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Happy Summer Solstice!

This work from the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology,  Celestial scenery, or, The Wonders of the planetary system displayed (1845) was written by Thomas Dick, a Scottish minister and science educator. 

Northern hemispherians, enjoy the longest day of the year!

What spells are the strongest with the moons

New Moon - new beginnings, love, romance, health and work. Waxing Moon - inspiration, love, freedom, friendship, prosperity & happiness. Waning Moon - breaking curses, negative powers & addictions. Full Moon - strong magic, healing, wishes & predictions.

credit: video by Jon Rawlinson (x) | gifs by magic-spelldust / PG

Crystal Of The Day - 06/20/16 - Quartz

I thought I’d start my little series with the most commonly collected crystal!

Chemical Formula: SiO2 Mohs Scale Hardness: 7  Mineral Group: Silicate 

Quartz is the second-most common mineral in the Earth’s crust. Chances are, no matter where you are in the world, you can pick up some type of quartz off the ground. Today we’re just going to talk about clear quartz, specifically. 

Some notable locations where crystal quartz is found are Minas Gerais, Brazil, Arkansas, USA, and the Herkimer county of New York, USA. The most common quartz points you find on the market are the ones from Brazil. They are mined by the ton every year in huge mining operations, and are very inexpensive. Both Arkansas and New York are famous for having great quality quartz crystals, and both offer different sites where people can come dig for crystals themselves. Herkimer county is specifically known for having a double terminated variety of quartz, that goes by the trade name of Herkimer diamond. Some people try to pass off just any double terminated quartz crystals as Herkimer diamonds, but it is important to note that a crystal is not a “true” Herkimer unless it comes from Herkimer county in New York. 

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, quartz also has industrial uses. Did you ever notice how some watches have the word quartz written on the face? That is because a quartz crystal is used in the watch to regulate the electronic oscillator. Quartz has rather unique electrical properties that make it a great tool for electronics. Quartz is also rather heat resistant, and very hard and durable. Quartz countertops are quite popular for this reason as well!

Metaphysical: Quartz is a super versatile crystal for crystal healing. It’s often used to amplify the effect of other crystals. Quartz is very grounding, and can also be a great tool to use in meditation. 

Quartz is often referred to as a “master healer” as it can be used for almost anything! 

Buying Quartz: If you are in the market to buy some quartz crystals, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind!

One of the biggest things on the market right now is “aura quartz”. Aura crystals are crystals that have been super heated and sprayed with precious metal fumes to achieve differently colored shinny and iridescent effects. These pieces are always more costly than just the plain quartz. There are lots of different ways these aura pieces can be faked, as well. It is very common for cheaper knockoffs to be made where the quartz is just painted, and the color eventually peels off or fades.

Quartz also has a couple very common knockoffs! Probably the most common is just simple glass. If you see very inexpensive, perfectly clear crystal balls or pyramids, chances are you are looking at glass. A scratch test can be done to differentiate between glass and quartz. Quartz is harder than glass, so if your quartz can scratch a glass bottle, it passes the test. If it fails or struggles to scratch the glass, chances are it is glass and not quartz. 

“Smelt quartz” is another term some sellers use. Smelt quartz is very literally just glass. It will often be polished and shaped into the point of a crystal, and often times it is to try to pass it off as real quartz. 

Quartz can also be irradiated in order to turn yellow. This is called lemon quartz, and may be falsely sold as citrine. (Citrine is the natural variety of yellow quartz)

Crackle quartz is low quality quartz that has been heated to create cracks, and then dyed. It is very easy to distinguish this, because it is usually very brightly colored with color concentrating in the cracks. 

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I hope this is helpful to you! I have gathered my knowledge over my whole life. I grew up around crystals, and have been in the mineral business for just over 3 years now. 

I make by hand jewelry with only all natural gemstones. If you are interested, please feel free to checkout my shop. If you have any additional questions, I would be happy to answer! 

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Doing FREE tarot and pendulum readings!!! 🔮😈 If you are interested please MESSAGE, not ask please (for your privacy). I will be doing them today or tomorrow. blessed be 🌕☠

What’s Wrong with my Circle?, or, Circle Casting Clinic 101

You’ve probably heard of how to cast a circle, and of many methods to do so, a dozen times in the course of studying magic or Witchcraft. But have you ever felt your circle waver, your boundary un-drawn, or your sacred space distinctly not sacred? Here are some common problems with drawing and casting a circle of (most) any type, and some possible solutions.

Cleansing and Prepping: Is the space around you ready for a circle to be cast? Many casters find it helpful to sweep the area with a besom, or broom, beforehand. If you’re not the broom type, you can cleanse an area by walking the circle’s area clockwise sprinkling saltwater. (Don’t use salt outside - or your grass will be sorely upset).

Cleansing and Prepping Yourself: If you’re stressed out, you’re in no shape to cast anything! A ritual bath is the best way to ready yourself for magic, but in a pinch, asperging yourself with incense smoke (best blends for purification include sage, pine, rosemary, and cypress) will do just fine. If smoke is out of the question, a good grounding and centering, imaging the negative energies drawing out through your feet and drawing in the earth’s solid energies, will do the trick. You could also try a ritual tea to get your mind and body in the right mood (try something with rose or calendula), and to flush out previous energies.

Consecrating Yourself within the Circle: Feel like you drew the circle just fine, but you’re not exactly connected within it? Consider consecrating yourself within the circle, if you haven’t done so already. An easy and common means to do this is to dip your finger into the oil you are using for the circle, or, sans oil, the sacred water or regular water, and drawing a sigil representative of your circle on your forehead after your circle is drawn, in order to vow your connection to the circle (if it helps, say “I am now consecrated within this Circle.” as you do so). An all-purpose sigil would be a simple circle, but a cosmic lemniscate, or solar and lunar sigils, may be appropriate, depending on the circle.

Ritual Consciousness: Your circle seems to be drawn right, you feel pretty okay, but why aren’t things “lifting” to that magickal place? If you’re finding it hard to bring your circle to the otherworldly realm, take a second to breathe deeply. This is a broad question with lots of potential solutions: Strewing herbs associated with the moon phase and hour around the circle, matching your incense to the time or deity called, ensuring your lights are turned off, and making sure music doesn’t reach over a threshold where it can steal your attention. There are so many fixes - the main thing is to try and see what works by practicality! A surefire way for me has been to ensure the appropriate scent, whether it be through oils or incenses.

“Is My Circle Working?” and Circle Doubt: This one is an easy fix. Using an athame or other tool (if you drew a circle using natural power, use two fingers set together in an athame point) and cut a doorway in your circle. Step outside your circle, and back in, seeing if you can sense a difference in energy (and what that difference is). If it helps, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths in and out of the circle, feeling the ways of each. If your circle lacks staying power, close your circle and try again, seeing where you went wrong. But remember - the power is in you. There’s no “Wrong” way to cast a circle, but you can trip yourself up sometimes!

Hope that covers some of it - I know there’s endless ways. If I’m missing any major or common problems, let me know and I’d be glad to cover it!

Blessed Be,

Ash

Fishtail Selenite 🔮🕉 #crystals #selenite #crystalporn #metaphysical #healing