Crystals and Stones in Magick

“Stones, crystals, and metals, as well as colours, scents, forms,

movement, earth, air, fire, insects, animals, ourselves,

our planet, and our universe, contain energy.

It is this energy that permits us to practice magick”

As we know, magick isn't worked by controlling or dominating nature, but rather working in harmony with these natural forces. Stone magic, the use of the energies within stones to effect needed changes, is a perfect tool to use in harmony with these natural forces.

Crystals and gems have been used for magick since the first humans found sparkling gems and carried them for protection against the unknown. For many thousands of years, stones have been carved into sacred shapes and worshiped as religious or magickal artifacts  Crystals and gems were used to magickally enhance many things in life, from ensuring conception to protecting the dead.

The Modern Use of Crystals and Gems for Magick

Crystals play roles in many spells and rituals, and witches value them for their versatility. Crystals can be used to enhance your spells or you can place them on your altar where they will act as beacons of Light sending out the sympathetic vibrations that you wish to manifest into the physical world.

Crystal and gem magick is based upon very simple ideas, much like candle magick, and it has quick and direct results. Anyone can work crystal magick, for the stones themselves bring their influences and magick with them. The magick of stones and metals is the easiest of all magick, and so this is suitable for the novice magician, and can help to awaken the magick within.

A stone spell is a wonderful way of helping someone else, because it is an easy and small item to give to someone. If someone you know asks you for a spell for a safe voyage for example, he or she might enjoy carrying a small, charged stone along on their travels.

You can use gems in jewellery for working magick, with jewellery you already own or jewellery you buy for a specific purpose. This does not mean that the jewellery you buy has to be from an occult or New Age store – the stone is what matters and how it resonates with you. For example – if you want to carry a stone for protection and you have a turquoise ring, cleanse and charge it and wear it for protection.

Your crystals have the ability to communicate with you and with other stones. Carry one with you when you attend a lecture or class; it will absorb the information and help you remember what was discussed.

Just remember: - work with what feels right for you, our connection with magical energies is as unique as we are as people so there will always be exceptions to every rule.

Here are some ways witches use crystals:

* As pendulums

* For healing and aligning the body's energy centers

* For cleansing and purification

* To direct energy, when used in wands and other magickal tools

* In amulets, talismans, medicine pouches, and fetishes

* To augment the power of other gems

* As components in spells and rituals

* For scrying

* For protection

* To retain information and as memory aids

* To enhance focus and relaxation in meditation

* To define sacred space

* As portals to other worlds of existence

Selecting your Stones for Magickal Uses

Any stone can actually have potential uses in magick depending on its particular energy. If you go outside and pick up a random stone, opening yourself to its energy, you will find it to have its own personality and energy signature. You can choose to work magick with many kinds of stones, which come in any number of colours, shapes and sizes. You can select your stones based on magickal correspondences associated with that particular stone (*correspondences are coming up in a later lesson), although you may decide to work magick with a stone that is meaningful or feels powerful to you. Valuable gemstones, as well as rocks you find in your local park can be equally powerful to you in spell-casting.

Most stones have numerous meanings, and many stones share the same meaning. This gives you a wide range of choices for spells using a variety of stones. If you consider the colour of the stone as well, you will come up with even more possibilities for stones to use in your spells. When choosing the stones to work magick with , remember that it’s not the meaning associated with the colour or type of stone, but rather how the stones make you feel, and what your intuition tells you . Use your own energy and the energy within the stones you choose to work powerful spells. Don’t work a spell with quartz because a chart says that it has the best meaning for your spell if you don’t feel the energy of the stone is right for your purpose.

When selecting a stone for use in magick, always handle the stone first. Rather than just picking the first one that looks pretty, you must check to make sure that its energy signature is compatible with yours. You may find that one stone will suit you perfectly, while another of the same type leaves you with a headache. You may also find over time that you work better with certain kinds of stones and poorly with others. When looking for the right stone for your spells, trust your instincts and the right stone will find you. Don’t work magick purely based on a recipe. Your energy is what makes the magick work, and if you are not connecting with the energy of your chosen gem, select another.

Spell-work with Crystals

You've probably heard the expression “diamonds are a girl's best friend,” but when it comes to doing magick, crystals are a witch's best friend. These complex and versatile stones can be utilized in virtually any spell or ritual, as well as for healing, divination, and other types of energy work.

A crystal's ability to focus and direct energy makes it ideal for circle casting. Laser crystals are perfectly shaped for this purpose. If you prefer, affix a crystal to the tip of a magick wand and use it to cast the circle. You can point a wand-shaped crystal (or a wand with a crystal attached) toward the heavens to draw down cosmic energy. Or aim it in a particular direction to send energy where you want it to go.

Many people use crystals for protection. After you've given it this intention, you can carry your crystal in your pocket or purse to keep you safe at all times. You can also keep them in the glove compartment of your car, position several near the doors and windows of your home, and bury one at each of the four corners of your property. When casting a circle, you could place a crystal at each of the four directions or even form a complete circle with crystals; some people bury tiny crystals in the ground to form a permanent circle around a sacred space.

Because crystals amplify the energies of other stones, witches often use them in talismans and amulets where they increase the power of the charm. When placed on an altar in the company of other stones, or when combined with other gems on a magick tool, crystals unify and strengthen the various stones' vibrations.

Crystals are a valuable and very versatile tool. You can wear them as a talisman, place them on altars and incorporate them in to spells.

Credit: Sam Ehinger Botoulas