shirleytwofeathers
- Keywords: Courage, leadership, manifestation, vitality, self empowerment
- Chakras: Sacral, solar plexus
- Element: Fire
- Zodiac Signs: Leo, Libra
- Number: 1
- Affirmation: I am continually inspired by my inner visions, and delight in taking action to make them real.
With the radiance of the sun and the fire of the solar ray, Sunstone carries the energy of Ra, the sun god, whose energy brings all potential life from within the Earth. It is a Stone of Leadership – of personal power, freedom, and expanded consciousness. Truly reflecting the qualities of Light, it brings openness, benevolence and warmth, strength, mental clarity, and the willingness and ability to bestow blessings upon others.
Known as a joyful stone, Sunstone inspires the nurturing of self in order to be of service to others. It restores the enjoyment of life, good nature and provides a sense of abundance.
Sunstone is a member of the Feldspar family, and is named for its warm shades of gold, orange, reds and browns that sparkle like the sun. Inclusions of Goethite or Hematite refract light between the different crystal layers and produce an iridescent effect as the stone is viewed from various angles. Sunstone may be clear and transparent, or opaque, and is readily available on the market. Clean red specimens, however, are rare.
First discovered in Norway, the Sunstone crystal is linked with ancient Norse texts that reference the Vikings using it to navigate the seas. Thanks to tiny particles of Hematite, Sunstone gets it distinctive shimmer from light-reflecting properties, which these famous seafarers used to catch rays of light from the sun, the undisputed GPS of Mother Nature.
Powered by the radiance of the sun and the strength of its fire, Sunstone brings power and energy from within the earth and straight into your life. It will help bring the wisdom of your heart in alignment with the inspiration of your mind, and it will be beautiful and wonderful!
Sunstone is known to attract the powers of the sun, and it will cleanse your chakras from anything that’s not good for you. It will surround you with love and positive energies that you cannot help but be a source of happiness for everyone around you.
It’s a protection stone, an energizer stone, and a good luck stone in one. It’s a stone that will make you ready for the challenges of life and strengthen your belief that life is truly worth living.
Wearing Sunstone and carrying it around with you will definitely feel like you have the sun right on your shoulder!
Magickal and Metaphysical Uses:
You will never run out of reasons to love this stone because it’s ripe with wonderful and positive energies. Sunstone is all about freedom, self-empowerment, and independence, and this stone can truly be your best companion stone!
It will make you appreciate the fact that you can make decisions about your life, that you are free to do whatever you want, and that you can love the people that you want to love.
When placed with a white candle, Sunstone can help spread protective energies throughout your home or office.
Sunstone will remind you that you are doing a good job building a life for yourself. This stone will encourage you to keep working hard to achieve your dreams. It’s a stone of leadership that will showcase your abilities, strength of mind, and expanded consciousness.
Sunstone is an abundance stone. It encourages independence and originality, is inspirational in revealing talents, and attracts fame and unexpected prosperity. It is an excellent “good luck” crystal for competitions.
- The Divinatory meaning of Sunstone: Enjoy the present without worrying if the good times will last.
Wear Sunstone to feel alive and enthusiastic. It increases vitality and is beneficial in starting, and maintaining, a fitness program or aerobic activity, and for occupations requiring high energy throughout the day.
As a workplace crystal, Sunstone increases your profile and brings opportunities for leadership and promotion. Place next to your computer when advertising your own business or services online.
Sunstone provides a source of strength if you are dependent on others emotionally, or have suffered the sudden loss of a partner. It helps alleviate fearfulness and stress, and protects against those who drain your energies or finances. It is also an excellent crystal for phobia sufferers to ease fear of the dark, enclosed places, or the presence of other triggers.
Worn as a ring on the receptive hand, Sunstone helps one receive what is needed and desired. On the transmitting hand, it channels multiple healings and blessings to others. Worn as a pendant, Sunstone brings the heart’s wisdom into alignment with the mind’s inspirations.
As an amulet of protection, Sunstone is a powerful Barrier Filter. Barrier crystals have incredible abilities to help us focus and amplify our efforts to keep undesirable elements out of our lives. Its crystalline structure gives it strength in all directions, allowing it to provide barriers to attack from all directions simultaneously.
Crystals with the earth power of a Filter, absorb positive energy flow but work to keep negative energy away from us. They help us view the world in a “glass half full” outlook, to see the best in others, the beauty in life, and the good in humanity. They keep us focused on the positive in situations and to not be overwhelmed by the negative. In our technological world, Filters also work to keep harmful electromagnetic transmissions from sapping our energy and health.
It will show the world that you are more than people think you are, and they will be pleasantly surprised at all the great things that you can do.
Sunstone is a joyful stone because it reflects the qualities of light. It invites you to be open, warm, and kind. It will bring about a willingness to give joy and happiness to others.
Sunstone carries with it energies of originality and inspiration. If you ever feel stuck or unproductive, and if you ever feel like you are not able to churn out new and effective ideas, just hold this stone in your hands. It will feel like a switch has been turned on and ideas will just naturally flow.
It will encourage you to reveal your hidden talents. It will heighten your sensuality and give romance a surge of freshness. It will bring you luck in all aspects of your life and energize all your chakras. It will give you stability and mental clarity.
Sunstone will give you an extra boost of energy when you’re feeling stressed or under the weather. It’s a natural anti-depressant, so it will also keep sad thoughts and emotions away.
It will instill good nature in you. Sunstone energy will allow the real you to shine through, and people will love you for it. No matter how weird or different you think you are.
It will fill your life with enthusiasm, optimism, and encouragement. Its energies will make you feel glad to be alive, and you will be filled with energy and cheer.
Having Sunstone with you can be particularly useful when you’re working on a project that will run for months, or when you’re on a fitness program that requires commitment. It will strengthen your resolve and your commitment, and it will make sure that you’re in it from start to finish.
Sunstone will heighten your intuition and strengthen your instincts. They will be right most of the time, too. Sunstone will dispel irrational fears that are preventing you from achieving your dreams or having the love that you desire. It will increase your self-confidence and self-esteem.
This is a particularly good stone to have for people who find it hard to say no.
This stone also has self-healing powers that will benefit you in a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual way.
Sunstone For Healing
- Physical Healing Energy
Sunstone warms the body, increasing metabolism, digestion, and vitality. It stimulates self-healing powers, regulating and harmonizing all of the organs.
Sunstone is used to treat chronic sore throats, and to reduce stomach tension and ulcers. Placed on the Solar Plexus, it is excellent for lifting depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder, and is helpful in chasing away nightmares.
Since ancient times, Sunstone has been used as a grid around the body to relieve cartilage problems, rheumatism, and general aches and pains. Today it is also used to treat osteoarthritis, cramps, fever, various infections, and athletic injury.
Sitting in the sun surrounded by a circle of Sunstones was an ancient remedy for rheumatism. Physical contact with a large specimen also relieved aching feet and spinal problems.
- Emotional Healing Energy
Sunstone is highly effective in cleansing the aura and chakras, and for removing hooks from possessive loved ones, lovers, or anyone draining of your energies. Sunstone surrounds these hooks with love and positive energy, and returns them to the source. It is especially beneficial when ties need to be cut, or if you have difficulty saying “No.” It helps remove co-dependency, overcomes procrastination, and encourages self-empowerment and independence.
Those who hold back because of fears and self-doubt may find Sunstone melts away the sense of unworthiness, feelings of being discriminated against, disadvantaged or abandoned. It emanates a rich and positive spectrum of energies that re-balances one’s emotional patterns, and encourages optimism and enthusiasm. It can help transform anger into energy and judgment into joy.
“I am proud of who I am,” is the affirmation of Sunstone, a crystal known to help us find our joy, harmony and happiness after a dark time. Its properties of vitality and empowerment are particularly beneficial for those under the signs of Leo and Libra, both of whom rely on their good humor and ability to find joy in life. Sunstone’s primary chakra is the Root Chakra, connected to our basic needs and establishing our foundation.
- Chakra Balancing
With its powers of the sun and light, Sunstone clears and cleanses all the chakras, restoring joy and nurturing the spirit. It is particularly energizing to the Base and Sacral Chakras, stimulating leadership and will, creativity and sexuality.
The red and brown shades of Sunstone activate the Base, or Root Chakra, located at the base of the spine that controls the energy for kinesthetic feeling and movement. It is the foundation of physical and spiritual energy for the body. When physically out of balance the symptoms will manifest themselves as lethargy, low levels of activity, low enthusiasm, and a need for constant stimulation. When its spiritual energies are out of balance, you will feel flighty, disconnected from reality, and distant.
When the Base Chakra is in balance, the physical body regains its strength and stamina, and the spiritual energy is rekindled in the form of security and sense of one’s own power. It often leads to independence and spontaneous leadership.
The gold and orange shades of Sunstone identify with the Sacral Chakra, or Second Chakra, located below the naval and above the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis. It controls the flow of energy and is the center of gravity of the body. It is the center of the Life Force of the body, and controls the flow of information from the body to the mind and from the mind to the body. Gut feelings, intuition, and other “non-linear” communication comes from this chakra.
When it is out of balance the symptoms will manifest themselves as confusion, over dependency on others, repression of feelings, inability to feel joy, fear of sensuality or sex, and frustration. When it is in balance you have grace, feel pleasure in life, find you are flexible and can “go with the flow” and do so in good spirit.
- Spiritual Energy
Sunstone relates to people of faith – missionaries and others who give themselves in service to the world. It encourages us to act with grace, and aids in active, joyous meditation.
Sunstone carries yang energy, and balances with the yin of Moonstone. Worn together, these stones integrate god and goddess powers, assertive and outward success and inner harmony within your life.
Sunstone And The Goddess
Sunstone honors Cerridwen, the Welsh Goddess of Inspiration and Knowledge. She rules the gifts of prophecy and magic, and powers death and rebirth. She is the guardian of spiritual transformation.
Sunstone may also be used to honor Sekhmet, the Egyptian Goddess of War. She is the most powerful goddess of Lower Egypt, and is usually depicted with the head of a lion and the body of a beautiful woman.
How to Cleanse Sunstone?
If you own a Sunstone and use it all the time, it will need to be cleared and cleansed regularly. The clearing process is necessary before using any stone for healing, because the clearer the energy of a healing stone is, the more powerful it is.
Your Sunstone needs to be cleansed as soon as you buy them and after every use. A ready and clean Sunstone feels positive, bright, tingly, and cold to the touch.
You will know when your Sunstone needs cleansing when it starts to feel hot, heavy, or drained. There are many ways to effectively cleanse your Sunstone.
- Sea Salt
Sea salt gets rid of any kind of negativity and is a very effective disinfectant of both physical and psychic disruptions.
Use sea salt every time your Sunstone is overloaded with negative energy. Just a tablespoon of sea salt and a glass of cold water are all you need. Let your Sunstone soak overnight.
To use dry salt, place some in a non-plastic container and leave the Sunstones there overnight with the points downwards.
Sometimes a Sunstone may take longer to clear, especially if it has been used in a deep, intense healing. If this is the case, leave it another day or two in the sea salt.
If you live near the ocean, you can bring home some salt water in a jar or wash the Sunstone directly in the ocean water.
- Moonlight
Moonlight is another method of cleansing your Sunstone. Simply place it outside on a full moon or a new moon. Waning moons are good times to cleanse your Sunstone and dispel old energies, but anytime really works.
It is suggested to hang your Sunstone jewelry in a tree where the moonlight can cleanse them.
Try to avoid placing them under the direct heat of the sun because their colors may fade, or they may break or crack.
- Burying It
Burying your Sunstone in a cupful of dried herbs like sandalwood, myrrh, frankincense, sage, and rose petals will also clear them.
This is a gentle and pleasant way to cleanse crystals, but it does take longer than the sea salt method.
Crystals may also be buried into the earth. This is especially helpful when you feel that your Sunstone needs deep cleansing.
Just head outside and dig a hole the same size of your Sunstone, placing it point down and covering it with the soil. If you live in an apartment, you can use a flower pot to bury your Sunstones in.
- Smudging
Another quick way to cleanse Sunstones is to smudge them with burning cedar or sage.
Smudging is an excellent way to make sure your Sunstones are purified. This can be achieved by letting your Sunstone pass through the smoke of the burning cedar or sage stick.
- Water
Finally, you can also cleanse your Sunstone by running them under cool tap water. The points should always be facing downwards to let the negative energies flow out and down the drain.
During this process, visualize the Sunstone as sparkly, tingly, cold, and belonging to just you!
Birthstones
Sunstone is not associated with any zodiac sign; however, it will bring out the sensuality of Virgos, and will temper the sexuality and possessiveness of Aries. Sunstone is most often associated with the Sun.
Sunstone which is gold in color is the natural birthstone of those born in the magical month of midsummer (July 22 – Aug 21). Gold crystals bring you success, enthusiasm, happiness, and power.
Sunstone which is orange in color is the true birthstone of those born at the end of summer (Aug 22 – Sep 22). Orange crystals bring you joy, friendship, pleasure, and family togetherness.
Sunstone which is scarlet in color is one of the natural birthstones of those born in the first month of autumn (Sep 23 – Oct 21). Scarlet crystals bring you strength, vitality, willpower, and dedication.
Sunstone which is red in color is the natural birthstone of those born in mid-autumn (Oct 22 – Nov 20). Red crystals bring you energy, courage, passion, and love.
Sunstones and Color
Gold energy in Sunstone brings success, enthusiasm, happiness, and power. It is traditionally the color of kings, riches, and the sun ~ Gold ~ touches a deep part of our minds, conjuring up images of mystical places and adventure.
- Light Gold crystals provide us with the simple pleasures of life, cheerfulness and contentment.
- Dark Gold crystals have a deeper, more pronounced sense of devotion and commitment, providing us with a mature enthusiasm and ability to share a lifelong commitment of care and love.
The energy of Orange in Sunstone brings joy and friendship, pleasure, and family togetherness. It is a happy and sharing stone, integrating the parts of our communal lives, bringing things and people together. It is a stone of physical pleasure and intimacy.
- Lighter Orange Sunstone promotes companionship and affection.
- Darker Orange crystals deepen the sense of belonging and home.
Sunstone contains Scarlet energy, combining the energy of the pure red ray with the exuberance and joy of the orange. It reflects the color of strength and vitality, both physical and spiritual. Scarlet crystals are amulets of protection from physical harm. They help overcome fear and improve self-reliance, and are the crystals of victory, success, and skill. Lighter shades of scarlet, the lightly tinted red-oranges, are excellent talismans of dedication in young relationships. Dark Scarlet crystals are the key to the physical pleasures of maturity – in love, in life, and in relationships.
Red Sunstone brings a self-confidence built on fearlessness. It reflects the color of passion, energy, and life. It motivates. It is a very strong color – the color of fire and blood.
- Dark Red crystals embody strong, deep feelings, durable energy and quiet passion. It is a masculine color, particularly useful for increasing devotion and seeing the seriousness of life.
Sunstone Lore and Legend
The Ancients believed Sunstone once formed part of the sun and fell to earth during a full solar eclipse.
In Oriental cultures Sunstone was known as a “phenomenal gem” to be worn on Sundays. Phenomenal gems exhibited a moving line, star, or changes on the surface as the light varied, and was considered to bring good fortune to the wearer.
In ancient Greece, Sunstone represented the sun god, bringing life and abundance to all fortunate enough to possess it. It was used often in the ornamentation of goblets and plates, and was believed to counteract poison and produce strength.
In ancient India, Sunstone was revered as protection from the destructive forces of other realms.
Sunstone was used by the Canadian Indians in rituals of the medicine wheel to show spirit guides the connection with the golden white healing light of the sun. During those ceremonies Sunstone was placed in the center of the medicine wheel, and it has been reported that during contact with the spirit guides, the stone emitted a golden glow.
Sunstone Feng Shui
Sunstone utilizes Fire energy. Fire energy is the energy of enthusiasm, warmth, brightness, illumination and activity. It is Yang in nature. It is the energy of heat, action, emotion and passion – of ideas, of concepts, and sex. It is traditionally associated with the south area of a home or room, and with the fame and reputation area of your dwelling.
Use its energy to give your life the boost it needs to enhance your standing in the community and within your family. Red and scarlet crystals should be used sparingly, to bring the sun’s power and the fire element’s energy to your space. Use orange crystals as an accent and as an accessory in rooms where high energy is needed.
Meditation with Sunstone
Sunstone is an alchemical stone bringing a profound connection to light and the regenerative power of the sun during meditation and in everyday life. Meditating with Sunstone on the Third Eye will enable one to see the highest path of action in any situation.
Sunstone meditation can help you feel the powers of the sun and light. With sunstone’s light, it can help clear and energize your chakras.
- A Simple Sunstone Meditation
Hold a sunstone in each hand, palms open. Close your eyes and breathe complete breaths. Breathe in and out, slowing your breath.
Imagine that you are a bright light, and that your hands, arms, head, and neck glow with the brightness of this light. Envision the light expanding and covering everything abundantly. Feel the warmth of your skin as it glows and spreads the light. Feel the warmness of the light as it heals your mind, body, and spirit.
Sunstone and the Angelic Realm
If your birthday falls in any of the following periods, a Sunstone of the color listed can be a valuable conduit to your Guardian Angel. The list below provides the name of the Guardian Angel of those born in the specified time period.
It is listed as follows: Date of Birth ~ Crystal Color ~ Name of Guardian Angel
- Apr 5-9 ~ Orange ~ Elemiah
- Aug 2-6 ~ Orange ~ Terathel
- Sep 13-17 ~ Orange ~ Chavakiah
- Sep 29-Oct 3 ~ Scarlet ~ Haamiah
- Oct 14-18 ~ Light Orange ~ Hahahel (Hahael)
- Oct 19-23 ~ Red ~ Mikael
- Nov 13-17 ~ Dark Red ~ Asaliah
- Nov 18-22 ~ Light Orange ~ Mihael
- Nov 28-Dec 2 ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Daniel
- Dec 8-12 ~ Dark Red ~ Imamiah
- Dec 22-26 ~ Dark Orange ~ Mebahiah
- Jan 6-10 ~ Orange ~ Ieilael (Ieliel)
- Jan 11-15 ~ Light Scarlet ~ Harahel
- Jan 21-25 ~ Orange ~ Umabel (Umbael)
- Jan 26-30 ~ Light Scarlet ~ Iahhel
- Jan 31-Feb 4 ~ Light Scarlet ~ Anauel
- Mar 16-20 ~ Dark Red ~ Mumiah (Mumijah)
There are other Angels that are partial to Sunstone. The list below gives you the information about them.
- Guardian of the Fourteenth Mansion of the Moon ~ Virgo ~ Dark Gold ~ Ergediel
- Dealing with Agriculture and Animals ~ Dark Gold ~ Risnuch
- Ruler of Earth/Wind ~ Dark Gold ~ Ruchiel
- Severity Angel; Tree of Life, Guardian of Tuesday, Ruler of Mars ~ Dark Gold ~ Samael
- Guardian of the 24th Mansion of the Moon which is Aquarius ~ Dark Orange ~ Abrinael
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Sept.13-17 ~ Virgo. ~ Dark Orange ~ Chavakiah
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Dec 22-26 ~ Capricorn. ~ Dark Orange ~ Mebahiah
- Guardian of the 11th Mansion of the Moon which is Leo ~ Dark Orange ~ Neciel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Aug 13-17 ~ Leo ~ Dark Orange ~ Reiel
- Ruler of Saturn ~ Dark Orange ~ Sabathiel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Nov 13-17 ~ Scorpio ~ Dark Red ~ Asaliah
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Dec 8-12 ~ Sagittarius ~ Dark Red ~ Imamiah
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Mar 16-20 ~ Pisces ~ Dark Red ~ Mumiah
- Angel of Fertility ~ Dark Red ~ Samandiriel
- Master of the 11th Tarot Card “Justice” ~ Dark Red ~ Zuriel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Nov 28-Dec 2 ~ Sagittarius ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Daniel
- Master of the Tarot Card “The Sun” ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Nakiel
- Angel of Hope ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Phanuel
- Ruler of Earth/Earthquakes ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Ra’ashiel
- Angel of Pride, and the Sea ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Rahab
- Angel of Purity ~ Dark Scarlet ~ Tahariel
- Guardian of the Nineteenth Mansion of the Moon which is Scorpio ~ Gold ~ Amutiel
- Foundation Angel and known as the Tree of Life. The Angel of Monday ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- Ruler of the Moon, Earth, and Lighting ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- Master of the Tarot Cards “The High Priestess” and “The Hanged Man” ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- Angel of Pregnancies/Child Birth ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- Angel of the North Wind, Creativity, and Truth ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- The sun sign Aquarius ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- Guardian Fifth Mansion of the Moon; Taurus ~ Gold ~ Gabriel
- Master of the Tarot Card “The High Priestess” ~ Gold ~ Schelachel
- Master of the Tarot Card “The World” ~ Gold ~ Uriel
- Heals Resentment and is the Ruler of the South Wind ~ Gold ~ Uriel
- Angel of Music and Repentance ~ Gold ~ Uriel
- The sun sign, Libra ~ Gold ~ Uriel
- Master of Tarot Card “The Fool” ~ Light Gold ~ Chassan
- Angel of the Mountains ~ Light Gold ~ Rampel
- Guardian of the Ninth Mansion of the Moon ~ Cancer–Leo ~ Light Orange ~ Barbiel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Oct 14-18 ~ Libra ~ Light Orange ~ Hahahel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Nov 18-22 ~ Scorpio ~ Light Orange ~ Mihael
- Ruler of Earth/Moon ~ Light Orange ~ Ophanniel
- Ruler of Earth/Constellations/Stars ~ Light Orange ~ Rahatiel
- Master of the Tarot Card “Temperance” ~ Light Orange ~ Saritaiel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Jan 31- Feb 4 ~ Aquarius ~ Light Scarlet ~ Anauel
- Angel of Dreams ~ Light Scarlet ~ Duma
- Master of the Tarot Card “The Hierophant” ~ Light Scarlet ~ Eraziel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Jan 11-15 ~ Capricorn ~ Light Scarlet ~ Harahel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Jan 26-30 ~ Aquarius ~ Light Scarlet ~ Iahhel
- Angel of Music ~ Light Scarlet ~ Israfel
- Ruler of Venus ~ Light Scarlet ~ Nogahel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Apr 5-9 ~ Aries ~ Orange ~ Elemiah
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Jan 6-10 ~ Capricorn ~ Orange ~ Ieilael
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Aug 2-6 ~ Leo ~ Orange ~ Terathel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Jan 21-25 ~ Aquarius ~ Orange ~ Umabel
- Master of the Tarot Card “The Tower” ~ Red ~ Graphiel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Oct 19-23 ~ Libra ~ Red ~ Mikael
- Guardian of the Tenth Mansion of the Moon ~ Leo ~ Scarlet ~ Ardifiel
- Protector and Ruler of the dates Sep.29-Oct 3 ~ Libra ~ Scarlet ~ Haamiah
- Ruler of Mars ~ Scarlet ~ Madimiel
- Deal With Fear ~ Scarlet ~ Yroul
Sources:
- Scientific Name: Helianthus annuus
- Type: Plant
- Quality: Hot
- Planet : Sun
- Element: Fire
- Parts Used: Seed, Flowers, Whole Plant
- Basic Powers: Protection, Fertility
When summer is at its peak, its not uncommon to see rows of sunflowers blooming in all of their colorful glory. Ranging from just a foot or two high to well over eight feet in height, sunflowers come in a variety of yellows and oranges. Sunflowers have been growing in North America for ages, so there is a significant amount of folklore surrounding them.
No flower can lift someone’s spirits quite like sunflowers. They are bright and cheery, and as warm and inviting as the sweet summer sun. With brilliant yellow petals, also known as “rays,” sunflowers have an unmistakable sun-like appearance.
As its name signifies, the sunflower has close solar associations, not only because of its appearance, but also because of its habit of turning its head to follow the course of the Sun during its journey across the sky.
Spirits of the dead are drawn to this flower, for it reminds them of the sunlit world they once lived within.
The sunflower has magickal powers, too, and adorned the crowns of Roman emperors, thereby conferring the ruler with the potent power of the Sun that the flower held within it. The sunflower was later adopted by the Christian Church to denote the saints, prophets, and apostles of the faith; as the flower follows the Sun, so the true believer follows God.
Sunflower Lore
The sunflower originated in South and Central America, and migrated north, most likely due to the migration of Spanish conquistadors. Remains of sunflowers dating back 4,600 years have been found in Mexico. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers took sunflowers back to Europe with them, and the species has spread around the world since then.
In the 16th century, Inca priestesses in Peru worshiped a giant variety of the sunflower plant. This plant was a symbol of the Inca sun god.
The Inca priestesses wore clothing that was adorned with large flower shaped ornaments. These ornaments and decorations were made from gold, and the image of the sunflower was often carved into golden breastplates.
The sunflower was sacred to Native Americans; the flowers were used extensively in celebrations and festivities.
Native Americans used this plant for food and other things. It is believed that it was a very important Native American crop. Like the Inca priestesses that came before them, Native Americans also worshiped the plant.
They held spiritual ceremonies such as the Sun Dance. As well as being a food source, the flower became a symbol of strength and endurance. They would put sunflower seeds on top of graves containing their dead.
Early colonists in North America learned about the many uses of sunflowers from the tribes near them. In addition to being useful as a source of yellow and orange dye for fabric, the sunflower also comes in handy medicinally – it was known for its antimalarial properties.
Sunflowers In Legend
The Greek legend had it that a nymph called Clytie and the Sun God, Helios, were in love. But Helios cast aside poor Clytie for another lover. Clytie died of grief and was transformed into the sunflower, destined to live alone and having to follow the course of her former love. Therefore the sunflower, as a symbol has adopted an aspect of Clytie’s personality: the inability to overcome the emotions or to “let go.”
- An alternative story is as follows:
There was a maiden who fell in love with Apollo. Every time he passed overhead in his fiery sun chariot, she stood in her garden and gazed at him longingly, even though she had chores and tasks to attend to. Apollo, who made a point of shining brightly so people on earth couldn’t actually see him, eventually got fed up with the girl’s foolishness. He flung one of his sun arrows at her, and she turned into a sunflower on the spot.
To this day, she faces east in the morning and west in the evenings, following the path of Apollo. In some versions of the story, it was not Apollo but the other gods who took pity upon her and turned her into a sunflower.
Sunflower Symbolism
The sunflower is a symbol of light, hope, and innocence, and has been adopted fairly recently as a symbol for world peace.
Sunflowers are known for being “happy” flowers, making them the perfect gift to bring joy to someone’s (or your) day.
In many folkloric traditions, sunflowers are seen as symbols of good luck. Sunflowers are often associated with truth, loyalty, and honesty.
The seed head of the sunflower contains a magical symbol. It shows a perfect example of the golden spiral that has been created naturally. This shape is one of the cornerstones of sacred geometry.
The Victorian language of flowers gave it various connotations, so that in certain contexts it stood for lofty ideas, or less flatteringly as a symbol for false riches.
In China, this flower symbolizes longevity or long life. It may be due to the sun which is perceived to have an enduring life even though eventually it will die out.
On a practical note, when these plant stems are cut to make flowers for vases and bouquets, they can last for 2-3 weeks so are quite hardy.
In dreams, the sunflower is believed to be a very lucky symbol or motif. It is viewed as symbolizing career and employment ambitions, wealth, good fortune and positive opportunities.
This flower is quite the lucky charm for someone who may be beginning on a new career path or starting a job.
One of the sunflower’s greatest and most important symbolic meanings is that of having a nuclear-free world. This flower was chosen back in 1996 in order to represent a world of peace and one that is free of any harmful nuclear weapons.
New varieties and seeds were planted during this time on an old Ukrainian missile base and also planted across nuclear disaster sites such as Fukushima, Chernobyl and Hiroshima.
The flowers have been shown to absorb harmful toxic elements and radiation from the soil and clean up the environment. Being so good for the environment as well as beautiful to look at, it is no wonder that the sunflower has now truly become a symbol of peace and also hope for the future of humankind.
Magickal Uses:
Faery flower sorcery sees the sunflower as harnessing the energy of the sun itself, making it useful for positive magick and lightwork. The light contained in its yellow petals radiates strength, useful for dispelling depression and encouraging a healthy sense of pride.
The flowers growing in the garden bring the blessings of the Sun. The seeds are often eaten by women who wish to conceive. This is done during the waxing Moon.
Always include a sunflower or sunflower seeds in a birthday spell to increase happiness, health, and years. Sprinkle the seeds on the earth to invoke prosperity. Place the flowers on a love altar to invoke a long-lasting relationship.
Sunflowers are symbols of good luck. Planting them around your home and garden will bring fortune your way. It is also said that if you pick a sunflower at sunset, then wear it on your person, it will bring you good luck the following day.
Sunflower seeds that dry and remain on the flower head are said to possess the magickal capacity to grant wishes. Hold an individual seed in your left hand and make your wish. Eat the seed or plant it in Earth.
Sunflowers are also associated with truth, loyalty, and honesty. If you want to know the truth about something, sleep with a sunflower under your pillow – and the next day, before the sun goes down, the truth should be revealed to you.
To reveal a thief, place three sunflowers under your pillow. The thief will be revealed in your dreams.
The sunflower is considered a flower of loyalty because day after day, it follows the sun, from east to west. In some folk magic traditions, it is believed that slipping a bit of sunflower oil or seeds into someone’s food or drink will cause them to be loyal to you.
The sunflower is often associated with fertility, thanks to its connection to the sun. To bring about conception, eat sunflower seeds or take a ritual bath with sunflower petals. A necklace or crown of dried sunflower heads can be worn–particularly at Litha, the summer solstice–to bring about fertility.
In 17th Century Europe, some rural practitioners of folk magic used an ointment that would help them see the Faerie folk. This used a blend of several summer, sun-oriented flowers, mixed in with sunflower oil and left in the sun for three days until it thickened.
Some people believed that sunflower seeds were preventatives against the spread of smallpox. Weave and knot dried sunflowers into necklaces and wear them to magickally repel smallpox.
In some forms of Hoodoo, the sunflower is associated with great joy. The oil is often used as a base in magical oils for ritual purposes. You can blend your own magical sunflower oil by blending freshly harvested petals into a carrier or base of sunflower seed oil, which is available in most grocery stores.
Please note that this is not the traditional hoodoo sunflower oil recipe, but it is still one that is effective. Once you’ve mixed your oil, consecrate it according to the method of your own magical tradition before using it in spellwork or ritual. A simple way to do this, with sunflower oil, is to leave it in the sun to absorb solar energy prior to use.
Brew a tea of sunflower petals in water, and use it to asperge around a sacred space during Litha rituals or solar-related spellwork. If you’re grieving or feeling down, use sunflower petals in a ritual bath for a magical, sunny pick-me-up.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Sunflower
The sunflower appears to worship the sun because the blooms have been thought to face the sun as it slowly moves and travels across the sky each day.
Many people view this flower as being highly spiritual. These flowers appear as if they follow the sun as it moves each day from East to West in the sky. It makes the flowers look as if they are highly loyal and devout, just as a follower of faith is.
In a spiritual meaning, these plants are seen as being genuine followers of the sun. This has a connection with Christians following God and other religions following their spiritual guide or divine being.
No matter how small or how little light there is, sunflowers are believed to seek out the light and hold their heads high as if in worship and adoration of the sun.
They are therefore a symbol of true and faithful loyalty to something that is much brighter and bigger than themselves.
Sources:
- Magical Herbalism
- Learn Religions
- Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients
- Feri Tradition
- Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols
- Pro Flowers
Solar eclipses only occur at the New Moon during Her journey between the Earth and the Sun. And while it’s perfectly logical to think that we’d have an eclipse at least once per month, it just doesn’t happen that way.
Why? Because the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is more slanted than the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. And for this reason, the Moon’s shadow usually misses the Earth’s surface entirely. About twice a year, though, things line up just right and we have a solar eclipse: a brief period when at least a part of the Moon’s shadow passes over the Sun.
There are two kinds of solar eclipses, and the determining factor has to do with which shadow of the Moon is involved.
A Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse comes about when the Moon offers Her penumbra, or Her light, outer shadow. While I find partial eclipses a little unbalancing and prefer not to perform magickal efforts then, such may not be the case for you. In fact, you may want to experiment with the energies a bit. And if you choose to go that route, efforts that involve the personal journey or require tying up loose ends might work well.
Experiencing a partial eclipse up close and personal might be a good idea, though, before using its energies in the magickal realm. That way, you’ll know exactly how the energies affect you, and won’t have any unpleasant surprises while you’re knee-deep in ritual.
A Total Eclipse of the Sun
A total eclipse of the Sun occurs when the umbra – or the darker, inner shadow of the Moon – comes into play. The shadow of the Moon completely covers the surface of the Sun, blocking out most of His light, and causing a temporary darkness that slightly resembles the twilight period of early evening.
Only the corona of the Sun – or His halo – is visible on the outside of the Moon’s shadow, and often forms interesting patterns of light against the darkened sky. Scholars say that it’s these patterns that were the origin of many ancient Sun symbols, including the Ankh, the winged disk, and the phoenix.
Magickally Speaking
Magickally speaking, the total eclipse symbolizes a consummation of the marriage between the Sun and the Moon. This means that its energies are not only extremely balanced, but unsurpassed in strength and effectiveness. More to the point, they provide the perfect atmosphere for efforts involving relationships, matters of the heart, justice, and general, personal, or financial balance.
There’s good news and bad news about the total eclipse, though. And just for grins, I’ll give you the bad news first: not everybody can see the total eclipse when it occurs. That’s because you must be within the Moon’s path of totality – usually a distance of about a thousand miles long by a hundred miles wide – in order to view it. Which portion to the world enjoys this phenomenon depends solely upon the position of the Moon when She casts her shadow.
The good news? Solar eclipses are not only entirely predictable, but the portions of the world capable of viewing them are always listed with their time and date. And this means that you’ll have plenty of time to prepare for them magickally whenever they decide to grace you with their presence.
Note:
You can find a lot more information about The Solar Eclipse and Magick along with current information about when and where they will occur, on the Almanac page of the Pagan Calendar, and spells for both a solar and a lunar eclipse over at the Book of Shadows.
Source: Everyday Sun Magic
Crossroads are considered sacred in almost all magical traditions. A crossroads is a universally accepted place to hold rituals, leave offerings, or dispose of items you wish to be rid of.
To relieve feelings of depression, helplessness, and hopelessness, journey to a crossroads and absorb the power.
The crossroads is the juncture of powerful energies, where all possibilities meet. Don’t go to a traffic intersection – the most common modern crossroads. Excessive yang energy will only worsen the situation. What you need is a traditional witch’s crossroads, ideally the intersection of remote streets but at least roads with minimal traffic.
You don’t have to do anything; just linger, keep your mind open and absorb the converging energies.
About Crossroads:
It is believed that Hecate rules over the three-way crossroads. She can see the past, present, and future. It is said that if you should approach a three-way crossroads at night, you would hear her black dogs howling. Her altars have been erected at such places for centuries.
The four-way crossroads are considered to be powerful because all four directions meet at one point. Dirt, rocks, and sticks gathered from such a crossroads are said to have powerful spiritual connections, albeit tricky ones to master. In Greek myths, Oedipus met his fate at the crossroads. From the Yoruban people we have Legba (a god known for his clever tricks) ruling the crossroads.
The strength of Ellegua lies at the crossroad. He is the remover of obstacles. An offering of twenty-one pennies and three candies left at the crossroad will prompt him to be kind and remove the roadblocks in your life.
Ancient people were afraid of what it meant when one direction met another direction. All manner of folklore is available concerning the crossroads. Fairies are said to hang out there, along with ghouls, ghosts, and goblins. Even the Christian Satan is said to roam the crossroads.
Times Square in New York City is known as the “Crossroads of the World.” A true urban crossroads is any intersection where 3 or 4 roads mead and then continue outward unobstructed for eight city blocks in each direction. If any one path is blocked by a dead end, a cul de sac, or a park, it is not a true crossroad.
Metaphysically, a crossroads is a place of sacred transformations, a metaphor for transformational points in our lives, and relate to time and choices. It is a place to go to unblock your path.
Why Crossroads Are So Important
In ancient times the crossroads were places where very important information was exchanged, information that might never reach a town or village. To facilitate this, a common language developed. Called a lingua franca, such a language permitted people from different countries to understand each other well enough to do business.
In addition to learning a common language like lingua franca (Latin was the lingua franca of educated people in Europe for many centuries), crossroads experiences invariably stimulate a desire to learn a foreign language.
Did you know that learning a foreign language increases your intelligence? One reason is that it builds bridges of communication between the right and left side of the brain, increasing flexibility. A person who can come at a problem with right and left brain flexibility has double the resources of someone relying on just one or the other. In addition, on the one side, you learn to speak another language but on the other side, you develop the telepathic ability to understand someone else’s language. This ability often transcends the words being spoken and heard as many people with language ability will tell you.
Important information is exchanged at crossroads. Here is an example of some of the kinds of important information that might have been exchanged at a crossroad.
- Be careful, it is no longer safe to drink the water at xx
- Be careful the king of xx is dying and the country is run by renegades who no longer honor our trade agreements
- Warning, there was a spring flood which washed away the trail at xx
- Good news! The mountain pass is clear now.
- Good news! The king of xx wants trade in his country and has cleared the bandits out of the gulch at xx.
- The price of amber has dropped. Don’t be fooled into paying high prices.
- The market for silk has shifted further west … be careful not to buy more than you can sell.
- Xx’s supply of xx is terrible this year. Best go in another direction with what you have to sell.
People who stay at home in the town and village don’t need this kind of information. But if they are wise, they listen to news from travelers because it can portend things in the future. For example a traveler returns and says, “I have been to xx and they will pay fabulous sums of money for this yellow stuff that washes up on the beaches around here [amber]”. Or he might say, “There are restless tribes marauding close to here. We need to be careful or they will wipe us out.” There is no way for a connection to be made between towns and villages if someone doesn’t travel.
In addition to Hekate, Elegua, and various other deities, Mercury, the god of travel, communication, and thieves, presided over the crossroads. The Greeks erected little phallic statues (no pun intended) honoring the god Mercury along the side of the road and at crossroads to honor the god of travelers.
Sources:
Magick Wands are magickal tools that have two main functions.
- To Focus Energy
When a magick wand is properly crafted and enchanted it creates an energy focusing tool. When a wand has energy channeled into it the wand will focus the energy into a beam that comes out of its tip.
- To Empower The User To Do Magick
The most basic magickal reason for a wand is that when picked up it tells the wizard now is the time to do magick. Magick, or as we like to call it manifestation creates largely based on our thoughts. If you magickally created every thought you had, we would have problems. A Magick Wand solves this problem by allowing wizards to think about anything without their thoughts affecting the world around them (by not holding their wand).
Think of it as a wizard has a “Magickal Wizard” powered up state, to activate this state he must be holding his wand. When in this powered up state any magick or spells he casts will be more powerful than they would be without his magick wand.
Many spells can be channeled through a wand, to those who do not understand magick this may seem like the wand itself is casting the spell. But the spell itself is being cast by the user, not the magick wand tool itself.
How To Make A Wand
One of the first home-made tools of any Witch is the wand, as it is usually relatively simple.
Most Witches would agree that a wand should be made from wood, preferably fallen not cut. First, find the tree your wood will come from; remember you want it to give you something of itself for your magickal work, so take it an offering of some kind by way of introducing yourself. Once you have done this, look all around the tree to see if there is already something suitable on the ground. If there is not, come back at a later date. you may need to repeat this several times.
The piece you are looking for should be straight, about as thick as your thumb, and the length of the area between your elbow and your palm. Once you have something which seems likely, thank the tree, and then take it home to dry. It usually takes around 6 weeks of gentle drying before the wood is ready for working.
Whilst you are waiting look several times at your wood and decide if it lends itself to any particular shaping and if you want to remove any bark. When it is ready, shape it and remove the bark if you wish. Using sandpaper smooth down both ends and the length too if you wish. Start with a coarse paper and move down to the finest you can get. Then decorate it in the way you prefer and polish it with beeswax. It is now ready to be consecrated.
Favored Woods For Wand Making
“People are like trees,
it takes time to grow a good one.”
Good woods for wand making include Oak, Ash, Rowan, Willow, and Hazel. Here’s a list of woods associated with different magickal traditions:
- Ainu: Bamboo, with leaves remaining. Top carved into spiral designs
- Berber: Oleander
- Celtic: Hawthorn, hazel
- China: Peach, willow
- Druid (British): Hawthorn, rowan, yew
- Druid (Gaul): Oak
- Romany: Elm
- Russian: Slavic birch
- Scythian: Willow
Lightning-struck wood is considered packed with power. Driftwood makes an excellent wand; it does not have to be cut and combines the powers of Earth and sea.
Keep in mind that no wood will work as well for you as the wood from a tree with which you have forged an alliance.
Wands are not limited to wood. Metal wands are excellent power conductors. Embellish with crystals, seashells and charms. Copper is a particularly excellent conductor of energy. An iron wand provides power and protection.
Wands For Special Purposes
- For Love and Seduction: Copper topped with rose quartz.
- Lunar Wand: Place a moonstone atop a silver wand, for moon, love, and fertility magick.
- Mermaid’s Wand: Driftwood topped with coral, pearls, or shells for lunar, love, fertility, and money. magick as well as rituals by the sea.
- Highly protective ritual wand: Wrap copper wire around an iron wand, embellish with hematite and black tourmalines.
- Empowered Wand: A quartz crystal tip empowers any all-purpose wand.
- For Romance and Love: A rose quartz attached to the wand enhances romantic spells, as do carved symbols for love such as heart or rose.
- Spiritual Quests and Cleansings: Top or embellish with Amethyst crystals.
- Added Protection: Black tourmalines, Herkimer diamonds, and smoky quartz used to embellish a wand provide added protection during ritual use.
Wrap your wand in leather, red silk or other magickal fabric when not in use. Store it in a box for safety if you like, however, wrap it in cloth first.
For optimum power, keep your wand beside you as much as possible to absorb your energy and desires, and harmonize your vibrational energies. Many sleep with their wands either beside them in bed, or beneath them.
Consecrating Your Wand
Consecration is a magickal act, which call upon the spirits of the world to bless your tool, and to dedicate it to a particular purpose. Once a tool has been consecrated it is empowered to do magick by the powers of tree and land, by you heart and by your hand.
The act of consecration is an important step in the process that marks the shift from the creation phase to the active use of the tool. This is not to say that you may no longer embellish your magickal tools after they have been consecrated, but they should be completed to a level that they are ready for use.
- Preparations for Consecration:
Choose a time and date; if possible work with the dark moon. This is a time of beginning, potential energy and intention setting. Give yourself plenty of time. You may want to take a cleansing bath or shower, or purify yourself with tree resin incense such as Frankincense, Myrrh, Copal, or Dragon’s Blood.
You will want to “set the stage” for this small personal ritual. It is best performed outdoors in a quiet place, or a quiet space in your home. You may also do the consecration at the the tree from which you harvested the wood.
- Assemble the things you will need:
The things you need will include incense, a candle, water and soil or salt. These represent the elements and will help you to connect with universal essence and bring your blessing into balance.
You will also need the wand to be consecrated in a carrying bag, a candle in a wind proof container (if you are doing the consecration outside), a lighter, a containers for the water and salt, , a bell or bells, an alter cloth, and anything else you are inspired to bring.
If you are doing the consecration indoors, soft, healing music will help you to relax and focus.
You may also want to choose a beautiful piece of cloth to keep your wand wrapped in when you are not using it. This cloth will be blessed as part of your Wand dedication. Many people favor a cloth made of all natural materials, others choose their cloth by colors, pattern and energy they feel when looking at the cloth, both are fine. Whichever you choose, it should be heavy enough to provide a snug place for your Wand to nestle.
- The Dedication
When you arrive, take some time to set up your portable alter with the four elements in their appropriate directions, and your tools.
Once you have set up, take a few moments to tune into the space. Get quiet. Listen to nature outside and inside. Find your center. Hear your heartbeat and your breath rhythms. When you are ready, start with a simple invocation.
“Dear Goddess and God, spirits of this land, spirit of the trees, spirit of (whatever tree your wand is from), and spirit within, I ask for your presence, your blessings, and your protection on the ritual of consecration”.
Pause to sense the arrival of the sacred. Now take your wand into your hands and speak the following as you consecrate it:
“In the name of Lady Gaia and the Forest Lord, I consecrate this wand with the wisdom of Air”
Run the wand through the smoke from the incense completely from end to end.
“The strength of fire”
Run the wand over or quickly thru the candle flame.
“The love of water”
Sprinkle water over the wand.
“The endurance of earth”
Sprinkle wand with earth or salt.
“And the enchantment of the Faery realms.”
Ring bells over wand.
Pick up wand and and hold it to your heart.
“I dedicate this wand to be a sacred instrument of my power and will. May it serve the deepest and highest good of myself and all beings. By earth, by flame, by wind, by sea. As I will so mote it be. With gratitude to the Lord and Lady, to the forest and the trees, spirits of this place and all witches, I now complete this consecration ritual. Blessed be.”
Wrap up your tools and alter with care. Now that your wand is consecrated you will want to keep it safe and contained when not in use. Some witches do not allow others to handle their tools once consecrated so that the tool stays clear and connected to only you. This is up to you.
The more you work with your Wand, the more comfortable you will be with each other. Whenever you work with your Wand, you will want to create a sacred space. The way you setup for your Wand dedication is also a good way to setup for working with your Wand. Adding other items to your sacred space is fine. Popular items many people add are: seashells, leaves, pentacle, crystals, rocks, Athame, Goddess or God statues
More About Wands
A wand is a thin, straight, hand-held stick of wood, stone, ivory, or metal. Generally, in modern language, wands are ceremonial and/or have associations with magick but there have been other uses, all stemming from the original meaning as a synonym of rod and virge, both of which had a similar development.
In ecclesiastical and formal government ceremonial, special officials may carry a wand of office or staff of office representing their power. Compare in this context the function of the ceremonial mace, the sceptre, and the staff of office. This is a practice of long standing; in Ancient Egypt, priests were depicted with rods. Its age may be even greater, as Stone Age cave paintings show figures holding sticks, which may be symbolic representations of their power.
From the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.In Pharaonic Egypt, toilette articles, weapons against possible enemies, amulets against serpents, were also left in the tomb, together with magick texts and a magick wand which enabled the ka (soul) to use them.
In classical Greco-Roman mythology, the god Hermes/Mercury has a special wand called a caduceus.
Six- to eight-foot-long staves with metal tips adorning them are carried traditionally in Freemasonry during rituals of the Craft. Ceremonial uses may have several wands for different purposes, such as the Fire Wand and the Lotus Wand in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In Zoroastrianism, there is a similar ritual implement called a barsom.
In Wicca and Ceremonial magick, practitioners use several magickal tools including wands for the channeling of energy—they serve a similar purpose to the athame although the two have their distinct uses. While an athame is generally used to command, a wand is seen as more gentle and is used to invite or encourage. Though traditionally made of wood, they can also consist of metal or crystal. Practitioners usually prune a branch from an Oak, Hazel, or other tree, or may even buy wood from a hardware store, and then carve it and add decorations to personalize it; however, one can also purchase ready-made wands.
In Wicca the wand usually represents the element air, or sometimes fire, although contemporary wand makers also create wands for the elements of earth and water as well. The wand is most often used by modern Pagans, witches, Shamans and others in rituals, healing and spell casting.
There is some scholarly opinion that the magick wand may have its roots as a symbol of the phallus. It may also have originated as the drumming stick of a shaman, especially in Central Asia and Siberia, as when using it to bang on his drum or point, to perform religious, healing, and magickal ceremonies.
Sources:
- ALEXANDRITE is a rare and expensive gemstone, when worn it draws luck and good fortune.
- AMBER is the fossilized resin of ancient coniferous trees.It has been used for nearly every purpose in magic. Warm to the touch, it is thought to possess life. Lucky and protective.
- APACHE TEAR, a globule of translucent obsidian, is carried as a good-luck charm.
- AVENTURINE is an all-around luck stone.
- CHALCEDONY, an arrowhead carved of chalcedony is worn or carried for luck.
- CHRYSOPRASE is a lucky stone worn for eloquence, success in new undertakings, and to attract friends.
- COPPER is a lucky metal, perhaps because of its past solar attributions, and so can be used in combination with any luck-bringing gemstones.
- CROSS STONE, a form of andalusite is found in coarse crystals. When broken open or sliced, they display a symmetrical cross pattern of alternating dark and light colors. As with all stones exhibiting unusual shapes or patterns, it is carried for luck.
- L-SHAPED stones are thought to bring good fortune, perhaps because this form suggest the conjunction of the spiritual with the physical. They can be carried as good luck pieces or placed on the altar.
- LEPIDOLITE is a purplish type of mica rich in lithium. It is a beautiful yet fragile mineral, carried to attract good luck to it’s bearer.
- LODESTONE is carried in pairs — one to protect and the other to bring good luck.
- OPAL, due to its flashing colors and beautiful unique appearance, the opal is a luck-bringing stone. The modern idea that the opal is a stone of misfortune, sorrow, and bad luck is untrue and can be traced back to a reference in the novel, Anne of Gierstein by Sir Walter Scott.
- ORANGE stones have some of the fire of red but are gentler in their effects. Protective, they have often been seen as symbols of the Sun and are thought to be luck attracting.
- SARDONYX was at one time engraved with an eagle’s head, set in silver, platinum, or gold, and worn to bring good luck.
- TIN is carried as a good-luck piece and can be shaped into talismans to attract money.
- TURQUOISE like all blue stones, is lucky and is carried to attract good fortune.
From: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic
- Parts Used: Fresh flowers
- Planet: Mercury
- Element: Air
- Magickal Influences: Peace, Conscious Mind, Memory, Attracts Fairies
Convallaria magalis, the botanical name for Lily of the Valley means “that which belongs to May,” making lily of the valley the recognized flower of the month of May, and thus, May birthdays. It is also the official flower of the zodiac sign Gemini.
This plant is also known as Little Maybells, May Bells, Mary’s Tears, Our Lady’s Tears, Jacob’s Ladder, Ladder to Heaven, Jacob’s Tear, May Lily, Convail Lily, Lily Constancy, Muguet, Male Lily, Convallaria, and Fairy Cups.
The well-known and dangerous effects of lily of the valley apply to its internal use, but not to its fragrance. Don’t eat, drink, add to your bath water, or rub into your skin.
Lily of the valley is a fragrant flowering plant used in religious ceremonies, world celebrations, perfumes and in gardens. Also known as the May lily, the name means “return to happiness” and most often symbolizes chastity, purity, happiness, luck and humility. Its meaning and symbolism are represented in Christian lore and folklore, on May Day, weddings and birthdays, and in various celebrations throughout the world.
This tiny plant produces sprays of white, bell-shaped flowers that emit what Culpeper calls a “pleasant, grateful scent.” The aroma instills peace and strengthens the conscious mind. With visualization, the scent will heighten your ability to recall old information and strengthen your powers of memory.
Although the cut flowers are occasionally available in florist shops in springtime, no true lily of the valley essential is available.
This European native plant was first cultivated in 1420 and is beloved by the Fae and humans alike. It is sometimes called Fairy Cups, because the flowers look like cups the fairies have hung up while dancing. The flowers are said to ring when fairies sing and to form ladders fairies use to reach reeds from which they weave their cradles. Obviously, this is a good plant for attracting the Folk to your magickal garden.
According to folklore, this plant blooms on the grave of someone who was executed for a crime they did not commit. It is thought that planting them in the garden will protect the home from ghosts and evil spirits. Although some people consider it bad luck to bring the flowers into the house, in France, people still trade gifts of this plant on May Day in order to have good luck through the year.
The scent of this flower is said to attract nightingales and to give people the power to see a better world.
In the language of flowers, Lily of the Valley means return of happiness, purity of heart, sweetness, tears of the Virgin Mary, you’ve made my life complete, humility, happiness, love’s good fortune. One legend of the lily of the valley is that it sprang from Eve’s tears when she was kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
As a symbol of chastity, purity, modesty and happiness, lily of the valley has been a popular wedding flower since the Middle Ages. According to legend, its strong fragrance lures the nightingale to find his mate. For some brides, the flower is the fifth item carried during a wedding, along with something old, new, borrowed and blue. In Holland, the flower is planted in a newlywed couple’s garden as a symbol of the renewal of love.
Lily of the valley is supposed to protect gardens from evil spirits and is known to have been used as a charm against witches’ spells. It is also considered the flower of fairies, its tiny bells used as cups from which to drink.
Some European countries believe lily of the valley prompts visions of heaven, aiding man to see a brighter future. In Germany and Scandinavia, the flower is a springtime symbol of good luck. In England, when St. Leonard of Sussex fought his grievous great battle with a dragon during the sixth century, as a commemoration to his efforts, the flowers are believed to have sprung from the ground where his blood spilled.
It is also believed that the flower is in honor of Maia, the daughter of the mythological Atlas, the oldest of the Seven Sisters and the goddess of growth, increase, fields, and spring. She and Zeus are the parents of Hermes (Mercury), and so she is the grandmother of magick, which was invented by her son Hermes. The month of May is named for her, and the 1st and 15th of May are her sacred days. Her worship survives as the celebration of the Queen of May in the Catholic church. In the past, only women were allowed to worship Maia. In ancient Rome, May was a time of purification and religious rituals, so it was a very unlucky month to get married (pretty interesting considering that nowadays lilies-of-the-valley are a standard in the bridal bouquet and represent marital longevity).
Lily of the valley is associated with Gemini because of the Mercury (Hermes) connection. Gemini rules divination and summoning, and since Mercury rules magick, this is a good plant to use for ceremonial magick or divination. You could make a great oil for aiding divination by macerating (soaking) the flowers in almond or olive oil. Make a number of macerations in the same oil to get a good buildup of scent. The lily of the valley perfumes commonly available are made from synthetics. Growing the plant is the only way to acquire a natural perfume of the flowers.
On May 1, 1561, King Charles IX received lily of the valley as a gift of luck and continued the tradition every first of May by giving the women of his court this fragrant flower. Today, every year in France, bunches of lily of the valley are sold on streets. In some cities, on May Day, folks wear a sprig in their clothing. The flower is also a symbol used on International Worker’s Day (also known as May Day), or Labor Day as it is known in the United States. The Finnish girl’s name Kielo means lily of the valley. It is also Finland’s national flower.
Considered a Mercury herb, lily of the valley was in the past used for illnesses of the head or brain, such as melancholy, depression, epilepsy, and stroke. Its decoction was mixed with lavender and peppercorns and spread on the forehead and back of the neck to bring someone to their senses. However, later it became much used as a far less poisonous substitution for foxglove and applied to heart disease. Historically, Germans have made a raisin wine with some of the flowers. This demonstrates that although the plant is toxic, the poison is poorly absorbed. The sap can be a skin irritant, however. Leaves of this plant furnish a green dye in spring and yellow in autumn.
The sweet, bee-attracting flowers appear in May; folk belief says plant tomatoes when you see them appear. It makes a great groundcover around shrubs, especially under lilacs (blooms at the same time). This is a good plant for the corners of your house, where nothing else will grow. It produces berries but reproduces mainly through creeping rhizomes.
Information collected from various sources.
Essential oils for prosperity and abundance can draw more than just money; fertility, time and opportunities are also included. Basil, pine, patchouli and jasmine are effective when used in spells to bring abundance in your life, as long as you program the action with intent. For example, dab a drop of basil or peppermint oil inside your wallet to draw in more money while imagining your wallet filling with crisp $20 bills.
Note: The Aromatherapy for Prosperity page has a lot of information on this subject. If you are interested in using essential oils to bring in money, it’s worth taking a look at.
To enhance your natural psychic tendencies and help you tune in to the thoughts and feelings around you, vetiver, sandalwood and rosemary oils are best for psychic awareness spells. For complete relaxation and contemplation, try valerian oil or lavender oil.
We all have days when we feel vulnerable; peppermint or cinnamon oil will boost your magical protection and self-confidence, while pennyroyal oil used in a courage spell will smooth out the day ahead, allowing you to be at your best.
I think it's time to go shopping... maybe even buy some really cool stuff at one of my online shops!!