What see you in your crystal ball?

The room is dark and smoky from incense and candles.  Weird talismans and statues are displayed throughout the room.  You feel a sense of mystery, scented with fear.  Finally, she walks in, through the beaded curtain.  Dressed in a flowy gown adorned with gypsy coins and sequins, turban on her head and done up in makeup reminding you of a witchy-gypsy-ancient-Egyptian.  Skirt coins clinging, she sits across from you at the small table.  She takes a deep breath, looks into your eyes, then lifts her hand - adorned with long coloured nails, rings, and some old henna.  She shifts her focus to her crystal ball, hands circling…  She is now ready to reveal your fortune…

Me! :) Halloween 2011.  The workplace
theme was "pirates and gypsies" - I had
fun tapping into that :)

Is this how you picture someone who uses a crystal ball to tap into her psychic skills?  This image of a fortune-teller has certainly been in my psyche and imagination for many years - ever since I could read illustrated fairy tales.  Although part of me thinks this is “so cool” and would love to be like her - there is that other voice in me that tells me she’s a fake, a flake, a make-believe…  and never wants to be like her.  This inner attraction-rejection of the image of the fortune teller has had a bigger impact than I expected - or wanted - on my coming out as being intuitive.  For years, it blocked me from developing and acknowledging my intuitive skills.  I had much to learn about intuitive skills and had many pre-conceived notions and judgements to sort through and release before making peace with my intuition and admitting that, yes, I am a little gypsy-witchy at heart - and loving it!

I have learned to open up my chakras, clear my heart and accept the images, sensations and words flowing to and through me during meditations and sessions with clients.  I trust the guidance I receive for myself and others.  I have yet to purchase a crystal ball for myself, but this morning in meditation I received clear directions on how I would use one - and this I share with you.

A crystal ball is typically made of clear quartz, although it is possible to purchase one made of other crystals.  It can be used to focus the mind and make it more receptive to the psychic messages coming through, especially if one is clairvoyant.  The crystal ball can act as a screen where the images of the clairvoyant are projected, and can therefore be more easily perceived and interpreted.  It can also be a gateway to a connection with an other dimension or vibration, creating a similar effect to that associated with the ancient shamanic practice of staring into a flame; it’s just a different type of door.

To work with a crystal ball:

1. Ground and centre yourself:  make sure you have eaten a good meal, take a walk outdoors, breathe deeply down to your belly.  Make sure you have taken care of some details that might be nagging at you first so they don’t bother you during your session.  These details include cleaning your space, feeding the cats, letting the dog out, sending that email, paying that bill…  Often, these “real life” issues can pop up and want attention during a session, so make sure to take care of them first, or at least promise yourself that you will deal with them at a specific time after the session: this will put your mind at ease.
2. Prepare your space: it should be tidy and clean.  Take out a nice table or altar cloth, and lay out a few crystals, candles or spiritual items on your work surface.  Place a candle behind your crystal ball.  You might want to smudge your space or burn incense.
3. Prepare yourself: Place a pinch of salt on your Crown Chakra and ceremonially wash your hands in cold water.  I love using a salt scrub and affirm, as I scrub my hands and forearms, that I am clearing my energy field and am opening myself to receive psychic messages.  
4. Start the session: light the candles, dim the lights, sit comfortably.
5. Focus your intention: Take a deep breath to your belly and gently close your eyes.  Focus on your intention to work with your crystal ball to receive clairvoyant messages.  Pray to be surrounded in Love and Light and thank your spiritual guides for working with you.
6. Start the flow of energy:  Gently open your eyes, and look into your crystal ball.  Ask your question, and ask to be shown the answer or the next right action.  It’s OK if you feel you are cross-eyed and that your vision blurs; it’s part of the opening process.  Keep breathing and focusing.  Don’t force any images to appear; just allow them to flow.  Remember that it can feel like a day dream, or like when you read a good book and you see the characters and the story come to life in your mind’s eye.
7. Close the session: Thank your spirit guides, your higher self, and Source for this experience - whether or not you think you saw anything.  Affirm that the session is closed.  Blink your eyes a few times to return them to normal focus.  Remember to breathe.  Stretch your body.  Write any insights in your journal.  

Remember that working with a crystal ball is like developing a muscle that will gain strength and definition over time.  It’s good to keep a journal not only to witness your progress, but to record small pieces of information that might make sense later on.  Through your experience, you will also learn how to ask better questions, and what type of questions get stronger or clearer answers and this will help you develop your own strengths as an intuitive-psychic.

Remember also to have fun and enjoy the process.  It is my experience that energy flows best when our heart is light and centred on joy and Love.  After all, experiencing oneness and universal Love is an attribute of a healthy Crown Chakra.  And you see, you don’t have to be dressed with all the showmanship of parlour psychics to be able to tap into your own psychic and intuitive senses... and if dressing up is part of what puts you in the zone, then by all means go ahead and have fun!

Are you looking for a crystal ball?  I can help you find one - just let me know what you are looking for.  Are you looking for more training to open up your chakras and your intuitive abilities?  I can help you with that too - I have online and in-person classes available, either in a group or individual setting.

Surrounding you in Love and Light!

It’s more than just plopping a crystal on your nightstand

Steps to carefully select and work with the crystal that’s right for you

It’s the third week of the month which means I am writing about crystals! In the context of the Brow Chakra month, I will share with you tips to intuitively choose crystals that can work with your vibes and help you on your spiritual journey.

I carry a small amount of crystals for sale in my healing centre.  People often come looking for a specific crystal because they have read in a book that the crystal could help with such-and-such an issue. Newbies to crystal work might even believe that placing a crystal in a certain area of their home or on their bodies might be sufficient to heal specific issues. People working with the brow chakra, for instance, might be looking for amethyst, clear quartz and lapis lazuli.  (I do have a few nice specimens waiting to find a home!)

But I’m not a “by-the-book” kinda gal.  I don’t believe that because an author says that you should work with a specific crystal means that it’s right for you.  There are many generalizations and assumptions in books.  You are not a general assumption - you are a unique soul with a unique vibe, and it’s best to find out what works best with you, specifically.  Use the books as general guidelines, but trust your intuition in making your selection.

While it is true that the vibes of crystals can help enhance certain areas of your body-mind-spirit personal vibes, nothing replaces inner work.  Moreover, I learned through experience that crystals are a bit like people, or pets, in the sense that each crystal has its unique frequency or personality.  Not all chunks of amethyst or clear quartz are calibrated to work with your vibes.  It’s important to find the right crystal that can best work for you, in your particular issue.  It’s even more important to go to the root of the issue for greater healing and increased awareness.

For example, someone might want to work on opening up their Third Eye and increase clairvoyant abilities.  But even if the “want” is there, this person feels fearful.  The fear might be rooted in a lack of skills pertaining to grounding and protection.  Or it might be rooted in adopted social negative beliefs about people who are psychic.  Either way, the Third Eye will not open up until the root issues are healed.  Stare at Amethyst all you want.  It’s just not happening.

Ugh.  That means finding inner peace or increased financial flow is not as simple as plopping a crystal on your nightstand.  There’s work involved.  So what are the guidelines?

1. Go within to find what aspect of your life you would like to enhance.  Do you want to increase your Love magnetism?  Increase psychic abilities?  Find forgiveness?  Feel grounded?  Increase prosperity?  Clearly define what you truly want.  Then ask yourself why this is what you truly want?  What is the core feeling or value behind this want?  Is there a hurt behind this?  Or social pressure, or a sense of accomplishment or peace? (An intuitive session can help you with this task)
2. Listen to your intuition when you select a crystal helper.  Hold your “what” and your “why” within your heart and mind as you shop, and allow your body’s wisdom to tell you if a crystal is right for the job.  To do this:

• Hold the crystal in your receptive hand (if you’re right handed, your receptive hand is your left hand).  If the crystal is too heavy for one hand, such as a big chunk of amethyst, use both hands to hold the crystal to your heart, or to touch the crystal on its display.  
• Connect with the crystal through your senses - feel its weight, see its colours, feel its shape and the qualities of its surface (is it rugged, sharp, smooth, cool to the touch…).  This is an intuitive way to say “hello”.
• Holding your “what” and “why” in your mind and heart, ask the crystal if it is willing to work with you on this particular issue.  Ask it to give you its response through your body and your intuition.
• Close your eyes, and allow your body to give you the crystal’s answer.  With a “yes” answer, your body might sway forward.  You might sense a pulse in your hand chakra coming from the crystal as it activates.  You might even feel an opening or melting in your heart and mind, similar to when you see a new kitten or puppy.  A “no” answer feels very different.  The crystal’s energy might zap you (that happened to me once; it was very painful!); your body might sway backwards; you might hear a “no”; the crystal might feel too heavy, forcing you to place it back on the shelf; or you might feel a closing in the heart chakra.  
• Thank the crystal, and thank your body.  Respect the answer you received.  If the crystal gave you a “yes” answer, then adopt it and bring it home.  If it’s a “no” answer, then thank it and place it back lovingly on the shelf.
• This process can take a while, especially if you receive a few “no” answers before finding “the one”.  Give yourself enough time to shop, look around and feel the crystals.  It’s best when you feel relaxed and open.  Avoid rushing.

3.  Once your crystal is home, cleanse it under water, using sage smoke, or placing it in a bowl of sea salt.  Some crystals can be left in sunshine or moonlight, but remember that sunshine can be too harsh for many of these minerals who have been, after all, cocooned in the darkness of the Earth for thousands of years.  Amethyst, for instance, will loose its beautiful purple colouring if left in direct sunlight.

4.  Hold your crystal in meditation, or place it in front of you as you gently gaze at it.  Use it as a gateway to your inner consciousness, and as a key to ancient wisdom.  Ask questions.  Go deeper in your “what” and your “why”.  Ask about your next right step in your journey to healing.  Is there something - an emotion, a thought pattern, a habit - that needs to be released?  Is there a specific action for you to take?  Is there an option available to you that is more in alignment with your vibes and with your divine plan?  Does it want to be activated as part of a crystal grid?

5.  Thank your crystal helper, and cleanse it at least once a month using one of the methods listed above (#3).

Crystals have a way to let us know when their work with us is complete.  You will find a change in their vibes; a fullness in your heart.  Many times, crystals will disappear.  It happened to me more than once that a crystal fell off a necklace, just like that.  I imagine it possibly waiting on the sidewalk or the parking lot for the next person to pick it up and work with it.  I’ve had other pieces disappear from a shelf and reappear years later when an issue resurfaced.  It’s important to accept that although a crystal is right for you at the moment you adopt it, its commitment to you might not be for your entire lifetime.  Like other magical helpers, crystals will move on to where their help is most needed.  A bit like Mary Poppins.  We have to be ready to let them go when their work with us is done.

I hope this article can help you select the optimal crystals to accompany you on your life’s journey.  If you have any questions on selecting and working with crystals, send me a message; I’d be happy to be of assistance.  I can also bless the crystal with Reiki and optimize it for your personal vibes.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.