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Crystal Connections

Oh crystals, how I love you so. Where and how do I even begin to describe my connection with them. You know that feeling you get with an animal, when you squeeze them and nuzzle your nose into them, and your whole body just resonates with love? Well that’s me with crystals and minerals, I just have to be a little more careful because rocks aren’t so furry and squishy! Seriously though, when I walk into a crystal shop or mineral and gem show I am like a kid in a candy store. When I find crystals or stones that call to me, I immediately want to hug them. I’m not sure why, other than to say that I feel so much love emanating from them that my first instinct is to hold them close. Being surrounded by crystals is my true happy place, they are what grounds me, as they should since they are from the earth; true gifts from Gaia and I honor them as such.

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Crystals and minerals aren’t just beautiful gifts from the earth, no, they’re multifaceted (pun intended). Not only do they bring people joy, these beauties have been used as healing tools for centuries. It wasn’t until I became a Solitary Eclectic Witch that I learned of their metaphysical properties, which only transcended my love for them.

My dad, who was a rock hound in his younger years, is the reason for my connection with these earthy treasures. I can remember combing river beds and asking my dad what to look for. He would just say, “Sis, pick up whatever rock looks pretty to you.” That has always stuck with me, and I’m happy to say that I’ve done exactly that. I love all types of crystals and minerals, from the rough to the highly polished. I will say that other than spending time with my family, nothing makes me smile more than finding a beautiful mineral shining up to me from either a river/creek bed, a sandy beach, a rock and gem show or in my dad’s rock garden.

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I have memories of my dad cutting and polishing some of his finds. He also made some beautiful pieces of jewelry for my mom. Even when he wasn’t able to rock hound anymore or to even leave the bed in his later years, he still found ways to buy stones, gems and crystals for me to put to use in my own jewelry creations or to just place in my sacred spaces. I didn’t get into jewelry making until I was in my thirties, but when I did he was my greatest supporter. He’d buy some faceted gems and honored me by asking if I would make my mom something special.

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My dad journeyed to Summerland a year ago and there are so many things I miss about our daily interactions. I feel the loss especially when I find a stone or I’ve thought of a jewelry design that I think he’d really love. I often still talk to him as if he were standing next to me and sometimes I think I can hear him laugh, or feel him nod in approval. I will forever be grateful to him for introducing me to these earthy gifts but most of all I’m thankful to have shared that love with him.

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