#metaphysical tools

What is a pendulum, anyway? At its most basic, a pendulum is a tool used for divination—a small object (typically a gemstone, crystal, or metal) suspended from a chain or cord that swings freely. It’s simple, elegant, and surprisingly powerful. You can use it to receive yes/no answers to questions, check energetic alignment, or even aid in Reiki and energy healing by detecting imbalances in the…

Haven’t offered readings here for a bit, but I have some time this weekend. 

If you’d like a reading just send me a message. I will do 1-2 card readings for free and will respond publicly. I will do more in depth readings for a small fee as they require more energy and time. These readings will be 3+ cards depending on the question and can be delivered privately if you wish. Message me for me details.

While it shouldn’t take me even close to this long to respond/deliver your reading, please allow me 24 hours.

**EDIT** 

A Light Overview:

  An insignia of power, the transcending beauty of an amethyst gemstone provides a plethora of uses for many ailments. Amethyst is a remarkable stone of spirituality, known for its metaphysical abilities to still the mid and initiate a meditative state.

   An effective cure for those troublesome headaches and protection against intoxication, it's no wonder this gem is so popular! Amethyst enhances the immune system, reduce pain and bruises, and is excellent in the treatment of arthritis. In terms of emotional healing, this crystal works as a supportive unit. Easing mental anxieties, exhaustion, and providing comfort from grief are only a few of the magnificent gifts granted by amethyst. In balancement, the Third Eye, and Crown Chakra are easily stimulated by its sweet, highly alluring energy. As a stone of immense spiritual connectivity, it’s highly conducive to calming a busy mind, and opening it to greater wisdom. The spiritual energy of amethyst allows the mind and body to cleanse itself of negative attachments.

   But the benefits don’t end at treating ailments! The amethyst is also a protector of the most vicious treachery. By protecting the mind from evil thoughts, a boost of intelligence and creativity occur in its presence, heightening the mind as well. Its ability to do that strengthens imagination, intuition, passion, and refines the thought process.

   This stone is excellent for diplomats, negotiators and business peoples as it eases angered temperaments, clearing the mind to truly focus on the task at hand.

For anything in need of “composing” (music, poetry, writing), amethyst is the perfect piece.

   In terms of meditation, amethyst is one of the best crystals to have. Stimulating the highest level of the Third Eye Chakra, when placed directly over it, this gem opens a serene meditative state -guiding toward deeper understanding.

   Amethyst is the birthstone for Pisces, the month of February, and most often the gemstone for the sixth year of marriage (historically it was to celebrate the seventeenth year). It is also the stone for St. Valentine, thus frequently associated with romance! Referred to as the “couple's stone”, the amethyst gives meaning to long-lasting relationships -forging a deeper, soulful connection between lovers. It becomes a symbol of fidelity when worn on an engagement ring, yet when worn as a locket, it can be used to call back a lost love.

In Lore & Legend:

   According to the Roman Mythology, Amethyst was a nymph being pursued by the wine god, Bacchus. In an attempt to flee, she desperately prayed to the goddess Diana -who turned her into a stone of pure crystals. Furiously, Bacchus threw his glass filled with wine on the stone; thus, giving the stone a brilliant purple hue. Since then, Romans used the crystal as a protector of overindulgence of food and drink. They would stud their goblets with amethyst believing the wine from it was powerless to intoxicate.

    Ancient Egyptians used this particular gem to ease guilt, fear, and provide safety for travelers. Peruvians held strong belief that if an amethyst was engraved with the names of the sun and moon, when worn around the neck, they would be protected against witchcraft and immune to poison!

    In other folklore, when a bear was engraved, the stone became capable of putting demons to flight! Another suggests that amethysts could summon any love by speaking a person's name into it -whether or not the other was committed to anyone.

   This absolutely stunning crystal truly has done, and continues to do, incredible things for the human mind and body.

Lapis Lazuli

Nov 23, 2017

A symbol of royalty and honor, Lapis Lazuli (also simply called Lapis) has always been sought after due to its beautiful color and the valuable dye that can be derived from it. It has the potential to stimulate the desire for knowledge, understanding, activate the higher mind, and enhance intellectual ability. For the purpose of communication, Lapis encourages honesty - written and spoken. When worn, it has been said that this stone brings deep, calm, loving communication.

This gem is also known as a universal symbol of wisdom, truth, and good judgment  - which can make Lapis excellent to have for executives, journalists, and psychologist for this reason. The intellectual aid that it can offer also makes this crystal useful to historians and lawyers.

Lapis can give you the energy necessary to tackle any kind of task. Its vibrations help to quiet the white noise in your mind and increase your concentration to be able to organize your affair.

Its name come from that Latin word “lapis”, meaning stone, and the Persian word “lazhward”, meaning blue.

In Healing

Lapis Lazuli is said to be beneficial for the throat and vocal chords (making sense as it is believed to aid in communication). By wearing it on your body, this crystal can relieve ailments such as headaches, body pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and vertigo. When trying to sleep, Lapis has the ability to relax the mind and body - clearing away any stress that is keeping you up at night - and give a restful night's sleep.

With the ability to alleviate emotions that have been suppressed, Lapis can bring these emotions forth and assist diminish frustration caused by them -Lapis Lazuli works to create peace and harmony in the body. It then can allow for self-expression to become easier now that you aren’t being held back by anything. Wearing this crystal has the ability to dispel negative energies and turn them into positive ones.

This crystal activates the Third Eye Chakra - located right in between your eyebrows; it represents perception, intuition, and psychic ability - and balances the Throat Chakra - located at the base of the throat, it is known for communicative abilities.

History, Lore, & Legend

Lapis Lazuli has been popular through most of human history. In the Badakhshan Province of northeastern Afghanistan (as early as 7000 BCE), this crystal was mined and made into beads and jewelry. It also appeared in many Egyptian archaeological sites seen in ornamental objects, dating as far back as 3000 BCE. During the Middle Ages, Lapis Lazuli continued to be seen in jewelry.

This gem is known to be the sacred stones of the Greek goddesses Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Battle strategy, and Hera, Goddess of Marriage and Queen of the Gods. In Roman mythology, Lapis is associated with Venus (Aphrodite to the Greeks), goddess of love.

The Sumerian goddess of the Underworld, Inanna, is often depicted as holding a Lapis Lazuli rod as she measures a person’s life

Lapis Lazuli honors Nuit, the Egyptian Goddess of Heaven and Sky. She swallows the sun each evening and gives birth to it again each morning. She is the protector and mother of life on Earth. Ancient Egyptians also believed that this crystal could purge the soul of demonic possession.

Citrine

Nov 21, 2017

In its natural state, Citrine is a wonderful stone for manifesting wealth, imagination, and personal will. With warmth like sunlight, this crystal is capable of stimulating all seven chakras, clearing the mind, and stirring the soul into action. The soft yellow energy Citrine radiates encourages the fullness of life and helps one to see the possibility of new beginnings.

Natural Citrine cannot accumulate negative energies; instead, it transmutes, dissipates, and grounds them- making Citrine very useful as a protector of the environment. It has the ability to aid in physical and emotional problems ranging from subtle to life-threatening. Along with Kyanite and Selenite, these three gems are the only ones on Earth that never have to be cleared or cleansed!

Due to its potential to promote empathy, Citrine can be useful in soothing family or group issues. It's possible that carrying this gem can attract love and happiness, guard against people that may break your heart, and shield against spite or jealousy.

The name Citrine is derived from the French word citron, meaning lemon.  It has the nickname  “Merchant’s Stone” due to its potential to grant and maintain wealth. With this reputation, Citrine is ideal for those who work in sales.

Warning: Citrine may cause you to become aggressive. It’s not recommended for people with fiery, quick-tempered natures.

In Healing

Physically, it is said this gem can aid the treatment of urinary, kidney, and digestive diseases. It’s believed to cleanse blood as it passes through the kidneys and other organs. Citrine can help keep skin, nails, and hair healthy, and is good for relieving skin irritations and allergies, especially those caused by food or chemical intolerances.

Emotionally, this can be a great crystal to have if you’re going through depression. The relaxing vibrations of Citrine allow you to let go of troubled pasts and look forward to an optimistic future. It can raise self-esteem, release anger, and inspire creativity. Citrine in its natural state is a powerful purifier of will, helping to identify and heal issues of abuse and feelings of helplessness. It may enable you to understand how to resolve those situations, and can provide the courage and fortitude needed to take action.

In Lore & Legend

Citrine was well used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in their ornaments in rings. The Egyptians also gathered and used them for talismans - a guard against evil.

While ancient times often mistook Citrine for topaz, it did not dwindle its popularity during the Hellenistic Age, from approximately 300 BCE to 150 BCE. During the Victorian Age, Citrine was loved by Queen Victoria - at this time, Citrine was at its most popular state.

Citrine was called chrysolitus, meaning ‘golden stone’, in the Roman Catholic version of the Old Testament.

Samhain: Festival of the Dead

Oct 28, 2017

   The leaves have started to change from their vibrant greens to the rich reds and oranges and the temperatures have begun to descend from the high heats of summer. The changing of seasons, the thinning of the veil between worlds, and the remembrance of ancestors is what Samhain (pronounced SAH - WEN) is all about. During this time, we reconnect with our lost loved ones (and ancestors) to honor those that have come before us. This sabbat takes place on October 31st.

    Samhain was very significant to the Celts as it marked the beginning of the new year. The changing of leaves and end of harvest signified the earth slowly dying, meaning it was time to reflect on the past months and begin preparing for the rebirth of the land.  Animals, fruits, and vegetables were sacrificed. Bonfires were lit to honor the dead, aid on their journey, and prevent them from mixing with the living. While honoring the dead is a main part of Samhain, it’s also the time of new beginnings. Many pagans would take this time to clear their houses of clutter and things that were no longer necessary in order to make space for something new. Time would also be dedicated to honor the god and goddess of the harvest, field, and flock; they were thanked for providing in the past year and would be asked for their favor in the harsh months of winter.

    Since the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest, Samhain is the optimal time to contact the spirits. By doing so, with aid of guiding spirits, people were able to hone their psychic abilities during the longer nights. Others would use this time to communicate with loved ones who had passed during the old year. Rituals for loved ones held during this time are opportunities to bring the grieving process to an end and assist the lost loved ones in adjusting to the other world.

     Many Pagans celebrate this holiday over a course of two or more days, typically from October 31 through November 1st, giving enough time to be with friends and family, perform ceremonies, and contact those who have passed on. A Samhain Nature Walk, building an Ancestor Altar, reflecting on the past year, and visiting a cemetery are a few ways to celebrate Samhain. Feasts were prepared as well - meals consisting of traditional fall foods (pumpkin, squash, potatoes, and turnips). Spots were left open at the table -typically, its head- as a special place for spirits to join the feast.

    Falling on the same day as Samhain, modern Halloween has this ancient celebration to thank for the way many cultures spend this day. As people today dress from a range of ghoulish creatures to beloved princesses, the people of the past dressed in white masks made of straw or dressing as the opposite gender in order to fool Nature spirits that played tricks on them. In contrast, Halloween is a secular folk holiday while Samhain holds true to its religious roots.

    During the 8th Century, Catholicism adopted November 1st as All Saints’ Day, with mass being called All Hallow’s Mass which lead the day before to be called All Hallows Eve -Halloween. This had been done in an attempt to get many pagans to convert. On this All Hallows Eve, it became tradition to take on the appearance of menacing creatures to ward evil spirits, as well as displaying frightening Jack-O-Lanterns or turnips for the same reason. Dia de Los Muertos, celebrated in Mexican culture on November 1st and 2nd, share the same aspect of honoring one's ancestors (typically by building some sort of altar consisting of pictures or favorite foods of the person) and cemetery visits like Samhain.

Guide to Casting A Circle

Nov 09, 2017

What is a Magick Circle?

    A Magick Circle is a sacred and purified space of power where all rites, magickal works, and ceremonies can be performed; for beginner witches, however, it is recommended to cast a circle during rituals until you are proficient in banishing and shielding. The reservoir of concentrated power creates a doorway to the world of the gods, making it possible to transcend the physical plane and open the mind to a deeper level of consciousness. Several ancient cultures -such as the Babylonians and Native American Tribes - used Magick Circles as a place of inner and spiritual reflection. Today, many practitioners use them the same way and, while defining features may vary, Magick Circles provide safe - free of all negative energy - ritualistic spaces for anyone.

Casting Your Circle

    Each Wiccan or Pagan has their own way of casting a circle. Below is a general guide you can use in casting your circle.

Prepare all you will need to conduct your ritual. It’s a bother to have to run out and grab a missing item during a ritual; having everything beforehand avoids the possibility of breaking your circle in the midst of the ritual. At this time, find out how big and where your circle will be.

After picking a location for your circle, cleanse and purify the space. Physically tidy up the area - if necessary - and expel any negative energies that linger in the space. Purifying the area can be done by smudging, or brushing the floor with a Besom - a ritual broom. It is important to visualize negative energy flowing away from the circle space.

By drawing on the ground or through visualization, determine the bounds of the circle. At this time, place items within the circle for easy access when placing them around it. Avoid breaking your circle in any way. While visualizing or casting try saying a mantra such as “ I cast this circle thrice about, to keep unwelcome spirits out”

Complete the circle by placing candles or any other representation of the elements in the four cardinal directions - North=Earth, South=Fire, East=Air, West=Water. If using candles, do not light at this time.

Bless the circle. Expel any negative energy that may remain and invite the spirits to join you. Do whatever feels natural. Walk around the circle and light the candles reciting an invocation.

State the purpose of your circle - either out loud or in your head. This will vary depending on what your ritual or ceremony is about. After deciding the purpose, invoke the elements and spirits. Call the beings you’d like to work with through the objects around the circle.  

Complete the ritual and close your circle. Pay respect to those you have called forth and undo the circle casting. You can undo a circle by tracing counter-clockwise three times, and saying something along the lines of “ The circle is broken”. You can also undo a circle by visualizing it dispersing after thanking any spirits you may have worked with.

The Purpose of Your Circle

   The circle itself doesn’t have to have a purpose like a spell or ritual. It can be cast simply for protection - in general, or during a ritual- or spiritual communication, the process is similar. Each practitioner will have a different way of using a circle: to protect, act as a magick filter, work as a power concentrator, looking into your true self, or simply be a sanctified place to commune with gods.

TIPS

Get your tools together before the ceremony. You save a lot of time during your ceremony when you aren’t looking for a single specific tool.

Don’t be afraid to improvise! If you forget what to say while casting a circle, speak from your heart.

Everyone makes mistakes so don’t worry too much if you slip up.

Try meditating before and after casting a circle to keep your energy focused!

Always be careful handling fire.

BE COMFORTABLE. Everyone has their own methods in circle casting. Do the one you are most comfortable with.