6

Crystal Spells and Rituals

ROCKS AND GEMS HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT role in ritual and worship for as long as humans have been around. The earliest versions of these practices would have only involved materials found by the practitioner: raw stone, ground ochre, shards of obsidian, etc. Those stones that exhibited unusual physical traits, such as a naturally pierced holey stone or a transparent piece of quartz, would be deemed as having greater spiritual power.

CREATING SACRED SPACE

One of the cornerstones of ritual is the concept of sacred space. Traditions around the world honor the notion that our spiritual work, whether devotional or magickal, is best performed within a sanctuary of one sort or another. Sacred space is made when we consecrate an area, symbolically sweeping away the vestiges of the mundane and imbuing it with a holy otherness. Sacred space can be permanent or temporary. It can be a natural space such as a blooming meadow or thicket of trees, or it can be a created space, such as a cathedral, shrine, temple, or any other place of worship. Many people also have a part of their home dedicated as sacred space; this can be an entire room or a small corner or tabletop depending on the space available. Your personal sacred space can be home to your altar, which is discussed below.

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An altar adorned with crystals and other ritual tools

The Altar

It has been said that the altar is the heart of the witch’s practice, its placement anchoring your sacred space. Altars are the place where offerings to the Divine are made. Altars are featured in Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and in a host of magickal traditions. Ancient Judaism made use of altars, as did the polytheistic religions of many peoples in antiquity. Today, many healers, meditators, and magicians create their own altars as a focal point for healing, meditation, and transformation.

Ancient altars most likely consisted of flat stones or were delineated on bare earth. The essence of sacrifices and burnt offerings placed on them were thought to be spirited away to the abode of the gods. Over the eons, altars have taken many forms, though stones are commonly found adorning altars everywhere. Modern spiritual seekers often find themselves arranging their sacred objects—stones, shells, feathers, and ritual implements, as well as crystals and gemstones—into spontaneous altars, even when they have no formal training.

image Creating an Altar to the Divine Feminine

Find a flat surface in a suitable location in your sacred space. Ensure that it will not be disturbed, especially if you plan on lighting candles or incense. Cleanse the location thoroughly. Remove any trace of physical dirt or dust, and clear away old energies using your favorite method. Next, gather the materials that you would like to have on your altar.

Many altars include some sort of representation of divinity. You may select a statue or image of a Goddess with whom you have a personal connection, or you can use an abstract representation of her, such as an appropriate crystal. Polished crystal spheres are wonderful symbols of the Goddess, and they make a beautiful focal point in the center of an altar. Refer to the compendium of crystals in chapter 7 for a delineation of some of the many crystals that represent the Divine Feminine. I usually like to include representations of the four elements (earth, air, water, and fire) on my altar as well. Ordinary stones, especially those from sacred places or from the environment around your home, are ideal tokens for earth; a dish of salt, sand, or soil can also be used. For air, consider incense or feathers. Fire can be symbolized by a wand, candle, or piece of igneous rock. Water is best represented by a vessel that contains it, although seashells work beautifully too. For a more abstract and crystalline altar setup, the four elements can each be symbolized by a stone bearing the appropriate elemental correspondence (see more about correspondences in the appendix).

Gather any other offerings or tools that you would like to add to your altar space. Candles provide soft lighting and can be lit to honor the Great Mother. Incense is a popular offering, and many practitioners provide fresh flowers, food, or drink for the Divine too. Every tradition has its own guidelines for setting up an altar; for our purposes, arrange your tools in a manner that is pleasing to you and still leaves space for magickal workings, such as candle spells, creating charm bags, or building crystal grids.

Incorporate your altar as part of your daily practice. My main altar sits close to my desk, and when I write I light a candle (or occasionally some incense) as an offering to the Divine in return for being granted inspiration, clarity, and motivation. I also meditate before my altar and use it as a focal point when I send remote healing or during other spiritual endeavors. Treat your altar and its contents with respect, for it becomes the receptacle for not only your magick but that of the divine beings you invoke there.

On Consecration, Casting Circles, and Calling Quarters

In the magickal arts, as well as in other forms of spiritual practice and healing, creating sacred space is a requisite for ritual. This includes the symbolic cleansing of the space as well as delineating or marking the boundaries of the working space. Often this is accomplished through the power of the four elements: salt is scattered to represent earth; smoking the sacred space with incense represents the element of air; candles are lit to represent fire; and water is sprinkled. Each of these elemental emissaries helps to prepare both the practitioner and the space by wiping the energetic slate clean, so to speak. There are other methods of cleansing as well: sweeping with a sacred broom, burning sage or other sacred herbs, sprinkling herbal powders, or simply meditating or visualizing the energy being cleared.

The second aspect of creating sacred space is erecting the spiritual “structure” of your working space. Different traditions variously call this casting the circle, ploughing the furrow, hallowing the compass, and building the temple. This sacred space is visualized as circular or spherical in nature. The purpose of the circle is to define the liminal space—the very space between the worlds. Within this sacred circle, the work we pursue, whether for healing, meditation, manifestation, or personal gnosis, is held in sacred trust. Our consciousness is heightened, and the energy we raise is intensified within the circle. It becomes the holy vessel in which our inner work incubates until it is directed and released into the outer world.

The circle is sometimes described as the “meeting place between gods and man,” though I prefer “the meeting place between the Divine and humankind.” And recall that the circle is a symbol of the Divine Feminine, thus it is a fitting place for deepening your connection to the Goddess, or to Divinity in general. As well, the circle serves to delineate the material and the spiritual planes, thus facilitating contact with the Great Mother (or any other aspect of the Divine). Although the Goddess is found in all of creation, entering the circle strips away the practitioner’s ordinary consciousness and expands your awareness to better perceive her sacred presence.

Finally, many traditions invoke the powers of the cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north—for additional protection and support throughout the ritual working. Many magickal and spiritual traditions begin in the east, as it is the direction in which the sun and moon both rise. Others prefer the north, because this direction symbolizes the element of earth; it also represents the foundation of one’s work. Since the subject matter in this book relates to rock and mineral—themselves part and parcel of the earth element—I have elected to begin the rituals in this chapter in the north. The act of invoking the powers of the cardinal directions is variously referred to as calling the quarters, calling the directions, laying the compass, invoking the watchtowers, etc. Traditionally, this act is used to stabilize the circle and invoke a different elemental ruler for each of the four directions. Candles, stones, or other objects are sometimes used to mark the four directions, usually at the perimeter of the circle or on the altar.

There is some disagreement about the precise correspondences for the directions and the elements. Magick-makers of yore would have aligned them according to the energy and symbolism of their local environment. Modern-day practitioners frequently use the following correspondences:

Like all magickal acts, there is no singular protocol for calling the quarters. Some traditions invoke archangels as representatives of the four directions, while others use elemental beings. In the quarter calls described below, I use gemstones to represent the four directions.

image Consecrating Sacred Space

Gather representations of the four elements that you will use to cleanse the space: salt to represent earth, water (perhaps some moon water, described later in this chapter, or one of the crystal elixirs also described later in this chapter) for the element of water, incense or sage for air, and a candle for fire. Cleanse each of these representations and set your intention to consecrate your ritual space. Light the incense and candle, and prepare for the consecration.

Beginning in the north, carry the dish of salt clockwise*12 around the perimeter of your working area. Sprinkle some as you go and say, “I cleanse this space with the element of earth.” Repeat this process for each of the elements in turn, in the sequence of air, fire, and water (unless your tradition suggests otherwise). As you carry each of the elemental representations around the space, visualize it clearing away negativity and imparting an air of sanctity.

image Casting the Circle

To cast the circle, many magickal traditions use either a wand, staff, or ritual blade. Circles can be cast with natural crystal points and with polished crystal wands, as well. Your fingers also work well, especially if your ritual is spontaneous. Select the crystal or tool that you’d like to use for this exercise and ensure that it is cleansed beforehand. Hold it in your dominant hand, starting in the north quadrant of your sacred space. Trace the boundary of the circle with the tip of your crystal, picturing an energetic barrier—perhaps of light or flame, the color of your choice—encircling your sacred space as you move. Moving clockwise, I prefer to trace the circle three times, reciting an incantation as I go. Here is a simple circle-casting prayer that you can use:

I conjure this circle as the vessel for my magick. May it be a safe haven, free of all harmful influence.

I cast this circle to allow only the energies of perfect love and perfect trust, as a sanctuary for the Great Goddess herself.

May this circle be the doorway beyond time and space, a perfect temple for the magick and transformation.

As above, so below. This circle is sealed.

These words can be adapted to your own personal preference, substituting any specific intentions, deities, or energies as needed for your working. To release the circle at the end of your ritual, move counterclockwise around the perimeter once, again tracing the boundary with your crystal. Say the following:

I release this circle, sending its energy out into the world around me. The circle is open but never broken.

image Calling the Quarters

After the circle is cast, the quarters are called in a clockwise fashion, usually beginning in the north or the east. I’ve chosen to represent the four sacred directions with jasper in the north, quartz in the east, carnelian in the south, and chrysocolla in the west. Feel free to use the stones that you have available (consult the tables of correspondences in the appendix for the elemental correspondences). Pieces of these four gemstones can be used if desired; place them at the four points of the compass prior to casting the circle. Face each of the directions in turn, reciting the appropriate invocation, such as the following:

Gemstone guardian of the north, mighty spirit of jasper, hear my call. Lend me your strength and stability. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be.

Gemstone guardian of the east, mighty spirit of quartz, hear my call. Lend me your clarity and focus. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be.

Gemstone guardian of the south, mighty spirit of carnelian, hear my call. Lend me your warmth and inspiration. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be.

Gemstone guardian of the west, mighty spirit of chrysocolla, hear my call. Lend me your wisdom and grace. Stand your watch throughout this rite, allowing only perfect love and perfect trust to enter this space. Blessed be.

Return to the center of the circle and proceed with the rest of your ritual. After the rite’s completion, release the quarters by turning to face each direction moving counterclockwise to release the energy to the world, beginning with the direction that is your starting point. Address each of the directions, saying,

Gemstone guardian of the [name the direction], thank you for standing your watch throughout this rite. Go if you must, but stay if you will. Hail and farewell!

CREATING YOUR OWN RITUAL

One of the most enjoyable aspects of a magickal practice is the freedom you have to exercise your creativity by creating your own rituals. Whether you are a seasoned witch or a veteran crystal healer, ritual helps you shift to a higher state of consciousness. Adapting rituals and ceremonies to make them your own does more than simply add your own personal touch; it infuses all that you do with your energy, often increasing the efficacy of your working.

In creating your own ritual there are a few key steps to keep in mind. Not every ritual needs to include every single one of these steps, but understanding how they work and what they do can help you design your own crystal spells and rites. The most basic stages of ritual include:

The first three steps (consecration, casting the circle, and calling the quarters/directions) have already been discussed. Invocation (or evocation) brings divinity into your sacred space, thereby facilitating partnership between the human and the divine realms. With the Goddess (or one of her aspects) and/or the God (or one of his aspects) as your audience, your statement of intent provides an opportunity to focus on the desired outcome of your working. The ritual working itself follows; this might be a candle spell, building a crystal grid, drawing down the moon (see the exercise later in this chapter), or a more elaborate process. Ultimately, this part of the working involves raising and focusing spiritual power to be directed toward manifesting your goal.

Once your working is complete, it is time for the closing and thanks. At this stage, offer your gratitude to any entities that assisted you in your rite. Include deities, spirits, guides, and guardians alike. Thank the guardians at the quarters and give them license to depart. After releasing the quarters, release or open the circle. Your ritual is complete.

Invocation and Evocation

The summoning and the drawing in of spiritual powers or beings such as deities—the practice of invocation and evocation—are the cornerstones of magickal practice. Because crystals are catalysts, they can facilitate the process of invoking the Goddess, enabling you to better receive her gifts. The very best invocations and evocations I have experienced in my own personal craft have been spontaneous ones, composed in the moment. When we are filled with inspiration we are already close to the Goddess. The relationship we build with divinity is ultimately a personal one, no matter what our traditions may be. Therefore, I urge you to spend time connecting to the aspects of the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine in order to write your own scripts for invoking these forces.

Although a full discussion of invocation is beyond the scope of this work, I have provided a sample text that can be used to invoke the Great Mother. It is inspired by a traditional invocation called “The Charge of the Goddess,” which exists in many forms today, the most beloved and famous of which was written by Doreen Valiente. “Charge of the Goddess of Stone” can be recited in a circle or during meditation to help you attune to and merge with the essence of the Great Mother as she manifests through the mineral kingdom.

Charge of the Goddess of Stone

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Listen to the echoes of stone, the forgotten voice of the bones of Mother Earth.

I am the divine body of Earth herself, she who has been called Gaia, Rhea, Pele, Mara, Coatlicue, and by more names now forgotten.

◆ ◆

I am the Maiden of newly crystallized rock,

I am the jewel-encrusted beauty whose dance transforms landscapes.

I am the Mother in whose womb stone is transformed.

I am she who rises heavenward on the mountainous throne.

I am the Crone, whose shawl is caked with the dust of ages.

I am the wisdom-keeper who records history in the strata of canyon walls.

Whenever you have need of my blessings, gather the pieces of my body as will suit your need: rock or mineral, fossil or jewel, metal or sand. Know that wherever you are, I am there too, for my mineral treasures have seeded every aspect of your life. Pray to me when you need support, when you seek to crystallize your goals out of the primal void. Wear and carry my emissaries—the gemstones—whenever you have need, and they shall guide you to your goals.

I am the soul and structure of the planet, the minerals who nurture the growth of plant and animal alike. From my molten core all form arises, and to my sediments all must return. Your adamantine light will be revealed in my embrace. I am rock eternal—seemingly static, but ever-evolving. I was firstborn out of chaos at the beginning of time, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

LUNAR RITUALS

The silver orb of the moon has long been connected to the Goddess and thus has always factored into magick and myth. The rituals in this section are attuned to her lunar cycle, as most practitioners try to time their workings to the appropriate phase of the moon. Each lunar phase has its own significance and contributes a different energy to your work. You can program crystals, build grids, create charm bags, or craft whole rituals around the shifting face of the moon. Use the following lunar phases to help plan your rites:

As a teenager, when I first began my studies in esoteric lore, I came across several versions of a ritual called “drawing down the moon.” There was something alluring about the nature of it; I eagerly awaited the next full moon to try it firsthand. My first experience with drawing down the moon filled me with hope and peace, and I felt a powerful and inviolable bond to the Great Mother. Ever since then it has become one of my favorite rituals, one that I often perform spontaneously when the moon inspires me to create more magick in my life.

Through the ritual of drawing down the moon, the magician becomes a vessel for the moon’s light and energy. Since occult traditions acknowledge that the moon is feminine, this rite enables you to become a vessel for the Goddess. Its origins trace back to the fifth century BCE in ancient Greece, when witches were described as plucking the moon from the sky. Today, drawing down the moon is considered a sacred ritual, usually performed within the boundaries of the circle. It may be performed simply as a rite to draw the energy of the moon into the practitioner’s body, or it can be woven into a magickal act such as a spell or ritual, to provide additional power to the working. With so many variations on the rite of drawing down the moon, I wanted to include something simple that could easily be adapted to anyone’s practice. Although it is traditional to draw down the moon when the lunar orb is full, this ritual can in fact be performed at any point in the lunar cycle, depending on the energy you’d like to access.

image Drawing Down the Moon

To perform this version of the ritual of drawing down the moon you will need a single crystal, preferably one that is strongly associated with the moon. Quartz is usually my first choice, and I’ve performed this many times over the years with a fist-sized natural crystal as well as my favorite sphere of polished crystal. Selenite, moonstone, moon quartz, and opal are all excellent choices too, and you can consult the planetary correspondences in the appendix for more lunar stones. You may even use a goddess stone from your altar, if you like. Cleanse your crystal, if necessary, and find a spot in view of the moon to begin your ritual.

Begin by establishing your sacred space; this may be a formal circle-casting as described in this chapter, or it may be a simple act of consecration for a spontaneous act. Hold your crystal in your dominant hand while gazing at the moon. Raise both arms overhead in a V shape, with feet shoulder-width apart; this is referred to as the “Goddess position” or “chalice position.” Picture yourself becoming a clear vessel for the moon’s energy, and empty yourself of attachment, ego, and expectations.

Next, lower your arms to release the Goddess position. Lift the crystal toward the moon in your dominant hand. Heavy stones or shapes like spheres may best be supported with both hands. Point the stone directly at the moon if possible. See it filling with moonlight; picture it gleaming with the same silvery-white radiance as the moon. Gently draw the tip of the crystal downward, toward your heart, stopping when it is lightly touching your heart or rests along your sternum, whichever is more comfortable. As the crystal moves toward you, visualize it drawing the energy of the moon with it, filling you with the energy of the Lunar Goddess.

After drawing down the moon, meditate, pray, or conduct a ritual to make use of the energy that you have just drawn into your body. It is important to ground and center after this ritual, thereby releasing any extra energy before attempting to return to the mundane world.

image Moon Water

Magickal lore from many traditions describes a process of charging water with the power of rock crystal and moonlight. Traditional witch Lee Morgan cites the Irish and Welsh custom of making healing water with a crystal sphere, itself a representation of the full moon.1 The sphere is placed in a vessel of fresh water and a charm is recited; the resulting elixir is used for healing and breaking curses. Occultist David Rankine records a similar concept, which he calls “moonraking.”2 In this version, a metal bowl, preferably of silver (or silver plate) or copper holds fresh water; under the light of the full moon, a crystal wand is used to draw down or “rake” the moonlight into the bowl of water, imbuing it with the moon’s radiant energy.

For this version of this ritual select a piece of clear quartz. I use a naturally terminated crystal, but you can use any shape or style as long as you have a connection with the stone being used. Cleanse the crystal before starting this rite and fill a glass, silver, or copper bowl with clean water. Cast the circle and call the quarters, then invite the Goddess to join you. You may choose to work with the Great Goddess herself or invoke one of her many aspects, such as Diana, Isis, or Selene. Hold the crystal in your dominant hand and raise it overhead, but be sure to hold it in front of or below the moon in your field of vision so that it appears to glow from the moon’s silvery light. In your mind’s eye, picture this silvery white radiance growing stronger. Then draw the crystal’s point toward the water, as if raking the moonlight into the bowl; repeat this process several times, visualizing the same glowing light entering the water.

When finished, place the crystal in the bowl so that it will diffuse the energy it has picked up into the water. Leave the vessel of water for at least an hour, preferably overnight. Be sure to transfer the water to a dark bottle before the sun’s rays breach the horizon, as sunlight will dissipate the efficacy of this moon water. Pour a little of the water out on the earth, offering it as a libation to the Divine Mother as the moon (if she is still visible), as well as to the spirits of the land. Store your moon water in a dark place and do not let it come into contact with iron. Use it for consecrating magickal objects, anointing yourself or others during lunar rites, cleansing your house, healing, or breaking curses. Moon water can be made during any lunar phase, depending on the desired effect, but be sure to label what phase the moon was in when you bottle your moon water.

CRYSTAL GRIDS

Making and using crystal grids has caught on in the last few years. A crystal grid is a geometric arrangement of crystals and gemstones created to support a specific intention. Whether you call it a grid, a placement, a layout, an array, or a mandala, this way of arranging crystals can be as simple as three stones placed on an altar, or as complex as hundreds of stones artistically and intricately laid out on a large surface. In magickal workings a crystal grid can be used as a focal point, like a three-dimensional sigil that anchors and radiates your intention.

A crystal grid can be a versatile application for the stones in your collection. A grid can be created as the sole focus of a ritual, or it can be built to support various endeavors. You can add a grid to candle spells by selecting a candle color to match the goal of the grid, lighting the candle after the stones have been arranged. Or you can create seasonal grids on your altar to represent the turning of the wheel of the year. Grids can consist solely of crystals and gemstones, or you can incorporate candles, statues, herbs, flowers, and other ritual tools and ingredients as you feel inspired.

Before building your crystal grid, select stones that support your intention. It’s important to choose how you’d like them arranged. For goddess-themed grids, consider using any of the symbols listed in chapter 4 as a template.

Thoroughly cleanse and empower your crystals and cleanse the space in which you plan to lay out the grid. You can make the process of grid-building as elaborate or elementary as you see fit. Once the stones have been set in place, I like to empower my grids, either by activating them with a wand or by placing my hands over the grid and visualizing the stones radiating their light and energy outward. Experiment with different methods to find out what works best for you.

image Triple Goddess Grid

This simple Triple Goddess grid3 consists of only six stones: three quartz crystals and three pieces of moonstone. Try working with this grid to attune to the three faces of the Great Goddess; you can meditate with it or add it to a lunar ritual to attune to the ever-changing tides of the Divine Feminine. This grid facilitates change, supporting us through our life changes and rites of passage.

Ideally, this grid makes use of three different forms of moonstone: peach to symbolize the Maiden, white or rainbow for the Mother, and black or gray for the Crone. The quartz crystals can all be of the same variety, either polished or natural, or you can use a different variety of quartz for each facet of the Triple Goddess: try using amethyst or polished rose quartz for the Maiden, clear quartz for the Mother, and smoky or tourmalinated quartz for the Crone.

Place the stones as pictured on the next page, beginning in the lower left-hand corner, the area that corresponds to the Maiden. Place the peach moonstone and the first quartz crystal in that corner while meditating on the Maiden and her symbols, such as the waxing moon. Next, place the white or rainbow moonstone at the upper point of the triangle, followed by the second quartz crystal. Reflect on the Mother and the full moon as you do so. Finally, place the black or gray moonstone and the last piece of quartz while reflecting on the waning moon and the Crone’s mysteries.

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A simple grid to represent the Triple Goddess in her aspects as Maiden, Mother, and Crone

When you have finished creating this grid, recite the following three times:

Three in One, and One in Three

Triple Goddess, arise in me

By Maiden, Mother, and Crone

My magick consecrated in stone

Three-faced Goddess, my will be done

One in Three, and Three in One

image Spiral Grid

The spiral is a beloved symbol of the Divine Feminine. Spirals abound in nature, such as in the whorly form of seashells, the unfolding fiddleheads of a fern’s new growth, and the interwoven spirals of the seeds of a sunflower. Spirals represent change, movement, and expansion. A spiral grid can be created to petition the Goddess for assistance in such matters, as well as for attuning to the rhythmic changes of the world around us.

Spiral grids can be adapted to a wide range of needs. Built from the inside-out, they symbolize growth and expansion, as well as moving energies away from you. From the outside in, a spiral grid draws your goals to you; it can also promote introspection and centering. Those that move clockwise tend to represent manifestation, while those that move counterclockwise are usually used for banishing or clearing. Decide which variation matches your intention and select the stones that correspond to this intention. You can use one type of stone or a variety of different stones in a spiral pattern, in a sequence of your choosing.

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An example of a spiral grid for drawing love, consisting of clear quartz crystals and tumbled rose quartz

Once your crystals are cleansed and programmed, begin constructing your spiral. If using quartz points or other terminated crystals, make sure that the direction in which they are placed corresponds to the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the grid itself. Focus on your intention as you place each stone; allow it to become a moving meditation. When you’ve finished building the grid, activate it with a large quartz crystal or a wand by tracing it from its start to its finish.

image Venus Grid

Use the Venus grid to manifest love, beauty, romance, or emotional balance, or simply to connect with the archetypal goddesses of love such as Aphrodite, Venus, Ishtar, and others. I prefer using copper-based minerals such as chrysocolla, turquoise, or malachite, but any stones with Venusian energy can be used. Consult the appendix for a list of stones corresponding to the planet Venus.

image

A Venus grid consisting of copper-bearing chrysocolla and malachite

To make this grid, cleanse your stones and reflect on your intention for your work. Begin to arrange the stones you’ve chosen into the shape of the astrological symbol for the planet Venus (♀). Hold your hands over the finished grid and visualize your intention filling the stones. Recite the following incantation:

Lady Venus, Morning Star bright

Bless this grid with your love and grace

May my heart be open, day and night

That I may know love’s embrace

image Cauldron Grid

The cauldron crystal grid centers on transformation. The two stones used to make it, obsidian and quartz, are in many ways polar opposites. Obsidian represents the cosmic void—dark, formless, shapeless, limitless. Quartz, on the other hand, is ordered and brilliant. The two together represent the emergence of light and order amid the primordial chaos of the Great Mother’s womb. Use it for any rituals or meditations themed around transformation, regeneration, inspiration, and healing.

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A grid outlining the shape of the Goddess’s cauldron

Before making your grid, focus on your intention in building it, such as for healing or inspiration; write your goal down as an affirmation if you like. Select a stone that represents this intention, such as chrysocolla for inspiration. To make this grid you’ll need the stone that represents your goal, three quartz crystals, and enough tumbled obsidian to make the outline of a cauldron, as shown above. Charge your personal stone by holding it while visualizing the outcome. Arrange the stones as shown on the previous page; if you wish, you can place your written affirmation or intention inside the cauldron with your personal stone on top of it.

image Brigid’s Cross

Brigid is perhaps the most beloved goddess in the Celtic pantheon. Her worship was so prevalent among the pagan Celts that it later crept into Christianity, where the goddess Brigid was syncretized with Saint Brigid, a sixth-century Christian nun later canonized by the Church. The most recognizable sign of this goddess is an equal-armed cross, aptly called Brigid’s cross (or Saint Brigid’s cross).

Equal-armed crosses are often symbolic of the sun in Western occult traditions, and this one is no exception. Brigid is a solar goddess, though she also rules healing, the element of fire, the art of blacksmithing, inspiration, poetry, and sacred wells. This crystal grid can be used to tap into any of her areas of expertise, or it can be placed on the altar or circle to celebrate the sabbat of Imbolc, the Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring that is sacred to Brigid (and which under Christianity became known as Candlemas, a church festival in commemoration of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple). Traditionally, a cross woven of rushes is hung in the kitchen or elsewhere in the home to prevent accidents, and a grid made in a similar shape could be used for protecting your home too.

To make this grid you’ll need four longish stones and at least twelve other stones, preferably in graduated sizes to approximate the shape of Brigid’s cross, as in the photo above. Be creative in your stone selection; I like to choose stones that represent her dual fiery and watery natures, and metallic stones such as hematite are representative of her relationship to metallurgy, as in the element of fire. Any number of stones can be used in any pattern or sequence that supports your intention for the grid—you are limited only by your creativity and the stones available to you.

image

A grid inspired by the shape of Brigid’s cross

Once your crystals and space are properly prepared, begin to arrange them in the basic shape illustrated above. Place each stone intentionally, reflecting on the intention you have chosen for it as a part of your grid. When the construction is complete, hold your hands above the grid and ask Brigid to bless and empower it.

CHARM BAGS

Charm bags, also known as conjure bags, spell pouches, and gris-gris, consist of magickal ingredients tied together in a piece of cloth or drawstring pouch. Magickal traditions all over the world use charm bags that contain herbs and other plants, animal remains, and mineral substances mixed with amulets, hand-drawn sigils, and other spiritual symbols as well as various other ingredients. Charm bags are simple and powerful tools that can be placed in your environment or carried with you to achieve your desired result. Permanent or semi-permanent charm bags, such as those made into protective amulets for the home, may be re-empowered or even replaced periodically. Many practitioners dispose of or ritually destroy their bags once the results have been achieved. Use the following recipes as starting points for creating your own charm bags, tailored to your own personal needs.

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An assortment of charm bags

image Cleansing Charm Bag

Ingredients: salt, lavender, sage, selenite, black tourmaline

This charm bag can be used to clear the energy in your home, work space, or ritual space. You can even store one (or more) with your crystal collection to help the energy of your stones stay fresh and clear. Sage, salt, and lavender are traditional elements of cleansing. Selenite invites the frequency of a brilliant white light that loosens stagnant or disharmonious energy, while black tourmaline helps to flush away and ground such energies. Together, these two stones have a harmonizing influence over their surroundings.

To make the charm bag, start with a white or silver cloth or bag. Mix together equal parts salt, lavender, and sage. Add a piece of black tourmaline and some selenite to your mixture when filling your pouch. I like to use fragments of selenite that have been crushed in a mortar and pestle, though raw or tumbled selenite works equally well. Tie the bag together and visualize its purpose as you do so. This pouch is best made while the moon is full or waning, so that it will help to diminish negativity and invite peace and balance.

image Wealth Pouch

Ingredients: citrine, pearl (imitation will suffice), coins, sandalwood, clove, lotus oil

This pouch invites the blessings of Lakshmi, the Vedic goddess of abundance. Pearls, coins, and sandalwood are sacred to her, while citrine and clove are added to focus on prosperity. For a more powerful version, substitute padparadscha sapphire for citrine. Cleanse the stones and empower all the ingredients to bring you wealth. Make this pouch on a Friday (sacred to Lakshmi) or a Thursday (traditional day for money magick). Use a pouch or cloth in one of her favorite colors—gold, red, pink, or orange, or choose a color that represents prosperity to you. As you fill the charm bag, pray to her openly, from the heart, or recite one of her mantras, such as Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Mahalakshmi Namaha. Seal the pouch and anoint with lotus oil. Carry it with you or place in your home or place of business to ensure a continuous flow of abundance in your life.

image Happy Home Charm Bag

Ingredients: blue lace agate, lavender, passion flower, juniper

Blue lace agate is the epitome of peace. It helps to slough off stress and disharmony, thereby revealing our reserves of inner and outer strength. This suave gemstone is sacred to the Goddess of Hearth and Home and can be used to invite peace and harmony into your living space. Combine it with lavender for relaxation, passion flower for peace, and juniper for protection; use a blue pouch or cloth for the bag. This bag is best made during the waxing moon. Be sure to cleanse and program your stones and other ingredients. Use equal parts lavender and passion flower, and add three juniper berries to the bundle. Tie it together and recite the following incantation:

Goddess of the Hearth and Home

Hear my call, let your presence be known.

Protection, peace, and harmony

I ask you to bestow on me.

Peaceful vibes within and throughout

As your blessings fill my house.

Hold the pouch in your hands, charging it with your intention as you recite the charm. Once finished, hang the pouch in a special place in your home—perhaps the center of the house, in a room where you and your family spend the most time, or above the main entrance to your home.

image Exorcism Bundle

Ingredients: rue, hyssop, black salt, emerald

Sometimes a stronger cleansing is required. Emerald, rue, and hyssop each have long traditions of being used to cast out negative energies and entities from your life and environs. This particular mixture can be used to combat persistent negative patterns in your life as well as for driving out harmful forces, whether psychological or paranormal. The best time for making this charm bag is on a Saturday during the waning moon—the later in the lunar cycle the better. Light a black candle and empower the ingredients to bring you the desired results. Mix equal parts of the herbs and add a pinch of black salt and an emerald before tying the bag closed. Afterward, anoint the finished charm bag with a purifying or protective oil such as juniper or rosemary. The charm bag may be placed in and around the home and/or carried to reap its benefits.

CRYSTAL ELIXIRS

Crystal elixirs and essences (see also chapter 2, “Essences, Oils, and Potions”) have a variety of uses and can be made either in water or oil with equal effect. Elixirs made with water can be consumed or offered as libation to the Goddess; oil-based elixirs should not be taken internally. Both water- and oil-based essences can be used to anoint yourself or your tools, to dress candles or charm bags, to use as a component in spiritual baths, and much more. The following crystal elixirs are all goddess-themed; some require only gemstones to prepare, while others include ingredients like fresh flowers, dried herbs, flower essences, and essential oils. Use what you have available, substituting as necessary. May these recipes inspire you to make your own personal blends.

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Crystal elixirs in the making

image Aphrodite Elixir

Ingredients: rutilated quartz, rose quartz, copper (or goldstone)

The Aphrodite elixir aims at increasing love in our lives—from the inside out. Rose quartz works to tease out our resistance to love and awakens our inner beauty. Rutilated quartz penetrates those barriers and magnifies our beauty, charisma, and strength; think of it as being an antenna that boosts your receptivity to loving and being loved. Copper, which is sacred to Aphrodite/Venus, facilitates connection and romance. Note that elixirs using copper or copper-based minerals should be made via indirect methods as described in chapter 2 if they are intended for internal consumption. Goldstone, an artificial stone made from glass with copper spangles, can be used as a substitute for copper in direct infusions.

Cleanse your stones and empower them to draw love into your life. For a water-based infusion, add the stones to water on a Friday morning when the moon is waxing, let the preparation sit for three days, then remove the stones and add a preservative, such as vodka or brandy, as needed. For an oil-based elixir, place the stones in the carrier oil of your choice for a full lunar cycle, from full moon to full moon, and be sure to prepare and store them out of direct sunlight. Use the Aphrodite elixir to anoint candles, charm bags, jewelry, or other objects used in love spells. Try placing a couple of drops on the heart, wrists, or other pulse points. When this elixir is made with water, several drops can be added to food or drink.

image Persephone Oil

Ingredients: Garnet, snowflake obsidian, pomegranate oil, narcissus oil

Garnet is sacred to Persephone because of its similarity to pomegranate arils and because being formed by igneous processes, garnet is truly the fruit of the underworld. Garnet helps to light an inner fire during times of darkness, helping us navigate change with grace. It also grants the powers of regeneration so that we can retreat from everyday life and practice self-care. Snowflake obsidian’s dual color scheme symbolizes the dual nature of Persephone as both Maiden and Crone, and it can help bring insight. Narcissus and pomegranate are both sacred to this goddess.

Place the cleansed and programmed stones in a carrier oil on the dark of the moon (the new moon). Store in a dark place, away from all light for about two weeks, then place under the light of the full moon. Remove the stones and add several drops each of the oils of narcissus and pomegranate. Use this oil to attune to the changing seasons, for inspiration and introspection, and for personal strength during times of transition.

image Isis Elixir

Ingredients: lapis lazuli, carnelian, Isis crystal, rose flower essence or essential oil, lotus flower essence or essential oil

The Isis elixir consists of the stones sacred to this popular goddess. Lapis lazuli represents her celestial nature as the Queen of Heaven, while carnelian signifies her womb blood that confers her strength. The Isis crystal signifies the magick and mystery of this goddess, and being clear quartz, it amplifies and harmonizes the other two gems. Rose and lotus are flowers traditionally ascribed to Isis, and they make for a potent blend that invites divine love and opens your consciousness to better know the Great Mother. For a water-based infusion, use flower essences made from these plants; an oil-based elixir can be made with either the essential oils or dried herbs.

For a water-based essence, add the stones to water and place on a windowsill for three days and nights leading up to the full moon. Add four drops each of rose and lotus flower essences and preserve with alcohol. For a gemstone-infused oil, place the stones in the carrier oil of your choice for a full lunar cycle, from full moon to full moon, but be sure to keep the preparation out of direct sunlight. The rose and lotus ingredients can be added as dried herbs for the duration of the oil-based infusion, then strained along with the stones; alternatively, essential oils of these flowers can be added once the stones have been removed. Add the oils to create the strength of aroma that you desire. The Isis elixir can be used for anointing yourself and others during ritual, for blessing your ritual tools, or worn throughout the day to petition the blessings of this Mother Goddess for healing, protection, and spiritual awakening.

image Babalon Blend

Ingredients: rose quartz, ruby (preferably star ruby), cuprite, rose water

The stones in this elixir evoke passion, love, and sensuality. Rose quartz helps to remove our barriers to love, while star ruby draws strength from the emotions and symbolizes Babalon’s connection to the Stellar Goddess archetype, as she is worshipped as the secret face of the Queen of Heaven. Cuprite embodies sexuality and creativity, and its copper content also represents the Sacred Harlot archetype. Roses are sacred to Babalon, so rose water (or a few drops of rose essential oil) adds a lovely perfume to this elixir.

Due to cuprite’s copper content, use an indirect method as described in chapter 2 for creating this elixir. Place the stones in a grid around the container of water or place in a smaller, dry glass within the larger vessel of water. Leave them in place for one week, then remove. Add a splash of rose water and a preservative as needed. Use this elixir for rites of love, romance, lust, and healing sexual trauma. This essence is best used to anoint the body or added to the bath. Try adding a splash to your laundry, especially when washing your bedsheets or blankets. A few drops can also be added to the contents of the chalice used during the symbolic Great Rite.

image Diana’s Essence

Ingredients: moonstone, amethyst, silver, jasmine (optional)

This essence combines three materials that have long been associated with the traditional witches’ goddess, Diana. Moonstone represents her lunar connection and gently awakens your second sight. Amethyst recalls the myth of the nymph named after this stone, who was rescued from the clutches of Bacchus/Dionysus by Diana, who transformed the nymph into quartz; this stone was then transformed into amethyst when the drunken god poured his wine onto it as part of admitting his defeat. Amethyst is a stone of magick, and it can better enable you to connect to the spiritual planes. Silver is the metal of the moon and has long been associated with Diana. Jasmine, which blooms at night, is a lunar flower that is commonly used in incense, oils, and perfumes dedicated to Diana.

Three days before the full moon, combine the moonstone, amethyst, and silver in water. Fresh or dried jasmine blossoms may be added. Leave the blend in a location that receives plenty of moonlight for three nights. During the day, shelter the infusion from the sunlight to prevent the oil from being harmed and the stone from fading. Strain the stones and flowers, add a preservative, and bottle. In lieu of jasmine flowers, thirteen drops of jasmine flower essence may be added, one for each of the lunar months in a year. For an oil-based infusion, choose a lighter carrier oil such as apricot kernel or sweet almond; either jasmine blossoms or a jasmine essential oil may be used in an oil-based infusion.

Use this blend in lunar rites, such as before drawing down the moon. It can be used to consecrate ritual tools such as a crystal sphere, silver jewelry, or crescent-shaped knife. This oil is also used for increasing your psychic senses and for psychic protection.

image Sun Goddess Oil

Ingredients: amber, tiger’s eye, golden calcite, cinnamon stick, ginseng, angelica

Each of the stones in this oil-based infusion embody the bright and cheery nature of sunlight. Together, they help you stay focused and grounded while removing harmful energies from your energy field and tapping into ancient wisdom. The herbs have been chosen for the solar correspondences too.

Make the oil on a Sunday close to the new moon. Cleanse and program the stones and mix together roughly equal parts of angelica, cinnamon stick, and ginseng. Add the stones and a heaping teaspoon of the herbal mixture to about one-half cup of carrier oil, preferably sunflower oil. Leave in a bright location (though not in full sun) for one to three days; strain the herbs and stones and store in a bottle. Use this oil that expresses the Solar Goddess archetype for protection, fulfilling wishes, healing, breaking curses, beauty, and love.

image Earth Mother Essence

Ingredients: moss agate, amber, serpentine, a piece of natural stone from where you live

The stones in the Earth Mother essence are deeply connected to the natural world. Moss agate resembles the moss that carpets old logs, and it attracts the assistance of benevolent nature spirits. Amber is the resin of ancient trees—sunlight made solid. It contains ancient wisdom and memories of the Earth Mother from the distant past. Serpentine too is a stone of Earth wisdom, and it awakens the chthonic aspects of the Earth Mother. Incorporating a native stone from where you live in this essence will help attune this mixture to the land on which you live. It can be any stone at all that you feel attracted to, such as a river-tumbled pebble or a jagged rock dug up from your garden; just be sure to wash it thoroughly before using it.

Cleanse and program the stones to invoke the blessings of the Earth Mother. Place them in pure water in a sunny place and leave for at least one week. Remove the stones from the water and bottle. A preservative may be omitted if this elixir is used only as an offering to the Earth. Use this elixir as a libation to the Earth Mother and the fairy folk or other spirits of the land. I like to use it as an offering when I harvest herbs or when I gather wood for wands, or when gathering other items from nature. The Earth Mother essence can also be incorporated into rituals for healing the land itself.

image Yemayá Essence

Ingredients: aquamarine, seven cowrie shells, sea salt

Aquamarine is one of my favorite stones, and I find that the oceanic deity Yemayá, of the Yoruba tradition—one of my favorite aspects of the Divine Feminine—also adores this gemstone. Coupled with her sacred seashell, the cowrie, this essence is perfect for connecting to her loving guidance, protection, and wisdom. Seven is her sacred number, so seven cowries are used to represent her in this essence.

Make the essence on a Saturday during the waxing moon, one week or more before the full moon. Add the cowries and aquamarine to the water and place them out of direct sunlight (as aquamarine is prone to fading). Allow the stone and shells to infuse for seven days before removing the seashells and gemstone. Add a pinch of sea salt; a small amount of preservative may be necessary if you plan on storing this for more than a few days.

Use the elixir for cleansing, protection, fertility, inspiration, and healing. Yemayá is especially protective of women and children, and her essence can be used to bless mother and child alike. The Yemayá elixir can also be used as an offering to the Ocean Mother, perhaps by pouring some into the ocean or onto the shoreline, and it can be placed in a chalice or cauldron to represent the element of water during ritual or meditation.