Katie Huang - Crystal Zodiac: An Astrological Guide to Enhancing Your Life with Crystals

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.

Galileo Galilei

The information contained in this book is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject addressed. It is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in this book is at the readers discretion. The author and publisher disclaim any and all liability arising directly and indirectly from the use or application of any information contained in this book.

Copyright 2020 by Katie Huang

All rights reserved.

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

hmhbooks.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Huang, Katie, author.

Title: Crystal zodiac : an astrological guide to enhancing your life with crystals / Katie Huang, founder of love by Luna.

Description: Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019045715 (print) | LCCN 2019045716 (ebook) | ISBN 9780358213048 (hardback) | ISBN 9780358310266 | ISBN 9780358310341 | ISBN 9780358213369 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: CrystalsMiscellanea. | Astrology.

Classification: LCC BF1442.C78 H83 2020 (print) | LCC BF1442.C78 (ebook) | DDC 133/.2548dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019045715

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019045716

Cover design by Eleanor Kwei

Interior design by Rachel Marek

Cover and endsheets photography by Micah Schmidt

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When the people of ancient civilizations looked up at the night sky they found stories and guidance in the stars, and they grouped together in constellations the celestial bodies that appeared to form images. Though the names of the zodiacs constellations have mythical origins, the patterns themselves served a number of practical purposes throughout history. The position of the stars helped explorers successfully navigate the globe and assisted farmers by attuning them to the cycles of the seasons. Ultimately, the recognizable patterns of the constellations enabled people to become more aware of their surroundings and better orient themselves in a changing world.

Today, we use astrology and crystals as tools of mindfulness that encourage a similar sense of consciousness about where we are and where we want to goand, as with constellations, we dont need to be mystical, magical, or spiritually inclined in order to use them. While these tools have sometimes been linked with science or religion, astrology and crystals are simply a means of self-reflection that provide an opportunity for self-discovery, personal growth, and emotional development. By offering an objective understanding of our character as well as insights into our past cycles and current behaviors, these tools heighten our receptivity and guide us toward meaningful and practical changes that will improve our quality of life. When we use the two in tandem, we can begin to weave mindfulness practices into our day-to-day rhythms and move joyfully toward our full potential.

What is wellness, anyway? The term is used so broadly it can be hard to define, let alone determine how to form your own wellness practices. Technically, wellness is simply a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-beingbut its about more than maintaining balance. Wellness is an active process and a way of life in which healthy and fulfilling choices are made daily through awareness, intention, and deliberate action.

The foundation of wellness is built upon the relationship with the self, and, like fitness and nutrition, wellness practice is not one-size-fits-all. Theres a reason your friend swears by yoga but you find it hard to concentrate while on the mat, and why you love solitude but others find alone time stressful. The best way to nurture the connection between your mind and body will depend on your temperament, goals, and needs.

Cultivating self-awareness sounds simple, but leading a conscious life requires sustained effort and practice. When were juggling work, family, and relationships, being tuned in to our thoughts and deliberate in our actions can be difficultand aligning the two even more challenging. Astrology and crystals are powerful tools for introspection and change because they bridge the gap between our thoughts and actions. While our personal astrology provides insight into our behaviors and patterns, crystals prompt us to act on these insights by grounding our intentions in the physical world.

On your wellness journey, think of astrology as your road map and crystals as your vehicle. Either one, used on its own, can help you reach your destination. When used together, however, these two forces render your path much clearer. The biggest benefit of using astrology and crystals in tandem is that they help you craft a more personalized approach to wellness, outlining mindfulness practices and self-care routines that are tailor made for you.

Astrology isnt the answer, it poses the question. A common misconception about astrology is that it acts like a Magic 8 Ball, predicting the future or describing ones personality in absolutes. But no system can completely define who you are because who you are is constantly evolving, changing with each new experience and person you meet. While specific traits and habits are linked to certain signs, these correlations are soft guidelines rather than hard rules. Astrologys function is to encourage us to think about who we are, not to tell us who we are. When we ask ourselves if we see a signs tendencies reflected in our behavior and actionsor in those of our loved oneswe not only become more conscious of the ways in which we interact with the world, we better understand, empathize, and relate to those around us.

The twelve signs that comprise the zodiac each bring a unique light to the world. However, signs that share the same element or quality possess certain similarities, as both factors influence a signs general temperament. The four elementsfire, earth, air, and waterreveal a signs basic tendencies, while the three qualities, or modalitiescardinal, fixed, and mutableindicate a signs approach to life. Recognizing the distinctions between the elements and qualities, and their combined effects, can highlight the strengths, weaknesses, and potential compatibility of different signs.

Elements

Fire Signs

Aries
Leo
Sagittarius

bold, spontaneous, confident, passionate, enthusiastic, unafraid of risk