Cleansing Crystals

After you purchase a stone or crystal, it is very important to cleanse the stone of any influences it may already contain.  After much research, I have found that their are several different ways to do this.

1.  Place your stones or crystals under the open sky.  24 hours of exposure to the sun and moon should do the trick.
2.  Place your stones within the earth.  If you are going to cover the stones in cloth before laying them to rest in the soil for 24 hours, use a a cloth of natural fiber.
3. Run water free from chemicals over your stones for at least 2 hours.  Be careful though.  Some stones dissolve in water.

If you have another preferred method for cleansing stones and crystals, please feel free to share in the comments.

Selecting Stones and Crystals

I found a quaint, little treasure hidden in the depths of our urban city: CRYSTAL WORKS.  When you enter this amazing establishment, the senses are easily entertained. 

I was on edge the entire time because both of my boys where on overload.  Not an item in the store was over looked by them.  Hands siphoned through bowls of crystals and tumbled stones like a sugar addict in a candy store.  Wind chimes were plucked and incense were deeply inhaled.  They were in paradise.

That is until I gave them their mission: Find 1 stone of your choosing and 1 worry stone as well.  Then, I even gave them... dum-dum-dummmmmm... a price limit.  The youngest was fine... perfectly content.  The oldest, however, was in a tizzy.  He wanted some sort of magnetic hematite sticks.  Basically, because they were magnets.  When asked what he would be doing with them, he replied checking for magnet stuff (of course).

He finally decided that getting a stone was better than paying for the magnetic hematite.  With a scowl, he chose his fare.

With that out of the way, I left them sitting near the bowls of stones to examine and explore their treasures.  I went in search of help.  I needed a stone to assist T Man with calming, controlling anger, staying focused, etc.  The young man in the store quickly selected a bowl of... HEMATITE.  I should of known there was a reason T was so fascinated with the larger variety.

I selected several stones and had T touch them and hold them for awhile, so that I could continue gathering a few other stone... just for fun.  By the time I was finished, T had selected the perfect hematite stone for school.  He loved the way it felt smooth and cold in his hands.  He was very pleased.

As for the other stones I purchased, it was a modge pod of sorts.  Below I will list each stone and why I bought it.  Some were purely the joy of looking at it.

black banded agate: calming and soothing to the emotions, grounding
amethyst (both tumbled and not): meditation, inner peace, dispels bad dreams, helps break bad habits
oceanic jade: peace, harmony, stability,
Dalmatian jasper: protects from negativity
black tourmaline:protects from negative energy
tiger eye: grounding, helps use to be energetic in a composed and serene way
citriline: happiness, creativity, stability and confidence
sodadalite: rational thinking, logic, intelligence, and emotional balance
rose quartz: enhances all forms of love, encourages us to be gentle and peaceful
quartz: used for protections and clearing of negative energies

I plan to make a book of stones in the near future.  So far, it will contain a picture of the stone or crystal with a description and use.  Any other ideas are always welcome.

I am afraid that if I do not create a book I won't know which stone is which even a couple of weeks from now.  I always am in need of reference materials.

I almost forgot to share with you the 3 worry stones we purchased.  Each one was chose for a different reason.  T Man chose the eye shaped stone specifically for the shape... something about the "eye" called to his little soul.  JJ on the other had picked out the Dalmatian jasper and wanted a worry stone that was similar in markings.  To him his worry stone his worry stone is about as close as you can get.  My stone was chose simply because of the colors and the ultra smooth texture.  I absolutely love anything red and the cold, smoothness of the stone under you thumb was simply relaxing.

I have this feeling that my husband will not want me making many trips to our new little hangout.  Buying stones is not cheap if you go in without guidelines.  Each of our stones ranged in price from 50 cents to $4.  The smallest slivers of some stones can be much more than a larger chunk of another.  I would suggest you do some research and go in with a list and goals in mind.  This should help you make the best choices for the money.

The Worry Stone

I am searching for the perfect Worry Stone for T Man.  He is going into 3rd grade at summer's end and I desperately want it to be a great year for him.

Every year thus far as begun the same... office referrals, visits to the behavioral interventionists, etc.  This goes on in vengeance for about 3 months.  He then gets in a routine and must check in between 3-6 times a day with the behaviorist to keep him on the right track.

Not sure what his issues are with school, but I would really like next year to be different.

That being said, I have found something that helps to curb outburst at home... A Worry Jar. 

I simple took a glass jar with lid out of the recyclables and tied a piece of raffia around the neck of the jar.  The jar is on a shelf near our craft area.  Whenever someone is stressed, worried, etc, they pick a marker that fits the emotion they are feeling and write down their thoughts on a strip of paper.  The paper is folded and placed in the Worry Jar and left to deal with later.  So far later has never come, but peace has often won out.

Little ones like JJ are able to select a marker and scribble the entire strip of paper in any way he/she likes.  Works pretty much the same.

I can of course make a Worry Jar for school, but I think a stone would be much easier for during the school day.

I am trying to find the perfect stone for the job and that is no small order.  Peaceful Mind is a site that sells tons of crystals and stones.  The plus to this site is the detailed descriptions of the various uses and properties of each stone/crystal.

flicker creative commons

I found several stones that would work perfectly for T Man.  I even found a few that would work well for myself and my husband. 

Below I will give the name of each of the stones and a brief description paraphrased from Peaceful Mind.  Remember that each stone has a much more detailed description on the linked site.  I am simply listing and pondering the part that applies to our personal needs.

*Be sure to check out how to cleanse each stone at Peaceful Mind.*

agate (black banded): calm, peace

agate (fire): relaxation... meditation... takes the edge off difficult experiences

amethysts: contentment... meditation... quiets the mind... stress relief... lessens anger, fear and anxiety

aquamarine: reduce stress

celestite: reduces stress... quiets nerves... relieves anxiety

kyanite: quickly creates tranquility

moonstone: relieve emotional stress & anxiety... keeps emotions under control... helps a woman or man get in touch with their softer feminine side...

mother of pearl: peaceful energy... soothes emotions & stress

onyx: reduces sex drive... flattens emotional intensity... encourages happiness

prehnite: calmness and balance... perfect for mediation & divination... often used for calming and centering those with hyperactivity

rose quartz: peace, self love, emotional balance

sulphur: energizing... helps give energy to even the tiredest of souls... especially those that are mentally drained and in need of physical activity

sunstone: energises, lifts the spirits, good luck... helps with "energy vampires"... those that use up your personal energy without giving any back (We call this an energy drain... from Teaching with Love and Logic.  If someone drains your energy, they must somehow repay you for the energy lost.)

tanzanite: relieves depression... dispels negativity

tourmaline (black): repeals negative energy... great to carry when under extreme stress

variscite: calms even the most busy minds... aids in reduction of fear, anxiety, stress... perfect for meditation

worry stone: any stone that is thin and has a groove for the thumb... rub the stone when stressed or worried... It is said that the stone takes your worries in and leaves you with calm.

worry stone necklaces ($3) made of polymer clay

worry stones

Blessing Broom

The summer solstice is almost here.  Consider making a blessing broom to cleanse your home and deter negative energies and spirits from entering your home.

Tie beautiful ribbons or ivy around the handle of your broom.  Tuck herbs or flowers underneath the ribbons.  Use twine or raffia to secure several bells near the bristles of the broom. 

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While sweeping your home, recite the following verse:

Sweeping, sweeping, 'round the room,
Blessings from this cleansing broom.
From floor to ceiling, and all between,
May this space be fresh and clean.
Sweeping good energy here to me,
As I will, so it shall be.

~Patti Wigington

Birthday Rituals

Little J turns four in about a week.  I have not established set birthday rituals for my family as of yet.  I want the rituals to be fun, timeless, and at least a bit magikal. 

Here are my thoughts...
1.  Setting Up the "Nature Table"

• signs of the season- leaves, gourdes, nuts, seeds, etc.
• recent projects made by my son
• photos and memories of my son from birth to current age (my scrapbooks)
• small tokens of special meaning to my family and the birthday boy- EX. lost teeth, shells, mementos from plays or events, favorite book, first stuffed toy, blankie, etc.
• 2 candles (one white to represent his birth and one in his favorite color to represent his long life ahead)

2. Birthday Person's Favorite Dessert and Drink

3.  Gifts

• one from each family member
• one of magical significance- stones, crystals, plant, sleep protection bags, book, yoga mat for meditation, etc.

4.  Birthday Crown

• I am thinking about making an adjustable crown that can be worn from year to year until they just won't do it any more.  I am considering using cardboard cereal boxes as a template and felt for the actual crown.  I probably need to search the web to find some helpful directions.

The Actual Ritual
1.  Call to the 4 Elements and Your Goddess
Since we believe more in spiritual energy and a being more grandiose than ourselves, we will not be using a specific name.  We also want to be cautious on the terminology used with our children as family and friends are mostly unaware of our spiritual path.  We live in an area where it could be very difficult for my kids if others believed we were not of similar beliefs as theirs... sad I know.

• Place a star sticker or star shaped item in each person's hand.
• Allow the birthday child or another family member to say a birthday blessing at the "Nature Table".  We will use the following unless I get creative and come up with an alternative.

We call to you, Mother Earth, to be with us on this special day.

We call water, earth, air and fire to help protect our family and bring joy within our waking hours.

We wish ___ a blessed birthday and would like you to share in our remembrance.

*Everyone will trace their star with a finger while I say the above.*

• Place the birthday crown upon the head of the birthday person.  The crown should be worn until the end of the ritual.
• With assistance, allow the birthday child to light the white candle.

2.  Remembering the Past

• Allow various members of the family including the birthday person to select an item from the table and explain how the item connects to the birthday person.  Reminisce about all things related to the life of the person being honored... happy, sad, fun, funny, changes, healings, struggles, etc.

3.  Thank the Goddess and Close the Ritual

• Say the following to close the ritual...

We thank you, Mother Earth, for joining us today to remind our family of how special __ is to us.
With hugs and kisses we show our love.

• With assistance, allow the birthday child to light the remaining candle. 
• Give many hugs and kisses.

Now that the ritual is closed bring the two candles to the table or eating area.  Sing a favorite birthday song. Allow teh child to make a wish and blow out the candles on the cake.  Do not blow out the ritual candles until leaving the home or going to sleep.  Eat and drink with the birthday child.  Finally, open presents.  Allow each family member to present the birthday child with a gift.  One of the parents will present the magikal gift and share its significance.

Since I am still learning, I need lots of help.  Please provide feedback if you have any.