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  Please keep in mind that you don’t need to follow any particular faith or religion to take part in any of the rituals in this book.

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  Q: Can I do multiple crystal rituals at the same time?

  A: We recommend working with one crystal ritual at a time before you add in other rituals. We feel it’s best to establish a relationship with a crystal or group of crystals first, taking the time to get to know them. Think of it as starting a new relationship with someone; you’ll probably want to get to know them a little better before introducing them to your group of friends.

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  THE IMPORTANCE OF TIMING IN EACH RITUAL

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  The time it takes for each individual to shift into a ritual state of consciousness varies. We’ve chosen time frames that have been effective for us. These rituals can last anywhere between 11 minutes and 40 days. We’ve found that most people are able to focus on something for 3 to 9 minutes without interruption, while 11 minutes pushes the boundaries a little. This is the time when you might begin to feel uncomfortable. It’s in this state of slight discomfort that you learn the most about yourself!

  CRYSTAL SHAPES AND WHY THEY WORK

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  Someone new to the crystal world may think the way a stone is cut or shaped is purely aesthetic, but there’s a little more to a crystal’s shape than meets the eye. While it won’t change the type of energy that a crystal gives off, the way a crystal is cut can affect and even enhance how you experience that energy. Think about it in terms of music. You can listen to the same song on a record player, with headphones, or through surround-sound speakers and have a completely different experience with it each time. It’s the same song, but the raw texture of a record player, focused feel of headphones, and full-bodied atmosphere of surround sound will all give you different perspectives. Knowing which crystal shape does what will help you amplify your experience based on the mood you’re in. Need to focus? Use a crystal point. Looking for some stability? Go for the grounding essence of a cube. You can use specific crystals and shapes for a fit tailored to your energetic needs.

  TUMBLED STONES

  Tumbled stones are a great place to start your crystal adventure. For a small investment, the benefits you receive from these pocket-sized crystals are significant. We have found that many of our clients will work with a different stone every day, one that they resonate with that acts as their “daily energy prescription.” Because of their size, tumbled stones can be put in your pocket or in your bra, displayed on your office desk, placed inside your car, or tucked under your pillow.

  SPHERES

  Crystal spheres allow energy to emit in all directions. The perfect symmetry of a sphere brings balance, peace, and relaxing energies into its environment. Meditating with a sphere provides a deep sense of wholeness, as if you hold the world in the palm of your hand. They unite all parts of your being and connect you with the energy of your surroundings.

  PYRAMIDS

  Pyramids are one of the most powerful tools for both manifesting and amplifying energy. This sacred shape has been used by many ancient civilizations, none more famously than the ancient Egyptians. They believed that pyramids symbolized the rays of the Sun. Crystals in this sacred shape are thought to harness high vibrational energies for greater manifestation power.

  HARMONIZERS

  Crystal harmonizers are polished into cylindrical shapes for holding during meditation. These crystal tools have been crafted for curing energy blocks and energetic imbalances since the time of the ancient Egyptians. By holding one harmonizer in the left hand (yin) and one in the right (yang), spiritual vitality is reinvigorated, and a sense of balance can be restored.

  CUBES

  Many crystals are found in a cubic formation. The cube shape is associated with the root chakra. Meditating with cubic crystals will help to ground your energy and reconnect you with the powerful energy of the Earth. By placing cubic formations in each of the four corners of a room, you will seal, protect, and ground the energy of your space.

  HEARTS

  Heart-shaped crystals remind you that you are always surrounded by love. They are powerful allies in helping to attract love from others, as well as nourishing yourself with love from within.

  POINTS

  Crystal points are one of the most commonly used and beneficial shapes to work with. They are very powerful for manifestation, as they help to manifest your dreams, wishes, and intentions at a much faster rate by directing your intention up into the universe.

  CLUSTERS

  A crystal cluster occurs when several crystal points grow together on a matrix. Due to the convergence of many crystal points, a crystal cluster vibrates at an even higher energy, directing energy in multiple directions and making it a crystal essential to have in any space.

  Traditionally, 40 days is the period of time it takes to break a habit. It’s all about consistency! During a 40-day period, you’ll learn which days are hardest for you to stay disciplined. Does it get tough on day 15? Day 29t? You’ll discover your personal breaking point when you start to hold yourself back from succeeding. We encourage you to invest in the specified time suggested for each ritual. This is how you will tap into its highest potential, as well as your own highest potential.

  ALIGNING YOUR RITUALS WITH THE PHASES OF THE MOON

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  You’ll notice that many of our crystal rituals begin on the New Moon or the Full Moon. The New Moon marks the beginning of the Moon’s cycle and is the ideal time to start new projects and plant new seeds. The Full Moon is when the Moon is at its fullest expression. It’s a powerful time to let go of what no longer serves you. (To learn more about living in tune with the Moon.)

  Now that you have a basic understanding of what the world of crystal energy is all about, you’re ready to get started. Hold on tight while we take you on a crystalline adventure! We think it’s crystal clear that you’re in for an unforgettable journey.

  “A time will come when science will make tremendous advances, not because of better instruments for discovering and measuring things, but because a few people will have at their command great spiritual powers, which at the present are seldom used. Within a few centuries the art of spiritual healing will be increasingly developed and universally used.”

  — GUSTAF STRÖMBERG

  astronomer

  CHAPTER 3

  SPACE CLEARING

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  HOW TO CLEAR AND CLEANSE YOUR SPACE, YOUR CRYSTALS, AND YOU

  “From a spiritual perspective, letting go of physical ‘stuff’ equates with letting go of emotional stuff from your life. In truth, clutter clearing is never just about the stuff; it addresses other things going on beneath the surface.”

  — DENISE LINN,

  expert in Feng Shui and space clearing

  WHEN YOU FIRST START TO DABBLE IN THE WORLD OF CRYSTALS, YOU WILL QUICKLY REALIZE THAT it’s challenging to live in between your new and old world. I tried to hold on to my “old life” for as long as I could, but there came the day that I had no choice. It was time to come out of the crystal closet. I’m hoping that you can make a more graceful entrance into this world than I did!

  It happened unexpectedly one morning when I woke up and went through my usual routine. I lit a sage stick and smudged the house in the Native American tradition. This particular morning, however, I used a ceramic pot, filling it to the top with loose sage. Normally, when I fanned my hawk feather over the crackling sage and walked around the house, the smoke would eventually burn out. This time the loose sage went ablaze. White smoke filled every crevice of empty space in each room. The smoke alarms blared. I ran through the house, opening doors and windows as fast as I could.

  My neighbor saw smoke coming from the house and called the fire department. The sirens grew louder and louder. Everyone—and I mean everyone—on my street had come outside to see which house was burning down.

  My house filled with so
much smoke, I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face. As the firefighters barreled through the front door, they wanted to know, “What’s that smell? Where’s the smoke coming from?”

  “It’s a false alarm! I was just saging the house.”

  My husband, Jason, had already joined my neighbors outside as a spectator, waiting to see what would happen next. (He wanted nothing to do with me at that point!)

  The firemen were befuddled. “You’re doing what?”

  “Um. See, the thing is, I’m purifying and cleansing the negative energy in my space and my crystals.”

  The fireman paused. “With smoke?”

  “Yup.”

  “Well then, they’re probably pretty purified by now.”

  My neighbors all had the same looks on their faces—pure shock. But not Jason. He’d probably been wondering when this day would finally come. After the firefighters packed up their hoses and drove away, I tried to explain the situation to the neighbors. It didn’t go over well. (My neighbors never did quite understand me.)

  That was the day I realized I needed to finally come out of the crystal closet and embrace the spiritual, mystical truth seeker in me.

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  Q: How do I know if there’s any negative energy in the house, if all seems to be well? Is cleansing even necessary?

  A: Space clearing is similar to a physical cleaning of your home. Every week, you physically clean your home to keep it neat and tidy. These are other scenarios in which you’d definitely want to clear the energy:

  If there has been a fight or argument

  If someone has been sick

  If things continue to break in the house or you’re going through a period of bad luck

  If you’ve had a big party or a large group of people in your home

  If there’s been a recent loss and you’ve been grieving

  If overall the energy of the space seems heavy and stuck

  When you move into a new home (renting or buying)

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  YOUR CLEARING AND CLEANSING TOOL KIT

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  In the crystal rituals within each chapter, you’ll notice that the first step includes clearing the energy of your space, your crystals, and you. This process allows you to remove any unwanted and stale energy that may have accumulated over time. Whether you’re cleansing your personal energy, the energy of your house, or the energy of your crystals, there are many options available to you. Our go-to tool for cleansing is sage, but there are other methods such as Palo Santo, Frankincense, sea salt, and sound as well.

  By using one or a combination of the cleansing tools listed on the upcoming pages, you’ll add additional layers of effectiveness to your crystal ritual.

  PLEASE NOTE: In the following section, you’ll learn the ways that we clear our space. We find these methods to be very effective, but are constantly evolving and shifting how we do so. If you’ve been trained or have a different belief system in regards to space clearing, always honor that practice.

  Sage

  “THE PURIFIER”

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  Sage is a sacred plant that has been used since ancient times. It’s known as a purifier. Burning it before each ritual helps to drive out negative energy and restore balance to a particular space.

  How can smudging with sage remove unwanted energy?

  “Smudging” with sage is an ancient practice from Native American and other indigenous cultures. It’s a purifying “smoke bath” that can be used to cleanse a person, place, object, or space of negative energies or influences. When the smoke begins to melt away, it takes the unwanted energy with it. This can be lower vibrational energy, negative thoughts, or even words from an old argument still hanging in the air. Sage can also be used to purify sacred objects.

  Smudging with sage is an easy way to uplift the energy. It’s similar to how you might feel when you sit on the sand near the ocean and smell the fresh, salty breeze. That’s because moving water and fresh air are natural sources of negative ions, which are actually positive things to have around. The term negative ion is an oxymoron because an abundance of it in the air makes you feel better. That’s why most of us love the feeling we have after a day at the beach!

  The smoke created from burning sage releases a large amount of negative ions into the space. The ending result is a light, balanced, and high vibrational energy. This is why sage is often referred to as “medicine.” We highly recommend using sage on yourself and your environment, and always on your crystals before any ritual.

  Note that we often use the term sage as a verb—you can sage yourself, your space, and your crystals. Some people say “smudge,” but either way, it means that you allow the smoke to envelop whatever area you intend to cleanse.

  HOW TO USE SAGE

  Usually, the sage that’s burned is wrapped into a stick, but you can burn individual dried leaves, too. Make sure you have a fireproof container, such as an abalone shell, to catch the ashes. You’ll also need a feather to waft the smoke during the cleansing process. Don’t let my fire department story scare you! If you follow these steps, you’ll be fine (and hopefully your husband won’t laugh at you like mine did):

  Ask the plant-medicine spirit of the sage to be there with you, and ask that it assist in purifying and cleansing you, your space, and your crystals. Hold the sage above the abalone shell as you light it. Let the sage stick catch fire, and allow it to burn for about 30 seconds. Then blow it out.

  As the smoke wafts from the stick or leaves, first sage yourself using the feather to direct the smoke toward your body. We suggest starting at the top of your head and working downward toward your feet.

  Sage your space. Open your front door and all the windows in the house to allow the unwanted energy to be released. Starting at the front door, sage around the outside of the door and frame. Now walk back inside, and begin saging the space by moving clockwise through it. Using the feather, waft the smoke into the corners of every room and up to the ceiling. Say these words out loud or silently: “I ask that the plant spirit of the sage please remove and release any negative energy from this space.”

  Finally, to clear away any unwanted energy from any hands that have touched your crystals before you, immerse them in the sacred smoke of the sage.

  When you’re finished, extinguish the sage stick by snuffing it out inside of the shell or another fireproof container.

  Palo Santo

  “THE AROMATIC”

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  Palo Santo is another of our favorite energy cleansing tools. Palo Santo means “holy wood” in Spanish. This sacred wood comes from the Palo Santo trees of South America. When it’s burned, the smoke is believed to provide medicinal and therapeutic healing energy. Its calming and relaxing aroma is incredible, standing among the greatest of the world’s fragrant woods. Because of the extraordinary blessings it bestows upon those who have the good fortune to use it, this wood has touched the hearts and minds of countless people.

  HOW TO USE PALO SANTO:

  Light your Palo Santo stick.

  Let the stick catch fire, and allow it to burn for about 30 seconds. Then gently blow it out. If needed, you can blow on the embers to keep the smoke going throughout your cleansing process.

  Say aloud or silently, “I ask that the plant spirit of Palo Santo please bring blessings into the space.”

  To bless yourself, the space, or crystals, simply allow the smoke and rich smell of the Palo Santo to fill the room. To fill your space with blessings, start at the front door and walk clockwise through it with your Palo Santo.

  When finished, place the Palo Santo stick in a fireproof container. The glow at the end of the stick will eventually go out on its own.

  Frankincense

  “THE TRANSFORMER”

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  Also known as liquid gold or Boswellia serrata, this resin is extracted from the Boswellia tree that is found in North Africa, India, and southern Arabia. Frankincense assists
in removing negative energy from a space, providing protection, and creating an elevated spiritual awareness. It is often used to lift moods, to ease anxiety and stress, and for purification. Since Frankincense is a resin, it’s best used when placed on top of burning charcoal. Each self-lighting charcoal round has an indentation that serves as the perfect spot for holding the Frankincense in place.

  HOW TO USE FRANKINCENSE:

  Use a fireproof container. This process generates a lot of heat, so if what you’re using isn’t heavy enough, the heat generated from the charcoal could leave a burned spot.

  Place the charcoal in your container, and light the top and bottom of the bricks. Wait a few minutes for the charcoal to heat up.

  Add the Frankincense to the top, and allow the smoke to billow.

  Say aloud or silently, “I ask that the plant spirit of Frankincense please purify and uplift the energy of the space.”

  To cleanse yourself or your crystals, simply allow the smoke and rich smell of the Frankincense to permeate anywhere you wish to clear the energy. To clear the energy of your space, start at the front door and walk clockwise through it with your container.

  Allow the Frankincense and charcoal to finish burning and smoking. After the smoke evaporates, if the charcoal is still hot, feel free to add more Frankincense to it. Note that the charcoal and the container will remain hot for quite some time even after the smoke has stopped, so be careful when handling them.