Pearls have always held a mysterious fascination because for a long time it was not known how they formed. One legend tells that they are raindrops swallowed by oysters and another that they are drops of semen from Celestial Dragons flying over the sea or the foam from the lips of Water Dragons. They are formed when an oyster swallows a grain of sand or grit that irritates it and so it covers it with many layers of Nacre, the same material that forms iridescent sea shells and Mother of Pearl. The glowing whiteness of Pearl has long caused them to be associated with the Moon. Use in spells to gain lunar attunement, increase your psychic powers, become more skilful at scrying and divination or communicate with Naiads and the spirits of elemental Water. Can be used in charms or spells to heal conflict, ease trauma or break away from an aggressive or domineering person who has too much control over your life. Freshwater Pearls which are naturally formed are more expensive that ‘cultured Pearls’ which are grown for the market. We do not recommend that you buy or work with cultured Pearls because the process of creating them is cruel and inhumane. Minute ‘shell beads’ are inserted into live oysters and then Nature is allowed to take its course, but many oysters die during the seeding process and all of them die when the finished Pearl is removed.
Peridot is a beautiful green stone that is said to only show its true beauty after nightfall. Because of this it is magically linked to the subconscious and the astral realms. Used in magic to increase intuition, work with dream states, undertake shamanic journeys and encourage astral travel. Worn at night it protects against nightmare, night hags and vampires. Peridot is an excellent stone for emotional healing and is said to restore the missing or damaged fragments of a person’s soul so that they can find happiness and contentment. Wear Peridot to stave off foolishness and protect against madness or to help you keep your wits about you in challenging situations. Encourages mental clarity and helps develop visualisation skills. The stone is said to bring inspiration to poets and to guide people to a happy marriage or true, loving friendship.
Petrified wood is formed when a mineral, usually Agate, replaces the wood of ancient, fossilised trees. The mineral becomes a perfect stone copy of the tree it has developed in, retaining its shape, structure and even its growth ring patterns. The stone is used magically to bring knowledge and understanding of trees, often considered to be the kings of the plant kingdom, because the stone preserves the energy pattern of the tree whose form it has taken. It is a stone of roots and beginnings, used to draw strength and knowledge from the ancestor spirits. Helps past life regression and communication with souls from the past as well as finding out who and what you really are and where your destiny is leading you. Petrified Wood develops the powers of instinct and intuition so that you can use them to speak with and gain understanding from the spirits of those who have gone before us.
Phenacite is a rare beryllium silicate that forms in crystals with wand or disk-like shapes ranging in colour from golden to grey or clear. It is a magical stone which is believed to have a transforming effect on the human spirit. Used in spells to raise awareness of yourself, your powers and your special gifts so that you can use them to better yourself and your world. An excellent stone for anyone who has high spiritual ideals and is striving to change their life. Helps teach us to ‘walk our talk’ and live the life that we know in our hearts is right. A stone of initiation, Phenacite is very helpful to anyone who is going through changes in their life, especially the rites of passage from childhood to adulthood, Maiden to Mother or Mother to Crone. It makes a wonderful gift for a Handfasting or wedding and for any birthday where a person is reaching a significant age such as 21 or 40.
Jasper is sandy coloured and decorated with darker bands and specks that sometimes resemble desert landscapes. The stone is an excellent focus for meditation, especially when undertaking spirit journeys to desert lands to gain understanding of American Indian, Egyptian or Sumerian magic and spirituality. Increases eloquence and the ability to describe your spiritual and magical journeys so that other people can benefit from your experience. Brings calmness to hot tempered folk. Creates a link with ancient civilisation and helps us to understand their beliefs and magic. Encourages far sight, patience and the ability to look at the big picture and gain understanding rather than making rash promises or hasty decisions.
Praziolite is a form of green Quartz which is often scattered with minute sparkles of Iron Pyrite. It is a very personal magical stone which seems to warm to you as you hold it in your hand. Used in spells to aid attunement with Nature and to learn how to communicate with spirits of the Earth. Meditation with this stone can help you discover how you can tread lightly on the Earth and make a difference to the world as we know it today. Helps increase intuition and sympathy with the natural world and is an excellent stone for anyone caring for plants or animals.
Quartz is the most common mineral within the Earth, so common in fact that it truly could be called the bones of Mother Earth. There are several coloured Quartzes, such as purple Amethyst, yellow Citrine and pink Rose Quartz, but clear, colourless quartz epitomises the concept of a crystal. In fact our word ‘crystal’ comes from the name the Greeks gave to Quartz. They called it ‘krystallos’ meaning ‘ice’, because they believed the stone to be water frozen by the Gods to remain forever ice. The beauty and symmetry of the natural ‘hexagonal’ crystals is enchanting and it is no wonder that the gem has been important to many cultures throughout history, including our own. A very personal magical stone used to develop scrying ability, magical power and to focus spell casting for increased success. Basically Quartz absorbs, focuses and transmits energy of any sort and because of this is used as a ‘generator’ to amplify whatever energy is being worked with. This property makes Quartz a very effective prayer generator. Whisper your prayer or chant to the stone in the morning and leave it on your altar to focus and transmit the energy of your prayer. The stone will keep working long after your everyday routine has driven the prayer from your conscious mind. Because Quartz is so good at absorbing energy you must take care to cleanse it thoroughly after working with it. Nobody should be allowed to touch your personal Quartz without your permission, unless perhaps you need to capture their energy for some reason. Many people like to keep their personal Quartz wrapped in silk or in a pouch so that it cannot be influenced by outside energies.Phantom Quartz are pure, clear Quartz crystals that hold at their heart the remains of a black crystal that seems to be dissolving into the Quartz. This stone can be used to concentrate underworld energies or send messages to those who have passed beyond. It is also helpful when working with the phantoms of your past.
Snow Quartz is a very common variety which is often found as pebbles on the sea shore. They are white and slightly glassy, often with dark staining caused by iron in the stone. Snow Quartz is an excellent stone for transmitting healing energy, especially for emotional healing.
Crystal Skulls are believed to store and transmit magical energy a bit like a natural super-computer. The Singing Skulls of American Indian legend are becoming very popular with modern magic users. There are believed to be thirteen Skulls who will one day come together and speak their wisdom to the tribes of man, but not until we are ready to listen to them. Crystal skulls are becoming quite common as gift items and they make a wonderful focus for meditation when trying to understand the mysteries of the Ancients.
Clear Quartz is renowned for its power to encourage psychic development and is of course the stone of the infamous crystal ball. If you can get hold of a Quartz sphere it is wonderful, as the stone helps amplify your energy and encourage your development as you work, making it much easier for beginners to get results. Use it with caution until you fully understand the power you are raising. Flawless Quartz spheres are expensive, but inclusions, swirls or facets inside the sphere often help when scrying, giving you something to focus your attention on. In magical ritual clear Quartz can be used to symbolise any stone, person, thing or colour because of its ability to absorb energy. It is a blank canvas onto which you can paint your magical desires. A Quartz stone can be ‘programmed’ for any purpose, as a healing aid, to focus power, communication, bring forth psychic ability, use in rainmaking magic ~ it was once even believed to be responsible for pregnancy!
Red JasperUsed magically for any spells concerning sex, passion or strong emotions. Red Jasper is a protective stone that can be worn to ward off nightmare and help prevent accidents and misfortune. Sometimes used in demonic invocations, meditation with the stone can help you discover some of the secret knowledge that demons possess. An excellent stone for menstrual magic that can help women to understand and better appreciate their natural cycles. Increases awareness of the Moon and the effect she has on your life.
Rhodochrosite increases self confidence and self reliance, independence and the ability to provide for yourself. Work with this stone can help bring freedom from an oppressive situation or to break away from a destructive relationship. Helps you learn to use your creative powers for your own benefit and to transform thoughts and ideas into real, physical creations. Helps heal emotional wounds suffered in childhood and bring out the ‘inner child’ in you so that you can see the world with curiosity and wonder again.
Rhodonite is a stone of inspiration that can help you to recognise and make use of your own unique talents. Takes away feelings of guilt and false modesty so that you can appreciate how special and gifted you are. Used in emotional healing to help restore feelings of worth, confidence and self-love. Once you recognise your talents meditation with the stone can help you discover how you can use those gifts to better your life and your community.
Rhyolite used in healing to increase feelings of self-worth and enhance your ability to give and receive love. Rhyolite is sometimes called the Stone of Rejuvenation and can be used in spells to bring increased energy or a more youthful outlook on life.
Rose Quartz this pretty pink stone has long been associated with love magic and it does have the power to draw and hold love. A stone of beauty, friendship and joy which can be used to boost your awareness of the beauty and magic of the world or to bring peace and harmony into your environment. A raw chunk of Rose Quartz is wonderful in a room where there is a risk of heated debates or quarrels ~ just remember to cleanse it thoroughly afterwards. Rose Quartz can be used in any form of love magic but perhaps the simplest is to give it away as a gift, which is said to increase the recipient’s love for you. Meditation with the stone will help you find where you are ‘blocking’ love in your life and how to heal yourself of problems which stop you loving yourself as you should, such as depression, low self esteem or self-hatred. An excellent stone for children or for adults who were deprived of love as a child. It carries the energy of elemental Water which can cool anger and wash away pain. Rose Quartz is one of the most powerful Water stones and is very useful if you are trying to connect with this element.
Ruby prized since ancient times this gem symbolises Justice and its administration. Increases creativity and helps break down barriers to allow the free flow of mental and spiritual powers. A very useful stone for those who practise Tantra or Sex Magic as it activates the power of Kundalini and has a raw, earthy energy. Ruby is reputed to sing a baby from the womb and bring on labour at the right time. Changes of colour in the gem are said to mirror changes in the health of its owner and there are many legends of the colour draining from a Ruby at the time its owner dies. The stone carries the energy of both elemental Earth and Fire and is therefore excellent for grounding and transforming energy. As a healing stone Ruby increases energy and improves its circulation through the body, although its energies cans sometimes be quite unruly. Increases your ability to draw energy from the Earth when you need it. Used in meditation Ruby can help you communicate with Dragons and learn some of the wisdom of these fabulous beasts.
Rutilated Quartz also known as ‘Venus Hair Stone’, Rutilated Quartz is a clear, transparent Quartz with fine filaments of titanium oxide suspended within it. This had long been considered a natural ‘Goddess’ stone that can help strengthen your understanding of the feminine nature and powers. Used in spells for good luck and fortune, healing and protection. Helps to increase your awareness of the Earth and the flow of its energy system, and is reputed to cause all sorts of ‘coincidences’ if you are searching for ley lines and sacred sites.
Sapphire a beautiful stone found in all shades from pale lilac to deepest midnight blue. The name ‘Sapphire’ comes from the Greek ‘Sappheiros’ which in turn is from the Sanskrit ‘Sanipriya’ and literally means ‘beloved of the planet Saturn’. Sapphire is used in magic to increase energy, especially fertility and the power to create. It is a wonderful stone for lovers and is reputed to bring a peaceful atmosphere to the house it is kept in. Sapphire is an excellent peacemaker that is said to calm anger, allow people to talk freely about their differences and understand each other’s point of view ~ it is even said that this stone can appease the anger of God. Traditionally Sapphire is believed to cure sleepwalking and gazing into the stone is said to preserve your eyesight. Spiritually the stone is used to encourage deep thought and contemplation and increase powers of telepathy, clairvoyance and astral projection. In meditation it brings intuitive insights into your magic, inspires ‘chaste and pure thoughts’ and helps you to focus on your spiritual goals. Keep a Sapphire in your magical area when working or meditating to bring out your spiritual Fire. The stone is particularly useful for focussing and directing power. Keep a gem in a charm bag or in your hand when you practise any form of divination to increase your ability to see clearly into the future. Different types and colours of Sapphire have different properties. Yellow Sapphire bestows eloquence, Black Sapphire brings visions and knowledge, White Sapphire boosts confidence and brings support for your projects and a Star Sapphire, cut to reflect light like a shining star, is said to protect its wearer from all harm. The rarest and most powerful form of Sapphire is the flame coloured Padparadschah, the 'Lotus Flower' Sapphire.
Sardonyx is a form of chalcedony which is banded with pattern sin ochre and white. Increases confidence and self belief. A very useful stone for anyone who is held back from being the person they want to be by a fear of what others will think or say. Use in Fire magic, especially pyromancy, where the stone will increase your intuition and help you find meanings in the flames.ScapoliteScapolite ranges in colour from pink, violet, yellow or grey to colourless. The gem form of this mineral was first found in 1913 and it is very rare, but when cut and polished it makes very beautiful ‘cat’s eye’ and faceted stones. Although it is a modern discovery some legend and lore has already built up around this gem. It increases knowledge and is helpful to anyone who is learning, especially when reading books and papers. Hold the stone in your hand as you are reading (if you are lucky enough to be able to get it!) and it will help you absorb knowledge and remember the information you have been studying.
Selenite is a beautiful member of the gypsum family which forms in clear, wand shaped crystals that sometimes have water inclusions. Selenite is a lunar stone. It is very useful for anyone who comes into contact with illusions, lies and trickery as it helps you to see through deception and hear the truth of what people are actually saying to you, despite their words. The stone teaches us to take responsibility for our actions and for what we create in the world around us.
Seraphinite is a powerful healing stone which is becoming increasingly popular. It is a form of the green mineral Chlorite, which often appears as inclusions in Quartz and other stones. Sometimes this mineral grows into a massive gem form which is commonly known as Seraphinite. It is an excellent healing stone which boosts the energy of both the healer and the patient. Some people even say that it causes regeneration and miraculous healings. What is certain is that the stone helps us to work holistically on our illnesses, not jus healing the physical body but also strengthening our astral and energetic bodies, dissolving blockages that prevent us from being fully healthy and drawing out emotional problems and old traumas that may be causing us distress.
Serpentine this yellow green stone, also known as Snakestone, is commonly mistaken for Jade. Not surprisingly it is reputed to protect its bearer from snake bite. It can also be used in any Serpentine magic, for example to contact or communicate with Dragons, Serpents and the ancient Snake Goddess. Meditation with the stone can help increase your intuitive knowledge of Earth energies and learning to trust the ‘hunches’ you get when carrying this stone will help you discover sacred areas in the landscape.
Smithsonite this is known as a tranquillising stone which can help relieve stress, aid restful sleep and protect against exhaustion. Sleep with a piece under your pillow if you are in need of a good night’s rest. Meditation with the stone eases the fear of relationships with other people and can help you discover what might be blocking the free flow of love in your life. Helps to merge the emotional and astral bodies to bring perspective and balance to your magical experiences.
Smokey Quartz also known as Cairngorm and Morion, Smokey Quartz is a transparent Quartz with a gentle, smokey tint caused by natural radiation that it is exposed to in the Earth. Clears the mind and banishes confusion. Allows access to the astral realms and encourages communication with their inhabitants. The stone is strongly linked to the Earth and can be used in exercises for grounding, connecting with the Earth element or drawing energy from the Earth for healing and vitality. Meditation with the stone can remove the illusion that physical life and spiritual life are separate and help you understand that your physical pleasures enhance your learning and spiritual growth. Smokey Quartz makes a very special scrying stone.
Soapstone properly known as Steatite, Soapstone is the softest gem mineral. It is a massive form of talc that contains impurities which increase its hardness and it has a greasy, almost soapy feel. Because of its softness it has been very popular for carvings for many centuries. Magically the stone is grounding and balancing, helping you to keep your feet firmly on the ground even when you head is in the clouds. It is good for the home because it creates a calm atmosphere and draws away negative energy. It has the added benefit of being widely used for carvings and reasonably cheap.
Sodalite the specks of Calcite that cover this deep blue stone make it look very like the foam flecked sea and therefore it is used in Water magic, especially to gain the aid of Sea deities. A stone of courage and protection. Sodalite lessens fear, banishes insomnia and protects from nightmare. Very calming for the emotionally oversensitive or anyone who is feeling nervous or highly strung. Helps you to look at situations intellectually as well as emotionally and find practical solutions to your problems. Awakens the 3rd Eye and is helpful when trying to develop your second sight or psychic powers. Stimulates creativity, visualisation skills and imagination. Sodalite brings strength and protection on journeys, especially over the often dangerous element of Water. It can also be used to protect you and increase your courage and determination when undertaking spiritual or magical journeys.
Spectrolite is a black and grey marbled stone with beautiful rainbow flashes. It is from the same family as Labradorite, but is found in Finland. A shaman stone that reveals hidden paths. A very useful stone if you are seeking spirit helpers, especially animal spirits. Encourages self reliance, independence and magical revelations.
Spinel .For centuries most gem Spinels were thought to be Ruby or Sapphire, which was a reasonable assumption considering that corundum and Spinel are founding the same deposits and have the same properties. The distinction between Ruby and Spinel was not made until 1783. Use this stone magically to brings out your strength of character in trying circumstances and to help you endure even when all seems lost. Encourages optimism and helps you find the inner strength to keep going one day at a time. Red Spinel was considered to be a cure for haemorrhages and inflammatory diseases as well as soothing heated emotions and calming anger and conflict. Powdered Spinel taken as a potion is said to eliminate darkness and depression, replacing them with optimism and joy. Perhaps it would be better to use the gem elixir for this purpose.
Sunstone is a variety of oliglioclase with copper coloured flashes that as its name suggests invokes the energy of the Sun. Used magically to encourage the skills necessary to be a wise leader such as strength, confidence, vision, focus and determination. Meditation with the stone can reveal where in life you can use your talents and gifts for the welfare of others. Spiritually Sunstone helps us to overcome selfishness and ego and appreciate just how special every human life is.
Sugilite also known as Luvalite or Royal Azel, Sugilite forms in opaque crystals that range from pale lavender to purple black. Used in magic to open the higher chakras to gain visions and understanding. It is said that when used by the innocent or pure of purpose Sugilite has the power to change the world. Working with the stone can lead you to hidden knowledge, often through a remarkable series of ‘coincidences’. Helps stimulate dreams and is very useful for anyone seeking answers or guidance in their dreams. Use for Temple Sleep and lucid dreaming or just hold the stone and let your mind wander. Gives you the strength to follow your dreams and make them happen in the real world.
Tanzanite a magnificent, intense blue variety of Zoisite which was only discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Its incredible colour has made it very popular as a faceted gem. Once again, although this is a brand new stone there are already lots of theories about its magical uses. The stone brings balance to all aspects of your magical life. It is linked to the Moon and in meditation can help you learn about her cycles, and your own. Encourages clairvoyance, psychic skills and far sight.
Tektite often confused with meteorite, a Tektite is a piece of fused glass found at the site of a lightning or meteorite strike. Once called Thunderstone, Tektites were believed to have fallen from the sky bringing with them fertility and blessings from the Gods above. Symbolic of the transforming power of elemental Fire, tektites can be used in magic to summon your own spiritual Fire in order to change your life. Increases will and personal power and gives you the courage and confidence to make difficult decisions that will improve your life.
Tiger Eye is formed when the fibres in Crocidolite are replaces with silica, giving the stone its characteristic satin sheen. A very protective stone, Tiger Eye can ward off the effects of curses and ill-wishing and also protect you in dream states and on the astral planes. Carrying the stone allegedly makes you irresistible to the opposite sex. Sometimes called the Stone of Balance, Tiger Eye blends opposite energies to bring balance and understanding. An excellent stone for anyone caught up in a situation where they have to be the diplomat or mediator. Helps you see both sides of an argument and make detached, logical judgements. Meditation with the stone can help you find the path of power that lies between polarities. Strengthens your connection to elemental Earth and is helpful for grounding higher energies so that you can cope with the practicalities of everyday life. Red Tiger Eye increases confidence, especially when speaking in public. Gold Tiger Eye focuses the mind, increasing visualisation skills, psychic vision and insights during meditation. If you are forced to spend time with a person who drains your energy protect yourself with a charm bag containing Holy Thistle, Spearmint, Walnut leaves and a piece of Tiger Eye.
Tiger Iron also known as Tiger Ore this stone is banded with yellow, red and black. Relieves emotional pain and helps you to overcome fear. Helps to draw people together in group working and reinforce their sense of companionship and shared purpose as they strive together for the same goal. Encourages individuality in a way that benefits society and helps people to pull together, each making the best use of their strengths. A very useful stone for groups whose members have to work at a distance as it retains a sense of unity while helping each individual work in their own way.
Titanite also known as Sphene, Titanite is a transparent gem coloured yellow, brown or green. Brings knowledge of times past and how that ancient wisdom can be applied in our modern world. Meditation with the stone can begin to encourage memories of your past lives.
Golden Topaz is also called Imperial Topaz and is the stone of nobility, honour and benevolence. Used magically to increase courage, lift sorrow and bring riches and personal fulfilment. Topaz concentrates the mystical powers of the Sun to bring wisdom, wealth, power and energy. Set in a ring it confers power over animals and the stone can be used in meditation to learn new insights about totem animals or your familiar. Worn on the left hand the stone traditionally calms anger and banishes melancholy, brightens the wits and brigs courage. Bound to the left arm it dispels enchantments, heals the mind, prevents sleepwalking and apparently cures haemorrhoids! The stone has a dazzling golden energy that can be used in magic to lift your spirits, strengthen your Will enhance your creativity. Working with Topaz can help you learn to see the intentions and motives of the people around you and, perhaps more importantly, of yourself.Blue Topaz is a transparent, light blue stone that holds the power of the Moon and elemental Water. It naturally complements the energy of Golden Topaz and when the two stones are brought together they can create very powerful magic. Blue Topaz calms passions, balances the emotions and encourages clairvoyance and psychic skills. Keep the two types of Topaz together in a charm bag or hold one in each hand while meditating to discover the power and effectiveness balance can bring to your life. A spell to change your fortunes instructs that you light a single white candle and hold a Topaz in your hands, gazing at it. Visualise it glowing with light and say “Natura Deficit, Fortuna Mutatur, Deus Omnia Cernit”. Carry this Topaz with you in a white pouch and if you need to open the doors of opportunity repeat the invocation while holding your charmed stone.
Tourmaline is pyroelectric, which means when it is warmed it generates static electricity that draws hair and ashes to it. Tourmaline is a powerful magical stone that comes in many different shades and colours In general Tourmaline helps you to draw wealth and power to your life and find treasure. This can be physical or spiritual wealth and power, and the treasures may be talents or abilities you did not know you had. The stone is used in magic to control spirits, attract goodwill, protect against bad luck and to draw things to you such as occult wisdom, power, energy and plenty.Pink Tourmaline (Rubellite) dispels fear and negativity, eases the pain of grief, clams the nerves and increases eloquence and concentration.
Green Tourmaline(Verdelite) raises spiritual vibrations, increases your charisma, brings understanding of the workings of the Universe and can aid peaceful sleep and healing dreams.
Black Tourmaline (Schorl) deflects negativity and protects you from psychic attack. This stone is renowned for its ability to absorb and neutralise distorted or malevolent energy and because of this it is a very useful stone to keep in your magic room – just be sure to cleanse it regularly. It is a vortex that draws in and purifies any energy it comes into contact with.
Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite) is a healing stone, especially useful for the lungs, asthma and respiratory illnesses and nervous problems. It can help you to overcome resentment and insecurity and also helps to heal emotional problems that have been caused by parents and close family.
Watermelon Tourmaline are crystals with a pink core and a green ‘rind’. It is also a healing stone which opens the heart and helps you overcome insecurity so that you can give and receive love. It is reputed to be able to impart a sense of humour to those who need one most.
Colourless Tourmaline (Achroite) is believed by many to combine all the qualities of the coloured varieties, making it a powerful healing stone and transformer of energy. This stone is very effective at amplifying psychic energy and neutralising negative energy.
Turritella Agate is a brown form of Agate that is thickly studded with tiny, fossilised sea shells. It is reputed to bring precious gifts to you unexpectedly and cause wealthy and powerful people to look on you favourably.
Turquoise the name of this stone has come to mean the shades of colour between blue and green but originally it simply meant ‘the stone from Turkey’ because all examples of Turquoise were traded through the city of Istanbul. Prized in Ancient Egypt the stone was used or jewellery and decoration and also ground to make a special blue eye paint. Turquoise protects against magical and mental attacks and is said to be the guardian of babies and young children. It can also be used in conjunction with divination or scrying to give you insights as to the motives or identity of the person who has attacked you. Lessens the effects of curses and psychic attacks and can be used as a gem elixir to bring comfort to anyone suffering from mental shock. The stone is also known as a peace maker and is believed to reconcile warring enemies, even a quarrelling husband and wife. Turquoise has long been associate with travel. Carry a piece to keep you safe and sure footed on your journeys. Turquoise combines the powers of all the elements and is renowned as a stone of vision. The stone is the vivid blue of the sky and gives its bearer the vision associated with creatures of the air such as Hawk and Eagle. Helps you to find unity and wholeness within yourself, balancing the different aspects of your character to achieve stability.