportunities for forgiveness and love. It is the gemstone that prepares the heart center for the spiritual journey that comes with the descent of the goddess Persephone (Kore) into the underworld. By engaging in this work of unconditional love, we can claim our sovereignty, just as Persephone is crowned as Hades’ queen. Kunzite is used in crystal healing to elevate the awareness of love, helping us shift from self-love to Divine love, from limited love
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to unconditional love. Kunzite opens the heart to the experience of authentic joy and liberation, which enables us to embrace the changing times. As a stone of the Divine Feminine, it represents the new facets of the Goddess emerging in today’s world. Since kunzite is a relatively recent discovery, there is no ancient lore or magick related to this stone. Instead, we are invited to connect to it and receive its heart-centered wisdom as we adapt to the ever-evolving world.
LAPIS LAZUL LA ZULII Magickal uses: intuition, sovereignty, vision, truth, wisdom, star magick, meditation, love, fidelity, healing, protection, success in court, courage, self-mastery, rebirth, karmic healing Elemental signature: air, water, spirit Astrological signature: Jupiter, Venus, Saturn; Aquarius, Sagittarius, Capricorn Goddess archetypes: Queen of Heaven, Stellar Goddess, Great Mother, Mistress of Magick, Dark Goddess, the Fates, Goddess of Love Formation process: metamorphic
Lapis lazuli, dubbed “heavenly stone,” is a metamorphic rock predominantly composed of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite, with dozens of accessory minerals in varying amounts. Fine pieces of this gemstone resemble the night sky: swirls of white calcite clouds and nebulae, scattered pyrite stars, and an expanse of blue lazurite. The majority of lapis lazuli on today’s market is found in the Badakhshan Mountains in Afghanistan, although the stone is also found in Pakistan, Chile, and in Colorado in the United States. Lapis lazuli is one of the most precious and revered gemstones of the ancient world. From its resemblance to the celestial sphere it has gathered countless associations with the gods and goddesses of many cultures. Offerings of lapis made to goddesses have been uncovered throughout the Middle East, and lapis is often seen adorning their iconic representations. The royal blue hue of lapis lazuli represents sovereignty and
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Lapis lazuli is one of the the most revered stones stones of the ancient world. world.
stewardship. This may be one of the reasons that it is associated with the planet Jupiter (named for the ruler of the Roman pantheon). Lapis represents the primacy of the eternal Goddess—the Great Mother in all her guises. It is worn to bestow her blessings of health, love, protection, and wisdom. Lapis also confers a Jupiterian sense of mastery and rulership over your life. Wearing lapis brings wisdom and allows you to expand your visionary skills, both in the sense of seeing clearly and in bringing the creative force necessary to be a visionary thinker or artist. Of the many goddesses with which lapis is associated, most are representations of the Mother and the Queen of Heaven archetypes. Lapis lazuli figures into the myths of Isis, Inanna/Ishtar, and other Mother figures. Isis is often seen depicted in lapis carvings, frequently holding the infant Horus. This iconographic display is sometimes referred to as the “throne of Horus”; in later Judeo-Christian lore the throne of Jehova (YHVH) (Y HVH) would be carved car ved from this same celestial gem. Ha Hathor thor,, another goddess associated with motherhood in Egypt, is sometimes referred to as “Mistress of Lapis Lazuli,” 154 though this epithet may be conflated with her association with malachite or turquoise (see the entries for both in this chapter). As a stone of truth, lapis lazuli is connected to the Egyptian goddess Ma’at. Judges and other administrators of justice in Egypt would wear
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a lapis lazuli pendant carved with the likeness of Ma’at on a golden chain.155 Lapis would later be associated with the Roman personification of justice, the goddess Iustitia (or Justicia, “Lady Justice”). These goddesses are embodiments of divine law, and working with them— such as by wearing, carrying, or meditating with lapis—can inspire us to uphold the cosmic principle of divine law in our own lives, imparting a sense of egalitarian fairness and a desire to seek the truth. In Sumerian and Babylonian mythology the mythic cycle of the descent of Innana/Ishtar* into the underworld is rich with lapis lazuli symbolism. In these myths, Innana is the proud owner of a finely wrought lapis lazuli necklace. It was given to her by Anu, a sky god g od and punisher of the wicked. After the Great Flood of Sumerian mythos, Innana lifts her necklace skyward as a symbol of what has transpired and intones, “O ye gods here present, by the lapis lazuli round my neck I shall remember these days as I remember the jewels of my throat; these last days I shall not forget.” 156 This myth is the likely source for the later biblical account of the Great Flood, in which the rainbow is analogous to Ishtar’s necklace of lapis lazuli. In the myth of Inanna, this Great Mother figure is tasked with descending to the underworld after the death of her consort in order to meet Ereshkigal, Inanna’s older sister and the Underworld Goddess. Ereshkigal is described as sleeping in a palace of lapis lazuli (sometimes beneath a mountain of the heavenly stone); she “ruled the wilderness at the world’s end, surrounded by rainbow gardens.” 157 Ereshkigal’s palace of lapis is surrounded by seven gates (also presumably made of lapis), and to pass through each traveler must leave behind an article of clothing. Passing through each of these gates, Inanna must leave behind a garment, until all that remains is her beloved necklace of lapis lazuli, which she must lay down in order to pass beyond the seventh and an d final gate. Once there, she stands naked before her sister. The sacrifice of her precious jewel jewelss is part of her other otherworldly worldly journey. Those who make the journey to the underworld must divest themselves of all links to *Inanna was the ancient Sumerian goddess of love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility, war, combat, justice, and political power. She was later worshipped by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians under the name Ishtar.
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worldly living living;; by giving up her lapis necklace, Inan Inanna na is willing to surrender her sovereignty to the Underworld Goddess. Here, lapis lazuli connects to both the bright and the dark aspects of the Great Goddess. Though described as sisters, Innana and Ereshkigal are really two sides of the same coin, linked by their lapisladen imagery. Innana occupies the roles of Great Mother, Queen of Heaven, and Lunar Goddess. In the myth of Inanna, the descent to the underworld to meet Ereshkigal echoes the widespread ancient belief that the moon (and sun, for that matter) journeyed through the land of the dead to be regenerated after its trek across the sky. Innana oversees the moon’s journey through her celestial realm, replete with its starry backdrop; Ereshkigal’s lapis lazuli palace, with its pyrite “stars” and calcite “clouds,” mirrors the skyward journey of the lunar orb during its underworld mission. Since lapis lazuli is both Innana’s offering and Ereshkigal’s sanctum, we can use this stone to facil facilitate itate contact with these deities and their corresponding archetypal currents. Lapis lazuli is a stone of regeneration and resurrection, enabling us to reinvent and rebirth ourselves; it is the midwife of the shaman’s rebirth, granting safe passage through the liminal zones of nonordinary reality. Another Sumerian goddess, Sîr, is connected to lapis lazuli in the mythological record. Sîr is the goddess of beer, a beverage referred to as the “drink of the mountains” by the Sumerian people. 158 Perhaps the mountainous moniker for this fermented beverage is derived from the symbolism of being brewed in a lapis cauldron, the rough stone of which would have been mined high in the mountains of Sumeria (modern-day southern Iraq). The lapis cauldron symbolizes the alchemical process of fermentation, thus connecting both Sîr and her gemstone with the Mistress of Magick archetype. Lapis lazuli is also considered sacred to the goddesses Aphrodite and Venus. V enus. Apart from the oft-cited astrological correspondence between lapis and the planet of love, this gemstone exhibits several traits associated with the Goddess of Love. The Egyptians used ultramarine pigment derived from crushed lapis as a cosmetic, and in the Middle Ages lapis lazuli was used to enhance beauty, as it “guaranteed an abundance of
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curly hair.”159 It is used in spells for love, fidelity, and trust. Lapis lazuli also harmonizes the heart and mind, enabling them to work together as a unified force by quelling any opposition between them. The most obvious symbolism of lapis lazuli comes from its sidereal appearance. Gazing into a piece of fine lapis evokes the same feeling as staring into the expanse of space, thus it is the stone par excellence for tapping into the archetype of the Stellar Goddess. Naturally, lapis lazuli is associated with the Egyptian goddess Nuit, whose iconogra phy depicts her nude, revea revealing ling her ultramar ultramarine ine skin bed bedecked ecked with golden stars. This connection to the Stellar Goddess goes beyond Nuit, though. Ereshkigal shares some celestial traits with other star goddesses despite her home in the underworld; she is sometimes referred to as “Star of Lamentation.” 160 In lapis’s associations with Aphrodite and Venus, V enus, we find yet another stellar correspondence, as the planet Venus is called both Morning Star and Evening Star. Thus, goddesses associated with Venus are in their own rights stellar figures. Occultist David Rankine calls lapis lazuli the stone of the “Cosmic Goddess,”161 describing it as a stone of great magickal power. Use this heavenly gem in rituals to connect with Nuit or any other Stellar Goddess figure. It is ideal as an offering made to her, or it can be worn in ritual to deepen your connection to her. Crystal therapists Jorg Nagler and Andreas Guhr go so far as to connect lapis lazuli with the theme of fate and destiny, “as stars are believed to guide human fate.” 162 Surely the art and science of astrology and astronomy are closely connected to the domain of the Stellar Goddess, and lapis lazuli facilitates the study of these disciplines. Even in Christianity lapis lazuli has been connected to the Divine Feminine. It was said to represent the purity and chastity of the Virgin Mary,163 and ultramarine pigment derived from this stone was frequently used to paint her robes in depictions of this Mother figure. In these paintings Mary is often seen holding the Christ child in her lap, an image reminiscent of Isis in her role as “Throne of Horus.” Near my home in central Florida there is a Catholic shrine devoted to Mary as Queen of the Universe; one of the chapels has stained-glass windows of deep ultramarine blue decorated with stars and galactic swirls.
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Whenever I visit, the lig light ht pouring through this room reminds me of lapis lazuli, and I feel the presence of the Stellar Goddess as embodied in Mother Mary. Lapis lazuli may be one of the most sacred stones of the Divine Feminine. It has gathered many magickal uses over the thousands of years of its use, including protection, healing healing,, vision, love, fidelit fidelityy, joy, and courage. From its connection to the goddesses Maat and Iustitia (or Justicia), lapis lazuli can be employed in workings related to justice and truth; use it for legal assistance and for winning court cases—just be sure that the truth is on your side! In women, lapis lazuli is a healer appropriate for our times. Its regal color inspires courage, sovereignty, and right use of will in both women and men. For women in par particul ticular ar it helps them compe compete te in any male-dominated workforce. This stone is also a gentle and effective healing stone for conditions associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and sexuality. Several sources list it as an important tool in recovering from sexual abuse, harassment, rape, and incest, and I have found it helpful for all people in such instances, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Lapis lazuli is a powerful magickal talisman. It enhances and sup ports all ritual endeavors and helps to train the mind. Lapis is one of the premier stones of mental mastery, and it facilitates the attainment of altered states of consciousness. Use it to increase psychic awareness and enhance intuition, as well as for promoting deeper and more insightful meditation. Lapis lazuli increases your ability to focus and decreases the background chatter in the mind. Lapis has long been fashioned into eye-shaped talismans and amulets as a result of its association with clear vision. The ultramarine eye shadow of the Egyptians may have even enhanced their spiritual sight. Wearing W earing or working with lapis can prepare you for deep, shamanic work. It is an excellent stone to wear prior to or during rites of initiation and transformation. Lapis has many powerful gifts for humankind; we can use it to rebirth rebir th ourselves and to rebirth the Divine Femini Feminine ne to usher in a new chapter of planetary healing and growth.
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LARIMAR Magickal uses: peace, emotional healing, cleansing, confidence, communication, attuning to the Goddess Elemental signature: water, fire Astrological signature: Moon, Neptune; Cancer, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Ocean Mother Formation process: igneous
Larimar is a rare form of blue pectolite, a silicate mineral found in pectolite derives igneous rocks in the Dominican Republic. The name pectolite from the Greek, meaning “compact stone,” referring to the compact, needlelike fibers in which its crystals form. Larimar is is a compound of the name of the discoverer’s daughter, Larissa, and the Spanish word for sea, mar. The color ranges from white to soft blue and bluish green like the Caribbean, where it is found exclusively. The bluish hues are due to copper substituting for calcium in pectolite’s composition. Larimar was called “blue stone” by the native people of the Dominican Republic. It was found in 1974 along the coast, where it had washed out of its mountainous source by a river and formed an alluvial deposit along the shore. The indigenous people believed that this stone was a gift of the sea. For this reason it has a longstanding connection to the archetype of the Ocean Mother. Wheneverr I reflect on larimar I feel the overwhelming presen Wheneve presence ce of Yemayá, the supernal Mother of the Yoruba pantheon. Ruler of the sea, she is beloved among the people of the Caribbean. Yemayá’s primary colors are blue and white, which constitute the main color scheme of this tropical gemstone. This deity is a charismatic force of nature; she is beautiful, motherly, wise, and a talented magick-maker and healer. Yemayá is also the mother of the Yoruba pantheon, and though married in some tellings, she is frequently described as independent. Larimar can similarly help us find this same balance of tender love and fiery self-confidence. Robert Simmons, writer on metaphysical subjects and founder of the annual Crystal Conference, describes this Caribbean beauty: “As a stone which connects one to the Goddess energies of Sea and Sky Sky,, Larimar
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Larimar joins the symbols symbols of Yemayá Yemayá on this simple simple altar. altar.
helps women who wear or use it to awaken to the Divine Feminine within. withi n. It emanates emanates vivaciousne vivaciousness ss and good hum humor or,, accompanied by confidence and a sense of one’s innate power. It helps women call upon the goddess within, in order to fully manifest their highest purpose in life.” 164 Owing to its oceanic color and volcanic birth, larimar is perhaps the best mediator between the energies of water and fire. For this reason it is one of the preeminent stones for cooling anger, unwinding tension, and settling an overactive or worried mind. Larimar reminds us that all situations eventually change, just as the ebb and flow of the tides. Rather than get worked up over stressful situations, this gemstone asks us to simply allow life to flow. In doing so we will feel more
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relaxed and peaceful, as if we are cradled in the arms of the ocean. Because larimar is an igneous rock it can be used to facilitate contact with Ignea, the Maiden of Stone. Larimar embodies the carefree and capricious beauty of the Maiden, all the while bringing whimsy and happiness wherever it is placed. In magick, larimar helps you refrain from overthinking the outcome of your workings. Magick follows the path of least resistance, just like water flowing downhill. One of the downfalls of many a witch or occultist is needlessly worrying about how a spell or ritual will turn out. Larimar puts your mind at ease and helps release any attachment to outcomes. It allows you to take a step back so that you aren’t impeding the energy of your spells. This gem also helps you avoid unnecessary manipulation of people and events. Larimar allows you to let go and allow the magick to run its course. Larimar stimulates the actions of cleansing and release. It can be made into a crystal elixir (via indirect methods, due to its copper content and crystal structure), which can be used to cleanse yourself or your space before ritual. Larimar can be place placedd on your altar to represent the element of water, and wearing it can help you cultivate a relationship with Yemayá. Larimar is a stone par excellence for communication. It facilitates sincere expression and reopens closed lines of communication. Holding it in meditation or wearing it during ritual can facilitate contact with the gods and spirits, as it evokes your genuine desire to connect with these spiritual powers. Larimar is a versatile healing stone that offers its loving support to magickal workings. Call on its aid when you need motherly, nurturing energy or when you seek attunement to the energy of the Goddess herself.
LEPIDOLITE Magickal uses: peace, healing, love, intuition, sleep, luck, protection Elemental signature: water, air Astrological signature: Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus; Aquarius, Pisces Goddess archetype: Crone Formation process: igneous
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Lepidolite is a popular popular stone for emotional balance.
A member of the mica group, lepidolite is found as grainy masses, botryoidal formations, and as platy stacks of crystals in a classical mica formation. Its color ranges from silvery, pink, lilac, and purple, to the rarer forms of golden, yellow, and lime green. It is rich in lithium and rubidium, which serve as the source of its pink to purple colors. Largely due to its lithium content, lepidolite is extremely soothing to the emotions. It can calm anger, worry, and tension; it is one the most frequently recommended stones for anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. It is considered a stone of peace, as it invites serenity wherever it is kept. I love l ove to sleep with a small piece of polished p olished lepido lepido-lite beneath my pillow, as it makes for a more restful night of sleep, with fewer instances of bad dreams and nightmares. Years ago, a friend called lepidolite “the grandmother stone,” and this nickname has stuck. Its energy is soft, feminine, and loving, evoking the gentle, grandmotherly aspect of the Crone. This stone confers a certain amount of poise and grace, and it feels exceedingly wise at the same time. It reminds me of a tribal elder, a respected grandmother who has learned the secrets to happiness from a long and occasiona occasionally lly difficult life. She imparts her wisdom to the younger generations, hop-
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ing that they will grow into well-adjusted adults who will perpetuate that wisdom for years to come. Lepidolite also represents the state of surrender. When your life becomes turbulent, this stone helps you respond with grace, teaching you when to accept what cannot be changed inste instead ad of trying to swim upstream. As a form of mica, lepidolite teaches the lesson of flexibility, showing you how to bend without breaking. Lepidolite is a soothing balm during times of transition, upheaval, and emotional turmoil. Its energy is like a comforting hug from your grandmother that soothes all troubles. Because this gemstone links to the energy of the Crone, it can facilitate psychic development. It is especially helpful for revealing answers through your dreams. It also helps you achieve the meditative state, first by releasing tension, and then by elevating your consciousness and opening the door to the spiritual plane. In meditation, lepidolite can provide wise couns counsel el from the Cro Crone ne as well as remin remindd you to hand your problems over to her so that she can take care of them on your behalf. Lepidolite can be used for luck and protection, as it invites the blessings of the Goddess in her form as the grandmother. Carrying or wearing it is gently protective, and it can also be used to attract love. Lepidolite can be especially helpful for those who have difficulty connecting to the Crone or to the darker aspects of the Goddess, for it will reveal that her fierceness is the product of her love and wisdom.
MALACHITE Magickal uses: love, healing, regeneration, success, power, protection, leadership, fertility Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Venus, Sun; Taurus, Libra, Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Solar Goddess, Goddess of Love, Earth Mother, Queen of Heaven, Mother Goddess Formation process: sedimentary
Malachite is a green carbonate of copper that forms via secondary processes in the oxidation zone of copper deposits. It often forms banded
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masses, tabular or bladed crystals, and fibrous formations with a vel vety luster. Closely related to azurite, malach malachite ite often grows in close proximity to its indigoindig o-colored colored sister, and the one can replace the other psuedomorphi orphism. sm. Malachite is mined today through a process called psuedom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Mexico, and the American Southwest. It was once the primary source of copper ore in the ancient world and was mined prolifically in the Ural Mountains of Russia, the British Isles, and Israel. Malachite, as an ore of copper, is one of the primary stones associated with the planet Venus. It is thus associated with goddesses of many cultures, such as archetypes of the Goddess of Love, the Great Mother, and the Earth Mother. Legends surrounding malachite purport that it was once used for protection during travel and for ensuring the safety of children, and kabbalistic tradition asserts that it is helpful during pregnancyy and childbir pregnanc childbirth—all th—all of which are the domain of the Mother Rosariu rius,s, an anonymous fourteenth-century manuscript Goddess. Rosa from the Dominican order, attributes malachite to the Virgin Mary, thus extending this gem’s connection to the Divine Feminine in the Christian era.165 The soothing shades of green that characterize malachite frequently connect it to the earth in myth and lore. The name of this gemstone is derived from the Greek word malache, meaning “mallow,” for its verdant shades were likened to that of the mallow plant. It is a gently grounding stone with a soothing effect on the physical body. As its green color betokens the body of Mother Earth, malachite can be employed on our own earthly vessels, and it is especially helpful for healing. Malachite draws out illness and teases out pain from the body and the spirit. Traditional cures utilize malachite for the healing of open wounds, stopping blood, warding off infectious disease, strengthening the digestive system, and easing menstrual pain. Among inhabitants of the Ural Mountains in Russia, malachite was dedicate dedicatedd to the Mistress of the Copper Mountain in Slavic folk tradition, a “personification of Venus whose rather ambiguous favors brought either bad or good luck to the malachite miners” of the region.166 Though associated with Venus as the Goddess of Love, this
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A malachite sphere is the the perfect symbol of the Mother Mother Goddess.
mountain mother was probably a holdover of the Earth Mother from pre-Christian preChristian folk tradition traditions. s. Malachi Malachite te was her holy stone, and the folklore of this region purports that in some cases taking the stone brought bad luck, whereas in other times it granted good fortune.
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Most likely those miners who treated the abode of the Mistress of the Copper Mountain with respect were able to receive her gifts with grace, whereas those who acted otherwise were punished for their mistakes. Malachite was commonly used in Egypt. Its most frequent use was as a pigment that adorned the walls of temples and embellished papyri and statues alike. Powdered malachite was also employed as a pigment for cosmetics, usually used around the eyes. This has led modern-day occultists to associate malachite with clear vision,* and it is sometimes used to improve visualization skills and support clairvoyance. To the ancient Egyptians, the color green symbolized renewal, and malachite was used to paint scenes of the afterlife, wherein the soul is reborn in paradise. parad ise. This celestia celestiall link may have also afforde affordedd malachi malachite te its protective influence. It was thought that malachite, when engraved with the sun, would confer “powerful protection against enchantments, evil spirits, and venomous creatures.” 167 This use hints at the solar energy imbued within this striking green gem. In Egypt, the sun was viewed as both masculine and feminine. Malachite, for its coppery nature, embodies the female aspect of the sun-as-deity, thus it is sacred to the Egyptian solar goddess Hathor. Stephanie Woodfield, a practicing witch and Celtic priestess, writes, “Hathor was also called the Lady of the Malachite, acting as a patroness of those who mined for the semi-precious stones and also referring to her role as a goddess of beauty, as malachite was ground up and mixed with makeup that was worn around the eyes eyes.. Although this probably says more about her role as a goddess of beauty, it is interesting that the stone she is connected to was used in connection with the eyes.” 168 The myths of sun goddesses are often peppered with images of eyes and light. Malachite, when polished, frequently reveals concentric bands reminiscent of eyes. This may account for part of this stone’s solar symbolism. Malachite was also used to avert the evil eye through acts of sympathetic magick—like fighting fire with fire. Because of *Many green gemstones, notably emerald, have been connected to the eyes and vision smaragagthroughout the ages. Appropriately, at one point malachite may have been called smar dos, meaning “green,” alongside many other green stones. Smaragdos is the root of the word emerald, which emerald, which may account for conflating the properties of emerald and malachite.
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malachite’s eyelike patterns it has also been connected with the goddess Juno. As the wife of Jupiter, Juno was the matriarch of the pantheon. Sacred to this goddess is the peacock, a bird with emerald-hued plumage and countless eye patterns on its tail feathers. Thus malachite became her stone, as it represents her favorite animal. Use malachite to invoke Juno for matters related to childbirth, fertility, motherhood, and protection. Juno also preserves the dynamic and more stereotypically masculine themes of leadership, politics, and power; malachite thus enables you to embody the full spectrum of Juno’s rulership. In magickal workings, malachite can be used for the Venusian aims of love, romance, fidelity, and peace. Added to love sachets it harmonizes polar energies, helping to bring peace and balance in relationships. When used in meditation or ritual it helps to reclaim lost power and reestablish the primacy of the Great Goddess today. In Western occult traditions malachite is the stone of the vernal equinox, known as Ostara to many modern witches and pagans, and it can be used to evoke the springtide goddess during ritual observance of this holy day. Malachite is both nurturing and protective; it has a fiery quality that illumines workings to uncover the source of negative energy or crossed circumstances in your life. Wearing malachite can deflect the energy of negative magick, while meditating on this green stone can help reveal the source of this magick. The lore of this stone states that to warn of impending calamity, malachite will break into pieces. Although most broken stones are merely the result of mundane events, the energy of this stone can help you pick up on challenging events intuitively. It is most adept at protecting children and their mothers because of its connection to the Great Mother. Because of its green color, malachite is frequently used to attract wealth and promo promote te succes successs in busin business ess endea endeavors. vors. Scott Cu Cunnin nningham gham considers it the “salesperson’s stone,” and he recommends placing it in the corners of your place of business or even keeping it in the cash register to ensure a steady flow of income by drawing in customers. 169 The copper content in this stone also lends itself to the financial aspects of malachite’s modern-day crystal lore, for many coins worldwide are made of this metal. Copper also facilitates connection, as described in its entry in this chapter.
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Malachite is a versatile tool of healing and magick. It aligns the conscious and unconscious to enhance the right use of will, which makes it a potent catalyst of manifestation. Malachite can sharpen your focus and help you channel power into your workings, thereby empowering any magickal working in which it is employed. Keep it on your altar to promote success in all your spiritual endeavors.
MOONSTONE Magickal uses: psychic development, protection, safe travel, love, youth, sleep, astral projection, emotional balance, glamourie Elemental signature: water (varies by type) Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer (varies by type) Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Triple Goddess Formation process: igneous
Moonstone is a long-revered magickal gemstone whose name is derived from its lunar appearance. Moonstone comes in several varieties, all of which are members of the feldspar group. Most moonstone is adularia (a variety of orthoclase feldspar), while rainbow moonstone is actually oligoclase (in the plagioclase feldspar group). Each variety has a some what variabl variablee compos composition, ition, as feldsp feldspars ars are groups of close closely ly relate relatedd mineral species whose compositions vary only slightly. Adularian moonstone can be white, pinkish, gray, black, brown, yellow, or peach; the finest examples of adularia are transparent and exhibit a bluish sheen. Rainbow moonstone has a white background with a multicolor sheen. These varieties of moonstone are listed below this general entry for the mineral. Notable deposits of moonstone are located in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, India, Brazil, Madagascar, Australia, Switzerland, and the United States. Moonstone is best known for its optical phenomena, chiefly its schiller (German for “twinkle”), the milky glow that appears below the surface of a polished stone. This shimmer or flash is thought to resemble moonlight reflecting on the surface of water, thus accounting for moonstone’s name. This effect, termed adularescence in moonstone (or labradorescence in rainbow moonstone) is the result of lamellae—layers
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Moonstonee is commonly Moonston commonly available available in various shades. shades.
of the mineral’s crystal structure bonded or laminated together—with minor variations in chemical makeup affecting the refractive indices of these minerals; as light passes through the stone, it is bounced off of the separate layers in the crystal structure. The characteristic glow of moonstone is not unlike that of the moon itself. Optically, the moon produces no light of its own; rather, it reflects the light of the sun. However, from the spiritual perspective, the moon not only reflects the sun’s light, it enhances it. As sunlight is transformed into moonlight, it softens and grows silvery. Like the luminary from which its name is derived, moonstone produces no light of its own accord. Its twinkle is only witnessed in the presence of light from an external source. Also, like the moon, this gemstone takes ordinary light and makes it extraordinary. The shimmering radiance that emerges from the depths of moonstone can appear silvery, golden, or bluish depending on the stone’s makeup. In this way, moonstone undertakes an act of high magick—the alchemy of light itself.
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Moonstone has been employed for ornamental and magickal uses for at least four thousand years. Much of the lore surrounding this stone connects it to the moon and to lunar goddesses. There are beliefs recorded in medieval lapidary texts about the schiller in these gemstones waxing and waning with the moon itself. Some cultures believed that moonstone is congealed moonlight, while others believed that certain lunar events would cause the ocean’s tides to carry this stone to shore. Because of these associations, moonstone is inextricably linked to the rhythm and cycles of life itself. Just as the moon has its own cycle, so too does all of nature. Moonstone helps us live within the divine timing of the natural world and therefore helps us become closer to the Great Goddess in all her forms, for she is the embodiment and personification of the natural order of the universe. Traditional lore about moonstone often connects it to fluid retention, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy; each of these is the domain of the moon in medical astrology. Moonstone is thus worn to promote health and well-being during pregnancy, as well as to alleviate discomfort associated with menstruation. This lunar gemstone is associated with the feminine mystery of transformation and creating life. Since human memory, the power to bring new life into the world has been assigned to the domain of the Great Mother, thus making moonstone one of her chief gems. It is especially sacred to such moon goddesses as Diana, Artemis, Selene, Luna, Hekate, and others. Moonstone is often worn by modern-day witches and occultists to help h elp attune to the moon mo on and lend its strength and sensitivity to moon magick. The energy of the moon rules divination, prophecy, and dreams, and moonstone is adept at facilitating these skills. It was long thought to protect against deception by helping its bearer find the hidden truth. Wearing W earing moonstone can heighten your psychic sensitivity and enhance your divi divinator natoryy metho methods, ds, wheth whether er by cla clair irvoyan voyance, ce, cr crysta ystal-g l-gaz azing ing,, tarot, or other means. Meditating with moonstone can improve your visualization and part the veil betwe between en the worlds, thereby facilitating astral travel. Wearing this gem to bed or placing it under the pillow can improve sleep and intensify your dreams. Moonstone of all varieties is considered a protective gem. Just as
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the Mother Goddess watches over her children, moonstone is said to provide guida guidance nce and security to anyone who wears it. This gemstone was once known as the “traveler’ “traveler’ss stone” because it has been used for safe passage; since the moon travels through the twelve houses of the zodiac, its gemstone emissary was believed to confer protection when its wearer left home. And since the moon is ascribed to the element of water in astrolog astrologyy, moonstone is considered most effective for protection during travel across water. Moonstone is the stone most commonly associated with the Goddess in all her guises. As it helps to balance feminine energies, women may find it to be a very empowering gemstone. Men, too, can enjoy its benefits, for moonstone will help them tap into their inner feminine and help erode the social conditioning that leads to toxic masculinity. Moonstone can help you draw strength from your emotions, as well as find forgiveness for yourself and for others. Wearing or carrying moonstone can be nourishing to your emotional well-being and can magnify buried emotions and diminish overemotional states. The watery elemental correspondence helps to release blockages and facilitates sincere communication. In magickal workings, moonstone can be added to pouches and amulets for protective purposes. It can also be stored with tarot decks, oracle cards, pendulums, and other methods of divination to enhance their efficacy. Moonstone can be made into a water- or oil-based essence to attract love and enhance beauty, as well as for attuning to the Goddess.
Black Moonstone Magickal uses: protection, psychic development, exploring the mysteries, shadow work, healing, glamourie Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Moon, Saturn, Pluto; Cancer, Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Crone, Dark Mother, Lunar Goddess Formation process: igneous
Black moonstone is a variety of adularia, and its color ranges from gray to black. This has rapidly become my favorite variety of moonstone.
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Black moonstone is my my favorite favorite stone for connecting connecting to Hekate, Hekate, who rules magick and witchcraft.
These darkest members of the moonstone family are usually associated with the waning and new moon moon;; according accordingly ly,, they are also connected to the Crone archetype, like the Cailleach, and to other dark goddesses such as Hekate. Black moonstone improves your intuition and offers profound protection. This gemstone is mostly mined in Brazil, Madagascar, and India, though other deposits exist worldwide. Within the heart of this gem there is a profound stillness and wisdom; meditate with it whenever you find yourself needing counsel or guidance. Black moonstone helps you plumb the depths of your psyche to find stale patterns in need of release. The darker the moonstone, the more it focuses on the action of letting go. These gemstones can act as windows to the subconscious mind, helping you see the underpinnings of a specific belief or emotional pattern. Black moonstone partners well with peach moonstone to help expose and release the energies no longer serving you. This stone’s inky-black depths and prismatic fractures reach across its natural cleavage planes. These imperfections create a stark con-
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trast between the dark background color and the resplendence of its rainbow-colored iridescence. Because moonstone emphasizes the natural cycles and rhythms of life, black moonstone reminds us that the winding-down windin g-down and wanin waningg phases of life prepa prepare re us for new beginni beginnings. ngs. If we lose sight of the bigger pattern we can get bogged down by the minutia of endings. To me, black moonstone, with its iridescent fractures, seems to be reminding us that even in the darkest moments we must maintain hope, because there is always the promise of a fresh start— sometimes we just need a dark phase to find respite and regeneration. Though black moonstone represents the dark of the moon and the energy of the waning moon, the gray variety is the stone of the new moon.170 It helps to magnify your intention to call forth what you seek from the cosmic void, so that you can build your magick and manifestation with the growth of the moon. Use gray moonstone as an adjunct to your manifestation spells and during new moon rituals. Black and gray moonstone are both tools of glamourie, the magickal art of changing how your appearance is perceived. Empower one of these stones in your sacred space for the glamourie of your choosing—they are most adept at either appearing more imposing or for going unnoticed. Carry this moonstone with you wrapped in cloth or tied in a pouch to prevent preve nt it from being seen or touched by anyone else. A pendant of black moonstone is a powerful protective charm. It can envelop your energy field in the cloak of the Crone, who will guide you and protect you from harm. Its energ energyy can avert discordant energies sent your way, intentionally or not, as well as rebound them to the sender. The influence of this stone is helpful for rites of banishing, binding, and uncrossing, and an essence of black moonstone can be used to undo curses, jinxes, and other forms of negative magick.
Peach Moonstone Magickal uses: love, beauty, youthfulness, emotional balance, devotion, reassurance, healing for children, self-esteem, sexuality Elemental signature: water, fire Astrological signature: Moon Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Moon Goddess Formation process: igneous
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This peach moonstone exhibits e xhibits faint chatoyance.
Peach moonstone is a form of adularia with a peach, yellow, or orangey color. Fine specimens will be transparent and can exhibit either a schiller or a cat’s-eye effect, while opaque formations have a sparkling aventurescence. Peach moonstone is also called “apricot moonstone.” It is most frequently mined in India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. Peach moonstone has a soft, gentle presence. Its energy is reassuring and nourishing, especially to the heart and the emotional body of the aura. Using this gemstone can alleviate tension and worry, and it helps to sort out beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that are unsupportive of growth and healing. This variety of moonstone in particular is among the best stones for children, being especially helpful for intuitive and sensitive children. 171 This affinity for young people in part derives from peach moonstone’ moonstone’ss correspondence to the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess; Brigid especially resonates with peach moonstone, with its dual element of water and fire. There is a certain energy of hope, a promise of newness and growth that is fostered by peach moonstone. Like the Maiden, peach moonstone has the brightness of a new day dawning. It helps us become more dedicated to our path, practicing sincere devotion. It can be a gentle reminder for spiritual dedicants embarking on a new path,
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helping them to stay committed to daily practice. This gemstone can help plant the seeds of practice that can be reaped for years to come. Of all the members of the moonstone family, peach moonstone is perhaps the only variety to have a touch of fiery and seductive energ energyy. It allows beauty and sensuality to blossom naturally, increasing selfesteem and positive self-image. It can free you of your fears and nudge you toward new ground. Peach moonstone is a useful addition to love spells, as it can quietly bolster your courage to break out and seek new romance. Use peach moonstone to attune to the waxing cycle of the moon or for more general lunar workings.
Rainbow Moonstone Magickal uses: love, protection, joy, emotional release, intuition, strengthening magickal workings Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Mother, Moon Goddess Formation process: igneous
Unlike the other members of the moonstone family, rainbow moonstone belongs to a different class of feldspar. Its name was coined in the 1980s to differentiate between the more common adularia, and it is closely related to labradorite (although contrary to popular belief, rainbow moonstone is not precisely the same, as its composition varies slightly from that of labradorite). Rainbow moonstone’s schiller is generally much brighter than that of its adularian counterparts, consisting of any combination of white, yellow, pink, orange, and purple flashes that stand out against its white background color. Rainbow moonstone is mined in India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Canada, Russia, Myanmar, Mexico, and the United States. Rainbow moonstone is generally considered to have a more refined energy than that of other moonstones. Its resplendent schiller outshines that of most varieties, hinting at the magickal prowess this stone possesses. This level of refinement conveys the energy of the Great Mother, and the brilliance of this stone is surely reminiscent of the full moon. Thus rainbow moonstone is the high priestess of the moonstone clan,
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Raw and polished rainbow rainbow moonstone moonstone
serving as the magickal intermediary between heaven and earth, human and mineral. It is one of the most beloved gemstones among witches, often sported during ritual and spellcraft, as it enhances the efficacy and finesse of your workings. With all its brilliance, rainbow moonstone bestows joy and peace whereverr it is found. Like all moonston whereve moonstones, es, the rainbow variety encour encour-ages emotional balance and is especially effective at releasing stale feelings from your psyche. It also strengthens and tones the etheric body, the layer of the aura that is densest and lies closest to the physical body. It has a rejuvenating effect on the etheric body, which in turn strengthens and heals physical tissue. Rainbow moonstone can promote a youthful appearance and overall well-being, which links the stone to the Maiden. Rainbow moonstone’s effect on the aura as a whole is rather protective and nurturing. As it nurtures the etheric body, it brings light and movement to the rest of the energy field. This strengthens the integrity of the aura, the light body, so that you are better able to resist unwanted energies from your environs. As your aura becomes more resilient, you are able to filter out negative energies, harmful thoughts, and even nonphysical entities directed toward you. Use rainbow moonstone to enhance divinatory pursuits such as tarot, mediumship, crystal-gazing, and other methods. It opens the
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third eye chakra and facilitates communication of impressions gleaned through intuitive means. Rainbow moonstone can be carried, worn, or even placed on the brow in meditation to obtain these benefits. It is also a helpful adjunct to magick for healing, attunement to nature, glamourie, and love. Use it for invoking the Goddess in all her aspects, as it is one of the gemstones most connected to the Divine Feminine.
White Moonstone Magickal uses: love, protection, patience, psychic development Elemental signature: water, air Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer, Libra Goddess archetypes: Mother, Lunar Goddess Formation process: igneous
White moonstone consists of adular adularia, ia, and it can have a white, gray, or bluish schiller. White moonstone connotes purity, peace, and clarity
White moonstone’s moonstone’s schiller is reminiscent of moonlight.
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of vision. A stone of the Mother Goddess, white moonstone resonates with the themes of Isis, Inanna/Ishtar/Astarte, and other facets of the Great Mother. Since it is representative of the full moon, this gemstone can be used for workings appropriate for this lunar phase, including love, protection, attunement to the Divine Feminine, psychic development, healing, dreamwork, and magickal workings in general. White moonstone is found in Sri Lanka Lanka,, Myan Myanmar, mar, Madagascar, Madag ascar, India, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland, and the United States. White moonstone brings patience, for its motherly essence draws on the knowledge and experience of the cycles of life in all moments. It can help you take advantage of auspicious astrological events, making it a great stone for planning your magickal work in accordance with the stars and planets. Wearing white moonstone can help you attune to astrological wisdom and provide greater sensitivity to the moon’s phases and transits through the signs of the zodiac. While most moonstones tend to be soothing and calm calming ing,, white moonstone may occasionally intensify emotions, especially during the full moon. Like other moonstones it is a capable catalyst for psychic development. White moonstone is particularly adept at dreamwork, helping you examine and understand dreams of yourself and others with skill and ease. White moonstone can be used in any of the ways outlined under the general moonstone properties.
NEBULA STONE Magickal uses: astral travel, meditation, learning, inspiration, clairvoyance, personal gnosis Elemental signature: spirit Astrological signature: Pluto; Scorpio, Cancer Goddess archetypes: Stellar Goddess, Great Mother Formation process: metamorphic and igneous
Nebula stone is a lightly metamorphosed rock of igneous origin. Found in the mountains of Mexico, it is chiefly comprised of anorthoclase (potassium-rich feldspar), quartz, epidote, riebeckite, and aegirine. Nebula stone has a black base color with greenish spherules of fibrous epidote. It is a relatively new addition to the crystal market, first
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Nebula Ne bula stone is named for its resemblance resemblance to outer space.
appearing in the late 1990s. Its exact source has been withheld by its discoverers and marketers, who consider that information proprietary. Nebula stone’s unique patterns—specifically the green, circular formations against a black backdrop—are reminiscent of interstellar clouds of dust. Its composition, though at first grounding, helps in reaching outward, to the heavens above. From its cosmic appearance to its consciousness-raising effects, nebula stone rightfully takes its place among the stones of the Stellar Goddess. Use it to open the portal to dreaming, astral journeying, and the mysteries of the Goddess. This gemstone lures us into the unseen territory of the Great Mystery. It helps us embrace the unknown and ineffable, thereby leading us to a deeper relationship with the starry heavens and the queen who rules them. According to crysta crystall expert Judy Hall, nebula stone is capable of taking us “outward into infinity and inward into the smallest particle of being. Ultimately the two become one.” 172 This experience of nonduality establishes the awareness of oneness with Source. Working W orking with nebul nebulaa stone therefore helps you disco discover ver the Stella Stellarr Goddess within yourself, just as you are within her. The spacelike appearance of nebula stone points to the raw, creative potential poten tial of the universe. universe. Like clouds of cosmic dust coalescing into new stars and planets, nebula stone teaches us to harness our own creative potential. Naisha Ahsian writes in The Book of Stones that this stone
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“carries the archetype of the Great Mother. It represents the ancient and primal prim al crea creative tive aspect of the Univer Universe. se. It assists in recove recoverin ringg your power and using it through the process of creation. 173 Naturally this translates to it being a potent mineral ally in your manifestation or ritual practice. Nebula stone supports all manner of spellcraft, as it empowers you to draw on your full potential for effecting change and transformation. One of nebula stone’s gifts is innovation. It helps you break free from limiting beliefs, old programming, and out-of-date or unhealthy habits. Due to its anorthoclase content, nebula stone grants freedom from rigid and orthodox systems, especially those that impede creativity and discovery. 174 It is a catalyst for the rebirth of the Divine Feminine because it can help you shake off the weight of fear and the myopic worldview of the patriarchal structures that have prevailed for the last several thousand years. Nebula stone helps those working for the return of the Great Goddess find the courage needed to blaze new paths, while remaining open to receive inspiration from the Godd Goddess ess herself. It can also assist in matters of injustice, helping to tilt the scales in favor of the oppressed and marginalized people of the world. Nebula stone promotes healing at the cellular level. It is detoxifying, grounding, and enlightening to the physical body. It enhances creativity and grants access to the unseen astral realms. 175 It can facilitate contact with nonphysical beings such as tutelary spirits, fairy folk, ancestral spirits, and and other allies. Use it in spells for justice, social reformation, and for bringing revolutionary ideas to the surface. It sup ports transformation on all levels, and will help you find your infinite well of inspiration and a nd power.
OBSIDIAN Magickal uses: protection, curse-breaking, shadow work, astral travel, psychic development, scrying, astral travel, spirit communication, manifestation Elemental signature: fire, earth Astrological signature: Saturn, Pluto; Capricorn, Scorpio, Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Dark Goddess, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous
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Obsidian’s lack of crystalline Obsidian’s cr ystalline structure represents the cauldron of transformation.
Obsidian is natural volcanic glass, formed as silica-rich lava cools too quickly for crystals to form. It is found worldwide in regions with volcanic activity. Though most obsidian is a stark reflective black, there are instances of reddish stones (mahogany obsidian), obsidian with iridescent inclusions (sheen obsidian and rainbow obsidian), and translucent and transparent varieties of obsidian (Apache tears, green obsidian). Obsidian is one of my favorite subjects. As a natural glass it is an enigmatic substance, neither wholly solid nor remotely crystalline. Born of geological processes yet lacking a crystal structure, obsidian is not a true mineral; instead, it is termed a mineraloid. The earliest cultures to use this dark gemstone exploited its conchoidal (shell-like) fracture— when obsidian breaks, it leaves a sharp edg edge, e, thus this stone has been used since the Paleolithic era for cutting implements like spear points, arrowheads, knives, and scrapers. The deftness of obsidian’s edges confers a certain level of precision to its energy. Since it was used for making tools and weapons, it has an association with death and war; it connects us to the darker and more unrelenting face of the Goddess. It sharpens the essence of the warrior within, and its dark complexion reminds me of the the Dark Mother. It is a vital tool for connecting with godde goddesses sses such as the Morrighan, the Cailleach, and Kali.
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Obsidian is infamous for its reflective properties; as a natural glass it takes a high shine when polished. Obsidian mirrors have been uncovered in Central America and in the Anatolian Peninsula. Other cultures have used obsidian inlay to give a haunting, reflective, lifelike quality to the eyes of statues. Long used for scrying and divination, obsidian is still popular for psychic development today. Spiritually, this propertyy of reflection is essential to uncovering hidden pain, traumas, propert and fears. Obsidian is one of my most beloved stone allies for selfreflection and introspection. It is an honest teacher and guide, one that shows us where to direct our efforts for spiritual growth. Obsidian’s gleaming surface does not reflect in full color; rather, it displays a shadowy image of whatever stands before it. For this reason, obsidian is a catalyst for working with the shadow self and for making shamanic journeys to nonordinary reality. We can use it as both a mirror that reveals the interior landscape of the psyche and as a door way to other realms. Obsidian deepens our connection to the spiritual planes and can be used to contact our nonphysical n onphysical guid guides es and teachers. This volcanic stone is connected to goddesses of fire and creation. Thin, golden-hued fibers of obsidian that form when winds carry away still-molten lava are known as “Pele’s hair,” in reference to the Hawaiian goddess of fire, creation, and volcanoes. Obsidian represents the primal void, the blackness of space, and the cauldron of the Great Goddess. It can be used to transform, create, and heal on many levels. Since it is an igneous stone it is a prime embodiment of Ignea, the Maiden of Stone. Thanks to its igneous birth and noncrystalline structure, obsidian can yield quick results. It releases blockages, whether they are bottled emotions or blocked chakras, sometimes with explosive results. Obsidian thus is a tool for breaking through limitations, obstacles, and setbacks. This stone can be used for rebirthing the Divine Feminine in our culture, as obsidian brings the ferocity of the battle-ready, fearsome goddesses who can push back against restrictive and oppressive institutions that devalue women. Use obsidian for protective magick of all kinds. It can help you shield from outside influences and deflect unwanted or harmful energy. Sharp pieces of obsidian such as natural shards or man-made arrow-
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heads can cut unwanted ties and can be used in spells for banishing, uncrossing, and cleansing. Obsidian is gently grounding and can thus lend power to any ritual or spell. For its associations with the immaterial planes, obsidian is excellent for scrying, developing intuition, and communicating with deceased loved ones and spiritual guides and teachers. It can be used to safely facilitate astral travel (consider partnering it with flint and selenite for this purpose), and for filtering out or banishing entities that may not have your best interests in mind.
Green Obsidian Magickal uses: love, transformation, protection, healing, prosperity Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus; Libra, Taurus Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Love Goddess, Maiden Formation process: igneous
Most obsidian, when sliced thinly and held to the light, will exhibit a greenish or brownish color. However, appreciably rare instances of richly saturated, transparent green obsidian do occur in nature, specifically in Brazil, Mali, and the Middle East. The overwhelming majority of green obsidian sold today is actually man-made glass, which
Green obsidian from Mali
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does not exhibit the spiritual qualities of authentic green obsidian. Unlike dark-colored forms of obsidian, green obsidian exhibits a heart-centered, warm energy. It is markedly gentler and more inviting than its counterparts. Green obsidian opens the heart chakra and helps to protect it from negativity. It is especially helpful for removing energetic cords and tethers from the heart chakra and preventing their reoccurrence.176 The gentle, centering energy of green obsidian allows it to lovingly enjoin your heart to the heart of the Earth Mother; it links the two in perfect harmony and offers attunement to the energy of the planet. Since this stone is clearer and more transparent than most varieties of obsidian, it offers greater light and hope as you work with it. Green obsidian contains fewer metallic elements in its composition than black obsidian; as a result, it is loftier, gentler, and somewhat less grounding. Though it connects to the element of earth, this stone does not have the settling effect that most grounding stones have. It inspires hope by releasing insecurity, and it is one of the premier stones for facilitating spiritual growth and psychic development. Green obsidian’s action of connecting your heart to that of the Earth Mother serves to bring emotional fulfillment, healing, and inner transformation. By attuning to the rhythm of the Earth Mother’s heart, you are able to tap into the flow of infinite abundanc abundancee that courses through creation. Thus this gemstone can facilitate prosperity and is an excellent tool for money-drawing magick. Green obsidian can provide a counterpoint to the energy of the Dark Goddess that other forms of obsidian embody. Meditating with green obsidian can help you connect to the bright aspects of seasonal goddesses such as Persephone and her mother, Demeter. Its igneous origin also connects green obsidian to the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess (despite the inherent association of obsidian with the Dark Goddess and the Crone). It is an excellent means of connecting to Ignea, the Maiden of Stone, and it can be paired with black obsidian to represent Persephone in both her overworld and underworld aspects. Use green obsidian in spellcraft for attracting love, initiating healing and transformation, and for boosting your finances. For those with
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strained relationships with their mothers, this stone can be a soothing balm that promotes healing and understanding. Green obsidian offers many of the same ritual benefits as other forms of obsidian, such as enhanced intuition and protection.
Midnight Lace Obsidian Magickal uses: protection, divination, revealing the truth, meditation, trancework personal gnosis Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Dark Goddess, Goddess of Death, Crone, Mistress of Magick Formation process: igneous
Midnight lace obsidian exhibits fine bands of opaque black and trans parent gray or brown. It is also calle calledd lamellar obsidian, from the Latin lamella, meaning “plate” or “flake,” since it appears to be composed of alternating plates of dark and light glass. Midnight lace obsidian is found mostly in the Caucasus Mountains, near the Black Sea; in the United States there are deposits in Oregon.
Midnight lace obsidian Midnight obsidian displays unusual patterns when back backlit. lit.
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Holding my first piece of midnight lace obsidian led me almost immediately into a trancelike reverie. Turning a thin section of this volcanic gla glass ss in the light (especial (especially ly when backlit) ba cklit) produces a mesmerizing play of light among the bands of light and dark. What at first glance appears to be wide streaks of black obsidian are, in fact, com prised of the finest layers of black obsidia obsidian n with transparent lamell lamellae ae sandwiched between them. Gazing into the space between the opaque layers can induce an altered state of consciousness that leads to deeper meditation and more effective trancework, thereby helping you achieve the mindset necessary for astral travel. The lacey veils of light and dark within this stone remind me of the veil betw between een the worlds. This veil, also referred to as a mist or a hedge, represents the boundary between the world of form and the world of spirit. The origin of this expression lies in the person personificaification of the natural world as the Great Goddess variously known as Isis, Artemis/Diana, and Athena; she is said to have worn a veil or mantle that no mortal had ever lifted. 177 This veil is meant to represent the holy mysteries and the immaterial planes. Midnight lace obsidian, chief among all the obsidians, provides the skills necessary to pierce this otherworldly veil and see the face of the Great Mother. The energy and symbolism of midnight lace obsidian are especially attuned to the Dark Mother and the Goddess of Death. The lacy patterns are like a burial shroud or a mourner’s veil. Meditating with this natural glass can help you learn from these faces of the Goddess via personal gnosis and/or ecstatic union. Using it for ritual, trancework trancework,, or journeying (pathworking) can enable clear contact with your patron deities (especially the aforementioned archetypes) and tutelary spirits. The contrast between light and dark in this stone tempers the usual intensity of obsidian. Rather than bleak honesty and shadow work, midnight lace obsidian has an air of gentleness. It helps you find the quiet strength, resilience, and creativity needed for solving problems. In ritual, midnight lace obsidian can be used to trace the boundary of the circle, which in and of itself is a boundary, or veil, between the worlds.. It is the perfec worlds perfectt stone to use during Samhain or All Hallows Eve celebrations, for these are times when the veil is naturally at its
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thinnest. In spellcraft, midnight lace obsidian can be used like any other variety of obsidian; use it for protection, divination, and rites of binding, cord-cutting, and banishing. More than just a protective stone, midnight lace obsidian can go so far as to provide a cloaking effect via glamourie, preventing your magickal activities and spiritual journeys from being detected by outside influences.
Silver Sheen Obsidian Magickal uses: psychic development, transformation, protection Elemental signature: earth, fire Astrological signature: Moon, Saturn; Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Crone, Lunar Goddess, Underworld Goddess Formation process: igneous
Silver sheen obsidian is recognized by its velvety iridescence, created by tiny inclusions of gas or water or from needlelike inclusions of other minerals. These inclusions exhibit a preferential orientation that allows light to reflect off them only when the stone is held at certain angles. Most silver sheen obsidian comes from Mexico, although it can be found in other locations where obsidian is formed. In addition to
Minute crystals of other other minerals minerals produce the velvety chatoyance of silver sheen obsidian.
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a silver sheen, this variety of obsidian can be found with golden, blue, green, red, brown, or purple sheens. Silver sheen obsidian is connected to the moon; the optics of this stone resemble the waxing and waning moonlight that occurs during the lunar cycle. The attractive iridescence seems to brighten or disap pear alto altogether gether depending on the angl anglee from which it is viewed viewed.. The dual nature of this stone helps us reconcile the dual nature of our existence: life and death, darkness and light, form and formlessness, love and fear. It can also be used for attuning to the rhythm of the lunar tides and for connecting to moon goddesses such as Diana or Selene. As well, silver sheen obsidian is closely linked to Dark Goddess figures like Hekate or the wintry Crone. This stone’s energy is decidedly cooler and more introspective than most obsidians, as it embodies the receptivity of the Divine Feminine. Like all obsidian, this variety can be used for scrying, protection, and other spiritual work. It accelerates psychic development and supports the process of transformation.
OPAL Magickal uses: protection, hope, glamourie, psychic development, transformation, astral travel, dreamwork, beauty, love, fidelity, luck, power Elemental signature: water, spirit Astrological signature: Moon, Neptune, Venus, Mercury; Cancer, Libra, Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Triple Goddess, Goddess of Love Formation process: sedimentary
Opals are not crystals; rather, they are composed of amorphous spherules of silica that contain a relatively high percentage of water. Like obsidian, it is classified as a mineraloid. There are three basic types of opal: precious opal, fire opal, and common opal. Gem-quality stones with brilli brilliant ant flas flashes hes of color, transluc translucent ent to transparent clarit clarityy, and precious us opal. They have rela pronouncedd opal pronounce opalescence escence are known as precio tively ordered structures—the globes of silica in which they are com prised are more or less similar in size and shape, and water is evenly
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Precious opal set in silver silver
dispersed throughout the stone. Stones lacking the clarity and play of opals . Their interior landcolor of precious opals are called common opals. scape is more chaotic, with silica of uneven sizes and a random distribution of water throughout. Common opals are opaque to translucent and can be found in virtually any color. The variety known as fire as fire opals are transparent to translucent and characterized by a body color of vivid red, orange, or yellow. They generall generallyy lack a play of color, though occasionally fire opals will have a mild iridescence, especially in the form of bright green flashes. Opals are found worldwide and come in a large assortment of colors, patterns, clarity, and play of color. The following discussion relates the general properties of precious opals; the additional properties of dendritic, pink, and white opals can be found in separate entries. Known as “the stone of the gods” and “the queen of gems,” the precious opal, with its extraordinary brilliance, has beguiled humankind for millennia. Accordingly, this stone has accrued many a supernatural account of its origin. To the Greek, Roman, and Arabic peoples, opals were believed to result from lightning striking the earth, resulting in their name of keraunia (Greek) or ceraunia (Latin), meaning “thunderstones.” They have also been attributed to other heavenly phenomena, such as rainbows.
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There is an Indian legend that describes the formation of the first opal. In this story, the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva find themselves enamored with the same goddess (sometimes described as a goddess of rainbows, though this seems to be a Western invention). This competition degenerated into jealousy. Guhr and Nagler describe the rest of the episode in Crystal Power: Mythology and History: However, The Eternal One was so angry at such a display of jealousy that he solved the problem by transforming the beautiful goddess into a being made of mist. However, in order that they would not completely lose her in the mist, each of her divine lovers bestowed a color upon her. Brahma gave her his wonderful blue; Vishnu gave her a gleam of gold; and Shiva lent her glowing red. But the colourful misty form was blown apart by the wind. The Eternal One relented and showed mercy, transforming [this transforming [this mist] into a stone—the iridescent precious opal, which unites within itself all the splendid colours of all the gems.178
Opals reflect all three faces of the Triple Goddess. Their iridescence is like the incipient brightness of the Maiden, who shines like the sky at dawn. Favored among young women in times past, opals were used to preserve beauty and draw love, both goals within the Maiden’s domain. As a gemstone of the Mother, opals (especially white opals) express the ideal of nurturing; they have been used to protect children, and white opals are symbolically linked to mother’s milk. The amor phous structure of opal opalss also represents the cosmic womb, the void that contains the potential for all of creation in the pre-manifest state. Finally, as a sedimentary stone, the opal is related to the realm of memory and time, and thus belongs to the Crone. It directs its inner light and color toward memories of the past, helping you cultivate wisdom and discernment. The seemingly supernatural beauty of the opal connects it to the beauty of the Great Goddess herself. This gemstone has been used to promote beauty, both b oth within and without. A curious story about opals
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from the Middle Ages, reported by G. F. Kunz, illustrates the connection between the stone and themes of beauty. He writes that “blond maidens valued nothing more highly than necklaces of opals, for while they wore these ornaments their hair was sure to guard its beautiful color.”179 This may allude to the stone’s ancient attribution to Eros or Cupid, who was linked to Aphrodite. Aphrodite is described as being golden-haired in Homer’s Iliad, Homer’s Iliad, so so a stone sacred to her may have been believed to preserve blond hair. One of the opal’s more unusual virtues is that it was believed to confer invisibility to its bearer. Carrying an opal would allow the carrier to be concealed within a cloak of thick fog and would also improve eyesight; together, these two qualities made this stone popular among thieves, who would use it to aid in their nefarious work. 180 Among today’s crystal mystics, opal is used for astral travel and for harnessing its invisibility-granting powers, which most likely represent the veil between the worlds. In meditation or ritual the user may experience an unexpected spirit flight and find herself surrounded by the ethereal substance of the astral plane, hidden from view by those in ordinary waking consciousness. The otherworldly and visionary properties of opal extend beyond astral travel. This gemstone was believed by the Romans to grant pro phetic dreams. The Greeks used opal to support divination and prophecy. Paul Beyerl, master herbalist and Wiccan author, recommends making an elixir of opal, immersing it in water from the new moon until the full moon, and using the resulting potion for consecrating scrying mirrors and crystal balls. 181 Meditating with an opal at the brow helps develop clairvoyance, clears the mind, and balances the emotions. Opals were once used for curing diseases of the eyes and were widely used for averting the influence of the evil eye. Opals are transformational gemstones. Just as the colors shift as a result of minute movements, the energy of opal can help you adjust to times of change and transformation. Gazing into an opal can “open the gates of the unconscious and be a light in the darkness of becoming.” 182 Because of its gifts of guidance during periods of change, we can use opal to petition Persephone. While in her overworld form of Kore, she
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emanates light and innocence, but transformed as Persephone, she “has found liberation through and within the darkness.” darkness.” 183 Thus Persephone, like the opal, shines amid the darkness of the unknown, leading you through your own periods of uncertainty. Opals bring us the light of hope, and they foster the ability to adapt with ease. Due to its inner fire, opal was traditionally used to ward off illness, prevent misfortune, and warn its bearer of poison. An old belief about this gem stated that whoever owned an opal could never be arrested or restrained by any bonds; 184 use it, therefore, in magick to prevent leg legal al troubles or to win court cases. Claude Lec Lecouteux outeux writes that opals carved with magickal scripts were used to banish Hekate’s phantasms. 185 It remains a stone of good fortune and success, despite the common fallacy that opals bring bad luck—a lingering product of the fragility of this gem and the difficulty jewelers have in setting it. Scott Cunningham suggests that opal is a viable substitute for virtually virtu ally any other gem. He reasons that that since it cont contains ains the colors of all al l gems, it can convey their properties, too, especially when programmed with the int intent ention ion of the user user.. 186 Perhaps this attests to the versatility of this stone’s energy and the high regard it has accrued through the ages. Opal is a potent gem that will enhance any magickal working.
Dendritic Opal Magickal uses: protection, self-esteem, healing, plant magick, prosperity, manifestation Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Venus; Virgo Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Mistress of Magick Formation process: sedimentary
Dendritic opals are common opals with branching inclusions— dendrites—of dendrites —of other minerals, usually manganese oxide. Though dendritic opals are mostly opaque and white or green in color, dendrites can occur other varieties of opal, too. White opal with black dendrites is sometimes called “merlinite,” a name given to several other rocks and minerals in today’s market. Two major sources for dendritic agate are Brazil and Madagascar, though the stone is found in many locations.
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Two varieties of dendritic opal: green and white
Dendritic opals have an energy reminiscent of moss agate. They are adept at promoting new growth, both in a material and a spiritual sense. Dendritic opal can be used to deepen your connection to the green world; it provides attunement to the natural cycles of sprouting, fruiting, and harvesting. It also opens the doors to communicating with the intelligence of nature and the spirits that inhabit the natural world. Among the opals, dendritic varieties most clearly connect to the Earth Mother in her many guises. Use them to promote stability, manifest abundance, and gently release emotional imbalances by grounding your emotiona emotionall body. These opal opalss als alsoo enhance your org organiza anizational tional abilities, boost self-esteem, and instill a sense of self-love. 187 Dendritic opals are considered strong tools for manifestation, protection, and enhancing your magickal workings.
Pink Opal Magickal uses: love, peace, renewal Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Venus, Jupiter; Virgo, Leo, Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Goddess of Love Formation process: sedimentary
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Andean pink opal opal
Pink opal is a variety of common opal colored by race amounts of manganese. It is found in Peru and Mexico, and in the United States in Oregon, Idaho, and Georgia. Andean pink opals frequently contain inclusions of palygorskite, with impurities of iron and potassium. 188 Pink opal is a soothing gem that helps to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit. Melody considers it a “stone for renewal,” adding that it reestablishes the sacred relationship between the self and creation. 189 I find that it is especially helpful for deepening the bond between the human world and the Divine, specifically for reconnecting to the Great Goddess. Since it focuses on the theme of renewal, pink opal is a stone of the Maiden, and it is a welcome addition to springtime celebrations like Ostara (i.e., the Christian Easter). Pink opal’s mission works primarily through the mechanism of grace. It brings relief from suffering, fear, worry, trauma, and stress by opening the heart to grace and cultivating a peaceful state of mind. It is
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softening, soothing, and hopeful; working with it can shed light on the karmic patterns underpinning recurring cycles in your relationships. 190 Use it for attracting love, promoting fidelity, and empowering yourself to enjoy pleasure and sex. This pink gem instills a sense of altruism and encourages generosity. 191
White Opal Magickal uses: protection, purification, success Elemental signature: water, spirit Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Lunar Goddess Formation process: sedimentary or igneous
White opal opalss can be either common opal opals, s, which are an opaqu opaque-to e-to-translucent white, or precious opals, with a pale, whitish background color and multicolored iridescence. Common opals can also have patches of o f hyaline opal or other mineral inclusions. They are frequently called “milk opals” and “porcelain opals.” White opal carrie carriess conno connotati tations ons of puri purity ty and mothe motherly rly tende tenderness. rness. This gem exerts a gently purifying influence over your energy field due to its light color and water content. White opals can be used to release old emotions, detach entities and thought-forms, and clear stagnant energy.
Raw R aw and tumbled tumbled white opal
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From its nickname “milk opal,” white opal’s connection to the Mother Goddess is obvious. White opals have been associated with children, and they can be used as amulets to protect families. They emphasize the motherly themes of nurturing and growth, and they can be used for opening the door to communication with the Great Mother. Magickally, white opal promotes purification and cleansing and encourages growth in all things. Use it for rites aimed at business success, as it will mother your endeavors and build your business acumen. White opal is especially potent potent at the full moon, and it can be worn durduring lunar ceremonies to facilitate a connection to the moon-as-Mother.
PEARL Magickal uses: love, protection, healing, vision, beauty, wealth, luck, happiness Elemental signature: water, spirit Astrological signature: Moon, Neptune, Venus; Cancer, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Mother, Ocean Mother, Goddess of Love Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
Pearls are produced within the soft bodies of living organisms such as oysters, conchs, and other mollusks. The discovery of pearls perplexed ancient peoples, for they appear to be stones despite their organic origins. Pearls are formed by the gradual layering of calcium carbonate (usually as aragonite or as a mixture of aragonite and calcite) and conchiolin (proteins used in building mollusk shells) around a foreign body such as a parasite or other material—though rarely a grain of sand, as popularly believed. The pearl encapsulates the intruder, thereby preventing harm or irritation. Pearls were once called oignion in French, meaning “onion,” which refers to the concentric bands of nacreous calcium carbonate built around the foreign body. Pearls remain popular as gems today, with major centers of production in several countries worldwide, including China, Japan, French Polynesia, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and the United States. From their color and shine to their watery origins and round shape, pearls have been regarde regardedd as sacred to the moon. The ancient peoples
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A vintage strand strand of pearls
of Rome, the Middle East, and India all believed pearls to have been formed by heavenly dew that fell into the shells of mollusks, usually during the full moon. In Japan there was once a belief that moonbeams themselves caused the genesis of pearls in oysters. From their lunar association, pearls are naturally linked to the Divine Feminine. Pearls are also deeply linked to the Ocean Mother. Astrologically, they are connected to planets and signs associated with the element of water. In India, the pearl is called “Mother Gem of the Sea” 192 Other oceanic goddesses such as Yemayá also esteem the pearl. Since this gem is formed underwater, it is held in the primordial womb of the supernal sea goddess; it can be used alongside aquamarine and larimar to call on her aid. Many cultures describe pearls as the tears of the Goddess.* This *In a curious gender reversal, Finnish myth records pearls as resulting from the tears of the poet-hero Väinäimöinen. However, he is the son of the goddess Luonnotar and is the rescuer of the sun goddess Päivätär, so his mythic cycle is deeply connected to aspects of the Divine Feminine in Finnish mythology.
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association may in part be born of the salinity of both seawater and tears. In Norse tradition, when Frigg’s son Baldr is slain, the goddess wept tea tears rs that hard hardene enedd into pea pearls rls upo upon n fa falllling ing onto mist mistlet letoe. oe. 193 The Romans nicknamed pearls “tears of Venus,” 194 and Hebrew lore considers pearls to have first formed from Eve’s tears after being cast out of Eden.195 From their resemblance to the moon pearls are connected to lunar goddesses such as Diana and Artemis. Other goddesses with lunar associations were also given dominion over pearls, including Isis; in fact, the Romans dedicated pearls to her upon importing her worship from Egypt, and they wore pearl jewelry to obtain her favor. 196 Pearls also symbolize feminine beauty and, by extension, Goddess of Love figures such as Aphrodite/Venus. These goddesses, alongside the Great Goddess figure of ancient Syria, Atargatis, each took the epithet “Lady of Pearls.” Pearls continue to be associated with the Divine Feminine today, as Stones : “In the traced by Barbara Walker in her text The Book of Sacred Stones: ancient world, pearls were sacred to the Great Goddess as Aphrodite Marina, whose body sexually symbolized the Pearly Gate of paradise, and whose “pearls of wisdom” were dispensed by her priestesses . . . She was Christianized as the mythical Saint Margaret, whose name means “Pearl,” as well as the Virgin Mary (Maria), who inherited the Goddess’s sea blue robe and necklace of pearls. Nonetheless, her gem retained pagan connotations.” 197 The pearl is a representation of the chastity of the Virgin, and in the Anulus, lus, the poem Anu poem the pearl is chosen to symbolize her perfection. Kabbalistic lore associates the pearl with the sefirot Binah, considered a feminine archetype, as well as with the moon and the astrological sign of Pisces. The vision of Eve crying tears of pearls tells us much about the deeper message of this gem. Its lachrymal genesis underscores themes of loss, suffering, and sacrifice. Eve loses her immortal life in Eden, which is a close parallel to the way oysters oysters must sacrifice sacrifice their their live livess to yield the pearl. The pearlyy tears shed pearl shed by the goddess goddess presage presage an age of sufferi suffering. ng. Hum Humanity anity has lost touch with its spiritual roots by devaluing women and largely ignoring the importance of the Divine Feminine. Pearls symbolize this loss of
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wisdom, life, wisdom, life, and light—j light—just ust as the the goddess Frigg Frigg wept wept tears tears of pearl pearl at the death of the god of light. Pearls reflect to us a need to reacquaint ourselves with the light of the Goddes G oddess; s; lik likee the lun lunar ar orb, pearls shar sharee light fro from m an outside source to guide us through our darkest hours. Pearls were once regarded as feminine symbols because of the likeness between the oyster and the vulva. However, this sexual image was traded for one of purity and chastity in the Western world, largely through the pearl’s association with Mary. In this image the ideal woman is stripped of her power, the root of her femininity femininity:: her sexuality. Likewise, pearls became devoid of sexual imagery. Instead, these gems were used to cast out the devils of lust, impropriety, and even menstruation, to help men and women alike achieve peace and purity. Today we can reclaim the sensual beauty of the pearl by using it to honor the sacred sexuality of the Divine Feminine. Pearls symbolize love, beauty, luck, and protection. Powdered pearls are featured in love potions from East to West, and pearl jewelr jewelryy is worn in India for a happy, faithful marriage. As a stone of wealth, the pearl is holy to Lakshmi. An old spell for attracting wealth centers on casting a pearl into a body of water or a rubbish heap. 198 Since they protect the oyster from invading organisms or foreign bodies, pearls bestow protection on their bearers. Similarly, the sacrifice borne by the oyster symbolically was thought to prevent unhappiness, hence pearls pear ls wer weree car carried ried to av avert ert misf misfortu ortune, ne, suf suffer fering, ing, illn illness, ess, insanity insanity,, poss possesession, and death. They can be used to attain a long and prosperous life. Pearls are used to reveal the truth and reflect inner beauty. They can pre vent ve nt dece decept ption ion and and warn warn of impe impendi nding ng misfo misfortu rtune ne (es (especi pecially ally black black pear pearls). ls). The choice to use pearls is a personal one. In my collection I only have a strand of antique pearls that once belonged to my grandmother. Many magicians and healers prefer to avoid pearls because living organisms die to provide them. Pearls require special care to maintain their beauty over the years. Scott Cunningham notes that cultured pearls are much less magickally potent than their natural counterparts, 199 though they are much more affordably priced. Despite a lack of magickal properties, imitation pearls can be used by those who choose to avoid natural ones for their symbolic effects.
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Mother-of-Pearl Magickal uses: protection, emotional fulfillment, wealth Elemental signature: water, spirit Astrological signature: Moon, Neptune, Venus; Cancer, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Ocean Mother, Mother Formation process: organic (sedimentary)
Mother-of-pearl is the name given to the nacreous shells of certain mollusks, including varieties of bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods. Like pearl,, mother-o pearl mother-of-pearl f-pearl is comprise comprisedd of platele platelets ts of calci calcium um carbo carbonate nate (mostly aragonite) held together by proteins produced by mollusks. It has an iridescent appearance because of the way the aragonite interferes with the lig light. ht. Commerciall Commerciallyy, mother-of-pea mother-of-pearl rl is produce producedd from pearl oysters, freshwater mussels, abalone, and some species of snail. Most commercial mother-of-pearl is artificially whitened, which can diminish its magickal effects. The most common form of natural motherof-pearl occurs in seashells of many varieties, which have been used to honor the Great Mother in cultures around the globe. Mother-of-pearl is found worldwide, in both fresh- and saltwater environments. Like pearl, mother-of-pearl is closely linked to the Great Goddess and the goddesses of the seas and the moon, and it shares the same astrological and elemental correspondences as pearl as well. Mother-of-pearl is commonly used for protection. Since seashells are exoskeletons, they are produced produ ced to prot protect ect the soft bodies of their inhabita inhabitants; nts; in the same way, way, shells such as mother-of-pearl can be worn to ward off harmful influences. Mother of pearl is especially useful for guarding children and newborns— a tradition that may have grown from the maternal name of this organic gem. Though it is primarily used to protect its wearer from other people’s negative thoughts and emotions, gemstone therapist Michael Katz suggests that mother-of-pearl can protect you from the harmful energies of electromagnetic radiation and emissions from electronics such as TVs, cell phones and the microwave transmissions from cell phone towers, and radio waves.200 It does this by scattering or absorbing these harmful energies, thereby preventing the wearer from being affected. In many cultures seashells represent abundance and wealth. In fact,
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Mother-of-pearl Mother-of -pearl pendant and gem-quality gem-quality beads
in some indigenous cultures, especially those without access to metals and ores, seashells were used as currency. 201 Today, mother-of-pearl and other seashells can be incorporated into money-drawing spells and rituals. The cuplike or bowl-like shape of shells conveys much of the same symbolism as the cornucopia; use them to help your mentality overflow with prosperous prosperous thoughts. thoughts. Wearing W earing or meditatin meditatingg with mother mother-of-pearl -of-pearl is nurtu nurturing ring and reassuring. This organic gem is an ideal ally for those who feel a sense of loss and abandonment, or have unmet needs from childhood, for it emanates motherly love. Mother-of-pearl reconnects you with the love of the Great Mother, which exists within each of us. It can be said that this gem “stirs and awakens the primordial memory of your origins in the infinite ocean of divine love.”202 This can repair long-held emotional wounds, such as those from childhood or carried over from other lifetimes. Therapeutically, mother-of-pearl is helpful in times of emotional
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crisis. It also mitigates stress-related conditions. Magickally, motherof-pearl can be used in much the same manner as pearl; in fact, it is an economical substitute for pearl. However, using mother-of-pearl is an ethical dilemma for many healers and occultists, for an organism must die to produce this iridescent gem. Antique or vintage motherof-pearl is a solution to this problem, as is sourcing ethically produced mother-of-pearl.*
PERIDOT Magickal uses: prosperity, creativity, growth, healing, road-opener, intuition, protection, success Elemental signature: fire, earth Astrological signature: Sun; Leo, Virgo Goddess archetypes: Solar Goddess, Mother, Maiden Formation process: igneous
Peridot is the accepted name for gem-quality olivine. Olivine is a silicate of iron and magnesium, with peridot usually being part of the more magnesium-rich member of the olivine family, called forsterite called forsterite.. It typically forms in igneous rocks, especially those with mafic and ultramafic compositions, meaning they are rich in heavy metals such as iron, magnesium, and manganese and are low in silica. Peridot is unusual among gemstones in that it typically occurs in a single color—green— with a comparatively small range in hues, from medium green to yellowish green. Peridot is frequently found in Brazil, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Russia, and the United States, especially Hawaii. Peridot is a gemstone with a long tradition of use. It was treasured in Egypt, as it was believed to confer clarity to the mind and the ability to sweep away envy with its brilliance. Peridot is prized for its unusual candescence at night, a property that led Egyptians to believe that this stone emitted its own light—a feature that earned peridot the moniker “evening emerald.” Because of its igneous origins, peridot has long *For ethically sourced mother-of-pearl tools for use in gemstone therapy, consider visiting www.gemisphere.com and www.gemformulas.com.
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Peridot is a green gemstone of volcanic origin.
been associated with Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, storms, and volcanoes, volca noes, who is cred credited ited with creating the Hawaiian Islands. Pele is a capricious goddess, often prone to jealousy. Peridot is sometimes referred to as “Pele’s tears” in Hawaii, and these stones are thought to balance the emotions, spark inspiration, and reduce jealousy and anger. Peridot is connected to cycles of growth and regeneration. As a component of igneous rocks, it is associated with the archetype of the Maiden. It is a rich spring green, and it evokes images of new life and expansion. Naisha Ahsian states that peridot “carries the anticipatory energy of the bud about to burst into bloom, the butterfly about to emerge from the chrysalis, and the storm about to break. Peridot represents the swelling, growth and fulfillment of everything that it affects.”203 It is a gemstone for tapping into the promise that the Maiden brings, and wearing or carrying peridot can help you tap into this universal tendency toward growth, expansion, and change. Working W orking with peridot can help you attune to rising cycles of life. It
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is an excellent stone for prosperity magick, as it can be used to increase your resourc resources es and broa broaden den your horiz horizons. ons. It can even reac reachh into deeply held beliefs about money in order to break down ideas about scarcity and rewire you so that you can see endless opportunity and universal abundance. Peridot’s fiery energy sparks creativity and passion, making it an ideal catalyst for thinking outside the box. Peridot can help you channel creativity and charisma into any endeavor, and it is a great stone for people in leadership positions. Peridot can be especially helpful for women seeking leadership roles in situations typically dominated by men. In kabbalistic lore, peridot is often ascribed to the twentieth path of the Tree of Life, which is ruled by Virgo. This particular path is associated with aspects of the Great Mother such as Isis, Rhea, Gaia, and Danu, and is symbolized by the color yellowish green, thus its connection with peridot. This path on the Tree of Life represents the consciousness of the will, which becomes the vehicle for creation and for knowing the original wisdom of Creator. Though associated with the image of the solitary hermit or the virgin, this path also represents sexual love. Accordingly, it can become the avenue for exploring the Mother Goddess and her creative power. Peridot, as the crystalline representative of this pathway on the Tree of Life, brings its bearer into a state of communion with the Mother and teaches him or her to embody the Goddess’s wisdom, love, and creativity. Peridot’s energy is at once loving and austere. It embodies the elements of fire and earth and has an overtly solar connection. Peridot helps you find the more dynamic and dominating traits of some goddesses. It is especially helpful for challenging masculine norms and helping women embody more stereotypically masculine qualities. Peridot can also represent the archetype of the Solar Goddess, who is far less popular among today’s worshippers of the Goddess than her lunar counterpart. Use peridot for channeling the solar currents of Sekhmet, Brigid, Sunna, Akycha, and other sun goddesses. Traditional gemstone lore indicates that peridot guards from theft and burglary, nightmares, and evil spirits. 204 Because this gemstone appears to glow at night, peridot can also help
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you connect with the energy of Heka Hekate. te. She is often depicted holding a torch, and one of her epithets is “torchbearer.” The beguiling candescence of peridot metaphorically illuminates the spiritual path and allows the seeker to explore the deeper mysteries of Hekate. During the Middle Ages, amulets of peridot inscribed with a torchbearer were thought to bring wealth,205 but this may have been a vestige of an earlier connection to Hekate. Peridot has been used to open the psychic senses, especially by sharpening the second sight and clarifying prophetic dreams. It enhances mental faculties and can help you discover your life’s purpose. In ritual, use it to aid manifestation and spellcraft of all varieties. It is especially effective for money-drawing, removing obstacles, protection, and attaining success. Small chips and beads of peridot are commonly available, and they can be added to sachets and charm bags for prosperity and healing.
PINK TOURMALINE Magickal uses: love, beauty, protection, balancing masculine and feminine energies, stress reduction Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Venus, Mercury; Libra, Gemini Goddess archetypes: Mother, Goddess of Love, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous
Pink tourmaline is usually a variety of elbaite tourmaline, a member of the tourmaline group that is rich in lithium, aluminum, and sodium. Tourmaline is a diverse group of minerals (like garnet), and elbaite is one of the more popular and commonly found variants. Elbaite can be pink to red, blue, purple, green, or colorless. Many crystals of this species are multicolored, such as watermelon tourmaline, an elbaite with a pink core and green outer skin. Pink tourmaline is often calle calledd rubellite, from the Latin rubellus, meaning “reddish.” Pink tourmaline rubellite, of good quality commands a high value, and it is generally found in Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, and in the United States in California and Maine. Generally, there isn’t much occult lore surrounding pink tourmaline.
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Pink tourmaline tourmaline balances balances the inner feminine feminine and masculine.
It was once worn as a sign of rank among mandarins in China. 206 Pink tourmaline is a popular birthstone for October. Tourmalines were esteemed for their pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties; because of this they could be used to clean the ash from pipes. 207 Tourmaline wands are prized tools for healing and magick today today.. Pink tourmaline is a beautiful and gentle healing stone whose soft color and lithium content offer balance to the heart while nourishing you on an intimate level. Pink tourmaline gives you permission to experience your emotions authentically and wholly; it is a stone that provides a safe space to feel vulnerabl vulnerablee by exposing the inner workings of the heart. Part of its mission in doing so is to vitalize the innate feminine aspect in humans and all other living beings. Pioneering gemstone therapist Michael Katz describes this harmonizing influence of pink tourmaline: Centuries of oppression have led many women to believe that their masculine aspect is wrong . . . Yet women consist of both masculine and feminine energies. Therefore, until a woman releases her
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negative concepts about male energy, she will not be in harmony with hers herself. elf. Pink Tourmal ourmaline ine help helpss a woman unders understand tand both her male and female aspects and improves communication between them . . . Pink Tourmaline helps a woman understand and come to peace with her feminine and masculine aspects as it fosters the inner harmony and strength she needs to develop her true feminine power.208
Although Katz describes this gemstone’s benefits in the context of women, this stone can benefit people of any gender, to help them find balance and peace between the inner polarities of masculine and feminine. This balance is a Libran quality, hence this stone’s astrological association. Pink tourmaline, or rubellite, is sometimes considered the “queen of the tourmalines.” 209 Though it has no ancient connection to the Great Goddess, modern crystal mystics see a clear connection between this gemstone and the energy of the Divine Feminine. It sup ports por ts qual qualities ities that have be been en hist historica orically lly femin feminine ine in nature, such as receptivity, creativity, intuition, sensitivity, and vision. Unlike other pink stone stones, s, rub rubell ellite’s ite’s gentl gentleness eness is not overtl overtlyy sof softening tening ; instea instead, d, it carries an emboldening effect, as it helps to neutralize the disparity between the inner feminine and inner masculine. It can draw out the inner warrior. Because it harmonizes the masculine and feminine, pink tourmaline can be used to enhance the Great Rite, the sacred sexual union of the God and Goddess, whether literal or symbolic. Two partners engaging in the Great Rite can wear pink and green tourmaline (or a bicolor gemstone, such as watermelon tourmaline) to find balance between the polarities of the Goddess and the God. Likewise, these stones can be placed on the altar, affixed to ritual tools, or carried by the priestess and priest enacting the Great Rite symbolically during ritual observance. Pink tourmaline can treat conditions of the female reproductive system as well as help a person recover from sexual abuse or dysfunction. This gem can also prove helpful for people exploring their
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sexuality and gender identity, especially nonconforming and nonbinary gendered persons. Since it provides a safe space to let your guard down, pink tourmalin tourmalinee can facil facilitate itate the process of selfself-disco discovery very and pro pro-mote feelings of love and compassion directed at yourself. Pink tourmaline can be used in spells to draw love and attract friendship. The Libran energy this stone carries can help social skills blossom. In its redder hues, rubellite takes on a slightly more fiery edge, helping you channel your will into your workings. Use it for protection and to energize the body. Such stones also initiate a more passionate, erotic energy to love spells than softer shades of pink.
QUARTZ Magickal uses: healing, power, psychic development, protection, cleansing, manifestation Elemental signature: all (depending on type) Astrological signature: all (depeding on type) Goddess archetypes: virtually all, especially Lunar Goddess, Maiden, Mother, Triple Goddess, Earth Mother, Queen of Heaven, Solar Goddess, Mistress of Magick, Stellar Goddess, Goddess of Love, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous
Quartz, composed of silicon dioxide, is an abundant mineral. It crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system and forms hexagonal crystals. Quartz is found worldwide, and traces of other minerals and elements result in a wide range range of colors, colors, shapes, shapes, and other other varia variatio tions ns in specime specimens. ns. Because Because of its ubiquity, beauty, and power, quartz is a staple among magickal practitioners and crystal healers. Note that several varieties of quartz have been given separate entries elsewhere in this compendium, including agate, amethyst, aventurine, chalcedony, jasper, rose quartz, and tiger’s eye. The mythic origins of quartz crystal often center around it being permanently perma nently froz frozen en water. The word crystal is taken from Greek krustallos, meaning both “ice” and “crystal.” In times past, a commonly held belief was that quartz was some sort of enchanted ice blessed by the gods to retain its solid state no matter its environs. Early finds of quartz in high-altitude regions surely would have reinforced this belief,
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Quartz, or rock crystal, is a potent tool for for magick, healing, and divination.
as it is transparent and cool to the touch, just as ice is. Alternatively, people also once belie believed ved that quartz is solidifie solidifiedd light, or that it is the dwelling place or reincarnated body of ancestral spirits, gods, and the consciousness of nature. In various myths it was said to have been created by dragons, deities, or other supernatural beings. No matter the exact nature of these origination stories, each illustrates the distinct quality of otherness connected to this crystal. The tales of quartz’s magickal powers are as varied as its origin myths. Quartz has been used for divination, healing, protection, exorcism, bringing rain, and much more. In many instances, astrological lore associates quartz crystal with the moon* as a result of its white color *Since quartz crystal exhibits such a wide range of skills, it has variously been attributed to each sign of the zodiac and virtually every planet at different points in history and by astrologers and magicians of different cultures. For this reason, I have listed quartz as representing all planets and signs.
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and its ability to captivate the eye, even in low light. It is frequently mounted in silver, the moon’s metal, to obtain its magickal qualities. The people of Greece held it sacred to the lunar goddesses Selene and Hekate. Several cultures have also employed quartz, usually worn, but sometimes ingested—a practice definitely to be avoided—to promote lactation; the idea was that milk, like quartz, has a lunar influence, and thus it might have once seemed natural to connect the two. Quartz was also a cure for infertility among the women of the Shetland Islands of Scotland.210 The intimate link observed between women’s reproductive cycles and quartz in legend and lore indicates that this gemstone can be used as a talisman for both the Lunar Goddess and the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess. Quartz was also used to make a talisman of Venus specifically intended for good fortune in business. 211 Other traditions use quartz gemstones to make talismans set in an alloy of Venus’s metal, copper. Yet other engraved talismanic gemstones depict a woman (perhaps Venus V enus herself ) and are used for arousing the attention and affection of women. From these romantic applications of quartz quartz,, one can surmise that it facilitates contact with the Goddess of Love. Crystalline castles abound in myth and folklore; usually this is the home of a goddess, female saint, nymph, or other figure representing the Divine Feminine. Two particular legends of crystal castles are told as part of the Arthurian legends. In one, Lancelot was captured by an undine (a water fairy) who dwelled in a castle of crystal, while a second tale records that Gawain reaches a castle with a crystal wall, behind which the mellifluous voices of some long-forgotten aspect of the Divine Feminine could be heard. 212 Another crystalline palace is described in a folktale from Brittany, wherein the protagonists find their way to this idyllic castle with the help of a hag, a vestige of the Crone of the pre-Christian era of the Goddess. 213 The motif of an ethereal palace made of quartz symbolizes the nature of the otherworld—it is at once pure, luminous, and mysterious. Because of the transparency of quartz, nothing is hidden in these numinous spaces, thus to enter them we must exhibit a similar trans parencyy. The cry parenc crystal stal castles of leg legend end and lore are usually illuminated
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by flames or lamps that never dim, 214 which symbolize the nature of enlightenment attained by entering the castle itself. Since women and goddess figures reside in or guide the heroes of these tales to the crystal castles, we can infer that the nature of the Divine Feminine will help us attain the mastery represented by the crystal castle. In embracing the Great Mother, we can be cleansed of our impurities, thereby becoming metaphorically clear as crystal. In releasing our limiting beliefs and patterns, we can receive the grace of the Goddess, which in turn reveals our inner light. When we attain this state of being—i.e., when we are symbolically dwelling in the crystal castle—we are no longer separate from the greater mystery and magick of the universe. The walls of the crystal castle are transparent, revealing the hidden mysteries of the world to us. Among certain sects of Christianity, quartz is symbolic of Mary, mother of Christ. The innate clarity of quartz crystal represents her purity as a virgin mother mother.. The optical relationship betwe between en crysta crystall and light, revered by many cultures around the world, also worked its way into the mystical teachings of Christianity. Artist and historian Silvie Raulet writes: “For Christians, light penetrating rock crystal is traditionally symbolic of the Immaculate Conception. The Virgin Mary is the crystal and her son, Jesus Christ, the celestial light; this symbol of purity is extended to include other celestial creatures such as angels angels..” 215 Polished spheres, lenses, and other round shapes made of quartz can thus represent the divine Child of Light born of the Great Mother. In certain pagan traditions, quartz crystal adorns the altar at the winter solstice (often called Yule) to symbolize the seasonal celebration of Mother Nature giving birth to the light of the world. Even today, the connection between quartz crystal and the Divine Feminine continues to unfold. There is a propensity among healers and crystal mystics to name special formations of quartz after goddess figures. Self-healed crystals (those crystals that have healed themselves from a fracture or break) are sometimes called “Hera crystals,” and more than one type of quartz bears the name of Isis, two of which are discussed in separate entries here. Thanks to the wide variety of quartz formations, many exhibit energies aligned with goddesses both known and unknown.
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In magick and healing alike, quartz is an all-purpose stone. It is easily programmed or imbued with virtually any intention, therefore it can be used in rituals for any purpose. Quartz is esteemed for bringing clarity and coherence; it augments power and improves the efficacy of magickal workings. Quartz is also a potent tool for psychic development. It enhances meditation, strengthens your focus, and opens your inner sight. Both polished and raw specimens of quartz lend themselves to scrying and crystal-gazing. Quartz is also used for purification; try using an elixir of quartz made under the full moon to cleanse and consecrate yourself and your jewelry and gemstones, ritual tools, or sacred space. Quartz crystals can be placed around the perimeter of your magick circle at the north, south, east, and west to enhance your ritual and strengthen the circle itself. Alternatively, place four pieces of quartz in the corners of any room or building in which you practice magick or healing for similar results. Quartz is a versatile tool that can be worn, carried, or used in meditation for all your magickal needs.
Blue Tara Quartz Magickal uses: peace, protection, liberation, karmic healing, unity, psychic development, compassion Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Queen of Heaven, Stellar Goddess, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous
Blue Tara quartz is the name given to quartz crystals with blue inclusions of riebeckite and olenite, a boron-rich member of the tourmaline group. Found in Minas Gerais, Brazil, this crystal formation is relatively rare. Other varieties of quartz with blue inclusions of boulangerite, indicolite, and dumortierite are also available; though these are not generally known as Blue Tara quartz, they may share some of the properties discussed here. Blue Tara quartz is named for one of the most popular goddesses in Buddhism; Hindus worship Tara as well, as Maa Tara, although Tara’s influence is felt more in Buddhism than Hinduism. She is at once a
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Blue Tara Tara quartz quartz from Bahia, Brazil, Brazil, with a representation of Green Green Tara Tara
goddess figure, a bodhisattva, and a female Buddha. As she is a pluralistic or collective figure, there are different emanations of her, such as White Tara ara,, Green Tara ara,, and Blue Tara ara.. Green Tara ara,, in particu particular, lar, is popular, and she is envisioned with green skin and is depicted wearing silks. Blue Tara’s images can vary depending on the aspect being represented. The Blue Tara quartz is close to the color of Blue Tara’s skin. Tara embodies compassion and motherly tenderness; she protects her devotees from danger. Blue Tara’s iconography and mythology link her to the archetypes of the Lunar Goddess and Queen of Heaven as well as the Fierce Goddess in her form as Ekajati (who is invoked as a protector of the dharma). Her name in Sanskrit (Tārā ( Tārā ) translates as “star,” making her
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a Stellar Goddess figure. She is depicted alongside the blue or night lotus, which releases its nocturnal nocturnal scen scentt with the appeara appearance nce of the moon, thus she is is also connected to the moon and nighttime. 216 Blue Tara quartz resonates with the protective aspects of Tara. Green Tara is sometimes visualized as a protector of Earth, and White Tara a protector of humanity and a guarantor of long life. I find that Blue Tara quartz is intimately linked to Green Tara. My colleague Janis Haerer explains the connection between quartz crystal and Tara: Tara, whose name means “star,” is further the equivalent of a female Buddha. Now this crystal is blue, not green, and she feels like a different aspect of Earth—the oceans. Earth is more ocean than land, so it’s particularly suitable that Blue Tara also represents Earth. Furthermore, her ice blue color brings in the energies of the Arctic regions. Beyond her other energies, she offers to her keeper a wonderful way to work with the energies of Earth and contribute to the repair of the damage humans have done. Cradle this spirit in a hand and immediately you will feel yourself surrounded by a halo of energy, and there will be a fragrance, somewhat like lily of the valley—sweet, clear, and heady. In her is love and compassion, understanding and knowing. She clears away pretense and pain, opening your heart and your mind to her protection and guidance. It is said that Green Tara offered protection to those incarcerated during the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Blue Tara offers protection to the oceans and oceanic ice and to those born under water signs . . . She is all cultures, all races, and all women. 217
Janis also notes the ling linguistic uistic similarities between the god goddessdessbodhisattva Tara and other deities around the world. In particular, she notes that the Celts also have a goddess named Tara, while Finnish mythology records Tar, the Mesopotamians had Ishtar, and the Native Americans of the Cheyenne tribe have Star Woman; each of them is closely related in theme or spirit to Tara. Tantric tradition emphasizes that all goddesses are ultimately one—that there is a single, universal current of the Divine Feminine. Though many magickal practitioners have
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a hard polytheist worldview, I find that Blue Tara quartz reminds us that as human beings we are viewing the Divine Feminine—and ultimately all divinity—through the narrow lens of human perspective. Blue Tara quartz helps us perceive the greater truth, even if only momentarily, so that we can learn to cherish the inherent unity of the Great Mother and all her children. Since Blue Tara quartz is included mostly with riebeckite, it is a capable karmic healer. This crystal formation helps liberate us from old beliefs, behaviors, and situations, much as Tara helps liberate the people of the world from suffering and the cycle of samsara. The amphibole in quartz is usually described as having an angelic energy; it refines our frequency so that we can become better servants of the Divine. In the case of Blue Tara quartz, it helps us see and hear the Great Mother in everything around us. It helps us clear out stagnant karmic patterns and is an excellent tool for cutting deleterious energy cords, themselves a byproduct of our karmic history, just as in her fierce form as Ekajati, Blue Tara holds various wrathful cutting implements. The olenite content of these crystals has an expansive, organizing effect on the mind. It can help us conceptualize the mysteries of the universe and inspire us toward new horizons. Judy Hall considers varieties of blue quartz to be sacred to Mother Mary,, and she connects this form of quartz to the sacred site Medjugorje, Mary in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Mary has appeared repeatedly since 1981. Judy writes that this type of quartz “resonates with the peace and compassion called for by the Marian messages [a Marian apparition referring to an appearance by the Virgin Mary]. It takes you into a space of inner quiet to explore your spiritual nature and connect to the divine feminine.” 218 Blue Tara quartz is a sweet yet powerful ritual tool. It catalyzes healing while restoring balance to the aura and chakras. Blue Tara quartz can strengthen your inner vision, enhance telepathy, and pro videss you with the mean vide meanss to communic communicate ate psy psychic chic impress impressions ions more clearly. This crystal also offers profound peace and perfection, often helping you see that you are exactly where you need to be on your path.. path
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Faden Quartz Magickal uses: fate, self-healing, astral travel, divination and prophecy, communication, karmic healing, Earth healing Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Moon, Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: the Fates, Crone Formation process: metamorphic
Faden quartz, whose name comes from the German faden, German faden, meaning “thread,” is an unusual formation that appears to have a piece of white yarn or twine within it. These crysta crystals ls nearly always exhibit a tabular, distorted morphology. The yarnlike inclusion usually runs more or less perpendicular perpend icular to the c-a c-axis xis of the cry crystal, stal, from one side to the other, and it sometimes makes unusual bends or turns. This inclusion results from the crystal breaking and healing itself many times during its formation process. Unlike most other formation processes for crystalline quartz, faden crystals can usually be found in metamorphic environments. They are commonly found in Pakistan, Switzerland, Arkansas, Germany, and Afghanistan. Faden quartz forms from repeatedly breaking apart and knitting back together again. As you might imagine, this form of quartz is a master teacher of self-healing. Meditating with a piece of faden quartz or working with one in a therapeutic setting activates your body’s innate healing abilities. It is a powerful ally for spiritual healing, as it repairs holes, leaks, and tears in the various layers of the aura. Faden quartz can help release intrusions such as cords or entities from the aura, as well, and it provides resilience and strength to the energy field afterward to prevent recurrence. 219 The threadlike inclusion in a piece of faden quartz symbolizes the silver cord that connects the astral body to the physical body. 220 Accordingly, faden quartz strengthens this astral tether, providing safety and freedom during astral travel. Meditating or sleeping with this crystal formation can intensify the dream state, as many of our dreams are actually astral adventures. Faden quartz helps to reintegrate soul fragments that are lost during moments of trauma, whether
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Faden F aden quartz contains a mysterious mysterious threadlike threadlike inclusion.
from this lifetime or others. It also facilitates ancestral and karmic healing. Faden quartz is a powerful ally for meditation and dreamwork. Because these crystals are often flat, they can be easily rested against the third eye chakra when you lie down. Meditating or dreaming with a stone placed against the brow instills clear visions, enhances the imagination, and initiates intense dreamtime journeys. My experience with this cr crystal ystal virtual virtually ly always leads me into the hypnag hypnagogi ogicc state, often for prolonged periods of time. I often feel as though the dreamlike visions I experience in this state are spiritual lessons shrouded in abstruse symbolism that take time to unravel. The threads within faden quartz are akin to the thread woven by the Fates, such as the Norns or the Moirai. Working with these crystals can initiate contact with these ancient goddess figures. Faden crystals are typically tabular formations, and tabular crystals are excellent tools for communication, thus faden quartz not only opens the doorway to the Fates, it encourages a dialogue with them. Weavi W eaving ng sym symbo bolilism sm is ass assoc ociate iatedd wit withh many go godde ddesse ssess be beyon yondd merely the Fates; many solar goddesses are thought to weave
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sunbeams, and the Crone is sometimes shown weaving (the Fates are sometimes arguably an aspect of the Crone). Working with faden quartz can provide clarity about situations in your life, especially from a karmic perspective. It can be used to integrate outstanding spiritual lessons that you may have failed to learn time and time again. Working with the Fates via faden quartz can also help you access the gifts of prophecy and can improve your divination skills. Since it is connected to the Crone, faden quartz helps you develop maturity, integrity, and discipline. In healing, faden quartz can open or repair sluggish and blocked chakras. It provides a sense of connection between therapist and client,221 and it can help you intuitively locate sources of illness and patterns of disharmony in the body and aura of your clients or yourself. yours elf. Faden quartz is protective; it strengthens the aura as if by weaving a protective layer of light around it. This quartz formation also helps you attune to the inner movements of Earth. 222 It is an excellent planetaryy healing stone, as it can help undo the energetic damage that planetar industrialization has propagated. Faden quartz can also be programmed to protect against future physical and spiritual shifts awaiting Earth. 223 From its connection to the theme of fate and destiny, faden quartz encourages us as witches and magick-makers to claim our role as stewards and caretakers of the planet, helping us guide our world to its next phase of evolution with sensitivity and love. In magick, faden quartz can help you attune to seasonal cycles, especially in the waning part of the year. Its energy is in harmony with the celebration of Samhain and Halloween, as it conveys a strong connection to the veil between the worlds. It enhances psychic pursuits and astral travel, and it can reveal deeper meanings in dreams. Use faden quartz to remove negative entities such as servitor spirits, as well as to locate the source of these negative energies. Faden quartz can also be used in protective and reversal magick; though it isn’t outright a retaliatory stone, it does help to level the scales and can be used to help others reap what they sow.
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Isis Crystal Magickal uses: magick, healing, transformation, uniting opposites, transcending duality, soul retrieval, grief, manifestation Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Mother, Mistress of Magick Formation process: igneous
The Isis crystal, one of the twelve varieties of quartz considered a master crystal, is a special formation of quartz characterized by a pentago penta gonal nal main fac facee on the termina termination tion.. This quar quartz tz formati formation on was named and first described by Katrina Raphaell. * Isis crystals exhibit a unique geometry on their main face, which is five-sided. This main facet has a base edge with two short edges rising from it in opposite directions. The final two edges of the main face are longer and meet at a point. True Isis crystals should exhibit a high degree of symmetry. Isis crystals are occasionally called “goddess crystals” and “manifest spirit crystals.” The story of Isis centers around her roles as wife, healer, mother, and magician. She and her siblings are conceived by Geb, the earth god, and Nuit, the sky goddess. Isis and her brother Osiris are wed and crowned rulers of Egypt. Set, brother and rival of Osiris, plots to usurp the throne. He traps Osiris in an enchanted sarcophagus, and Isis must set out to find her husband’s body. After Isis finds the body of Osiris and hides it in the reeds, Set dismembers it, scattering the fourteen pieces of the fallen king throughout the kingdom. Isis and her sister, Nephthys, gather thirteen of them, except for the phallus, which was eaten by a fish. The goddess Isis fashions him a new member out of gold and reunifies the broken body of her lover. Isis and Nephthys then anoint Osiris’s body with sacred oils and wrap him in linen, thus thus becomin becomingg the first embalmers. Not only is Osiris brought back to life, Isis then conceives a holy child, Horus, from their union. Osiris passes from this world to the otherworld, and his sovereignty is passed on to Horus. *For a more in-depth exploration of Isis crystal, refer to pages 153–71 in Katrina Raphaell’s The Crystalline Transmission: A Synthesis of Light.
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Isis crystal is recognized by its its striking pentagonal main face. face.
To understand the meaning of Isis crystal it is necessary to examine the themes in the goddess’s myth. She must overcome seemingly insurmountable grief and perform a miracle to restore life to Osiris. Isis births the dual traditions of healing and embalming, both a product of her love, devotion, and deep magick. By her magick, Isis transforms Osiris from a vegetation god to the lord of the afterlife. Much of her mythic cycle includes the reconciliation of opposing forces, from the rivalry between Set and Osiris (representing the barren desert and fertile land, respectively), to transcending light and darkness, birth and death, brokenness and wholeness. The Isis crystal embodies this same union of opposites in its geometry. According to Katrina Raphaell, the Isis crystal helps us achieve unification and mastery, just as Isis does in her quest to find and restore Osiris: The two lower lines represent the contradictory forces that life offers for experiential growth upon the earth. They are held firm by the base line, which symbolizes the physical plane dimension. The two upper lines meeting at a common point provides us with
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the secret for unification. It is only when we unite the opposing aspects within ourselves into a complementary whole that the world will refl reflec ectt back to us that unifi unified ed rea realit lity. y. The Isis Crys Crystal tal is unique in that the five-sided face has managed to unite the polar forces into a whole, rescuing the opposites from a world of duality. The Isis Crystal is a powerful healing tool that transmits the knowledge of how to combine the seemingly opposite forces of life and death, sickness and health, and pain and joy. In doing so, a state of wholeness is created that is inclusive of embracing all the elements of creation.224
Isis crystal empowers each of us to balance our inner masculine and feminine polarity. In working with this crystal we embrace the inner spark of the Divine Feminine so that we can shine its light into the world around a round us. The world today is dominated by toxic patriarchy and a lack of reverence for the sanctity of the Great Goddess in her many guises. The Isis crystal can help us create change in the world by shifting the balance of power between the masculine and the feminine so that they can be complementary partners in all of creation. Working with these crysta crystals ls can gradual gradually ly undo the damage caused by an overtly and unfairly masculinized world. The Isis crystal is a tool of divine justice. It is the great equalizer, and it can help us live according to our highest potential. This stone reminds us that the human soul seeks union with the Divine, and in so doing it can be used to facilitate a shift in consciousness, such as in meditation, shamanic journeying, and ritual. This quartz formation symbolizes courage amid adversity and helps us face our fears. The Isis crystal is an important catalyst for emotional healing and a beacon of hope during periods of grief and loss. Isis displayed unselfish love of a caliber practically unknown else where in Eg Egyptian yptian mytholog mythologyy. 225 The crystal named in her honor can awaken within you the very same sense of selflessness. This is a crystal of true devotion—not merely the type of dedication seen in romantic relationships, but the devotion of humankind to the higher powers. The Isis crystal encourages you to dedicate your life to the Great Work,
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whether through mag magick, ick, heal healing ing,, socia sociall reform, or by simply being true to yourself in all endeavors. Isis crystal is a powerful catalyst for all forms of healing and transformation. You can use it to reunify the broken aspects of yourself, such as in shamanic soul retrieval. This crystal formation provides a nurturing energy that can heal old heartaches and yield insights into your unlearned lessons here on Earth. Use the Isis crysta crystall on your altar as a representation of the Great Mother, or meditate with one to nurture your own connection to the Divine Feminine.
Lemurian Seed Crystal Magickal uses: meditation, ancient wisdom, karmic healing, harmony, unity, reclaiming the Divine Feminine Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: all planets; Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, the Muse, Earth Mother Formation process: igneous
In the late 1990s, a remarkable configuration of quartz crystals was discovered in two mines in Serro do Cabral, Minas Gerais, Brazil. These crystals were subsequently named “Lemurian seed crystals” by crystal authority Katrina Raphaell. The Lemurian seed crystals, or LSCs, usually exhibit a classic Muzo habit, with a tapering appearance and horizontal striations on every other c-face. Most of the early finds of LSCs are coated in a thin layer of hematite, giving them a subtle pinkish hue. Although the original finds of these crystals are more or less depleted, new batches have been discovered in nearby areas, as well as in other mines around the world. The Lemurian seed crystal emerged at the dawn of the new millennium to help prepare humankind for our collective healing and transformation. These crystals are said to be left to us by the inhabitants of the lost civilization of Lemuria, a society that disappeared beneath the Pacific Ocean eons ago. This legendary land has been equated with the Garden of Eden; it was a place where all lived in harmony with the natural world, and humankind had attained a level of spiritual mastery far beyond what is known today.
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Lemurian seed crystals have have emerged to help rebirth the Divine Feminine.
Atlantis and Lemuria are akin to yang and yin, respectively; Lemurian seed crystals are therefore attuned to the Divine Feminine. Naisha Ahsian writes that the LSCs “assist one in connecting with the feminine archetypal energies of the Goddess, the Great Mother and other representations of the sacred feminine.” 226 This loving, compassionate energy that the LSC radiates helps connect humankind with the natural world, reminding us how to live in harmony with one another and with the animal, plant, mineral, and spirit kingdoms of the planet. Although Lemuria is said to be from a different era on Earth, the LSCs have made themselves known at this turning point in human evolution. They are here to help us rebirth the Divine Feminine by claiming the new currents of energy that the Great Goddess offers us. These crystals seek to enjoin new and old, masculine and feminine, light and dark, and other polarities by first balancing and then transcending the nature of duality. Lemurian seed crystals are the great equalizers of our spiritual development, urging us to remember our inherent wholeness so that we can co-create a better world—one heart, one mind, one soul. A specific variety of Lemurian seed crystal with strong
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goddess-centered energy is called “Goddess phantom Lemurian seed crystal,” or sometimes simply “goddess Lemurian crystal.” Found around 2006 in a later deposit of crystals, these LSCs range from pale smoky quartz to a darker golden smoky citrine; each exhibits phantoms of a contrasting white or beige color. These crystals lovingly enjoin our will and our heart, helping initiate self-mastery through acting out our heart’s sincerest desires. They have an earthy, grounded energy that connects to the archetype of the Earth Mother. This variety of LSC also “bring[s] the body and mind into balance, and . . . harmonize[s] the balanced human being with the forces of nature.” 227 As healing tools, Lemurian seed crystals awaken ancient memories from the soul level. These stones are capable healers of karmic patterns, especially by displacing or countering the overtly yang or masculine dynamics incurred during the age of Atlantis. Their receptive, loving wisdom has been connect connected ed to the go goddess ddess of wisdom, Soph Sophia, ia, and their harmonizing qualities help establish rapport with the archetype of the Earth Mother. As ritual tools, LSCs make powerful wands and open the doors to the spirit planes. They can support meditation and shamanic travel and help you retrieve memories of past lives, especially those in Lemuria. Used in a group setting, LSCs provide greater unity and harmony among practitioners.
Moon Quartz Magickal uses: psychic development, manifestation Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Moon Goddess archetype: Lunar Goddess Formation process: igneous
Moon quartz is an opalescent form of massive quartz. It is sometimes called “girasol” or “girasol quartz,” after a variety of opal that it resembles. The hazy opalescence in this gemstone derives from minute needlelike or tube-shaped inclusions that cause notable optical effects: namely, when polished, moon quartz often appears as if it glows from within.. Many forms of moon quartz exhib within exhibit it asteri asterism, sm, which results from fine inclusions. Moon quartz from Minas Gerais, Brazil, that con-
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The inclusions in moon quartz often create optical phenomena such as the asterism in this stone. stone.
tains traces of hafnium, barium, copper, nickel, and aluminum is marketed as “metamorphosis quartz.” 228 Moon quartz has a dreamy, whimsical energy that lulls you into a peaceful peacef ul state. It gently opens the doors to the veiled world, all allowing owing you to perceive spirits, fair fairyy folk folk,, and other nonphysica nonphysicall being beings; s; as a stone of psychic development, it strengthens spiritual sight and helps you see with greater accurac accuracyy. It also sharpens your skills of discernment, much-needed for enhancing your intuition. A heightened sensitivity to the spiritual plane is one of moon quartz’s deeper effects. This gemstone can help you open to your soul. Though many of us may understand the concept of the soul on an intellectual level, few viscerally experience the profundity of the soul. According to my dear friend Sharron Britton, moon quartz initiates a state of sweet surrender that precipitates deep communion with the soul. This act of surrender and receptivity is the essence of the Divine Feminine. Moon quartz awakens this current of feminine power and supports the return of the Great Goddess. Under the influence of the patriarchy, femininity has become synonymous with passivity—like the proverbial house wife who just accepts an unhealthy unhealthy marriage. The new face of the Divi Divine ne
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Feminine maintains its innate receptivity; however, the Goddess empowers you to receive all and keep only that which serves you and maintains the greatest good. No longer is passivity the norm, for femininity is driving forward as culture and consciousness evolve. Moon quartz reminds you that the essential nature of the universe is not that of opposites; instead, polarities like stillness and change, life and death, dark and light are really parts of a greater whole. This stone is a gateway through which you can familiarize yourself with the meeting of these seemingly disparate polarities. This stone takes you to the veil between the worlds so you can better know your own soul. In those liminal spaces you can journey to a higher perspective. For this reason, moon quartz is a stone for embracing all cycles of change and transformation. These are strong journeying stones; they facilitate otherworldly and out-of-body travel. Moon quartz can help you navigate the astral and spirit planes during your dreamtime voyages. Metamorphosis quartz, a variety of moon quartz with unusual trace elements, yields a handful of additional properties. Melody considers it to be the stone of transformation, as it supports and magnifies all processes of change and transition. 229 Not only can it catalyze internal and external transformation, metamorphosis quartz can prepare you for periods of change by replacing negative attitudes and inspiring hope. It is an especially powerful stone for dreamwork, as it initiates dreams that offer solutions to your current challenges in life. Varieties of moon quartz displaying asterism (an optical effect that resembles a starburst pattern on the surface of the stone) hold the keys to transcendence. They are deeply linked to the Stellar Goddess and the Queen of Heaven; use these stones with care, for they can require focus and adequate grounding. In crystal healing, all forms of moon quartz strengthen the aura, and they can assist you in perceiving your own and others’ auras. It is a cleansing and centering stone, providing sensitivity to the needs of your clients in a healing practice. Moon quartz supports the manifestation process by strengthening your aura; aura ; this stone identifies the highest hig hest frefre quencies in your field of energy and aligns your whole being with those frequencies. 230
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As a talismanic gemstone, moon quartz can be used for any goals that are lunar in nature, including strengthening intuition, protection (especially for women, children, and families), emotional healing, cleansing, and connection to the Lunar Goddess. Moon quartz energetically prepares you for change, and it facilitates reaching altered states of consciousness for more effective ritual. I have found it to be one of the most helpful stones during lunar and solar eclipses, as it helps integrate the powerful energies associated with these celestial events.
Romanian Smoky Quartz Magickal uses: healing, grounding, strength, transformation, feminine mysteries, seasonal attunement Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus, Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Triple Goddess, Mistress of Magick, Earth Mother Formation process: igneous
In Cavnic, Romania, is found quartz with an unusual crystal habit and a pearly overgrowth of dolomite. These smoky quartz crystals have been called “wedding veil quartz” because of the overgrowth of dolomite that covers these crystals. The veil of dolomite crystals draped over the smoky quartz exhibits preferential coating, wher wherein ein it crystallizes atop the same faces of every crystal. In large clusters of these quartzes, the dolomite always grows in the same direction. The general consensus is that these crystals are irradiated artificially, which whi ch dar darkens kens the their ir col color or;; cle clear ar or whi white te non nonirra irradi diate atedd spe specim cimens ens are rare. The unique crystal forms exhibited by these quartzes have earned them the nicknames “artichoke quartz” and “rocket quartz.” They tend to have a reverse taper of the average quartz crystal—they are narrower at the base rather than sloping toward the termination— and they are surrounded by secondary crystals so that they resemble artichokes. Like the Great Goddess cloaked in her heavenly mantle, these quartz crystals are enveloped in a blanket of dolomite. The contrast
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Romanian smokey smokey quartz is sometimes called “wedding veil quartz” for its coating of dolomite.
between the dark quartz and the iridescent pink dolomite is enchanting. There is a sweetness in these crystals that belies their enormous power.. As stones of the Goddess, power G oddess, they represent her unfathom unfathomable able mysteries of transformation. These stones are veiled on one side, obscuring the quartz beneath; in turning them over we find beauty unlike any other crystal I have known. This is much like connecting to the Divine Feminine; the glory of the Goddess is greater than we can conceptualize. In my work I have found that these crystals relate to all three aspects of the Triple Goddess. As the mantle of the Maiden, the Romanian smoky quartz crystal exudes an air of innocence. The soft, feminine color of the dolomite is redolent of spring petals—tender, inviting, and promising new growth. Prepared for her wedding day, she is dusted with iron pyrite and chalcopyrite. Evoking the image of the sacred bride, the Romanian smoky quartz helps navigate the transition from Maiden to Mother. The unusual
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taper of these crystal habits often makes them seem like they have grown heavy with child. Even the chalcopyrite that often occurs in these formations represents the sacred marriage, or hieros gamos, of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine. Chalcopyrite is a sulfide of both copper and iron. Copper is the metal of Venus and represents the feminine principle; iron, as the planetary metal of Mars, is its masculine counterpart. Thus in chalcopyrite we have these two complementary forces uniting in the Great Rite—an alchemical union of the Goddess and the God. Romanian smoky quartz also wears the shroud of the deathly Crone. She is wrapped in her mourner’s veil as she buries those she outlives. These crystals are excellent tools for times of loss because of their dolomite content. In crystal healing, dolomite is often used to counteract grief and deep emotional pain. One of my friends shared with me that she uses dolomite with clients who experience loss; it helps a person surrender to wild, untamed grief so that she can come through the other side transformed. Dolomite supports us by helping us see the gift in knowing and loving the person or experience we have lost. One of the most profound teachings embodied in these crystals is that of death and birth. The Maiden’s wedding veil is no different than that worn by the mourning Crone. The two are inseparable because in every new beginning there is an ending. For there to be a fresh start something must be sacrificed to make way for new life. These smoky quartz crystals offer us the strength and wisdom to understand and embrace this fundamental truth. Romanian smoky quartz is a powerful ally for meditation, ritual, and shamanic journeying. It lends strength and grounding to your spiritual work, and it is a patient teacher and wise guide. Since it spans all three faces of the Triple Goddess, Romanian smoky quartz can be used for attuning to the lunar phases and seasonal cycles. These crystal formations can be used to tap into the Earth Mother archetype as a result of their grounding influence, and the mystical cloak of dolomite evokes the image of the Mistress of Magick. However you use them, know that these crystals are potent allies for transformation; their gifts are not to be taken lightly.
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Rutilated Quartz Magickal uses: attunement to the Goddess, connection, power, strength, the Great Rite, overcoming enemies and obstacles, manifestation, alignment, connection, masculine and feminine balance, communication, self-love, attunement, awareness, healing wounds Elemental signature: spirit, fire, water Astrological signature: Venus; Scorpio, Gemini, Virgo, Taurus Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Love, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous
Rutilated quartz is a formation of two different minerals: metallic needles or threads of rutile enclosed in quartz. Rutile is an oxide of titanium, and it can appear as golden, reddish, or silvery crystals. Rutile can appear in clear, smoky, citrine, or amethystine quartz, either massive or crystalline. Although it commonly comes from Brazil, fine specimens occur in many locations worldwide. For centuries, rutilated quartz has been connected to Goddess archetypes, a tradition extant in several folk names for this stone: d’amour, amour, or “Venus’s hair” and fleches and fleches d’ or “arrows of love.” The shimmering threads of rutile resemble flaxen hair, like that of the Goddess of Love in the Greco-Roman pantheon. Even as arrows of love, these stones remain linked to the Goddess, as the arrows belong to Eros (Cupid), Aphrodite’s companion. Thanks to the association with this goddess, rutilated quartz has been used for connecting to the energy of the Goddess in meditation and ritual. Among the quartz family, rutilated quartz is an especially dynamic stone. It increases raw energy and enhances qualities of connection. Many people find it more energizing than clear quartz and more dynamic than rutile on its own. The two words that best sum up the function of rutilated quartz are connection and alignment . It is a stone that bridges the material and spiritual, the physical and the mental. It also serves to connect people to one another, thus making it an ideal gemstone for promoting healthy relationships, whether romantic or platonic. Rutilated quartz also serves to connect the human to the Divine; use it to bridge the perceived gap between yourself and the Goddess.
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Needles Nee dles of rutile in clear clear quartz cabochons
Simultaneously, as rutilated quartz offers itself in service to forge better connections, it helps you align with what lies on the other side of the bridge. This means that it is a great stone for manifestation, healing, and a variety of spellcraft because it enables you to become better harmonized with the outcome you are seeking. It works by attuning and adjusting your nonphysical anatomy—your aura and chakras—to the blueprint of whatever you seek to manifest. When you are in this stat statee of per perfe fect ct al alig ignment, nment, there is less resi resistan stance ce to your go goal al,, and mag magick ick natural naturally ly fol follows lows the path of lea least st resist resistance ance.. In the end it helps to enhance your practice with swifter, more precise outcomes. Rutilated quartz exhibits a strikingly masculine energy for being a goddess-oriented gem. Being comprised of titanium, rutile embodies qualities both direct and strengthening. It is a superb mineral for situations requiring stamina, strength of character, and boldness. As such it conveys a more masculine presence, helping to embody the Divine Masculine principle. When rutile occurs in quartz, alchemy takes place. Truly, rutilated quartz unites the feminine, lunar nature of quartz with
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the fiery, warriorlike presence of rutile. It stirs the fierce and foreboding aspects of the Goddess, thus enabling you to call on her when these aspects are needed. Throughout human history, the Great Goddess in all her guises has been devalued—often reduced, replaced, or demonized—when worship of the God swept through the ancient world. Rutilated quartz serves as a bridge between the masculine and the feminine, and it can heal the repressed inner Goddess in each of us. It is an important tool for recovering from violence, sexual abuse, or other traumas often instigated in patriarchal cultures regardless of gender. Rutilated quartz symbolizes the Great Rite, the symbolic sexual union of the Goddess and the God, as the masculine needles of rutile penetrate pene trate the femin feminine ine vesse vessell of cr crysta ystal.l. As the oppo opposite site pol polariti arities es of rock crystal and rutile unite, there is born a powerful current of the quintessence. Rutilated quartz therefore conveys a strong connection to the fifth element, which can be channeled into magick for a variety of uses. In magick and ritual, rutilated quartz is a stone of empowerment, manifestation, and connection. Use it to connect with the energies of Aphrodite/Venus for love spells and for improving relationships of all kinds. It magnifies your intention and helps you align to it for any goal possible, such as for healing healing,, protection, or spiritual growth. Rutilated quartz is a powerful ally in connecting to the Goddess in many of her archetypal roles, especially the seemingly polar aspects of the Goddess of Love and the Fierce Goddess. Enjoy the potency and strength that it lends to all your workings.
Scarlet Temple Lemurian Seed Crystal Magickal uses: liberation, sexuality, overcoming fear, life force Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Venus, Mars, Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Sacred Harlot Formation process: igneous
In 2013, a new variety of Lemurian seed crystal (LSC) was discovered in Serro do Cabral, Brazil. These crystals resemble earlier iterations of
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These Lemurian seed crystals derive their deep pink to red color from trac traces es of hematite. he matite.
LSCs, except that the familiar hematite coating results in a darker rose to reddish coating. This rich coloring has earned this crystal the name “strawberry Lemurian seed crystal” and “scarlet temple Lemurian seed crystal.” Though the majority of them form in the typical Muzo habit associated with LSCs, many have distorted forms, odd surface relief patterns, and unusual etching etchings, s, all of which conspire to make them some of the most morphologically interesting LSCs around.
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The scarlet temple crystal combines the purity and innocence of the entire clan of LSCs with the fiery, impassioned energy of the iron oxide on its surface. This marriage of the receptive, feminine LSC with the masculine hematite paves the way for exploring sacred sexuality. The very first time I saw these crystals I was reminded of the Thelemic goddess Babalon, sometimes referred to as the Scarlet Woman and the Sacred Whore. In part she is the result of Aleister Crowley’s reimagining of the whore of Babylon from the Book of Revelation, who is seen astride a great red beast. An excerpt from the Gnostic Creed, recited in the Gnostic Mass of the Ordo Templi Orientis,* describes Babalon thusly: “I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name BABALON.” Babalon is the embodiment of the Divine Mother, and she is associated with other love, sex, and war goddesses such as Inanna, Ishtar, and Astarte. To some occultists, Babalon is viewed as a hidden aspect of Nuit, goddess of the starry sky. I consider her an aspect of the Sacred Harlot because she refuses no one, but exacts a great price: she receives adepts as part of the mysteries of this spiritual path, and the price of this symbolic union is a few drops of the adept’s blood. This offering of blood is meant to represent the death of the ego. Scarlet temple Lemurian seed crystals are dynamic and engaging. They offer their healing and energy to all who seek them, refusing no one, just like the Sacred Harlot. Rather than demanding the death of your ego identity identity,, however, these crysta crystals ls lovingly invite you to release your attac attachment hment to an eg egoo-driven driven world world.. They offer gra grace, ce, whic whichh absolves you of your sins. In this case, the only sin possible is believing that you are separate from the Goddess. By extension, if you embrace *Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), or “Order of the Temple of the East” or “Order of Oriental Templars,” is an international religious organization founded at the beginning of the twentietieth century. English occultist Aleister Crowley was the best-known and most influential member of the order. Crowley organized OTO around the religious philosophy philos ophy of Thelema, the central relig religious ious principle of which is “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.”
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joyfu l unity with the Godde joyful Goddess, ss, you will find unity and harmony with all others. The scarlet temple Lemurian crystal helps you achieve this through its heartfelt dance. Whenever When ever I hol holdd thes thesee spe specia ciall forma formations tions of quar quartz tz the theyy fee feell at once both ancient and new. It is as though they carry a wisdom that is timeless—perhaps actually seeded by the inhabitants of Lemuria themselves. They have a mission that is uniquely aimed at our current stage of evolution on Earth. Because of this, they usher in a fresh energy, one aimed at the reemergence of the Goddess. Their ruddy appearance speaks to their fiery spark of creativity, power, and the awakening of the life force. Scarlet temple Lemurian seed crystals have arrived to heal and elevate the station of women; they can also help reveal and nurture the Divine Feminine in the hearts of men and nonbinary people. The scarlet temple crystal can empower you to embrace sacred sexuality. Like the Great Mother who receives the seed of her consort, this crystal allows you to receive love, affection, and pleasure from your partner. It catalyzes the healing of trauma, sexual abuse, or cultural conditioning about sex and pleasure by inviting you to claim sovereignty over your body and your sexuality. The scarlet temple Lemurian seed crystal also helps you overcome fear of all sorts, especially the fear of being judged. Thus this stone can help you reclaim your inner Sacre Sacredd Harlot Harlot,, leavi leaving ng you fre freee to acc accept ept or reje reject ct ple pleasure asure in any form as you see fit. In so doing, it is the quintessential tool for invoking the Great Mother, as all acts of love and pleasure are her domain. Like all LSCs, the scarlet temple crystals have emerged now to help us integrate the new wave of Goddess energy in our world. They offer their healing in support of finding value among expressions of femininity. The iron-rich coating on this crystal lends strength to the gentleness of its base vibration, helping propel the Divine Feminine one step further toward its rightful status. These crystals can be just the tools we need to help pave the way for the success of feminism, as they seek to elevate the station of women everywhere.
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Veil of Isis Crystal Magickal uses: shamanic travel, healing the Divine Masculine, evolution Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Mother, Mistress of Magick, Stellar Goddess Formation process: igneous
Veil of Isis cr Veil crystal ystalss are a rec recently ently disc discovere overed, d, unique formation of quartz found in Colombia. They are characterized chiefly by milky inclusions resembling a sheer veil. These wispy inclusions are most likely composed of amphibole. Occasionally, when a veil of Isis crystal is cut in cross-section, it reveals a trapiche (wheel-shaped) pattern within. Most veil of Isis crystals cr ystals exhibit faint etchings along the c-faces of the body, perhaps the result of a dissolution process. Veil V eil of Isis crysta crystals ls are by their very nature crysta crystals ls of mystery and mastery. These sacred stones were first introduced to me by my friend and colleague Sharron Britton. She gifted me with a specimen and enigmatically described it as “the invitation to the cosmic dance.” It took me quite some time to discover this stone’s mission. The luminous inclusions and complex surface relief patterns connote a strong sense of movement. These crystals have held my fascination ever since I first laid eyes on them. The transparent inclusions within these crystals resemble an other worldly mist—the veil between the worlds. The inclusions bear a passing resemblance to the mantle of the Great Mother, the ever- present ever- present boundary between ordinary consciousness and the liminal realms inhabited by spirits, elementals, fairies, and gods. Peering into these stones induces a state of calm focus; they can be used for meditation, crystal-gazing, and shamanic travel. The ethereal inclusions give the crystals a contraluz effect, such that they appear to be lit from within. They radiate whimsy and envelope you in a sense of peaceful solitude as they prepare the consciousness for journeying to the aspects of psyche that need the deepest healing healing.. Meditating with this crystal or using it in ritual can prepare you to part the boundary between the material and immaterial planes. Its hazy, luminous appearance signals the hidden light of spirit that is all
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Veil of Isis crystals cr ystals are crystals of mystery and mastery.
around and within us. The veil of Isis crystal presents itself to us as part of our toolkit for the evolution of human consciousness. When we look beyond the material world we find an interconnectedness among all things. This deep sense of kinship is the result of all that we know and feel and see and touch, having been born from the cosmic womb of the Great Mother. The veil of Isis crystal puts us in touch with this irrevocable entanglement, helping us find the sacred relationship in all that is. By turning our focus to intrinsic connection, the veil of Isis crystal allows us to push against the illusion of separation and darkness. With the rise in patriarchal monotheistic religion, all the goddesses that could not be tamed were consigned to darkness. This crystal formation shows us the causal relationship between the “advances” in human society and the patterns in our collective consciousness. The veil of Isis crystal reveals how the Divine Feminine has historically been swept away or demonized, yet by following the light this stone shines we can repeal the efforts to diminish and devalue the Divine Feminine. These stones enable us to reclaim our heritage as children of the Divine Mother. One of the most important messages of these crystals is one of empowerment, specifically, that of empowering the Divine Feminine to
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rescue the Divine Masculine. Most of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) have contributed to the rise in toxic masculinity and unchecked misogyny. Men have been taught to lock their feelings away and put on a brave face at all times; the message that femininity equals weakness is underscored in culture, media, and religion worldwide. Ultimately, we are left with men who cannot identify their own emotional needs and women who aren’t permitted to heal this brokenness. This is where the mission of the veil of Isis crystals steps in. These stones seek to rescue the fragmented, inverted, and isolated picture of masculinity that is cultivated worldwide. By parting the veil of separation, these stones reflect the inherent sense of entanglement and inseparability between the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine. They remind us that we cannot have the one without the other. While the Isis crystal seeks to reconcile the duality of masculine and feminine, the veil of Isis cry crystal stal strengthens their relationsh relationship ip through action. The veil of Isis cr crystal ystal seek seekss to unif unifyy and integrate the broken down and scattered divinity, just as Isis recovered and reassembled the dismembered remains of Osiris. Ultimately, the veil of Isis crystal invites us to reclaim our wholeness. In remembering this wholeness we are empowered to be the cocreators we are made to be. This, for me, is what the “invitation to the cosmic dance” really means. The Earth can participate consciously in the greater plan of the cosmos only when we achieve a sense of wholeness by elevating the station of women and normalizing the inner masculine and feminine within each person on the planet. Today we see an uprising among women of the world who are leading our social, political, and spiritual reforms; they embody the essence of this crystal. The complex etchings on the surface of these crystals remind me of rushing rivers—they imbue these stones with a sense of movement and power. The veil of Isis crystal can break through your blockages, bringing clarity and freshness where there was once stagnation. I also see this riverlike appearance as a reminder that a person’s consciousness is part of a greater consciousness. Upon closer inspection these patterns reveal a myriad of tiny crystal faces, each pointing toward the stone’s
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termination. This crystal enables you to see that our human experience is like a wave in the ocean; it can dissolve the boundaries of a limited perception of self so that you can perceive the expanse exp anse of your soul and your origin in the Cosmic Mother Mother.. Although there is no ancient lore connected with these crystals, I have found them helpful tools for connecting to the archetypes of the Mother, Mistress of Magick, and the Stellar Goddess. They can be used in in rituals of healing, soul retrieval, and divination. Place one on your heart or brow during meditation to enhance your shamanic journeys, especia especially lly workings aimed at meeting Isis or another face of the Great Mother. In healing work, this stone can help with recovering from abuse, trauma, and loss.
White Quartz Magickal uses: protection, healing, stabilizing, inspiration, regeneration, ancestral communication Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Mother Goddess, Fierce Goddess Formation process: igneous (white quartz) or metamorphic (quartzite)
White quartz quartz,, or snow quartz quartz,, refers to massive, anhe anhedral dral masses of quartz—those that lack crystal faces—with an opaque-to-translucent white color. They The y can either be seams or veins of quartz, grainy masses, or the metamorphic rock quartzite. This type of quartz is often found in alluvial deposits (such as river stones) along beaches and alongside more valuable ore minerals in mines. White quartz is found worldwide. White quartz is a common car carving ving medium that has been used for thousands of years, and it has been found as offerings in ancient burial sites. Paleolithic carvings, called “stiff nudes,” are often depictions of an aspect of the Fierce Goddess as Goddess of the Underworld, and these figures are often made out of white quartz. This material resembles bone and the snowy mantle of winter. For this reason white quartz has accrued a funereal association. White quartz represents the need for death, darkness, and decay in the natural cycle of life. Without these
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Raw and polished white quartz
forces there is no opportunity to leave behind what doesn’t serve us so we can find time to recuperate and regenerate. Use it in sabbat celebrations during the darker half of the year, especially at the Yule (winter solstice) and Imbolc (February 2). The color and texture of white quartz naturally lends itself to depictions of the Lunar Goddess. Polished spherical beads can be used to gently attune to the energy of the full moon. Worn or carried after a ritual, white quartz helps to anchor the positive changes that have been effected by magick and ceremony. In gemstone therapy, this gem, quartzite, is used to stabilize positive changes; it helps usually called quartzite, achieve a new state of balance and prevents slipping back into old habits.231 It has an overall settling effect on the subtle bodies, providing improved stability on all levels. When whit whitee quar quartz tz is actua actually lly the meta metamorp morphic hic roc rockk quar quartzit tzite— e— made of metamorphosed sandstone—it is the perfect representation of the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess. As a metamorphic rock, it is in the domain of Metamatrix, the Mother of the Goddess of Stone. Since this rock has undergone changes that have resulted from intense pressure and/or heat, it helps to provide stability during our own transitions. Like the gentle embrace of the Great Mother,
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quartzite helps us feel reassured, guided, and protected while experiencing transformation. In your magickal practice use white quartz for attuning to the tides of death and darkness, such as those that rise during the winter solstice. This stone can help you recognize the need to rest in order to prepare for and maintain your cycles of growth. White quartz is helpful for igniting the creative process by expanding the scope of your imagination; use it for anything from problem-solving to planning a new ritual. White quartz is also an excellent offering to the dead, and it can be used to facilitate ancestral communication. This gemstone is a versatile tool, and it can provide much-needed stability and endurance in many workings.
Witch’s Finger Quartz Magickal uses: psychic development, ancestral healing, purification, protection, spirit contact, Earth healing, shamanic journeying, psychic development, offensive magick Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Crone, Mistress of Magick Formation process: igneous
Hailing from Zambia, witch’s finger crystals are unusual, teeming with inclusions of actinolite, mica, rutile, feldspar, zircon, and other minerals. Superficial deposits on the crystals resemble warts, and the stubby, tapered, and sometimes curved crystal habit evokes the image of the pointed finger of a wizened Crone. Recently, cactus quartz (aka (aka,, spirit quartz) from South Africa has been marketed as witch’s finger quartz; such crystals do not exhibit the properties described below. At first glance, witch’s finger quartz will not win any beauty contests. However, a closer glimpse of the interior landscape of these crystals reveals complex inclusions, misty veils, rainbows, and so much more. These crystals look as though they have led a hard life, often forming incomplete terminations or misshapen crystal faces; yet despite their rough appearance, they emanate compassion and wisdom. These crystals are skilled guides for our own development and transformation, as they
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The witch’s finger crystal is gnarled and misshapen like its stereotypical namesake. namesake.
can help us navigate the unexpected pitfalls of life, granting additional stamina to help us persevere through our most challenging lessons. The witch’s finger crystal is a patient teacher. It speaks quietly at first, waiting until we are ready to devote time to learn what it offers. This stone seems to work best on its own, unhindered by distractions and by other stones or tools. It can help us learn discipline and solitude, ultimately reminding us that the witch’s path is crooked and lonely, winding back and forth as we develop a personal relationship with the god gods, s, spirits, and ancestors ancestors.. These sacred crysta crystals ls can also be used for ancestral healing and for clearing old patterns of energy from ourselves and our environment, whether these patterns are mental, emotional, spiritual, or karmic. Witch’ss finger quart Witch’ quartzz represents the Crone aspe aspect ct of the Triple
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Goddess. It is an excellent tool for spirit contact, developing the psychic faculties, and claiming your personal power. It illuminates repressed patterns in your mind, helping you embrace the seemingly broken parts of yourself as your greatest teachers. By inviting you to accept responsibility for your own well-being, witch’s finger quartz steers you toward understanding your soul’s journey. It awakens the latent understanding of why you are here on Earth. When tumb tumble led, d, thi thiss ston stonee is ca calllled ed “Ma “Magd gdal alene ene qua quart rtz” z” or “Magdalena stone.” Such stones are recommended for shamanic journeying and Earth healing; they are also said to connect to the “sacred Magdalene archetype.” 232 Personally, I find these same attributes in raw specimens of witch’s finger, too. As part of a magickal or spiritual practice, witch’s finger quartz is a fiercely protective stone. When you develop a relationship with one of these crystals it becomes a potent ritual tool and a trusted spiritual advisor. These crystals facilitate channeling, divination, spirit contact, and attuning to the power of place; in addition to opening the practitioner to receive, the witch’s finger provides protection during psychic or spiritual endeavors. Although I do not personally advocate using crystals in hexing or cursing, a witch’s finger crystal is a capable tool for offensive magick of all types.
RAINFOREST RHYO RHYOLITE LITE Magickal uses: grounding, planetary healing, harmony, hope, plant magick, past-life recall, shamanic journeying Elemental signature: earth Astrological signature: Venus; Taurus, Sagittarius, Leo Goddess archetypes: Great Mother, Earth Mother, Mistress of Magick Formation process: igneous
Rainforest rhyolite is a spherulitic form of rhyolite from Australia; it is commonly mislabelled “rainforest jasper,” however, this stone is an igneous rock composed predominantly of quartz and feldspar, with minor amounts of biotite and hornblende. Rhyolites are the extrusive equivalents of granite.
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Swirls of green and other earth tones mingle with translucent tra nslucent patches of quartz in this rainforest rhyolite. rhyolite.
In crystal healing, rainforest rhyolite is often used to bring hope, joy,, and harmony joy harmony.. It is an uplifting upl ifting stone that connects us to the natural world. Naisha Ahsian describes it as a stone for Earth healing and connecting to the Great Mother. She writes, “In this time of cataclysmic natural destruction, this ally provides a link to the healing of humanity through the repair of our sacred relationship with the Earth.” 233 This gemstone fosters compassion for all life, especially citizens of the plant and animal kingdoms, and thus it can be an aid for communicating with and healing all life on the planet. Magickally, rainforest rhyolite is a powerful tool for connecting to
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the intelligence of nature. It “connects one to the sacred web of life that exists in nature” and is “a powerful stone for working with nature spirits and devic beings.” 234 Use it for healing rituals for animals, plants, communities, and the planet as a whole. It can inspire creative problem-solving, enabling you to see the bigger picture and pursue possibilities that satisfy the needs of everyone involved in a given scenario. Rainforest rhyolite is a stone that awakens latent memories of magick from past lives. Since it is so in tune with the natural world, it fosters an intuitive recall of green wisdom, plant magick, and herbalism. The energy of this stone “draws attention to the action of plants and passes on such knowledge, especially through the female line.” 235 Rainforest rhyolite is an ally in reclaiming the wisdom of your maternal line; it opens the doorway to communing with your ancestors so that you can put their colle collective ctive wisdom and experience to use in your life. Plant rainforest rhyolite around your garden to facilitate healthy growth and more potent medicine and magick. This stone helps establish a healthy rapport with the nature spirits and other spirit beings around you. Use rainforest rhyolite for physical healing such as pain relief, tissue regeneration, and fighting off infections. Magickally, it is a potent ally in shamanic journeying journeying;; it lends stability, acting as an energetic anchor on your travels in spirit, and encourages you to trust the information you glean from your practice.
ROSE QUARTZ Magickal uses: love, beauty, forgiveness, emotional balance Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Venus; Cancer, Libra, Taurus, Sagittarius Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Love, Mother, Fierce Goddess, Sacred Harlot Formation process: igneous
Rose quartz occurs in two distinct formations. The first is anhedral (without crystal faces), a massive form of quartz colored by fine fibrous inclusions of a mineral closely related to dumortierite. This form varies from nearly opaque to transparent; transparent stones display a hazy
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contraluz effect similar to moon quartz. Some rose quartz also exhibits asterism. Massive rose quartz is found in many places worldwide; important centers of production are Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, Germany, and the United States. The second variety of rose quartz is euhedral (exhibiting clearly defined crystal faces); its color is derived from traces of phosphorus and aluminium, and it is found in Brazil. There is little pre-modern lore about rose quartz that has survived to the present day. Rose quartz artifacts consist mostly of beads, but also cylinder seals, figurines and vessels, and these are found in China, Europe, and the Near East. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) called this anteros. Another nickname of anteros stone anteros. stone of anteros in his era was “Venus’s eyelid.”236 It has carried connotations of love and beauty since Pliny’s era, and it continues to be a popular stone for drawing love today. Rose quartz can be massaged or rubbed on your face to improve your com plexion, allowing your beauty shine. It is a popular component in love spells, as this stone seeks out your barriers to love and helps you forgive yourself for the pain and guilt you’ve carried. Through this action, rose quartz helps us become more loving to ourselves and others, and it enables us to be more receptive to the love all around us. Rose quartz is a popular stone for connecting to the Divine Feminine. In addition to representing the archetype of the Goddess of Love, rose quartz embodies the maternal principles of the Great Mother. Barbara Walker describes the soft color of this stone as reminiscent “of maternal qualities and a sense of security such as might be experienced by an infant at its mother’s breast and remembered subconsciously in adulthood.” 237 This stone helps to strengthen our relationship with the Mother of All and engenders similar motherly qualities in each of us. Rose quartz enables each of us to become a vessel for the love and healing of the Great Mother by dissolving our resistance to this love and easing our insecurities and feelings of unworthiness. It is a popular talisman for children, as it is believed to envelop them in the love and protection of the Mother Goddess. An archaeological find of a cylinder seal carved from rose quartz is engraved with the Babylonian god Enlil and his consort Ninlil. This suggests that the stone is sacred to this goddess, who ruled over the
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Rose quartz is a staple staple in love magick.
winds. Ninlil is a Mother Godde Goddess ss fig figure ure whose epithets include “the Lady who gives birth” and “the Lady who spreads her knees.” Rose quartz is often found among grave goods, which indicates that it represents that aspect of the Great Mother who receives us in death. My friend and colleague Brian Parsons loves to use rose quartz as an example of how not every pink crystal is a “warm and fuzzy” kind of stone. He says there is nothing soft about this gemstone; rather, it’s a stone of tough love. 238 We would do well to remember that rose quartz shakes loose our sense of unworthiness and stirs up old emotional patterns that lie buried in the physical body. The process of release we experience with rose quartz may not always be gentle, especially when
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working with gem-qual gem-quality ity pieces. Our fears, pain, and other emotional baggage might rise to the surface, seemingly filling our thoughts with shadows. To better understand this it is important to remember that the Great Mother has dual aspects: light and dark. The Sumerian goddess Ninlil, for whom rose quartz is sacred, is sometimes connected to or even equated with Lilith, a Sumerian storm goddess and aspect of the Dark Mother.* Lilith was later integrated into the rabbinical tradition, and Hebrew texts describe her as Adam’s first wife. After being cast out of Eden, she coupled with demons and begat all manner of demons and monsters. Hebrew mythology paints Lilith as a dangerous, wanton woman, i.e., the Sacred Harlot. Rose quartz sheds light on our own inner demons so that we are emboldened and strengthened. This gemstone helps us heal from the oldest of wounds, not by casting them out as Lilith was ousted from paradise; instead, this stone embodies both the light and dark aspects of the Mother, who can meet our fears with love and grace or with fire and fury. Rose quartz endows us with the emotional strength to embrace our pain, forgive it, and release it once and for all. Where Wh ere th thes esee va vari riou ouss ar arch chet etyp ypes es— — G od odde dess ss of Lo Love ve,, Gr Grea eatt Mother, and Fierce Goddess—intersect, we find another archetype, that of the Sacred Harlot. Roses are sacred to Babalon, the Great Mother and Sacred Harlot of the Thelemic tradition, and rose quartz is therefore sacred to her. In crystal healing, rose quartz is a stone used to heal sexual trauma, eliminate shame, and improve self-worth. It teaches you that you are worthy of love and pleasure and that you are beautiful. Since this stone works to release your blockages to love, it can also be used to lessen your hangups about sex and sexuality. It reminds you that acts of love and pleasure are rituals of the Great Goddess, and thus rose quartz can help you embrace sex as a form of worship or communion with the Divine. This stone helps elevate your cons conscious ciousness ness so that acts of plea pleasure sure bec become ome pure mag magick ick.. *Ninlil is also called Mullitu in some texts. Lilith’s name is derived from the Akkadian lilitu (a class of female demons in ancient Mesopotamia), a word that shares the lil root with Ninlil and the litu suffix with Mullitu.
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In spellcraft, the primary use of rose quartz is in love spells. It can be added to charm bags, placed on your altar, combined with pink or red candle candles, s, or empowered as a talisman and worn. Use it to attract a new partner or to help you love yourself unconditionally. It can be used in magickal baths—either immersed in the water as you bathe or placed around the edge of the tub—to promote beauty, selfconfidence, and peace. Rose quartz is an excellent stone to work with to prepare yourself for deeper healing on all levels; use it to initiate a cleansing process of body, mind, and spirit, to make room for growth and transformation.
SAKURA STONE Magickal uses: love, beauty, inspiration, attunement to nature, regeneration, creativity, confidence Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Venus, Uranus; Taurus, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Earth Mother Formation process: metamorphic
In 2009, I was blessed with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit Japan for three weeks. During that time I immersed myself in the culture, language, mythology, and spirituality of the Land of the Rising Sun. I also made a special effort to find some native minerals, as I do whenever I travel. The most unusual formation I found was what the Japanese call sakura ishi (桜石) or “cherry blossom stone.” These are usually minute, fragile crystals that form as a replacement of complex intergrowths of indialite-cordierite (better known as iolite in its bluish violet formations). The resulting pseudomorphs retain the overall shape and appearance of the original mineral, which in this case has a trapiche (wheel-like) habit resembling flowers. Appropriately, these unusual stones occur in only one place in the world: Kyoto, Japan. To the people of Japan, the cherry blossom signifies fleeting beauty and embodies the essence of springtime. Cherry blossoms last only a short while before fading, their petals carried away by the breeze. When I first laid eyes on sakura trees in full bloom, their breathtaking
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Sakura stones are rare formations from Kyoto, Japan, that resemble cherry blossoms.
beauty felt overwhelming. There is something bittersweet about them, for their occurrence embodies the ephemeral nature of all life. Japanese culture reco recognizes gnizes that all things have a divine nature, a numinous force akin to the gods; this essence or divinity is referred to as kami (神)—the same word used for “god” or “goddess.” The Japanese belie believe ve that sakura trees each have their own kami, which is reborn in the sakura stones once the blooms have withered. Each of these flower-shaped crystals embodies the innocence, beauty, and grace that the cherry blossom conveys, but they do so for an eternity. In the mythology of Japan, there is a much-loved goddess of the sakura. Her full name is Konohanasakuya-hime, meaning “princess of the blossoming tree,” and she is often called Sakuya-hime, Konohana, or Sengen-sama. Konohana is respected as the representation of Japanese culture itself. She is the great-grandmother of the first emperor of
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Japan and the wife of Ninigi, the god of rice. She is most frequently represented by the symbol of the cherry blossom, thus connecting her to the sakura stone. She can be thought of as residing in the stones while her belove belovedd trees are dormant; she awaits their flowering each year by retreating to the stones. Konohana is also the patron deity of Mt. Fuji and is the Japanese goddess of volcanoes. Sakura stones are delicate formations; much like living cherry blossoms they need to be handled with care. Their presence brings peace and uplifts the energy of the space in which they are placed. They can be used when seeking beauty within and without, for finding love, and for connecting to the spirits of the plant kingdom. Sakura stones have a strong relationship with the devic kingdom, including nature spirits, fairies, and the kami of Japan. They connect us deeply to the spiritual essence of the natural world and can be used to attune to Mother Nature. Sakura stones can be employed in spells for love and abundance, as the cherry blossom traditionally symbolizes both. Place them on your altar or encircle a candle with a few small specimens to harness their energy for your working. Sakura stones can also be used in glamourie, the magickal art of changing or augmenting the way you are perceived by others, as they enhance the beauty within us. Being comprised of mica, these stones also promote flexibility and help us when you are faced with changes. In healing, sakura stones are helpful tools for promoting regeneration after periods of exertion. Just as the spirit of the cherry blossom rests in stone after the flowering period, these crystals guide your spirit to its metaphorical bedchambers to recover when you need it most. They can also be used to promote creativity, overcome shyness, and inspire confidence. Since sakura stones are the result of a metamorphic process, they assist you in times of immense transition; with their delicate guidance you can weat weather her any storm and become all the better for it. Sakura stones are surprisingly visionary stones. Their mica content promotes promo tes awareness, awareness, self-reflecti self-reflection, on, and clarity of psychic vision. In addition, their overall appearance is due to the cordierite of which they were once comprised prior to becoming pseudomorphs. The best-known variety of cordierite is iolite, a blue-to blue-to-purple -purple gemstone known to
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enhance psychic awareness and open the third eye. Holding a sakura stone can provide many of these same benefits; I always feel its energy enter my brow first as it subtly enhances my perception of the spiritual planes. I find myself more open to accepting the present moment when I work with sakura s akura stones. They are compelling reminders of the ephemeral nature of life itself. Holding them or meditating with them invites you to see the gif gifts ts in each moment; these stones instill appreciation for the gifts of the Goddess that we receive each and every moment.
SAPPHIRE Magickal uses: wisdom, prophecy, love, devotion, fidelity, harmony, goal-setting, justice, protection, peace, discipline, truth, legal matters Elemental signature: air, water Astrological signature: Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune; Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo, Gemini, Pisces, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Queen of Heaven, Goddess of Love, Maiden, the Muse Formation process: igneous or metamorphic
Sapphire refers to corundum in any color but red (red corundum is ruby). Its name derives from sapphirus, a term that originally applied to lapis lazuli and later to many other blue stones. Sapphires are found around the world, including Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Madagascar, Kenya, Vietnam, Australia, and the United States. Blue sapphire is colored by varying traces of titanium and iron; other types of sapphire are called “fancy sapphires.” The following properties refer to blue sapphire; additional entries for padparadscha sapphire and star sapphire follow. Blue sapphire is fairly split between the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine in ancient lore. Vedic wisdom purports that there are two distinct genders among the sapphires, with darker shades being male and lighter shades female. There is an Asian myth that claims that sapphires were created from the last drops of the elixir of immortality, or amrita. amrita. This spiritual sustenance was sometimes regarded as the life-
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Sapphire is available in a variety of colors, though blue stones such as the one pictured pictured here are the the most popular popular..
giving milk of the Great Goddess. 239 A Sinhalese legend describes blue sapphire as originating when the blue eyes of a nature spirit called a daitya were daitya were entranced by the hypnotic dance of young women. 240 Michel Coquet, a scholar of Hinduism, esoteric Buddhism, and Eastern philosophy, regards blue sapphire as an emissary of the second ray, the ray of love in the esoteric tradition of the seven rays. He writes, write s, “A “A stone of the second ray, ray, sapphire has a fem female ale polarity . . . This polarity grants sapphire the power to console the torm torment ented, ed, relieve the anguished, calm the nervous, give tranquility to the anxious, and transform hatred into clarity. Buddhists maintain that sapphires produce peace of mind and create equanimity equanimity,, establishing establishing in the awarenes awarenesss of the meditator a profound and enduring vibration of peace and harmony.” 241 Perhaps this esoteric link between sapphire and love finds its roots in the archaic belief that sapphires are the guardians of love. Greek texts state that sapphire is under the patronage of Aphrodite, 242 though this may actually refer to lapis lazuli or another blue gemstone.
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Sapphire has long been used to induce harmony, love, and fidelity. Blue sapphire was thought to help lovers attune to each other in order to forge a deeper connection. Sapphire also connotes devotion and chastity, and ecclesiastical rings were once set with sapphires to encourage such virtues in churchmen. In the Christian lapidary tradition, blue sapphire was linked to the Virgin Mary. The chasteness of sapphire connects to the archetypal Maiden, who helps us find our intrinsic innocence and freedom. Sapphire promotes a spiritual sense of love that helps us achieve union not only with our partners in body, but also in soul. Blue sapphire calls on the archetype of the Goddess of Love to help us harness the transformative power of unconditional love. Blue sapphire is esteemed for its mental virtues. This gemstone is the preeminent healer of the mind, bringing clarity and focus while nourishing the mind with its energy. As a Muse archetype, blue sap phire represents wisdom and thus can help us connect to go goddesses ddesses associated with learning, the arts, and scholastic pursuits. Accordingly, this gemstone is used for expanding consciousness, healing conditions of the sensory organs (especially the eyes and ears) and the brain/ nervous system, and for seeking truth. Ultimately, this is the stone that most embodies the truth behind the Delphic injunction of “Know thynot our self.” Blue sapphire reminds us that we are not our minds, no more than we are our physical bodies, and that our true nature is that of spirit. 243 As a stone of truth, sapphire cuts through illusion, reveals deceit and lies, and protects against harmful spells. It can be useful in magick aimed at obtaining a favorable outcome in legal matters, as well as warding off jea jealousy lousy and vengeanc vengeance. e. Blue sapphire is also used as an amulet against poverty; surely anyone wealthy enough to afford a fine sapphire in the first place is likely to have no problems in this area. The celestial color of sapphire endows it with similar properties as stones such as lapis lazuli (with which it has been linguistically conflated for centuries). It is believed to be highly protective, especially against the evil eye. Since medieval times magicians and witches have favored sapphire for strengthening their enchantments. Blue sapphire unlocks the psychic senses and helps us interpret divination with greater
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accuracy. Many crystal mystics today use blue sapphire to enhance communication in all endeavors and for channeling higher intelligences.
Padparadscha Sapphire Magickal uses: prosperity, learning, wisdom, creativity, good luck, happiness Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Sun; Taurus Goddess archetypes: Maiden, Goddess of Love, the Muse Formation process: igneous or metamorphic
Padpar P adparadscha adscha sapphire sapphire is named for its its color, color, which resembles a pink lotus flower.
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Padparadscha sapphires have a striking pinkish orange hue. The name of this stone is taken from the Sinhalese word for the lotus blossom because of their resemblance to the color of this sacred flower. Though the color range is varied, true padparadscha sapphires must be a mix of both pink and orange, with pastel tones being among the most coveted. Trace amounts of chromium and iron create the unusual color of these gemstones. They are commonly found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Padparadscha sapphires are traditionally associated with wisdom, and they are believed to remove obstacles. I find these sapphires to be closely connected to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of abundance and wealth. wea lth. This go goddes ddesss is oft often en depi depicte ctedd with a lotu lotuss in her hands hands,, thus she is also named Padma (lotus); the padparadscha sapphire shares a linguistic origin with her. Like Lakshmi, the padparadscha embodies the symbolism of the lotus, radiating enlightenment and fecundity to all who bear it. The padparadscha’s association with wisdom and learning makes it an excellent tool for those who are studying, whether as part of a formal school or independently. It broadens the perspective and facilitates mental acuity. For these reasons, the padparadscha sapphire is beneficial for those involved in research, writing, and teaching. It connects to the archetype of the Muse and brings inspiration and creativity to pursuits in education and the arts. Because of its inner fire, padparadscha sapphire evokes creativity and helps us channel that into authentic expression. This makes it an ideal stone for creators of all types—painters, writers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, and anyone else involved in creative pursuits. Naisha Ahsian says this stone facilitates expression of our deepest truth in our creative expressions, adding that it enables its bearer to become “inspired by divine revelations, communications, and experiences. It is a stone of bliss, rapture, and surrender to the eternal Creator.”244 Padparadscha sapphire lends itself to workings for abundance, material wealth, wisdom, learning, inspiration, and creativity, bringing fertility and success to any endeavor. It can be worn to remove obsta-
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cles on your path or to remove your inner resistance, while it helps you achieve union with the glory of the Great Goddess herself.
Star Sapphire Magickal uses: luck, protection, success, devotion, finding direction, service, power Elemental signature: air, water Astrological signature: Jupiter, Saturn, Moon; Sagittarius, Capricorn, Libra Goddess archetypes: Queen of Heaven, Stellar Goddess, the Fates, Triple Goddess Formation process: igneous or metamorphic
Star sapphires and star rubies are produced when corundum contains an abundance of fine, needlelike inclusions of rutile that are arranged in intersecting arrays following the geometry of the corundum crystal itself. When cut en cabochon, this stone reveals a six aste teri rism sm wh rayed, silky optical phenomenon known as as when en vie viewe wedd under a bright light. The rays of the star are made from three intersecting lines. The effect is most pronounced in opaque gemstones, withh the sta wit starr eff effec ectt mo mobil bile, e, mov moving ing wit withh wit withh sou source rce of liligg ht. Sta Starr sapphires can be found in Sri Lanka, India, Australia, and Myanmar, and they can be virtually any color, including blue, pink, gray, black, purpl pur ple, e, lav lavend ender, er, ora orang nge, e, yel yellow, low, an andd gr gree een. n. Tod oday, ay, many sta starr sap sap- phires ph ires are synt synthes hesize izedd in lab labs; s; tho thoug ughh synt syntheti heticc sto stones nes have the sam samee composition and structure as natural stones, many practitioners find them gentler in their effects. Gemstones with unusual optical phenomena such as asterism have been considered unusually potent magickal talismans since the early days of the lapidary arts. I have faint memories of my great-grandfather Leonard Pearson wearing a ring with a star sapphire—the very same one pictured on the following page. The stone fascinated me, for the star on its surface moved as if by some mystical force. The ring was passed pass ed on to my gra grandfather, ndfather, and then to me. It continues to be a sacred talisman for me as it was for them. Star sapphires and star rubies were believed to be inhabited by
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This star sapphire once belonged to my great-grandfather.
three spirits representing hope, faith, and destiny. These spirits bring good luck and protection to whomever bears the stone. From their connection to destiny, star sapphires have been attributed to the Fates. Use this stone when seeking their insight or assistance. The three intersecting lines creating the appearance of the star represents the triune image of the Fates, and this stone is can also be of service in connecting to the Triple Goddess. siegstei stein, n, “victory A common name for star sapphire in German is sieg stone,” indicating its helpfulness in attaining success in all endeavors. Since the asterism in this gemstone moves with the source of light and the angle of view, it can resemble a moving arrow pointing toward your destiny. Worn or meditated with, star sapphire can help you find dire direction ction and motiva motivation, tion, provi providing ding cla clarit rityy and insig insight ht into your lif lifee path path..
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In kabbalistic lore, star sapphire is attributed to the sefirot Binah, which represents the cosmic principle of the Divine Feminine. 245 Star sapphire is also considered the ideal stone for people who have devoted their lives to be in service to others. It helps prevent the burnout that so often is associated with service professions, especially healers and counselors. Star sapphire is associated with many goddesses from around the world in Western occu occult lt practice, especi especiall allyy as inspired by the correspondences in Aleister Crowley’s 777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleisterr Crowley Aleiste Crowley.. * Some of these goddesses include Bhavani, Cybele, Demeter, Hera, Isis, and Nuit. The heavenly color of blue star sapphire naturally lends this stone to the archetype of the Queen of Heaven, and the stone’s asterism is the domain of the Stellar Goddess. Star sap phire is a rega regall gemstone that confers autonomy autonomy,, authority, and spiritual strength to all who wear it. As a stone of the Divine Feminine it resurrects the power and magick of the Great Mother by compelling us to serve as instruments of her work. Employed in magick, the star sapphire is one of the most potent of gems for protection, especially against the harmful magick of others. There is a custom in Sri Lanka that purports it is the best stone against sorcery and the evil eye. The properties of star sapphire are said to be so potent that the stone continues to exert its positive influence over its first wearer even when it has been passed on to a new owner. 246 This gemstone can also be used to ensure privacy and prevent interference in your affairs, be they business or personal. Star sapphire lends power to any magickal working, regardless of motive or intention. In particular, black star sapphire is sacred to Hekate. It is not recommended for those with scattered minds, though, as it requires greater focus and discipline to work with the energies of black star sap phire. Use it for connecting to the Dark Da rk Goddess and for exploring the shadows in your psyche. Black star sapphire is strongly protective, and it can also be used in glamouries. *I’ve included many, though not all, of these correspondences as listed in Janet and Goddess in the appendix. Stewart Farrar’ Farrar’ss The Witches’ Goddess in
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SELENITE Magickal uses: intuition, healing, lunar rituals, purification, alignment wisdom, justice, past-life exploration, karmic healing, dreamwork, clarity Elemental signature: water, air Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, the Muse Formation process: sedimentary
When g ypsum, a calcium sulfate dihydrate mineral, forms lustrous, te. Gypsum is a common mineral transparent crystals it is known as seleni as selenite. found worldwide, and it is used commercially in pigments, plaster, and drywall. Gypsum crystallizes in a variety of forms and colors, generally as a result of secondary (i.e., sedimentary) processes. It is a soft stone, rating only a 2 on the Mohs scale of hardness; in fact, it is soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail. Some common forms include grainy masses (alabaster), sheets of transparent-to-opaque crystals, fibrous masses (satin spar), transparent crystals, translucent or opaque crystals (often in delicate clusters), rosettes (desert rose), twinned crystals (fishtail, swallowtail, or angel wing selenite) and the unusual ram’s horn selenite, a curved or spiraling shape. The general properties of transparent, crystalline selenite are discussed below, with additional entries for several varieties, including desert rose, peach, and satin spar selenite. For the properties of alabaster, see the separate entry in this compendium. Selenite takes its name from Selene, a Greek goddess of the moon. In ancient Greece there was a stone known as selenites, as selenites, meaning “moon stone,” which may have been the cr crystal ystalline line form of g ypsum we call selenite today. Its pearly shine and beautiful optical properties naturally connect this stone to the moon; in ancient Greece and Egypt it was known as “foam of the moon.” 247 Most forms of gypsum, selenite included, form as mineral-rich water evapor evaporates. ates. In many instance instancess depos deposits its of selen selenite ite cr crystal ystalss are the result of inland seas and lakes leaving behind their salts and other minerals as the water is carried away, transforming the landscape as the crystals form. Such selenite crystals are frequently found in abandoned
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A sharply terminated terminated selenite selenite crystal with a hematite phantom, from Mexico
mines that have subsequently flooded, sometimes encrusting human artifacts. This formation process is associated with sedimentary activity. Many selenite crystals exhibit inclusions of water, sometimes with air bubbles or mineral solids visible, too. These inclusions, called enhydros, illustrate the watery environment that birthed the selenite and point to this stone’s connection to the emotions. Water W ater is an element genera generally lly asso associated ciated with the moon and the emotions in esoteric lore. The waters of our planet ebb and flow in tides that are influenced by the cycles of the moon. The constant flux represents our emotional constitution, for it, too, is ever-changing. Selenite is a capable emotional healer, as it sheds light on the emotional patterns latent in your heart, mind, and soul. Selenite restores movement to stagnant energies, especially those held in the mind, the emotions, and the aura. It helps to stimulate forward momentum and objectivity, allowing you to examine the interior landscape of your psyche with clarity and compassion. Selenite is a natural choice for invoking the blessings of the Lunar Goddess. Selene was an early lunar figure in Greek mythology;
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she was the sister-wife of Helios, the sun god. Selene is sometimes depicted with long wings and wearing a crown of light. 248 One of her daughters is another moon goddess: Hekate, the witch-goddess selas as,, meanand keeper of the crossroads. The root of Selene is sel ing “light.” Her Roman counterpart, Luna (after the Latin word for moon), shares this linguistic theme, as her name is derived from lux, or “light.” 249 Like the moon, selenite is luminous; as satin spar it is naturally fiber optic, while many other varieties exhibit strong fluorescence and phosphore phosphorescence. scence. Mariengla nglass Transparent masses of selenite were once known as Marie Fraueneis aueneis (woman ice) in (Mary glass), Frauenglas glass), Frauenglas (woman glass), and and Fr German. Frauenglas and Fraueneis suggest selenite’s connection to the Virgin, Virg in, implying that the feminine principle is containe containedd within this stone. 250 Since selenite is soft and easily cleaved, transparent sheets of water-clear selenite were used to protect images of the Virgin Mary as well as in reliquaries housing holy objects objects.. Selenite was preferred over glass because its cleavage results in uniform sheets, with fewer imperfections than the glass available centuries ago. Selenite even became a substitute for images of Mary because of its association with her. In traditional Chinese medicine, selenite helps to generate and regulate the fluids of the body, a trait that mirrors the moon’s relationship to the tides. Though it relates to all fluids for all people, selenite is particularly particula rly adept at treating conditions of the female body. It has been used to treat fibroid tumors and lumps in the breasts, as well as to help regulate menses and water retention during menstruation, and it assists lactation in nursing mothers. 251 Western lore associates selenite with childbirth, children, and healing childhood trauma, all the domain of the Mother Goddess. In crystal healing today, selenite is an important stone for healing and transformation, mostly because of its relationship with light. Katrina Raphaell describes selenite as one of the four “predominant power stones” along a long with kyanite, calcite, and hematite. She notes how important these four minerals are for our spiritual evolution. Selenite, she says, “resides on that thread of a threshold between pure white light and physical matter. It vibrates more on the spiritual level than that
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of the physical . . . Capable of displaying total transparency, Selenite’s essence is that of which dreams and visions are made . . . Selenite builds the bridge through which the highest frequencies of light can be integrated with the most subtle levels of physical form.” 252 What Raphaell is describing here is the sacred marriage of spirit and matter. Selenite is one of the quintessential New Age stones because it heralds the shift in consciousness needed for a new era, one in which the energy of the Divine Femineis fully acknowledged. That this stone is named for an ancient moon goddess is no accident; to fully rebirth the Divine Feminine on our planet, it will be necessary to return to our ancient roots and allow the shining face of the Goddess to emerge, leading women of all walks of life to their rightful status. alignment nment . One of the themes I always associate with selenite is alig In crystal healing it is frequently recommended for cases of physical misalignment, especially of the spine. This stone is also used to etherically align and open the chakras. Following this thread further, we find that selenite helps us align with our true spiritual nature. This innermost essence is born of the Great Mother, and selenite encourages us to seek greater alignment with her love and magick. Selenite helps us unite with the cosmic tides, the cycles of natural time born of the Great Goddess. We can take advantage of this on both a personal and planetaryy level. For the individual, selenite deepens intuition, enhances planetar enhanc es communication with guides and spirits, and supports deep meditation and dreamwork. On a grander scale, selenite seeks to align the material world with the spiritual, impregnating all a ll that we do with the transformative power of the Divine Feminine. Though there isn’t much ancient lore about selenite, there is some evidence of its use in magickal workings in the early centuries of the Common Era. Sandra Kynes reports that tablets made of lead and selenite dating from 200 to 300 CE were discovered on the island of Cyprus. “Inscribed in Greek, the selenite tablets contained invocations to chthonic deities, curses, and calls for justice. Archaeologists regard this cache as one of the most substantial records of ancient magical practices.””253 We can surmise that selenite can therefore be employed in practices. modern magick. Use it in times of injustice to shine its brilliant light
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on the truth, as well as for balance in workings such as bindings, banishing, and so forth. Contrary to popular belief, selenite must be cleansed frequently. Its soft, often porous structure allows it to act as a sponge in your environment. As a result, along with its brilliant spiritual light, it is adept at cleansing other crystals and ritual tools. Placing other stones, jewelry, or other items on a slab of selenite is a simple way to ensure that they are wiped free of disharmonious energies—just be sure to exercise care so as not to scratch or otherwise damage your selenite. Since it can be used to cleanse other stones, many sources assert that selenite needs no upkeep of its own. This is a case of faulty logic. We clean our own bodies in the shower and bathtub, but that does not exempt those facilities from needing to be cleaned as well. Similarly, the sponges uses for washing dishes are not miraculously able to clean cl ean themselves. The same goes for our stones. Be sure to maintain your selenite by cleansing it often. Avoid methods that involve water, salt, or anything else that can damage it, as selenite is very soft. Selenite can be used for facilitating psychic development. It enhances meditation and promotes a clear mind, and it makes the dream state more vivid. It is excellent for astral travel and lucid dreaming. In the metaphysical community, selenite is commonly used to access higher guidance and to help you become a clearer vessel for channeling information from nonphysical entities. Magickally, it can be used for spirit contact, especially since its purifying energy filters out many unhelpful— or even harmful—beings. Use selenite with your favorite divination tool, such as tarot, to ensure clear and accurate messages. I use selenite around the home to keep my environment energetically clear and safe. An ancient practice from Mesopotamia reveals that selenite was used to safeguard against evil spirits; it was mixed with bitumen and smeared on the door of a sick person to keep away negative entities.254 Reminiscent of this ancient practice, small pieces of selenite can be placed above the front entrance to your house to protect and purify puri fy all who enter; enter; one of my clien clients ts has had so much success with this that she says it “stops the devil at the doorway.” Be sure to cleanse and empower these stones frequently, and visualize a curtain or waterfall of
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white light str streaming eaming from the stone, so tha thatt it will bless all who enter. enter. Use selenite for uncrossing, luck, and peace. Scott Cunningham suggests that it can be used to seek reconciliation between lovers, 255 a property likely due to selenite’s watery nature and close association with the emotions. Selenite is an excellent choice for a wand wand;; you can choose from naturally terminated crystals, polished wands, and raw pieces piec es that are easil easilyy shaped by hand with sandpap sandpaper. er. Such a tool is adept at healing and circle casting, and good for many other uses. Finely ground selenite can be added to powders, oils, pouches, flying ointments, and other magickal projects. Because it is so soft, it is easy to make selenite powder yourself—simply grind it in a mortar and pestle. Satin spar, easily ea sily obtainable and economical economically ly priced, is the best choice for such endeavors.
Desert Rose Selenite Magickal uses: fertility, spirit contact, psychic development, plant magick, mental healing, love, protection Elemental signature: earth, water Astrological signature: Moon, Venus; Cancer, Taurus, Virgo Goddess archetypes: Earth Mother, Great Mother, Maiden Formation process: sedimentary
Rosettes of selenite selenite connect us to the the natural natural world.
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Desert roses are aggregates of bladed crystals of gypsum, usually heavily included with sand. Most desert roses are a whitish color on the exterior, though they can be transparent, golden, peach, or brown. These crystals are formed in arid regions all over the world. Desert roses can also be formed of other minerals, chiefly barite, but only those com prised of g ypsum are discussed here. Of all the formations of selenite, the desert rose is the most grounded, centered, and connected to the natural world. It can be used to facilitate communication with nonphysical beings such as ancestors, angels, guides, and other tutelary spirits. Placed on an altar or shrine, these crystals invite the local nature spirits and benevolent fairy folk to visit your sacred space. My friend Margaret Lembo describes selenite desert roses as “a perfect stone for alig aligning ning with the Divine Mother Mother,, specifical specifically ly Mother Mary and Kuan Yin.” 256 The symbol of the rose allows you to connect with the sacred heart of love, l ove, our true essence, she says. says . Roses R oses and flowers have long symbolized the Divine Feminine, and the desert rose is an exquisite example of Mother Nature’s ingenuity. Judy Hall Hall suggests using desert rose selenite to dissolve self-imposed beliefs and patterns. This formation “releases the program and assists in finding an appropriate replacement.” 257 We can use desert roses for our personal healing in this way, as well as for uprooting institutionalized programs that limit the expression of the Divine Feminine and perpetuate perpet uate the oppression of women, patriarchy, misog yny yny,, and toxic masculinity. Desert rose selenite is a useful adjunct to spellcraft and manifestation. It reinforces your intentions, gently grounding them in the material plane. This crystal formation is also helpful for enhancing the potencyy of affirmations potenc affirmations;; hold it while reciting an affirmation. 258 You can also place a written intention or prayer beneath a desert rose to help it manifest. Use desert roses as a substitute for fresh flowers in spells that require them, especially spells for love, beauty, and growth. They promote healing and can help you maintain contact with the spiritual planes, especially in a ritual setting. Desert rose selenite can be employed in spells
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or workings for fertility, protection, and joy. Desert roses are also used by many magicians and healers to help their gardens grow.
Peach Selenite Magickal uses: love, peace, joy, earth healing Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Venus, Moon; Virgo, Taurus Goddess archetypes: Maiden Formation process: sedimentary
Most peach selenite is in the form of satin spar selenite, and it is frequently mined in Morocco. Occasionally fine selenite crystals—both opaque and transparent—are found. The peachy hue is usually derived from trace amounts of iron. Peach selenite represents the budding and adventurous Maiden archetype. Because of its iron content, this variety of selenite has a gentler, more grounded energy. It has a playful quality, as if the stone seeks
Polished Polis hed pieces of peach peach selenite from Morocco Morocco
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awe, joy, and spontaneity in all things. Use it to work with the archetype of the Maiden and it will assist you in attracting pure, uncomplicated pleasure, beauty, and love. In crystal healing, peach selenite gently transforms your emotional makeup. Peach selenite awakens memories from childhood (and occasionally from past lives) so that you can face issues related to abandonment, rejection, and betrayal. Peach selenite transmutes these into forgiveness and acceptance. 259 You can use it to return to the state of innocence and freedom embodied in the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. Peach selenite assists with planetary healing, too, by reestablishing the primacy of Mother Earth and the spiritual beings responsible for her well-being. Working with peach selenite can improve communication with the local spirits of your home and surrounding area. Use small tumbled or raw pieces as offerings to the nature spirits, or bury them in a grid around your home or property. Peach selenite can also be added to workings for love and beauty.
Satin Spar Selenite Magickal uses: protection, cleansing, fertility, channeling, weather magick Elemental signature: water, air Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer, Pisces Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess Formation process: sedimentary
Satin spar is the most common variety of selenite available today. It crystallizes as fibrous masses that display fiber-optic properties when gypsum, ypsum, since it transparent. Technically, satin spar should be termed g is not always transparent, nor does it form discrete crystals. It is found worldwide in locations such as Morocco, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Russia, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Poland, and stone, feather feather Italy. Other names for this crystal formation include satin stone, gypsum, g ypsum, and plaster stone stone.. and plaster Satin spar selenite is ubiquitous in today’s market. When relatively clear, satin spar is dramatic when lit from one end, as the light is drawn
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Satin spar, a fibrous form of selenite, in both raw and polished states
through its fibrous structure. Rough towers and unpolished slivers of this stone have a rustic appearance that belies their inner light. The energy of satin spar is tangibly more mental than the transparent, crystalline varieties of selenite. It imparts mental clarity, strengthens your reasoning skills, and increases awareness. Working with this form of selenite brings clarity and focus to the mind, and its porous nature is excellent for cleansing the aura. Slabs of this stone are commonly sold for use in cleansing other crystals. When pol polishe ished, d, satin spar selen selenite ite exh exhibits ibits a striking cat’s eye effect. This chatoyance may be the reason why selenite has its name, as it is reminiscent of the moon’s satiny glow. Like other chatoyant stones it is considered protective. Satin spar shares a visionary quality with other cat’s eye stones; it enhances psychic vision and can help you see with greater accuracy and objectivit objectivityy. Satin spar was once popular in Egypt, where it was polished into shapes called “Pharoah’s eggs.” 260 These ovoid gems traditionally
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conferred protection and good fortune; similar egg-shaped selenites were exchanged as gifts at Easter in Russia. Polished egg eggss of satin spar are still common today, and they are excellent choices for adorning the altar for Ostara, the vernal equinox. Some native cultures used forms of fibrous gypsum such as satin spar for weather magick. In an act of sympathetic magick, tiny fibers of this stone are thrown into the air in ceremonies for rainmaking. 261 Modern practitioners can source ground or broken fragments of selenite quite easily for this purpose. Simply empower the selenite fragments by charging them with the intention of bringing rain, and then cast them into the air. Be sure not to breathe it in or get any in your eyes. Use satin spar for cleansing, purification, and connecting to lunar energy, much like other varieties of selenite. It is a stone of connection, just like the way the individ individuals uals fibers from which it is made join tog together ether to create the entire cry crystal stal formation. Satin spar engenders group harmony and is helpful for connecting to nonhuman intelligences, too. Use it to create grids around your ritual space to filter out disharmonious energy and anchor the intentions of your spells and rituals. Polished eggs and spheres of selenite are excellent for lunar rituals, and they can be used for workings related to fertility, both literally and figuratively.
SERPENTINE Magickal uses: healing, protection, kundalini awakening, past-life recall, memory, nature spirits, ancestral communication Elemental signature: earth, fire Astrological signature: Saturn; Gemini, Scorpio, Capricorn, Libra Goddess archetype: Earth Mother Formation process: metamorphic
Serpentine refers to an entire group of minerals rather than a single discrete species. Serpentines are common rock-forming minerals, usually comprised of fibrous structures rich in iron and magnesium. Serpentine minerals are often green, brown, gray, or black in color, and they form
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Serpentine is a family of minerals minerals found in a range of colors, textures, and patterns.
as compact masses, fibrous (asbestiform) formations, and in serpentinite rocks. Many forms of serpentine exhibit striped or speckled patterns. Serpentine is sometimes conflated with jade, which it resembles, though it is softer and easier to carve. Serpentine is found throughout the world, and some of the principal locations for this stone include Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Russia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United states.
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Serpentine is a stone that has been used for more than five thousand years, yet paradoxically there isn’t a whole lot of lore about the magickal properties of this stone. It is named for the resemblance of its colors and patterns to the scales of a snake; for this reason the most commonly recorded belief is that this stone could ward off venomous creatures and draw the venom from a snakebite. As a talismanic gemstone, serpentine was once used by nursing women to ensure a plentiful supply of milk. 262 It has also been used to provide safety during travel and as an offering to both deceased and deity alike. A serpentine chalice was also thought capable of detecting poison. 263 As you might imagine, serpentine deeply connects to the earth, and it is a wonderful stone of the Earth Mother. Placed in the garden, ser pentine can help you attune to the natural rhythm of your land and invite the blessings of the nature spirits to help in tending your plants. Serpentine has a long tradition of being connected to spirits, as it was used to conjure spirits who predict the future as well as to drive out unwanted spirits from the possessed. 264 Serpentine is often formed by metamorphic activity. It helps to sustain us through our own metamorphoses by allowing us to tap into the energy of Mother Earth through grounding and by stirring the hidden reserves of energy within us. This stone helps activate the flow of kundalini, the energy that resides at the base of the spine like a coiled snake; the rising of this energy through the chakras brings spiritual awakening, healing, and transformation. Medieval lore reminds us that serpentine was thought to kindle fire and keep candles burning; 265 perhaps this actually refers to the stone’ stone’ss fiery energ energyy and its abilit abilityy to ignite the inner fire of kundalini. The image of the snake is inseparable from the mission of serpentine. Serpents are symbols of regeneration, wisdom, and female sexuality. Many ancient cults used the serpent as a representation of the Divine Feminine; later, the matriarchal tradition was overthrown by the patriarchal tradition when male gods replaced the Great Goddess, as illustrated in the myth of Python, a serpent (or alternately a dragon) who dwel dwelled led in the center of the ear earth, th, who was sla slain in by Apoll Apollo. o. Clearly, this imagery points to the telluric and chthonic aspects of
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the Earth Mother. The metamorphic processes responsible for the formation of serpentine often take place deep in the earth, where tectonic plates are subducted and make contact with the molten mantle. Serpentine is the mineral representation of the same chthonic aspect of the Earth Mother, for it dwells in the same subterranean realm as Python. Snakes were sometimes believed to be immortal, like the Great Mother, and by shedding their skin these mysterious creatures were rejuvenated. Serpentine helps us shed the skin of our past, enabling us to learn from past lessons—not only from this lifetime, but from past pa st live lives, s, as wel well.l. It bol bolsters sters the memor memoryy and encour encourag ages es us to lea learn rn from the world around us. This mineral is a helpful tool for physical rejuvenation, as it promotes healthy regeneration at the cellular level. Serpentine is an excellent stone for past-life recall and for ancestral communication. Meditating with or wearing serpentine can augment any spiritual endeavor, from astral travel to spellcraft. It can be used as a substitute for jade in workings for health, abundance, or peace.
SILVER Magickal uses: psychic development, protection, invoking the Goddess, dreams, travel, emotional healing, wisdom, communication, prosperity Elemental signature: water Astrological signature: Moon; Cancer Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Queen of Heaven, the Muse, Solar Goddess (rarely) Formation process: igneous (native silver) and sedimentary (silver ores)
Silver is a precious metal, one of the most readily available in its native state. Because it is so easily found and refined from ores, silver is one of the earliest metals to be worked in human history. It occasionally forms crystals, and as such it belongs to the cubic crystal system. Most natural formations of silver resemble plantlike branching forms and serpentine wires. Silver is often available as traces in ores of copper, antimony, antimony, and lead. Silver has been mined since antiquity in Greece, Great Britain, Asia Minor, and Central Europe. Though silver is found in many
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Silver leaf and silver jewelry are readily available for use in ritual ritual and healing. healing.
locations, the most commercially important sources for silver today are Mexico, Poland, Bolivia, Peru, Turkey, and Australia. Since silver shares its color with the moon, it has long been connected to this heavenly body, thus it has always been revered as the metal of the Lunar Goddess. It is reflective, soft, and beautiful, much like our conception of the Divine Mother. Silver jewelry, especially in
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the form of crescent moons and pentagrams, are the favored accouterments of the witch; they improve a person’s psychic sensitivity and attunement to the Goddess. To understand silver’s spiritual qualities you have to observe its physical properties. Chief among metals, silver is the best conductor of heat and electricity. It is also the most brilliant of the metals, with great response to light. Wilhelm Pelikan, a chemist and anthroposophist, describes silver in his treatise The Secrets of Metals: In the cool and noble luster of the pure metal [i.e., pure silver] there is perfect mirroring power. No other metal equals it in this. It returns the instreaming light undimmed and almost unchanged, declining to absorb any of it for itself. Nothing of its own nature is mixed with this light; neither color, as with gold or copper, nor turbidity, as with lead, antimony, etc. Look into a silver mirror and you see noth nothing ing but mirro mirror-pict r-pictures ures;; the silve silverr itse itself lf withdr withdraws aws completely.266
Silver does not display any of the stereotypically masculine qualities; it is somewhat passive and receptive. This enables silver to act like the moon, which is also cool and reflective. It is this connection to light and the moon that makes the metal such an effective magickal tool. It is an excellent conductor of energy, for it will not disrupt or change the energy passing through or contained within. Gemstones set in silver jewelry, or crystals attached to a silver wand, are therefore enhanced by their silver settings. Magickal lore ascribes a protective influence to silver. Beloved witch Scott Cun Cunningham ningham states that “as the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, so too does its metal reflect negativity away from the wearer. Tiny silver globes (or any silver jewelry) are worn for magical security. Silver crescents, whose ‘horns’ turn back evil, are popular worldwide.” 267 He notes that silver lockets are used to protect children in China, and betrothed couples in France were once protected by silver chains, similar to those worn as necklaces. 268 This may be the source for the popular trope of silver bullets fighting off supernatural beings.
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Silver is one of the finest metals for making musical instruments, and it can frequently be seen in bells and chimes, flutes, and occasionally in brass instruments. Silver “has an inward nobility that manifests in its pure ring.” 269 Unusual among the lighter metals, silver readily transmits sound just as it does light, which accounts for the beautiful, clear sound that it transmits. For this reason, silver can promote clear thinking and concise communication. In the same way that it conducts heat and electricity, silver can link the speaker to his or her audience, ensuring that no loss of meaning occurs. Silver becomes the perfect conduit—the empty reed—through which the message messa ge flows, much like the ancient shamans and magicians of times gone by. By wearing silver, you can empty yourself of attachment and become a vessel to receive the Divine, especially the Goddess. Silver has long been touted for opening the psychic senses, and this is because it is such an excellent conductor. Silver jewelry can foster better communication with the gods and with the spirit realm, thereby making each of us a priestess or priest who can receive messages from beyond this world. Wearing silver jewelry to bed (safely!) or placing a piece of silver under your pillow encourages prophetic dreams and nighttime astral journeys. Silver is frequently worn or placed on the altar during rites to honor the full moon. Like the moonstone, silver is also believed to confer safe passage to travelers, being especially protective during journeys over water. Silver is sacred to virtually all goddesses of the moon and the sky, including Diana, Artemis, Selene, Ishtar, Isis, Luna, and Selene. The Welsh goddess Arianrhod, whose name means “silver wheel,” is a lunar deity who cherishes her namesake metal. She is associated with reincarnation, as her home, Caer Arianrhod (a cluster of circumpolar stars), is the place where souls seek respite between incarnations. Silver can be used to reach out to those loved ones who may be visiting her celestial palace. Despite its overtly lunar associations, silver is occasionally attributed to solar imagery. The Finnish sun goddess Päivätär is connected to silver; her sister, the moon, is associated with gold. 270 Päivätär is clothed in white raiments and she holds a silver reed while she weaves. Silver
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and silver-colored altar vestments can be used in rituals that invoke or honor her. Silver is often used for manifesting wealth, and the atypical connection to the sun fortifies this magickal aim. Due to its use in adornment and the arts, silver can connect you to the Muse. Wheth Whether er see seeking king conta contact ct with the nine primo primordia rdiall muses of the Greek pantheon, or simply requesting inspiration from your own per persona sonall muse muse,, sil silver ver can help you in ar artisti tisticc purs pursuits uits.. It clears the mind, offers balance, and allows you to receive whatever spark awaits. As a result of its lunar correspondence, silver is a balancing force on the emotions. It can be an emotional tonic, soothing you like an embrace from the Mother Goddess. It cools anger and quiets an overly analytical mind. Silver draws grace, beauty, and stillness to you in quiet contemplation. Use silver for your rituals to honor the Goddess in any of her guises. Silver essences or oils can be used for anointing the brow to confer second sight, as well as for emotional and mental healing. Silver coins or jewelryy can be placed in a chalice, bowl, or cauldron for use in scrying jewelr scrying.. Place the bowl where the silver will reflect the light of the moon and gaze into the vessel; allow images to arise on their own. Water that has been empowered in this way bestows blessings, and it can be used to consecrate your magickal tools, cleanse crystals, or protect your home, car, or garden. Consider using a silver cup or chalice on your altar to represent the water element or for the sacrament of the cakes and the ale. Drinking from a silver cup has other benefits too; drinking water from a silver cup is an old practice that was employed to guard against infections of all types. This “silver water” remains popular today, as does drinking colloidal silver; both are reputed to have many health benefits. Silver has a special affinity with moonstone; the two work together to forge a strong psychic connection to the Great Mother, especially in her aspect as Lunar Goddess. Jewelry made of these two noble substances can be potent amulets for conferring the Goddess’s protection. As the metal of the moon, silver is the ideal metal for all your magick connected to the Divine Feminine.
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TIGER’S EYE Magickal uses: balance, protection, strength, willpower, truth, money, confidence, grounding, psychic development Elemental signature: fire, earth Astrological signature: Sun, Mars; Leo Goddess archetypes: Fierce Goddess, Solar Goddess, Earth Mother Formation process: metamorphic
Tiger’s eye is an attractive mixture of crocidolite fibers in massive quartz. The common theory on the origin of this stone is the process of pseudomorphism, wherein the fibrous mineral is gradually replaced by quartz and limonite. However, newer analyses show that these minerals in fact may have grown simultaneously. Tiger’s eye usually exhibits a golden color, and it is easily recognized by its velvety sheen, called chatoyance. This optical effect is named after the French chat, meaning “cat,” in reference to the shimmering of a cat’s eye. The golden hues in this stone resemble those of a tiger, and its stripes evoke the same cat’s coat. Tiger’s eye is found in other colors, some of which can also be induced artificially by heating the stones. Blue tiger’s eye is often called falcon’s eye or hawk’s eye. Dark, chocolatey brown varieties are bull’s eye. Red stones (usually heat-treated) are sometimes called dragon’s eye. Though the same general properties apply to each of these varieties, this discussion focuses on the golden tiger’s eye. e ye. Tiger’s eye e ye is traditionally found in Australia, Brazil, China, India, Namibia, South Africa, and the United States. Tiger’s eye has an overtly solar energy. Its cheery, golden appearance appeals to the nature of the sun, and it is the ideal gemstone for invoking solar deities both masculine and feminine. As a stone of the Divine Feminine, it connects us to the energy of the Solar Goddess archetypes, which are often associated with eye-related imagery. The optical phenomenon within tiger’s eye evokes the image of the allseeing eye, and certainly this stone accesses deeper insight and illuminates hidden truths. Tiger’s eye is also a popular stone for endeavors related to the solar influences of wealth, success, and confidence. The characteristic colors in which this stone is found result from
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Golden tiger’s eye consists of fibrous crocidolite inside massive quartz.
inclusions of iron-based minerals. Golden tiger’s eye in particular contains limonite, an ore of iron with varying composition. The iron content and fibrous structure lend an earthy, grounded feeling to this gemstone. It can help you develop assertiveness as well as the ability to remain grounded during times of stress or in ritual. The combination of its solar and earthy vibrations makes tiger’s eye a powerful catalyst for becoming the intermediary between heaven and earth; wearing or meditating with this gemstone can help you move into a ritual trance that can be used for healing, spiritual journeying, and manifesting. As a stone of psychic development, tiger’s eye is a helpful ally to those who feel too grounded or “unspiritual,” as it helps lift the consciousness gently toward the celestial realms. I have always considered it a great tool for opening the intuition in people who have difficulty perceiving spiritual energ energyy. Talismans of tiger tiger’’s eye were once used to
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reveal secrets, and the people of Egypt once believed that this gem gifted its bearer with visionary powers, including the ability to see behind closed doors.271 Tiger’s eye is a beguiling gemstone. Silky bands of light and dark move across its surface when the stone is moved in the light. Patches of gold will dim and brighten depending on the angle from which it is viewed. This endows tiger’s eye with a balancing effect; it can help you achieve equilibrium on the mental m ental and emotional levels when used as a healing stone. The balancing properties of tiger’s eye can also be used to bring balance to matters of justice; use this gemstone to invoke divine retribution when you have been wronged or to aid in legal matters where the truth must be revealed. Try working with this stone to petition Ma Ma’a ’at, t, the Eg Egyptian yptian godde goddess ss of truth and justice. The iron in this stone engenders a warriorlike energy, as iron is traditionally ruled by the planet Mars. Although tiger’s eye does not convey a strong Martian energy, it does reveal the fiercer aspects of the Great Goddess, especially in her aspects as warrioress and protectress. For this reason (and perhaps for its feline appearance), tiger’s eye is sacred to Sekhmet, the fierce and terrible solar goddess of Egypt. Sekhmet is often depicted as a lion or a lion-headed woman. According to Stephanie Woodfie W oodfield, ld, Sekhmet Sekhmet is known known by by the epithet epithetss “the “the Great Great One of Magick, Magick,” “the lady of Action,” “the One Before Whom Evil Trembles,” “the Avenger of Wrongs,” “the Lady of Flames,” and “the Lady of Slaughter.” 272 Tiger’s eye can be used to find balance within Sekhmet’s dualistic nature, for Sekhmet is both terrifying and courageous, deadly and healing. The destructive qualities embodied within this Fierce Goddess work to balance the principles of order and harmony seen in goddesses such as Ma’at. Tiger’s eye can initiate balance through the union of opposite forces, much like these two goddesses combining their talents. Through this combined force, tiger’s eye can break down your inner barriers to healing and success in order to initiate a state of rebuilding that will leave you stronger and more confident confident than ever before before.. Using tiger’s eye in magick for prosperity and protection also yields excellent results. In India, this gem is not only believed to bring riches, it is also thought to prevent the loss of wealth. 273 Add it to charm bags
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for drawing money, or place it on your altar for spells for abundance. A green or gold candle ringed with eight pieces of tiger’s eye is a powerful attractor of prosperity. Keep a small piece in your wallet or purse to ensure wise spending habits. Carrying or wearing tiger’s eye to job interviews helps you stand out from the other candidates, as it boosts your confidence and draws success to your ever everyy endeavor endeavor.. Like many other symbols of the eye, tiger’s eye has a long history of use in protective workings. It is one of the most powerful stones for breaking curses and warding off dark magick. For a simple and effective uncrossing ritual, place this stone around the tub or in your bathwater with sea salt and cleansing herbs or essential oils such as hyssop, lavender, and sage. Soak in the tub and be sure to immerse your entire body in this cleansing bath to rid yourself of negative energies and circumstances.
TURQUOISE Magickal uses: truth, beauty, regeneration, wealth, friendship, love, healing, wholeness, wisdom, the Great Rite, protection Elemental signature: all elements Astrological signature: Jupiter, Venus, Saturn; Sagittarius, Aquarius Goddess archetypes: Queen of Heaven, Solar Goddess, Goddess of Love, Underworld Goddess, Earth Mother Formation process: sedimentary
Turquoise is an opaque gemstone, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium. It forms in arid regions through secondary (i.e., sedimentary) processes. As acid-rich solutions percolate through existing rocks and minerals, they leach the ingredients necessary to form turquoise and generally deposit them in veins and seams. Nearly all turquoise is massive in formation, though crystals do occasionally occur in isolated deposits. Some of the most highly prized turquoise is an even blue color, though traces of other minerals can produce breathtaking patterns and colors, including black veins and shades of bluish green, green, and yellow. Turquoise is found in Iran, the United States, the Sinai Peninsula, China, Tibet, and several other locations around the world.
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Turquoise is sacred to many deities, especially those of the heavens.
pierre re turquoi turquoise, se, The name turquoise is derived from the French pier meaning “Turkish stone,” as it was initially brought to Europe via Turkey. It has been revered the world over, and it is one of the first gemstones to be used in jewelry. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Aztec, Maya, Inca, Tibetans, and many tribes of Native Americans valued turquoise for its spiritual and aesthetic virtues. Fine shades of blue like that of the sky have long connected this stone to the celestial sphere; it has been a favored gem of sky gods and goddesses for millenia. As a symbol of the Queen of Heaven, turquoise is dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis and the Roman goddess Juno. To many Native Americans, turquoise represents the sky, rain, and water. Among these tribes it is generally considered a masculine stone, but to the Zuni, only blue turquoise is male, while all other colors are female. 274 One pervasive belief about turquoise relates it to horses. It was thought that wearing or carrying turquoise would protect both horse and rider from falls. This belief likely originated in the Middle East among Arabian horsemen and probably spread to other countries along with this gemstone via trade routes. This piece of lore points to the archetype of the Solar Goddess, for the horse is a totemic animal often associated with the sun in several cultures around the world. Turquoise
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is frequently the color of the daytime sky, and thus both stone and beast can be equated with solar goddesses. Epona, a Celtic goddess linked to horses, is also a sun goddess, and turquoise can be used to petition her. The marbled appearance of turquoise has identified it with the appearance of reptilian scales in lore around the world, and this gem is rife with serpent imagery. To the people of Tibet, turquoise is sacred to naginis, the naginis, the half-woman, half-snake personification of the intelligent, telluric forces of nature. The tails of these demigoddesses are depicted in the elaborate, beaded turquoise headdresses worn by the women of Ladakh.275 The naginis are guardians of the unseen kingdoms of our planet and thus are linked to the Great Godd Goddess ess as the Under nderworld world Queen and the chthonic aspects of the Earth Mother. Naginis are also connected to Kubera, the lord of karma, and to precious stones and minerals. Serpentine energy is echoed in other myths concerning turquoise, such as the Egyptian belief that turquoise prevents snakebite and heals in cases of venomous bites and stings as well as poisoning. In Vedic V edic astrolog astrologyy turquoise is associate associatedd with Ketu, the descending lunar node or “shadow planet,” a point often calle calledd “the tail of the drag dragon” on” in Western astrology. Notably, turquoise is sacred to the goddess serpere, pere, Persephone.276 Her Latinized name, Proserpina, is derived from ser serpent. pent. meaning “to creep”—the same root as the English ser Serpents are symbols of female sexuality (as described in the entry for serpentine), and turquoise can be used to symbolize the holy marriage of heaven and earth. From this union we are all born, for each of us is a child of the Great Mother. This idea is echoed in the belief that friendship can be obtained by seeking the new moon’s reflection on the polished surface of a turquoise gemstone. The new moon rises and sets around the same time the sun does and thus this stone represents a time when the solar and lunar (i.e., the masculine and feminine) energies are conjunct. Snakes also represent regeneration and wisdom, two qualities that also manifest in the workings of this gemstone. From its copper content, turquoise is an excellent choice for magick that aims at love and romance. Turquoise is used by the Hopi in love enchantments; it is believed to excite a woman and invite her to
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choose the man named in a song sung by the magician. 277 This gem has been used to attract love and friendship for centuries, and I find that it works to build a spiritual foundation for these to manifest. Tibetans have traditionally used turquoise to represent the sealing of marriage vows, and a piece of turquoise is carried on the bride’ bride’ss back during the marriage ceremony ceremony..278 Since turquoise also symbolizes the Great Rite, it can be used in sex magick to facilitate deep connection between partners, as well as to invoke the God and Goddess during the symbolic union of the chalice and the blade in this ritual. In addition to love magick, turquoise provides protection, peace, and spiritual awakening. It is a stone of truth, helping to stir the inner wisdom that resides in each of us. Turquoise promotes shamanic journeying in the dream state, and it facilitates meditation. This gemstone brings joy, happiness, and good health to whomever wears it. An elixir of turquoise brings healing to body, mind, and spirit; it can also be used to purify the aura or ritual space of disharmonious and stagnant energies. Turquoise is occasionally employed in rituals for prosperity and to attract luck.
VANA VAN A DI DINI NIT TE Magickal uses: creativity, strength, stamina, meditation, manifestation, personal gnosis, efficiency, money, sex magick Elemental signature: fire Astrological signature: Venus, Mars; Virgo, Taurus, Aries Goddess archetypes: Goddess of Love, the Muse, Earth Mother, Sacred Harlot Formation process: sedimentary
Vanadinite is lead chlorovanadate, an ore of vanadium that is found in Vanadinite shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. Vanadinite is available from Morocco, Mexico, the United States, and Russia. It is a relatively soft mineral, registering only 3 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Crystals of vanadinite are usually hexag hexagonal onal prisms, sometimes with hollow, hop hop- per-shaped faces. It is an attractive mineral species that remains popular with collectors and healers alike. Note that due to its lead content
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Vanadinite, and its constituent vanadium, are named for an epithet of the goddess Freyja. Freyja.
vanadinite is toxic if ingeste ingestedd or mishandl mishandled, ed, so handle with caution. Never make an elixir via direct methods. First discovered in Mexico in 1801, vanadinite’s composition remained a mystery for nearly thirty years after being unearthed. Once it was determined to contain a previously unknown element, this element was named vanadium, after Vanadis, for the Norse goddess Freyja. Vanadis translates as “goddess of the Vanir,” referring to the race of goddess-centered divinities that still existed when the newer pantheon, the Aesir, joined the Norse pantheon, shifting the influence to warrior gods gods.. Freyja is sometimes calle calledd “ Vanabruder,” or “lover of the Vanir. V anir.””279 Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and sexuality, and this mineral (and its constituent element) are named in her honor for its extraordinary beauty. Vanad V anadinite inite repres represents ents Frey reyja ja in more ways than just its inher inher-ent good looks. One of its primary missions is to assist in grounding; it helps the soul become more anchored in the physical body. 280 Vanadinite V anadinite can help us accept and find more enjoyment in our physical embodiment,281 arousing passion, sensuality, and joy in the process, and it thus can be used for exploring sacred sexuality. Some therapists claim that red vanadinite is a potent aphrodisiac. 282 Since it is a powerful
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stone for manifestation, it can combine these seemingly disparate themes in one avenue, making it a preeminent stone for sex magick. It can be gridded around your bedroom or sacred space to enhance the pleasure and power of your magicka magickall workings. Although vanadinite is at first exuberant, it has a tendency to still the mind as you sit with it. As a hexagonal mineral, one of its primary themes is efficiency. This makes vanadinite a helpful tool for exploring the mind’s full potential; it helps to eliminate mental clutter (which may even translate to helping you remove physical clutter around your home), and it can help in steering your life toward your goals. Working with vanadinite can also increase your motivation and endurance, helphelp ing you maintain the momentum needed to achieve your goals without being sidetracked by distractions. Robert Simmons recommends this stone for overcoming writer’s block, drowsiness, and fatigue. 283 The unbridled creativity that vanadinite can help you uncover taps into the energy of the Muse. Not only can it propel you forward toward a creative pursuit, vanadinite’s regular, elegant structure helps you cultivate your artis artistic tic sensibil sensibilities. ities. It drives you for forward ward in the search for beauty, and it can even encourage you to do so while being mindful of deadlines and other responsibilities. Several crystal authors suggest that vanadinite can improve your finances. One of the ways this manifests is by limiting extraneous spending. 284 Meditating with vanadinite or quietly contemplating it before shopping can help you purchase only what you need. It is a stone of smart investments, as it awakens good financial sensibility and efficiency. Keep it in the wealth corner of the bagua map of feng shui or wherever you usually review or manage your finances. Vanadinite V anadinite is a mineral that fosters transcendent states. It provides spiritual inspiration and facilitates communication with the Goddess. 285 Though it is most obviously related to the archetypes of the Goddess of Love, Sacred Harlot, and the Muse, vanadinite is also a crystal of the Earth Mother. Robert Simmons indicates that this stone “provides a direct link to the Earth energies, and it can increase one’s sensitivity to elemental forces. Carrying or meditating with vanadinite, one can sense and even predict changes in weather.” 286 He suggests that vanadinite
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can assist those engaged in the psychic arts, as it provides both grounding and stamina to those offering readings. It can help prevent burnout from seeing too many clients or overexercising your intuitive skills. Vanadinite V anadinite has a fiery energ energyy that lends power and passion to your magickal workings. It can inspire you to write new rituals as well as to follow through in enacting them. For this reason, vanadinite can be a remedy for the lazy witch or armchair occultist. It lends an air of sensuality and beauty to love magick, and thus can be used to attract a new partner or spice up a current relationship. Vanadin V anadinite ite emphasizes the importan importance ce of persona personall gnos gnosis is on the spiritual path. Far more important than what you can learn from a teacher or read in a book is the relationship that you cultivate with your spiritual all allies. ies. This includes the rocks and mineral mineralss you use in spellcraft and ritual, as well as your guardians and tutelary spirits. Above and beyond all this, vanadinite invites you to enter into ecstatic union with the Goddess, whether as an archetype or as a specific deity. The energy of this stone will jumpstart your spiritual practice and expand your horizons.
VII V I AN V ANIT ITE E Magickal uses: healing, inspiration, tolerance, compassion, clairvoyance, cleansing, initiation, ancestral magick Elemental signature: water, earth Astrological signature: Pluto; Scorpio Goddess archetypes: Mistress of Magick, Crone Formation process: sedimentary
Viviani te is a rather curious stone. When freshl Vivianite freshlyy mined it is usuall usuallyy a pale, translucent blue or bluish green; however, upon exposure to sunlight it gradually darkens, usually becoming a deep blue or green. Vivianite Vivian ite can be found as prismatic prismatic,, fibrou fibrous, s, or blad blade-shap e-shaped ed cr crysystals, and a recently discovered deposit in Australia produces dense nodules of this stone. Vivianite is also found in Great Britain, Brazil, Camaroon, Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia, and the United States. Through vivianite does not carry any traditional magickal
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Raw R aw and polished polished vivianite from Demon’s Demon’s Bluff, Anglesea, in Victoria, Victoria, Australia Australia
attributions or lore, it has been used as the pigment blue ochre since antiquity. Among feminine stones, vivianite is unique for being an iron mineral. Iron compounds tend to present a more stereotypically masculine energy that implies strength and vigor. In Crystal Healing for the Heart, I wrote that vivianite “differs from most of the other iron compounds . . . in that its energy is decidedly softer and more feminine, which can be attributed to the relative softness of its crystal structure, as well as its color and the water in its formula. This stone embodies the stereotypical iron strength through surrender. It engenders peace, tranquillity, and a proclivity for forgiveness. This gemstone helps us trust that our life is headed toward its highest potential.” 287 Vivianite is truly a compassionate tool for healing on many levels. Vivianite was named by German geo geolog logist ist Abraham Werner for its discoverer, John Henry Vivian, a minerologist and mine owner. Vivian discovered this mineral in 1817 in Cornwall, England, a region steeped in Arthurian legend. In connecting to the Goddess energy, vivianite conveys a sense of magick and mystery. It is an appropriately named stone, for its energy is reminiscent of the legendary Isle of Avalon, whose hig highh priestess is the Lady of the Lake, also known as Viviane (also Vivien, Nivien, or Nimue) in some tellings of the Arthurian legend. Vivianite helps to peel back the veil between the worlds and is a shamanic ally for learning the intuitive and magickal arts.
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Vivianite trains the inner priestess or priest in each of us. It helps us attain spiritual transcendence and inner clarity. One of its gifts is its ability to help you discover your personal power through inner vision. Vivianite can be held or worn in meditation, especial especially ly at the brow brow,, to awaken psychic vision and intensify the dream state. This stone offers the hope that such talents are within reach of everyone, for we can all claim our spiritual gifts through dedication and perseverance. Working W orking with vivianite can help generate greater peace and com passion. It instills tolerance and acceptance, especial especially ly of those who are not walking the same spiritual path as you. Vivianite helps you look for common ground with others and promotes cooperation in lieu of com petition.. These goa petition goals ls traditiona traditionally lly reflec reflectt more feminine worldview worldviews; s; they offer a counterpoint to the current sorry state of patriarchy, which seeks competition and domination. Vivianite helps awaken the ancestral memory of a more cooperative world predicated on community and compassion. Vivianite is a truth-seeking stone. It peels pe els back the veils of the illusory world, and it is most effective at helping you recognize what you are unwilling to see in yourself and in others. 288 This makes vivianite an important ally in integrating the lessons of the shadow self, a necessary step in authentic spiritual evolution. Vivianite, which usually forms via secondary (or sedimentary) formation processes, acts as the wise guide and seer in your spiritual development. This mineral is the wise Crone who trains and teaches the next generation of priestesse priestesses. s. She shares her wisdom and initiates new healers and seers by opening the realms to the mystical and seemingly unreal. Vivianite helps to stabilize and protect us during such suc h meditations and astral journeys. Among stones that awaken the archetype of the Crone, vivianite has the strongest effect on your cellular or ancestral memory. It can clear karmic debris and clarify your memory of past lives; often it reveals lives in which you have already walked the path of witch, healer, or shaman. Vivianite is like the witch’s cauldron in which transformation takes place. It serves as a catalyst for reclaiming your personal power and reminds you of the need to occasiona occasionally lly withdraw to regenerate your body, mind, and spirit.
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In healing, vivianite stimulates the body’s innate ability to regenerate tissue and mobilize the immune system. 289 It is relaxing, and it can hasten recovery from illness and injury. Vivianite is also emotionally protective and nurturing if you are convalescing from psychological trauma. In magick and ritual, vivianite facilitates entering the trance state, heightening the ritual consciousness that witches, magicians, and shamans seek to attain. It aids in psychic pursuits and can improve the accuracy of divination, especially in the interpretation of signs or symbols in dreams, tarot and oracle cards, and other psychic arts. Vivianite providess addi provide additional tional prote protection ction during astra astrall travel, ritual ritualss for spirit contact, and dreamwork; it cloaks the energy field of its user so that you can move unhindered and unnoticed by spirits and other entities that may not have your best interests in mind. The watery and earthy elemental signature of vivianite indicates that it can be used for ancestral magick. Placed on your altar, it promotes contact with your ancestral lineage. In meditation, vivianite stirs the echoes of ancestral memory, including understanding any outstanding karma that may be playing out in your life. Vivianite can be placed at the western quarter of your sacred space to open a doorway through which ancestral spirits can make contact during ritual. ritua l. Vivianite’ Vivian ite’ss missio mission n is to assi assist st in rebir rebirthing thing the Great God Goddess dess and helping her ascend to her rightful place in the world. This stone brings balance, cooperation, and harmony to communities, including the world at large. It is a stone of magick, vision, and mystery that can enhance any magickal working.
YEH Y EH MI MIN N G ZH ZHU U Magickal uses: granting wishes, enlightenment, protection, intuition, ecstatic rites, transformation, boosting energy, miracles, enlightenment, heart chakra activation Elemental signature: spirit Astrological signature: Moon Goddess archetypes: Lunar Goddess, Queen of Heaven, Stellar Goddess Formation process: varies
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A polished sphere sphere of yeh ming zhu zhu
Yeh ming zhu ( 夜明珠 ) translates as “luminous pearl” or “evening bright pearl” when taken more literally. Many other epithets, including “bright moon pearl,” “fire pearl,” “wish-fulfilling jewel,” and “dragon phoenix pho enix pea pearl” rl” are als alsoo ascr ascribe ibedd to this gem in leg legend end and myth. Rather than being a single, discrete mineral species, this ancient term is applied to a number of stones that exhibit a phenomenon called per sistent phosphorescence: In short, when minerals such as fluorite, calcite, diamond, and many others contain just the right trace elements, they sometimes emit a brilliant glow after exposure to light or heat. If this glow is very bright and has a preternaturally long duration it is yeh ming zhu. Nowadays, most yeh ming zhu on the market is man-made, either synthesized or simulated. Thanks to the concept of morphic resonance, even artificial and treated stones can exhibit truly remarkable energies when you work with them sincerely. Traditionally, yeh ming
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zhu is found in China, but any mineral exhibiting the requisite phos phorescence, phoresc ence, no matter its country of origin origin,, may be considere consideredd yeh ming zhu. Natural yeh ming zhu is exceedingly rare and quite costly. I remember the moment I first held a piece of yeh ming zhu. Initially, it seemed like it was a rather unremarkable green stone. When the light was turned off, however, I felt as though I was witnessing a miracle. Now I’m no stranger to luminescent stones; fluorescent minerals fascinated me in college, and I have a collection of them, but yeh ming zhu is truly in a class all its own. I’ve held piece piecess that glow so brilliantly that you can read by them in a dark room. Breathtaking doesn’t even begin to describe it. In Chinese folklore, yeh ming zhu is often connected to the the goddess Xi Wangmu, whose name translates as “Queen Mother of the West.” W est.” This deit deityy is oft often en shown hol holding ding a lumin luminous ous pea pearl rl or sphere that alludes to this nearly mythological gemstone. She is regarded as an ancient goddess of Taoist origin, and her sphere of influence includes longevity, prosperity, healing, bliss, enlightenment, and immortality. 290 Xi Wangmu is said to dwell at the edge of heaven and earth. Many of her characteristics are equivalent to those ascribed to yeh ming zhu. One Chinese folktale depicts yeh ming zhu as being fashioned into a pearl (i.e., a sphere) from a shining pebble by a phoenix and dragon, thus lending this stone the moniker “dragon-phoenix pearl.” By the influence of this stone’s light, plants, trees, and creatures grew as never before. The brilliant light of yeh ming zhu attracted the attention of Xi Wangmu, who sent her guards after the stone. She secreted it away behind nine locked doors until she showed it off on her birthday. The dragon and phoenix recognized the light of their beloved luminous pearl and fought to take it back. In the midst of the strugg struggle, le, the stone fell to Earth and transformed into Xihe, a grand lake in the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in China. 291 The Bodhisattva Kuan Yin (Kannon in Japanese, Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit) is also frequently depicted as holding a luminous pearl. Though the modern image of Kuan Yin is often derived from an actual historical figure who was a devout Buddhist nun, many people the
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world over have fused her Buddhist roots onto other go goddess ddess forms, thus effectively deifying her in many places. She is generally regarded as a goddess of compassion, and several of her images depict her in the role of the archetypal Mother Goddess. Her own light and benevolence are reflected in that of yeh ming zhu. Yeh ming zhu is a relative newcomer to the world of crystal healing. It has been popularized by a small group of people who have marketed it largely to qigong and martial arts enthusiasts, as traditional Chinese lore believes that this stone enhances your qi, or life force. Several scientists have created beautiful lab-created gems whose light is unrivaled by natural stones; it is sold under the names “celestial” and “modern” yeh ming zhu. There are many fakes and forgeries on the market, too, and they are far more numerous than the authentic material. Depending on the composition of these materials, they may exhibit some or none of the same properties as genuine yeh ming zhu. Some lab-created varieties are equally as potent as natural yeh ming zhu, and they are a fraction of the cost. Magickally, this luminous gemstone has a deep connection to the moon. More than one of its titles in Chinese includes the character for moon (月), and it is sometimes called the “bright moon pearl” or ming yueh zhu (明月珠). I have witnessed how this stone is unusually reactive to moonlight; the light of the full moon can cause pieces of yeh ming zhu to glow, flash, and produce patterns of light. These stones are excellent tools for meditation, as they provide a powerful visual focus during contemplation. The energy of yeh ming zhu is one of light overall, as it propels us toward our own illumination. Yeh ming zhu can be used on your altar for lunar rituals, and it lends potency poten cy to practi practically cally any intention. intention. Because its ene energ rgyy is so lofty lofty,, it can cleanse and purify your sacred space, and it casts a protective influence wherever wher ever it is placed. Its connection connection to Xi Wangmu Wangmu and Kuan Kuan Yin makes it the perfect stone for compassionate sovereignty; the best leaders are those who have empathy for the people they lead. The Queen of Heaven archetype of Xi Wangmu, as well as the Great Mother archetype that both of these goddesses frequently portray, are benevolent forces. Yeh ming zhu gently instills these motherly traits and serves as a link to the
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energies of the Mother archetype in her most transcendent form. Thanks to its association with light, yeh ming zhu speeds up manifestation of all sorts. It helps spells, rituals, and intentions manifest practically at the speed of light. I have near-instantaneous results just by wearing weari ng this stone, stone, let alone alone from actually actually employin employingg it in more consciou consciouss workings. work ings. I’ve seen it work wonders with manifesti manifesting ng money, money, opportunities, material goods, and health. Yeh ming zhu has a powerful, dreamlike quality, and it reminds us that anything we can dream we can create. Different formations of yeh ming zhu have different properties. Those that are naturally occurring minerals (or even natural minerals coated with phosphorescent pigments) will retain the qualities of the stones from which they are comprised, as in the case of phosphorescent calcites, fluorites, and diamonds. The lab-created gems and the simulants made in autoclaves have an energy all their own, which doesn’t quite match any other stone. Those that are treated with pigments on the exterior are generally much gentler than natural or artificial stones, whose phosphoresce phosph orescent nt activators activators are disper dispersed sed thr throughout oughout the crystal cr ystal structure. structure. The various formations can glow different colors, too, the most frequent being green or yellowish green, blue to bluish green, white, and purple. The greenish stones tend to work better at the physical level. They are strongly supportive of physical healing and offer protection. These are the ones I’ve used the most in manifesting abundance and opportunity. Yeh ming zhu with a blue phosphorescence is soothing to the mental level; it inspires hope. Violet yeh ming zhu is deeply transformative on the spiritual level; it represents mastery, alchemy, and soul-level healing. Any color can manifest brilliant changes in your life when embraced with an open heart. Worki W orking ng with yeh ming zhu has been one of the most mystical mystical experiences of my life. It has deepened my connection to the Goddess, especially in her lunar guises. This gemstone represents a profound mystery: that of a hard stone emitting its own light. It symbolizes illumination and awareness, two states that are often tied to initiation. For this reason, yeh ming zhu has become a stone of initiation initiation for me, one that has awakawakened my inner vision and pierced the veil to reveal the holy mysteries of the Goddess.
APPENDIX
Tables of Correspondences
GODDESS CORRESPONDENCES G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
K E Y W O R DS
Abundantia
Roman
Áine
Irish
Airmid
Irish
Akaru-hime Amaterasu
Japanese Japanese
Anu Anuket Aphrodite
Irish Egyptian Greek
Ariadne
Greek
Weaving, protection, manifestation
Arianrhod
Welsh
Fierce Goddess, stars, reincarnation
Prosperity and abundance Summer, agriculture, love, fertility, wealth, sovereignty Healing, herbalism, crafts Protectress of sailors Solar Goddess, ancestress of imperial family Maiden, fertility Goddess of the Nile Goddess of Love, beauty, sexuality
431
S TONES
Aventurine, citrine, gold Amber, red marble
Silver, moss agate, Silver, a gate, peach calcite, alabaster Ruby, red coral Sunstone, amber, amber, pyrite, chrysanthemum stone, jadeite Emerald, moonstone Aswan granite, aquamarine Rose quartz, rutilated quartz, pink coral, malachite, copper, goldstone, diamond, emerald, turquoise, kunzite, cobaltoan calcite, sapphire, lapis lazuli Sulphur,, faden quartz, Sulphur spiderweb obsidian, chiastolite Silver,, geode, moonstone, Silver Preseli bluestone, Welsh healer quartz, fossil urchin, spirit quartz
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G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Artemis
Greek
Artio
Celtic
Asherah
Canaanite
Atabey
Taíno
Atargatis
Syrian
Athena
Greek
Aurora
Roman
Babalon
Thelemic, Enochian
Badb
Irish
Banbha
Irish
Bast
Egyptian
Beaivi Benzaiten Bhavani
Finnish Japanese Hindu
Blodeuwedd
Welsh
Branwen
Welsh
K E Y W O R DS
Goddess of Love, moon, nature, hunting, magick Bear goddess, fertility, courage, strength Mother, Queen of Heaven Mother, moon
S TONES
Silver, quartz, moonstone, Silver, amethyst, pearl, zircon, blue kyanite Geode, brown jasper
Eilat stone, turquoise, smoky quartz, Moroccan chalcedony Moonstone, chrysocolla, leopardskin jasper, rainforest rhyolite Mother, Ocean Mother, Pearl, mother-of-pearl, ocean Queen of Heaven, jasper,, coral, moss agate, jasper agate, fertility green jasper Fierce Goddess, crafts, Jasper, chalcedony, agate, wisdom, protectress blue sapphire, red coral, chert, rainbow fluorite, citrine, marble, celestite, ruby ruby,, star ruby,, turquoise, onyx, sulfur ruby Dawn, new beginnings Labradorite, peach moonstone Great Mother, feminine Scarlet temple Lemurian liberation, sexuality sexuality,, crystal, rose quartz, star ruby ruby,, fertility bloodstone, cuprite, lapis lazuli, pearl, desert rose selenite, vanadanite Crone, Fierce Goddess, Garnet, bloodstone spirit contact Fierce Goddess, Peridot magician, leadership Cat goddess, sun, Cat’s eye, tiger’s eye, jasper, protectress, music obsidian, carnelian Solar Goddess Amber Patron of the arts Celestite, pearl, yeh ming zhu Pearl, star sapphire, silver Mother Goddess, Stellar Goddess, ocean, sun, moon Flowers, May queen, Emerald, rose quartz, responsibility bloodstone, sakura stone, chrysanthemum stone, lepidolite, chalcedony rose, desert rose Goddess of Love, Rose quartz, preseli beauty bluestone
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
K E Y W O R DS
Brigid
Celtic
Bronach
Irish
Cailleach Bheare
Celtic
Dark Goddess, Crone, winter, winter, death, dea th, transformation
Ceres (Demeter) Cerridwen
Roman Welsh
Chalchiuhtlicue
Aztec
Changxi
Chinese
Earth Mother, grain, harvest Mistress of Magick, Dark Goddess (occasionally), Mother,, moon, grain, Mother wisdom, inspiration Running water, protectress of children and marriage Lunar Goddess
Coatlicue Cybele
Aztec Greek
Dana (Danu, Dôn)
Celtic
Demeter
Greek
Diana
Roman
Durga
Hindu
Edain
Irish
Enid
Welsh
Fire, inspiration, healing, crafts, childbirth Crone, death, sorrow
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S TONES
Fire agate, quartz, carnelian, garnet, peridot, star ruby ruby,, Connemara marble Dolomite, wedding veil quartz, white quartz Jet, white quartz, iolite, labradorite, hag stone, Australian vivianite, vivi anite, witch’s witch’s finger quartz Emerald, stilbite Preseli bluestone, labradorite, geode, Welsh healer quartz, opal Jade, turquoise
Moonstone, white jade, yeh ming zhu Earth Mother Jade, jasper, Mexican onyx Earth Mother, Jet, star sapphire, kambaba mountains, nature, wild stone, epidote, tree agate, animals, caves Turkish chome chalcedony Amber,, holey stone, Amber Mother, fire, crafting, fertility,, magick, healing, zircon, Connemara marble, fertility sovereignty fairy stone concretion, aquamarine, smoky quartz, peridot Mother, agriculture, Red jasper, jasper, green fluorite, harvest, barley moss agate, peridot, stilbite, star sapphire, cat’ cat’ss eye, petrified wood, rainforest rhyolite Moon, witchcraft, Quartz, silver, amethyst, wisdom, hunt, nature moonstone, blue chalcedony chalcedony,, kunzite, lepidolite, flint, Isis crystal, moon quartz Fierce Goddess, Psilomelane, hematite, protectress, destroyer obsidian, tiger’ tiger’ss eye Fair-haired beauty, Fairy Clear quartz, snakeskin agate Queen, reincarnation Goddess of Love, sex, Banded agate fidelity
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G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Eos
Greek
Eostre
Teutonic
Epona
Celtic
Ereshkigal
Babylonian
Erzuli Fréda
Vodou (Haiti)
Fand
Irish, Manx
Flidais
Celtic
Flora
Roman
Fortuna
Roman
Freyja (Frigg, Freya)
Norse
Gabija
Lithuanian
Gaia
Greek
Gráinne
Irish
Gwenhwyfar
Welsh
Hathor
Egyptian
K E Y W O R DS
S TONES
Dawn, desire, bringer of Amber, calcite (yellow, light and inspiration orange, or gold), pink chalcedony,, erythrite, fire chalcedony opal Spring, fertility, light Garnet, rose quartz, aventurine, peach selenite Horses, fertility, war, Picture jasper, jasper, azurite, dreams, protection Connemara marble, turquoise, jet Underworld Goddess Lapis lazuli, obsidian, kambaba stone Goddess of Love, Pearl, rose quartz, garnet, luxury, beauty kunzite Fairy Queen, sea Halite, pearl, mother-of-pearl, goddess, healing aquamarine, blue chalcedony Goddess of cattle, Moss agate, rutilated quartz, earth, fertility actinolite quartz Spring, rebirth, gardens Chalcedony rose, moss agate, desert rose, sakura stone, chrysanthemum stone, rainforest rhyolite Fate, destiny, fortune Aventurine, jade, tiger’s eye, flint Mother, marriage, love Amber, pearl, vanadinite, falcon’ss eye, aventurine, falcon’ emerald, labradorite Goddess of Hearth and Carnelian, fire agate Home, fire, protector of family Earth Mother, marriage, Azurite-malachite, jasper jasper,, oaths agate, magnesite, peridot, petrified wood, aventurine, flint, fairy stone concretion, chrysocolla, rainforest rhyolite Solar Goddess, Sunstone, gold, copper copper,, protection, love goldstone, Connemara marble Triple Goddess, Emerald, cat’s cat’s eye, spirit sovereignty quartz, fairy spirit quartz, Welsh healer quartz Pleasure, joy, love, arts, Malachite, turquoise, agate protectress of women (yellow), emerald, turquoise, lapis lazuli, white moonstone, flint, rose quartz
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Hekate
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K E Y W O R DS
S TONES
Greek
Witchcraft, magick, necromancy, crossroads
Hel
Norse
Hera
Greek
Underworld Goddess, death Stellar Goddess, Mother, women, marriage
Staurolite, chiastolite, Staurolite, moonstone (especially black), obsidian, red coral, black tourmaline, magnetite (lodestone), iris quartz, triple crystal, smoky quartz, indigo sapphire, black star sapphire, pearl, stilbite, peridot Sulfur,, snowflake obsidian Sulfur
Hestia
Greek
Holda (Huldra, Holle) Iris
Norse
Ishtar (Inanna, Astarte)
Meso Me sopo pota tami mian an
Isis
Egyptian
Iustitia (Justicia) Ixchel
Roman Mayan
Childbirth, moon, medicine
Joan the Wad
Cornish
Fairy Queen, Mistress of Magick
Greek
Lapis lazuli, malachite, diamond, star sapphire, sodalite, blue aventurine, pyrite, self-healed quartz, Romanian smoky quartz Goddess of Hearth and Dolomite, Romanian smoky Home, fire quartz, rhodolite garnet Moon, witchcraft, nature Garnet, jasper, moonstone, white quartz Rainbow, messenger, Opal, iris quartz, iris agate, mediates heaven and labradorite, rainbow obsidian earth Grea Gr eatt Moth Mother er,, moon moon,, Lapis lazuli, orange calcite, copper, copper, jade, white earth, storm, fertility fertility,, love, war, sex, power, moonstone, moon quartz, divination flame of Ishtar (apophyllite and calcite stalactite), imperial topaz Mother, magick, healing Carnelian, lapis lazuli, star sapphire, silver, sapphire, ruby,, beryl (aquamarine ruby (a quamarine and emerald), amethyst, quartz, turquoise, Isis calcite, Isis quartz, veil of Isis quartz, jasper (gre (green en and red) red),, moonstone, midnight lace obsidian, pearl, peridot Justice, law Lapis lazuli Opal, pink sapphire, peach moonstone, moon quartz, white quartz Cassiterite, moon quartz
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G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Juno
Roman
Queen of Heaven, protectress of women
Ju¯ rate˙ Kali
Baltic Hindu
Sea goddess Fierce Goddess, destroyer/creator
Kuan Yin (Kannon)
Chinese (Buddhist)
Compassion, mercy, enlightenment
Kunapipi
Australian (Aboriginal) Vedic
Mother Go Goddess
Lady of the Lake
Celtic
Lakshmi
Hindu
Lilith (Lilitu) Ma’at
Sumerian, Hebrew Egyptian
Lakes and wells, life, death, regeneration, magick Wealth, prosperity, abundance Dark Goddess, storms, freedom, independence Justice, truth, divine order, law
Maeve
Celtic
Mahina
Hawaiian
Mari
Basque
Mary Magdalene
Christian
Mawu
Dahomey (Benin) Hindu
Kundalini
Maya
K E Y W O R DS
Great Mother, serpent
S TONES
Malachite, bornite, chaolcopyrite, lodestone, citrine, amber a mber,, turquoise, black pearl Amber Black tourmaline, obsidian, fossilized bone, garnet, white quartz Jade, pearl, desert rose selenite, pink tourmaline, pink opal, ajoite, kunzite, sugilite, smithsonite, yeh ming zhu, turquoise, phosphosiderite Mookaite, ra rainforest rh rhyolite Serpentine, ammonite, snakeskin agate Aquamarine, mother of pearl, marble
Citrine, padparadscha sapphire, pearl, gold Black moonstone, obsidian, jet, rose rose quartz quartz Diamond, tiger’ ti ger’ss eye, turquoise, lapis lazuli, jade, emerald, ajoite, red jasper Fairy Queen, magick, Rainbow fluorite, garnet, rainbows moss agate Lunar Goddess Moonstone, shell, white coral, moon quartz, beryl Mother, earth, moon, Fire agate, carnelian, red fire, witchcraft jasper,, opal, moonst jasper moonstone, one, vanadinite, red coral Sacred sex, marriage Alabaster, aqua aura quartz, pink tourmaline, black moonstone, witch’s finger quartz Creatrix, sun, moon, Fairy stone concretion, Mother Earth serpentine, kambaba stone Nature, creation, illusion Obsidian, moss agate, jasper, emerald, jade
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Mbaba Mwana Waresa Mnemosyne
Zulu Greek
Modron
Welsh
Moirai
Greek
Morgan le Fay
Celtic (Arthurian)
Morrighan, the
Celtic
Mother Mary
Christian
Muse, the
Greek
Mut
Egyptian
Nemetona
Celtic
Nephthys
Egyptian
Nerthus
Norse
Nike
Greek
Ninlil
Sumerian
Nisaba
Sumerian
K E Y W O R DS
Fertility, rainbows, harvest, rain, beer Mother, memory, language, mother of muses Great Mother, fertility, harvest Fate, karma, divination
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S TONES
Rainbow fluorite Fluorite, hematite, sodalite, chrysocolla, calcite, blue sapphire Poppy jasper, amethyst
Faden quartz, obsidian, black moonstone, fossils, petrified wood Mistress of Magick Amethyst, moonstone, silver, moon quartz, beryl, Lemurian jade Triple Goddess, Crone, Obsidian, onyx, ruby, black war,, destruction, death, moonstone, bloodstone, red war banishing, protection agate, jet Mother, grace, Lapis lazuli, malachite, protection (especially of quartz, celestite, blue lace women and children) agate, Blue Tara quartz, hemimorphite, blue sapphire, kunzite, desert rose selenite, blue aventurine, pearl Arts, sciences, Chrysocolla, agate, inspiration tourmaline, aventurine, calcite, copper, green garnet, sapphire, selenite Great Mother, Queen of Opal, pearl, agate, star Heaven, magick sapphire, kambaba stone Goddess of the sacred Tree agate, moss agate, jet, grove, Mistress of petrified wood, amber Magick Embalming, mourning, Star sapphire, pearl, ruby ruby,, desert, birth quartz, zircon, silver, sulphur, picture jasper, dolomite Earth Mother, fertility Fairy stone concretion, smoky quartz, jasper Victory, success Chevron amethyst, citrine, emerald, hematite Underworld Goddess, Rose quartz, lapis lazuli wind, grain Reading, writing, justice, Rhodochrosite oracular dreams, grain, architect
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APPENDIX
G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Norns Nuit
Norse Egyptian
Nyx (Nox)
Greek (Roman)
Oshún
Yoruba
Oyá
Yoruba
Pachamama
Inca
Päivätär Parvati
Finnish Hindu
Pax
Roman
Pele Persephone
Hawaiian Greek
Psyche
Greek
Rana Niejta
Finnish (Sami)
Ratis
Anglo-Celtic
Rhea
Cretan/Greek
Rhiannon
Welsh
Sakuya-hime
Japanese
K E Y W O R DS
The Fates Stellar Goddess, Underworld Goddess, stars, sky, Mother Night, void, creation
Love, sex, rivers, beauty, wealth Storms, wind, lightning, death, rebirth Mother Goddess, serpent/dragon
Sun, renewal, prosperity Mother Goddess, consort of Shiva, power, creativity Peace, abundance, home Creation, volcanoes, fire Underworld Goddess, Maiden, springtime Soul, subconscious, desire Spring, fertility, growth Protection, building, sacred space Earth Mother
S TONES
Flint, faden quartz, hag stone Lapis lazuli, star sapphire, nebula stone, nuummite, blue goldstone Obsidian, geode, Lemurian jade, kambaba kambaba stone stone,, nebula nebula stone Gold, coral, copper copper,, topaz, amber,, malachite, emerald amber Pietersite, amethyst, fulgurite, red coral, ruby, copper Serpentine, snakeskin agate, turquoise, rainforest rhyolite, kambaba stone, fairy stone concretion, smoky quartz Silver, quartz Emerald, sapphire, rhodochrosite, pyrite Blue lace agate Lava, obsidian, peridot, ruby Garnet, snowflake obsidian, quartz, ruby, ruby, turquoise, black bl ack onyx, smoky quartz Quartz, dolomite, lepidolite Aventurine, green jade, moss agate Red jasper
Azurite-malachite, star sapphire, pearl, serpentine, aventurine, moss agate, jasper,, rainfores jasper rainforestt rhyolite, rhyolite, peridot Great Mother, Queen Moonstone, selenite, silver silver,, of Heaven, overcoming apophyllite, larvikite, jet, rose enemies, patience, quartz, geode magick, moon rituals Springtime, Japanese Sakura stone, desert rose, culture, flowers, nature, chrysanthemum stone, flower volcanoes jasper,, dendritic jasper dendritic agate, agate, rose rose quartz
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
Saraswati
Hindu
Saule
Baltic
Scathach
Celtic
Sedna
Inuit
Sekhmet
Egyptian
Selene
Greek
Shekinah
Hebrew
Serket
Egyptian
Sîr Sophia
Sumerian Gnostic
Taillte
Irish
Tanit
Phoenician
Tara
Tibetan
K E Y W O R DS
◆
439
S TONES
Knowledge, books, arts, Pearl, emerald, fluorite, music calcite, padparadscha, blue lace agate, aquamarine Solar Goddess, Mother, Amber, serpentine protecting children and mothers, fertility, finding lost objects Dark Goddess, Garnet, ruby warrioress, protection, teaching Ocean Mother, marine Aquamarine, mother-of-pearl, animals (especially white coral whales) Fierce Goddess, lionTiger’s eye, ruby, bloodstone, headed goddess of war war,, hematite, orange calcite, sun, protection basalt, yellow jasper Lunar Goddess, logic Selenite, moonstone, white fluorite, blue kyanite Great Goddess, holy Amethyst, lapis lazuli, fire spirit, wisdom, light, agate, purple fluorite, mercy charoite Mistress of Magick, Serpentine, gold personification of scorpion, goddess of nature, animals, medicine and healing (especially healing venomous stings and bites) Beer Lapis lazuli Mother, wisdom, Red and pink granite, fluorite, creation, learning sapphire, amethyst, lavender quartz, labradorite Harvest, grain, strength, Geode, holey stone marriage Lunar Goddess, Great Moonstone, moon quartz, Mother, Queen of tiger eye, cassiterite, tin Heaven Tibetan quartz, Blue Tara quartz, turquoise, chrysocolla, starseed quartz, white jade (White Tara), green or blue jade (Green (Green Tara), red red coral coral (Red Tara)
440
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APPENDIX
G O DD E S S
ORI GI N
K E Y W O R DS
S TONES
Taweret
Egyptian
Childbirth
Tiamat
Babylonian
Great Goddess, Ocean Mother,, dragon, Mother primordial void
Tlazolteotl
Aztec
Uixtochihuatl Vanadis Va nadis
Aztec Scandinavian Scandi navian
Mother, Sacred Harlot, Dark Goddess, fertility fertility,, midwives, purification Salt Beautyy, love Beaut
Var Var Vellamo Ve llamo Venus Ve nus
Norse Finnishh Finnis Roman
Contracts Contracts Lakes,, water Lakes water Goddess Godde ss of Love, beauty, sexuality, originally Great Mother
Vesta Ve sta
Roman
Goddess of Hearth and Goddess Home
White Buffalo Calf Woman
Lakota
Whope
Lakota Sioux
Xi Wangmu
Taoist
Yemayá Y emayá
Yoruba
Zimarzla
Slavic
Zorya
Slavic
Great Mother, prophetess, peace, healing Peace, harmony, Turquoise, meteorite, tektite mediation, time Queen of Heaven, Yeh ming Yeh ming zhu, zhu, pearl, pearl, mother mother-immortality, of-pearl, jade, peach independence, afterlife aventurine Ocean,, moon, Ocean moon, magick, magick, Aquamarine, coral, pearl, protection larimar,, quartz, shells larimar (especially cowrie), blue sapphire, emerald, turquoise, silver and other metals Winter White quartz, Himalayan ice quartz, optical calcite, clear quartz Fierce Goddess, Amber,, red coral, Amber coral , obsidian, protectress, healing iron
Red jasper, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, biotite lens Ocean jasper, aquamarine, vivianite, amazonite, serpentine, ammonite, stromatolite Coprolite, lodolite
Halite, hanksite, white fluorite Vanadin anadinite, ite, cavansite cavansite,, mottramite Chrysotile, Chrys otile, fluorit fluoritee Aquamarine, Aquam arine, enhyd enhydro ro quartz quartz Copper,, malachite, diamond, Copper chrysocolla, dioptase, malachite, azurite-malachite, cuprite, fairy stone concretion Carnelian, black diamond, blue lace agate, chrysoprase, fire agate, fire opal Howlite, magnesite, bone, white quartz
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
◆
441
ELEMENTAL CORRESPONDENCES EARTH
Agate Agate, fire Alabaster Ammonite Aventurine Azurite-malachite Biotite lens Calcite, Isis Chalcedony, Moroccan Chalcedony, Turkish Chrome Chalcedony rose Copper Cuprite Dioptase Emerald Fairy stone concretions Fossil sea urchin Garnet
Geode Holey stone Jade Jade, blue Jade, Lemurian Jasper Jasper, green Jasper, ocean Jasper, red Jet
Quartz, faden Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, Romanian smoky Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, white Quartz, witch’s finger Rainforest rhyolite Sakura stone Selenite, desert rose
Moonstone, rainbow Obsidian Obsidian, green Obsidian, midnight lace Opal, dendritic Peridot Quartz Quartz, Blue Tara
Selenite, peach Serpentine Tiger’s eye Turquoise Vivianite Vivianite
AIR
Alabaster Amazonite Amethyst Ammonite Aventurine Biotite lens Calcite, Isis Fossil sea urchin Jade, blue
Kambaba stone Lapis lazuli Lepidolite Moonstone, rainbow Moonstone, white Obsidian, midnight lace Obsidian, silver Sheen Quartz Quartz, faden
Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, witch’s finger Sapphire, blue Sapphire, star Selenite Selenite, satin spar Turquoise
442
◆
APPENDIX
FIRE
Agate, fire Alabaster Amber Ammonite Calcite Calcite, cobaltoan Calcite, Isis Calcite, mangano Calcite, orange Calcite, peach Carnelian Chalcedony, pink Chalcedony, Turkish chrome
△
Coral, red Creedite Fossil sea urchin Garnet Larimar Malachite Moonstone, peach Moonstone, rainbow Obsidian Obsidian, midnight lace Obsidian, silver sheen Peridot Pink tourmaline
Quartz Quartz, faden Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, rutilated Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, witch’s finger Sapphire, padparadscha Serpentine Tiger’s eye Turquoise Vanadinite Vanadinite
WATER
Agate, blue lace Agate, orbicular Ajoite Alabaster Amazonite Ammonite Aquamarine Aventurine Azurite-malachite Calcite Calcite, cobaltoan Calcite, Isis Calcite, mangano Calcite, peach Chalcedony Chalcedony, pink Chrysocolla Copper Coral Coral, red Coral, white Dioptase
Emerald Fossil sea urchin Geode Holey stone Jade Jasper, ocean Kambaba stone Kunzite Lapis lazuli Larimar Lepidolite Moonstone Moonstone, black Moonstone, peach Moonstone, rainbow Moonstone, white Obsidian, midnight lace Opal Opal, dendritic Opal, pink Opal, white Quartz
Quartz, Blue Tara Quartz, faden Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, moon Quartz, rose Quartz, rutilated Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, white Quartz, witch’s finger Sakura stone Sapphire, blue Sapphire, star Selenite Selenite, desert rose Selenite, peach Selenite, satin spar Silver Turquoise Vivianite
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
◆
443
SPIRIT
Amber Ajoite Alabaster Amber Amethyst Calcite, Isis Coral Coral, red Coral, white Creedite Fossil sea urchin
Jade Jade, Lemurian Jet Lapis lazuli Moonstone, rainbow Nebula stone Obsidian, midnight lace Opal Opal, white Pearl Pearl, mother-of-
Quartz Quartz, faden Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, rutilated Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, witch’s finger Turquoise Yeh ming zhu
ALL
Alabaster Ammonite Calcite, Isis Fossil sea urchin Moonstone, rainbow
Obsidian, midnight lace Quartz Quartz, faden Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed
Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, witch’s finger Turquoise
PLANETARY CORRESPONDENCES SUN �
Amber Calcite, Isis Calcite, orange Carnelian Copper
Coral, red Creedite Garnet, red Malachite Peridot
Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed Sapphire, padparadscha Tiger’s eye
MOON �
Agate, orbicular Amethyst Aquamarine Calcite Chalcedony Chalcedony rose Coral Coral, white Emerald Holey stone Jade Larimar
Moonstone Moonstone, black Moonstone, peach Moonstone, rainbow Moonstone, white Obsidian, silver sheen Opal Opal, white Pearl Pearl, mother-ofQuartz Quartz, Blue Tara
Quartz, faden Quartz, Isis Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, moon Quartz, white Sapphire, star Selenite Selenite, desert rose Selenite, peach Selenite, satin spar Silver Yeh ming zhu
444
◆
APPENDIX
MERCURY ☿
Agate Agate, blue lace Agate, fire Aventurine Biotite lens Chalcedony
Chalcedony, Moroccan Emerald Jasper Jasper, green Kunzite Opal
Pink tourmaline Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed Sapphire
VENUS VEN US ♀
Agate Agate, moss Ajoite Alabaster Amethyst Aquamarine Aventurine Azurite-malachite Calcite
Copper Coral, red Cuprite Dioptase Emerald Fairy stone concretion Fossil sea urchin Jade Jasper
Calcite, mangano Calcite, peach Chalcedony, blue Chalcedony, Moroccan Chalcedony, pink Chalcedony rose Chrysocolla
Jasper, green Kambaba Lapis lazuli Malachite Obsidian, green Opal Opal, dendritic
Opal, pink Pearl Pearl, mother-ofPink tourmaline Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, Romanian smoky Quartz, rutilated Quartz, scarlet temple Lemurian seed Rose quartz Sakura stone Selenite, desert rose Selenite, peach Turquoise Vanadinite
MARS ♂
Agate
Garnet
Agate, fire Calcite, peach Carnelian Coral, red
Jasper Jasper, red Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed
Quartz, scarlet temple Lemurian seed Tiger’s eye Vanadinite
JUPITER ♃
Agate, moss Chalcedony, blue Emerald Lapis lazuli
Lepidolite Opal, pink Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed
Sapphire, blue Sapphire, star Turquoise
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
◆
445
SATURN ♄
Amazonite Calcite Coral Emerald Garnet, green Jet
Lapis lazuli Moonstone, black Obsidian Obsidian, silver sheen Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed
Sapphire Sapphire, star Serpentine Turquoise
URANUS ♅
Amazonite Amethyst Jade, blue
Lepidolite Quartz Quartz, Lemurian seed
Sakura stone
NEPTUNE ♆
Ajoite Ammonite Aquamarine Coral Coral, red
Coral, white Jasper, ocean Larimar Lepidolite Opal
Pearl Pearl, mother-ofQuartz Quartz, Lemurian seed Sapphire
PLUTO ♇
Calcite, cobaltoan Fairy stone concretion
Moonstone, black Nebula stone
Garnet, red Jade, Lemurian Jet Kunzite
Obsidian Obsidian, midnight lace Quartz Quartz, faden
Quartz, Lemurian seed Quartz, scarlet temple Lemurian seed Quartz, witch’s finger Vivianite
ZODIACAL CORRESPONDENCES ARIES ♈
Agate, fire Carnelian Coral, red
Garnet, red Jasper Jasper, red
Vanadinite
TAURUS ♉
Agate, moss Alabaster Aquamarine Calcite Chalcedony, Moroccan Chalcedony, Turkish chrome Copper Cuprite
Dioptase Emerald Jasper, green Kunzite Malachite Obsidian, green Quartz, rutilated Rainforest rhyolite
Rose quartz Sakura stone Sapphire Sapphire, padparadscha Selenite, desert rose Selenite, peach Vanadinite
446
◆
APPENDIX
GEMINI ♊
Agate Agate, blue lace Agate, moss Ammonite Biotite lens
Calcite Emerald Geode Jade Jasper, green
Pink tourmaline Quartz, rutilated Sapphire Serpentine
CANCER ♋
Agate Calcite Chalcedony Coral, white Emerald Fairy stone concretion Larimar Moonstone Moonstone, black
Moonstone, rainbow Moonstone, white Nebula stone Opal Opal, white Pearl Pearl, mother-ofQuartz, Blue Tara Quartz, Isis
Quartz, veil of Isis Quartz, white Rose quartz Selenite Selenite, desert rose Selenite, satin spar Silver
LEO ♌
Amber Calcite, cobaltoan Calcite, Isis Calcite, orange Creedite
Garnet Jasper Jasper, ocean Jasper, red Opal, pink
Peridot Rainforest rhyolite Tiger’s eye
VIRGO VIR GO ♍
Agate, moss Agate, orbicular Ajoite Ammonite Chalcedony, Moroccan Chalcedony rose Chrysocolla Copper
Coral, white Creedite Fossil sea urchin Geode Jade Jasper Jasper, green Jasper, ocean
Opal, dendritic Opal, pink Peridot Quartz, rutilated Sapphire Selenite, desert rose Selenite, peach Vanadinite
LIBRA ♎
Agate, orbicular Aventurine Azurite-malachite Calcite, peach Chalcedony, pink Copper Coral, red
Fairy stone concretion Jade Jasper Kambaba stone Kunzite Malachite Moonstone, white
Obsidian, green Opal Pink tourmaline Rose quartz Sapphire, star Serpentine
TABLES OF CORRESPONDENCES
◆
447
SCORPIO ♏
Biotite lens Coral, red Fairy stone concretion
Moonstone, black Nebula stone Obsidian
Garnet Jade, Lemurian Kunzite
Obsidian, midnight lace Opal Quartz, faden
Quartz, Romanian smoky Quartz, rutilated Quartz, scarlet temple Lemurian seed Quartz, witch’s finger Serpentine Vivianite
SAGITTARIUS ♐
Alabaster Aventurine Chalcedony, blue Copper Emerald
Lapis lazuli Malachite Obsidian Obsidian, silver sheen Opal, pink
Rainforest rhyolite Rose quartz Sapphire, star Turquoise
CAPRICORN ♑
Garnet Garnet, green Jet
Lapis lazuli Obsidian Sapphire
Sapphire, star Serpentine
AQUARIUS ♒
Ajoite Amazonite Amethyst Ammonite Aventurine Biotite lens
Chalcedony rose Cuprite Garnet Jade, blue Lapis lazuli Lepidolite
Quartz, Lemurian seed Sakura stone Sapphire Turquoise
PISCES ♓
Agate, blue lace Aquamarine Coral Coral, white
Fairy stone concretion Kambaba stone Larimar Lepidolite
Pearl Pearl, mother-ofSapphire Selenite, satin spar
Notes
CHAPTER 2. YOUR CRYSTAL TOOLBOX Elemental al Energy, Energ y, 71. 1. Petrovich, Element CHAPTER 3. THE GODDESS IN HERSTORY 1. Stone, When God Was a Woman, 9. 2. Monaghan, Encyclop Encyclopedia edia of Goddes Goddesses ses and Heroin Heroines, es, x. 3. Gimbutas, Langua Language ge of the Goddess, 316. 4. Farrar and Farrar Farrar,, Witches’ Goddess, 57. 5. Stone, When God Was a Woman, 19. 6. Gimbutas, Langua Language ge of the Goddess, 318. 7. Gimbutas, 318. 8. Gimbutas, 319. 9. Hieronimus and Cortner, Secret Life of Lady Liberty, 87. CHAPTER 4. FACETS OF THE GODDESS 1. Campbell, Goddesses, 36. 2. Farrar and Farrar Farrar,, Witches’ Goddess, 31. 3. Farrar Farrar and Farrar Farrar,, 19. 4. Farrar Farrar and Farrar Farrar,, 21. 5. Valiente, Valiente, “The Charge of the Goddess, Goddess,”” Charge of the Goddess, 12–13. 6. Gimbutas, Langua Language ge of the Goddess, 6–9. 7. Gimbutas, 282. 8. Gimbutas, 265. 9. Gimbutas, 97. CHAPTER 5. THE TRIPLE GODDESS OF STONE 1. Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing, 22. 2. Gienger, 35–36. 3. Farrar and Farrar Farrar,, Witches’ Goddess, 35. 4. Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing, 36. Crystal Allia Alliances, nces, 31. 5. Group of 5, Eight Crystal 6. Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing, 38. 448 44 8
NOTES
◆
449
7. Franks, Stone Medicine, 114. 8. Group of 5, Eight Crystal Crystal Allia Alliances, nces, 7. 9. Pearson, Crystals for Karmic Healing, 88.
CHAPTER 6. CRYSTAL SPELLS AND RITUALS 1. Morgan, Deed without without a Name, 155. 2. Rankine, Crystals, 94. 3. This grid is adapted from one found in Grant, Second Book of Crystal Spells, 112–13. CHAPTER 7. COMPENDIUM OF CRYSTALS 1. Gillotte, Sacred Stones of the Goddess, 86. 2. Hall, Crystals and Sacred Sites, 97. Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 67. 3. Cun Cunningham, ningham, Cunn 4. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 66. 5. Rankine, Crystals, 159. 6. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 71. 7. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 16. 8. Simmons, Stones of the New Consciousness, 126. 9. Twintre wintreess, ess, Stones Alive! vol. 1, 20. 10. Hall, 101 Power Crystals, 22. 11. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 86. 12. Cunningham, Cunn Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 69. Drawin awingg Down the Sun, 76. 13. Woodfield, Dr 14. Woodfield, 81. 15. Cunningham, Cunn Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 70. Stones,, 24. 16. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones 17. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 47. 18. Lecouteux, 48. 19. Pearson, Seven Archetypal Stones, 171. 20. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 99. 21. Philip Rahtz in McNamara, Star-Crossed Stone, 81–82. 22. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 165 and 245. 23. Lecouteux, 245. 24. Cunningham, Cunn Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 75. 25. Rankine, Crystals, 179. 26. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 50. 27. Beyerl, Gem and Mineral Lore, 22. 28. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 282. 29. Lecouteux, 283. 30. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 50. 31. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 283. 32. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 51. 33. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 129.
450
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NOTES
34. Melody, 129. 35. Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing, 246. 36. Raphaell, Crystalline Transmission, 84. 37. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 86. 38. Roeder, Crystal Co-Creators, 79. 39. Raphaell, Crystalline Illumination, 27. 40. Dow, Crystal Journey, 190. 41. Hall, Crystal Bible 3, 92. 42. Hall, 92. 43. Raphaell, Crystalline Transmission, 95. 44. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 62. 45. Knuth, Gems, 60. 46. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 67. 47. Hall, 68. 48. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 99. 49. Knuth, Gems, 63. 50. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 66. 51. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 99. 52. Rankine, Crystals, 195. 53. Raphaell, Crystalline Illumination, 46. 54. Raphaell, 41. 55. Franks, Stone Medicine, 195. 56. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 195. 57. Costelloe, Complete Guide to Crystal Astrology, 200. 58. Raphaell, Crystalline Illumination, 113. 59. Raphaell, 114. 60. Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing, 254. 61. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 67. 62. Gienger, Hea Healing ling Crystals, Crystals, 23. 63. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 68. 64. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 50. 65. Conway, Crystal Enchantments, 68. Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 82. 66. Cunningham, Cunn 67. Rankine, Crystals, 197. 68. Pelikan, Secrets of Metals, 142. 69. Pelikan, 149. 70. Cunningham, Cunn Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 154. 71. Pelikan, Secrets of Metals, 137. 72. Cunningham, Cunn Cunningham ingham’s’s Encyclopedia, 154–155. 73. Cunningham, 155. 74. Monagan, Encyclop Encyclopedia edia of Goddess Goddesses es and Heroi Heroines, nes, 253. 75. Walker, Book of Sacred Stones, 113. 76. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 114.
NOTES
77. Lecouteux, 114. 78. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 86. 79. Stein, Hea Healing ling with Gemstones Gemstones and Cryst Crystals, als, 76. 80. Rankine, Crystals, 204. 81. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 109. 82. Ahsian, Crystal Ally Cards, 78. 83. Simmons, Stones of the New Consciousness, 168. 84. Kynes, Crystal Magic, 101. 85. Gienger, Crystal Power, 273. 86. Monaghan, Encyclop Encyclopedia edia of Goddess Goddesses es and Heroi Heroines, nes, 346. 87. Rankine, Crystals, 215. 88. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 297. 89. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 91. 90. Hall, 101 Power Crystals, 124. 91. Hall, 124. 92. McN McNamara, amara, Star-Crossed Stone, 22–23. 93. McN McNamara, amara, 123. 94. Valiente, ABC of Wi Witchc tchcra raft, ft, 149. 95. McN McNamara, amara, Star-Crossed Stone, 127. 96. Grey, Apoc Apocalyp alyptic tic Witchcr Witchcraft, aft, 97. 97. McN McNamara, amara, Star-Crossed Stone, 179–80. 98. Beyerl, Gem and Mineral Lore, 68. 99.. Wal 99 alker, ker, Book of Sacred Stones, 128. 100. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 88. 101. Caldecott, Crystal Legends, 119–20. 102. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 87. Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 98. 103. Cunningham, Cunnin 104. Grant, Second Book of Crystal Spells, 23. 105. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 166–67. 106. Grant, Second Book of Crystal Spells, 165. 107. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 107. 108. Roeder, Crystal Co-Creators, 100. 109.. Walker, 109 Walker, Book of Sacred Stones, 129. 110. Grant, Book of Cryst Crystal al Spells, 112. 111. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 122. 112. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 39. 113. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 156. 114. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 100. 115. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 41. 116. Valiente, ABC of Wi Witchc tchcra raft, ft, 175. 117. Leland, Ar Aradia, adia, 45. 118. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 116. 119. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 247.
◆
451
452
◆
NOTES
120. Gillote, Sacred Stones of the Goddess, 128. 121. Tibón, El Jade de Méxi México, co, 14. Translation by author. 122. Tibón, Tibón, 45. 123. Tibón, Tibón, 23. 124. Tibón, Tibón, 24. 125. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 243. 126. Calverley, Crystal Yoga, 232–33. 127. JaneAnn Dow in Calverley, Crystal Yoga, 233. 128. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 233. 129. Cora Anderson in Faerywolf, Betwixt and Between, 293. 130. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones, 233. 131. Kynes, Crystal Magic, 140. 132. Katz, Gemstone Energy Medicine, 326. 133.. Walker, 133 Walker, Book of Sacred Stones, 140. 134. Guhr and Nagler, Crystal Power, 116. 135. Lecouteuex, Lapidary, 179. 136. Kynes, Crystal Magic, 140. 137. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 123. 138. Kunz, Curious Lore, 229. 139. Mathews, “Metaphysical Properties of Ocean Jasper.” 140. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 287. 141. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 251. 142. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 124. 143. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 104. 144. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 253. 145. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 105. 146. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 148. 147. Cabrera, Otan Iyebiye, 101. 148. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 256. 149. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 149. 150. Lecouteux, Lecouteux, 148. 151. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 167. 152. Hall, 167. 153. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 406–7. 154. Kynes, Crystal Magic, 152. 155. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 262. 156. Farrar and Farrar, Witches’ Goddess, 106. 157. Monaghan, Encyclop Encyclopedia edia of Goddess Goddesses es and Heroi Heroines, nes, 35. 158. Monagan, Monagan, 42. 159. Guhr and Nagler, Crystal Power, 119. 160. Farrar and Farrar, Witches’ Goddess, 219. 161. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 261. 162. Guhr and Nagler, Crystal Power, 119.
NOTES
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453
163. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 263. 164. Simmons, Book of Stone Stones,s, 229. 165. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 228. 166. Gienger, Crystal Power, 316. 167. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 271. 168. Woodfield oodfield,, Dr Drawin awingg Down the Sun, 154. 169. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 112. 170. Simmons, Book of Stone Stones,s, 268. 171. Simmons, 268. 172. Hall, Crystal Bible, 195. Stones,, 275. 173. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones 174. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 498; Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones, 274. 175. Costelloe, Complete Guide to Crystal Astrology, 86. 176. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 515. 177. Auryn, “Origin of the Veil Between the Worlds.” 178. Guhr and Nagler, Crystal Power, 129. 179. Kunz, Curious Lore, 148. 180. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 244. 181. Beyerl, Gem and Mineral Lore, 113. 182. Gillote, Sacred Stones of the Goddess, 134. 183. Gillote, Gillote, 135. 184. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 244. 185. Lecouteux, Lecouteux, 244. 186. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 121. 187. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 535. 188. Franks, Stone Medicine, 402. 189. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 535. 190. Pearson, Crystals for Karmic Healing, 124. 191. Gienger, Crystal Power, 342. 192. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 293. 193. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 158. 194. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 220. 195. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 292. 196. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 123. 197.. Walker, 197 Walker, Book of Sacred Stones, 158. 198. Cunningham, Cunnin R ankine, Crystals, 295. Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 123–24; Rankine, 199. Cunningham, 123. 200. Katz, Gemstone Energy Medicine, 148. 201. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 116. 202. Katz, Gemstone Energy Medicine, 147. 203. Ahsian, Crystal Ally Cards, 98. 204. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 296–97. 205. Rankine, 297.
454
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206. Rankine, 343. 207. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 239. 208. Katz, Gemstone Energy Medicine, 287–88. 209. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 241. 210. Knuth, Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore, 176. 211. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 121. 212. Lecouteux, Lecouteux, 123. 213. Caldecott, Crystal Legends, 85. 214. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 121. 215. Raulet and Bouchero Boucheron, n, Rock Crystal Crystal Treasu reasures, res, 22. 216. Purna, “Tara.” 217. Haerer, personal communication, December 13, 2017. 218. Hall, Crystals and Sacred Sites, 96. Stones,, 155. 219. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones 220. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 255; Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 619. 221. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 256. Stones,, 154. 222. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones 223. Simmons and Ahsian, 154. 224. Raphaell, R aphaell, Crystalline Transmission, 162. 225. Pinch, Egyptian Mytholog Mythology, y, 150. 226. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 235. 227. Lang and Sherry, “New Lemurians.” 228. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 627. 229. Melody, 628. 230. Morton, “Moon Quartz and Purple Tourmaline.” 231. Katz, Gemstone Energy Medicine, 330. 232. Hall, Crystal Bible 3, 188. 233. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 216. 234. Simmons and Ahsian, 216. 235. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 167–68. 236. George Rapp in Kynes, Stone Magic, 193. 237.. Walker, 237 Walker, Book of Sacred Stones, 168. 238. Parsons, “AE Rose Quartz.” 239.. Walker, 239 Walker, Book of Sacred Stones, 171. 240. Knuth, Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore, 192. 241. Coquet, Stones of the Seven Rays, 219. 242. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 285. 243. Katz, Gemstone Energy Medicine, 187. 244. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 342. 245. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 323. 246. Kunz, Curious Lore, 107. 247. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 225. Encyclopedia edia of Goddess Goddesses es and Heroi Heroines, nes, 263. 248. Monaghan, Encyclop
NOTES
249. Kynes, Crystal Magic, 224. 250. Beyerl, Gem and Mineral Lore, 157. 251. Franks, Stone Medicine, 249. 252. Raphaell, R aphaell, Crystalline Transmission, 63. 253. Kynes, Crystal Magic, 208. 254. Hall, 101 Power Crystals, 182. 255. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 134. 256. Lembo, Essenti Essential al Guide to Crysta Crystals, ls, Minerals Minerals and Stones Stones,, 316. 257. Hall, Crystal Bible, 261. 258. Hall, Crystal Bible, 261. Encyclopedia edia of Cryst Crystals, als, 39. 259. Hall, Encyclop 260. Kunz, Curious Lore, 80. 261. Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 339. Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 135. 262. Cunningham, Cunnin 263. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 326. 264. Lecouteux, Lapidary, 245. 265. Lecouteux, Lecouteux, 245. 266. Pelikan, Secrets, 169. 267. Cunningham, Cunnin Cunningham gham’s’s Encyclopedia, 170. 268. Cunningham, 169. 269. Pelikan, Secrets, 172. 270. Woodfield oodfield,, Dr Drawin awingg Down the Sun, 96. 271. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 338. 272. Woodfield oodfield,, Dr Drawin awingg Down the Sun, 165. 273. Rankine, R ankine, Crystals, 338. 274. Knuth, Gems in Myth, 224. 275. Coquet, Stones of the Seven Rays, 229. 276. Coquet, 231. 277. Knuth, Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore, 226. 278. Knuth, 223. 279. Monaghan, Encyclop Encyclopedia edia of Goddess Goddesses es and Heroi Heroines, nes, 285. 280. Hall, Crystal Bible, 312; Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 835. Stones,, 423. 281. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones 282. Group of 5, Eight Crystal Crystal Allian Alliances, ces, 227. 283. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 422. 284. Hall, Crystal Bible, 313; Melody, Love Is in the Earth, 835. 285. Conway Conway,, Crystal Enchantments, 246. 286. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 423. 287. Pearson, Crystal Healing for the Heart, 240. 288. Hall, Crystal Bible 2, 348. 289. Simmons and Ahsian, Book of Stones Stones,, 428. 290. Andraes, Ye Ming Zhu, 80–81. 291. Andraes, 15–18.
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Stones of the Goddess Crystals for the Divine Feminine NICHOLAS PEARSON A practical practical guide to workin working g with gemstones gemstones and crystals crystals connected connected to Goddess energy for magick, healing, and transformation • Explores more than 100 Goddess-centered stones and crystals, including amazonite, amethyst, birthing stones, thundereggs, geodes, Lemurian seed crystals, sakura stone, yeh ming zhu, and carnelian, also known as the blood of Isis • Details each stone’s astrological and elemental correspondences, Goddess archetypes, healing properties, magickal uses, and aspects of the Divine Feminine it embodies • Includes instructions for Goddess-centered rituals, guided meditations, and spells • Explains how to create Goddess-centered Goddess-centered crystal grids, crystal elixirs, and charm bags
Part of Mother Earth, crystals and gemstones are intimate pieces of the body of the Goddess, sacred tools that can help us tap into Her energy for healing, magick, and spiritual growth. In this practical guide to working with the stones of the Goddess, Nicholas Pearson explores more than 100 gemstones and crystals strongly connected with the energies of the Divine Feminine, including old favorites like amazonite, amethyst, geodes, and carnelian (also known as the blood of Isis), alongside newer and more unusual stones such as sakura ishi, yeh ming zhu, and Lemurian seed crystals. He details each stone’s spiritual and healing properties, astrological and elemental correspondences, Goddess archetypes and lore, magickal uses, and the aspects of the Divine Feminine it embodies. Providing an overview of major Goddesses from around the world, he reveals how Goddess traditions and myths have incorporated stones throughout history. Guiding you through the basics of crystal work, including cleansing and programming, the author offers step-by-step instructions for Goddess-centered magickal rituals, guided meditations to connect with the Divine Feminine, and the use of crystals for spellcasting. He explains how to create crystal grids, including the Triple Goddess Grid and the Venus Grid; crystal elixirs, such as Aphrodite Elixir and Yemayá Essence; and crystal charm bags for purification, wealth, and a happy home. With the rebirth of the Goddess now happening after millennia of suppression, Pearson shows how, by working with gemstones and crystals, you can help restore the radiant light and limitless magick of the Divine Feminine and move humanity toward collective growth and healing. The stones of the Goddess are here to support us through practical means as well as serve as anchors for the return of the Goddess’s presence. Nic N icho holas las Pearson Pearson has been immerse immersed d in all aspects aspects of the min mineral eral kingdom kingdom for more more than t han 20 ye years. ars. He began teaching crystal workshops in high school, later studying mineral science at Stetson University while pursuing a degree in music. A certified teacher of Usui Reiki Ryoho, he teaches crystal and Reiki classes throughout th roughout the United States. The author author of several books, including Crystal Healing for the th e Heart, he lives in Orlando, Florida. Destiny Books • ISBN 978-1-62055-764-8 • $40.00 (CAN $49.99) Paper Also available as an ebook • 480 pages, 6 x 9 • Full-color throughout Rights: World • Metaphysical/Crystals
March 2019