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Summer Solstice, also known as Litha, is traditionally celebrated on the longest day of the year. Summer Solstice is associated with Midsummer and is celebrated as a time to revere and honor the Sun and the gifts it bestows to us here on Earth.

Cancer season is here! This astrological season, it's important to focus on your home and family life. It’s easy to take your family members or close relations for granted, but making others feel appreciated can go a long way to strengthening your relationships with them, especially during this time. As we dive into Cancer season (June 22 - July 23), the focus shifts to doing some of your favorite family activities or catch up on your list of things that need to be done around the house. Discover more about this special time, and some of the best crystals for Cancer season to use in your healing practice... When considering which tasks to focus on this season, consider doing more than just your regular house chores by giving your home some extra TLC. Repair broken things, replace anything that has been worn out, or even take time to add a coat of paint to freshen things up! Putting some positive energy into your home moves you into alignment with Cancer Season and the positive energy you create will stick around for many seasons to come. Working with the following Cancer-aligned stones aligns you with the current celestial energies and is an excellent way to enhance the positive aspects of this astrological phase while balancing its challenges. Cancer Season Correspondences: Dates: June 22 - July 23 Symbol: The Crab Ruling Planet: Moon Modality: Cardinal (Outgoing – related to imagination, resourcefulness, and talent) Element: Water (Click Here to learn more about working with Elemental Crystals) The Body: Stomach/Belly, Navel, Chest/Breasts, Ribs, Torso Keywords: Emotions, Family, Imagination, Peace, Tenacity Cancer Season Gifts: Creativity, Domestic Life, Empathy, Enterprising, the Home, Intuition, Inventiveness, Love, Loyalty, Protection Cancer Season Challenges: Defensiveness, Distrust, Excessive Emotions, Insecurity, Moodiness, Negativity, Over-Sensitivity, Reactivity, Shyness     Best Crystals for Cancer Season: During Cancer season, select crystals that amplify domesticity,  nurturing, and vulnerability. It’s important to note that Zodiac crystals are a little different than birthstones (more on that here). You can work with the following crystals to enhance or balance the energies of Cancer season. Whether enhancing positivity or addressing challenges by balancing out the more difficult energetic aspects of Cancer, these stones are the best companions for the celestial journey ahead.   Amazonite Amethyst Angelite Aquamarine Green Aventurine Buddstone Golden Calcite White Calcite Carnelian Chrome Diopside Garnierite Hiddenite (Green Spodumene) Red Jasper Larimar Moldavite Rainbow Moonstone White Moonstone Morganite White Pearl Rose Quartz Rhodonite Ruby Selenite Serpentine Sunstone Blue Tourmaline Unakite Top 3 Crystals for Cancer Season: Angelite: This stone supports you as you call upon your angels and guides to ask for protection of your home and family this season. Angelite can help you tap into your intuition and emotions simultaneously, allowing you to gather information from your feelings to inform your intuitive insight. This also allows you to pick up on how others are feeling so you can better support them, creating more balance and harmony in the home. Larimar: This stone is the blue variety of Pectolite and is very aligned with the watery energy of the Moon (Cancer's Ruling Planet) and with Cancer Season as a whole. Work with Larimar to let go of anything that is no longer supportive in your home, both emotionally and physically. Your inner energy is a reflection of your outer environment, so Larimar can be a great companion for you as you declutter, reorganize, and improve your space. Rainbow Moonstone: A favorite of many crystal workers, Rainbow Moonstone can be worked with during Cancer Season to enhance your intuitive insight and hone you...

You may (or may not) know this about me, but in addition to teaching classes with the Love & Light School, I also own a crystal shop here in Madison, Wisconsin. Each year, I travel to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show for my shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, with a small team — myself, my shop manager, and our shipping manager — to pick out some amazing crystal treasures from across the globe. Big shows like this can be intimidating, so I've put together this helpful Tucson Gem Show Guide to use when attending! Last year, I wrote a short article with some Tucson Gem Show Tips and some helpful information about spotting crystal fakes, but with more and more people starting their own crystal shops (either in-person or online), I have been getting more questions than ever about how it all works! This year, I've broken down our entire experience into a handy Tucson Gem Show guide, to give you a look behind the curtain at the show, or help you plan your own trip!   2025 Tucson Gem Show Highlights: Before we dig into the specifics of how to shop a show like Tucson, I thought I’d share some notable highlights from the 2025 show: Favorite Crystal Find: Botryoidal Malachite with Druzy Quartz coating from DRC Best-Quality Gems: Stunning Rhodolite Garnet mini palm stones from India Most Unexpected Find: Bronze Sapphire from India Most Expensive Thing: Pyrite Cannonball with Ammonite Fossil inside from Yorkshire, UK! Best Value: Gemmy Lepidolite palm stones from Brazil (got these for a great price!) Most Beautiful Find: Chrysocolla with Cobaltoan Calcite crystals growing on it from DRC Most Outrageous Fake: Fake Ruby being sold as natural Best Jewelry Item: Incredibly gorgeous Hypersthene pendant Popular Trends: Ethically-sourced crystals on the rise plus BIG variety of spheres this year! Declining Trends: Mass-produced carvings of all types (multiple vendors reported a huge decline in sales)...especially those of poor quality Best New Vendor: Obsidian Opal Geode Agate by Carlos Eduardo Rios (GORGEOUS Obsidian plus the most beautiful Huichol artwork with hand-written poetry!) And with that little wrap-up, let’s dig into our Tucson Gem Show strategy from start to finish! Travel Planning for the Tucson Gem Show: We usually start planning and preparations for the Tucson Show in November or December (the show begins in late January, so this gives us a month or two to make our plans). This is when we book our airfare, rental car, and house for our trip. There’s quite a bit to consider about each of these things when planning your travel… Booking Airfare: After many years of going to the show, we have learned to give ourselves as much space as possible with our flights to make the most of our time in Tucson. On the way out, we catch an early flight (the day before one of the biggest shows opens up), so we have time to settle in (more about that later). On the way home, however, we book a late afternoon flight so we have time to run any last-minute errands, squeeze in some extra shopping, and get to the airport with minimal stress and lots of time to spare. I'd also highly recommend giving yourself extra space for any layovers you may have so you don't miss your connecting flights. We missed our flight this year due to mechanical issues with our flight and got stuck overnight in Dallas (which was very expensive!). Booking a Rental Car: The Tucson Gem Show is one place where having a bigger vehicle comes in handy. We usually rent a small to mid-sized SUV so we have lots of space for hauling minerals and luggage. With 3 of us attending the show, we need the luggage space getting from the airport to our rented house, and there are always a couple of days when we shop so heavily that nearly every free inch of the car is filled with boxes of crystals. We typically rent a hybrid vehicle to save on gas, but a big car is a must for our little team. Renting a House:

The following crystal grid for emotional healing recipe is from my book Crystals for Energy Healing. When I was writing this book, it was SO important to me to include practical, everyday activities for working with crystals.   I thought about some of the most common questions I get from students in my Crystal Healing Certification Program. So often, my students ask about working with crystals for physical ailments. However, frequently physical issues actually have energetic and emotional roots. These also need to be addressed. Working on just the physical symptoms may make you feel better for a time, but that alone won't get to the core of the issue, clearing it out once and for all. In my Crystal Healing Certification Program classes, we take a body, mind, spirit approach to healing with crystal energy. In fact, I have an entire lesson dedicated to emotional healing. I think it's so important (and is so often overlooked). This crystal grid recipe can be used to create emotional balance and stability as well as repair emotional wounds.  These stones all resonate with the energy of the Higher Heart Chakra. This is a minor chakra associated with emotional healing, compassion, and forgiveness. If you're new to crystal grids, or if you've made a few but you still feel a little intimidated by the process, you may want to go back and check out my post, How to Create & Use a Crystal Grid Step-by-Step before continuing on with this article (although I promise I keep things super simple and easy to follow here as well). What is Sacred Geometry? Sacred geometry is the language of energy, form, and consciousness—shapes that mirror the architecture of the universe. If you want to take your crystal grid practice to the next level and truly harness the power of sacred geometry, understanding these cosmic patterns is essential. That’s why I’ve created my Sacred Geometry Affirmations Oracle Cards, so you can easily learn the language of sacred shapes and open yourself to receiving powerful spiritual guidance from the timeless patterns woven into the fabric of the cosmos. Your Printable Sacred Geometry Affirmations Oracle Deck includes: 20 printable oracle cards, each featuring a sacred geometry shape paired with a powerful affirmation.A matching card back design to complete your custom deck. A matching card back design to complete your custom deck. An introductory guidebook that walks you through the basics of sacred geometry and offers insight into each shape. Suggestions for using the shapes for manifestation, along with crystal pairings to amplify their energy. A simple, intuitive method for working with the cards and receiving guidance. Whether you’re new to sacred geometry or a seasoned spiritual seeker, this deck will inspire your daily practice and support your crystal healing journey. With every card you draw, you’ll gain meaningful insight, receive intuitive messages, and deepen your understanding of the patterns that exist all around and within you. Let the language of sacred geometry guide your soul’s journey – Get your own Sacred Geometry Affirmations Oracle Deck today! Are you familiar with how to use a crystal grid? Supplies Needed for this Crystal Grid for Emotional Healing: 1 Rose Quartz stone 6 Amazonite stones 6 Pink Opal stones 1 seed of life grid base (you can draw this yourself, print it out, or purchase a pre-made grid template) Begin by gathering your supplies and making sure that all of your crystals have been cleansed.  Create an intention statement for your grid such as, “My emotional body is healthy, balanced, and whole.”  Your intention may be general if you’d just like to focus on overall emotional health, but you may also get as specific as you like to your emotional situation when crafting your intention statement.   /* Set the Rose Quartz crystal, representing emotional balance,

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of River Agate: "I live in harmony with the element of water and allow it to guide my creative expression." Common Healing Properties of River Agate: Reduces negativity in your environment Helps you find the humor in any situation Enhances your intuitive abilities Encourages you to go with the flow Increases sexual energy Promotes creativity and the expression of your emotions through creative endeavors Assists you in recognizing your divine feminine power Increases protective magic Facilitates grounding Enhances emotional stability Harmonizes Yin & Yang Enhances physical strength Balances positive and negative energies and emotions Assists you when you're working with universal energies and spirit guides (especially the water element and water spirits) Helps you tap into your inner power - like a river carving through rock   Colors: Swirly bands of red, orange, brown, yellow, and gray Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Pisces, Cancer Elements: Water Companion Flowers: Blue Flag Iris Companion Essential Oil: Primrose Companion Stone: Golden Hematoid Quartz Common Origins: Brazil Notes: Agate gets its name from the Achates River in Sicily where it was originally found. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!       /*   More Information About River Agate: Agate comes in a huge variety of colors and patterns, many named for plants and animals. These names not only describe the stone's appearance, they add meaning to the stone's uses as well. Ancient Greeks called tawny-colored ones "lion skin agates"; these stones had great strength, and could counteract a wide range of poisons, especially scorpion stings. In Hebrew tradition, one could gain courage by plucking a hair from a lion's mane -- but if that seemed a little too ambitious to start out with, you could substitute a lion skin agate instead! On the other hand, ancient writers cautioned against keeping agates with the spotty pattern of hyena fur, claiming those would cause domestic trouble. The green of a tree agate would attract positive attention from the agricultural goddess Ceres; farmers not only wore this stone as an amulet, they'd also tie a piece to the horn of their ox while plowing. Across many cultures and times, we've come to see and make use of many connections between plant, animal and mineral kingdoms, as well as connections with eternal realms.     Pin it!   As spiritual seekers, it’s essential to embrace the energies that support emotional balance, spiritual growth, and intuitive connection. The Water Element offers a profound pathway for nurturing these aspects of our lives. To help you align with its transformative power, I’ve created the Crystals for the Water Element Course—a unique journey into sacred flow and wisdom.     In this immersive course, you’ll learn how to work with Water Element Crystals to deepen your spiritual practice, enhance emotional balance, and awaken your intuition. Whether you’re seeking personal transformation or tools to support your clients, this class provides the guidance and resources you need to connect with water’s healing energy.     Course Materials Include: An hour-long class video exploring Water Element Crystals and their uses. A printable bonus handout with water element correspondences. A soothing guided meditation for connecting with water’s energy.   Are you ready to bring the wisdom and nurturing flow of the Water Element into your life? Learn how to balance emotions, strengthen intuition, and embrace sacred transformation with the Crystals for the Water Element Course!     Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Red Banded Agate: "I go with the flow and am easily able to tap into the limitless energy of my creativity."   Common Healing Properties of Red Banded Agate: Promotes physical grounding Enhances your connection to the physical realm Helps you draw what you need from the limitless Universal energy that surrounds you Reduces negativity Encourages creativity Helps you appreciate your sense of humor Allows you to go with the flow, even during difficult times Enhances your divine feminine power Promotes protection Encourages stability Harmonizes your Yin & Yang energies Enhances physical strength Balances positive and negative emotions Assists you while you work with universal forces and energies in magic and ritual Colors: Swirly, translucent bands of red-orange, gray, and white Associated Chakras: 1st (Root), 2nd (Sacral) Zodiac Signs: Sagittarius, Aries Elements: Water, Fire Companion Flowers: Red Dahlia Companion Essential Oil: Hibiscus Companion Stone: Blue Hemimorphite Common Origins: Brazil, Madagascar Notes: Some Agate stones are named for their specific locality or appearance. This name applies to any banded Agate stone featuring a beautiful red color that is not known by a more specific locality name. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!   /*   More Information About Agate: Agate comes in a huge variety of colors and patterns, many named after plants and animals. These names not only describe the stone's appearance, they add meaning to the stone's uses as well. Ancient Greeks called tawny-colored ones "lion skin agates"; these stones had great strength, and could counteract a wide range of poisons, especially scorpion stings. In Hebrew tradition, one could gain courage by plucking a hair from a lion's mane -- but if that seemed a little too ambitious to start out with, you could substitute a lion skin agate instead! On the other hand, ancient writers cautioned against keeping agates with the spotty pattern of hyena fur, claiming those would cause domestic trouble. The green of a tree agate would attract positive attention from the agricultural goddess Ceres; farmers not only wore this stone as an amulet, they'd also tie a piece to the horn of their ox while plowing. Across many cultures and times, we've come to see and make use of many connections between plant, animal and mineral kingdoms, as well as connections with eternal realms.           Connecting with your inner creativity is a form of restorative self-care...   So when you combine the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression with the healing properties of crystals, you can experience relaxation, creativity, and magic like never before. That’s why I’ve created my Magical Crystal Coloring Book!     With more than 60 intricately designed crystal and magic-themed coloring pages, my Magical Crystal Coloring Book forms the harmonious connection between color therapy and crystal healing, allowing you to tap into the unique energies of each crystal and enter a state of flow and creative bliss.     Enter a realm of relaxation, creativity, and personal connection with my Magical Crystal Coloring Book today!   Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!  

Hi everyone, and welcome! I am super excited today to be interviewing the amazing Cristin Smith at Saffron and Sage about sacred self care and finding your soul's calling.             Ashley Leavy: So, Cristin, thank you so much for being here to talk about sacred self care and opening your soul's calling with us. Cristin Smith: You're welcome. Thanks for having me! Ashley: I'm really excited about this interview because I think your business is a little bit different to anything else that we've really featured on the podcast before. You have such an amazing combination of products and classes and events. It's really exciting for me to speak with someone who's also in the health and wellness industry. You do so much. Would you mind taking a couple of minutes to introduce yourself to everyone and tell them a little bit about Saffron and Sage? Cristin: Absolutely! So, I'm Cristin Smith. I am the founder and owner of Saffron and Sage. We are a holistic health club located in Little Italy here in the heart of San Diego, and we really focus on preventative and integrated wellness. We do this through creating multi-sensory healing experiences for our clients. That could look like acupuncture, massage, energy therapy, or mineral therapy. It could look like yoga, breathwork, meditation, or sounds. Or it could be one of our workshops to really educate on things such as the science of mindfulness or one of our cooking workshops where we talk about the art of eating and intuitive eating and digestion. We're really focused on connecting mind, body, and spirit. Here in Saffron and Sage, we connect those through identifying thoughts, trauma, and toxins that have picked up residence in the brain and the body. We use an integrative way to really help our clients regain or maintain their wellbeing and we do that through our member-based approach. So, you can come in and take a class, or get a massage. Most of our clients have signed up for our membership that is two hundred dollars a month and it gives you access to one service every single month and eight classes in our studio. We're really having a great time supporting the executives, and entrepreneurs, and leaders in the community who are focused on doing the deep work.  Ashley: You know, I have to tell you, you are truly living the dream that I know a lot of our listeners would love to create in their own lives- running a wellness studio. Could you tell us a little bit about your journey and how that really got started for you, and how it all developed into the amazing success that it is today? Cristin: Sure! Yeah. So, interestingly enough, I come from the financial and insurance services sector. So I've been in business forever. This is my fourth company, but actually, the only company that I didn't realize I was starting and that grew organically out of my journey. It's been about a twelve-year journey I would say. After being so successful in financial services, I started looking at the interior landscape of my life and really exploring emotionally healthy spirituality. What does that look like? When you achieve your material goals, you start to ask the deeper questions and I was lucky enough to start exploring those in my early twenties. That really lead to this transition, and I started delving deeper into spiritual formation and spiritual practices like practicing solitude, silence, fasting, and all sorts of things. Shortly thereafter, that lead to a six month sabbatical in Mexico. I end up relocating to Tijuana, not Tulum. Most people think, "Oh my, you must live in a beautiful space." But I was in this incubator, if you will, for six months. I really focused on shedding my workaholism, and delving deeper into my beliefs and my values. During that time, doctors found four tumors in my neck and my thyroid, and they couldn't figure out why. After a second opinion, third opinion, fourth opinion,

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Bumblebee Jasper: "I am filled with joy and I celebrate each moment with a fully open heart."   Common Healing Properties of Bumblebee Jasper: Energizes you Promotes complete happiness and joy Encourages the celebration of life's small moments Promotes honesty (especially with yourself) Helps you achieve your dreams Frees blocked energy from the body Stimulates mental activity Relieves symptoms of allergies Facilitates triumph over the seemingly impossible Colors: Swirls of yellow, bright orange, black, and gray Zodiac Signs: Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini Elements: Earth, Fire Companion Flowers: Marigold Companion Essential Oil: Calendula Companion Stone: Red Feldspar Common Origins: Indonesia Notes: This is a banded Calcite stone with traces of Realgar (so wash your hands thoroughly after handling). Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!   /*   More Information About the Healing Properties of Bumblebee Jasper: Jaspers are primarily quartz (silicon dioxide, or SO2) which has been broken down and reformed within the earth, often picking up traces of other minerals in the process. More complex jaspers may even include veins or small pieces of other minerals. Some jaspers are actually agates, rhyolites, or other stones. In general, jaspers are associated with grounding and connection to Mother Earth. The heavily patterned ones are often also associated with creativity and mental focus. Tune in now for a deeper look at Bumblebee Stone meaning!   Pin it!   Jasper stones are an incredibly diverse group of crystals, encompassing every color of the rainbow, a huge variety of healing properties, and a wide global distribution, so becoming familiar with the differences and similarities in these treasured crystals can be really helpful for any crystal lover. That’s why, in my Discovering Jaspers Course, I’ve shared information about the different energetic qualities of OVER 100 different types of Jaspers from around the globe. Intimately understanding the unique characteristics of these crystals deepens our understanding of the mineral kingdom as a whole!     In this 11-hour course series, you’ll learn key information about Jasper, like… An introduction to Jasper stones including what makes a Jasper (and how they differ from other stones) along with a tour of some examples of the stones from Ashley’s collection An in-depth look at over 100 different types of Jaspers including their origins, healing properties, historical uses and lore, alternative names, and common look-alikes or misidentifications     As crystal healers, it’s important for us to be able to identify and differentiate lots of different crystal types as well as to understand the similarities and subtle differences between the stones we work with for healing. You’ll learn more about all of this when you sign-up for my Discovering Jaspers Course!   Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Blue Kyanite: "I receive and acknowledge all life lessons and messages given to me from my spirit guides."   UPDATE: This article previously used the term “totem animals” to describe animal archetypes that may hold meaning for someone. Using this term is culturally appropriative (as this is a term rooted in Indigenous spiritual practice) in the context it was previously used, especially shared by the author here (who is white). This article has been updated to reflect this change.   Common Healing Properties of Blue Kyanite: Spiritual guidance To enhance your intuition To promote peace and compassion To stimulate creative energy To aid in communication with your guides, animal archetypes, and angels To enhance your personal exploration of your spiritual nature Colors: Brilliant blue with darker blue streaks Zodiac Signs: Sagittarius, Pisces, Cancer Elements: Water, Air Companion Flowers: Bluebells Companion Essential Oil: Wild Chamomile Companion Stone: Angel Aura Quartz Common Origins: Brazil, India Notes: Some of the best quality Blue Kyanite has a dark blue line running down the length of the crystal blade; when this line is held over the chakras parallel to the spine it can be used to bring the chakra centers back into balance and alignment. Kyanite also comes in green, orange, and black. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal! More Information About Blue Kyanite: Kyanite has a reputation for purity, and many healers agree that it will not hold negative energy and therefore never needs to be cleansed. Because of this energetic perfection, some believe kyanite to be the material of Archangel Michael’s Sword of Truth. The symbolism behind this idea is that only a material of great purity can cut to the truth of the matter.  Archangel Michael carries a sword that cuts cords and attachments and removes negativity. A flaming sword also has to endure some pretty extreme conditions, and kyanite — the ore for the material used in spark plugs — is able to withstand plenty of heat. However, while Archangel Michael is usually depicted ready to go into battle with helmet, shield and sword, the real battle he fights is a spiritual one: choosing truth over deception. (Just as well, since kyanite would be awfully brittle in an actual sword fight!) No doubt this is why this extremely pure stone is thought to make the angel’s perfect “weapon.” And as a throat chakra stone, blue kyanite works for anyone who wants to discern and speak the truth. Care and Safety: Kyanite fractures easily and is water sensitive. It also contains aluminum, so please don’t use it in crystal elixirs.   Pin it!   Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twel...

I'm so excited to introduce my new book, called "Cosmic Crystals: Rituals and Meditations for Connecting with Lunar Energy." This is my fifth or sixth book... I've kind of lost count by now! It's my second book being published with a large publisher. My other books before that were self-published.   So my first book was "Crystals for Energy Healing" and this book, "Cosmic Crystals", is quite different. My first book was really more of a guide book or reference book to a hundred different crystals and their healing properties. It also included some more introductory information and how to use crystals for grids, elixirs, meditations, and crystal layouts. My latest book, on the other hand, was born out of my personal work with crystals and the moon. So for me, I started working pretty intensely with the energy of the moon a few years ago. I've always felt so connected and so drawn to the moon and working with lunar energy, but this was intensified when I went through a pretty serious illness and I had to have a hysterectomy. This was two weeks before my 29th birthday.  I was pretty young to have that procedure done, but I had some severe uterine fibroids. They were causing me tons and tons of pain and quite a lot of other health complications. After trying quite a few other things to get them under control, surgery was my next best option. So I spoke with other women who had had this procedure. I really did a lot of research online to understand how I might feel after the surgery - physically, but also emotionally. After doing this, I felt pretty prepared for it. In all honesty, my husband and I decided a long, long, long time ago that we probably wouldn't have children. I was okay with that. But after the procedure, I was really shocked at how much grief I felt for that choice now that it'd been taken away. For some reason, it felt okay and it felt really empowering when it was 100% my choice, but when I didn't have the option anymore, it just felt really strange. It felt like there was something that was being taken away from me.  It was a really strange combination of grief and anger and sadness, and it was really difficult to work through for me. It's so strange to be talking about all of this because, at the time, I didn't realize how much this would play into all of the work and the personal journey that I would be going through years later. I'm going to be 34 in just a few weeks, so it's almost five years later at this point. This personal journey really led me to try and understand my body more. Now that I didn't have a traditional moon time, I didn't bleed anymore. But I still have my ovaries, so I still had all the other things that kind of accompany a moon time. However I found that I lost track of my own cycle and my body's natural rhythm because I didn't bleed. So often, you know, I'll be wondering why I had a headache and felt kind of fuzzy or confused or was tired or why I felt really emotional. And then I started to realize, "Oh, I'm having my moon time." and I just didn't know or didn't notice because I didn't have the bleeding.  So I started working with the cycle of the moon as a way to track my own personal moon time and to help me get in touch with my body again. It was so strange, to be a person who had this experience each and every month and then to no longer have that. It made me feel really lost in terms of my body's own natural rhythms and cycles. I felt so disconnected from myself physically. On top of that, there was just a whole other layer of emotional grieving that was happening that I didn't really expect because I felt disconnected from my sacred feminine. I felt disconnected from my womanness. And that was something that was really unexpected for me. That was something I hadn't really heard from anyone else I had spoken with before I had the procedure. No one else told me that they had experienced that. So not only was I feeling that way,

I'm really excited today for this interview with Pam Grossman, who is the author of the book Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power. She's also the host of The Witch Wave Podcast - which if you are not familiar with, go over right now and check it out. You will not be disappointed.   Her writing has appeared in places like the New York Times, time.com, and HuffPost. Pretty much everywhere you can imagine. So I am so excited for this interview with Pam Grossman. Pam, thank you so much for being here with us today. Pam Grossman: Thank you so much for having me. It's so nice to be here.   Ashley: As many of you listening know, I actually own a new age shop called Mimosa Books and Gifts in Madison, Wisconsin. We're always looking for great new books to carry in our store. Not long ago, when I came across Waking the Witch and read the description, I immediately fell in love. I really wanted to have this book on the shelves for our customers. Lo and behold, when I was checking my calendar for podcast guests, guess who was here... none other but Pam. It was divine timing. I'm thrilled to carry your book in the shop. The staff were drooling over it when we got it! Could you tell us a little bit about what this book is all about? Why did you write it? What is the story behind it? Disclosure: The link here is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! Pam: Absolutely! Well, first of all, thank you so much for carrying it in your shop. I am such a proponent of small businesses and indie shops. So, of course, order the book wherever you can get it, but if you can go to a shop like that one, please do. Waking the Witch has the subtitle 'Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power.' I chose those words with a lot of intention because, to me, the archetype of the witch is one that is inherently related to our feelings about feminine power. I should clarify - people of all genders can be witches, and this book is for people of all genders. However it really does trace the history of how witches and women became interlinked. For most of human history, witches were associated with evil and malevolence. Starting around the 14th and 15th centuries, they were associated with the devil himself. And yet, today we have a much more positive association of witches with women and with people of all genders. I really wanted to celebrate the positive aspects of witches, which I think need to be celebrated more. It's really exciting to see that witches are more popular than ever now and are being celebrated. I also wanted to really trace the history of them and explore the ways in which we, by which I mean society, depicts witches. Often, this is a reflection of how that given society or those given people feel about female power. Spoiler alert - now that feminism is growing (and we still have a long way to go), people have a more positive association with complex, dynamic, powerful women. And guess what? Our witches are more positive now. That's kind of the thesis statement of the book. But it really is fun and it touches on the history and pop culture and some of my own story as to how I started identifying as a witch. My book is a real amalgamation of a lot of things, but all surrounding that idea of power, femininity, and magic. Ashley: I love this because it doesn't just focus on one thing. I think so many of the books in this area are so focused on just ritual, or just magic, or just that this or that. The thing is that this is so deeply ingrained into all parts of our culture. You can't separate magic or ritual or art or creativity out from any of the other things. They all blend together and the lines kind of blur. I love that you've just looked at this concept, an archetype of this energy and you're taking it to a place where it can be really profoundly thought about and talked about in a way that I think is pretty illuminating.

As I discuss in my book Crystals for Energy Healing, when it comes to your overall wellbeing, your emotional health is an integral part of keeping yourself balanced and aligned. Using a crystal layout is a great way to help you achieve emotional balance.   The following crystal layout heals emotional wounds and shields you from outside energy that's not for your highest good. This layout includes: 7 Selenite crystals 2 Rhodochrosite crystals 4 Blue Lace Agate crystals 1 Cross Stone When performing any layout, be sure that you're working with cleansed stones in a place you won't be disturbed. Your sacred space or healing room is great for this. Start by placing the 7 Selenite stones around the entire physical body in the shape of a 7-pointed star with the top-most point directly above the head. The human aura has 7 layers. Each of these points represents and connects with one of these auric layers. Since Selenite is a powerful energy cleanser, it helps to dissolve any energetic imprints that have been stored in your aura. These imprints are created when we experience emotional trauma. By cleansing these imprints you start to heal the emotional body. Additionally, the 7-pointed star shape is known for being highly protective. It works to shield your energy body even after you leave the layout. Next, you'll place the Rhodochrosite stones next to each ear just behind the earlobe where the head meets the neck. This is the location of the past-life chakras. Emotional debris and information from your previous incarnations can be stored in these minor chakra energy centers. Rhodochrosite enhances acceptance and promotes forgiveness. Therefore, these stones work to release any residual resentment, fear, or negativity from these centers that have carried over from past lives into your current lifetime. After the emotional body has been repaired you should rebalance the energy in the aura. To do this, surround the body with the 4 Blue Lace Agate stones. Place one above the head, one directly beneath the first below the feet, and one on either side of the body about halfway between the top and bottom stones. The energy of Blue Lace Agate works to calm and soothe the energy body and begins the process of bringing it back into balance. To enhance and amplify the overall effectiveness of the layout, place the Cross Stone over the heart with the "arms" of the cross aligned with the Blue Lace Agate stones. Cross Stone creates a protective shield around the emotional body. This sets energetic boundaries and keeps outside energy from entering the aura. Now that all the stones have been placed you should remain in the layout for 15-20 minutes or until you intuitively feel your emotional energy has been balanced. Finally, remove the crystals in the opposite order they were placed. Cleanse your crystals thoroughly, and ground yourself before returning to your daily activities.   When you’re just starting out with crystal healing, the wealth of information out there can make it tricky to know where to start. That’s why, my Beginner’s Course Bundle contains all the crystal fundamentals you need to know.     Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Beginners Course Bundle is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to dive into the world of crystal healing - from understanding the energetic properties of crystals to practical applications and techniques, you’ll gain a well-rounded education that will empower you to confidently work with crystals.  What’s Included in the Beginners Course Bundle: Introduction to Crystal Healing Course: Embark on a Transformative Crystal Journey (value $299)     Your Crystal Clear Year Course: Craft a Daily Crystal Practice (value $149)     Crystal Rituals for Personal Empowerment Course: Unlock Your Inner Potential (value $99)   Total Bundle Value: $547

Listen to My Story Here... I get asked by people all the time, "How did Love and Light School get started?" "How is it that you do what you do?" Because I think it's still pretty surprising to a lot of people that you can have a job as a crystal healer. So today I wanted to share the story of how I went from just being a crystal lover to an international crystal teacher and best selling crystal author. If you had asked me 15 years ago if I thought being an international crystal teacher was possible for me, I don't think I could have even imagined it. I think a lot of people find themselves in this same situation. There is something that they feel called to do, but they just don't see the way ahead. When you can't see the path it doesn't feel like something is possible. It doesn't feel like it could be real because you can't see how to get there. So today I'll be talking about my journey towards becoming a crystal healer. I get asked so often how I did it, so I thought it would be really helpful to dedicate an entire podcast episode to my story. My hope for you is that if you listen to the story and feel like you're on a similar path in your life right now, or you'd like to be, that you realize that it is possible and that you can make it happen. It's not just some fluky thing that happened for me -  it can happen for you too with the right steps. So I guess we'll go back to the beginning...  If you've listened to interviews with me before at all, you know that I really got started with crystals because of my grandparents. My grandfather was really into crystals and minerals and anything in the natural world. He was a scientist. He loved learning about animals and plants and minerals and he shared that love and passion with me from a young age. I have him to thank for my interest and curiosity about crystals. However, he wasn't so much looking at them from an esoteric perspective. He wasn't looking at healing qualities or the metaphysics of minerals at all. Despite this, he did instil that deep love and appreciation within me. I think my own curiosity for all things metaphysical influenced the way that I approached my relationship with crystals. Like a lot of people, I started out on my journey with a lot of self study. This was even going back to my teenage years. I would read so many books about the metaphysical properties of crystals. My very first book that I ever got was Melody's 'Love Is In The Earth'. I actually found it at a library sale for 25 cents or 50 cents and I couldn't believe it. I was so excited and I bought it for myself. Straight away I read it cover to cover which, if you've read Melody's book, you'd know is no small feat. It's pretty intense. She has so much wisdom and knowledge to share. That was a big eye-opener for me about just how deep you could go in the world of crystals. There are minerals in that book that to this day I've probably still never seen in person. There are minerals that I had never even heard of the first time I went through and read that book. But it was so exciting at that time because it was a whole new world for me, and that instilled this deeper curiosity. I just wanted to know more and more. I'm one of those people whose thirst for knowledge is never really quenched. I am always wanting to learn something new. So although that was my first deep foray into this kind of self study in the realm of crystals, I started to buy books by lots of other people - authors that I have a great deal of respect and admiration for, such as Judy Hall, Naisha Asiyan, and Katrina Rafael. I started to learn a lot about the different perspectives and viewpoints that exist in the crystal healing world and just how many possibilities there were out there for how to work with stones. At the same time, I also felt a little confused and overwhelmed. As much as there were things that many people agreed upon, there were also things that they disagreed on.

Once you've made the decision to pursue crystal healing certification, you may feel like you've opened the doors to a whole new set of questions & considerations regarding your options. Probably one of the most common questions I receive from prospective students is: Is it really possible to learn crystal healing online? A few times per year, the behind-the-scenes activities of the school build up to a frenzied pace as we prepare to welcome in a new round of students for our Crystal Healing Certification Program. I absolutely love the excitement of this time and I start looking forward to connecting with new students…hearing their excitement about the program, answering their thoughtful questions, and learning from the stories and crystal experiences they share with our community. And although many of our students enroll right when we open the doors to the program, we also receive lots of questions this time of year from folks who are excited and curious to learn crystal healing, but wonder if an online program is really the right fit for them. Maybe you’ve even wondered about this yourself.  With the popularity of crystal healing for personal well-being and healing arts businesses, plus the rise of online certification programs, many people wonder if virtual crystal training provides them with the same value and learning potential as an in-person classroom setting. So…if you find yourself asking, “Can I really learn crystal healing online?” here are some things I’ve learned offering online classes and programs over the past 17 years…   Online training offers benefits like: Flexibility - You can take classes according to your schedule. You can choose when you work on your classes based on the best time of day or your weekly time commitment (and you can make changes if the need arises without getting behind). Accessibility - Online classes are more accessible because they can be done from home so there’s no need to travel. Additionally, class materials are available in a wide variety of formats to suit different learning styles and may make them a better option for disabled students. Convenience - Both the flexibility and accessibility of online classes create a level of convenience that’s unmatched compared to in-person classes and training. Online courses save you time and allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home. Even with these benefits, you may still be wondering if an online crystal healing certification is right for you. You may have doubts or fears about whether or not you’d have a positive experience in an online environment. We’ve been offering online classes for nearly 20 years, so we know these fears can get in the way of going for something you really want! If you feel excited and passionate about crystals and you want to learn more, but you’re feeling uncertain because of something (or lots of somethings), let’s dive into the reasons why opting to learn crystal healing online might work better for you than you think. “How will I stay organized and disciplined in my studies if I’m learning crystal healing online?”   Many students question whether or not they’ll stick with their online classes (or if they’ll even start at all!). Maybe you’ve signed up for something in the past and you haven’t seen it through, or you feel like you have a track record of not finishing what you started. I’ve been there too. Which means…I know exactly where you’re most likely to become stuck, and I have some tools to keep you motivated and moving forward with your studies! Create Success Through Balance: Perhaps one of the biggest concerns new students face when it comes to online learning is personal accountability. It’s natural to wonder, “If I’m not showing up physically to a classroom, on a set schedule, will I be able to hold myself accountable for keeping up with classes and assignments?” If you really need a little nudge to get back into the...

When it comes to opening up to your intuitive abilities, it’s natural to work with crystals as part of the process. But rather than simply wearing intuition stones as jewelry or carrying them with you for an intuitive boost, you can take things a step further by creating a powerful crystal grid!   This crystal grid for intuition opens your Third Eye center and encourages communication with your guides and angels.   What is Sacred Geometry? Sacred geometry is the language of energy, form, and consciousness—shapes that mirror the architecture of the universe. If you want to take your crystal grid practice to the next level and truly harness the power of sacred geometry, understanding these cosmic patterns is essential. That’s why I’ve created my Sacred Geometry Affirmations Oracle Cards, so you can easily learn the language of sacred shapes and open yourself to receiving powerful spiritual guidance from the timeless patterns woven into the fabric of the cosmos. Your Printable Sacred Geometry Affirmations Oracle Deck includes: 20 printable oracle cards, each featuring a sacred geometry shape paired with a powerful affirmation.A matching card back design to complete your custom deck. A matching card back design to complete your custom deck. An introductory guidebook that walks you through the basics of sacred geometry and offers insight into each shape. Suggestions for using the shapes for manifestation, along with crystal pairings to amplify their energy. A simple, intuitive method for working with the cards and receiving guidance. Whether you’re new to sacred geometry or a seasoned spiritual seeker, this deck will inspire your daily practice and support your crystal healing journey. With every card you draw, you’ll gain meaningful insight, receive intuitive messages, and deepen your understanding of the patterns that exist all around and within you. Let the language of sacred geometry guide your soul’s journey – Get your own Sacred Geometry Affirmations Oracle Deck today! When creating a crystal grid, you should always start by setting an intention. In this case, it should be something geared toward enhancing your intuitive gifts. If you have trouble creating an intention for yourself, you may use something like, “I feel my intuitive gifts awakening and I’m open to receiving intuitive guidance in all forms.” This grid is created in the shape of an eye, to represent the Third Eye center. Start by placing an Azurite crystal (corresponding to intuition and psychic skills) in the center of the grid. The Azurite creates the pupil of the eye. As you place each stone in the grid, state your intention statement aloud or silently to yourself. If you don’t have Azurite to work with, you could substitute Labradorite, Blue Kyanite, or Charoite. Next, you’ll create the outer shape of the eye around the center Azurite stone. This is done using 8 Sodalite stones (corresponding to spirit guide connection). You’ll use 1 stone at each corner of the eye, 3 to create the top lid, and 3 to create the bottom lid. Again, state your intention statement aloud or silently to yourself as you place each stone in the grid. If you don’t have enough Sodalite to work with, you can use a mixture of stones. For example, Lapis Lazuli, Dumortierite, or Blue Apatite would work well.     Finally, you’ll add 2 Clear Quartz crystal points to amplify the energy of the grid. Place 1 crystal point on each side of the Azurite stone pointing outward to the corners of the eye. This helps the Azurite energy expand outward, strengthening the connection between you and your spirit guides. Again, state your intention statement aloud or silently to yourself as you place each stone in the grid. If you don’t have enough Clear Quartz to work with, you can substitute Rutilated Quartz, Aura Quartz (of any variety), or Selenite. To activate your grid, use a Clear Quartz or Selenite wand to draw 3 clo...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Aqua Calcite: "I'm calm, centered, and emotionally balanced. I release all emotions and negative cycles that no longer serve me."     Common Healing Properties of Aqua Calcite: Heals the heart and encourages self-forgiveness & compassion Purges negative or stagnant emotions & releases cycles of self-neglect Promotes healthy habits & positive self-care rituals Aids in communicating with higher beings Facilitates a connection with ancient cultures (especially Atlantis and Lemuria) Enhances soul mate connections Connects you with your spirit guides & guardian angels, and spirit guides Heals past life trauma Encourages peace & calming of the mind, like a pool of still water Promotes spiritual growth & ascension Facilitates karmic upliftment     /* Colors: Aqua to green-blue; may be transparent or opaque and banded Associated Chakras: 4th (Heart), 5th (Throat) Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Pisces, Cancer Elements: Earth, Water Companion Flowers: Wormwood Companion Essential Oil: Wintergreen Companion Stone: Gypsum Desert Rose Common Origins: Mexico, Argentina Notes: Also known as Lemurian Aquatine Calcite Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!   /*   One Way to Use Aqua Calcite: To calm yourself and stabilize your emotions when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, gently drop a piece of Aqua Calcite into a bowl of water. Focus on the gentle ripples on the water's surface and watch them grow slower and slower until the water once again becomes still. Remove the stone from the water and hold it over your heart, visualizing your emotions slowing and slowing until they too are still and calm. Pin it!     Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses at a discounted price, making it even more accessible for you to embark on your crystal healing journey. Secure your spot now and start your crystal journey today!     Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

Hey, crystal lovers and welcome! I'm thrilled to be connecting with one of my favorite multi-passionate creatives. This is Joi from Joi-Knows-How.   We've been playing tag on Instagram for a little while, trying to bring you guys this interview and I'm so excited that we actually finally get to sit down and do this today. Joi, thank you so much for being here. D’Ana Joi: My pleasure. I'm super excited. Thank you. You're kind of known as the queen of helping people embrace their multi-passionate creativity. Can you tell us about the work you do and how you inspire others to follow the path that you've created for yourself? Joi: Sure, I love that. I gladly embrace that title. The Queen of Multi Passionate Creativity. I'm a person who has always had a lot of different creative outlets. From music to writing, photography and everything in between, and for a long time, it just held me back from ever pursuing anything with any level of seriousness because I felt like until I could choose one thing, I wasn't going to be successful because that was the overarching advice I had been hearing or I would tell people what I was interested in. I could tell they would just brush it off like, "Oh, it sounds like another new idea." It started this negative cycle for me where I really struggled to take myself seriously. I felt like anything I was going to start, I wasn't going to finish so what was the point of even going after anything meaningful? Then one day I woke up and I literally just decided, you know what? I've tried picking one thing and that's not working, what if I just do the opposite? That's when I started my blog. I started my blog as a space to put all of my passions in one place. Rather than choose just one passion, if that makes sense. Ashley: Absolutely. I have a few blog posts about crystals because that's one of my passions. Joi: It started off as space for me to put everything I loved in one place and not feel like I had to choose for the first time. That really created a ripple effect of blogging consistently and seeing that people were enjoying what I was writing. Then moving to Instagram and telling more of my stories there and seeing that people were starting to resonate with the part of my story that was about being multi-passionate and never really knowing how to navigate that. Once I saw how many people were resonating with that message, literally having breakthroughs, just from me saying the word multi-passionate creative. People are finally realizing, "Wait, there's a word for that and I'm not totally crazy?" I realized that, "Okay, there's a need for this." That's really where all of my content is headed these days. I'm super focused on creating a community around being multi-passionate and creating resources for multi-passionate creatives. Because we generally have a lot of the same struggles. Really doing as much as I can through my content and also through one on one coaching to guide multi passionates to living a life of what I like to call 'creative abundance'. There's a quote on your website that I absolutely love and I think it really sums all this up, you say, "I believe having multiple passions is a gift, not a burden." Ashley: That was so powerful for me the first time I read it because people know me for the crystal work that I do. But they might not know that I also love interior design. I love horticulture, gardening and plants, I love so many other things. I also love painting. There are so many things that I think we each want to explore in this life. Especially those of us who are really tapped into our creativity, that expression comes out in so many ways. You started this journey with your blog and just doing this for yourself. Now you've really transformed this into a business inspiring others and showing others how they can embrace all those different facets of their creativity and do it in a way that they can be successfu...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Green Apatite: "I am delighted by the world around me and take time to pause and appreciate nature."     Common Healing Properties of Green Apatite: Disintegrates negative energy Promotes physical healing Opens the heart chakra after a traumatic situation or experience Energizes the physical body Nourishes the spirit Increases energy and vitality Aids in the assimilation of vitamins and nutrients (especially calcium and iron) Balances the body, mind, and spirit Encourages healthy weight loss Eases thyroid problems Promotes peace & tranquility Enhances your powers of foresight Stimulates precognitive dreams Colors: Yellow-Green, transparent crystal. Associated Chakras: 3rd (Solar Plexus), 4th (Heart) Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Capricorn, Leo Elements: Earth, Fire Companion Flowers: Cushion Spurge Companion Essential Oil: Lime Companion Stone: Spessartine Garnet Common Origins: Mexico Notes: Also known as Asparagus Stone, Green Pyroguanite, Green Kietyogite, Green Fluocollophanite, Green Estramadurite, Green Agustite, or as Asparagolite Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!   /*   More on the healing properties of Green Apatite: Apatite is often difficult to identify and is frequently confused with Beryl and other crystals. It comes in many colors which makes it especially deceiving. Apatite is actually a group of minerals containing sever mineral species including the common Fluorapatite (which is the type of this green variety). If you've been feeling disconnected from the natural world, this crystal makes the perfect companion to help you reestablish your relationship with Mother Nature. Hold this crystal in your hands and go for a walk in the grass (with bare feet is best!), or sit beneath your favorite tree for a quick meditation session. Pin it!   Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses at a discounted price, making it even more accessible for you to embark on your crystal healing journey. Secure your spot now and start your crystal journey today!   Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer?

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Angelite: "I greet the day with a heart full of gratitude."     Common Healing Properties of Angelite: Promotes feelings of peace & goodwill toward all beings Enhances connection & communication with the Angelic Realm Stimulates telepathic abilities Facilitates grounding during meditation Helps you to voice your inner truth Increases your comprehension of astrology Promotes Thyroid balance Assists with weight control Promotes cooling of the body and the emotions Facilitates astral travel and shamanic journeying Increases your awareness of your ego consciousness Protects you from negative energies Promotes peace and tranquility Instills feelings of compassion (both toward and from others) Helps starseeds and other light beings to accept their lives on the earth plane Promotes spiritual inspiration Enhances the ability to channel Helps you to control your body weight Removes the stored energetic heat from sunburned skin Colors: Pale baby blue Associated Chakras: 5th (Throat) Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Cancer, Aquarius Elements: Water, Air Companion Flowers: White Violets Companion Essential Oil: Jasmine Companion Stone: Purple Anhydrite Common Origins: Peru Notes: A blue variety of Anhydrite Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!   /*   More About Angelite: Angelite, a special, gray-blue variety of Anhydrite wasn't discovered until 1987. It was found in Peru and has since become a favorite of many new age crystal lovers due to its tranquil energy. This stone is strongly connected to Archangel Michael and helps to remove unwanted energies and obstacles from your life. It also promotes feelings of oneness and facilitates forming deep connections with important people in your life. Working with Angelite: While holding this crystal in your hands, ask for healing and guidance from your spirit guides or guardian angels. Feel your guides surrounding you and filling you with the energy of love and healing. Thank your guides and pay it forward by offering to send love and healing from the universe to someone else in need.   Pin it!   Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive thr...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Septarian Nodule: "I am grounded, safe, and balanced and I'm ready to create positive change in my life."   Common Healing Properties of Septarian Nodule: Promotes bravery and courage Balances and calms fiery attitudes (anger, frustration, etc.) Facilitates grounding Connects you with the energies of the fire element Helps you learn the value and importance self-control Stabilizes the emotional body Aid in transformation (physical, emotional, and spiritual) Helps you to become well-rounded Assists you in releasing the fear of water or drowning Enhances self-confidence Lets your inner light shine through to be seen by others Aids in disorders of the digestive system Increases joy and happiness Increases prosperity and abundance Stabilizes the emotional body Enhances “attitude of gratitude” Promotes communication with your inner-self Encourages a playful relationship with your inner child Balances the emotions Relieves intestinal upset Helps you see the love that you deserve in your life Helps you to solve your problems by enhancing your multi-tasking abilities and encourages you to consider many different options at once Colors: Gray or tan with golden yellow jagged areas separated by dark brown or black Associated Chakras: 1st (Root), 2nd (Sacral) Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Leo, Virgo, Capricorn, Scorpio Elements: Earth, Fire Companion Flowers: Wild Ginger Companion Essential Oil: Cinnamon Companion Stone: Golden Calcite Common Origins: Morocco Notes: This stone contains Golden Calcite and Brown Aragonite Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!     /*   The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, had this to share: Septarian shields are a formation where brown aragonite has formed into a concretion or nodule*, then cracked as it dries out over time. The cracks have then been filled in with a solution of calcium carbonate, which has hardened into a white-to-yellow mineral. When these nodules — a type of geode — are cracked open, we can see the two minerals have formed a fascinating pattern. No two pieces are the same. The name “septarian” comes from the Latin word for the number seven. This is due to the fact that seven is a common number of main divisions to find in the geode. This formation is also called a Thunder Egg. * Note: There’s a technical geological difference between concretions and nodules, but the septarian shields are commonly called both concretions and nodules. Septarian Nodule Lore: Septarian shields are great for peaceful contemplation, but they originated from processes that were not peaceful at all. Way back in the time of the dinosaurs, when water covered a large part of what is now America, volcanic eruptions killed large numbers of tiny sea animals. After their shells sank to the bottom of the sea, mud balls formed around them. Later, when the seas dried up, the mud balls were left high and dry, and they cracked. But as they say, nature abhors a vacuum; in time, mineral-rich water filled in the cracks with chalky guck. The pretty patterns we see in the geodes we call septarian shields come from the conglomeration of all these sources: whitish calcite from in the center, brown aragonite from the shells, and grey limestone from those primeval mud balls. When you crack one open, you’re seeing a piece of the earth’s history.   Pin it!     Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!     

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Unakite: "I enjoy self-care time regularly to keep myself feeling balanced and whole."     Common Healing Properties of Unakite: Creates emotional balance Stimulates compassion and empathy Encourages gratitude Promotes spiritual ascension Helps you establish a connection with nature (especially with the plant kingdom) Balances chakra energy Creates a connection to the divine feminine Instills determination Facilitates feelings of love and friendship Disintegrates negative energy and replaces it with positive energy Aids in removing energetic contributors to associated with neurological disorders Helps to calm the nervous system (especially when you're experiencing anxiety or a great deal of stress) Colors: Green mottled with peachy-orange Associated Chakras: Root Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Heart Chakra Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Elements: Earth Companion Flowers: Oxalis (Shamrock) Companion Essential Oil: Common Garden Sage Companion Stone: Peach Selenite Common Origins: North Carolina, USA, South Africa, Brazil, China Notes: Unakite is a rock formed from the joining together of the minerals Epidote (green) and Feldspar (peach). Sometimes also called Unakite Granite or as Unakite Jasper (even though it is not a true Jasper). Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal!     /*   More About Unakite: Unakite is primarily green epidote, combined with clear quartz and inclusions of pinkish feldspar. It’s sometimes called Unakite Granite, and is named after the Unakas mountains in North Carolina where it was first found. Since it contains both pink and green, the two colors associated with the heart chakra, it can be the perfect stone for heart healing, balance, and other work with the heart chakra. This balancing effect can be especially helpful for couples working together. It’s also an excellent support stone for pregnancy and childbirth.   Pin it!   Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses at a discounted price, making it even more accessible for you to embark on your crystal healing journey. Secure your spot now and start your crystal journey today!

There are many different ways to choose crystals. It can be as simple as choosing one randomly from a bowl of mixed crystals, or you could even use a pendulum or another dowsing tool. However, the most important part of choosing a crystal is that you feel drawn to it, or a connection to it. This is a guest post by Cindy Bourgoin of Carnelia Stones & Crystals. There is a sense of empowerment that comes from choosing your own crystal. When clients come into the shop, I am more than happy to narrow down the selection for them, as it can be a bit overwhelming to choose from so many different types. However, I always let the client make the final choice. In making that choice, the client is taking their power rather than giving it away to someone by letting them choose the crystal for them. By choosing your own crystal, you are giving your Spirit a voice and trusting your intuition. The more you do that, the easier it becomes for you to continue trusting yourself with life choices and situations that come up. Something else to keep in mind when choosing a crystal by researching books or websites, is that the descriptions are often the author’s perspective. The issue with this is that it gives you an expectation from the crystal rather than remaining open to what it could bring you. You may get a very different feeling when you connect to the same crystal. Just know that it will bring you just what you need, regardless of what that looks like. What about choosing a crystal for someone else? There is nothing wrong with choosing a crystal for someone else, as long as your intentions are pure. You may be purchasing it as a gift, or to show you appreciation for that person, and that is completely acceptable. Simply focus on the person you are choosing the crystals for, hold them in your intention while choosing and you will indeed choose the right one. The bottom line is to trust your intuition and feeling a connection when you are choosing a crystal, whether choosing for yourself, or someone else. Releasing Expectations When Choosing a Crystal: When looking for that perfect crystal, it’s important to release expectations and know that you will find just the right one for you. Of course, it’s important to feel a connection with the piece you get and not just settle. But sometimes we get too specific on what we want and miss out on opportunities to work with another piece that would offer just as much positive energy and healing. Often, people go shopping for a specific crystal based on what they’ve read in a book, or on what a friend has told them, and so, have built expectations that the crystal will help them in the same way it did their friend, or do exactly what was written in the book. “… continuing to use the stones as mere objects for our use is like using the Holy Grail for a beer mug.” A quote from the book “Steps on the Stone Path” by Robert Sardello, a great reminder that stones are not just objects to be used however we see fit. Crystals can offer us energy and we must remain open to what they can bring to us, rather than expect them to perform like monkeys. What one person may experience with a particular crystal may be very different for another. We are all at different stages of our lives and come from very different backgrounds. This can play a factor into how we respond to a crystal’s energy. Some people are sensitive and can feel vibrations, temperatures, and sensations simply by touching a crystal. Others need to spend more quiet time with their crystals through meditation, to really connect with them and feel their energy. Crystals are energy. Energy is information. Our brain is what processes information. When we introduce something new within our energy field, our brain is going to try and find something similar to associate the experience with. If we take Rose Quartz, for example, and give it to one person who has had an overall good life,

Also known as Bolivianite, Trystine, Amethyst-Citrine, or as Citrine-Amethyst. This stone is a combination of Amethyst and Citrine found in the same stone. A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Ametrine: "Allow yourself to be playful, open-minded, and curious as you explore the mineral kingdom on this amazing crystal journey!"   Common Healing Properties of Ametrine: Enhances lucidity Aids in decision-making Increases knowledge and wisdom Protects you against outside energies Enhances motivation & creativity Promotes positive dreams and aids in their interpretation Assists with emotional balance Aids in receiving and interpreting Divine guidance Helps you become open to your intuition and psychic abilities Enhances meditation & facilitates a connection with the spirit Helps you to manifest abundance, wealth, and prosperity Encourages sharing Promotes happiness and joy Encourages a positive attitude Enhances concentration Helps you to overcome your fears Increases communication Balances your emotions Instills inner-strength, power, self-esteem, and confidence     /*   Colors: violet with gold Associated Chakras: Solar Plexus Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, Crown Chakra Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Leo, Virgo Elements: Air, Fire Companion Flowers: Crocus Companion Essential Oil: Lavender Companion Stone: Prehnite Common Origins: Bolivia, Brazil Notes: Also known as Bolivianite, Trystine, Amethyst-Citrine, or as Citrine-Amethyst. This stone is a combination of Amethyst and Citrine found in the same stone. This combination is due to uneven heating during the crystal’s formation. Therefore, it also embodies the properties of both of these stones. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal! The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, had this to share: Ametrine is a naturally occurring combination of amethyst and citrine. Both minerals have the same chemical composition, but when exposed to high heat purple Amethyst transforms into golden citrine. In ametrine, that transformation was only partially finished, creating a beautiful golden-to-violet range of color, uniquely combined in each individual piece. The combination makes it an interesting crystal metaphysically, connecting the solar plexus with the higher chakras, connecting physical and mental planes. In fact, it’s a wonderful crystal for communication, especially when connecting with the spiritual realm. Most pieces on the market are heat-treated amethyst since naturally occurring ametrine is uncommon. In fact, it was unknown in Europe until Spaniards brought some back from South America to the Queen of Spain. Ametrine Lore: There’s a legend that goes along with this origin story, saying that the ametrine mine was a wedding gift to a soldier marrying the daughter of the chief of the Ayoreo tribe. But soon it was time for the soldier, Don Felipe, to go back to Spain. His bride Anahi was torn between her husband and her tribe, but in the end, decided to go back to Spain with Don Felipe. The tribe didn’t want to lose her, though, and some of them conspired to kill Don Felipe. Anahi warned her husband of the plot in time to save him, but was herself accidentally injured in the attack. As she lay dying, she gave Don Felipe a piece of ametrine, telling him the two colors represented her divided loyalty. He took some of the precious stone back to Spain, along with a broken heart. There’s still an Anahi Mine named after the young woman in Bolivia, where the stone comes from. One Way to Work with Ametrine: If there’s someone on the other side you want to communicate with, you can use ametrine to help make that connection. Find some small thing that belonged to them, or a photograph of them, or if that’s not possible simply write their na...

Hi crystal lovers, this week I'm so excited to be here with The Crystal Healer, Philip Permutt, author of the Crystal Healer series of Books.   Disclosure: The link for this book is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.  Yay!       Ashley Leavy: Hello and welcome crystal lovers. Today I am interviewing the amazing Philip Permutt, of course, the crystal healer, as many of you know him by. I am Ashley Leavy of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy. Philip, I am so excited to be here at the Tucson Gem Show with you. Philip Permutt: It’s absolutely lovely. I love it every year, yeah. Wonderful. Ashley: Yeah, it's a great experience, and you've brought some things to share with us that I'm really excited about. So, today we're going to be talking a little bit about a special stone that you found, and that, kind of, works a little differently than most crystals. Philip: Yes, this is-- Ashley: Thank you. Philip: This is known as Doctors Stone, but it’s technically, Black Botryoidal Banded Agate. Black Banded Botryoidal Agate. Botryoidal Black Banded Agate. Ashley: All of those things, right? Philip: And, it comes from a place, Medicine Bow in Wyoming, which is a sacred Native American site. And it’s literally given up by the Earth. So, it comes from swampland. And the swamps just dry out in the summer, just for a few months, and they go and they literally collect them, so they take them all. And they use them in their own ceremonies, sacred ceremonies, and for healing. And the most amazing thing, one of the reasons why it's called the Doctors Stone, is because it affects everyone differently. Ashley: Okay. Philip: So, everyone...I know that we will play around with it just before, and you were holding it, and it went to your feet. Ashley: My feet. Philip: That's right. And your throat. Ashley: And my throat. Philip: And for me, it doesn't. For me, it just goes around my stomach. And today, my shoulders, which is probably to do with whatever I was carrying yesterday. Ashley: Yes Philip: That’s one of the problems with Tucson isn’t it? Ashley: Yes, always. So, these stones are kind of born of the earth, in this swamp environment and they rise to the surface. Philip: Yeah. Ashley: And people go and collect just what's there. Philip: Just what's on the surface, there's no digging.  Nothing. Ashley: That's pretty amazing. I mean, if you want to talk about ethically mined crystals, these couldn't even be called mined, they could be called collected. Philip: Yes, found. Ashley: Found, yeah. And they have such a beautiful appearance. If you're familiar with Botryoidal Hematite, they almost remind me a little of that in appearance because of the color and formation, but they're so lightweight because of the Agate material itself. And they just have this way of when you hold, them feeling, I just feel this soothing, comforting warmth in those areas of my body that need that. And just holding it here, just for a few moments, I feel so calm and centered and positive. Philip: And I've done this with literally hundreds of people who held the stone, and everyone just feels it where they need it. And it doesn’t matter if it’s something that’s physical-- especially physical...it just picks out those physical things. If you've got an old injury or something, it just goes straight to it. Is those weeks spots... you know the phrase, “stress goes the weakest spot in the body?” Ashley: Yes. Philip: And it's those spots it just picks out without being stressed. Ashley: Yeah. Philip: So even if you're not thinking about it, it doesn't hurt, it doesn't ache, it’ll just find and work on those areas. And it just releases that stress. And it's wonderful, but also for emotional stress, anything at all. So yeah, it really is unique in that way. Would you say that this would be a good stone for ...

Each year as we approach Imbolc, I feel something stirring within me, I’m not sure if it’s just the excitement and anticipation of Spring after a long, cold winter here in Wisconsin, or if there’s something more behind it. It’s a sort of yearning to reconnect with the land after spending so much time indoors. Even as I write this we’re in the midst of a big winter snowstorm, and thinking about the year’s first blooms, the sound of the birds, and the squelch of the ground beneath my feet after the spring thaw, all feel so far away. Yet I can’t seem to pull my mind from thoughts of these things. The little signs that Spring is here always feel palpable. But between the awe of the winter wonderland I enjoy at Solstice and the first warm days when the world seems to come back alive, is one of my favorite holidays…Imbolc. Imbolc is the first of the cross-quarter days, and marks the very beginning of spring (the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox). A celebration of hearth and home, Imbolc is the perfect time to hold space for renewal, fertility, purification, rebirth, hope, growth, planning, and new beginnings. Imbolc is also when you release what no longer serves you, shedding darker days behind to make room for new growth. To share some inspiration with you this season, I’ve rounded up the following useful resources about how to celebrate Imbolc:   Imbolc & the Wheel of the Year Article: This article delves into the significance of Imbolc, a celebration in the Wheel of the Year marking the transition from winter to spring. The Wheel of the Year, representing the cycles of light and dark, is a tool for connecting with natural cycles and understanding personal growth. Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st, signifies the first hint of spring. Energies associated with Imbolc are renewal, fertility, purification, and new beginnings. The article provides insights into the traditions, symbols, and deities linked to Imbolc, emphasizing the connection to the Goddess Brigid, a symbol of light, fire, and fertility. It concludes with suggestions for how to celebrate Imbolc, including feasting, divination, planting seeds, and connecting with the energy of the sun. If you want to embrace the Imbolc season, the article serves as a comprehensive guide to the rituals, traditions, and deeper spiritual meaning associated with this important seasonal celebration.   Imbolc Altar Cloth and Crystal Set: This cotton altar cloth features an exclusive Imbolc design featuring my digital collage artwork! Use this cloth to decorate your Imbolc altar and celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year. You can also add three of my favorite Imbolc crystals: tumbled Amethyst, tumbled Infinite Serpentine, and rough Pyrite, to enhance your connection to this sacred season.   Crystals & A Card Spread for Imbolc Article: This article provides insight into practical, hands-on ways to celebrate Imbolc. I suggest specific crystals, such as Red Garnet, Carnelian, and Pyrite, to work with during this time. Each stone carries symbolic meanings related to the returning warmth and energy. Additionally, I share a sacred, Imbolc Card Spread for introspection and guidance during this period. The seasonal spread covers aspects of foundation, direction, growth, and illumination. Use this spread to uncover hidden influences, regain clarity, focus on personal growth, and receive Universal messages.   FREE Goddess Brigid Coloring Pages: Celebrate Imbolc with these 3 FREE printable coloring pages to honor Goddess Brigid! These coloring pages (hand-drawn by me!) include images of the Goddess Brigid, a Corn Dolly, and a Brigid’s cross. You can print these pages at home and color as an act of devotion or meditation. Corn dollies are often made in her image and are called “Little Bride’s.” Brigid’s Crosses are woven each Imbolc and hung in the home as a symbol of protection, fertility, abundance, and blessings.

Hi crystal lovers, this week I'm so excited to be here with the amazing Heather Askinosie of Energy Muse and co-author of Crystal Muse. So, thank you so much for being here with me.     Heather Askinosie: Thank you for having me. I love coming and talking about crystals. Ashley: Well, it's our pleasure to have you. And you know, a lot of people are getting more and more into crystals now. But it just seems like sometimes people feel a little overwhelmed by all the different things that they can do with them. And one thing that I love about your book, the Crystal Muse, is that you make working with crystals so accessible. Heather: Well, thank you. Ashley: Yes. I mean, you make it something that anyone can do. It's not intimidating, you give great instructions. It's like my go-to reference now, and a book I always recommend to our students. There are some things that you talk about in there that I think are so important for keeping your energy body aligned and keeping your energy field clear.  Could you tell us a few of your favorite things that you do with crystals to keep your field clear and aligned? Heather: Well, I think that the fastest way to clear your energy field is to use Selenite because it is, in my opinion, one of the most high vibe crystals that exists on the planet. When I feel a little out of sorts, I'll go lay down on my bed and I'll just lay there with the Selenite on my chest. I kind of let selenite do the work. Sometimes, I might add a thought of, “Please clear my energy and help realign me into my body, into my own inner power.” But it's almost as if light, a column of light, really infuses my body.  I really like the wands, but I also love working with larger pieces of Selenite too. Sometimes it's as simple as just having something to hold on to, you know? I think it's easy to forget that. Crystals are our tools, and Selenite is a really, really powerful tool. So I feel like if you're going to have something in your crystal tool chest, Selenite would be my top recommendation. Ashley: Yes, yes. Heather: So, do you think that too? Ashley: Oh, absolutely. This is one of my favorite tools to work with. I love the larger pieces too. And you know what? I don't always think the size matters so much. But there's something that just-- it's just that physical heft of it, that weight of it that just really gets into your body and gets connected. Heather: I agree. How much do you think intention plays a role in this work? You said that you like to place the Selenite on your body and just say to yourself that you're intending to be more aligned. How much do you think that plays a role in what's happening for someone? Because you said on the other hand, you just allow the crystal to do the work. Heather: Yes. I think it's a dance, and sometimes there's times where I'm at a place where I can really go there and be like, you know what, it's time to get centered and it's time to be aligned. And then there's other times where I'm not at that place, when it's been one of those days and I've had whatever with my family or with work or what-- just life. It's just a journey. Those days, I'm just like, I've got to just put it on and be like, “Help me.” So, some days I definitely think intention plays an amazing role in our lives, because where intention goes and where our thoughts go is where energy goes. But there are times where I just need a crystal friend to lay on me and just help me get back to that point. Ashley: So true. Heather: So, that's how I work with them. Ashley: You've mentioned that you have days that are a little bit rough where you just have to have a crystal do the work and help you out. I know that from personal experience and from working with people all over the world, that we tend to all have those days. Most people agree that it's because there are these energetic cords that are attached to us, and they drain us.

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Brown Aragonite: "I am a master multitasker and I clearly see the best way forward."   Common Healing Properties of Brown Aragonite: Helps you to solve your problems by enhancing your multi-tasking abilities and encourages you to consider many different options at once Assists you in releasing the fear of water or drowning Aids in personal growth and transformation (physical, emotional, and spiritual) Helps you to become a more well-rounded person /* Colors: Peachy brown to earthy, red-brown Associated Chakras: 1st (Root), 2nd (Sacral) Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Elements: Earth Companion Flowers: Pincushion Flower Companion Essential Oil: Cassia Companion Stone: Hematite Common Origins: Morocco, Spain, Peru Notes: Also known as Iron Bloom. Aragonite comes in a variety of formations and colors including, blue, white, and purple. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!   Mimosa's staff had this to share: Aragonite is a form of calcium carbonate, the same material as calcite but in a different structure. It is the same material that makes up seashells. We often see it in two main color patterns: a brown/golden/white variety, which sometimes appears striped; and an eye-catching robin’s egg blue. The little brown-sugar colored clusters called “sputniks” are especially popular, maybe because they give off such a friendly vibe — sort of like a little mineral pet. Rarer forms of aragonite appear as clusters of colorless spikes or needles or blue coral-like masses. This abundant mineral is found all over the world. It’s great for grounding, and even for grounding other crystals. Care and caution: Some forms of aragonite may contain lead or other dangerous elements, so do not use aragonite directly to make elixirs. Pin it!   Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses at a discounted price, making it even more accessible for you to embark on your crystal healing journey. Secure your spot now and start your crystal journey today!   Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer?

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Himalayan Salt: "Release that which is not serving your physical body. Cleanse your energy field by removing energetic debris that is dulling your light."     Common Healing Properties of Himalayan Salt: Removes psychic debris from your energy body Assists you in releasing that which no longer serves you Promotes energetic cleansing and purification Enhances feelings of peace and calming Increases feelings of happiness Encourages rest and relaxation Colors: pale peach to deep orange Associated Chakras: All Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio Elements: Earth, Fire Companion Flowers: Falling Stars Companion Essential Oil: Bay Laurel Companion Stone: Blue Hemimorphite Common Origins: Himalayan Mountain region of Pakistan Notes: A form of Halite (Rock Salt). Himalayan salt comes in various shades of pink, from peachy to dark salmon, colors that indicate the presence of the many minerals mixed in with the basic halite. The health benefits of Himalayan Salt are hotly debated, but no definitive scientific evidence has been found to support the claims that items like Salt Lamps or Spa Salt Caves have any proven effect on wellness. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal! The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, had this to share: Himalayan Salt (also called Tibetan salt)  is a fossilized sea salt that formed from marine deposits over 250 million years ago. In its most prized form, this salt is hand-mined and unrefined, and still contains some remnants of ancient sea life. This pink salt is mostly sold on the gourmet and health food markets, valued for the trace minerals that give it that rosy color. Most of the pink salt we see comes from the Himalayan foothills in Pakistan. Himalayan salt has a tradition of metaphysical use as well, though it’s all either very general or recent. All salts are used in purification, and many people like to use the Himalayan kind as a bath salt or massage stone. Salts are protective, too, with different types varying in their “specialty.” Himalayan pink salt is especially suitable for protecting the home and family. Beyond these basic properties, though, there’s little tradition of using this salt in its region of origin. In Tibet and India, it is black salt that has a long tradition in medicine, as everything from an ingredient in healing yak butter tea to a component of Ayurvedic medicine. Some Tibetan black salt looks dark red, but it is volcanic in origin, and so has a different range of trace minerals than the lighter salt. Of course, we can enjoy using pink salt for protection, massage, in lamps and candle holders, and in small amounts on food. But when most of the properties associated with something are very recent, it’s a good idea to take what you hear with a grain of — sorry — salt. Some excessive and far-fetched claims have been made about this product. Metaphysical Uses of Himalayan Salt: Use for general cleansing and purification, peace and calming, and goodwill. This mineral combines the energies of the sun, the earth, the stars, and the primordial sea.   What's the difference between charging, programming and cleansing? About Himalayan Salt Lamps: Himalayan Salt Lamps use an ancient form of salt and are said to protect against positive ions in our indoor spaces (from electronic devices). Positive ions have been associated with low energy levels and depression in humans. The idea behind using salt lamps to combat these ions is that the salt attracts moisture, which the warm bulb or candle inside transforms into negative ions that neutralize the positive (unhealthy) ones. But some basic research has us concluding that most credible sources agree that salt lamps don’t actually release a large enough number of negative ...

Hi everyone! This week I am so thrilled to be interviewing Nicolette Sowder from Wilder Child. If you don't know Nicolette, you really should get familiar with her and her community...   Nicolette leads an amazing community for those who are really passionate about raising a wilder child and getting back to nature with their children. So Nicolette, hi! And thank you so much for being here. Nicolette Sowder: Hi, thank you so much for having me on, I'm so excited. Ashley: So, Nicolette... Could you start by telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and your mission and how you got started with Wilder Child? Nicolette: Sure, so right now, I live with my husband and my two little girls and we're wild schooling on sixty acres in Michigan. We actually run a pastured farm, but we weren't always here. We were on a trip five and a half years ago... the time's gone so fast... but so much has been packed into such a small amount of time. So we moved from Northwest Indiana -- it was really like a satellite suburb outside Chicago -- so we did have a little bit of property, but once we moved here, I mean, we are now just surrounded by nature. I always grew up appreciating nature with my parents, so that really instilled some key values within me. This was all enhanced when I got here, just us being dominated by nature. It was all around us, and I was able to form such a close relationship with our animals. At that time I had my one year old, my daughter who now is almost six (which I can't believe!), but when we came here she was one. It just had such a profound impact on me being in this environment with her. I felt like I really had to start writing about it. I think that's how a lot of bloggers start, with trying to express this totally transformational experience that you're having with your children. This was all enhanced with us being really with mother nature as well. I like to think of her now as the third parent. So this whole experience was mind-blowing, I thought I had to write about it. Then it became so much bigger than me. It just felt like there were so many parents who just wanted to talk about it, talk about how to reintegrate and heal that bond with nature from a parenting perspective. I feel like at that time, there was a lot of nature-based educational information, although there wasn't that much in the parenting context. That's really where Wilder Child has moved and really, really speaks. That's my passion, it's working with parents, working with families. Ashley: You know, I think this is such an interesting story because you had this experience growing up yourself as a child who was very connected to nature. It's not just something that you're interested in on your own, but that your parents really encouraged. Then when you became a parent yourself, it sounds like it was almost not only about  creating this connection for your own child but also in some ways, it was maybe a reconnection for yourself and learning to understand the natural world in a different way, through a parent's eyes. Nicolette: Oh my gosh, that's exactly what it was like. The role of nature and how it fits into your parenting life is a very special and very different thing to just nature on its own when you're growing up. There's a completely different energy when you're growing up, and I think you tend to miss a few things. It's still immersive when you're a child and it's so instinctual, that connection with nature, it almost goes unacknowledged. I don't mean that in a bad way, it just is. Mother nature should've always been with you, then and now. It's just that now, mother nature has become much more of a support system for me, one that I am fully able to appreciate and acknowledge. Everyday, I'm more and more thankful, more and more aware of the role that Mother Nature is playing in my life. Ashley: Sure, that's so beautiful. I'm not a parent myself but I remember spending so many days a...

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Melanie Beckler. She's the founder of the popular site, ask-angels.com, as well as the author of Let your Light Shine, Angel Messages, Ascension Angel Messages, and Experience Angels. I'm sure you're probably familiar with at least one of those wonderful titles.   Melanie's an angel channel, a light being, and a volunteer soul here to serve in elevating the vibration of the collective consciousness on earth. She's an internationally acclaimed author, ascension guide and clear channel of the light who's passionate about sharing the empowering messages and the elevated frequencies of the archangels and spirit guides. Her work revolves around helping others to remember the truth of their magnificent light and infinite personal power they carry within their open heart. Melanie, I am so excited to have you today. Thank you so much for joining us. Melanie Beckler: Absolutely. Thank you. I'm excited to get to talk with you today. Ashley: So, I'm wondering if we can kick things off because I haven't quite had a guest that does exactly what you do on the podcast before. I'm really excited about this because I find that so many people are waking up to the intuitive skills that they have.  Can you can tell us a little bit about your work and what exactly an angel channel is and does? Melanie: Absolutely, great question. So, I think the easiest way to explain what I do is by starting off with the basic understanding that in every moment, we're all surrounded by an entire ocean of spiritual beings. And we have angels and guides and spirits that are always influencing us, guiding us, supporting us in our life. What I do, is I've learned to open some of my senses of psychic perception in order to be able to specifically tune into that angelic realm and to the messages, love and frequency of the angels. So I essentially go inside, open my heart, open my mind, my third eye and my crown and link with the highest angels of Christ light -- the highest angels of love who conserve in the moment. And then one word at a time, while simultaneously broadcasting an incredible love frequency, the Angels deliver their message through me. So, another way of looking at it is that I'm essentially a translator for the messages of the angels, which are always around us. I have opened up the ability to tune into the angels around us and convey them in specific words through an angel message. Ashley: Wow, this is super interesting to me. While you were just speaking, all these thoughts were going through my head because I find this so fascinating. So, when you were talking about how you just learned to kind of tune in to that specific frequency of the angelic realm, it made me think of someone turning a radio dial to find the exact station. Like, you're looking for that message -- you know it's there. Is that kind of what it's like for you? Melanie: Yes, absolutely. I think that's a great analogy and it's one that I've totally used myself. It really is a lot like that. Like I said, angels are around everyone. Everyone has at least their guardian angel who is guiding, supporting, and loving them in every moment. But as human beings, we're so accustomed to just focusing on the physical world, on the physical plane. We've incarnated into the earth through this veil of illusion, so that we, by default, are tuning out the higher realms of spirit. However, as you said, we live in this incredible awakening time. More and more people are starting to wake up to the fact that there's so much more going on than we've been led to believe about physical reality. This awakening process happens differently for everyone and unfolds in a number of different ways. But very commonly, what happens in awakening is we are attuning our frequency to the higher realms, so we're tuning into those messages. Specifically, there' s different ways of perception, different energy centers of perception. When we open those,

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Gaia Stone: "You are grounded, centered, and nurtured by the spirit of the earth." Common Healing Properties of Gaia Stone: Enhances your connection with nature and with Mother Earth herself Encourages love and compassion for all beings Enhances all earth healing practices Facilitates communication with beings of the animal and plant realms Opens your heart and mind to the importance of environmental activism Encourages you to “think globally and act locally” Promotes harmony and balance for the good of all beings in the universe Enhances grounding and centering practices Nurtures you with the support of loving, earth energy Colors: bright green Associated Chakras: 1st (Root), 4th (Heart) Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Libra Elements: Earth, Fire Companion Flowers: Goat's Beard Companion Essential Oil: Fennel Companion Stone: Lava Rock Common Origins: Washington, USA Notes: Created by heating the chromium-rich ash from the Mount St. Helens eruption. Also known as Helenite. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get more information about this crystal! The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, had this to share: Gaia Stone is just one of the names given to the gorgeous volcanic glass associated with the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption. It also goes by Green Obsidianite, Helenite, Emerald (or sometimes Ruby) Obsidianite, and Mt. Saint Helens Emerald. The eruption itself produced no obsidian, but it was discovered afterwards in an interesting way: workers trying to salvage equipment buried in the blast noticed that the heat from their acetylene torches transformed the surrounding ash to brilliant glass — sometimes green, other times bright red. While the Gaia Stone we see now is man-made, it’s colored by the same trace elements as the original: aluminum, iron, chromium, titanium and copper. Because this lucky find seemed like a gift from the Earth herself, it came to be known as Gaia Stone, after the ancient Greek Earth goddess. This connection helps us discover the stone’s heart-chakra properties of love and connection with Mother Earth. Care and safety: Since this is a form of glass, it’s highly breakable.   More About Crystals for Earth Healing:     Pin it!   Your Goddess Guides can be such a great source of support as you follow your spiritual path.   If you’re wondering how you can connect more deeply with the energies of the Divine Feminine, our Goddess Crystals Oracle Deck has got you covered! Each of the 76 cards in this beautifully crafted deck have been infused with the energy of goddesses from different cultures and traditions, giving you the keys to access divine guidance, gain clarity, and make empowered decisions.        This Printable Deck Includes:   76 cards featuring a beautiful image of a Goddess and a crystal Each card displays several symbols that can help you interpret its meaning A guidebook containing keywords about the Goddesses featured on the cards Plus, six different 3-card spreads that you can use for divination and personal guidance (General Guidance, Decision-Making, Self-Discovery, Love & Romance, Motivation & Focus, Action Plan)     The wisdom of the goddesses can teach us so much about ourselves! Order your Goddess Crystals Oracle Deck now, and start your transformative journey toward empowerment, intuition, and self-love: Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

It’s a common practice to make a resolution to better yourself each time the new year rolls around, but it’s even more common that after a couple of weeks into the new year, those resolutions get tossed aside and forgotten - just like the previous year. Would you like to try something new this year? Something that will change your life right away so that you’ll actually want to stick with it? Make a resolution to clear and balance every aspect of your life, and it will result in a year you won’t want to forget. Read on to discover how you can call upon your crystals for the New Year!   It's a new year! And many would have you think this means it's time for a new you. But... what if instead of a new you, you just gave the old you a little helping hand?   Here are the top 5 quick-fix ways to use crystals for the new year to help you get clear, cleansed, healthy, & balanced:     #1 - Clear Out Last Year's Energy to Make Room for Shiny, New Year's Energy We all do it... I do it, and you do it. You carry things from your past into the future. Sometimes these things are good, like happy memories, but other times, you carry around things that don't serve you going forward, like unresolved emotions. The New Year is a great time to start with a clean slate, so taking some time to dump your baggage is the #1 way to clear and balance your energy for the new year.   #2 - Cleanse Your Space to Welcome in Some Positive Vibes Now that you've left your last year's baggage in the past (where it belongs!), it's time to cleanse your space of any energy that's no longer serving your highest good.  By allowing stagnant energy to linger in your environment, you're inadvertently telling the Universe that you're fine with outdated, dare I say, "Meh..." energy in your field.  You need to clear this energy out of your space so that the Universe knows you're ready for bigger and better things. Make way for positive vibes! Click Here to Check Out Our Classic Blog Post on Using Selenite & Black Tourmaline for Cleansing & Protecting Your Space so that you can welcome in some positive vibes.   #3 - Clear Your Energy Field for a Positive Outlook You've gone through our first 2 quick-fix solutions for a great new year and you're on a roll!  Our #3 tip is to use healing crystals to cleanse your energy field.  There's no sense in clearing out last year's energy and cleansing your space just to be a big blob of energy that no longer fits in with the super positive vibes you're creating.  I recommend a quick-fix Selenite "energy sweeping" technique for clearing out any energy that's not serving you in the new year.   Click Here to Check Out Our Classic Blog Post, "Best Selenite Formations for Cleansing" so you can start the new year on the right foot. Having a hard time keeping your vibes positive?  Whether it's your own negative thinking or bad vibes from others, sometimes negative energy is tricky to deal with. Click Here to Check Out Our Classic Blog Post, "Using Black Tourmaline to Transform Negative Energy Into Positive Vibes" so that positivity will prevail in the new year!     #4 - Focus on Wellness & Self-Care Many of us remember to do the simple things like routine energy cleansing, but when it comes down to energetic self-care, it's easy to fall short.  Quick and easy healing exercises are ideal (because you'll actually DO them), but are they effective?  Let me put it this way, is it better to do little exercises more frequently because they are quick and easy?  Or is it better to put off self-care because you don't feel like you have time, and then find yourself in an energy healing crisis because you've neglected your routine? If you're like me, you know the answer...it's always better to be doing something than to do nothing at all - especially when it comes to your energetic well-being. Click Here to Check Out Our Classic Blog Post, "3 Tips for Self-Care with Crystals" and get you...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Cavansite: "Speak your innermost spiritual truth with pride and follow your soul path without fear."     Common Healing Properties of Cavansite: Facilitates deep emotional healing Connects you with the energies of the sea and the water element Enhances your ability to express love by means of creative endeavors Stimulates compassion Creates a gentle and nurturing attitude Clears and balances your chakra system Encourages you to follow your soul path Enhances clarity, especially relating to spirituality Promotes clear and positive communication Supports you when you feel insecure or ridiculed by others /* Color: Brilliant cerulean blue Associated Chakras: 4th (Heart), 5th (Throat) Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Aquarius, Gemini Elements: Water, Air Companion Flowers: Blue Eyed Grass Companion Essential Oil: Jasmine Companion Stone: Clear Calcite Common Origins: India Notes: A fairly new mineral discovery. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!   ?? The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, had this to share: Cavansite is a recently discovered stone that seems to grab everyone with its vibrant blue color. Its name comes from a simple abbreviation of the names of the minerals that make it up: Calcium vanadium silicate. It forms in little globules or rosettes, often on a white-to-brown matrix of heulandite or stilbite. Although it’s somewhat fragile, it’s often made into beautiful jewelry. Cavansite is a good crystal for spiritual growth, especially when you’re coming out of a time of crisis or change. Cavansite can help you reach better self-knowledge through spiritual means, and improve all types of communication. If you’ve recently been feeling spiritually restless or unbalanced, there’s no better crystal for helping get firmly back onto your chosen spiritual path. One way to use this stone: Cavansite can aid you in all kinds of dream work, spiritual guidance while sleeping, and sleep journeying. Set your intention of what you want to do; it might help to write this intention down in your dream or crystal journal, or simply on a slip of paper. Then set your cavansite on a bedside table or somewhere else near the head of the bed while you sleep. (Unless the cavansite is firmly embedded in its matrix, it’s going to be too fragile to put under the pillow.) As soon as you wake up, record whatever you experience. Don’t try to interpret it right away; just write it down as you experienced it. Later you can meditate on these experiences, and see what message comes out of them. This can be a very powerful way to connect with your spirit guides. Pin it!     Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Val...

Hi everyone and welcome! Today I am excited to be conversing yet again with the amazing Nicholas Pearson, who has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom for more than 20 years.   Disclosure: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! You may not know this but Nicholas actually began teaching crystal workshops while he was in high school. He later began studying mineral science, and then went on to teach crystal and Reiki classes throughout the United States. Nicholas is the author of The Seven Archetypal Stones, Crystals for Karmic Healing, Crystal Healing for the Heart and Foundations of Reiki Ryoho. Disclosure: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! You might be familiar with some or even all of those titles. He is one of my very favorite authors who writes on crystals. Excitingly, he is also releasing Stones of the Goddess which will be coming out in February of 2019. It is already available for pre-order on Amazon and will be sold everywhere books are sold. So Nicholas, thank you so much for being here today! Nicholas: Thank you so much for having me on. We always have the most fun when we chat, so I'm really looking forward to today. Ashley: We do. I am really excited about this particular conversation because it seems like more and more this idea of connecting with goddess energy with the divine feminine has been coming up. I am wondering, could you tell people a little bit more about yourself and why the topic of goddess energy is something that you are passionate about right now? Nicholas: I started my spiritual path pretty young and I didn't grow up in a particularly religious or spiritual household. My father was a recovering Catholic, so, that meant I wasn't really raised with anything in particular, and that gave me a lot of freedom. One week my dad and I might go to the library on the weekend and I would pick up a ton of books on science -- whether it was the obvious geology or something maybe a little bit more left-field for me. Then other weeks it would be things like mythology and fairy tales and folklore. That was my first look at nonstandard religion. Although it might not have been what is being practiced today, it gave me a window into the idea that there was more to spirituality and religion than what I had vaguely seen on the horizon among my peers. By the time I was in high school, I really started to explore spiritual paths like paganism and witchcraft and the whole metaphysical area. Although crystals have been my primary way of getting into a lot of different topics of discussion, I really loved the idea that there were so many religious traditions and spiritual paths that honored the divine as both masculine and feminine, sometimes both at the same time, sometimes neither. I really found that strangely comforting. I grew up in a single parent household so it was just me and my dad and I was raised by this tribe of women: my grandmother, my aunts -- all of these strong female figures. Also my stepmother after my father got remarried. This idea of the goddess felt really reassuring to me in a way that God the Father didn't resonate. The idea for this book just started as a cursory glance at stones that were related to different goddesses around the world. When we talk about our planet, we personify it as Mother Earth. This is maybe the most primal and universal experience of the divine feminine. You can go to virtually any ancient culture and you see Mother Earth and a Mother Earth figure and Earth Goddess somewhere in there. It's like when we hold crystals, we are holding part and parcel of the body of the Goddess. It really started as a little aside and kept poking away at the back of my mind until finally, I had to sit down and write it.

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Lepidolite: "You are surrounded by an ocean of calm. Lose yourself in the tranquility of this moment."     Common Healing Properties of Lepidolite: Promotes balance Instills feelings of compassion Relieves anxiety (especially when paired with Aquamarine) Enhances peace, calming, and tranquility during stressful times Aids in encouraging forgiveness Reduces the effects of EMFs Encourages harmonious relationships Promotes feelings of comfort and safety Encourage new friendships to blossom   /* Colors: Pearlescent lilac to lavender to pink, often with sparkly flecks Associated Chakras: 4th (Heart), 6th (Third Eye), 7th (Crown) Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Gemini, Virgo Elements: Earth, Air Companion Flowers: Coral Bells Companion Essential Oil: Violet Companion Stone: Pink Tourmaline Common Origins: Brazil, California Notes: Often paired with Pink Tourmaline. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!   More About Lepidolite: Lepidolite is a lithium-rich form of mica, whose name translates to “scaly stone” — very appropriately since you can usually flake off pieces with your fingernail. It’s very light to the touch, and lightens moods as well, evening out excessive highs and lows. Lepidolite can help people detach from mental health issues, overly strong emotions, and things that are simply out of one’s control. If crystals had mottos, lepidolite’s might be, “Not my circus, not my monkey”! Lepidolite has been mined for a couple of centuries as a major source of lithium and certain rare minerals, including rubidium, which is used to date very old rocks. It has only come into wide use recently as a healing and magical stone. Safety and care: As a form of mica, lepidolite is very soft and fragile, and layers can break off easily. It also contains aluminum, so please don’t use it in elixirs. Pin it!   Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses at a discounted price, making it even more accessible for you to embark on your crystal healing journey. Secure your spot now and start your crystal journey t...

Aquarius season is here! This astrological season offers you the opportunity to embrace more freedom and joy with the help of your crystals. As we dive into Aquarius season (January 21 - February 19), the focus shifts to cultivating joy and allowing your authentic personality to shine through. Your energy, words, and actions can be a catalyst for inspiring others and supporting those in need of your connection and companionship.    After the busy pace of Capricorn season, now is the time to slow things down, savor moments of quality time with your loved ones, and let your communication skills flourish. Nurturing these relationships allows you to show others just how much you care about them. Communication is an important area of focus during Aquarius season, so, put your energy toward communicating clearly, sharing your ideas with others, and fostering the relationships that are most important to you.     Working with the following Aquarius-aligned stones aligns you with the current celestial energies and is an excellent way to enhance the positive aspects of this astrological phase while balancing its challenges.     Aquarius Season Correspondences:   Dates: January 21 - February 19 Symbol: The Water Bearer Ruling Planet: Uranus Modality: Fixed (Resistant to Change - related to determination, focus, and individuality) Element: Air (Click Here to learn more about working with Elemental Crystals) The Body: Legs and Hips Keywords: Communication, Compassion, Fairness, Freedom, Inspiration, Joy, Logic, Nurturing, Unconventionality, Wit Aquarius Season Gifts: Friendship, Intellect, Loyalty, Teamwork Aquarius Season Challenges: Detachment, Stubbornness, Separation, Distance in Relationships   Best Crystals for Aquarius Season: During Aquarius season, select crystals that amplify joy, communication, and personal expression. It’s important to note that Zodiac crystals are a little different than birthstones (more on that here). You can work with the following crystals to enhance or balance the energies of Aquarius season. Whether enhancing positivity or addressing challenges by balancing out the more difficult energetic aspects of Aquarius, these stones are the best companions for the celestial journey ahead.     Blue Lace Agate River Agate Amazonite Amethyst Chevron Amethyst Ametrine Angelite Aquamarine Azurite Bloodstone Aqua Calcite Cavansite Celestite Blue Chalcedony Cross Stone Blue Fluorite Rainbow Fluorite Red Pyrope Garnet Labradorite Lepidolite Mica Black Moonstone Pumice Blue Quartz Himalayan Salt Turquoise   Top 3 Crystals for Aquarius Season:   Blue Fluorite: This crystal is associated with the Air element, so it’s naturally well-suited to Aquarius energy. Blue Fluorite promotes mental clarity which can support you during Aquarius’ emphasis on communication. It’s a great companion stone if you often struggle to find the right words or if you find it challenging to communicate in difficult or uncomfortable conversations. This stone can support you as you try to keep things light and uplift others.     Blue Lace Agate: This stone enhances feelings of hope and optimism, which is useful for the joyous and inspiring energy of Aquarius. Furthermore, it encourages you to speak with purpose and can assist you in clearly expressing complex ideas. Since Aquarius season is a time to focus on friends and family, Blue Lace Agate makes an excellent companion due to its ability to foster harmony and group cooperation. This stone provides a calming influence that helps you feel at ease, even in large groups. It’s also helpful for making new connections and for building your social network. Celestite: This crystal helps you tap into the energies of Aquarius’ ruling planet, Uranus. Celestite helps you tune into guidance from your guides,

Does it seem like crystals have just popped up everywhere? It’s like this new trend is suddenly coming out of the woodwork and showing up in mainstream places in the form of bookends or as cool prints on graphic tees. So what’s with the obsession? A guest post by Love & Light student Sarah Balmer of Sarah Belle. For starters, our thoughts – yours and mine – add to the collective consciousness, the one mind. Over time, more and more souls are waking up to the truth. Old ideas are entering minds for the first time, gradually increasing in number to a point of reaching critical mass. This is when it starts to become more mainstream. Suddenly everyone is becoming familiar with it and talking about it - they're curious about it. On the other hand, some are still rejecting these things, safely marching to the beat of the old paradigm. With more and more souls waking up, it is ushering in an era of new, but old, holistic tools and modalities of healing. They have been there all along, lying dormant. But they are dormant only because we’ve been sleeping. If you’re reading this blog post, most likely you’re awake, in the process of awakening, or lost. Wherever you are on your journey, I’m glad you’re here. Rest easy knowing you are surrounded by love and light. If you find yourself attracted to crystals or curious about them, don’t question it. Trust that there is a reason. Trust that there is healing energy trying to make its way to you. You may not even be aware of the energetic blocks and imprints in your field. Some will tell you to work with a crystal healer or holistic practitioner. Choose wisely, cleanse them and work with them. Trust your higher intelligence. The body and spirit know what they need to heal. Go into your heart space and tune out the mind stuff. One simple way of selecting a crystal is to simply scan over them and notice the ones that seem to ‘wink’ at you. This is a good starting place as they likely have something beneficial to offer you. Don’t be afraid to jump in. Even if you acquire a crystal with a purpose for none other than home décor, you will be one step closer to raising your vibration. Side Note: It is a good idea to clear crystals once you acquire them. This can easily be done by setting them in the sunlight or moonlight for a few hours. All the love!     Sarah Belle is a brand that fuses together the talent, inspiration and spirit of yoga teacher, health coach and artist, Sarah Balmer. Both a dreamer and doer, Sarah is passionate about helping others to lead a more awakened life. In her jewelry, art, yoga classes, and workshops, Sarah loves to explore the relationship between creativity and spirituality to unmask the layers, liberate the spirit, and encourage others to live with greater authenticity. For it is in sharing our authentic gifts, with real vulnerability, that is our greatest service to humanity. Sarah holds certifications as a holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher and personal trainer. Through the week she spends time working in the fast-paced environment of healthcare IT, which has been one of her greatest teachers, showing the benefits and rewards of meditation and yoga for effective stress management. Sarah’s philosophy is that we all lead integrated lives; and by learning how to balance the mind, body and spirit, and being willing to live heart-centered, we can cultivate peace within, raising our vibration and empowering others to do the same. When you’re just starting out with crystal healing, the wealth of information out there can make it tricky to know where to start. That’s why, my Beginner’s Course Bundle contains all the crystal fundamentals you need to know.     Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Beginners Course Bundle is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to dive into the world of crystal healing - from understanding the energetic properties of ...

Have you ever had one of those days (or weeks!) where you’re feeling totally overwhelmed? When this happens, you may feel scattered, lacking your usual confidence, or just plain stuck.  So how do you move beyond it? With a little guidance from the Universe, of course!   UPDATE: This article previously mentioned White Sage and Palo Santo among the recommended methods for cleansing your stones. Smoke cleansing using these materials is culturally appropriative in the context it was previously described, especially shared by the author here (who is white). This article has been updated to reflect this change. Further, the term "smudging" has been updated to "smoke cleansing," since the term smudging was incorrectly applied to the act of cleansing crystals without the cultural context and deeper meaning connected with the act of smudging by Indigenous people. Crystal oracle cards are one of the quickest and easiest ways to tap into your intuition and call forth just the message you need to get you headed in the right direction.  Whether you’re having trouble making a decision, need a little clarity about a situation, or want a little support and encouragement from your guides or angels, oracle cards are a great tool to help you create just the mindset shift you need. So what exactly are crystal oracle cards and how do they work? You may be familiar with Tarot cards, but oracle cards are quite different.  Where Tarot cards follow suits in the minor arcana and have strong archetypes associated with the major arcana cards, oracle cards don’t require you to have an encyclopedic knowledge of their meanings before you use them. Instead, they leave a lot of room for your own interpretation. In fact, their ability to promote free-flowing, intuitive associations is one of the reasons they work so well! Their images, messages, and themes encourage you to tap into your own inner guidance and focus in on what’s meaningful to you in this moment in time.  This is just one of the reasons modern oracle cards have become more and more popular in recent years. The rise in the popularity of oracle cards has led to many people starting to incorporate this divinatory method as part of their daily spiritual practice. I personally like to pull a card or two to start my day.  Then I’ll place the cards somewhere I’ll see them often throughout my day as a reminder of the messages they’ve given me. Sometimes I’ll even do a quick spread before or after my daily meditation. If my reading is particularly insightful, I’ll add the cards to my altar for a few days and meditate on their meanings for some extra insight and clarity. The great thing about working with this type of intuitive tool, is that there’s no right or wrong way to go about it; it’s all about tuning into your intuition and doing what feels right. So how do you get started? Begin your reading by choosing a spread. Most divinatory cards, both tarot and oracle, are used with specific spreads or layouts to help you put each card into context.  For example, you may draw one card for daily guidance, with the intention that the card you pull each morning is relevant for your day ahead.  It may offer some guidance on things to be especially aware of that day. Alternatively, you may choose a simple layout like a 3-card spread. This type of layout is usually associated with a timeline or used for decision making. For a 3-card timeline spread: The first card you pull represents past influences. The second card represents your current situation and the third card represents where you’re headed.   With this layout, you’re able to get some insight into the entirety of a situation and understand what led up to your current situation, where things stand currently, and what may lie ahead.  Remember that with any divination method, you can ALWAYS change where things are headed, but the card in this position just shows you where you’re most likely to end up if you remain on your cu...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Charoite: "Get lost in a state of divine bliss."     Common Healing Properties of Charoite: Aids you on your path of spiritual service Stimulates your creative energies Promotes inner reflection Encourages you to have a positive attitude Facilitates protection Promotes compassion and empathy Prompts mystical experiences Aids in spiritual healing Enhances experiences during shamanic journeying Facilitates communication with members of the fairy realm Increases the power of H.A.D.O or water-crystal healing Cleanses your emotional and psychic bodies Encourages deeper states of meditation Induces a feeling of peace and tranquility Colors: Pearlescent purple swirled with lavender and violet.  Sometimes includes translucent milky patches or black streaks. Associated Chakras: 6th (Third Eye), 7th (Crown) Zodiac Signs: Sagittarius, Pisces Elements: Air, Water Companion Flowers: Leadplant Companion Essential Oil: Plumeria Companion Stone: Sugilite Common Origins: Siberia Notes: Low-grade Chinese Fluorite is sometimes incorrectly sold as Charoite. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!   More About Charoite: Charoite is a recently discovered stone that only comes from one area, near the Siberian Chara River for which it is named. Its most noticeable feature is the swirling pattern of white and lavender, sometimes with specks of black Aegerine. It is a good stone for both past-life recall and for releasing negative karmic “leftovers” from past lifetimes. When we feel stuck in a negative pattern that seems beyond our control, conscious use of this crystal can help us move forward. One pattern it can help break is that of making big plans, but then not following through. Working with this crystal can give chronic procrastinators the push they need to keep moving and meet their goals. One way to use this stone: Lie down someplace where you won’t be disturbed and place a piece of charoite on your third eye chakra. Meditate on what ideas or patterns you would like to release, and what “leftovers” (whether from your current lifetime or a past one) may be keeping you from reaching your highest good. Allow the crystal to help you break up and take away these blockages. When you are done, invite pure white light in to take the place of the negative things you have released. Show your gratitude to the stone and cleanse it well afterward.   Pin it! Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics,

I am so excited today to be interviewing Emma Loewe and Lindsay Kellner. They are co-authors of the book 'The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self-Care.' I am so excited for the release of this book. It's something that really speaks to my soul.    Ashley: As many of you know, I'm a huge advocate for self-care. This is something that's so important in our lives and that not many of us really take the time to do like we should in modern times. So, I want you to take some time to sit back and listen to this interview. Take it all in because I know that these amazing ladies will be sharing some phenomenal advice with all of you. So Emma and Lindsay, thank you so much for being here today. Lindsay Kellner: No, thank you for having us, we're so excited! Ashley: Well, I am really grateful that you wrote this book because I think it is so needed in the world. I'm also just grateful that you are taking time to be here and share it with everyone. Would you mind telling us a little bit about yourselves and how you got started on this spiritual journey of self-care, and also how that inspired you to write this book? Lindsay: Yes, that's a great question. I am the beauty and wellness editor at MindBodyGreen. It's actually interesting - I'm in a little bit of a transition phase at work, so by the time this episode comes out I will be a contributing editor for MindBodyGreen and I will also be continuing my own blog and podcast called ‘Well Aware.’ I live in Brooklyn, New York. I'm a Leo, my mom is a Cancer. By trade, I'm a writer and editor, but I've always been interested in wellness, which I feel is such a weird word to use right now because it's so ubiquitous and it can mean so many different things. For me, the way I got started with wellness was actually through yoga. I started doing yoga when I was 13, which was quite a while ago (I'm 31 now!). I registered for a class at my town’s recreational center and it was me and a bunch of senior citizens [laughs]. Yoga really did bring me into myself and into my body. I wasn't somebody who loves sports. I guess, I never really developed that hand-eye coordination that you need to really succeed in sports. There was something about the solitude of yoga that really took the pressure off. It gave me the time and the space that I needed to come into myself. So I think, for me, my journey started certainly when I started taking yoga classes - even though I didn't really know it at the time. It was a physical release for me. In high school and college I had eating disorders, so like many of us who come into wellness because of some kind of illness, I think my spiritual journey began when I truly started to heal from that. Ashley: How does that translate for you into shifting into this appreciation for self-care, and how did that kind of tie into the creation of this book? Disclosure: The link here is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! Lindsay: I think that I'm somebody with a tendency to be a perfectionist.  I think that's a character trait that goes along oftentimes with having eating disorders and a certain personality type. So a lot of the time I see things as very black-and-white, and developing an awareness around that was really the first step in my journey. I started to do a lot of different types of healing modalities on my own. I also engaged in many years of therapy and one-on-one counselling - spiritual and non.   For me, I really notice when I'm not doing enough self-care. Even as I'm talking to you now, I'm going through a huge transition that I feel like is a radical act of self-care. I'm leaving a full-time job to give myself more time, because I've started to go through a personal health crisis, and that's manifested in a lot of ways. I've had a lot of symptoms over the last few months of heart palpitations and dizzy spells and all of these kinds of things that you can't really...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Black Tourmaline: "I am energetically safe, secure, and protected."     Common Healing Properties of Black Tourmaline: Protects you against electromagnetic pollution and negative energy Enhances grounding Increases your physical energy Banishes negativity and negative thoughts Enhances positive thinking and creativity Reduces geopathic stress Strengthens the immune system Cleanses the physical and ethereal bodies Aids in decreasing arthritis pain Relieves anxiety by keeping you mindful of the present moment   Colors: Solid Black. Zodiac Signs: Scorpio, Libra, Capricorn Elements: Earth Companion Flowers: Toad Lily Companion Essential Oil: Ginger Companion Stone: Selenite Common Origins: Brazil, China Notes: Also known as Schorl or as Aphrizite. Often found with Quartz or Mica. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!   /*   More About Tourmaline: Tourmaline is a hard gemstone that comes in a variety of colors, but the most common is the iron-rich black variety known as Schorl. This variety contains the most iron, accounting for both the color and the stone’s reputation as the best all-around protective energy magnet around (which is why it's our go-to stone for protection and removal of negative energy). Many people keep a piece with them all the time — either in a pocket or purse, or worn as a pendant or bracelet. Long, slender crystals form in parallel lines, roughly shiny and a good material for prismatic pendants and other jewelry that showcases its natural texture. When heated or rubbed, it can become electrically charged. The formula of Black Tourmaline is: Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Mn,Al)3Al6(Bo3)3Si6O18(OH,F)4 Working with Black Tourmaline: Black tourmaline is a protective stone, absorbing negative energy and promoting spiritual calm and overall balance. Its use goes back some time, for everything from preventing illness in the Middle Ages to the more modern application of protecting modern people energetically. Black tourmaline is excellent for grounding. Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses a...

Whether it’s a post-lunchtime slump, an early-evening stupor, or the inability to drag ourselves out of bed in the morning due to intense lethargy, we all have times when we feel absolutely exhausted. But did you know we can fight against fatigue by using crystals for increasing energy? Guest post by CrystalAge.com   Much has been written about certain ‘superfoods’ that can help us combat lapses of energy and bouts of tiredness. Comparatively, less has been written about the effectiveness of crystals for increasing energy and fighting fatigue. Take a look at the following ten crystals that have proven to be potent assets in uplifting energy and spirits. Top 10 crystals for increasing energy:   Green Tourmaline: Green Tourmaline crystals are said to boost power. With their rich green hue, tourmaline is a popular gemstone in the making of jewellery. As well as looking unduly beautiful, tourmaline is said to be a potent energy provider. Its healing properties help dispel toxins from the body, restore balance and bring back positive energy. This makes us feel more energised.   Citrine: Citrine is believed to be one of the best crystals for increasing energy. Ranging from lighter yellows to darker browns, citrine crystals are one of the most aesthetically stunning crystals in existence. It is also believed to be one of the most energy-boosting. Citrine works as a powerful regenerator of the cells of the body. By regenerating the cells, it acts as an effective chakra activator and energiser. Amber: Amber is associated with luck, good health, pain relief & powerful healing energy. It is widely believed that crystals which are naturally red, orange and yellow are the most effective in terms of boosting energy and power. When we think of citrus-coloured gemstones, amber immediately springs to mind. With its golden hues, this stunning crystal is meant to be one of the most dynamic and stimulating. When placed in our presence, it can make us feel much more energised and positive. Carnelian: If you are wanting to boost your energy levels through crystals, Carnelian is a fabulous crystal to work with. This slightly translucent stone was considered to be the symbol of life in Ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures. Today this beautiful gemstone is still used to boost stamina and energy. For some, wearing a pair of carnelian earrings is more effective in heightening energy levels as a cup of coffee.   Ametrine: Ametrine is said to regenerate the physical body & strengthen the immune system. It is one of the lesser known crystals but is one of the most powerful when it comes to boosting power and energy. Being a potent amalgamation of citrine and amethyst this stunning yellow and purple gemstone helps improve clarity and focus. Being able to think straight and in harmony ultimately helps boost our confidence, energy and optimism.   Seraphinite: The properties in Seraphinite are believed to effectively heal brain cells, the nerves, eliminate toxins and purify the blood, organs, kidneys and liver. Having the ability to cleanse and heal such a multitude of organs and remove toxins from the body, seraphinite is one of the most energy-boosting crystals in existence. Clear Quartz: Clear Quartz is one of the most popular crystals as a healing crystal. Clear quartz is regularly cited by healers as being the “battery of the soul”. Similar to green tourmaline, clear quartz jewelry or pieces of stone help dispel toxins in our body. By ridding the body of sludge-enhancing toxins, quartz restores energy in our body. It makes us feel more spirited and ready to tackle what life throws at us. Amethyst: One of the most popular and well-known of the crystals, Amethyst has been the ‘stone of spirituality’ for quite some time. As well as helping people overcome addictions, the unique properties of amethyst creates a protective field of energy around its wearer, which assist in transforming negative energy into positive energ...

Hello and welcome! In this interview, I am so excited to be interviewing the amazing Natalie Walstein of Soulshine Astrology. We're talking all about Natalie's journey, and how you can use Astrology to find your soul's calling, just like she did.    Ashley: Natalie, thank you so much for being here with me. Natalie Walstein: Thank you so much for having me. Ashley: I've been following you for quite a while now, and I just love everything you're doing. For those who may not be familiar with your work, would you mind telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you got started working in Astrology? Natalie: I'm a Career Astrologer at Soulshine Astrology. Basically, what I do is combine career coaching with astrological wisdom, which I get from your Astrology chart. This is basically a map of where the stars were at the exact time, date and location of your birth. I got started with this from looking at my own Astrology chart. At one point I literally had no idea what to do with my career anymore. I just didn't know what to do. I remembered that Astrology was really cool, because I've always been a bit into it. So I decided to look into it again, and this time I dove in really deep. I found it so fascinating and it ended up showing me where I was going wrong in my career, and how to shift into something more suited to me. I realized that I could help other people do the same thing. That's really where it all started. Ashley: I love that. Really, it was your own love and passion of Astrology that got you here. Turning to Astrology as a tool to help you in your own life is what inspired you to actually pick it up and work with it as a way to inspire others. Natalie: Exactly! That's why I love it so much.     I think so many great people's careers start that way. It's like, "I created the thing I needed." Ashley: That is so true. Natalie, a lot of our listeners are obviously super into crystals. They're healers, they're lightworkers, they're empaths, and they are people who follow a path of service. I'm sure for many of you who are listening right now, you're maybe in a place in your life where you're where Natalie was. You're trying to figure out, "What am I here to do? What am I supposed to be doing?" Maybe you're trying to find your life's purpose. Natalie, a big part what you do is use Astrology to show someone what a really good fit would be for a career or for a life path, so... How does Astrology really factor into someone finding and living their life's purpose? Natalie: Most people usually think of Astrology as just being about horoscopes. I used to think that too, but it turns out there is so much more to it than that. I'm actually sometimes really caught off-guard by how much information you can get about it. It literally explains everything about you. There's no wonder why I can tell you about your life's purpose. I really feel that the purpose of Astrology, in my eyes, is to find your life purpose because it really helps you tap into who you really are, what you really want, what makes you happy and also how you can harness all this in the best possible way, and in your own special way. Instead of, for example, just looking around and applying for jobs. It really gives you this feeling of "No! This is what I need." You can either create it for yourself or you can go out into the world and say no to everything that isn't in alignment with you, which is so empowering. Ashley: I love that so much. We were actually just doing our little mini-class for our upcoming Crystal Mastery Conference. You're going to teach people all about looking at Astrology and recommending some crystals that might be really helpful for them while they're pursuing their life path or their soul path. I was wondering if you would mind just teasing this, maybe using your own Astrology? What some of your favorite crystals to use while pursuing your life path? Could you give us an example?

Today, I am really excited to be interviewing the amazing Emma Mildon. Emma is a millennial mystic, charged with creating a movement of conscious action in the world. She's the author of "The Soul Searcher's Handbook" and "Evolution of Goddess" and she is one of my favorite people to talk to. So, Emma thank you so much for being here today.   Emma Mildon: I love our chats so much! I'm always so excited because something always bubbles to the surface, so I'm so excited to talk to you again. Ashley: And for those who may not be familiar with you and your work yet... Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your mission and how you got started with all the amazing things that you're doing? Emma: Yeah, of course. So I really started out, spirituality, totally selfishly. I was just wanting to expand and explore it for me. So I'm being totally honest - It was a me, me, me spiritual mission. I did the yoga, I did the meditation, I explored the crystals and then I started traveling. So I read lots of books, and met lots of teachers and gurus and authors. I found myself learning everything from tea-leaf reading to astrology and numerology, crystals, Reiki, and meeting Shaman. It was quite a journey. And throughout that, I threw a lot of books across my room. Now, I don't endorse book-throwing, but I have zero tolerance and a pretty short attention span. As a mystic millennial, I hate being told what to do, more importantly, I hate being told what to believe in. The books I read were great and they had great wisdom and I really respect the authors and artists that wrote them. However, there was always an undercurrent of bossy-ness and right and wrong. Kind of like regiment to ritual, which I really didn't resonate with. I felt like it kind of clipped my wings when I was trying to explore and journey through my own spiritual choices. As a result, I wrote books that I needed at the time. I started writing books about spirituality that became... kind of like smorgasbord spirituality.   You could digest and eat and nibble on any type of mystic, spiritual mindfulness that you crave without having to sit down and have a whole big meal on it. It's about having spirituality on your terms. Soul Searcher's Handbook is a menu of spiritual approaches that you can take to help guide you to build your own belief system on your own terms. Ashley: You know, I don't know if I've ever told you this, but... in addition to the love and light school, I also own a metaphysical bookstore. One of my employees who was recently promoted to manager said that your book, The Soul Searcher's Handbook, is really what sparked her interest in everything metaphysical. Someone gave her that book and she said that she read it cover to cover. She couldn't put it down. She said it was just so comfortable and so approachable and that really sparked her natural curiosity to continue further on this amazing spiritual path that she's on. Now, she manages the bookstore and she's doing all these other amazing things in the world. She's a freelance photographer and she's all about creating beauty in the world. Your book helped inspire and spark all of that for her. And I think everyone I've ever talked to about it says more or less the same thing. It's so warm and welcoming. You feel like you're just sitting down with a cup of tea with someone that you could spend hours talking to. Your new book, Evolution of Goddess, is very much the same. It's here at just the right time for many of us. So can you tell us a little bit about what sparked your passion for this topic? For Evolution of Goddess, what got you going with this? Emma: Yeah, you know what, it's so funny. Hearing that story about The Soul Searcher's Handbook makes me emotional, and that's exactly what I experienced coming into Evolution of Goddess. In truth, I was pretty tired and I didn't want to write another book. So I really had my work cut out for me with Evolution of Godd...

Today I am so excited to be interviewing the amazing Brigit Esselmont of Biddy Tarot. Brigit helps people live more mindful and enlightened lives using tarot cards as a guide. She's also the creator of the Everyday Tarot, which will be available very, very soon. You can pre-order it right now on Amazon and pretty much everywhere books are sold.   Brigit, thank you so much for being here with us today. Brigit Esselmont: It's my pleasure. I'm excited to be here! Ashley: Would you mind if we kind of just dive in right in and tell everyone who's listening a little bit about yourself, your mission, and how you got started with tarot in your life? Brigit: Yeah, absolutely. So I started reading tarot over 20 years ago. It's kind of freaky. I was really drawn to the tarot because it's such a rich spiritual tool. It's something that can connect us to our intuition, our own sense of pure energy, and our source energy as well. It's interesting though, when I first started to read tarot, I was more concerned about learning all of the right tarot card meanings. I kind of forgot all of the intuitive pieces. Like, "Oh, am I getting this right?" But when I was doing it that way, I ended up feeling quite robotic in my readings. It really wasn't until that point where I was like, "Okay, I don't have to do this all right. I don't have to be correct every time. If I just trust my intuition, and really go with the flow, things are gonna be very different." And that was when I decided, "Okay, put the books away. I'm just gonna really connect with my own inner wisdom here and read the cards. Once I did that, all of the magic happened. From there, my readings just really flowed in a beautiful and powerful way. I had much more valuable insights to share with my clients, and from my own personal readings as well. So packed with that knowledge, and that approach to the cards, that's when I started teaching tarot through Biddy Tarot. It's really become the core essence of what I teach. Tarot doesn't have to be about learning the right way to do it, or all of the esoteric systems that go behind it. That's great to know, but it's okay not to know it. It's more about using tarot as a tool to connect with the intuition. Tarot is about knowing that you've got all of the answers inside of you. You don't have to be reliant on other people telling you how to live your life. It's already within you, and the tarot is this beautiful tool that helps to connect you with that inner power and wisdom. So that's really where I stand now in terms of my vision with tarot. I'm helping people connect to that beautiful part of themselves. That is highly intuitive part. The truth is that we are all highly intuitive. It's not just like this magical gift that a selected few are given. We're all intuitive, and the cards help you get there. I think the other part of my vision is about bringing tarot into the mainstream, and just making it normal and accessible. And like, who wouldn't read tarot? It's nothing to feel funny about. It's just an ordinary, everyday part of your life. Ashley: So I'm sure that this is something that you probably cover in a big way in the Everyday Tarot book, given that it is kind of at the core of your mission. This idea of people developing their own intuition, their own inner guidance. The idea that the tarot as this tool that's really useful for shedding some light on situations, and helping us gain more understanding. What are one or two of your favorite ways that people can start to develop their intuition? Brigit: Yeah, absolutely. It's funny. I think often times people think, "Oh, I need to be really intuitive, so I can read tarot." I certainly felt that at the start. I thought, "Oh, I've got to be psychic to read tarot cards. But what I've discovered is, you can actually start to read tarot to help you become more intuitive. That makes sense. Because, it certainly happened to me.    

Confidence seems to be something we all struggle with at one time or another in our lives. Whether it’s a fear of public speaking, body image issues, relationship insecurities, or something else, a little confidence boost can certainly go a long way toward improving our lives.   Using healing crystals for self-confidence is a simple but effective way to help you shift your mindset. It can take you from one of worry, fear, or insecurity to pure confidence. A few of my favorite crystals for self-confidence are: Citrine, Golden Tiger’s Eye, Pyrite (also known as Fool’s Gold), and Clear Quartz.  Citrine is the perfect crystal companion to help you work through fears, hesitations, or blocks that leave you feeling less than confident in life.   This stone will help you embrace your strengths in order to create the success you deserve in life. Citrine is an intensely confidence-boosting crystal. These stones are also known for their ability to instill an abundance of confidence. Especially to the area in your life in which you need it most. To use Citrine for increasing your self-confidence (and ultimately receive more abundance and joy in your life), hold a Citrine crystal point (with the termination facing upward toward your crown chakra) over your Solar Plexus Chakra for approximately eight to ten minutes.  Do this one to three times per day. It’s best if you can perform this exercise while focusing on a specific intention. Try to direct this intention towards self-confidence, inner strength, self-worth, and your ability to receive. You may wish to create a short affirmation statement to repeat while holding the Citrine stone over your solar plexus area. Saying this affirmation aloud during the exercises reinforces the mindset shift you’re trying to manifest. This will ultimately improve your results. Golden Tiger's Eye promotes confidence and inner strength. It also encourages personal will power to help get you through difficult situations. Additionally, Golden Tiger's Eye is known for mental clarity and focus. It can help you identify any potential blocks in your progress so that you’re able to move past them and grow through them with ease.  This enhanced focus also assists you in achieving your goal of becoming more self-confident. It keeps it top of mind and gently encourages you to step outside of your comfort zone and “put yourself out there” more. Pyrite has a strong, almost masculine energy that pairs well with Citrine and Golden Tiger’s Eye.   It instills strength, bravery, and courage in new or unfamiliar situations. It is especially useful when you find yourself in situations where you’re meeting lots of new people.  This crystal helps you embrace new experiences and enjoy them. It also helps you to stay positive and avoiding negative thought patterns (especially those that revolve around worry, anxiety, and fear).  Pyrite helps you dig deep within yourself and find strength and courage, even in the most uncomfortable or challenging of situations. Clear Quartz crystals amplify the energy of your intention as well as amplifying the properties of other crystals.   When used with the stones above, results can be achieved much quicker than without the use of the Quartz crystal.   As crystal healers, it's so important for us to know exactly how to leverage our stones’ distinct energies to create the profound shifts we want to see in our lives and those we are helping. With my Crystal Rituals for Personal Empowerment Course, you will learn how to harness the energy of crystals to kickstart these big changes, unlocking a world of endless possibilities.     From intention-setting ceremonies to sacred crystal grids, you’ll explore a wide range of transformative rituals that will help you harness crystal energy, deepen your spiritual connection and embrace self-care and healing. This Course Includes: 55-minute video course 47-page printable class slideshow

  The new year is a common time to make big changes and set the stage for transformation and a fresh start. Most of us have grandiose plans at first, but quickly slip back into old habits. So how can you be sure to stick with your plans and stay on track with your goals in the new year? Try working with these top crystals for new beginnings! Crystals work great along with your intentions for helping you reach your goals. For example, Rhodonite is a fantastic crystal for new beginnings.  To start a new routine in the new year, simply reach for a piece of Rhodonite and hold it in your hands.   Close your eyes and think about exactly what you’d like to do differently in the new year.  Visualize it in great detail - is it a new wellness routine, a commitment to read a book per week, or quitting a habit?  See it as clearly as possible, as if you can see it playing like a movie in your mind’s eye. Once you’ve been able to visualize this new routine, hold the crystal over your heart for a moment to show gratitude to the stone. Your stone has now been imprinted, or programmed, with the information from your visualization.   Once you’ve programmed your stone, simply carry it with you, in your purse, pocket, or handbag.   Any time you feel yourself begin to stray from your new routine, just reach for your stone for a bit of support and a reminder of that good feeling you had during your visualization, as well as a reminder of what you're working toward and why it's important to you. This will help ensure that your good intentions for creating new beginnings keep their momentum the whole year through.   Since you’ll be carrying your stone throughout the day, you’ll need to be sure to cleanse it frequently.  One of the simplest methods of cleansing is to pass it through the smoke of burning herbs. Try rosemary, mugwort, or lavender.   A great alternative method to smoke-cleansing your stones is to ring a bell or sound a chime near your crystal.  Sound is a powerful cleanser of energy and is quick, simple, and convenient. For more ideas, see this article on other common crystal cleansing methods. And while you're cleansing your stones, you may wish to cleanse your space while you're at it. By allowing stagnant energy to linger in your environment, you’re inadvertently telling the Universe that you’re fine with anything in your life that feels stuck.  Clearing this energy out of your space tells the Universe that you’re ready for new energy that's more aligned with your current vision and goals. Click Here to Check Out Our Classic Blog Post on Using Selenite & Black Tourmaline for Cleansing & Protecting Your Space so that you can welcome some new energy in the New Year!   Something important to remember is that new beginnings don't just magically happen. Lasting change typically requires our effort and focus. Many of us remember to do simple things like routine energy cleansing. But when it comes down to energetic self-care, it’s easy to fall short. Quick and easy healing exercises are ideal (because you’ll actually DO them), but are they effective?  Let me put it this way, it's better to do little exercises more frequently because they are quick and easy than to put off energetic self-care because you don’t feel like you have time. It’s almost always better to be doing something than to do nothing at all – especially when it comes to your energetic well-being. Click Here to Check Out Our Classic Blog Post, “3 Tips for Self-Care with Crystals” and get your New Year’s self-care routine in place now! Do you have big dreams for your personal growth and spiritual journey but sometimes feel like you need extra guidance to stay on track? Crystals can be a powerful ally in aligning your intentions with your daily life. That’s why I’ve created the Crystal Healer’s Datebook:     This all-in-one calendar, spiritual journal, and crystal companion will inspire you to deepen your connection with crystal...

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Tourmalinated Quartz: "It's time to cut through obstacles that keep me from achieving my goals - I consciously choose change."     Common Healing Properties of Tourmalinated Quartz: Promotes grounding Protects you against negative energies (amplifies protection) Helps you to release stress and promote peace and calming Cleanses and balances your mind, body, and spirit Aid in promoting self-love and self-acceptance Colors: Milky white to clear with black needle-like crystals throughout. Associated Chakras: 1st (Root) or 7th (Crown) Zodiac Signs: Scorpio, Libra, Capricorn Elements: Earth Companion Flowers: Crocosmia (Falling Stars Flower) Companion Essential Oil: Pinion Pine Companion Stone: Phosphosiderite Common Origins: Brazil Notes: This stone most commonly occurs as Black Tourmaline crystals suspended inside of a Quartz crystal matrix, but any color Tourmaline can occur in Quartz. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites! Are you drawn to the captivating beauty and healing energies of crystals, but want to uncover the mysteries behind what makes your beloved stones so special? If you’re ready to graduate from crystal enthusiast to crystal expert, our Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is the perfect way to start deepening your crystal knowledge today!      Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle is your ticket to a round-the-world tour of Jasper, Amethyst and Super Seven stones. Packed with expert insights on these three essential stones for your toolkit, this exclusive bundle will equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to deepen your connection with the realm of crystals.    What’s Included in the Crystal Lover’s Course Bundle:   Discovering Jaspers Course: Confidently identify the many varieties of Jasper, listen to their stories from all corners of the Earth, and embrace their unique energies to enhance your healing abilities (Value $99)        Amethyst Crystals from Around the World Course: Embark on a journey through twelve different types of Amethyst, dive into their rich history, explore their unique characteristics, and gain insights from my personal collection (Value $49)     Understanding Super Seven Course: Unravel the mysteries behind the captivating Super Seven crystals and learn how to harness their profound potential (Value $49)     Total Value of my Crystal Lover's Course Bundle: $197 Your Price: $167.45 (Save 15%!)   Enroll in my Crystal Lover’s Bundle and receive three incredible courses at a discounted price, making it even more accessible for you to embark on your crystal healing journey. Secure your spot now and start your crystal journey today!   Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

Hi, everyone and crystal blessings. Today, I am so excited to be interviewing the amazing Adam Barralet. Adam is someone that I’ve been following for quite some time. If you’re not familiar with him, you may actually know him and not even realize it from his amazing YouTube channel where he talks all about healing crystals.   Ashley Leavy: So Adam, thank you so much for being here. Would you mind introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about how you got started working with crystals? Adam: First of all, thank you very much for having me today. I’m really blessed to be in a chat with you all, your fans, your following and your circle. So my journey began with crystals over 20 years ago now. I walked into a crystal shop and I bought myself a little Amethyst. I went home and I read all about the magic and the mysticism of that crystal on the little bit of pamphlet they gave me. The next week, I’m back in that crystal shop and I bought another one, and then another one, and another one - to the point where now I think I work with about 300 different crystals. So that’s where I kind of began. I would buy so many books and try to find as much information as I could about crystals. There’s so much information out there that would tell me that a rose quartz is good for love and Citrine is good for abundance, but they wouldn’t tell you what to do with them. So I was collecting all these crystals, but they were just sitting on the shelf looking pretty. If we’re drawn to crystals, we can justify spending $10, $20 or $50 on a bit of rock, however our friends and family may wonder where our money is going. So I thought, if I have this unique drawing to gifts from mother nature, I also have the responsibility to make sure I know how to use them. Otherwise, it’s like giving you a Ferrari and you leave it sitting in the garage. So I started bringing another elements of different practices: aromatherapy, astrology, Feng Shui, guided visualizations, spell work and more, to find out how they create and understand love, healing and protection. I grew up in Australia, however I lived in Toronto for a while and in New York City. I had some great teachers in these places, and when I finally came back to Australia, I met some great people who invited me to write my books and produce my oracle cards. Now I’m blessed to travel around the world teaching people what to actually do with these colorful things that we love so dearly. Ashley: You know, Adam, I’m so glad that you brought that up because as a crystal teacher that was earlier on in life a student, that was one of my biggest complaints while I was trying to learn everything I needed to about crystals. I mean, I have over 200 crystal books, but  it seemed like there were all these encyclopedic volumes about what the properties of stones were but not as much information on what to do with them. Often, the information you got was so overly complicated that I constantly felt like, Oh, what if I make a mistake? Or this has a lot of steps. It seems really complicated. What if I don’t have all of those special tools or things that I need? Through my own work with stones I eventually realized that it doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. I think more and more people are waking up to that. Now, you see amazing books available like your book “Crystal Connections: A Guide To Crystals And How To Use Them” which really is more practical. It's more of a hands-on, integrated approach to working with stones  Adam: Exactly. You know, I love working crystals and I wanted many people to feel confident with that. If we can’t make it simple and understandable, then we’re going to be eliminating people who will feel helpless with what to do with their crystals. Ashley: So true. Now, Adam I know for you a big part of your attraction to stones is really because of this value that you have about living in harmony with nature. So...

A stone used for millennia in both toolmaking and ritual, Black Obsidian is a form of naturally occurring glass, formed when volcanic lava cools rapidly. It's a powerful stone known for its ability to reveal hidden truths, dissolve energetic blockages, and support deep emotional healing. Whether used for energy clearing, scrying, or shadow work, the healing properties of Black Obsidian carry profound potential for clarity, transformation and empowerment. In this post, we’ll explore how to work with the raw, untamed power of Black Obsidian to help you navigate deep healing and uncover your most authentic self. A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Black Obsidian: "I consciously tap into divine wisdom and knowledge and embrace my intuition and inner knowing."     Common Healing Properties of Black Obsidian: Promotes energetic protection Reveals the truth in any situation Exposes areas of yourself that need growth and development Blocks negative energies from entering your auric field Enhances grounding Banishes negative energy Brings peace and calming Encourages living in a virtuous manner Increases courage Encourages personal growth Facilitates compassion Enhances accuracy in scrying divination Aids in acceptance of your weaknesses so that you can begin to heal and correct them Helps you to address issues of control and power struggles Enhances the experience of ceremonies and rituals Removes negative thought patterns and conditioning     Black Obsidian Companions: Colors: Opaque black (sometimes with transparent banding) with a glassy surface. Zodiac Signs: Capricorn, Scorpio Elements: Earth, Fire Companion Flowers: Fireweed Companion Essential Oil: Camphor Companion Stone: Howlite Common Origins: Mexico Notes: A natural volcanic glass. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!   One way to work with the Healing Properties of Black Obsidian: Scrying Divination Obsidian mirrors, made by polishing thin slices of Obsidian into mirror-like discs, serve as potent tools for scrying divination. With their glassy, reflective surfaces, Obsidian mirrors provide a gateway to the realm of the subconscious. These mirrors give you the ability to look at yourself, so you are better able to reflect on your life paths, your behaviors, and your identity.     Obsidian mirrors have been esteemed for their connection to the underworld and the spiritual realm. In the last few years, the popularity of Obsidian mirrors has surged again, but they have long served as tools for scrying divination. Practitioners like John Dee, the famous crystallomancer, worked with one of these mirrors in his scrying practice to communicate with otherworldly entities and gain profound insights. By gazing into obsidian mirrors, you can receive messages from your intuition, your guides, and your ancestors as part of your crystal scrying practice. If you’d like to stick with natural stones, rather than glass mirrors for your work in divination with crystals, a Black Obsidian tumbled stone or small palm stone will also work well as a scrying tool, and these are typically much more affordable than the round disc-shaped mirrors.   The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books & Gifts, had this to share: Obsidian is the most abundant form of naturally occurring glass, the result of volcanic lava cooling quickly. Technically obsidian may have any composition, but usually, it’s a glass with inclusions of hematite and rhyolite. Because it’s easy to chip and forms a sharp point, it has been an invaluable material for toolmaking throughout history, thus contributing to the evolution of the human race’s evolution.