DIY Crystal Powder Uses

Need a good excuse to fit in some self-care and buy crystals? First and most important, you don’t need an excuse for either. Second, I’m going to go ahead and give you 3 really good reasons to invest in some serious self-care time and my new favorite use for crystal, crystal powders.

Wearing crystals is always nice, and I’m usually wearing a point crystal necklace or a gemstone ring that has a meaning behind it. Crystal powders can expand your crystal benefits even more by using them in body care products.

These products can come for pretty steep prices, but I’ve got three recipes to get you started with crystal powder products that will leave you some cash to spare.

Garnet Love Oil

Connect to your earthy sensual side with this garnet love oil. Red garnet is a great stone for promoting loving relationships, and has even been used in the past as a stone to attract a lover! Rub the oil into your skin for a sensual glow and delicious scent or use it as a massage oil.

What you’ll need:

• 1 oz. garnet powder, finely ground.

• 3-4 oz. sweet almond oil

• 6-8 drops of essential oil. Any of these will work wonderfully: Plant Guru’s “Love Potion,” rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang, and/or jasmine. I used “Love Potion” with a couple drops of rose oil, which made a heavenly combination!

• Small funnel or folded card stock to get your crystal powder in your bottle mess-free

• 3-5 oz. glass bottle

• Garnet chunks (optional, but, again super cute)

• Craft labels (optional)

Directions:

• Combine all of your ingredients into your vessel and give it a good shake.

• Apply oil to your skin fresh out of the shower or anytime you’re wanting to feel extra sexy! This blend is also an ideal sensual massage oil.

Quartz Body Scrub

Need some balancing? This scrub is for you. Quartz is the ultimate balancing stone so I love it for the body scrub. Click here if you want to learn more about the ultimate crystal. Scrub with intention as you visualize your chakras while receiving the energetic balancing from the quartz crystal, and a nice glow from the exfoliation!

What you’ll need:

• 1-2 oz. quartz, medium ground

• 10-15 oz. of organic cane sugar (amount can vary depending on how much quartz you intend to purchase and the size of your vessel)

• Coconut oil, enough to cover your sugar and quartz sand

• Essential oil of your choice (optional). I used Plant Guru’s “New Beginnings” for an uplifting and invigorating blend. Quartz is a balancing stone so any scent you want will work well for this one!

• Large glass vessel, I used a 16 oz. amber jar

• Kraft labels (optional)

Directions:

• Combine sugar and quartz powder, give it a good shake.

• Poor enough coconut oil in to cover the sugar and quartz.

• Add your EO’s and stir it up.

• Keep this concoction in your shower for an exfoliating glow and energetic balancing.

• Store in an airtight container.

Amethyst Foot Soak

Already love amethyst? Prepare to become obsessed with it.  This mix has stolen my heart! There are SO many amazing benefits to this combo. If this is your first time hearing about this amazing stone, click here to learn more. Some believe that amethyst can actually help remove toxins from the body. In fact, you can even purchase detoxifying foot pads with amethyst in them. I say, save your $$$ and use this recipe for a more cost-effective amethyst detox!

What you’ll need:

• 1 oz. amethyst powder, finely ground

• 1-3 oz. Himalayan salt, small to medium ground

• Amethyst chunks (optional, but super cute)

• Essential oil of your choice, I used lavender for this soak

• 2-5 oz. metal or glass container

• Craft labels (optional)

Directions:

• Combine all of the dry ingredients into your vessel and give them a good shake.

• Put 5-6 drops of the EO of your choice in your mix and give it another good shake.

• Create a rad label (optional).

• Add half of your amethyst foot soak into a large bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it for a minimum of 30 minutes.

• When you’re done, pat your feet dry rather than wiping them off or cleaning them off. This will leave some of the salt and amethyst residue on your feet for continued benefits.

• This mix will be good for 2-3 foot soaks, depending on how much salt you end up using. Keep it sealed in an airtight container while not in use.

I hope you found these recipes as delicious and cleansing as I did! One final note, some gemstones, like lapis, are toxic and are not appropriate for body care products! None of the crystals used in these DIYs are, but be safe and do your research before creating your own concoctions.

3 Powerful Crystal Healing Techniques

Looking for some summer-friendly healing uses for your crystal collection? If you’re like me and have designated crystals for your purse, car, bed, and altar you’ll love these three healing techniques so you can put all of your favorite gemstones to work.
Even if your crystal collection is small, some of these techniques only require one stone, so you’ll find something in here for you.

Summertime is a perfect time to dive into these techniques! Grab your favorite crystals, a fellow goddess, a blanket, and find a park to soak up good vibes from your crystals and Gaia.

Body Crystal Grid

Having some discontent in your gut, or a busy mind? This technique is perfect for working on specific parts of your body. Similar to creating a crystal grid on your altar that has a specific purpose, you can create a crystal grid with stones specifically for an area of your body.

Once you’ve chosen your desired stones and purpose for a body grid, have your goddess friend place them on your body in a place that coordinates with their purpose.

You can follow the same steps for creating a crystal grid on your body or on your altar, to learn more about creating a crystal grid check out this post I shared last year by clicking here.

A serious side note: I love my crystals but won’t let them substitute for necessary medical needs! Body crystal grids are the perfect additional support to medical care, but shouldn’t substitute expert medical advice. Please, love yourself, and be sure to see a trained professional of your choosing for serious ailments.

Chakra Balancing on the Body or in Your Bed

Feeling like you need an energetic overhaul? This is the place to start and my personal favorite use of crystals. Here are a couple of uses for restoring and balancing the energy of your chakras with crystals:

Suggested Stones for Chakra Balancing with Crystals

• Root: garnet or red jasper

• Sacral: carnelian or tiger eye

• Solar Plexus: citrine or yellow jasper

• Heart: green aventurine or rose quartz

• Throat: sodalite or turquoise

• Third Eye: amethyst or labradorite

• Crown: quartz or rainbow moonstone

Chakra Crystal Alignment on Your Body

Place the stone for each chakra in its coordinating location on the body. Starting at the top of your head, imagine the color for each chakra lighting up around the stone. Spend 3-5 breaths on each chakra as you imagine the colored light around them glowing.

This is also a great time to scan the chakras to see if any of your chakras are especially deficient and need any extra attention. If you come across a chakra that feels deficient you can create a special body crystal grid just for that chakra or wear a stone or amulet to remind you to bring energy to that specific chakra.

Chakra Crystal Alignment in Your Bed

Looking for a more passive way to bring balance to your chakras? I love the simplicity of this tool. Place one of the stones listed above for each chakra in its coordinating location in between your mattress and box spring. As you sleep let the stones work their magic and wake up restored and balanced!

Wearing a Programmed Crystal

This healing crystal technique is perfect for long-term goals or deeply rooted shifts you’re working on. Wearing a programmed crystal will give you a moment-to-moment reminder of the shifts you’re trying to make, and the energy of the crystal will help you maintain your goals.

I like to use point crystal necklaces for this purpose. I like them for programming because of their size, it’s just right for holding it in your hand when you want to soak up some good vibes from your programmed point crystal. I’ve been wearing a grounding green jasper with the programmed message to stay rooted and calm.

The point crystal in this picture is of an amethyst and would be perfect for programming anything that has to do with your third eye or honing psychic abilities.

To program a crystal follow these steps:

1. Cleanse your crystal (read more about cleansing and charging your crystals here)

2. Clear your mind.

3. Hold your crystal in your dominant hand or in both of your hands.

4. Mentally and verbally repeat your goal or intention into the crystal.

5. Do this until you feel the stone is programmed with your intention.

There’s more than one way to program a crystal, so if you’d like to change these steps, do it!

I hope you found some healing ideas you’re excited to try out! These techniques are the perfect excuse to grab your favorite soul sister and get out for a picnic with a side of crystal healing.

Protection Rituals for Travel

Getting away on an adventure is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but as much as we love it, traveling can be anxiety-inducing too. Setting intentions with rituals, symbolism, and crystals can be a powerful way to ground yourself before travel and offer a layer of protection.

There are so many uncontrollable situations when it comes to traveling, especially if you’re visiting a new place. I’ve got a list of rituals to offer peace and protection during any summertime travels you may have coming up! Read on to learn 4 protective tools for traveling.

Invoke Green Tara

Tara is an adored Buddhist Goddess that is portrayed in many colors, 21 to be exact, each with their own qualities. Green Tara, one of the more well-known of the 21, is your go-to Goddess for protection. She will help shield you from negative energy and soothe your fears and anxiety.

Invoke Green Tara’s protective energy by inviting her into your meditation, carrying around a card or image of her, or repeating her mantra, “Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha,” (Ah-um Tah-ray Too-tah-ray Too-ray So-hah).

Protective Crystal & Stones

There is a multitude of protective gemstones, but some are better for traveling. Here’s my list of favorite crystals to keep in my bag, on my rearview mirror, on my finger, or around my neck while traveling.

Tiger Eye

This stone has long been used as one of the most powerful stones for protection and warding off evil. My favorite part about this stone is that it can bring confidence and a sense of security when going through anxiety-provoking situations. Tiger eye is perfect for wearing to act as a protective shield during travel.

vYellow Jasper

This stone is specifically helpful for traveling, mentally and physically. It is protective like tiger eye, but it also connects with your solar plexus chakra. The solar plexus chakra often becomes drained during travel, and yellow jasper is ideal for keeping the energy of your solar plexus balanced and energized. Place yellow jasper on your solar plexus chakra (in between your belly button and heart center) to balance and restore your will and power center.

Smoky Quartz

This is your stone for grounding and protecting any valuables as you travel. Put a piece of smoky quartz in your suitcase or purse to help guard them. Between flying and projecting fears about the unknowns during travel it’s easy to throw your root chakra out of balance. If you’re feeling detached from Mother Earth place a couple of smoky quartz pieces in each hand pointing down and take several deep breaths to restore your root chakra.

Wear a Protective Hamsa Hand Amulet

If you prefer to keep your crystals in your luggage or purse wearing a Hamsa Hand is beautiful and powerful alternative. The Hamsa Hand is perfect for traveling because it is said to see all things and ward off evil for the wearer. Beyond protection, the Hamsa Hand is also good for bringing good fortune, blessings, and strength.

The Hamsa Hand has roots in many cultures so its meaning will vary from person to person. Some believe that each of the fingers represents an element, the combination of these elements is said to change the flow of energy within the body and offer healing.

Whatever your beliefs are about this symbol, they all come back to protection!

Protection Magic Charm Bag

Charm bags are one of the easiest magical tools and great for travel because they’re small, powerful, and easy to create. I travel often and like to tuck away a protective charm bag somewhere in my luggage. During my most recent trip back home, I drew a Hamsa Hand on my charm bag for an extra layer of protection and it made it look extra fun!

To create your magic charm bag, put any combination of the following ingredients into your choice of bag color. As you place the items in the charm bag imagine a white shielding light enveloping you and your luggage. This is a perfect time to invoke Green Tara too! Place your charm bag in a suitcase, on your rearview mirror, or in your purse as you travel.

• Bag color: black, blue, or yellow

• Stones: Any of the stones listed above!

• Earth: Pointed shell, black and white feather, pine, acorns, cinnamon

• Amulet or Symbol: Hamsa Hand, Eye of Horus

Now you have all the tools you need to travel with confidence that you’re protected mind, body and spirit. Wishing you a summer full of new and magical experiences!

Making Mercury Retrograde Work for You

If you’ve read anything about Mercury Retrograde you’ve probably also seen the long lists of everything you’re supposed to avoid during these times. Sure, avoiding doing anything that involves communication might be the safest way to deal with this time, but is it truly realistic?

Maybe you’ve seen the memes and have heard friends blaming things on Mercury retrograde, or maybe you’ve got Mercury retrograde times marked on your calendar. Regardless of how familiar you are with this ominous time, I’ve got some tips to help make Mercury going retrograde work for you.

Before I jump into how to make the most of Mercury Retrograde, I want to give you a deeper understanding of what it is. If you’re already familiar with it, jump on down to the bottom of this post for tips on making Mercury retrograde work for you!

What does Mercury Retrograde mean?

Because Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, its orbit is much shorter than Earth’s. Three or four times a year Mercury zips past Earth in its orbit, and this is when the retrograde times happen.

From our Earthly perspective, Mercury appears to slow down, stop, move backward, and then move forward again. This pattern of motion is an illusion from our perspective--Mercury does not really move backward.

Why is it a big deal?

In astrology terms, the movement of the planets affects all of us in some way. As above, so below. Mercury rules all forms of communication. All communication! Think beyond talking to your lover or bestie. I’m talking mail, email, text, writing, reading, listening, cell phones, and any other form of communication you can think of.

When Mercury goes retrograde, it means that its energy is internalized. This means communication has a sort of veil pulled over it. Communication affects everyone and this is why so many people get freaked out about Mercury going retrograde.

5 Tips to Make Mercury Retrograde Work for You

I’m not going to give you a huge list of things to avoid while Mercury is in retrograde. Let’s be honest, trying to evade big decisions, new projects, or scheduling meetings probably isn’t realistic for nearly a month's worth of time.

Instead of avoiding all things related to communication, I invite you to use Mercury Retrograde as a time to check in and focus on being more present in your communication.

Here are 5 tools to help strengthen your communication skills and presence:

Embrace the Power of the Pause

Just because limiting your communication during Mercury retrograde isn’t realistic doesn’t mean you can’t practice other good communication habits. Use these few weeks as a time to practice pausing during communication or before chiming in immediately. You might be surprised at what comes in up those quiet moments. Like any habit, it works best when practiced, and Mercury is giving you your perfect opportunity!

Reflect, Renew, Restore

Remember when I said Mercury’s energy becomes internalized during its retrograde? As above, so below. This is the time to go within, reflect, renew and restore. It’s simply a phase of this planet just like the phases of the moon.Give yourself extra time for quiet reflection during Mercury Retrograde.

Give your thoughts and feelings space and time to surface, and then take care of yourself.

Strengthen Your Throat Chakra

The start of Mercury going retrograde is the perfect time to focus on offering support to your throat chakra. Your throat chakra can help you become a better communicator and is the perfect counterbalance to Mercury's retrograde havoc.

Throat Chakra Tips:

• Carry around or wear some throat chakra supporting crystals like lapis, sodalite, or aquamarine.

• Immerse yourself in scents that will make your throat chakra sing like peppermint or eucalyptus.

• Repeat the bija mantra for the throat chakra “HAM” (pronounced haum) during meditation.

Finish Projects You’ve Already Started

Have some projects you started but haven’t finished or maybe a New Year’s related goal that was started but is still lingering? Here’s where Mercury retrograde can actually come in handy. It’s a great time to finish projects that you’ve already started.

The effects of Mercury retrograde can’t touch projects you’ve already started so it’s prime time to hunker down and tie up loose ends!

Practice the Art of Letting Go

Just because you’re focusing on enhancing your communication skills doesn’t mean that everyone else around you will be! Remember, Mercury Retrograde affects everyone. So, if you find yourself in a communication conundrum with a loved one, use it as an opportunity to practice the art of letting go.

Mercury in retrograde doesn’t have to be something you fear or loathe. Sure, it’s a time that may bring up challenges, but there’s much that can be gained from them. I hope you can now look at this time with a renewed sense of possibilities and enthusiasm!

3 Healing Uses of Copper

The powers of copper-where do I even start?! You might be thinking, “Ya sure, copper is great-it helps power my house, my phone, my washer and dryer…” but did you know that copper is used for healing bodily maladies and facilitating spiritual healing, too?! You might know that it conducts electricity, but this element will also warm your insides!

Where does copper come from?

The largest copper mine is located in Chile, the United States is the second runner-up, which is where we source all of our copper from here at Zenned Out. While copper is not considered a renewable resource, it is reusable, and 100% recyclable (all of our scrap copper is recycled!). Maybe this is why copper is referred to as “man’s eternal metal.”

What is it good for?

Copper is a building block for bones and tendons, is necessary for iron absorption, and also plays a role in melanin production and reducing free radicals.

Here's an interesting fact- copper is antimicrobial. So, hospitals coat their doorknobs in copper to prevent contamination! Aside from its germ-fighting superpowers here are a few more uses for copper:

• Wound Healing

• Arthritis/joint pain

• Anemia

• Blood Circulation

• Energy Blockage

• Conducts Spiritual Energy

• Helps the body make red blood cells

• Necessary for iron absorption

How can you use it?

Even though there’s more copper in your smartphone than any other metal, I'm not about to suggest that you harness the power of copper through that! However, I do have some fun and interesting ways for you to access the opulence of this element!

Most of us will get enough copper from eating a balanced diet. Also, keep in mind that copper is a heavy metal so don’t go overboard! Fortunately, these copper uses have bonuses beyond getting more copper in your system.

Copper Mug

Did you know that ancient civilizations stored their water in copper containers? It wasn’t just because they looked nice! Choose a copper mug or bottle to keep your water in overnight to enjoy coppers alkalizing benefits. Don't forget, copper is naturally antimicrobial so your drinking water will remain super fresh!

Many filtered waters have been stripped of their natural minerals, but keeping your water in a copper cup or vessel will help restore natural copper minerals that have been filtered out and also make the water more alkaline.

Copper Jewelry

Luckily for you, much of your Zenned Out swag will fall into this category! Copper jewelry allows for slow and steady absorption of copper into your skin. Some claim that wearing copper helps with arthritis and circulation.

What if your skin turns green? Well, oddly enough this is a sign of your body's acidity. Copper reacts to acidic environments and will create a green tint on your skin. This could be a sign of too much red meat or junk food in your diet…or even a warning that you could be getting sick! I love to wear copper for this specific purpose, if my copper is causing more green discoloration than usual it’s a good reminder for me to add some more fruits and veggies to my diet.

Copper Pyramid

There’s more to copper than absorption and being antimicrobial, copper is also a beloved spiritual tool as well. You may not be able to visit the pyramids of Giza, but you can easily bring the benefits of a copper pyramid into your favorite sacred space.

Grab a smaller copper pyramid to clear and cleanse your crystals, essential oils, and well pretty much anything you can fit inside of it!

You can find some affordable and handmade copper pyramids on Etsy. 

Copper is a great conductor of energy so copper pyramids are also perfect for meditation and balancing the chakras. Large copper pyramids can be pretty expensive, but you can use a smaller copper pyramid for the same purpose by placing it on your head during meditation or over a chakra for the same energetic benefits.

Copper has a cornucopia healing of uses and it’s beautiful, what could be better? I hope you’re inspired to rock some copper jewelry and enjoy some of the other perks copper has to offer.

6 Unexpected Gemstones You’ll Want in Your Jewelry Collection

Have more crystals than friends? Me too. Take a deep breath, you’re in the right place, no judgment here. I’m always on the hunt for new meaningful gems and crystals to add to my jewelry collection and today I’ve six powerful and lesser-known stones to share with you. Maybe all of these crystals will be new for you, or chances are you’ve spotted one somewhere but weren’t entirely sure of how to use it. So make some room on your crystal shelf (and your fingers), I'm here to introduce you to six new stones that will steal your heart and steady your soul!

Rhodonite

This rosey stone ranges from pink hues to black. It was originally discovered in Russia, is now mined in many places around the world, and is the state gemstone of Massachusetts. Think of rhodonite as a peace offering for your heart chakra. She mends a broken heart and wards off ill intent. She revives a somber spirit, promotes acceptance and emotional balance. Bonus, Rhodonite is also especially helpful for healing physical wounds too!

Rhodonite Benefits & Uses

Rhodonite contains levels of manganese that make it a choice pick for healing wounds, bruises, bug bites, and other physical ailments. Rhodonite is even used to make crystal elixirs which are ingested to help treat stomach ulcers! Skip the frozen T-bone. Keep a few rhodonite crystals in your freezer and use them the next time you have a bruise!

Hackmanite

This crystal was originally discovered in Greenland, I can't tell you the exact color of this stone because it changes! Hackmanite mined from Greenland and Quebec begin in deeper hues of pink and purple. As the stones become exposed to the light they turn white! However, if your hackmanite comes from Afghanistan or Myanmar it will begin as a white stone and darken when exposed to sunlight. This color shifting is known as tenebrescence or reversible photochromism. It is one of only four tenebrescent stones, so this quality is pretty rare!

Hackmanite Benefits & Uses

Have you been a bad judge of a situation recently? If you’re like me you have a knack for casually insulting strangers who just don't get your sarcasm. Hackmanite is the “time and place” stone. Use it to elevate your intuitions by way of your third eye and crown chakra. When you’re on your A-game in any situation, your self-esteem will benefit too! Try meditating in savasana with a piece of hackmanite on your brow.

Orange or Peach Aventurine

Time for green aventurine to move over so peach aventurine can have some attention! Most aventurine is mined from India and is a relatively inexpensive stone. It’s sometimes referred to as the “whisper stone” because it has much more gentle and soothing energy than some of its orange counterparts.

Orange or Peach Aventurine Benefits & Uses

Quiet your inner critic with the “whisper stone”! It’s cheery like sunshine and warms the body and the mind. This gentle stone will slowly activate the sacral chakra to bring more creativity into your life. It can also aid in conceiving a child and promotes a happy pregnancy. Let the sunshine spill over into your being with this soothing joyful stone!

Tektite

Snag yourself a space rock! Tektites were created when meteorites impacted Earth thousands of years ago. Meteorite flung molten debris high into the atmosphere, when this debris fell back down to earth, the black tektite stones were created. You’ll find that this rock comes in pretty unique shapes.

Tektite Benefits & Uses

Break the bonds of earthly limitations with this piece of the stars. Tektite enhances psychic abilities and elevates your dream state. Sleep with a piece of this stone beneath your pillow for a galactic trip. Dark stones are also beneficial for your plants. Place a tektite in the soil with your plants to transfer the vibrations of the universe to your green friends!

Grape Agate

Made up of grape-like spheres, this bubbly little gem wears its name well. It can appear in both purples and greens and was first discovered along in coastal Indonesia. Grape agate can be found in clusters and is a great alternative to amethyst for charging your smaller crystals!

Grape Agate Benefits & Uses

Here’s a short quote from Robert Simmons (leader in gemstone and mineral know-how) about grape agate:

Grape Agate is a powerful stone of spiritual purification. It emanates the Violet Ray, which unites the etheric, astral, emotional, mental and physical bodies in their intended true harmony...These stones increase one’s sensitivity to inner guidance, and they enhance one’s ability to follow it as well. The quiet power of Grape Agate can simultaneously increase one’s spiritual awareness and clear away inner obstacles to action toward the highest good.

Dumortierite or Blue Quartz

This rare, blue version of quartz is sometimes confused with sodalite and has even be disguised as faux lapis. However, dumortierite is quite different if you know what to look for. Because dumortierite is a quartz, it is semi-translucent, whereas sodalite and lapis are not. The blue hues are usually a bit softer in dumortierite than lapis and sodalite.

Dumortierite Benefits & Uses

Dumortierite is the stone of order. Working on a big project, need to organize the house, or prepare for a big change? This is your stone! This blue quartz can help you bring a sense of order in chaos, and self-discipline if you’re struggling with completing a project. Because this crystal is blue it will also work with your throat chakra and help give voice to any creative projects you may be working on.

I hope you found something new and different to add to your crystal collection! Know a fellow goddess who’d love to hear about these rare beauties too? Share away and let her know.

5 Tips to open your heart chakra and how to know when it's blocked

How are you feeling about giving and accepting love right now? Are you feeling open, receptive and giving--or maybe a little blocked? Whether you’ve got a lot or a little blocking you from giving and accepting love in your life, I’ve got tips to help you enliven your heart chakra, from herbal tinctures to heart chakra inspired altars!

The heart chakra, or in sanskrit anahata, is the chakra (energy center) located at the center of your sternum. The heart chakra is responsible for your ability to give and receive love. If you’ve had any heartache in your past (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) you may have some lingering blocks that could be making it hard for you to give and receive the love you deserve.

Is your heart chakra blocked?

Here’s a quick checklist to see if you’ve got any areas in your heart chakra that could use some extra love:

• Is your self-talk critical and negative?

• Do you have trouble making friends?

• Are you lonely?

• Do you have a lack of trust in your relationships?

• Do you have social anxiety?

• Do you have a hard time accepting and/or giving?

Whether you resonate with all of these or just 1 or 2 of these, I’ve got something for you. Read on to learn 5 versatile tips to clear up blocks in your heart chakra.

You can also read this blog post where I explain 3 ways to understanding the health of chakras.

1. Heart Chakra Altar

Make your sacred space a haven for your heart chakra by adorning your altar with colors, crystals, and symbols that will help balance and restore you to love.

Color: Green and pink. Feast your eyes on the color of your heart chakra by adorning your altar with candles, cloths, or statues with green and pink.

Crystals: Rose quartz, aventurine, emerald, green and pink tourmaline, chrysoprase, moss agate, and malachite. Aside from their green and pink hues all of these stones have energy that lends themselves to healing your heart chakra. Choose any combination of them to place on your altar.

Symbols: Anahata symbol, hearts, and the Wunjo Rune symbol all represent love. These symbols on your altar will act as a visual reminder of your intention to be open to giving and accepting love.

2. Ask the Cards

Grab your favorite tarot or oracle card deck and ask them how you can open and balance your heart chakra. Oracle and tarot cards, like any divination tool, are a direct link to your spirit guides and higher self. Try this heart chakra three-card spread or create your own. If you don't have a card deck handy you can opt to journal about each of the questions below instead.

1. What areas of my life are causing blocks in my heart chakra?

2. How can I improve my ability to accept love?

3. How can I nourish my heart chakra?

3. Heart Chakra Meditation

Set aside 5 minutes (or more!) of your day for some deep breaths, connect with your heart chakra on an even deeper level with a simple meditation. Energy reset meditations are a personal favorite of mine, probably because I find them so effective. You can check out my energy reset meditation bundle here.

Try working some of the following tips into your next meditation session balance and open your heart chakra:

Scents: If you have any rose or bergamot essential oils around, these are perfect for balancing the heart chakra. Add them to your diffuser or just take a few deep breaths before you start your meditation.

Visualize: Imagine a glowing green light around your heart chakra as you meditate. Visualize that with each inhale it grows bigger and with each exhale it comes back to center. Eventually, let this growing green light consume your whole body with each inhale.

Mantras: YAM (pronounced yawm, like CD-rom) is the mantra of the heart chakra. Layer this mantra into your meditation with long yaaaaaaaaammmmm added into your exhale. If you’d like a mantra with a clearer intention feel free to repeat one of these mantras during your meditation, “I am love” or “I accept love freely.”

4. Herbal Love for your Heart Chakra

Did you know that heartache, grief, and loss can lead to physical symptoms around your heart chakra? There’s even a name for it, it’s called “broken heart syndrome.” Yeah sure, we’ve all dealt with bad break ups, but if you’ve been dealt more than your fair share of heartache and loss it could be affecting your physical health too. Our physical bodies and energetic bodies are closely connected and intertwined. Keeping your heart in its best physical shape can help keep your heart chakra bright and shining!

Need a tune-up in the heartache department? Hawthorne is your go-to herb! For a quick fix, you can grab some hawthorne and hibiscus (also great for your heart) tea. But, if you want some serious healing herbs here’s a recipe for a hawthorn tincture.

If making tinctures aren't your thing, or you don't have supplies handy to make one, bergamot, rose, and ylang-ylang are all great options for activating the heart chakra. Diffuse or wear any of these oils to help soothe and open the heart chakra.

Hawthorne Heart Tincture

• Dried organic hawthorn berries

• 80 proof or greater vodka or brandy

• Optional: dried organic hawthorn leaves and flowers

• Glass jar

1. Fill your jar full with your herbs, then add the alcohol until all of your herbs are covered.

2. Don’t forget to label your concoction! Be sure to add the date you made it and what herbs are included.

3. Let your brew sit for 4-6 weeks, preferably in the window where it can soak up good vibes from the sun and moon.

4. Give your mixture a little shake up every couple of days. This is also the perfect time to infuse your tincture with some good vibes and intentions from you, so be sure to send it some happy thoughts when you shake it up!

5. Once the 4-6 weeks have passed, drain your mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.

6. Pour your tincture into a glass dropper bottle and you’re all set. Let the heart healing commence!

7. Enjoy 2-4 droppers full of your tincture 1-2 times a day in tea, water, or juice.

5. A Wearable Reminder of Love

Wearing symbols or crystals that associate with the heart chakra can serve as a potent reminder to give yourself and others love throughout the day.

If you're not into wearing jewelry, wearing colors associated with the heart chakra or carrying some heart chakra crystals in your pocket will have a similar effect.

These are just a few of many ways to open and balance your heart chakra. Read more about balancing the energy of this chakra on any of these blog posts. Click here for crystal grids for love, here for candle magick for love, or here for yoga and breathwork to open the heart chakra.