How to do things in a Magickal way

Thank you for your very beautiful site. I found out the other day about crystal cleansing and I was fascinated. It makes such sense! Before they come to a loving owner, crystals may have passed through
unfriendly hands on a difficult journey - they may even have been dynamited. So hold your crystal, close your eyes and picture it being cleansed by pure drops of rainbow water, so that it will be fresh and free of bad influences, and its energy can help you. Brightest blessings!

Jehanine

Yes, it is very true that a crystal, before you own it, may have been through all sorts of trauma. I personally can't resist a display of rocks and crystals and yet often I feel a jangle of energies as I walk past - so many different vibrations coming off the crystals but also I am very aware of the methods used to obtain them. Crystals have very strong energies and these can be aligned to yourself.

You should certainly cleanse and energise your stone. I would even go further than picturing it being cleansed by water, I'd actually go and hold it in a running stream. Sometimes this is easier said that done, but do it if you can! You can also rinse it rainwater you have collected, or bless it with some special water, such as from the Chalice Well in Glastonbury or from any other sacred place.

Click here to read my "River" ritual, for blessing your stone/crystal.

Once your crystal has been purified, it can start to work with you. Keep it close to you, or wear it and it will harmonise with you. If it doesn't, you should feel it. Sometimes they're not right for a particular person or purpose but you will have to put yourself in a very different and subtle frame of mind to be able to communicate with it. If you're not sure what effect you should be getting, ask me!

Seldiy

What crystals help your love life? Also, my mum needs loads of luck cos she's been down on her luck for a while - which crystal should I buy her for that?

Jackie Turner

Generally speaking, green stones are good for love, things like emerald, jade or nephrite. Some people say rose quartz, which, while I don't think it would do any harm, wouldn't be my first choice. Red stones, like garnets or rubies bring passion, but can also bring arguments or friction, so it very much depends on each person and what kind of relationship they either have or are hoping to have. The Ancient Egyptians
swore by lapis lazuli for a long-lasting marriage. Amber also attracts good things.

But each person is different and has different vibrations; I go very much by their birthchart and their individual story.

As regards your mum's luck, although she is a Gemini, it's not the best influence in her Chart. She also should steer away from watery or Lunar crystals. The strongest and luckiest part of her Horoscope Wheel is in Libra. The strongest stones to reinforce the positive qualities of this Sign (peace, harmony, balance, love) will be amber, jade or new jade (chalcedony).

I would like to see peace.

Laura, Ireland

This is something we all want, but for one person, or even many people, to bring this about by a spell alone, is a very tall order. There are so many factors involved that even to persuade everyone in the World to work towards this goal would be difficult and extremely complex, to say the least. Still, a bit of magick may help and it certainly won't do any harm. Try this working: Obtain a green candle. It may be scented, in which case apple would be ideal, or if it's unscented, dress it with some rose oil, or burn apple, rose or sandalwood incense or jossticks. Choose a time when you can burn your candle for a few minutes each evening, for seven consecutive nights. It should be at the same time each night, but if something should prevent this, don't worry, just do it when you can, or take it up again the following night. If you can get other friends to do this at the same time, even better - agree on the basics, but don't discuss the work. Each evening, light your candle, look at the flame and visualise the light spreading outwards and bringing calm and peace to all it touches. Keep imagining the light spreading outwards until it has enveloped the whole Earth. Now stop, let the light dissolve and imagine it leaving balance and harmony. Meditate on what this means to you and build up the intention in your whole being. When you are ready, send your wish on its way by blowing out the candle and saying; "Let there be peace." If you keep a Magickal Diary, write notes after each exercise. Take careful note of any dreams you have after this working. After the candle has been blown out for the seventh time, you may re-light it at any time, allowing it eventually to burn down - but don't ever leave it unattended! If you extinguish it at any time, don't add the wish, as this would weaken the power of the working. Just get on with something else and use the candle for ambience and atmosphere only. You have already sent your intention. If you wish to repeat the working, buy a new candle. At this point, you may discreetly discuss the work and compare any notes, if you want, with others who have participated - but no-one else.

Remember that Magick works on you. If everyone were to try the above, it may make them think about having the right attitude. Here's to a peaceful New Year.

I want to celebrate Yule this year on the 21st December. Any pointers to doing this in a proper Pagan way? And are there traditional dishes to help us feast properly?

Lisa

As far as food, anything goes really, although turkey I think isn't trad Pag, probably swan or boar would be more appropriate. Quorn isn't traditional either, but if you're vegetarian, like me, it may do.

We usually have curry! You could make a nice Yule log cake, if you don't have facilities for burning a real one!

Sun enters Capricorn at 19.23 GMT, so if you can time your celebration for then, it is magickally good, otherwise, do it when practical, but spare a few moments at the actual time of the Solstice, which marks the turning point at the gate of the year.

A small altar (or large, if you prefer) can be set. It can be draped with green, or red and green. It may have one or two main candles and should have a small, central votive candle in white or gold. (A taper is also useful for lighting)

There should also be a circular symbol, such as a circular mirror, a wheel or a pentacle. A round, decorative tray can be used, or even a hand-made wreath, decorated with greenery, or in the absence of anything else, a coin may be placed on the altar. Incense may be used. (Cones or jossticks are
adequate, the perfume should be a sweet wood, such as cedar, pine, sandalwood, etc.)

The altar may be decorated with greenery, especially holly and mistletoe, also other natural objects, such as pine cones. There may be offerings, such as cakes, sweets, etc. (A Yule log cake!) A celebratory drink may be placed there, in a bowl or cup. (Cider or beer is traditional, but wine is also acceptable, or something non-alcoholic such as fruit juice.)

When you are ready to begin, you should light the incense and the main candles. Acknowledge the four quarters. Say or do whatever you feel appropriate. Call upon the Goddess and God in your own way (if appropriate).Then light the central votive candle, saying: "The light returns". Meditate on the meaning
of the Winter Solstice. You may express your wishes and intentions for the year to come, then share some food and drink. Leave some of the drink for a libation.

You may play a traditional game involving rolling coins. Just put the candle on the ground and see who can roll a pound coin nearest to it!

Thank the Goddess and God and the quarters. Extinguish the main candles. You may let the votive candle burn down, but don't leave it unattended!

Happy Yule!

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