Crystal Imagery

Here is a selection of crystal inspired imagery by Naisha Ahsian

 

Infusing Crystals with Tarot Archetypes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the next full moon fast approaching I thought I’d talk about crystal infusion. Often, at full moon, I use the moon’s energy to infuse a Tarot archetype into a crystal for a particular purpose that I require at that time such as healing, strength, energy, vision or whatever purpose it may be. 

 

There are particular Major Arcana cards that work alongside each astrological Sign. For example, the upcoming full moon is in Sagittarius which is Temperance, ruled by Jupiter which is The Wheel of Fortune. Working with these cards will be particularly powerful, however when infusing archetypes at full moon it is possible to use whichever Major Arcana card is appropriate for your intent, so long as it aligns with the lunar energies of that particular full moon.

 

It is best if the energy of the upcoming full moon complements the intention of the infusion. Each full moon I look at the energies that are available to me. I may find that the energies are suitable for my needs or decide to wait for a future moon, or I may find something else of benefit to me and modify my intention and work with that instead. The main thing is that the intention and the lunar energies align with each other.

 

If I find the moon’s energy is suitable for my needs I select a Major Arcana card to complement that purpose. The next thing is to find a crystal that works with that particular card. There are many options out there and you will find a list of the most popular correspondences below. That said, there are no hard and fast rules, and if a particular crystal speaks to you, go for it.

 

Once a crystal has been selected it needs to be prepared for the infusion. Generally people find their own personal rituals for these kinds of practices and there is no right or wrong form of ritual. I can only share my process. My infusion ritual runs over four nights in order to produce a permanent infusion. Two nights prior to full moon I prepare the crystal. I wash my crystal in a mixture of sea salt and spring water and soak overnight. If you can get hold of sea water that’s even better. Do not use salt for friable crystals such as raw quartz. Polished stones are generally okay. If you are not sure just use springwater. Sea water is safe for all crystals. Alternatively, you could purchase a purpose-made crystal cleanser.

 

The next day is the night before full moon, and is the first of three nights of archetype infusion. I pour the water that soaked the crystal where nothing will grow, rinse the crystal and wipe it with a cotton or silk cloth. I then run it through the smoke of a smudge stick, usually something like white sage, rosemary, cedar or lavender. You could also pass it through the light of a candle, or some frankincense, sandlewood or myrrh incense. I carefully clean the Major Arcana card then place it on a window ledge where it will catch the light of the moon. It is best to keep them indoors so they don’t get affected by the elements.

 

After placing the crystal on top it is time to ask for the cards essence to enter the crystal. Have your intention clear in your mind. I usually acknowledge the card and the crystal and repeat the intention three times. I do this each night for the three nights, the night before, of and after full moon. The moon draws the energy of the card up into the crystal, filling it with the essence of the archetype.

 

For a less permanent infusion you could just place the card and crystal under the full moon that one night. That in itself would be enough to be beneficial for a temporary infusion.

 

I often wear my crystals in a ‘cage’ necklace that are available from beading or crystal shops so I can carry their energy with me.

 

 

Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved. 

Crystals and the Major Arcana

 

There are a number of correspondences between crystals and Tarot cards out there. Here I have listed the most popular that I have found. Just like Tarot card meanings, crystal attributes are multi-faceted, so it is a good idea to make your own personal correspondences between the Major Arcana and crystals that will serve the purpose you require. This list provides a good starting point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fool

New beginning, trust in the universe, wonder, joy, change

Herkimer diamond, Lepidolite, Tourmaline, Agate, Turquoise

 

The Magician

Concentration, conscious mind, expansion, creative initiative, opportunities

Quartz, Citrine, Fire opal, Agate, Tiger’s eye, Garnet

 

The High Priestess

Inner knowledge, intuition, secrets, esoteric knowledge

Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli, Kyanite, Labradorite

 

The Empress

Sensuality, motherhood, fertility, nurturing, love, abundance, comfort

Emerald, Rose quartz, Carnelian, Turquoise, Peridot/Olivine, Aventurine

 

The Emperor

Order, stability, protection, confidence, power, material success

Ruby, Carnelian, Topaz, Red jasper, Emerald

 

The Hierophant

Knowledge, clarity, guidance, spiritual meaning

Topaz, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Citrine, Turquoise, Diamond, Hematite, 

 

The Lovers

Love, relationship, choices, sexuality

Alexandrite, Agate, Rose quartz, Ruby, Ametrine, Blue topaz

 

The Chariot

Balancing opposing forces, moving forward, control, determination

Tiger’s eye, Pyrite, Chalcedony, Amber, Howlite, Leopard skin jasper, Staurolite

 

Strength

Strength, discipline, personal power, courage, focus

Cat’s eye, Topaz, Tiger’s eye, Chrysolite, Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Herkimer diamond

 

The Hermit

Self-knowledge, finding one’s way, inner workings, spiritual clarity, discrimination

Peridot/Olivine, Bloodstone, Smoky quartz, Sapphire, Blue calcite, Blue tourmaline

 

The Wheel of Fortune

Cycles, a new chapter, accepting change, luck, fortune

Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Aventurine, Sardonyx, Black opal, Amethyst, Rhodonite

 

Justice

Balance, evaluation, truth, reason, logic, legal matters

Petrified wood, Emerald, Jade, Coral, Bloodstone, Carnelian

 

The Hanged Man

A new viewpoint, altered consciousness, sacrifice, release

Beryl, Aquamarine, Iolite, Green calcite, Moss agate, Ametrine, Sodalite

 

Death

Transformation, change, completion, letting go

Apache tear, Bloodstone, Snakestone, Obsidian, Black tourmaline, Amber, Zebra stone

 

Temperance

Balance, cooperation, compromise, harmony, tranquility

Sardonyx, Amethyst, Jacinth, Kunzite, Sardonyz

 

The Devil

The shadow self, facing fears, inhibitions, abolishment of blocked feelings

Black diamond, Black onyx, Obsidian, Jet, Charoite, Hematite, Pyrite, Tektite, Black tourmaline

 

The Tower

Confronting one’s truth, enlightenment, release of outdated ideas and beliefs, liberation

Garnet, Ruby, Obsidian, Lodestone/Magnetite, Chrysocolla, Hematite

 

The Star

Hope, renewal, peace, clarity, aspiration, optimism, sense of purpose

Rock crystal, Turquoise, Moldavite, Tektite, Sugulite

 

The Moon

Illusion, confusion, dreams, working with the unconscious, intuition, meditation

Moonstone, Pearl, Milk opal, Labradorite, Pyrite, Ammonite, Selenite

 

The Sun

Confidence, optimism, re-integration, vibrancy, creativity, energy

Amber, Diamond, Bloodstone/Heliotrope, Sunstone, Tiger’s eye

 

Judgement

Re-evaluation, summing up, perspective, transformation, awakening, karma

Fire opal, Malachite, Amethyst, Fluorite, Hawk’s eye

 

The World

Accomplishment, fulfilment, completion of a phase in life, preparation for new phase, realisation of Self

Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Black pearl, Jet, Unakite, Larimar, Turquoise, Opal, Kunzite, Rhyolite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As mentioned earlier, the attributes for each of the hundreds of crystals available are multi-faceted, so it is best to research this. Many sites on the web provide this information. I also recommend The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals by Judy Hall. It is a comprehensive directory to most of the crystals known to man, their attributes, appearance, worldwide distribution, and healing properties. There are also sections on cleaning, healing, crystal meditation and more.

 

 

Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.