The Moon, Crystals and a Stone

Last night the Moon was glorious! I hope you were able to get outside to enjoy Her. Although it was a bit chilly to do anything outside, I did step out to breathe in her essence and take some wonderful pictures. Just in time too because shortly thereafter the clouds started rolling in.

For those who may not know, the moon was at its closest to Earth in almost 20 years, appearing 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than more frequent full moons. The last full Moon of this magnitude occurred in March, 1993.

Yesterday I attended a class on Crystals and Stones at a beautiful crystal shop called 'Free Spirit Crystals' in Milwaukee. The instructor, Diane Bloom, was engaging and knowledgable. I enjoyed the class immensely and came home with a new sense of appreciation for crystals and stones and their uses in our lives.

As I had a few minutes before the class started, I decided to look around the shop at the myriad of crystals and stones available for sale. I was drawn to a Cherry Quartz. I had never seen anything like it. I picked it up, thought about it, and placed it back in its spot on the shelf. I walked a few feet away wanting to see what else was available, but promptly turned around being beckoned back by the crystal. I picked it up and asked Diane to hold it for me until the end of the day (I knew I wasn't done shopping!). I knew I had to have it!

Cherry Quartz is a crystal of relationship and focus. It enhances one’s intention and clarity between people, one's self and the Divine. Cherry Quartz is a healer of emotional wounds and it dissipates anger and tension. It brings new hope, acts as an anti-depressant, gives relief from anxiety, sexual problems related to tension, and helps develop vision for the bigger picture.

Cherry quartz is an energy crystal and a powerful healing crystal. The healing properties of Cherry Quartz are used to aid respiratory difficulties,regeneration of cells, flow of energy throughout the body, and it is an excellent balancing stone for a sad or weak heart.

In the afternoon of the class we picked out two Quartz wands to use in our practicum. I picked out two wands that were about the same size and upon using them for the afternoon decided that they were meant for me and so I purchased them. They have a wonderful energy to them and I'm looking forward to using them in my Reiki practice.

Quartz crystals have six primary properties; they are able to structure, store, amplify, focus, transmit and transform energy - including matter, thought, emotion and information. Quartz naturally harmonizes and energizes our gross and subtle bodies. The chakras can be activated, cleansed, balanced and energized. As well, psychic abilities can be initiated and strengthened. Here is a great site to learn more about Quartz.

Black Obsidian is the stone of 'truth'. As a stone of protection it was probably used to make arrowheads and knives. A stone of honesty, sincerity and truth, Obsidian will bring out the warrior spirit in you. It can help you reach your subconscious, reclaim yourself, and help you find or rediscover forgotten abilities within yourself. As a protection stone, it can help to prevent negative energy from affecting you and it also helps to keep your thoughts from turning negative. It is also a good grounding stone.

Black Obsidian's mirror-like surface reveals its special ability to act as a mirror and help you to see your own flaws honestly. It won't abandon you there however, also providing insight in how to correct those flaws. Black Obsidian is an effective stone to use for change aiding your desire to alter behaviour, change harmful communication patterns or overcome obessions.

Obsidian's forceful dose of reality can be tempered for timid or shy people by combining it with Aventurine, Rose Quartz or Chrysocolla.

The timing of this class couldn't have been better . . . I was able to charge all of my stones by the light of the Moon last night, ready now for whatever purpose I put them to.

In closing I'd like to share a quick and easy way to clear your crystals that I learned in my class yesterday. This should be done before and after use. Hold your crystal or stone in your hand and say:

"I invoke the light of the Universal Energy within. I am a clear and perfect channel. Light is my guide."