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Gemini, First Half: May 20-June 4

Orange sapphire has long been associated with communication, specifically the telling of truths. As a soul stone, it can help early-half Geminis achieve the mastery of communication that is their karmic due. Sapphires are the hardest of gems after diamonds. In India of old, the orange sapphire was prized beyond any other; it was called padparadscha, the Sanskrit word for lotus blossom. The Chaldeans associated this stone with this sign after observing the orange tint of the planet Mercury, the ruler of Gemini.

Choosing a crystal ball should not be undertaken lightly: this is a deeply personal tool that has its own energy and will also become imbued with your energy. Think of it as a container for a great deal of your energy and make sure it feels right for you and you alone. Do not allow anyone else to touch your crystal ball. If by chance it happens, simply place it in a bowl of sea salt overnight and it will be cleansed of outside energy and influence.

 Highly polished and glasslike spheres of beryl and quartz crystal have been in use for many thousands of years. Healers, shamans, witch doctors, and medicine men have been using the bones of the earth for divination since time immemorial. The Celtic folks and Druids favored beryl as their scrying crystal of choice. Beryl still has a well-earned reputation as the stone of power. The Middle Ages and the Renaissance saw a far-flung use of crystal for seeing the future. The mythical wizard Merlin, of Arthurian legend, kept his crystal ball with him at all times! Pure quartz crystal balls are quite pricey but are worth the expense if you are serious about harnessing your intuition and using it for the good. Most people I know who use crystal balls, including many healers and teachers, see cloudy and smoky images, so do not expect your experience to be like going to the movies! Each and every crystal ball is unique and has its own energy. Here are a few examples:

By building a crystal and stone shrine, altar, or power center in your home, you will create a place for daily conjuring, rituals, and thinking. This will set the stage for you to focus your ideas and make them grow. Having a shrine in your home allows you to rid yourself of personal obstacles and invite friendly spirits. Your shrine will spark your inner flame and bring daily renewal. The more use an altar gets, the more energy it builds, making your spells even more effective. Prosperity stones should be to the far left on the altar, in the money corner. Romance crystals should sit to the far right on the altar. The rest of your altar should consist of meaningful, personal symbols. They should reflect your spiritual aspirations. I keep fresh wildflowers in a vase, a statue of a goddess, abalone shells, a magnetite obelisk, and a rock-crystal ball on my altar.

From the beginning of time, the one persistent question has been, “How does one make direct contact with the crystal ball?”  Immediately three words present themselves: belief, concentration, and patience.  All three are equally important; seership depends on them.  If an individual has an inborn ability to fix the mind or to concentrate, that person is well on the way to becoming a scryer.  However, none of the three will be as effective if the seer is not at ease physically.  A posture chair will free the scryer from being distracted by the need to seek a more comfortable position. Now breathe. Nothing is more vital than the breath, which is the source of all energy.  It behooves every seer to learn to control the breath.  All professional seers, like all professional clairvoyants, cultivate deep breathing, for they are aware that their psychic powers are enhanced their lung capacity.  Deep breathing is a great aid to concentration, just as physical ease helps to erase irritability and ensure a patient attitude.

 The time factor enters strongly into gazing.  There are three periods during the day that are ideal to consult the crystal ball: sunrise, midday, and sunset.  It is generally accepted that sunrise is the most propitious, for it symbolizes a new beginning.  This does not preclude other hours between dawn and dark times to avoid using the crystal ball are the dark hours from nine o’clock in the evening until dawn.  During that period the scryer is renewing vital powers, either through sleep or meditation.

Amulets are passive protectors but talismans actively transform the wearer to hold certain powers. Crystals and gems already hold power, but with a talisman, special powers can be naturally occurring, or you can instill powers during a ritual. A talisman can be any object or symbol that you believe possesses mystical qualities. Talismans are used for many different reasons. They can bring love, luck, wealth, and protect you from death or harm. For instructions on creating a talisman, consult a grimoire, or spell book. Here is a list of sacred stone shapes for amulets and pendulums when you are trying to figure out how you want to create ritual talismans and charms.

We all get worn down now and again and, when that happens, we often feel blue or, at least in the doldrums a bit. If you have not other crystal, make sure to have rose uartz qon hand as it infuses you with self-love and brightens “the vibe” anywhere it is. I view self-love is a superpower and the real foundation of all true personal power. Widely known as the stone of unconditional love, the soft pink hunk of love known as rose quartz is said to attract and inspire love in all forms. It’s especially good for promoting self-love and emotional harmony.

It can be a teeny tiny pebble of pink or a big ol rock but you should have it near you, especially when you are feeling low. I say have some around at all time but, then again, I have crystals in every room. Keeping a piece of Rose Quartz out where we can see it, on your desk at work,   on your bedside table or next to the bathtub, can act as a powerful visual reminder to take a little bit of time for yourself.

We are approaching a new season. What can you do to greet the change with good energy? A marvelous way to take full advantage of the power of your crystals is to wear them in jewelry. Even better, you can make the jewelry you own magical by charging it—imbuing it with intention and purpose and power. Also, you can craft your own magical jewelry, which is perhaps the most powerful option of all because you hold your desires in mind as you put your enchantments together step by step and gem by gem.