DIY Crystal Infused Elixirs

I love discovering all the ways I can add a little more sparkle to my life! And let me just say, you are going to love my newest find! When it comes to beauty and wellness I'll take all the help I can get. Crystal elixirs are becoming the newest part of my regimen. I'm so happy to be letting you in on this little bit of magic that you can use to spark up your routine!

The Back Story

Crystal elixirs are no modern craze. In fact, they were all the rage in ancient cultures! Some crystals have long been esteemed as heavenly stones. They were put to use in Neolithic times for fashioning tools and weapons, by the Pharaohs and Indian culture for curing disease, and get this...Chinese emperors used to drink a powder form of crystals and herbs to achieve immortality!! Ummm, not sure if immortality is my aim, but wouldn't you love to add a little youth to your day!?

How it Works

Today, companies are selling crystal elixirs in the form of waters and beauty products. Here's a fun little tidbit. When evaluating the difference between tap water and water treated with crystals, Institute Hagalis (an international research company), determined that in the crystal treated water there was "a distinct improvement in water quality, neutralization of harmful substances, improvement of the pH-value and oxygen content, increase in bioavailability of minerals, and an increase in energy balance." Wow!

Also interesting is that the energy of the crystal can be transferred to the product it's being used in. KORA Organics beauty line uses crystal-infused water in their products. The process incorporates rose quartz "to give the vibration of self-love." Sounds amazing!

The Cost of Luxury

While I wish I could just add all of these products to my shopping cart with the click of a mouse, they'll cost you a pretty penny.

You can find Vitajuwel's Gem Water on Amazon for $87, which is a steal compared to some of their other products. Over $340 for their Golden Moments Crystal edition water, or a whopping $624 for the GranFontana Sunny Morning Set! Vitajuwel's products are utterly delectable though, so maybe jot down one of their Gem Wands onto your holiday wish list this year!

DIY Solutions

Budget worthy DIYs are definitely the way to go with crystal elixirs. You can tailor them to your exact needs, and incorporate your current stash.

Crystal Infused Water

1. Select a crystal that speaks to your needs. We’ll be using amethyst for this DIY.

2. Cleanse the amethyst with warm filtered water and incorporate any other cleansing routine that works for you, such as smoke cleansing.

3. Put the amethyst in a glass bowl and cover them with filtered water.

4. Charge your water in the sunlight or moonlight.

5. Enjoy your amethyst infused water!

Amethyst relieves headaches, as well as promotes good dreams and healthy skin. Add some lavender to your water and use it as a nighttime foot soak as you wind down from a long day!

Crystal Infused Face Mist

Instead of adding lavender to your crystal infused water, take advantage of amethyst’s properties for healthy skin by making this moisturizing facial mist!

1. Add your amethyst infused water to a 4 oz. glass spray bottle.

2. Add ¼ tsp of argan oil.

3. Add 12 drops of rose oil.

4. Add some rinsed amethysts directly into your bottle (optional).

5. Shake well.

6. Mist cleanse your face while repeating affirmations of self-love!

My skin has been loving me for this new elixir plus it smells like fresh roses. Rose and Argan oil offer a host of healing benefits for your skin including helping with acne, dry skin, and skin permeability.

Have a favorite crystal blend that you use? I’d love to hear about it!

Tarot vs. Oracle // What’s the Difference and How to Choose

Aside from being beautiful works of art in and of themselves, Oracle and Tarot cards can be powerful divination tools. But, if you’re not familiar with these tools, deciding which deck to choose may have you stumped before you even start.

I want to give you the confidence to choose what works best for you. So many big questions present themselves in life and, you need to know how to prepare yourself! Today I’ve got the skinny on the difference between Tarot and Oracle cards, and info on how to choose a deck that will work best for you.

The Basics

Let’s talk about the basics of Tarot and Oracle cards to help you find the best way to connect with the greater knowledge of the universe when life’s big moments pop up!

Tarot Cards

• 78 cards

• Prim & proper

• Organized into different suits

• Each tarot deck has a unique energy depending on where they came from, such as their design and printing process

• Measure outcomes and influence

• Can be lengthy and detailed

• Offers insight on situations

• Only images on the card, takes some studying

Cards featured from The Jouney Tarot

Oracle Cards

• Any number of card per deck

• Rebel deck

• Designed around a theme or deity

• Use your intuition to guide you rather than the structure of the deck

• Meant to give advice

• Quick and more open to individual interpretation

• Easy for beginners. Includes thoughtful phrases

How to Choose

• Trust your intuition. You might lean towards either method on a given day, or you might use one method over another for a certain question you have.

• Try them out. Which deck feels right? Is Tarot too grave, or are Oracle cards not enough for you? If you are seriously in the sticks with some relationship drama, the Tarot deck might offer the ins and outs you are searching for. If you’re less phased by this relationship woe, then a simple “You’re free to do what you choose,” might be all you need from an Oracle deck.

• Structure. Do you need it or do you run from it? When I’m in a place where my internal compass is all out of whack, I know I need to use my Tarot deck as my guide. If my gut has been pretty spot on, I’ll use my Oracle cards as my quick spot-checking guide.

Don’t rule out one deck over the other just yet. Check out The Tarot and Oracle blog posts where I dig into the details on these divination tools! We’ll go over how to use each deck so that you can fine-tune your fortune-telling skills.

The Power of Altars // 5 Steps to Create Your Sacred Space

Loss and change are an integral part of our human experience. I’m sure you’ve experienced your own passages through pain and hardships. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, a bad breakup, a sudden change in career path, or all of the above, these life experiences can leave us feeling isolated and lost.Even if you’re not going through a hardship at this moment, loss and change are inevitable. Today I want to share my story of the power of altars in my life and how you can use them as a healing tool in your life as well.

What is an Altar?

An altar is simply a space with a collection of items that hold significance to you, and they are often created around a theme. They can vary in size from a couple of items on a window sill to a large decorative display.Altars are a place that can hold energetic space for you, they are a place of reflection and meditation and a great place to conduct meaningful rituals.

My Experience with the Power of Altars

I’ve always loved the idea of having an altar, but to be honest, mostly just as a cute place to put my crystals. It wasn’t until the sudden loss of my grandma and father that the use of an altar became a powerful healing tool in my life.

I’m not going to lie, when I was in the depth of my sadness and a spiritual coach suggested an altar to help deal with my grief, I didn’t believe it would help. I thought I had too much sadness within me for a box with some stuff in it to help. But, I listened, kept an open mind, and decided to try what was suggested to me.

With my altar in place, I not only had space for my sadness to be felt but more importantly a place that my sadness could be held. If I had a bad day, it brought me comfort to know that I had a designated space for all of my feelings that I could visit anytime I wanted to.Because my experience with this altar was so meaningful I’ve gone on to create a second altar to honor my goals and for holding rituals, and have found it to be just as powerful and healing.

How to Create Your Own Altar or Sacred Space

So, where do you start? There is no reason to be daunted by the idea of creating an altar. Starting out, your altar or sacred space can be as simple as a collection of a few meaningful objects. Your altar is fluid and will never be finished, so it doesn’t have to be “perfect” when you start yours.

5 Steps to Create Your Own Altar

1. Decide what the purpose of your altar will be. Here are some ideas: memorial altar, meditation altar, goals altar, and ritual altar, seasonal altar but any loving purpose you desire will work.

2. Choose a space that fits the theme of the altar. If you’re creating a meditation altar you’ll want to place it somewhere that you’ll have uninterrupted quiet. For a memorial altar, it was important for me to have mine somewhere that I could easily see it and could have privacy.

3. Clear the space (optional). Though it’s not a necessity, it is nice to clear the space of your altar. Do this with a herb or incense of your choice.

4. Select your items for the altar. Find items that you’re drawn to, and that fit the theme of your altar. If you’re making an altar for reaching your goals consider researching crystals that are good for goal-setting. If you’re creating a ritual altar consider what items you might need to create your rituals.

5. Arrange your items and make a commitment to spend a little bit of time each day with your altar. Spending time with your altar can be as simple as looking at it in passing or simply touching an item on it for a moment. I found that daily contact of some sort with my altars has been helpful.

Here are a couple of my favorite shops for altars and altar pieces:

• Altar Shelves: Stone and Violet

• Altar pieces: The Lunar Fae Shop

• Animal Totems: Periwinkle Nuthatch

• Ritual Tools: The Ritual Store

Remember your altar is an extension of your soul and they’ll vary greatly in size, style, and appearance--there’s really no wrong way to do it. Let me know how your altar turns out, feel free to share a picture with me, or if you already have an altar I’d love to hear about your experience with it! Please feel free to send me a message.

Using a pendulum to connect with your soul and spirits

From simple everyday questions like “which movie will I enjoy more?” to the tough decisions you’ve been putting off for weeks or maybe even months, a pendulum can help you cut out some of the guesswork. Once you get comfortable with your pendulum you’ll be able to rely on it for big and small questions. Using your pendulum can not only clear up some free space in your mind but can help you connect with your soul and loved ones in spirit.

My fondest memories of my Grandma are of her getting out her pendulum during family get-togethers at her house. My sister and I would take turns asking our big questions. Grandma would focus, become still, and dangle her pendulum over our questions that she wrote out. We’d watch it swirl and not know what it meant as we impatiently awaited her answers from beyond. Before my Grandma left this plane she passed down her pendulum to me. It is my most treasured object and has become a favorite tool in my spiritual toolbox ever since.

What is a Pendulum?

A pendulum is simply a small weight at the end of a string or a chain. The use of pendulums goes back thousands of years. There's evidence that they were used in both ancient Rome and Egypt. In the past, they’ve even been used for divination and to locate water and minerals within the Earth.

How does it work?

Though it seems like magic, it’s actually you who’s moving the pendulum! Whatever you want to call it: subconscious, your soul, or spirits speaking through you, the pendulum is ultimately controlled by you.It is called the ideomotor response. Your pendulum amplifies responses from your subconscious that would normally be undetectable.If you believe that your soul is an extension of the universe itself and can connect with energies of all kinds, then your pendulum can be viewed as a very extraordinary tool. If you don’t, it’s still pretty amazing to have access to your subconscious!My Grandma believed she was channeling loved ones that had passed on. Once she remarked that she would feel bombarded with their energy like they were all chiming in at once with their answers.

Getting started with your pendulum.

1. Choose a pendulum that you connect with. They come in a variety of materials ranging from crystals, wood, plastic, and metal. You can even find simple instructions for creating your own pendulum online.

2. Make sure that your arms and legs are not crossed when using your pendulum. Closing yourself off in this way can block your energy and affect the pendulum's answers.

3. While sitting, place the end of the string or chain in your hands and place your elbow on a table so it’s steady.

4. Next you’ll need to determine how your pendulum will answer your questions. I like to start by writing out these phrases on a piece of paper: “yes,” “no,” “I don’t know,” and “I can’t say.” Then I’ll hold the pendulum over each phrase and ask it what does “yes” mean and see what its reaction is. If it gives a clockwise turn, I’ll write down “clockwise” under “yes”. Continue for each phrase and be sure to test your pendulums response to each phrase a couple of times for accuracy.

5. Start by asking your pendulum simple questions that you already know the answer to, like “is my hair blonde?”. Once you’re used to how your pendulum responds you can start asking other questions, keep in mind your questions must be able to be answered by yes or no.

6. Avoid asking your pendulum questions if you already have a strong pull towards an answer. Remember, your pendulum is pulling from your subconscious, so if you already feel strongly about something, it is likely that your pendulum's answer will be swayed towards what you want.

Pendulums are one of my favorite tools because they're so versatile. They can be used for mundane uses like locating lost objects or for magical uses like connecting with spirits. Like any intuitive tool learning how to use your pendulum will take time.

If you feel called to explore more about pendulums, I have a workshop where you will learn all about using your pendulum for both mundane and magical purposes. You can find more information here.

Do you have a favorite pendulum or book about pendulums? I’d love to know about it! Please send me a DM if you want to share. 

Magic Charm Bags for Protection, Love, Luck & Health

Need a sprinkle of magic in your summer? Known in Voodoo as “gris-gris,” or to Native American’s as “medicine bags,” these good ol’ fashioned spells in a bag are sure to bring some magic into your life! For me, charm bags have some nostalgia surrounding them.

Growing up with my Grandma referencing her astrological charts and talking to spirits with her pendulum, I became very open-minded to all things woo woo. Though charm bags weren’t Grandma’s thing, I stumbled upon some magic books at a young age and was hooked. I created my first charm bag during middle school, in hopes to improve my relationship with my Mom. Like any good teen, I argued with her a lot. I’m not sure if it was the intention or true magic but our relationship did improve from that point forward!

This summer season, entertain your inner child by creating a custom charm bag (or two)!! I’ve got everything covered for you, from the container to its contents, a prayer to empower your charms, and even some printable “recipe” cards to have as reminders!

When choosing a bag it’s important to pick an appropriate color that reflects the purpose of your spell, lucky for you I’ve done all of the work on these details! Don’t have all of the herbs or all of the crystals for each one? Don’t fret, using one or two from each category is fine. Remember, the intention behind your charm bag is the most important part.

Protection

Bag Color: Red, black, or gold

Herbs: Betony (protects against malicious fairies), cedar, cinnamon, mint

Gemstones: Black tourmaline, amber, malachite

Charm: Shell (to symbolize a hard protective surface) or a piece of a broom (to brush away negativity)

Prayer: “Minions of the dark now quit this place, for only light will I embrace.”Imagine protective energy pouring into the bag and creating a force field of light around you as you place each item in the bag.

Luck

Bag Color: Silver, gold, or green

Herbs: Nutmeg, clover, ginger, fenugreek

Gemstones: Sunstone, moss agate, tiger’s eye

Charm: Moss; both Spanish and Irish moss are known to bring luck. Also, a horseshoe figurine.

Prayer: “Fortune smile on me this day, may all I need come my way.”

Imagine your hopes and dreams coming to you easily and effortlessly as you place each item in the bag.

Love

Bag Color: Red, PinkHerbs: Lavender, rose petals, a stick of cinnamon for passionate love

Gemstones: Rose quartz, copper, pink kunzite

Charm: Maple leaf; the sap of the maple tree makes sweet, rich syrup. So, the maple leaf symbolizes rich and full love. Or a triangle object to represent the love in the union of a mother, father, and child.

Prayer: “By air, earth, fire, and sea. Bring love to me.”

Concentrate deeply on the kind of love you want to bring into your life as you place each item in the bag.

Health

Bag Color: Yellow, blue

Herbs: Peppermint, St. Johns Wort, Thyme

Gemstones: Amethyst, sunstone

Charm: Toadstone or something to symbolize the sun. The sun is the heart of the solar system and provides life to all living things on Earth, so it is a preferred talisman for health.

Prayer: “Keep my mind and body strong and fit. Strengthen both my heart and wit.”

Visualize yourself at your perfect physical and mental health as you place each item in the bag.

Carry your charm bag in your pocket, display them on an altar or prominent place to remind you of its intention, or gift it to a friend. Just like your crystals, you can set your charm bags out in the light of the full moon to give them a good cleaning. Whether it be for protection, luck, love, or health, have fun in the childlike wonder and playfulness of creating your charm bag!

3 Summer Solstice Rituals to Light Your Fire!

The summer solstice occurs around June 20th and brings with it the most daylight hours of any day of the year! It’s no surprise that there are centuries of Summer Solstice rituals involving heat, fire, and the sun. I’ve selected a few of my favorite ways to honor the sun, light your internal fire, and get creative with a free coloring page to help you build your own Sun Mandala.

Fire & Candles

Bonfire: In ancient times, fire festivals were a given for celebrating the Summer Solstice. Communities would parade around town with torches, or set tar barrels on fire and roll them downhills! While acts like this may land you in the slammer by today's standards, a more acceptable way to celebrate midsummer is by having a bonfire!

Candles: If you live in the Southwest like me, the idea of having a bonfire might seem like the last thing you want to do in 115 degrees heat! Another option is to light a candle and keep it lit all day at your altar or favorite sacred space (only if you’re staying at home! Safety first!). Spend some time at your altar or sacred space giving thanks to the Sun for its life-giving heat. 

Building Your Internal Heat

Enjoy a yoga pose that best honors the Summer Solstice. This is definitely a pose that will ignite your internal fire! The goddess pose is a wide-legged squat that will challenge your mind and body. For an added bonus practice this outside to energize yourself with the sun's rays! Coincidentally, the goddess pose is also known as the fiery angle pose! This is a great posture for building heat in the body and increasing circulation.

Create Your Own Sun Mandala

My favorite and the most beautiful option for honoring this change of season is to create a Sun Mandala. How to make your own Sun Mandala:

• Forage for flowers, leaves and twigs

• Use sage to cleanse an area inside at your altar or outside where you’d like to create your mandala

• Lay your flowers and greenery in a circular pattern

• As an added option, add any crystals that you’d like. Carnelian, quartz, tiger eye and sunstone are great options for honoring the Sun.

• Add a candle in the center or smaller candles into the design.

• As you create your Sun Mandala reflect on the gifts the Sun and the Summer give you and what abundance you’d like to bring into your world this season.

Your Sun Mandala can be simple and small, or a glorious group project with friends. Get creative with it, I’ve got a printable sun mandala color page that you can use as a cheat sheet for where to place your flowers and candles, or it can function on its own as your Sun Mandala. Get your free printable sun mandala here. Be sure to share pics of your Sun mandala and tag @cassieuhl on Instagram. You can find more rituals for the Summer Solstice in this blog post.

Healing Sounds: Tibetan Singing Bowls

Can you really receive healing energy from singing bowls?

I’m sure you’ve seen them in your yoga class, or maybe you’ve even got your own singing bowl. They’re becoming more and more mainstream in Western culture, but what’s all the fuss? Can these pleasant sounds really help heal us from the inside out?I’ve done the research for you and have learned that singing bowls can in fact help you heal. (More on this and where to start your collection later.) I also learned about an unexpected communication link between singing bowls and the Buddha, but here’s a little history first.

Where Do They Come From?

Tibetan Singing Bowls date back to 560-480 B.C. and knowledge of the singing bowls were only passed on by high-ranking lamas or spiritual masters. To complicate the passing down of this study, the teachings were traditionally spoken between teacher and student. There’s virtually no written text on the topic! I, however, came across an interview with a lama (spiritual leader) regarding the mystical singing bowls!

Communication from The Buddha

In the interview, the lama told all about how the singing bowls are a means of communication for Buddha, how cool! So, if you are listening to singing bowls, here are a few things you might learn directly from Buddha.

Emptiness: The sound of the singing bowl gives the teaching of broadness and emptiness. This is the essence of Buddha’s teaching. In emptiness, all things are possible. Having a bad day? Emptiness allows feelings and emotions to not linger for too long. It allows us to not take everything so seriously, which I really need a lesson in on a daily basis!

Healing with Singing Bowls

Ok, now here’s some awesomeness for ya! The medical director at the Deepak Chopra Center in California found that both chanting AND Tibetan Singing Bowls are chemically metabolized into internal healing agents and painkillers! Here’s the lowdown on how the singing bowls promote healing in our bodies:

Vibrations: All matter vibrates. When we have an ailment, it is a part of us that is vibrating out of tune. Singing bowls can literally change the matter within you by sending vibrations to your body that bring everything back into harmony. This can be done by having singing bowls played around your body, or even having them played while they rest on top of your body!

Emotional Response: Singing bowls heal us physically because they touch us on deep emotional planes. The sound creates a spiritual awakening that quiets negative self-talk and synchronizes our brainwaves to bring awareness of a mind/body connection.

Mind-blowing right?! Well, if you got as excited as I did about these you might want to start your collection now. I found an amazing shop on Etsy that sells small, very affordable, singing bowls that you can even coordinate with your chakras, check them out here.I’d love to hear any singing bowl experiences you have had, or if you have a favorite singing bowl, let me know! Send us an email.

Essential Oils on the Go // 4 Rollerball Blends for Daily Use

With all this talk of essential oils, I bet you’ll be wanting to take them with you wherever you go! For good reason, too! Essential oils aren’t just something you spritz on your pillow at night. They have so many uses that you’ll wish you had one on hand for every occasion.I’m always on the go, and there are countless moments throughout the day where I’m tired, I’m feeling down….and good god, a pimple!! Where are my essential oils when I need them?? Rollerballs are here to save the day! A perfect little fun-sized container for our precious EO blends.

What You’ll Need

• Tinted glass roller bottles

• An eyedropper (many rollerball sets will come with these)

• Essential oils

• A carrier oil. Any of the following will work wonderfully:

  • Fractionated coconut oil

  • Sweet almond oil

  • Olive oil

  • Sunflower oil

The Recipes

ZIT ZAPPER

Let’s start with a blend that treats the arch-nemesis that we are plagued by from time to time, if not chronically. Whether a pimple is predictable on a daily basis or pops up at the most inconvenient moment, you need a remedy! So here it is.

• 20 Drops Lavender Oil

• 20 Drops Tea Tree Oil

• 20 Drops Frankincense

• Fill with the desired amount of carrier oil and shake to mix

MIDDAY PICK-ME-UP (JET LAG BLEND)

This past month has kept me super busy. I’ve entertained house guests, taken road trips and long plane rides, and “sleep” has become a word from a foreign language. Here's a blend that will wake you up and invigorate your senses. Use this blend to pull you through a study session or to bring clarity to a mental fog while you’re in the office.

• 8 Drops Eucalyptus Oil

• 6 Drops Peppermint Oil

• 30 Drops Lemon Oil

• 2 Drops Cinnamon Oil

• Fill with the desired amount of carrier oil and shake to mix

MOOD SUPPORT

No one likes feeling down, but it happens. It’s part of being human. Maybe someone said something that made you feel less than, or not a part of. Perhaps you are mourning a loss, or you are disappointed about expectations that weren’t met. Try this rollerball blend for some comfort and to improve your attitude. This blend works well when inhaled. Apply it to your hands, cup your hands over your mouth and nose, and breathe deep.

• 20 Drops Bergamot Oil

• 20 Drops Frankincense

• 20 Drops Lavender Oil

• Fill with the desired amount of carrier oil and shake to mix

A BLEND FOR YOUR GUY - TURN YOUR MAN ON TO EO’S

I saw this “Lumber Jack Blend” and couldn’t leave it out! I’m a sucker for all things sandalwood. Have your favorite counterpart use this as his cologne or even as an oil for that beard he’s been sporting. Can’t wait to try this out on my main squeeze!

• 10 Drops Patchouli

• 10 Drops Sandalwood

• 10 Drops Clary Sage

• 10 Drops Frankincense

• Fill with the desired amount of carrier oil and shake to mix

Hope these recipes remedy some of the things that afflict you! We would also love to hear any of your tried and true EO rollerball concoctions!

Breathe Deep with These 3 DIY Lavender Recipes

Aside from smelling heavenly, lavender comes with a slew of amazing benefits. Lavender can help with anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, PMS, antiseptic and a recent study reported in the Journal of Medical Microbiology shows that lavender oil is a potent anti-fungal as well. Take a look around your home. Hand soap, body lotion, countertop cleaner, linen spray, candles…you probably keep some sort of lavender-scented item in your home.

I wondered, what else this amazing herb could be used for? It turns out lavender is a gold mine for DIY home products! I’ve chosen three that I think you’ll find come in super handy.

Lush Lavender Bath Scrub

Lavender oil is a choice pick for a bath time scrub! This oil works as an antiseptic to promote healing of the skin. It’s also popular for assisting with sleep. Insomnia may have met its match with this one! So, get ready to settle your senses after a long day.

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of this delectable and healing scrub:

• Mason or apothecary jar

• 1 1/2 cups of organic sugar

• 1/4 cup of olive oil

• Mix the ingredients together to coat the sugar. Add dried lavender flowers for some extra pizzaz!

Chilled Lavender Towels

Lavender oil’s sedating qualities work well for sleeplessness AND pain relief. Whether you have a headache, fever or you’re white-knuckling it through childbirth--its ability to curb pain really is astonishing! Here is one of my most cherished methods for diminishing discomfort.

How To:

• Fill your sink with water and add 6-10 drops of lavender oil

• Soak several hand towels in the lavender water (let excess water run off of the towels)

• Roll up the towels and put them on a tray in the freezer

• Grab a towel from the freezer whenever you are in need. These little bits of magic are nothing short of amazing. Place one across your forehead or unroll it to cover your nose and mouth. Now relax and breathe in the crisp, cool, heavenly aroma for some obligatory tranquility.

Lavender Insect Repellent

My personal favorite! If you’re worried about all of those harsh chemicals in regular bug sprays like I am, you’ll love this one. Plus, it’s super easy! What’s better than an au naturel bug spray smelling of sweet, sweet lavender? Gliding through the woods, free of bug bites and smelling like an angel…Ha! I’m in!

Ingredients & How To:

• Fill an 8oz spray bottle halfway with distilled water

• Add 30-50 drop of lavender oil

• Add witch hazel to fill the remainder of the bottle

• Venture to the great outdoors with a new-found freedom from deet…and mosquitos!

Bonus Lavender Quick Tips

Make lavender oil a staple in your stash. You can find it at a health food store, specialty grocery store, or maybe you even have a friend that sells EO’s. It can be used alone, or with a carrier oil. Choose a food-grade oil for lavender lemonade, or pick a lavender oil to keep in your first aid kit for its topical anesthetic properties. Sometimes I’ll even rub a little lavender oil on my hands to give my easily irritated chi, Ren, a belly rub, this miraculously always helps him calm down.

Lavender is a great reminder to stop and take a deep breath on a busy day. Send me a DM with your lavender oil tips and tricks! Bonus points if you can let me in on your favorite lavender oil rollerball blend and its uses. I’d love to feature it in an upcoming post and share it with all of our community!

Choosing Your Lucky Charm: The Use of Talismans

Do you need a little extra luck for that upcoming project, adventure or dream that you’re planning to embark on? Talismans have been used since the dawn of mankind to enhance fertility, ward off evil and bring luck. These mystical uses are not just wishful thinking, there have actually been some recent studies that support the use of luck charms and talismans.

What is a talisman?

A talisman is an object believed to bring luck to its keeper. Talismans have been present since the Stone Age and can be traced through multiple cultures. Similar words for “talisman” can be found in French, Spanish and Italian. They are all derived from the word “tilsam,” which is an Arabic word meaning “charm.” Further roots are traced back to the Greek expression “telein,” which is “to initiate the mysteries.” These similarities in languages tell us that talismans have been used across the globe and throughout time.

Are there real benefits of using charms?

Okay, so here’s the scoop on why you should be using a lucky charm. In short, they’re basically holistic performance enhancers for your soul. That’s right, a totally natural way to up your game. In 2010, the University of Cologne performed a study on people who used lucky charms. The results?

• Increased Confidence: Belief in a talisman in turn makes you believe more in yourself

• Higher Goal Setting: When you have more confidence in your abilities you set your sights higher

• Persistence: The belief that you have a lucky charm on your side enables you to push through until you’ve reached the desired result

Our Top Picks

THE LOTUS FLOWER: SUN, REBIRTH, PURITY, PROSPERITY

Because the lotus flower grows beautifully despite its murky habitat, this might be the talisman you choose to rise above any murky waters in your life.

HAMSA HAND: PROTECTION, STRENGTH

The hamsa hand brings luck by warding off the evil eye. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, this has been a chosen charm for me. I’ve told you of a time that it has helped me push through a challenging yoga mala. What I didn’t tell you is that I began wearing the hamsa hand because I had someone directing bad energy my way, specifically towards my yoga practice.

DREAMCATCHERS: SUCCESS, BALANCE, PEACE, CREATIVITY

Many of us know that dreamcatchers “catch” our bad dreams. However, they also have the ability to harness the magical qualities of dreams and present these qualities in our lives. So, dream big! This talisman represents success, balance, peace, creativity, and a deeper connection with the spirit.

SAYING GOODBYE

If you lose your charm you might think you are totally doomed. Fear not! Often times when we lose our charms it is simply the Universe’s way of communicating to us that our charm has served its purpose and the job is complete. In fact, I lost my hamsa hand when the person sending me bad energy ceased to be in my life.

Cleansing & Charging Your Crystals

By now you’ve been putting your crystal collection to good use (I hope you’ve been enjoying using the Metraton's Cube grid!). You’ve undoubtedly realized though, that these sweet little gemstones take on the harshest of vibes! Think of the amethyst you might keep under your pillow to rid yourself of restlessness, or the sunstone you’ve been carrying around to help pull yourself out of a funk.  Everything I explain below can be used to clean and clear your crystal jewelry as well.Have you considered a way to cleanse your crystals of these negative energies? Like everything that we value in our lives, these precious stones need our TLC.

Cleansing Your Crystals

Here are two of my favorite ways to cleanse your crystals:

AMETHYST CAVE

I know what you’re thinking, “sure, let me just run out to my backyard and hop in my crystal cave!” Although that would be fun, this type of cave is much more compact. An amethyst cave refers to a cathedral-shaped structure. Geodes and clusters will also work well for this. Just leave your crystals on the amethyst for 24-48 hours.

SMOKE & HERBS

A well-liked method for clearing crystals, I suggest exploring some plants and tools that are related to your ancestral lineage. Some examples of  smoke and herbs are:

• Lavender

• Mugwort

• Cedar

• Rosemary

If you want to learn how to make DIY herb sticks, check out this blog post.

Charging Your Crystals

Success! Your crystals are now super fresh and ready for charging. Charging is meant to keep your gemstones in tune with you and your personal uses for them. Try to charge them soon after cleansing them so they don’t pick up any of those bad vibes.Just like cleaning, there are several methods for charging your crystals but here are a few:

SUNLIGHT

Light, life, abundance, and vitality. Be careful not to keep your crystals in sunlight for too long as this can cause fading.

MOONLIGHT

Inward fulfillment. Crystals can be left outside under the moonlight for a few hours for charging.

WAXING MOON

If you are hoping to use your crystals for an intention focused on new beginnings then place them under the light of a waxing moon as it is moving towards a full moon.

WANING MOON

If you are looking to decrease something in your life, such as illness, place the crystals under a waning moon as it is moving away from a full moon.

I hope all of this talk about cleansing and charging has been helpful. I sure did learn a lot! There are as many methods of clearing crystals and charging them as there are people.

Please reply and share some of your tried and true personal favorites! For more ways to cleanse and charge your crystals, click here.

Activating Your Crystal Grid

You’ve set an intention and created a beautiful crystal grid, but now what? Activating your crystal grid is a great way to spend more time with it, reinforce your intention, and bring positive energy into it. We covered the basics of making a crystal grid for reaching your goals on the blog two weeks ago, and today I want to talk a bit about how to carry on with this practice.As a note, crystal wands are beautiful but they’re not a necessity for activating your grid. You can use a point crystal of your choice or even your hand.  

Three Ways to Activate Your Crystal Grid

With all three of these methods, it’s important to center yourself with a few deep breaths and focus your mind on your intention or goal for the crystal grid. You may want to repeat a mantra or visualization throughout the activation process to help reinforce your intention.

THE “CONNECT THE DOTS” METHOD

Start on the outer crystals of your grid with your crystal wand or a pointed crystal, and start drawing lines between the crystals, just like you’d do for a dot-to-dot drawing. Continue working your way closer to the center, drawing invisible lines between all of the crystals. Once you reach the center stone take a moment to close your eyes and imagine the energy of the stones uniting and connecting.

THE “CAKE CUT” METHOD

Starting on the outside of the crystal grid, circle your wand or pointed crystal around the grid in any direction that feels good to you. As you slowly circle the crystals' image, invisible lines of energy begin connecting them. Once you’ve finished this first step, place your wand on your center stone and slowly trace out on the rows of crystals, using the same motion you would cut a cake, until you’ve traced over all of them. Imagine the energy of the crystals uniting and radiating from the center stone.

THE “HAND” METHOD

Start by moving your hand above the stones in a circular motion. Imagine a ray of light connecting all of the crystal and traveling through them. Spend as much time as you’d like on this step, moving your hand over the crystals and visualizing the light. When you feel that the stones are connected, hold your hand over the center stone and feel all of the energy centralizing there.With all of these methods, take a moment to sit with your activation and fully experience and thank the universe for the energy to activate your crystal grid.If you're looking for a crystal grid to start with, download our Metraton's Cube crystal grid here.

2 Spring Equinox Rituals to Cleanse & Refresh

Have you ever been curious about how to celebrate the Spring Equinox, also called Ostara in the wheel of the year, or ever wondered what it is exactly? We’ve got explanations and two different ways that you can celebrate rituals for the Spring Equinox.The coming of Spring is marked by the Equinox - meaning “equal light.” The Spring Equinox, or the first day of Spring, occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator from South to North. This special event happens every year on March 19th, 20th, or 21st. This year it is happening on March 20th. During this time, daylight and night are equal and balanced, right before tipping over to the side of light. Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and birds are chirping…it’s officially SPRING!!Around the world, many different cultures hold celebrations for the Spring Equinox, and I want to share with you some of my personal favorites.

Yoga Mala Sun Salutations

More than a beaded bracelet, a yoga Mala is completed by doing a set of 108 sun salutations. It’s a great way to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. Completing this could take as long as two hours (expect a lot of jump backs into Chaturanga), but you can always rest in downward facing dog or child’s pose. Sweaty as you may be, it’s a great way to cleanse and detoxify the body for a new season.

How to Get Involved

If you’re an experienced yoga practitioner you can set a time special time and place to do this on your own or with friends. If you’ve got a favorite local studio it’s likely that they’ll be offering something for Spring.

What to Know Before You Go

• Sign up ahead of time for this special event at your local studio.

• Come to class with an intention. An encouraging message will help you to push through.

• Be prepared to sweat! The room will naturally heat from all of the movement and breathwork of you and your fellow yogis. Bring a towel to place over your mat, or a hand towel to wipe off any excess moisture that might cause you to slip.

• Wear an inspirational piece of jewelry. I wear a hamsa hand around my neck that inevitably dangles in my face while I’m resting in downward facing dog reminding me “you’ve got this!”

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing is a Japanese tradition called “Shinrin-yoku,” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.” Unlike the vigor of a Mala, forest bathing is meant to be a calm, low-speed experience. As leaves begin to bud, and flowers begin to bloom, a forest bath is a perfect way to honor the arrival of Spring. You could do this by meditating in a lush green area, taking a hike, or even having a picnic.Not only are these ideas relaxing from a spiritual perspective, but there are actually scientific advantages behind these inspiring practices, too. Many trees give off organic compounds that decrease stress hormones and boost your immune system.

Additional Benefits Include:

• Decrease in anxiety, depression, and anger

• Increased cognitive function

• Reduced blood pressure

• Accelerated healing

• Increased ability to focus

• More energy and better sleep

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these in the past or have plans to create a new ritual this year. Happy Spring Equinox! Find more rituals for Ostara here.

Reaching Your Goals With Crystal Grids

I’m sure you’ve been working hard to stay focused on all those New Year goals you set intentions for in January. If you’re like me, you may need a little momentum after the buzz of the new year subsides. I’ve got some good news, not only are crystal grids beautiful but they’re also a great tool to help reach your goals.

Why crystals?

If you’re like me, you have a special place in your heart for these natural beauties. What makes crystals even more enchanting is that they often have a little piece of you in each one of them. Maybe you found a crystal on a memorable hike. Maybe you were just browsing your favorite online crystal shop when you spotted one that seemed to be calling your name (that definitely happened to me several times this week).

What do we love about using crystals?

Crystals are thought to be gifts from the Universe - even physical manifestations of your spiritual work. They come from the Earth. So, they are rooting. They connect our energy back to the Earth and the Earth back to us. Because of this energy, crystals can elevate our vibes: our intentions. Using multiple crystals has the potential to magnify the shared energy toward the desired intention.

Where do I start?

Follow your heart. Making a crystal grid can be as simple as setting up a crystal in each corner of a room in your home or placing a crystal on the corners of your yoga mat.Of course, there are varying degrees of crystal grid application. You might choose to place your crystals on an image that represents whatever goal you have your intentions set on. However, you could go another route and use a crystal grid that uses a sacred geometric pattern, acting like a map for the crystals you have selected. Here is a Metraton's Cube crystal grid you can print out and use as a template for laying out your crystals.

Whatever method you decide to go with - whether you grid strictly on intuition or you like to follow a predefined grid - remember to:

• Meditate on and set your intention

• Pick the crystals that you feel align best with your goal

• Place each crystal in its place with purpose

• Use a central crystal to harmonize the other crystals and your intention

If you feel like you are missing some basics, or even want to add something special to your collection, check out one of my favorite Etsy shops: The Lunar Fae. And be sure to check back here in the following weeks to learn more about charging and cleaning your crystals!