Folk names: Crystal, Witchâs Mirror, star stone, iris (from the prismatic effect of crystal quartz), Zaztun (Mayan)
Energies: Projective, receptive
Associated Metals: Silver, copper, gold
Associated herbs: Copal, mugwort, chicory, sage, sweetgrass
Powers: Protection, healing, psychism, power, lactation
Magical/Ritual lore:Â Long thought by ancients to be solidified water or ice, quartz crystal has been used in religious and shamanistic systems for thousands of years. Because of its connection with water it has been utilized to magically create rain in many parts of the Pacific, including Australia and New Guinea.
Traditionally, quartz was utilized in the Eleusinian mysteries to produce the sacred fire by concentrating the heat of the Sun to ignite wood chips. I say âtraditionallyâ because we donât know much about these ancient, secret rituals.Â
Quartz was in common use among North American Indians in rite and spell, and ceremonial wands topped with quartz crystal has been found in southern California. Cherokee shamans, acknowledging the crystalâs power, kept it wrapped in buckskin when not in use. At regular intervals it would be âfedâ deerâs blood. It is a common component of shamanâs power bags or medicine bundles.Â
Contemporary Wiccans wear quartz, often combined with silver, during Full Moon rituals. Because it is also Goddess-symbolic, quartz crystal spheres are often placed on the altar during lunar rituals. Itâs icy cold temperature represents the sea.Â
Two quartz crystals can also be placed on Wiccan altars to represent God and Goddess, the two primal, creative powers of the universe. Some place a natural crystal to represent the God and a sphere for the Goddess.Â
In shamanistic terms, the quartz crystal is the shaman, and the shaman is the crystal. There is no difference between the two. As such, it is the perfect tool of the shaman and it is utilized in rituals throughout the world.Â
Mystically, quartz crystal is symbolic of the spirit and intellect of human beings.
Quartz crystals are currently enormously popular. Their use in healing, altering consciousness, and magic have linked them to the spirit of the New Age. Long neglected by most of the world, save for their industrial applications, quartz crystal are today a huge commercial business.
There are a few herbs specifically used to cleanse quartz crystal. Sage and sweetgrass, two North American healing and purifcatory herbs, are both associated with quartz crystal and, in shamanism, are herbal counterparts to the stone. Make an infusion (tea) of either or both of these herbs by adding two tbs to nearly boiling water. Let them sit for at least a day in the infusion, the dry and hold in your receptive hand. if the stone feels âclearedâ, it is ready for magic. If not, return to the infusion until it has done its work.
Clear or white quartz crystal is perhaps best known to the general public for stimulating psychism. Though most crystal spheres sold today are plastic or glass, true quartz crystal spheres are also available at fantastically expensive prices. Though well worth the cost to those who can afford them, crystals need not be worked by human hands to be magically effective, nor must they be pure, or free of inclusions.
In fact, many crystal scryers ir gazers utilize the inclusions, veils, and tiny prisms within crystals to enhance themselves. And simply gazing into any crystal point can produce psychism.
In the Renaissance, most scrying stones, or crystal balls, were fashioned of beryl, not clear crystal quartz. Crystal, however, was used in magical operations. It was sometimes half covered with pure gold and set on a base of ivory or ebony wood. This was used as an instrument of contemplation to awaken the psychic mind.
In nineteenth century European magic, the crystal sphere was placed beneath the pillow to create a rapport with the scryer, enhancing its effectiveness.
A crystal sphere can be exposed to the light of the Full Moon to strengthen its powers. Before scrying, a tea of mugwort or chicory is sometimes drunk, and fresh mugwort rubbed onto the crystal.
For protective purposes this stone is worn, carried or placed in the home. In the fourteenth century, the quartz crystal was engraved with the image of a man in armor holding a bow and arrow. The stone guarded its wearer and the place where it was situated.
Quartz crystal is used as a powerful amplifier during magic. It is worn or placed on the altar for this purpose. Wands of crystal are also quite popular at this time.
Thirteen crystals (representing representing the lunar year) or twenty one crystals (thirteen Full Moons plus the eight ritual occasions of Wicca) can be used to physically construct the magic circle, in which Wiccan rituals and magical rites are held. Situate the crystals with the points facing inward for religious ritual, meditation, or general magic, and with the points outward for defensive or protective magic. Quartz pebbles or tumbles polished stones may also be used.
A âcrystal gardenâ can be easily fashioned if you have several crystals. Fill a large wooden or white earthenware bowl with white sand. Then set the crystals in the sand with their points upward. There are no particular directions as how to place the crystals, so use your imagination.
You may wish to trace a pentagram (five-pointed star) on the sand using a crystal then place one at each point and one in the center. This confers magical protection.
Workers utilizing the power of the elements may use five stones, four aligned with the directions (which relate to the elements) with the fifth in the center, representing Akasha, or the fifth element. This will empower your elemental magic.
Crystals may be set in a spiral formation for use as a focal point during meditation. The spiral is symbolic of spiritual evolution and reincarnation.
The crystal garden is a place of power, an altar of stone magic, a meditative device, and a protective ward for the home.
In magic performed in salt, earth or damp sand at the beach, runes or magic images can be traced with the tip of a quartz crystal. While drawing, send energy through the crystal to the image.
(Source: Cunninghamâs Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic)
(Photo source:Â http://www.naturesowndesigns.com/products/aqua-aura-titanium-quartz-crystals)
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