Perennially popular, amethyst once cost more than gold and diamonds, and it remained valuable until large deposits were uncovered in South America. Amethyst is classified as a semiprecious gemstone, and it is the best known birthstone for the month of February. This...
Arguably the most iconic part of most New Year's celebrations, fireworks have lit the night sky for centuries. A mixture of flammable fuel and other mineral substances elicits loud bangs and bright colors once ignited. What kinds of minerals are found in fireworks,...
In the bustle of the modern world, our focus is often drawn toward utility and practicality. Even spiritual practice tends to focus on tangible outcomes. As we enter holiday season, I invite you to slow down to cultivate wonder in your spiritual (and secular)...
As we settle further into fall, my heart has been connecting to the flowers that continue to bloom here in central Florida. Although the roadsides are dotted with goldenrod, arrowhead, and all kinds of aster, there is one plant that feels all the more emblematic of...
Since this month kicks off a flurry of Reiki-related events, I wanted to explore the deeper meaning of the character rei in Reiki. There's a lot packed into a handful of lines, and it points toward some of the deeper meanings of the system of Reiki. ...
Perhaps one of the very first uses of sacred stones and talismanic gems was to provide safety and protection under the auspices of the mineral kingdom. By flipping through the pages of a book of gemstone lore--ancient or modern--you’ll find many a stone with...
The mineral kingdom has held a perennial allure over humankind. Metals and ores, gemstones and building materials, crystals and rocks alike have fascinated us since the dawn of time. Nowadays, the spiritual properties of crystals have reached an all-time high in...
Talking about energy is challenging, because we just don’t have the language to convey every nuanced or numinous experience. I don’t doubt that we’ve all had trouble expressing the profound sensation of being deep in meditation or the transmission of energy from a new...
Back in the year 2000, a special configuration of quartz was discovered for the first time, or so the community of crystal healers will tell you. These unusual crystals were exceptionally clear on the interior with matte-textured surfaces. The crystals were generally...