The Energies of November

Good Witches Homestead

As we move into the month of November there are some beautiful Autumn colors on display in the countryside around us. We also have many late flowering roses and other summer plants still blooming happily in our garden.

However, with both Halloween and the change of time into winter mode now behind us, it is clear that we need to prepare ourselves for the winter months ahead. For all of us in the northern hemisphere, this is the beginning of a time of greater introspection, an opportunity for personal reflection and a period of rest and recuperation at an inner level. A time to nurture the seeds that we intend to sow in the springtime.

Everywhere in the world now you can see the old stories that belong to third-dimensional consciousness unravelling as things that have previously been hidden from view are brought into the light of awareness for transformation.

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That Old Granny Magic

Establishing Sacred Land, or, A Home-Coming

The Druid's Garden

There has been a lot of talk in the American druid scene in the last few years about establishing sacred spaces, creating sacred groves, and really staring to re-enchant our land here. I think druids and other earth-centered spiritual traditions around the world, particularly those living in places shaped by colonization, face these same challenges: how do we create our own sacred spaces? What does that look like? I wrote earlier this year, for example, about Stones Rising at Four Quarters farm, and the raising of standing stones. A few years ago, I’ve also written a series on sacred sites in the US and how to build some sacred sites. This post continues those conversations.

White Oak by the Creek

In my Stones Rising post, I talked about how establishing sacred spaces, as a community, was certainly an “American” challenge because of the history of colonialism and the…

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Crystal Skulls

By Nikki Boatright

There are three types of crystal skulls: ancient crystal skulls (skulls that were created over 1500 years ago), old crystal skulls (skulls that were created less than 1500 years ago), and new or contemporary skulls, which are created by carvers today. Crystal skulls have been around for thousands, maybe even millions of years. The origin of the crystal skull is unknown. There are different theories as to where crystal skulls originated from. Some people believe they’re relics of lost civilizations like Atlantis and Lemuria and some people believe they were placed on earth by aliens.

Crystal skulls have the basic shape of a human skull. Most people believe the shape of the skull symbolizes death. However, to ancient civilizations, skulls represent not only death and destruction but also rebirth, knowledge and wisdom. Ancient crystal skulls are believed to hold ancient knowledge, but only a small amount of this knowledge has been accessed.

Once a crystal is carved into the shape of a skull it takes on a different vibrational frequency. Each crystal skull, whether ancient or contemporary, gives off its own unique energy. Crystal skulls can be used for energy work and are powerful tools of spiritual awareness; they can be used for many different purposes. They can focus energy, reflect energy, refract energy, amplify energy, attune energy, transmit energy, transform energy, store energy and may also act as a witness.

Many times people will see a crystal skull and feel an uncontrollable urge to hold it or buy it. Crystal skulls can and will call out to people. I personally have skulls in many different types of crystals and in many sizes, from one inch to six inches. The skull I have the strongest connection to is a contemporary life-sized Madagascar petrified wood crystal skull. I was drawn to it and felt a connection to it and had to have it from the moment I saw it. I recently had a psychic say to me, out of the blue, that she feels that I have projected my higher self onto it. Whether it is an ancient or contemporary skull, I recommend that everyone experience the energy from a crystal skull when given the opportunity.

Crystals for Halloween

By Tara Mideaker

Many holidays celebrated today are products of Celtic/Pagan traditions. Perhaps none are as interesting as Halloween. While other customs of the Pagan culture have been adopted and adapted by various religions, Halloween is unique in that it is celebrated worldwide as a non-denominational holiday. So why does Halloween stand apart as such a popular and universal holiday? Samhain, the traditional Pagan holiday, is the most sacred day of the year to Pagans. It is a time of endings and beginnings that is naturally tied to the Earth’s cycle when the dark and cold of winter approaches and nature “dies”, only to be reborn in the spring. It is a celebration of the life/death cycle and, more specifically, a time to remember and honor those ancestors who have passed into spirit. This connection to the earth, to the cycle of life, and to the past is something that we all share despite any religious or cultural differences we may have. Perhaps it is these roots that lie deep within each of us that encourage us to unite on Halloween Eve. Halloween Eve is a night when the world comes together to recognize the dark while celebrating the light that constantly surrounds us, so carve your Jack-o-lanterns, choose your costume and gather around the bonfire for a very Happy Halloween! Here are some crystals to carry along with you to make the most of this special night.

Agate and Jasper

The many varieties of these crystals embody the energy of Halloween. Jasper has a grounding/earthy quality that can help you feel connected to the earth and its endless cycles. Red Jasper draws the nurturing energy of the Earth to you while Brown Striped Jasper encourages vitality. Jasper can help you to reach for the sky while still keeping you grounded. All members of the Jasper family offer immense comfort and protection which can sustain you during the colder days ahead. Agates are immensely creative crystals that can help you to deal with any situation in the most positive manner possible. These crystals provide stability and balance when everything seems too jumbled and confused. Many Agates have a banded quality that promotes perspective and focus when clarity is needed. Botswana Agate is a wonderful tool for bringing fun and joy into any situation. White Agate makes an excellent meditative tool for the darker months ahead. If you celebrate Samhain, Fire Agate will connect you to the past, while Moss Agate will welcome in the New Year.

Calcite and Quartz

Calcite is a powerful cleanser that is perfect for ridding yourself of old habits and situations. Now is the time to “bury” those things that no longer serve to be transformed over the coming months into something more positive. Orange Calcite will encourage happy transitions and Blue Calcite will offer comfort and reduce any fears. Quartz is a powerful crystal that will amplify positive energy and reduce negative thoughts, while relieving any mental, spiritual or physical pain you may be experiencing. Remembrances of the past can be difficult and any Quartz crystal will make it better. Ametrinebrings balance to the elements of light and dark that are prominent during Halloween and is a valuable addition to a Samhain altar or table.

Obsidian and Carnelian

Obsidian and Carnelian are the two crystals that are most essential to your Halloween and/or Samhain celebrations, and not just because they are Black and Orange (although that does enhance their energy!). Obsidian connects you to the deepest layers of Earth where true change can occur. At the same time, it offers solace and protection and reminds you that everything has a season. Obsidian can help you find meaning when you are feeling lost. Mahogany Obsidian enhances the nighttime energy and Snowflake Obsidian calms any sadness you may be feeling. Samhain rituals are enhanced by Black Obsidian. Carnelian allows you to let go of the past and focus on the here and now. It will boost your personal power, your energy, and your creativity as it harnesses the energy of the Earth and the Sun. Carnelian is an excellent companion as you head towards a new cycle. Its protective qualities were used to accompany those who had passed on from this life in Ancient Egypt, making it a true welcome guest for a Samhain Dumb Supper.

Other crystals that will enhance your festivities include Petrified Wood, Cuprite, Opal, and Sunstone. Find the crystal that speaks to you and let it accompany you on your journeys this Halloween. Most importantly have fun…be safe…and maybe you’ll get some rocks in your Trick or Treat bag!

Happy Halloween!

Super Seven Healing Quartz Stone

Good Witches Homestead

“Super seven” stone, also referred to as “Sacred seven” or “Melody stone”, is a quartz stone that contains seven materials; goethite, cacoxenite, rutile, lepidocrocite, amethyst, clear quartz and smoky quartz. Super seven stone is not much to look at; in fact, it looks like a dirty quartz gem with some purple amethyst zoning. However, those who believe in the power of crystal healing claim that the combination of the seven materials is extremely beneficial. Let’s learn a little more about the parts that make up this special stone.

Goethite is a brown-black or yellow-brown mineral that occurs mainly as fibrous crystals. It is made up of oxyhydroxide iron. Though it can be made into gemstones, it is rarely seen. Goethite is said by crystal healers to be a stone of communication, both physical and spiritual. Cacoxenite is a yellow, orange, green or brownish hydrous iron phosphate mineral that grows in fibrous bundles. Therefore, it is not suitable as a gemstone material…

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Lightning Goddess Perunika’s Daughter – Lepa Mara

Lepa Mara Slavic Goddess of Spring

October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline

Good Witches Homestead

OPAL SYMBOLISM AND MEANING

Arabic legend attests that opals fell from the sky during lightning storms, while Australian aborigines thought the creator visited the earth in a rainbow and imparted opals as a colorful gift.

Nearly 100 B.C., a Roman scholar by the name of Pliny compared opal gemstones to volcanoes and colorful artwork, realizing that opals have the ability to reflect the hues of any gem. Because of these colorful reflective qualities, during the Middle Ages, it was thought that opals harnessed immense power and luck.

Throughout time, opals have been regarded as a gem full of good luck and fortune, especially for those with October birth months.

OPAL COLOR

Opals have a primary color of either white or black, and many people find both appealing. The opal’s most defining quality is its kaleidoscope character that radiates all the colors of the rainbow. Microscopic silica, a crucial component to…

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Cleansing Your Aura with Crystals

by Kat Michaels

Cleansing-Auras-with-Crystals

Have you ever tried cleansing your aura after a rough day? An aura cleanse is a great way to remove harmful energy using crystals.

For an aura cleanse, start with your favorite cleansed piece of selenite, black obsidian, clear quartz, smoky quartz, or labradorite. It’s best to use a carved massage wand or a natural wand with a single or double termination, but any shape will work.

After choosing your stone, trace it through your aura about 4-6 inches away from your body, using your intuition to guide you. If you’re using a carved massage wand or a natural wand with a single termination, make sure that the blunt end is facing toward your body and that the termination is facing outward. That will ensure that the energy you remove will exit the wand through the termination instead of getting stuck in your auric field. Trace the front and back of yourself as well as your sides, under your arms, and between your legs, as energy can get stuck in any area of your aura. Energy is particularly likely to be stuck in areas where you have pain or have previously been injured, so pay extra attention to those spots.

Once you’re done cleansing your aura, make sure to cleanse your stone well again so that the harmful energy doesn’t affect the stone’s healing properties. To keep your aura in tip-top shape, try to do this three to four times a week.

If you liked this article, visit Kat Michael’s website.

Crystal Towers

By Sonia Acone

Crystal towers are usually 6-sided crystals that converge to a point on one end and are flat on the other end. They can often be confused with obelisks, which are 4-sided. Towers are designed to stand up with the point facing up. Energy is directed upward towards the point and outward. Crystal towers are also wonderful Generator crystals and can be used in grid layouts as the central stone.

You can also use a tower to amplify your intentions when using a grid, by touching the point of the tower to each of the crystals in your crystal grid, even if the central stone is not a tower. This will magnify the energy spreading throughout your crystal grid.

Towers can also be used just as you would a wand, as they generate power at the tip. Write down a wish or intention. Touch the tip of the tower to the written words as you say them out loud, raise the tip up towards the sky and back down to the written words.

Use your crystal tower during meditation, distance healing or even on yourself to increase enthusiasm, relieve pain and to connect to other like-minded people.