New Crystals!

Hi and Merry Meet,
Yesterday we hiked to the tallest waterfall in Vermont. Husband didn't think he was going to make it to the top, but he did it!!! It was beautiful but no swimming this time.

On our hike back it started to rain and that put an end to our next hike for the day. Husband instead took me to a crystal shop that he found online to go to. We had a very rainy drive but the landscape was stunning! Lush rolling green mountains were on all sides of us.

Husband suggested the crystal shop because "it seems like something you would like" according to him. He was right! I loved it. He knows a few stone names from making jewelry but he was shocked by how many I could name without looking at the tags. One that caught my eye was a free form jasper. I love jasper and this piece was gorgeous! After asking how much it would be Husband got it for me! He also got me a clear quartz point. He is so sweet and supportive of me. I have truly been blessed to have him in my life.

Now we are driving home. It was a great vacation and I am really glad that our plans changed to bring us to this wonderful place!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Tools of The Trade

Hi and Merry Meet,
I was thinking about the tools that I use in my practice or the lack there of.

My main tool is a large quartz crystal that is my wand and my athame. I've never used anything else. I started with this quartz chunk and I thought I'd get the "right" tools later on. I don't know that I ever will at this point. My quartz and I work pretty well together. I mentioned this at a workshop I was at and you'd think I had said something rude.

Tools are personal. My quartz and I are pretty well tuned to each other at this point. Plus, I like using just the one and not having to worry about more tools around my small space. For me having less to worry about is a good thing. I'm sure there are people out there who think more is better but I'm trying to decluter my life and learn to have a great circle with only a few items.

Most of the tools I use are crystals or stones. I love the different vibrations and energies that they bring to my circle.

What are your favorite tools?
Blessed be,
Autumn

My First Crystal Grid!

Hi and Merry Meet,

Yesterday I set up my first crystal grid. I have a really difficult week coming up and I just felt like I need a boost of love and strength to get me though this tough time. I use message stones that said "love" and "strength". Two of the stones I know what they are. The other two, I had no idea but they had great energy that I felt like they were right for this.

I used my pink rose quartz heart as the center crystal in the grid. One of the "love" stones is a quartz, and one of the "strength" stones is a rose quartz. I liked that these two had the words written on them in black, while the two mystery stones have the words written in gold.

Here is my Love and Strength Crystal Grid:

This weekend, I also spent time making a talisman for safe travel. Next weekend my mom and I are going to drive down to NYC to visit my brother and his finance. I ma so excited to see them, but both mom and I are nervous about the drive. In my talisman I have a snow flake obsidian (for safe travel), a rose quartz (for the love of family), and a tiger's eye (for protection). I'll add some salt and sage for good measure before we leave. Last time I went to a big city (Washington DC), my hotel room was robbed...while we were in it sleeping! I woke up and caught the guy stealing our money. So, needless to say I'm super nervous about staying in hotels in big cities. I plan to keep this talisman with me in my purse.

I also made one very similar to this for a friend who is traveling over seas soon. However, I will leave out the herbs due to customs. I don't want her to get into trouble for having plant material that is not allowed to cross boarders. That wouldn't be such a good thing.

I hope that everyone had a good week!

Blessed be,

Autumn

Thoughts on Stones and Quarters

Hi and Merry Meet,

I guess I will be going to only once a week updates as that seems to be all that I can do right now. I'm sorry I've been so sporadic about my posting. This week I have had vacation from both jobs and it felt so good to take some time for me and relax. I've been able to meditate and just spend more time with my practices.

One thing I was able to do this week was get to one of the local thrift stores. I love going to them because you never know what you will find! I found this great crystal bowl to put my stones in. I loved the shape of it and how well they all fit. Now I have an easy way to take them all outside to sit in the light of the moon. Before, I was lining the stones up on my window sills. I also found this cool little tea cup in the same trip. Here's my new dish for my stones:

I loved that this dish is crystal. I liked the energy around it felt that it would be a good match for my stones. I'm slowly adding to my stone collection as the need arises. I found four beautiful fluorite stones this week that I felt would be perfect for my quarters for my Ostara ritual.

Since I haven't done a lot of changing my altar around I thought that maybe I could start with small steps like changing what I use at the quarters. I love crystals and stones. Fluorite is my favorite and I felt like it would go well with my spring ritual. I saw some pretty smoky quartz that would be great for my Samhain ritual. I've used tarot cards, candles, and stones before for my quarters. I liked the idea of the four stones being all the same for the quarters. My classmate in my Wicca class used four clear quartz for her quarters and I really liked that idea. Since I'm drawn to fluorite I found that after mediation on stones that is what I should start with. I admit, I wanted clear quartz, however, all the shops in town were out and the ones that they did have didn't feel right to me. I guess I was being guided to the right stones anyway!

I hope that everyone has been well!

Blessed be,

Autumn