Lughnasadh marks the first harvest, and is the mid-point between Litha, the Summer Solstice, and Mabon, the Autumn Equinox.

Lughnasadh & the Wheel of the Year

Peridot is a beautiful lime-green stone that is excellent for shielding your energy field.A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Peridot: “Feel my energy shield you from harm and negativity.  Know that you are a strong and powerful being.  Allow yourself to be surrounded in my healing light and feel your body, mind, and spirit come into perfect alignment."Common Healing Properties of Peridot: 	Enhances energetic protection and shields the energy body 	Disintegrates negative energy from the aura 	Creates balance among the body, mind, and spirit 	Assists you with organization 	Enhances feelings of personal power 	Increases your self-confidence and inner strength 	Assists you in manifesting more abundance (financial and spiritual) 	Increases luck and good fortune 	Eases feelings of energetic or emotional tension 	Promotes clarityColors: Spring green, lime greenZodiac Signs: Leo, Virgo, Taurus, CapricornElements: Earth, AirCompanion Flowers: OrchidCompanion Essential Oil: LimeCompanion Stone: ErythriteCommon Origins: California, USANotes: Also known as Olivine.Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!More About Peridot:Peridot (pronounced either PEAR-a-dot or PEAR-a-doe) is the gemstone variety of the mineral olivine. It is the birthstone for August.This bright green gemstone promotes personal growth and supports energetic healing. It helps to restore balance among your body, mind, and spirit so that you feel more happiness and harmony in your life. Peridot helps to support you as you determine what's most meaningful to you and what truly feels important in your life. It reveals any things that have been consuming your energy and mental bandwidth that are actually trivial or unimportant so that you can create space for more bliss and joy.Peridot Lore:The lore of peridot has remained remarkably consistent through time. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and other cultures associated this stone with the sun. Through the dark ages, medieval times, and even into modern times, many have claimed that this solar association made Peridot the most effective crystal for protection against negative energy.Various writers throughout time have recommended Peridot for necromancers, people plagued by hauntings, and even those who were thought to be possessed by a spirit. It was also said to be a most effective stone to use to protect people against frightening things that happen at night — anything from nightmares and night terrors to sleep paralysis, which was thought to be the work of a creature called the Night Hag.Some historical sources recommended that you wear a bead of it strung on the hair of a donkey around your left arm for general protection from dark forces, or set in a donkey’s jaw to make a kind of weapon against any kind of “devil.” (One must wield this club with the left hand). If Peridot is set in metal, it was recommended that the metal should be gold, which also has solar associations. Modern crystal practitioners still recommend peridot for healers and people with psychic abilities, because of its power to protect them from negative energy that may be attached to other people.Working with Peridot:Set a vase of full freshly cut flowers in a prominent place within your sacred space and Place a piece of Peridot inside the vase. This will help you facilitate a connection to the earthy, beautiful energy of the blossoms you've included. Make some time to be present with the flowers to connect with their energy and show your gratitude for all that Mother Nature shares with you.When you’re learning how to work with your stones and deepen your crystal connection,

Peridot is a beautiful lime-green stone that is excellent for shielding your energy field. A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Peridot: “Feel my energy shield you from harm and negativity.  Know that you are a strong and powerful being.  Allow yourself to be surrounded in my healing light and feel your body, mind, and spirit come into perfect alignment." Common Healing Properties of Peridot: 	Enhances energetic protection and shields the energy body 	Disintegrates negative energy from the aura 	Creates balance among the body, mind, and spirit 	Assists you with organization 	Enhances feelings of personal power 	Increases your self-confidence and inner strength 	Assists you in manifesting more abundance (financial and spiritual) 	Increases luck and good fortune 	Eases feelings of energetic or emotional tension 	Promotes clarity Colors: Spring green, lime green Zodiac Signs: Leo, Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn Elements: Earth, Air Companion Flowers: Orchid Companion Essential Oil: Lime Companion Stone: Erythrite Common Origins: California, USA Notes: Also known as Olivine. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites! More About Peridot: Peridot (pronounced either PEAR-a-dot or PEAR-a-doe) is the gemstone variety of the mineral olivine. It is the birthstone for August. This bright green gemstone promotes personal growth and supports energetic healing. It helps to restore balance among your body, mind, and spirit so that you feel more happiness and harmony in your life. Peridot helps to support you as you determine what's most meaningful to you and what truly feels important in your life. It reveals any things that have been consuming your energy and mental bandwidth that are actually trivial or unimportant so that you can create space for more bliss and joy. Peridot Lore: The lore of peridot has remained remarkably consistent through time. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and other cultures associated this stone with the sun. Through the dark ages, medieval times, and even into modern times, many have claimed that this solar association made Peridot the most effective crystal for protection against negative energy. Various writers throughout time have recommended Peridot for necromancers, people plagued by hauntings, and even those who were thought to be possessed by a spirit. It was also said to be a most effective stone to use to protect people against frightening things that happen at night — anything from nightmares and night terrors to sleep paralysis, which was thought to be the work of a creature called the Night Hag. Some historical sources recommended that you wear a bead of it strung on the hair of a donkey around your left arm for general protection from dark forces, or set in a donkey’s jaw to make a kind of weapon against any kind of “devil.” (One must wield this club with the left hand). If Peridot is set in metal, it was recommended that the metal should be gold, which also has solar associations. Modern crystal practitioners still recommend peridot for healers and people with psychic abilities, because of its power to protect them from negative energy that may be attached to other people. Working with Peridot: Set a vase of full freshly cut flowers in a prominent place within your sacred space and Place a piece of Peridot inside the vase. This will help you facilitate a connection to the earthy, beautiful energy of the blossoms you've included. Make some time to be present with the flowers to connect with their energy and show your gratitude for all that Mother Nature shares with you. When you’re learning how to work with your stones and deepen your crystal connection,

Healing Properties of Peridot: A Crystal for Energetic Protection

If you’re a spiritual seeker or a mystical soul, chances are you look for signs from the universe, listen to the whispers of your heart, and pay attention to the messages from your intuition.

Crystals To Discover Your Soul Purpose

Larimar is a rare, blue variety of Pectolite and although it's massive in its outward appearance, it has a triclinic crystal system. The blue color of this stone, often mottled with white or green, resembles the ocean when glistening with sunlight.

Healing Properties of Larimar: A Crystal for Joy & Spiritual Communication

Summer Solstice, also known as Litha, is traditionally celebrated on the longest day of the year. Summer Solstice is associated with Midsummer and is celebrated as a time to revere and honor the Sun and the gifts it bestows to us here on Earth.

Summer Solstice & the Wheel of the Year

The healing properties of Chrysoprase will aid in allowing compassion to fill your heart and promote self-love and self-reliance.

Healing Properties of Chrysoprase: A Crystal for Compassion & Self-Reliance

Dana Whitby

Dana Whitby has used and loved divination cards of all kinds since 1999. She holds an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Counseling. After a spiritual awakening in 2015, Dana expanded her work into the mystical realms.

Finding Your Inner Compass with Oracle Cards: An Interview with Dana Whitby

By dressing a candle with oils, herbs, and crystals you turn the candle into a tool for making magic.

How to Dress a Crystal Ritual Candle

Which crystals will balance your zodiac? Knowing the best crystals for zodiac signs are is vital to enhancing the power of your element.

Which Crystals are Best for Your Zodiac Sign?

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Chrysocolla: “I open myself to receive the gifts of health, wealth, and happiness that the universe has in store for me."

Healing Properties of Chrysocolla: A Crystal for Earth Energy

Online crystal healing classes for heart-centered healers and spiritual entrepreneurs – Become a certified crystal healer

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Love & Light Live Crystal Healing Podcast

I love to use powerful crystals to enhance my other spiritual work - it makes SUCH a difference in my ability to feel physically connected to what I'm doing.The following stones are the 10 best crystals for Tarot &amp; Oracle Card readings.Crystal oracle cards are one of the quickest and easiest ways to tap into your intuition and call forth just the message you need to get you headed in the right direction.Whether you’re having trouble making a decision, need a little clarity about a situation, or want a little support and encouragement from the universe, oracle cards are a great tool to help you create just the mindset shift you need.You can place these crystals in your sacred space or on your altar, keep them near you, hold them for their energy, or even create a grid or circle of stones around you during the reading. Crystals are such a great support to this work and can really enhance the intuitive process.The 10 best crystals for Tarot &amp; Oracle Card readings:1. Angelite Angelite has the power to invite your guides and angels in to support you during your reading so that they may provide support, wisdom, or clarity. I also find it to be really soothing, so if I'm feeling a little scattered or anxious, i's a great crystal to have on hand to get you calm and centered before you begin.2. AmethystAmethyst, a purple variety of quartz, helps you tap into your intuition and decipher any messages that are coming through during your reading. Have you ever pulled cards for yourself only to feel stumped when it came to actually interpreting them? Try holding an Amethyst crystal while contemplating the meaning of each card, and then of the reading as a whole for more clarity and to see the bigger picture of what this means in your life at this time.3. Black TourmalineBlack Tourmaline has the ability to keep you safe and protect you from outside energies while you're divining. Because it helps keep you grounded during intense psychic or spiritual work, it makes a great companion stone for any form of divination.4. SeleniteSelenite will ensure that your space is clear and free from stagnant energy or outside energetic clutter, a vital part of any successful reading. When there's too much excess energy, distracted thoughts, etc. focus and interpretation become difficult. But Selenite helps you tune in so that important messages can come through loud and clear.5. Clear QuartzClear quartz has the power to amplify your intention of receiving guidance from your cards throughout your reading. I recommend sitting with your stone in your sacred space before beginning your reading, and setting an intention for what you'd most like to receive. Alternatively, you can work with your Clear Quartz stone to help you get more specific about the question you'd like to ask during your reading so that any messages coming through will be focused and on point.6. Rainbow FluoriteRainbow fluorite promotes mental clarity so that you can stay focused on what you’re doing and keep your mind from wandering during the reading. It also encourages sharp decision-making, so if you're feeling torn between two different interpretations of a particular card or message, reach for some Rainbow Fluorite to help you feel into which one is most accurate (or if both are needed!).7. Rose QuartzGentle but powerful Rose Quartz will remind you to stay heart-centered and compassionate during your reading. Whether you're reading for yourself or for someone else, communicating from a place of compassion is important for seeing the bigger picture and for delivering difficult messages with empathy.8. Smoky QuartzSmoky quartz will keep you grounded, allowing you to connect to the energy of the earth while you’re tapping into the intuitive realm for your reading. It also has an amazing shielding energy.9. LabradoriteLabradorite is a stunning crystal with the power to stimulate your inner eye and activate your intuit...

I love to use powerful crystals to enhance my other spiritual work - it makes SUCH a difference in my ability to feel physically connected to what I'm doing. The following stones are the 10 best crystals for Tarot &amp; Oracle Card readings. Crystal oracle cards are one of the quickest and easiest ways to tap into your intuition and call forth just the message you need to get you headed in the right direction. Whether you’re having trouble making a decision, need a little clarity about a situation, or want a little support and encouragement from the universe, oracle cards are a great tool to help you create just the mindset shift you need. You can place these crystals in your sacred space or on your altar, keep them near you, hold them for their energy, or even create a grid or circle of stones around you during the reading. Crystals are such a great support to this work and can really enhance the intuitive process. The 10 best crystals for Tarot &amp; Oracle Card readings: 1. Angelite  Angelite has the power to invite your guides and angels in to support you during your reading so that they may provide support, wisdom, or clarity. I also find it to be really soothing, so if I'm feeling a little scattered or anxious, i's a great crystal to have on hand to get you calm and centered before you begin. 2. Amethyst Amethyst, a purple variety of quartz, helps you tap into your intuition and decipher any messages that are coming through during your reading. Have you ever pulled cards for yourself only to feel stumped when it came to actually interpreting them? Try holding an Amethyst crystal while contemplating the meaning of each card, and then of the reading as a whole for more clarity and to see the bigger picture of what this means in your life at this time. 3. Black Tourmaline Black Tourmaline has the ability to keep you safe and protect you from outside energies while you're divining. Because it helps keep you grounded during intense psychic or spiritual work, it makes a great companion stone for any form of divination. 4. Selenite Selenite will ensure that your space is clear and free from stagnant energy or outside energetic clutter, a vital part of any successful reading. When there's too much excess energy, distracted thoughts, etc. focus and interpretation become difficult. But Selenite helps you tune in so that important messages can come through loud and clear. 5. Clear Quartz Clear quartz has the power to amplify your intention of receiving guidance from your cards throughout your reading. I recommend sitting with your stone in your sacred space before beginning your reading, and setting an intention for what you'd most like to receive. Alternatively, you can work with your Clear Quartz stone to help you get more specific about the question you'd like to ask during your reading so that any messages coming through will be focused and on point. 6. Rainbow Fluorite Rainbow fluorite promotes mental clarity so that you can stay focused on what you’re doing and keep your mind from wandering during the reading. It also encourages sharp decision-making, so if you're feeling torn between two different interpretations of a particular card or message, reach for some Rainbow Fluorite to help you feel into which one is most accurate (or if both are needed!). 7. Rose Quartz Gentle but powerful Rose Quartz will remind you to stay heart-centered and compassionate during your reading. Whether you're reading for yourself or for someone else, communicating from a place of compassion is important for seeing the bigger picture and for delivering difficult messages with empathy. 8. Smoky Quartz Smoky quartz will keep you grounded, allowing you to connect to the energy of the earth while you’re tapping into the intuitive realm for your reading. It also has an amazing shielding energy. 9. Labradorite Labradorite is a stunning crystal with the power to stimulate your inner eye and activate your intuit...

10 Best Crystals for Tarot & Oracle Card Readings

There are many different ways to choose crystals. It can be as simple as choosing one randomly from a bowl of mixed crystals, or you could even use a pendulum or another dowsing tool. However, the most important part of choosing a crystal is that you feel drawn to it, or a connection to it.This is a guest post by Cindy Bourgoin of Carnelia Stones &amp; Crystals.There is a sense of empowerment that comes from choosing your own crystal. When clients come into the shop, I am more than happy to narrow down the selection for them, as it can be a bit overwhelming to choose from so many different types. However, I always let the client make the final choice. In making that choice, the client is taking their power rather than giving it away to someone by letting them choose the crystal for them.By choosing your own crystal, you are giving your Spirit a voice and trusting your intuition.The more you do that, the easier it becomes for you to continue trusting yourself with life choices and situations that come up.Something else to keep in mind when choosing a crystal by researching books or websites, is that the descriptions are often the author’s perspective. The issue with this is that it gives you an expectation from the crystal rather than remaining open to what it could bring you. You may get a very different feeling when you connect to the same crystal. Just know that it will bring you just what you need, regardless of what that looks like.What about choosing a crystal for someone else? There is nothing wrong with choosing a crystal for someone else, as long as your intentions are pure. You may be purchasing it as a gift, or to show you appreciation for that person, and that is completely acceptable. Simply focus on the person you are choosing the crystals for, hold them in your intention while choosing and you will indeed choose the right one.The bottom line is to trust your intuition and feeling a connection when you are choosing a crystal, whether choosing for yourself, or someone else.Releasing Expectations When Choosing a Crystal:When looking for that perfect crystal, it’s important to release expectations and know that you will find just the right one for you. Of course, it’s important to feel a connection with the piece you get and not just settle. But sometimes we get too specific on what we want and miss out on opportunities to work with another piece that would offer just as much positive energy and healing.Often, people go shopping for a specific crystal based on what they’ve read in a book, or on what a friend has told them, and so, have built expectations that the crystal will help them in the same way it did their friend, or do exactly what was written in the book.“… continuing to use the stones as mere objects for our use is like using the Holy Grail for a beer mug.” A quote from the book “Steps on the Stone Path” by Robert Sardello, a great reminder that stones are not just objects to be used however we see fit.Crystals can offer us energy and we must remain open to what they can bring to us, rather than expect them to perform like monkeys. What one person may experience with a particular crystal may be very different for another. We are all at different stages of our lives and come from very different backgrounds. This can play a factor into how we respond to a crystal’s energy.Some people are sensitive and can feel vibrations, temperatures, and sensations simply by touching a crystal. Others need to spend more quiet time with their crystals through meditation, to really connect with them and feel their energy.Crystals are energy. Energy is information.Our brain is what processes information. When we introduce something new within our energy field, our brain is going to try and find something similar to associate the experience with.If we take Rose Quartz, for example, and give it to one person who has had an overall good life,

There are many different ways to choose crystals. It can be as simple as choosing one randomly from a bowl of mixed crystals, or you could even use a pendulum or another dowsing tool. However, the most important part of choosing a crystal is that you feel drawn to it, or a connection to it. This is a guest post by Cindy Bourgoin of Carnelia Stones &amp; Crystals. There is a sense of empowerment that comes from choosing your own crystal. When clients come into the shop, I am more than happy to narrow down the selection for them, as it can be a bit overwhelming to choose from so many different types. However, I always let the client make the final choice. In making that choice, the client is taking their power rather than giving it away to someone by letting them choose the crystal for them. By choosing your own crystal, you are giving your Spirit a voice and trusting your intuition. The more you do that, the easier it becomes for you to continue trusting yourself with life choices and situations that come up. Something else to keep in mind when choosing a crystal by researching books or websites, is that the descriptions are often the author’s perspective. The issue with this is that it gives you an expectation from the crystal rather than remaining open to what it could bring you. You may get a very different feeling when you connect to the same crystal. Just know that it will bring you just what you need, regardless of what that looks like. What about choosing a crystal for someone else? There is nothing wrong with choosing a crystal for someone else, as long as your intentions are pure. You may be purchasing it as a gift, or to show you appreciation for that person, and that is completely acceptable. Simply focus on the person you are choosing the crystals for, hold them in your intention while choosing and you will indeed choose the right one. The bottom line is to trust your intuition and feeling a connection when you are choosing a crystal, whether choosing for yourself, or someone else. Releasing Expectations When Choosing a Crystal: When looking for that perfect crystal, it’s important to release expectations and know that you will find just the right one for you. Of course, it’s important to feel a connection with the piece you get and not just settle. But sometimes we get too specific on what we want and miss out on opportunities to work with another piece that would offer just as much positive energy and healing. Often, people go shopping for a specific crystal based on what they’ve read in a book, or on what a friend has told them, and so, have built expectations that the crystal will help them in the same way it did their friend, or do exactly what was written in the book. “… continuing to use the stones as mere objects for our use is like using the Holy Grail for a beer mug.” A quote from the book “Steps on the Stone Path” by Robert Sardello, a great reminder that stones are not just objects to be used however we see fit. Crystals can offer us energy and we must remain open to what they can bring to us, rather than expect them to perform like monkeys. What one person may experience with a particular crystal may be very different for another. We are all at different stages of our lives and come from very different backgrounds. This can play a factor into how we respond to a crystal’s energy. Some people are sensitive and can feel vibrations, temperatures, and sensations simply by touching a crystal. Others need to spend more quiet time with their crystals through meditation, to really connect with them and feel their energy. Crystals are energy. Energy is information. Our brain is what processes information. When we introduce something new within our energy field, our brain is going to try and find something similar to associate the experience with. If we take Rose Quartz, for example, and give it to one person who has had an overall good life,

How to Choose Your Own Crystal

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Rose Quartz: “Love and value your unique, authentic self. Bask in the excitement of sharing your gifts for the highest good of all.”Common Healing Properties of Rose Quartz: 	Promotes unconditional love, peace, and compassion 	Inspires self-love 	Promotes an attitude of Lovingkindness 	Calms after traumatic events 	Instills tenderness 	Promotes mutual understanding 	Adds spark to a romance and promote trust 	Eases mid-life crisis 	Soothes a broken heart 	Helps with emotional balance 	Encourages friendship &amp; maternal love 	Eases the grieving process 	Promotes forgiveness, trust, and understanding 	Helps with healing lungs 	Increases fertility 	Treats a poor complexion/*Colors: Pale, soft pink to deep, rosy pinkAssociated Chakras: Heart (4th)Zodiac Signs: Taurus, GeminiElements: WaterCompanion Flowers: MagnoliaCompanion Essential Oil: RoseCompanion Stone: AngeliteCommon Origins: Madagascar, Brazil, South Dakota (USA)Notes: Also known as Anacona RubyWanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!The staff from my new age shop, Mimosa Books &amp; Gifts, had this to share:Rose quartz is the astrological stone for Taurus. Rose quartz, which is simply quartz tinted pink by various mineral traces, has always been the Love Stone. Rose quartz is an excellent “relationship” stone, promoting love in all its forms: romance, friendship, family, and even self-love. It only rarely forms gem-grade crystals but has been used in carving for a very long time. Because of its associations with unconditional love, it is often used in religious carving, including prayer beads and figurines which we carry in the store. All this should appeal to the warm heart of Taurus!Rose quartz contains titanium, often as tiny bits of rutile (which is simply a needle-shaped formation of titanium dioxide).Metaphysical uses: Romantic love, maternal love, the love between friends, unconditional love, self-love–you name it! Every kind of love has been associated with rose quartz. It’s an especially good stone to put under your pillow; depending on your circumstances, this is supposed to attract love, enhance a current relationship, or heal a broken heart. You can also make a rejuvenating face wash by leaving a chunk of rose quartz in water overnight, and then washing your face with it in the morning. (With the water, that is, not the rock.)Pin it!Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Rose Quartz: “Love and value your unique, authentic self. Bask in the excitement of sharing your gifts for the highest good of all.” Common Healing Properties of Rose Quartz: 	Promotes unconditional love, peace, and compassion 	Inspires self-love 	Promotes an attitude of Lovingkindness 	Calms after traumatic events 	Instills tenderness 	Promotes mutual understanding 	Adds spark to a romance and promote trust 	Eases mid-life crisis 	Soothes a broken heart 	Helps with emotional balance 	Encourages friendship &amp; maternal love 	Eases the grieving process 	Promotes forgiveness, trust, and understanding 	Helps with healing lungs 	Increases fertility 	Treats a poor complexion /* Colors: Pale, soft pink to deep, rosy pink Associated Chakras: Heart (4th) Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Gemini Elements: Water Companion Flowers: Magnolia Companion Essential Oil: Rose Companion Stone: Angelite Common Origins: Madagascar, Brazil, South Dakota (USA) Notes: Also known as Anacona Ruby Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites! The staff from my new age shop, Mimosa Books &amp; Gifts, had this to share: Rose quartz is the astrological stone for Taurus. Rose quartz, which is simply quartz tinted pink by various mineral traces, has always been the Love Stone. Rose quartz is an excellent “relationship” stone, promoting love in all its forms: romance, friendship, family, and even self-love. It only rarely forms gem-grade crystals but has been used in carving for a very long time. Because of its associations with unconditional love, it is often used in religious carving, including prayer beads and figurines which we carry in the store. All this should appeal to the warm heart of Taurus! Rose quartz contains titanium, often as tiny bits of rutile (which is simply a needle-shaped formation of titanium dioxide). Metaphysical uses: Romantic love, maternal love, the love between friends, unconditional love, self-love–you name it! Every kind of love has been associated with rose quartz. It’s an especially good stone to put under your pillow; depending on your circumstances, this is supposed to attract love, enhance a current relationship, or heal a broken heart. You can also make a rejuvenating face wash by leaving a chunk of rose quartz in water overnight, and then washing your face with it in the morning. (With the water, that is, not the rock.) Pin it! Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

Healing Properties of Rose Quartz: A Crystal for Love & Relationships

Melanie Beckler

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Melanie Beckler. She's the founder of the popular site, ask-angels.com, as well as the author of Let your Light Shine, Angel Messages, Ascension Angel Messages, and Experience Angels. I'm sure you're probably familiar with at least one of those wonderful titles.Melanie's an angel channel, a light being, and a volunteer soul here to serve in elevating the vibration of the collective consciousness on earth. She's an internationally acclaimed author, ascension guide and clear channel of the light who's passionate about sharing the empowering messages and the elevated frequencies of the archangels and spirit guides. Her work revolves around helping others to remember the truth of their magnificent light and infinite personal power they carry within their open heart. Melanie, I am so excited to have you today. Thank you so much for joining us.Melanie Beckler: Absolutely. Thank you. I'm excited to get to talk with you today.Ashley: So, I'm wondering if we can kick things off because I haven't quite had a guest that does exactly what you do on the podcast before. I'm really excited about this because I find that so many people are waking up to the intuitive skills that they have. Can you can tell us a little bit about your work and what exactly an angel channel is and does?Melanie: Absolutely, great question. So, I think the easiest way to explain what I do is by starting off with the basic understanding that in every moment, we're all surrounded by an entire ocean of spiritual beings. And we have angels and guides and spirits that are always influencing us, guiding us, supporting us in our life. What I do, is I've learned to open some of my senses of psychic perception in order to be able to specifically tune into that angelic realm and to the messages, love and frequency of the angels. So I essentially go inside, open my heart, open my mind, my third eye and my crown and link with the highest angels of Christ light -- the highest angels of love who conserve in the moment. And then one word at a time, while simultaneously broadcasting an incredible love frequency, the Angels deliver their message through me. So, another way of looking at it is that I'm essentially a translator for the messages of the angels, which are always around us. I have opened up the ability to tune into the angels around us and convey them in specific words through an angel message.Ashley: Wow, this is super interesting to me. While you were just speaking, all these thoughts were going through my head because I find this so fascinating. So, when you were talking about how you just learned to kind of tune in to that specific frequency of the angelic realm, it made me think of someone turning a radio dial to find the exact station. Like, you're looking for that message -- you know it's there. Is that kind of what it's like for you?Melanie: Yes, absolutely. I think that's a great analogy and it's one that I've totally used myself. It really is a lot like that. Like I said, angels are around everyone. Everyone has at least their guardian angel who is guiding, supporting, and loving them in every moment. But as human beings, we're so accustomed to just focusing on the physical world, on the physical plane. We've incarnated into the earth through this veil of illusion, so that we, by default, are tuning out the higher realms of spirit. However, as you said, we live in this incredible awakening time. More and more people are starting to wake up to the fact that there's so much more going on than we've been led to believe about physical reality. This awakening process happens differently for everyone and unfolds in a number of different ways. But very commonly, what happens in awakening is we are attuning our frequency to the higher realms, so we're tuning into those messages. Specifically, there' s different ways of perception, different energy centers of perception. When we open those,

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Melanie Beckler. She's the founder of the popular site, <a href="http://ask-angels.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ask-angels.com</a>, as well as the author of Let your Light Shine, Angel Messages, Ascension Angel Messages, and Experience Angels. I'm sure you're probably familiar with at least one of those wonderful titles. Melanie's an angel channel, a light being, and a volunteer soul here to serve in elevating the vibration of the collective consciousness on earth. She's an internationally acclaimed author, ascension guide and clear channel of the light who's passionate about sharing the empowering messages and the elevated frequencies of the archangels and spirit guides. Her work revolves around helping others to remember the truth of their magnificent light and infinite personal power they carry within their open heart. Melanie, I am so excited to have you today. Thank you so much for joining us. Melanie Beckler: Absolutely. Thank you. I'm excited to get to talk with you today. Ashley: So, I'm wondering if we can kick things off because I haven't quite had a guest that does exactly what you do on the podcast before. I'm really excited about this because I find that so many people are waking up to the intuitive skills that they have.  Can you can tell us a little bit about your work and what exactly an angel channel is and does? Melanie: Absolutely, great question. So, I think the easiest way to explain what I do is by starting off with the basic understanding that in every moment, we're all surrounded by an entire ocean of spiritual beings. And we have angels and guides and spirits that are always influencing us, guiding us, supporting us in our life. What I do, is I've learned to open some of my senses of psychic perception in order to be able to specifically tune into that angelic realm and to the messages, love and frequency of the angels. So I essentially go inside, open my heart, open my mind, my third eye and my crown and link with the highest angels of Christ light -- the highest angels of love who conserve in the moment. And then one word at a time, while simultaneously broadcasting an incredible love frequency, the Angels deliver their message through me. So, another way of looking at it is that I'm essentially a translator for the messages of the angels, which are always around us. I have opened up the ability to tune into the angels around us and convey them in specific words through an angel message. Ashley: Wow, this is super interesting to me. While you were just speaking, all these thoughts were going through my head because I find this so fascinating. So, when you were talking about how you just learned to kind of tune in to that specific frequency of the angelic realm, it made me think of someone turning a radio dial to find the exact station. Like, you're looking for that message -- you know it's there. Is that kind of what it's like for you? Melanie: Yes, absolutely. I think that's a great analogy and it's one that I've totally used myself. It really is a lot like that. Like I said, angels are around everyone. Everyone has at least their guardian angel who is guiding, supporting, and loving them in every moment. But as human beings, we're so accustomed to just focusing on the physical world, on the physical plane. We've incarnated into the earth through this veil of illusion, so that we, by default, are tuning out the higher realms of spirit. However, as you said, we live in this incredible awakening time. More and more people are starting to wake up to the fact that there's so much more going on than we've been led to believe about physical reality. This awakening process happens differently for everyone and unfolds in a number of different ways. But very commonly, what happens in awakening is we are attuning our frequency to the higher realms, so we're tuning into those messages. Specifically, there' s different ways of perception, different energy centers of perception. When we open those,

Crystals for Connecting with Your Angels: An Interview with Melanie Beckler

Amethyst is one of the world's most popular semi-precious gems. It gets its purple color from additional iron trapped in Quartz and is known as the February birthstone.Healing Properties of Amethyst: A Crystal for Protection &amp; HealingA Crystal Message About the Healing Properties of Amethyst: “I clear the path for your divine self to come forth.  Shed your ego self and step into your divine purpose. It's time to live the life for which you were meant.”Common Healing Properties of Amethyst: 	Protects you against negative energies 	Enhances motivation 	Promotes positive dreams and aids in their interpretation 	Assists with emotional balance 	Aids in receiving and interpreting Divine guidance 	Helps you become open to your intuition and psychic abilities 	Enhances meditation 	Facilitates a connection with the spirit 	Promotes wellness of the mind, body, and spirit/*Colors: Pale lavender to deep purpleAssociated Chakras: Third Eye (6th), Crown (7th)Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, PiscesElements: Air, Water, Ether/SpiritCompanion Flowers: WisteriaCompanion Essential Oil: LavenderCompanion Stone: Angel Aura QuartzCommon Origins: Canada, India, BrazilNotes: Also known as Bishops’ Stone or as Lavendine.  Since Amethyst is a variety of Quartz, these properties also apply.Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!More About Amethyst:Amethyst is a variety of quartz that contains traces of iron and ranges in color from the lightest lilac to a deep violet. It’s been considered a protective, healing stone from the earliest times. In fact, even its name refers to one of its ancient protective functions: a (anti-) + methustos (intoxicated). Wine taken from an amethyst cup, they said, would never make you drunk! (A possible mechanism for this: the host may have disguised the fact that he’d watered his wine by pouring it into a deep purple cup. It could work. . .) Amethyst has kept its association with virtue through time, protecting one’s better nature against temptation. In fact, the highest grade of amethyst is still known as “bishop’s grade.”Uses of Amethyst:Amethyst makes a good meditation stone; as such, it works well as a source of beads for malas and rosaries. But it’s also a very common stone, useful to anyone for its calming protection, easing the cycles of dreams and sleep. The related benefits, clarity in meditation and restful dreams, can help fix the confusion and occasional case of the blahs that can be a side effect of an active–sometimes too active–imagination. It goes well with lavender, both amethyst and lavender calm body and mind, nurturing us into other states of consciousness. Not only does Amethyst connect to conscious awareness, it also has many practical uses and is great for all types of healing./*Amethyst Lore:We enjoy learning about obscure stones, but amethyst definitely does not fit into that category. A highly protective and spiritual crystal, amethyst has a metaphysical history that goes back at least as far as the ancient Egyptians, probably much farther. We can only deepen our appreciation by looking at the rich historical lore of amethyst: 	In Egypt, it was associated with the astrological sign of the goat. Since goats love to eat grape vines, they were an enemy of drunkenness. The earliest known connection between amethyst and sobriety came through this association. 	Egyptians ascribed special protective powers to amethyst when carved in the shape of the heart, a symbol they used to ward off sorcery. They wore the heart with a feather as a protective amulet. 	Ancient Hebrews used many forms of oneiromancy. Not only did they interpret dreams to read the future,

Amethyst is one of the world's most popular semi-precious gems. It gets its purple color from additional iron trapped in Quartz and is known as the February birthstone. Healing Properties of Amethyst: A Crystal for Protection &amp; Healing A Crystal Message About the Healing Properties of Amethyst: “I clear the path for your divine self to come forth.  Shed your ego self and step into your divine purpose. It's time to live the life for which you were meant.” Common Healing Properties of Amethyst: 	Protects you against negative energies 	Enhances motivation 	Promotes positive dreams and aids in their interpretation 	Assists with emotional balance 	Aids in receiving and interpreting Divine guidance 	Helps you become open to your intuition and psychic abilities 	Enhances meditation 	Facilitates a connection with the spirit 	Promotes wellness of the mind, body, and spirit /* Colors: Pale lavender to deep purple Associated Chakras: Third Eye (6th), Crown (7th) Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Pisces Elements: Air, Water, Ether/Spirit Companion Flowers: Wisteria Companion Essential Oil: Lavender Companion Stone: Angel Aura Quartz Common Origins: Canada, India, Brazil Notes: Also known as Bishops’ Stone or as Lavendine.  Since Amethyst is a variety of Quartz, these properties also apply. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites! More About Amethyst: Amethyst is a variety of quartz that contains traces of iron and ranges in color from the lightest lilac to a deep violet. It’s been considered a protective, healing stone from the earliest times. In fact, even its name refers to one of its ancient protective functions: a (anti-) + methustos (intoxicated). Wine taken from an amethyst cup, they said, would never make you drunk! (A possible mechanism for this: the host may have disguised the fact that he’d watered his wine by pouring it into a deep purple cup. It could work. . .) Amethyst has kept its association with virtue through time, protecting one’s better nature against temptation. In fact, the highest grade of amethyst is still known as “bishop’s grade.” Uses of Amethyst: Amethyst makes a good meditation stone; as such, it works well as a source of beads for malas and rosaries. But it’s also a very common stone, useful to anyone for its calming protection, easing the cycles of dreams and sleep. The related benefits, clarity in meditation and restful dreams, can help fix the confusion and occasional case of the blahs that can be a side effect of an active–sometimes too active–imagination. It goes well with lavender, both amethyst and lavender calm body and mind, nurturing us into other states of consciousness. Not only does Amethyst connect to conscious awareness, it also has many practical uses and is great for all types of healing. /* Amethyst Lore: We enjoy learning about obscure stones, but amethyst definitely does not fit into that category. A highly protective and spiritual crystal, amethyst has a metaphysical history that goes back at least as far as the ancient Egyptians, probably much farther. We can only deepen our appreciation by looking at the rich historical lore of amethyst: 	In Egypt, it was associated with the astrological sign of the goat. Since goats love to eat grape vines, they were an enemy of drunkenness. The earliest known connection between amethyst and sobriety came through this association. 	Egyptians ascribed special protective powers to amethyst when carved in the shape of the heart, a symbol they used to ward off sorcery. They wore the heart with a feather as a protective amulet. 	Ancient Hebrews used many forms of oneiromancy. Not only did they interpret dreams to read the future,

Healing Properties of Amethyst: A Crystal for Protection & Healing

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Sodalite: "Speak your truth confidently and choose your words with clarity and confidence."Common Healing Properties of Sodalite: 	Increases accurate intuitive thoughts 	Encourages successful stilling of the mind during meditation 	Brings out the truth in any situation 	Helps you to stand up for yourself 	Protects you from electromagnetic pollution 	Enhances group cooperation 	Aids you in speaking your truth 	Banishes bad habits and negative thinking patterns 	Aids you in absorbing new information and learning new things 	Removes fear 	Banishes guilt 	Encourages self-confidence 	Encourages a healthy metabolism 	Relieves insomnia 	Reduce feversColors: Light, medium, or dark blue with white splotches (and sometimes dark blue or black veins).Associated Chakras: 5th (Throat) or 6th (Third Eye)Zodiac Signs: Virgo, LibraElements: Earth, WaterCompanion Flowers: Goat's BeardCompanion Essential Oil: OreganoCompanion Stone: Orange CalciteCommon Origins: Brazil, CanadaNotes: Commonly confused with Lapis Lazuli.Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books &amp; Gifts, had this to share:Sodalite is for mutual understanding. It increases empathy between speaker and listener. This promotes a more meaningful understanding between people who are trying to communicate. If you have anyone in your life who talks past you, talks over you, or just doesn’t seem to “get” you, sodalite can help make dealing with this person more manageable — possibly even pleasant! It’s also good for lifting the emotional “overlay” in certain conversations that can distort perceptions and make it hard to understand what the other person is getting at. Some people also use it to help prepare for public speaking, and/or give them confidence while giving a speech or presentation. On a more spiritual level, you can also use it to tune in to spirit guides, angels and other non-human guides. Sodalite is associated with all forms of communication: spoken, written, nonverbal, telepathetic, interspecies — basically whatever kind of communication is needed in a particular situation. In fact, some writers have found sodalite so helpful that it’s sometimes called the “poet’s stone”!Pin it!Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Sodalite: "Speak your truth confidently and choose your words with clarity and confidence." Common Healing Properties of Sodalite: 	Increases accurate intuitive thoughts 	Encourages successful stilling of the mind during meditation 	Brings out the truth in any situation 	Helps you to stand up for yourself 	Protects you from electromagnetic pollution 	Enhances group cooperation 	Aids you in speaking your truth 	Banishes bad habits and negative thinking patterns 	Aids you in absorbing new information and learning new things 	Removes fear 	Banishes guilt 	Encourages self-confidence 	Encourages a healthy metabolism 	Relieves insomnia 	Reduce fevers Colors: Light, medium, or dark blue with white splotches (and sometimes dark blue or black veins). Associated Chakras: 5th (Throat) or 6th (Third Eye) Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Libra Elements: Earth, Water Companion Flowers: Goat's Beard Companion Essential Oil: Oregano Companion Stone: Orange Calcite Common Origins: Brazil, Canada Notes: Commonly confused with Lapis Lazuli. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites! The staff at my new age shop, Mimosa Books &amp; Gifts, had this to share: Sodalite is for mutual understanding. It increases empathy between speaker and listener. This promotes a more meaningful understanding between people who are trying to communicate. If you have anyone in your life who talks past you, talks over you, or just doesn’t seem to “get” you, sodalite can help make dealing with this person more manageable — possibly even pleasant! It’s also good for lifting the emotional “overlay” in certain conversations that can distort perceptions and make it hard to understand what the other person is getting at. Some people also use it to help prepare for public speaking, and/or give them confidence while giving a speech or presentation. On a more spiritual level, you can also use it to tune in to spirit guides, angels and other non-human guides. Sodalite is associated with all forms of communication: spoken, written, nonverbal, telepathetic, interspecies — basically whatever kind of communication is needed in a particular situation. In fact, some writers have found sodalite so helpful that it’s sometimes called the “poet’s stone”! Pin it! Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

Healing Properties of Sodalite: A Crystal for Mutual Understanding

Nicolette Sowder

Hi everyone! This week I am so thrilled to be interviewing Nicolette Sowder from Wilder Child. If you don't know Nicolette, you really should get familiar with her and her community... Nicolette leads an amazing community for those who are really passionate about raising a wilder child and getting back to nature with their children. So Nicolette, hi! And thank you so much for being here. Nicolette Sowder: Hi, thank you so much for having me on, I'm so excited.Ashley: So, Nicolette... Could you start by telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and your mission and how you got started with Wilder Child?Nicolette: Sure, so right now, I live with my husband and my two little girls and we're wild schooling on sixty acres in Michigan. We actually run a pastured farm, but we weren't always here. We were on a trip five and a half years ago... the time's gone so fast... but so much has been packed into such a small amount of time. So we moved from Northwest Indiana -- it was really like a satellite suburb outside Chicago -- so we did have a little bit of property, but once we moved here, I mean, we are now just surrounded by nature. I always grew up appreciating nature with my parents, so that really instilled some key values within me. This was all enhanced when I got here, just us being dominated by nature. It was all around us, and I was able to form such a close relationship with our animals. At that time I had my one year old, my daughter who now is almost six (which I can't believe!), but when we came here she was one. It just had such a profound impact on me being in this environment with her. I felt like I really had to start writing about it. I think that's how a lot of bloggers start, with trying to express this totally transformational experience that you're having with your children. This was all enhanced with us being really with mother nature as well. I like to think of her now as the third parent. So this whole experience was mind-blowing, I thought I had to write about it. Then it became so much bigger than me. It just felt like there were so many parents who just wanted to talk about it, talk about how to reintegrate and heal that bond with nature from a parenting perspective. I feel like at that time, there was a lot of nature-based educational information, although there wasn't that much in the parenting context. That's really where Wilder Child has moved and really, really speaks. That's my passion, it's working with parents, working with families.Ashley: You know, I think this is such an interesting story because you had this experience growing up yourself as a child who was very connected to nature. It's not just something that you're interested in on your own, but that your parents really encouraged. Then when you became a parent yourself, it sounds like it was almost not only about  creating this connection for your own child but also in some ways, it was maybe a reconnection for yourself and learning to understand the natural world in a different way, through a parent's eyes.Nicolette: Oh my gosh, that's exactly what it was like. The role of nature and how it fits into your parenting life is a very special and very different thing to just nature on its own when you're growing up. There's a completely different energy when you're growing up, and I think you tend to miss a few things. It's still immersive when you're a child and it's so instinctual, that connection with nature, it almost goes unacknowledged. I don't mean that in a bad way, it just is. Mother nature should've always been with you, then and now. It's just that now, mother nature has become much more of a support system for me, one that I am fully able to appreciate and acknowledge. Everyday, I'm more and more thankful, more and more aware of the role that Mother Nature is playing in my life.Ashley: Sure, that's so beautiful. I'm not a parent myself but I remember spending so many days a...

Hi everyone! This week I am so thrilled to be interviewing Nicolette Sowder from Wilder Child. If you don't know Nicolette, you really should get familiar with her and her community... Nicolette leads an amazing community for those who are really passionate about raising a wilder child and getting back to nature with their children. So Nicolette, hi! And thank you so much for being here. Nicolette Sowder: Hi, thank you so much for having me on, I'm so excited. Ashley: So, Nicolette... Could you start by telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and your mission and how you got started with Wilder Child? Nicolette: Sure, so right now, I live with my husband and my two little girls and we're wild schooling on sixty acres in Michigan. We actually run a pastured farm, but we weren't always here. We were on a trip five and a half years ago... the time's gone so fast... but so much has been packed into such a small amount of time. So we moved from Northwest Indiana -- it was really like a satellite suburb outside Chicago -- so we did have a little bit of property, but once we moved here, I mean, we are now just surrounded by nature. I always grew up appreciating nature with my parents, so that really instilled some key values within me. This was all enhanced when I got here, just us being dominated by nature. It was all around us, and I was able to form such a close relationship with our animals. At that time I had my one year old, my daughter who now is almost six (which I can't believe!), but when we came here she was one. It just had such a profound impact on me being in this environment with her. I felt like I really had to start writing about it. I think that's how a lot of bloggers start, with trying to express this totally transformational experience that you're having with your children. This was all enhanced with us being really with mother nature as well. I like to think of her now as the third parent. So this whole experience was mind-blowing, I thought I had to write about it. Then it became so much bigger than me. It just felt like there were so many parents who just wanted to talk about it, talk about how to reintegrate and heal that bond with nature from a parenting perspective. I feel like at that time, there was a lot of nature-based educational information, although there wasn't that much in the parenting context. That's really where Wilder Child has moved and really, really speaks. That's my passion, it's working with parents, working with families. Ashley: You know, I think this is such an interesting story because you had this experience growing up yourself as a child who was very connected to nature. It's not just something that you're interested in on your own, but that your parents really encouraged. Then when you became a parent yourself, it sounds like it was almost not only about  creating this connection for your own child but also in some ways, it was maybe a reconnection for yourself and learning to understand the natural world in a different way, through a parent's eyes. Nicolette: Oh my gosh, that's exactly what it was like. The role of nature and how it fits into your parenting life is a very special and very different thing to just nature on its own when you're growing up. There's a completely different energy when you're growing up, and I think you tend to miss a few things. It's still immersive when you're a child and it's so instinctual, that connection with nature, it almost goes unacknowledged. I don't mean that in a bad way, it just is. Mother nature should've always been with you, then and now. It's just that now, mother nature has become much more of a support system for me, one that I am fully able to appreciate and acknowledge. Everyday, I'm more and more thankful, more and more aware of the role that Mother Nature is playing in my life. Ashley: Sure, that's so beautiful. I'm not a parent myself but I remember spending so many days a...

Connecting with Nature & Lunar Energy: An Interview with Nicolette Sowder from Wilder Child

Natalie Walstein

Hello and welcome! In this interview, I am so excited to be interviewing the amazing Natalie Walstein of Soulshine Astrology. We're talking all about Natalie's journey, and how you can use Astrology to find your soul's calling, just like she did. Ashley: Natalie, thank you so much for being here with me.Natalie Walstein: Thank you so much for having me.Ashley: I've been following you for quite a while now, and I just love everything you're doing. For those who may not be familiar with your work, would you mind telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you got started working in Astrology?Natalie: I'm a Career Astrologer at Soulshine Astrology. Basically, what I do is combine career coaching with astrological wisdom, which I get from your Astrology chart. This is basically a map of where the stars were at the exact time, date and location of your birth. I got started with this from looking at my own Astrology chart. At one point I literally had no idea what to do with my career anymore. I just didn't know what to do. I remembered that Astrology was really cool, because I've always been a bit into it. So I decided to look into it again, and this time I dove in really deep. I found it so fascinating and it ended up showing me where I was going wrong in my career, and how to shift into something more suited to me. I realized that I could help other people do the same thing. That's really where it all started. Ashley: I love that. Really, it was your own love and passion of Astrology that got you here. Turning to Astrology as a tool to help you in your own life is what inspired you to actually pick it up and work with it as a way to inspire others.Natalie: Exactly! That's why I love it so much.I think so many great people's careers start that way. It's like, "I created the thing I needed."Ashley: That is so true. Natalie, a lot of our listeners are obviously super into crystals. They're healers, they're lightworkers, they're empaths, and they are people who follow a path of service. I'm sure for many of you who are listening right now, you're maybe in a place in your life where you're where Natalie was. You're trying to figure out, "What am I here to do? What am I supposed to be doing?" Maybe you're trying to find your life's purpose. Natalie, a big part what you do is use Astrology to show someone what a really good fit would be for a career or for a life path, so...How does Astrology really factor into someone finding and living their life's purpose?Natalie: Most people usually think of Astrology as just being about horoscopes. I used to think that too, but it turns out there is so much more to it than that. I'm actually sometimes really caught off-guard by how much information you can get about it. It literally explains everything about you. There's no wonder why I can tell you about your life's purpose. I really feel that the purpose of Astrology, in my eyes, is to find your life purpose because it really helps you tap into who you really are, what you really want, what makes you happy and also how you can harness all this in the best possible way, and in your own special way. Instead of, for example, just looking around and applying for jobs. It really gives you this feeling of "No! This is what I need." You can either create it for yourself or you can go out into the world and say no to everything that isn't in alignment with you, which is so empowering.Ashley: I love that so much. We were actually just doing our little mini-class for our upcoming Crystal Mastery Conference. You're going to teach people all about looking at Astrology and recommending some crystals that might be really helpful for them while they're pursuing their life path or their soul path. I was wondering if you would mind just teasing this, maybe using your own Astrology? What some of your favorite crystals to use while pursuing your life path? Could you give us an example?

Hello and welcome! In this interview, I am so excited to be interviewing the amazing Natalie Walstein of Soulshine Astrology. We're talking all about Natalie's journey, and how you can use Astrology to find your soul's calling, just like she did.  Ashley: Natalie, thank you so much for being here with me. Natalie Walstein: Thank you so much for having me. Ashley: I've been following you for quite a while now, and I just love everything you're doing. For those who may not be familiar with your work, would you mind telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you got started working in Astrology? Natalie: I'm a Career Astrologer at Soulshine Astrology. Basically, what I do is combine career coaching with astrological wisdom, which I get from your Astrology chart. This is basically a map of where the stars were at the exact time, date and location of your birth. I got started with this from looking at my own Astrology chart. At one point I literally had no idea what to do with my career anymore. I just didn't know what to do. I remembered that Astrology was really cool, because I've always been a bit into it. So I decided to look into it again, and this time I dove in really deep. I found it so fascinating and it ended up showing me where I was going wrong in my career, and how to shift into something more suited to me. I realized that I could help other people do the same thing. That's really where it all started. Ashley: I love that. Really, it was your own love and passion of Astrology that got you here. Turning to Astrology as a tool to help you in your own life is what inspired you to actually pick it up and work with it as a way to inspire others. Natalie: Exactly! That's why I love it so much. I think so many great people's careers start that way. It's like, "I created the thing I needed." Ashley: That is so true. Natalie, a lot of our listeners are obviously super into crystals. They're healers, they're lightworkers, they're empaths, and they are people who follow a path of service. I'm sure for many of you who are listening right now, you're maybe in a place in your life where you're where Natalie was. You're trying to figure out, "What am I here to do? What am I supposed to be doing?" Maybe you're trying to find your life's purpose. Natalie, a big part what you do is use Astrology to show someone what a really good fit would be for a career or for a life path, so... How does Astrology really factor into someone finding and living their life's purpose? Natalie: Most people usually think of Astrology as just being about horoscopes. I used to think that too, but it turns out there is so much more to it than that. I'm actually sometimes really caught off-guard by how much information you can get about it. It literally explains everything about you. There's no wonder why I can tell you about your life's purpose. I really feel that the purpose of Astrology, in my eyes, is to find your life purpose because it really helps you tap into who you really are, what you really want, what makes you happy and also how you can harness all this in the best possible way, and in your own special way. Instead of, for example, just looking around and applying for jobs. It really gives you this feeling of "No! This is what I need." You can either create it for yourself or you can go out into the world and say no to everything that isn't in alignment with you, which is so empowering. Ashley: I love that so much. We were actually just doing our little mini-class for our upcoming Crystal Mastery Conference. You're going to teach people all about looking at Astrology and recommending some crystals that might be really helpful for them while they're pursuing their life path or their soul path. I was wondering if you would mind just teasing this, maybe using your own Astrology? What some of your favorite crystals to use while pursuing your life path? Could you give us an example?

Crystals & Astrology for Finding Your Soul’s Calling (An Interview with Natalie Walstein)

Nicholas Pearson

Hi everyone and welcome! Today I am excited to be conversing yet again with the amazing Nicholas Pearson, who has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom for more than 20 years.Disclosure: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay!You may not know this but Nicholas actually began teaching crystal workshops while he was in high school. He later began studying mineral science, and then went on to teach crystal and Reiki classes throughout the United States. Nicholas is the author of The Seven Archetypal Stones, Crystals for Karmic Healing, Crystal Healing for the Heart and Foundations of Reiki Ryoho. Disclosure: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay!You might be familiar with some or even all of those titles. He is one of my very favorite authors who writes on crystals. Excitingly, he is also releasing Stones of the Goddess which will be coming out in February of 2019. It is already available for pre-order on Amazon and will be sold everywhere books are sold. So Nicholas, thank you so much for being here today!Nicholas: Thank you so much for having me on. We always have the most fun when we chat, so I'm really looking forward to today.Ashley: We do. I am really excited about this particular conversation because it seems like more and more this idea of connecting with goddess energy with the divine feminine has been coming up. I am wondering, could you tell people a little bit more about yourself and why the topic of goddess energy is something that you are passionate about right now?Nicholas: I started my spiritual path pretty young and I didn't grow up in a particularly religious or spiritual household. My father was a recovering Catholic, so, that meant I wasn't really raised with anything in particular, and that gave me a lot of freedom. One week my dad and I might go to the library on the weekend and I would pick up a ton of books on science -- whether it was the obvious geology or something maybe a little bit more left-field for me. Then other weeks it would be things like mythology and fairy tales and folklore. That was my first look at nonstandard religion. Although it might not have been what is being practiced today, it gave me a window into the idea that there was more to spirituality and religion than what I had vaguely seen on the horizon among my peers. By the time I was in high school, I really started to explore spiritual paths like paganism and witchcraft and the whole metaphysical area. Although crystals have been my primary way of getting into a lot of different topics of discussion, I really loved the idea that there were so many religious traditions and spiritual paths that honored the divine as both masculine and feminine, sometimes both at the same time, sometimes neither. I really found that strangely comforting. I grew up in a single parent household so it was just me and my dad and I was raised by this tribe of women: my grandmother, my aunts -- all of these strong female figures. Also my stepmother after my father got remarried. This idea of the goddess felt really reassuring to me in a way that God the Father didn't resonate. The idea for this book just started as a cursory glance at stones that were related to different goddesses around the world. When we talk about our planet, we personify it as Mother Earth. This is maybe the most primal and universal experience of the divine feminine. You can go to virtually any ancient culture and you see Mother Earth and a Mother Earth figure and Earth Goddess somewhere in there. It's like when we hold crystals, we are holding part and parcel of the body of the Goddess. It really started as a little aside and kept poking away at the back of my mind until finally, I had to sit down and write it.

Hi everyone and welcome! Today I am excited to be conversing yet again with the amazing Nicholas Pearson, who has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom for more than 20 years. Disclosure: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! You may not know this but Nicholas actually began teaching crystal workshops while he was in high school. He later began studying mineral science, and then went on to teach crystal and Reiki classes throughout the United States. Nicholas is the author of The Seven Archetypal Stones, Crystals for Karmic Healing, Crystal Healing for the Heart and Foundations of Reiki Ryoho. Disclosure: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! You might be familiar with some or even all of those titles. He is one of my very favorite authors who writes on crystals. Excitingly, he is also releasing Stones of the Goddess which will be coming out in February of 2019. It is already available for pre-order on Amazon and will be sold everywhere books are sold. So Nicholas, thank you so much for being here today! Nicholas: Thank you so much for having me on. We always have the most fun when we chat, so I'm really looking forward to today. Ashley: We do. I am really excited about this particular conversation because it seems like more and more this idea of connecting with goddess energy with the divine feminine has been coming up. I am wondering, could you tell people a little bit more about yourself and why the topic of goddess energy is something that you are passionate about right now? Nicholas: I started my spiritual path pretty young and I didn't grow up in a particularly religious or spiritual household. My father was a recovering Catholic, so, that meant I wasn't really raised with anything in particular, and that gave me a lot of freedom. One week my dad and I might go to the library on the weekend and I would pick up a ton of books on science -- whether it was the obvious geology or something maybe a little bit more left-field for me. Then other weeks it would be things like mythology and fairy tales and folklore. That was my first look at nonstandard religion. Although it might not have been what is being practiced today, it gave me a window into the idea that there was more to spirituality and religion than what I had vaguely seen on the horizon among my peers. By the time I was in high school, I really started to explore spiritual paths like paganism and witchcraft and the whole metaphysical area. Although crystals have been my primary way of getting into a lot of different topics of discussion, I really loved the idea that there were so many religious traditions and spiritual paths that honored the divine as both masculine and feminine, sometimes both at the same time, sometimes neither. I really found that strangely comforting. I grew up in a single parent household so it was just me and my dad and I was raised by this tribe of women: my grandmother, my aunts -- all of these strong female figures. Also my stepmother after my father got remarried. This idea of the goddess felt really reassuring to me in a way that God the Father didn't resonate. The idea for this book just started as a cursory glance at stones that were related to different goddesses around the world. When we talk about our planet, we personify it as Mother Earth. This is maybe the most primal and universal experience of the divine feminine. You can go to virtually any ancient culture and you see Mother Earth and a Mother Earth figure and Earth Goddess somewhere in there. It's like when we hold crystals, we are holding part and parcel of the body of the Goddess. It really started as a little aside and kept poking away at the back of my mind until finally, I had to sit down and write it.

Stones of the Goddess: An Interview with Nicholas Pearson

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Clear Quartz: "Feel your mind expand with clarity as I help you tune in and become one with the world around you."Common Healing Properties of Clear Quartz: 	Powerful for energizing the physical and energetic bodies 	Assists with healing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies 	Purifies and cleanses the physical and energetic bodies 	Amplifies your intentions for manifesting and co-creating with the universe 	Assists you with any kind of spiritual work 	Promotes mental clarity 	Amplifies energy in crystal layouts or grids 	 Enhances your inner vision and intuition 	Balances and aligns the chakra centers 	Protects you energeticallyColors: Clear, ColorlessAssociated Chakras: AllZodiac Signs: Leo, Virgo, AriesElements: Air, Water, FireCompanion Flowers: TrilliumCompanion Essential Oil: Tea TreeCompanion Stone: Lapis LazuliCommon Origins: Madagascar, Brazil, Arkansas (USA), IndiaNotes: Also known as Rock Crystal.  The ancient Romans thought Quartz crystals were made from ice that was so frozen it would never thaw or melt.Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites!/*The staff from my new age shop, Mimosa Books &amp; Gifts, had this to share:Quartz is a common and abundant mineral that comes in a variety of colors and forms. The stone we usually call quartz is clear rock crystal. This is quartz without visible impurities, which naturally forms into a brilliant six-sided prism, coming to a point at the end. It’s an oxide of silicon, and therefore a semiconductor. People have been drawn to quartz for literally millennia, using it for tools, jewelry, containers and works of art. Metaphysical references from the Romans and earlier identified quartz as permanently frozen ice. It is composed of SiO2.In its purest form, silicon dioxide is clear quartz, also called rock crystal. But when this mineral contains trace elements of other minerals, or when the Earth’s inner forces have changed its form, we see a huge variety in appearance. When quartz is completely pure, it is either clear, white, or a combination of both. White, or “milky” quartz, is simply clear quartz that contains tiny gas bubbles. The more colorful varieties of quartz come from small particles of metallic elements that became trapped in the quartz as it hardened. Some are natural, some artificial.Metaphysical uses: Clear quartz naturally amplifies energy. It wants to clean and purify everything in its path, including all the body’s chakras, as well as other items in the physical and spiritual worlds. One of the best ways to experience the power of a quartz crystal in everyday life is to use it to help amplify personal intentions — decide what you want, and use your crystal to magnify your intention until it manifests. (As always, do this in such a way that your intention remains focused on the greatest good, not simply short-term desires.)  Quartz wands are especially powerful when used this way. Clear quartz also has excellent spiritual qualities. Clear quartz is great for directing and focusing energy. Depending on how you plan to use your crystals, you could start with either a single quartz wand or a handful of small quartz points.Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

A Crystal Message about the Healing Properties of Clear Quartz: "Feel your mind expand with clarity as I help you tune in and become one with the world around you." Common Healing Properties of Clear Quartz: 	Powerful for energizing the physical and energetic bodies 	Assists with healing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies 	Purifies and cleanses the physical and energetic bodies 	Amplifies your intentions for manifesting and co-creating with the universe 	Assists you with any kind of spiritual work 	Promotes mental clarity 	Amplifies energy in crystal layouts or grids 	 Enhances your inner vision and intuition 	Balances and aligns the chakra centers 	Protects you energetically Colors: Clear, Colorless Associated Chakras: All Zodiac Signs: Leo, Virgo, Aries Elements: Air, Water, Fire Companion Flowers: Trillium Companion Essential Oil: Tea Tree Companion Stone: Lapis Lazuli Common Origins: Madagascar, Brazil, Arkansas (USA), India Notes: Also known as Rock Crystal.  The ancient Romans thought Quartz crystals were made from ice that was so frozen it would never thaw or melt. Wanna’ Get Science-y? Click Here to get information about the chemical composition, hardness, streak, etc. of this crystal from one of my favorite sites! /* The staff from my new age shop, Mimosa Books &amp; Gifts, had this to share: Quartz is a common and abundant mineral that comes in a variety of colors and forms. The stone we usually call quartz is clear rock crystal. This is quartz without visible impurities, which naturally forms into a brilliant six-sided prism, coming to a point at the end. It’s an oxide of silicon, and therefore a semiconductor. People have been drawn to quartz for literally millennia, using it for tools, jewelry, containers and works of art. Metaphysical references from the Romans and earlier identified quartz as permanently frozen ice. It is composed of SiO2. In its purest form, silicon dioxide is clear quartz, also called rock crystal. But when this mineral contains trace elements of other minerals, or when the Earth’s inner forces have changed its form, we see a huge variety in appearance. When quartz is completely pure, it is either clear, white, or a combination of both. White, or “milky” quartz, is simply clear quartz that contains tiny gas bubbles. The more colorful varieties of quartz come from small particles of metallic elements that became trapped in the quartz as it hardened. Some are natural, some artificial. Metaphysical uses: Clear quartz naturally amplifies energy. It wants to clean and purify everything in its path, including all the body’s chakras, as well as other items in the physical and spiritual worlds. One of the best ways to experience the power of a quartz crystal in everyday life is to use it to help amplify personal intentions — decide what you want, and use your crystal to magnify your intention until it manifests. (As always, do this in such a way that your intention remains focused on the greatest good, not simply short-term desires.)  Quartz wands are especially powerful when used this way. Clear quartz also has excellent spiritual qualities. Clear quartz is great for directing and focusing energy. Depending on how you plan to use your crystals, you could start with either a single quartz wand or a handful of small quartz points. Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

Healing Properties of Clear Quartz: A Crystal for Amplifying Energy & Intention

Cristin Smith

Hi everyone, and welcome! I am super excited today tobe interviewing the amazingCristin Smith at Saffron andSage about sacred self care and finding your soul's calling.Ashley Leavy: So, Cristin, thank you so much for being here to talk about sacred self care and opening your soul's calling with us.Cristin Smith: You're welcome. Thanks for having me!Ashley: I'm really excited about this interview because I think your business is a little bit different to anything else that we've really featured on the podcast before. You have such an amazing combination of products and classes and events. It's really exciting for me to speak with someone who's also in the health and wellness industry. You do so much. Would you mind taking a couple of minutes to introduce yourself to everyone and tell them a little bit about Saffron and Sage?Cristin: Absolutely! So, I'm Cristin Smith. I am the founder and owner of Saffron and Sage. We are a holistic health club located in Little Italy here in the heart of San Diego, and we really focus on preventative and integrated wellness. We do this through creating multi-sensory healing experiences for our clients. That could look like acupuncture, massage, energy therapy, or mineral therapy. It could look like yoga, breathwork, meditation, or sounds. Or it could be one of our workshops to really educate on things such as the science of mindfulness or one of our cooking workshops where we talk about the art of eating and intuitive eating and digestion. We're really focused on connecting mind, body, and spirit. Here in Saffron and Sage, we connect those through identifying thoughts, trauma, and toxins that have picked up residence in the brain and the body. We use an integrative way to really help our clients regain or maintain their wellbeing and we do that through our member-based approach. So, you can come in and take a class, or get a massage. Most of our clients have signed up for our membership that is two hundred dollars a month and it gives you access to one service every single month and eight classes in our studio. We're really having a great time supporting the executives, and entrepreneurs, and leaders in the community who are focused on doing the deep work. Ashley: You know, I have to tell you, you are truly living the dream that I know a lot of our listeners would love to create in their own lives- running a wellness studio. Could you tell us a little bit about your journey and how that really got started for you, and how it all developed into the amazing success that it is today?Cristin: Sure! Yeah. So, interestingly enough, I come from the financial and insurance services sector. So I've been in business forever. This is my fourth company, but actually, the only company that I didn't realize I was starting and that grew organically out of my journey. It's been about a twelve-year journey I would say. After being so successful in financial services, I started looking at the interior landscape of my life and really exploring emotionally healthy spirituality. What does that look like? When you achieve your material goals, you start to ask the deeper questions and I was lucky enough to start exploring those in my early twenties. That really lead to this transition, and I started delving deeper into spiritual formation and spiritual practices like practicing solitude, silence, fasting, and all sorts of things. Shortly thereafter, that lead to a six month sabbatical in Mexico. I end up relocating to Tijuana, not Tulum. Most people think, "Oh my, you must live in a beautiful space." But I was in this incubator, if you will, for six months. I really focused on shedding my workaholism, and delving deeper into my beliefs and my values. During that time, doctors found four tumors in my neck and my thyroid, and they couldn't figure out why. After a second opinion, third opinion, fourth opinion,

Hi everyone, and welcome! I am super excited today to be interviewing the amazing Cristin Smith at Saffron and Sage about sacred self care and finding your soul's calling. Ashley Leavy: So, Cristin, thank you so much for being here to talk about sacred self care and opening your soul's calling with us. Cristin Smith: You're welcome. Thanks for having me! Ashley: I'm really excited about this interview because I think your business is a little bit different to anything else that we've really featured on the podcast before. You have such an amazing combination of products and classes and events. It's really exciting for me to speak with someone who's also in the health and wellness industry. You do so much. Would you mind taking a couple of minutes to introduce yourself to everyone and tell them a little bit about Saffron and Sage? Cristin: Absolutely! So, I'm Cristin Smith. I am the founder and owner of Saffron and Sage. We are a holistic health club located in Little Italy here in the heart of San Diego, and we really focus on preventative and integrated wellness. We do this through creating multi-sensory healing experiences for our clients. That could look like acupuncture, massage, energy therapy, or mineral therapy. It could look like yoga, breathwork, meditation, or sounds. Or it could be one of our workshops to really educate on things such as the science of mindfulness or one of our cooking workshops where we talk about the art of eating and intuitive eating and digestion. We're really focused on connecting mind, body, and spirit. Here in Saffron and Sage, we connect those through identifying thoughts, trauma, and toxins that have picked up residence in the brain and the body. We use an integrative way to really help our clients regain or maintain their wellbeing and we do that through our member-based approach. So, you can come in and take a class, or get a massage. Most of our clients have signed up for our membership that is two hundred dollars a month and it gives you access to one service every single month and eight classes in our studio. We're really having a great time supporting the executives, and entrepreneurs, and leaders in the community who are focused on doing the deep work.  Ashley: You know, I have to tell you, you are truly living the dream that I know a lot of our listeners would love to create in their own lives- running a wellness studio. Could you tell us a little bit about your journey and how that really got started for you, and how it all developed into the amazing success that it is today? Cristin: Sure! Yeah. So, interestingly enough, I come from the financial and insurance services sector. So I've been in business forever. This is my fourth company, but actually, the only company that I didn't realize I was starting and that grew organically out of my journey. It's been about a twelve-year journey I would say. After being so successful in financial services, I started looking at the interior landscape of my life and really exploring emotionally healthy spirituality. What does that look like? When you achieve your material goals, you start to ask the deeper questions and I was lucky enough to start exploring those in my early twenties. That really lead to this transition, and I started delving deeper into spiritual formation and spiritual practices like practicing solitude, silence, fasting, and all sorts of things. Shortly thereafter, that lead to a six month sabbatical in Mexico. I end up relocating to Tijuana, not Tulum. Most people think, "Oh my, you must live in a beautiful space." But I was in this incubator, if you will, for six months. I really focused on shedding my workaholism, and delving deeper into my beliefs and my values. During that time, doctors found four tumors in my neck and my thyroid, and they couldn't figure out why. After a second opinion, third opinion, fourth opinion,

Sacred Self Care & Opening to Your Soul’s Calling: An Interview with Cristin Smith

As I discuss in my book Crystals for Energy Healing, when it comes to your overall wellbeing, your emotional health is an integral part of keeping yourself balanced and aligned. Using a crystal layout is a great way to help you achieve emotional balance.The following crystal layout heals emotional wounds and shields you from outside energy that's not for your highest good.This layout includes: 	7 Selenite crystals 	2 Rhodochrosite crystals 	4 Blue Lace Agate crystals 	1 Cross StoneWhen performing any layout, be sure that you're working with cleansed stones in a place you won't be disturbed. Your sacred space or healing room is great for this.Start by placing the 7 Selenite stones around the entire physical body in the shape of a 7-pointed star with the top-most point directly above the head.The human aura has 7 layers. Each of these points represents and connects with one of these auric layers. Since Selenite is a powerful energy cleanser, it helps to dissolve any energetic imprints that have been stored in your aura. These imprints are created when we experience emotional trauma. By cleansing these imprints you start to heal the emotional body. Additionally, the 7-pointed star shape is known for being highly protective. It works to shield your energy body even after you leave the layout.Next, you'll place the Rhodochrosite stones next to each ear just behind the earlobe where the head meets the neck.This is the location of the past-life chakras. Emotional debris and information from your previous incarnations can be stored in these minor chakra energy centers. Rhodochrosite enhances acceptance and promotes forgiveness. Therefore, these stones work to release any residual resentment, fear, or negativity from these centers that have carried over from past lives into your current lifetime.After the emotional body has been repaired you should rebalance the energy in the aura.To do this, surround the body with the 4 Blue Lace Agate stones. Place one above the head, one directly beneath the first below the feet, and one on either side of the body about halfway between the top and bottom stones. The energy of Blue Lace Agate works to calm and soothe the energy body and begins the process of bringing it back into balance.To enhance and amplify the overall effectiveness of the layout, place the Cross Stone over the heart with the "arms" of the cross aligned with the Blue Lace Agate stones. Cross Stone creates a protective shield around the emotional body. This sets energetic boundaries and keeps outside energy from entering the aura.Now that all the stones have been placed you should remain in the layout for 15-20 minutes or until you intuitively feel your emotional energy has been balanced.Finally, remove the crystals in the opposite order they were placed. Cleanse your crystals thoroughly, and ground yourself before returning to your daily activities.Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

As I discuss in my book Crystals for Energy Healing, when it comes to your overall wellbeing, your emotional health is an integral part of keeping yourself balanced and aligned. Using a crystal layout is a great way to help you achieve emotional balance. The following crystal layout heals emotional wounds and shields you from outside energy that's not for your highest good. This layout includes: 	7 Selenite crystals 	2 Rhodochrosite crystals 	4 Blue Lace Agate crystals 	1 Cross Stone When performing any layout, be sure that you're working with cleansed stones in a place you won't be disturbed. Your sacred space or healing room is great for this. Start by placing the 7 Selenite stones around the entire physical body in the shape of a 7-pointed star with the top-most point directly above the head. The human aura has 7 layers. Each of these points represents and connects with one of these auric layers. Since Selenite is a powerful energy cleanser, it helps to dissolve any energetic imprints that have been stored in your aura. These imprints are created when we experience emotional trauma. By cleansing these imprints you start to heal the emotional body. Additionally, the 7-pointed star shape is known for being highly protective. It works to shield your energy body even after you leave the layout. Next, you'll place the Rhodochrosite stones next to each ear just behind the earlobe where the head meets the neck. This is the location of the past-life chakras. Emotional debris and information from your previous incarnations can be stored in these minor chakra energy centers. Rhodochrosite enhances acceptance and promotes forgiveness. Therefore, these stones work to release any residual resentment, fear, or negativity from these centers that have carried over from past lives into your current lifetime. After the emotional body has been repaired you should rebalance the energy in the aura. To do this, surround the body with the 4 Blue Lace Agate stones. Place one above the head, one directly beneath the first below the feet, and one on either side of the body about halfway between the top and bottom stones. The energy of Blue Lace Agate works to calm and soothe the energy body and begins the process of bringing it back into balance. To enhance and amplify the overall effectiveness of the layout, place the Cross Stone over the heart with the "arms" of the cross aligned with the Blue Lace Agate stones. Cross Stone creates a protective shield around the emotional body. This sets energetic boundaries and keeps outside energy from entering the aura. Now that all the stones have been placed you should remain in the layout for 15-20 minutes or until you intuitively feel your emotional energy has been balanced. Finally, remove the crystals in the opposite order they were placed. Cleanse your crystals thoroughly, and ground yourself before returning to your daily activities. Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!

Crystal Layout for Emotional Healing

Pam Grossman

I'm really excited today for this interview with Pam Grossman, who is the author of the book Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power. She's also the host of The Witch Wave Podcast - which if you are not familiar with, go over right now and check it out. You will not be disappointed.Her writing has appeared in places like the New York Times, time.com, and HuffPost. Pretty much everywhere you can imagine. So I am so excited for this interview with Pam Grossman. Pam, thank you so much for being here with us today.Pam Grossman: Thank you so much for having me. It's so nice to be here.Ashley: As many of you listening know, I actually own a new age shop called Mimosa Books and Gifts in Madison, Wisconsin. We're always looking for great new books to carry in our store. Not long ago, when I came across Waking the Witch and read the description, I immediately fell in love. I really wanted to have this book on the shelves for our customers. Lo and behold, when I was checking my calendar for podcast guests, guess who was here... none other but Pam. It was divine timing. I'm thrilled to carry your book in the shop. The staff were drooling over it when we got it!Could you tell us a little bit about what this book is all about? Why did you write it? What is the story behind it?Disclosure: The link here is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay!Pam: Absolutely! Well, first of all, thank you so much for carrying it in your shop. I am such a proponent of small businesses and indie shops. So, of course, order the book wherever you can get it, but if you can go to a shop like that one, please do.Waking the Witch has the subtitle 'Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power.' I chose those words with a lot of intention because, to me, the archetype of the witch is one that is inherently related to our feelings about feminine power. I should clarify - people of all genders can be witches, and this book is for people of all genders. However it really does trace the history of how witches and women became interlinked.For most of human history, witches were associated with evil and malevolence. Starting around the 14th and 15th centuries, they were associated with the devil himself. And yet, today we have a much more positive association of witches with women and with people of all genders.I really wanted to celebrate the positive aspects of witches, which I think need to be celebrated more.It's really exciting to see that witches are more popular than ever now and are being celebrated. I also wanted to really trace the history of them and explore the ways in which we, by which I mean society, depicts witches. Often, this is a reflection of how that given society or those given people feel about female power.Spoiler alert - now that feminism is growing (and we still have a long way to go), people have a more positive association with complex, dynamic, powerful women. And guess what? Our witches are more positive now. That's kind of the thesis statement of the book. But it really is fun and it touches on the history and pop culture and some of my own story as to how I started identifying as a witch.My book is a real amalgamation of a lot of things, but all surrounding that idea of power, femininity, and magic.Ashley: I love this because it doesn't just focus on one thing. I think so many of the books in this area are so focused on just ritual, or just magic, or just that this or that. The thing is that this is so deeply ingrained into all parts of our culture. You can't separate magic or ritual or art or creativity out from any of the other things. They all blend together and the lines kind of blur.I love that you've just looked at this concept, an archetype of this energy and you're taking it to a place where it can be really profoundly thought about and talked about in a way that I think is pretty illuminating.

I'm really excited today for this interview with Pam Grossman, who is the author of the book Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power. She's also the host of The Witch Wave Podcast - which if you are not familiar with, go over right now and check it out. You will not be disappointed. Her writing has appeared in places like the New York Times, <a href="http://time.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">time.com</a>, and HuffPost. Pretty much everywhere you can imagine. So I am so excited for this interview with Pam Grossman. Pam, thank you so much for being here with us today. Pam Grossman: Thank you so much for having me. It's so nice to be here. Ashley: As many of you listening know, I actually own a new age shop called Mimosa Books and Gifts in Madison, Wisconsin. We're always looking for great new books to carry in our store. Not long ago, when I came across Waking the Witch and read the description, I immediately fell in love. I really wanted to have this book on the shelves for our customers. Lo and behold, when I was checking my calendar for podcast guests, guess who was here... none other but Pam. It was divine timing. I'm thrilled to carry your book in the shop. The staff were drooling over it when we got it! Could you tell us a little bit about what this book is all about? Why did you write it? What is the story behind it? Disclosure: The link here is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Yay! Pam: Absolutely! Well, first of all, thank you so much for carrying it in your shop. I am such a proponent of small businesses and indie shops. So, of course, order the book wherever you can get it, but if you can go to a shop like that one, please do. Waking the Witch has the subtitle 'Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power.' I chose those words with a lot of intention because, to me, the archetype of the witch is one that is inherently related to our feelings about feminine power. I should clarify - people of all genders can be witches, and this book is for people of all genders. However it really does trace the history of how witches and women became interlinked. For most of human history, witches were associated with evil and malevolence. Starting around the 14th and 15th centuries, they were associated with the devil himself. And yet, today we have a much more positive association of witches with women and with people of all genders. I really wanted to celebrate the positive aspects of witches, which I think need to be celebrated more. It's really exciting to see that witches are more popular than ever now and are being celebrated. I also wanted to really trace the history of them and explore the ways in which we, by which I mean society, depicts witches. Often, this is a reflection of how that given society or those given people feel about female power. Spoiler alert - now that feminism is growing (and we still have a long way to go), people have a more positive association with complex, dynamic, powerful women. And guess what? Our witches are more positive now. That's kind of the thesis statement of the book. But it really is fun and it touches on the history and pop culture and some of my own story as to how I started identifying as a witch. My book is a real amalgamation of a lot of things, but all surrounding that idea of power, femininity, and magic. Ashley: I love this because it doesn't just focus on one thing. I think so many of the books in this area are so focused on just ritual, or just magic, or just that this or that. The thing is that this is so deeply ingrained into all parts of our culture. You can't separate magic or ritual or art or creativity out from any of the other things. They all blend together and the lines kind of blur. I love that you've just looked at this concept, an archetype of this energy and you're taking it to a place where it can be really profoundly thought about and talked about in a way that I think is pretty illuminating.

Waking the Witch: An Interview with Pam Grossman

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