Sandra Kynes - 365 Days of Crystal Magic: Simple Practices with Gemstones & Minerals

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

365 Days of Crystal Magic: Simple Practices with Gemstones & Minerals 2018 by Sandra Kynes.

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First e-book edition 2017

E-book ISBN: 9780738755922

Book design by Donna Burch-Brown

Cover design by Ellen Lawson

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Kynes, Sandra, author.

Title: 365 days crystal magic : simple practices with gemstones & minerals / Sandra Kynes.

Other titles: Three hundred sixty-five days crystal magic

Description: First Edition. | Woodbury : Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017036594 (print) | LCCN 2017047804 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738755922 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738754178 (alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Crystals--Miscellanea. | Precious stones--Miscellanea. |

Minerals--Miscellanea. | Occultism--Miscellanea. | Magic--Miscellanea. | Astrology--Miscellanea.

Classification: LCC BF1442.C78 (ebook) | LCC BF1442.C78 K95 2018 (print) |

DDC 133/.2548dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017036594

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Llewellyn Publications

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Manufactured in the United States of America

Contents

: Preparing and Using Crystals

: January

: February

: March

: April

: May

: June

: July

: August

: September

: October

: November

: December

Introduction

Popular with Pagans and Wiccans, crystals provide a simple and effective way to add power to magic, ritual, and everyday life. The fascination with and use of crystals dates to ancient times when they served as bling and much more. Through the ages, crystals have functioned as symbols of power, wealth, beauty, and prestige and as tokens of love.

While some gemstones attract attention with their rich colors, others seem to play with the light or shine from within. Many cultures considered certain stones to have metaphysical qualities because their mysterious beauty seemed to echo the forces of nature. Although specific attributes of particular gemstones varied among ancient cultures, there was a universal belief in their protective powers.

Following the tradition of Vedic astrologers in India, early astrologers in Europe ascribed gemstones to the constellations of the Western zodiac. According to some sources, the gemstones noted in Exodus 28, 1530 of the Bible was the first ones used with the zodiac. These stones were worn by religious leaders and regarded as particularly powerful. However, due to variations in translations of the Bible and the fact that many gemstone names evolved over time, it is nearly impossible to determine the original crystal(s) ascribed to each constellation.

By medieval times, gemstones associated with the zodiac were shifted to the months. The information on these early birthstones that I have included in this book comes from The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by George Kunz (1913, 315), gemologist to Tiffany & Company. Like birthstones based on the zodiac, monthly birthstones evolved. First compiled in 1912, the standard American jewelers list popularized the use of birthstones in mainstream culture (Kunz 1913, 319). The primary intention of standardizing the list was to get rid of conflicts in older lists of birthstones. Another reason was the fact that zodiac gemstones straddled the months and different sources could not agree on when a zodiac sign began and ended. The jewelers list has changed over time to accommodate fashion trends, which seems to have brought us full circle to conflicting information. However, because one size does not fit all and everyones energy is unique, I think having a variety of birthstones provides choices for exploring very personal crystal magic.

This book begins with a chapter of background information that includes preparing crystals for use and charging them with energy. It also provides an overview on how to use crystals. Subsequent chapters take us on a fun journey through the wheel of the year with daily suggestions for the magical and personal use of stones. Naturally, this includes gemstones associated with the sabbats, full moons, and the zodiac.

The Celtic Ogham along with tree months and runic half months are also included. I first encountered the runic half months in Nigel Pennicks book The Pagan Book of Days (2001). Like the Ogham and tree calendar, the runic half months are associated with the energy and wisdom of their respective symbols. In each of the rune and Ogham entries, I have suggested crystals that support these objectives. Oghams and runes can be painted on crystals or multiple stones can be arranged on your altar in the form of these symbols.

Other days of note come from ancient festivals. The Romans seemed to have had a celebration for every occasion, many of which related to deities. I have selected some of the festivals that may be of interest to modern Pagans and Wiccans. My main sources for these celebrations were Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome by Lesley and Roy Adkins (2004), Traditional Festivals by Christian Roy (2005), and On Roman Time by Michele Salzman (1990). I have included a few Greek festivals; however, it is important to note that exact dates for these are very difficult to pinpoint. According to British author and translator Nigel Wilson (1935 ), each ancient Greek state kept its own lunar-based calendar, which was often adjusted to remain in concert with the seasons (Wilson 2006, 138). Because of this, I have assigned these celebrations to approximate dates.