Space-Clearing Crystals

To clear and purify your space and infuse it with as much of your personal energy as possible, perform a ritual sweeping with a favorite broom. I use a sweet-smelling cinnamon broom. These are actually made of pine straw coated with divine-smelling cinnamon oil and set aside to dry for three weeks. Many a grocery store sells them in the fall and holiday seasons. My favorites are the tiny Trader Joe’s whisk-brooms, which are adorable. These make lovely gifts and altar adornments. I ornament mine with cleansing crystals by taking a colored silk cord and stringing quartz beads on them or gluing them to the base of the handle. These gems and crystals are superb for space-clearing and purification: 

• Amber for positivity and happiness
• Blue lace agate for serenity and a peaceful home
• Coral for well-being and good cheer
• Jet absorbs bad energy from your environment
• Onyx is a guardian stone and protector
• Petrified wood for tranquility and a sense of security
• Clear quartz is wonderful for peace of mind and space-clearing
• Tiger’s-eye protects from “psychic vampires,” energy-draining situations or people
• Turquoise creates calm and relaxation

Write Your Destiny: A Waning Moon Spell

In days of yore, people often made their own inks, thus imbuing them with a deeply personal energy. They simply went to the side of the road and gathered blackberries or pokeberries from the vines that grew there. Often a bird flying overhead will supply a gift of volunteer vines best cultivated by a fence where they can climb, making berry-picking easier. When it comes to matters of the heart, contracts, legacy letters, and any document of real importance that you feel the need to make your mark upon, an artfully made ink can help you imbue your writings with power. This spell is best performed during the waning moon.

Gather the following for your ink recipe: a vial or small sealable bottle, dark red ink, 1/8th cup crushed berry juice, nine drops of burgundy wine, apple essential oil, and paper. You will also need one red candle.

Mix the juice, wine, and red ink in a small metal bowl. Carefully pour it into the vial and add one drop of the apple essence. Seal the bottle and shake gently.

Incant aloud:

    By my hand, this spell is wrought.

    With this ink, I will author my own destiny

    and have the happy life and love I’ve sought.

    So mote it be.

Now write the fate you envision for yourself in the near and far future using the enchantment ink and a feather for a pen. Let dry and seal it in an envelope, keeping it on your altar until the new moon phase. Then, by the light of a red candle, open the letter to yourself and read it aloud. After you have finished, burn the paper using the candle and scatter the ashes in your garden. By the next new moon, you will begin to reap the positive plans you invoked.

The Myth, Mystery, and Meaning of Rings

Rings have been a meaningful adornment from the times of the ancient Egyptians, through the age of the Greeks, and continuing into today. Throughout time, rings have served as mere decoration, they have indicated rank, and rings have also symbolized deeper meanings such as eternity, reincarnation, energy, unity, power, and, safety. If a sing is set with a stone, it can bind you with the energy of that stone. Some Native Americans wear turquoise, and that power doubles when the stone is set in a ring. Some even interpret the presence of a ring in a dream as representing a desire for reconciliation of the different parts of your personality. The use of amber in a ring can help deepen a friendship if two amber rings are exchanged between friends.

The way you wear a ring—on which hand and on which finger—affects your energy. The bottom of the ring setting should be open, allowing the stone to be closer to your skin. Thumb rings have become a popular trend, but they block the energy of the thumb, awakening egoism and selfishness.

Wearing the correct gem on your index finger can help you achieve your goals. Lapis lazuli can help you gain wisdom. Pearl, moonstone, or garnet will help you better to love yourself and others. Carnelian is for those who want success. Sodalite chrysocolla, or turquoise can help quiet and calm the mind.

Idea, insight, and intuition are associated with your middle finger, and you should only wear stones of it if you want to receive psychic input from the world around you. Sapphire or quartz crystal will help you access your higher good and understand your life purpose. Amethyst will help increase sensitivity and creativity. Rubies awaken inner and outer beauty.

Obviously, the ring finger on the left hand symbolizes a direct connection to your heart and serves as the love center. The ring finger also symbolizes creativity, and wearing an emerald will inspire ingenuity. Wearing tiger’s-eye or cat’s-eye will also help you meet creative goals. Wearing turquoise on this finger helps with practicality in your work and art. Traditionally, diamonds are worn on the left ring finger for deep and loyal love ties. A moonstone will also express your love. An opal shows service to your community and to the world. A ruby helps with serenity—both within and without.

Last, and certainly not least, the right gem on your little finger can help you change the direction of your whole life! Wearing aventurine can bring new energy and prospects into your life. Turquoise can help you unwind and simplify. Pearls will help you achieve better organizational habits.

Because the left hand is the receptive hand, gems to awaken and release emotions should be worn on it. Career-related and lift-goal gems should be worn on the right, or projective hand. 

Sanctuary and Serenity Magical Potpourri

Potpourri was a medieval product revived by the Victorians, who used the symbolic meanings and powers of flowers. Grow these flowers in your kitchen garden or buy cut flowers. Dry them; then pace them in a pretty container. Choose flowers that connect with your astrological sign and personal energy from the following list:

Aries, ruled by Mars: carnation, cedar, clove, cumin, fennel, juniper, peppermint, and pine

Taurus, ruled by Venus: apple, daisy, lilac, magnolia, oak moss, orchid, plumeria, rose, thyme, tonka bean, vanilla, violet

Gemini, ruled by Mercury: almond, bergamot, mint, clover, dill, lavender, lemongrass, lily, parsley

Cancer, ruled by the Moon: eucalyptus, gardenia, jasmine, lemon, lotus, rose, myrrh, sandalwood

Leo, ruled by the Sun: acacia, cinnamon, heliotrope, nutmeg, orange, rosemary

Virgo, ruled by Mercury: almond, cypress, bergamot, mint, mace, moss, patchouli

Libra, ruled by Venus: catnip, marjoram, mugwort, spearmint, sweet pea, thyme, vanilla

Scorpio, ruled by Pluto: allspice, basil, cumin, galangal, ginger Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter: anise, cedar wood, sassafras, star anise, honeysuckle

Capricorn, ruled by Saturn: mimosa, vervain, vetiver Aquarius, ruled by Uranus: gum, almond, acacia, citron, cypress, lavender, mimosa, peppermint, pine

Pisces, ruled by Neptune: anise, catnip, clove, gardenia, lemon, orris, sarsaparilla, sweet pea