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    • 5 Gemstones to Help You Balance the Masculine Within

      5 Gemstones to Help You Balance the Masculine Within, by Margaret Ann Lembo

      (Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

      June is the month we honor our fathers, as well as those graduating from academic programs. This is the time of year that supports our connection to the energy of taking action, accomplishment, and acknowledgement. It is aligned with masculine energy.

      How can we balance, embrace, and nurture this masculine energy? With gemstones! There are hundreds of crystals and minerals to choose from; the key is to pick a stone to which you are attracted and make a matching thought. The masculine vibe teaches that you can accomplish anything and find the courage to do so. It also teaches about discernment and the healthy ability to set limits, to say no when that is what you want to say. Pick a few stones with these intentions associated with the masculine energy during this month of June—or any time.

      The masculine vibration is the doing, business making, giving, and active principle. Everyone has both masculine and feminine energies, regardless of gender. It is a good goal to balance the masculine and the feminine vibe to have a healthy and happy life. Take a moment to honor Dad or someone who is like a father to you and feel gratitude because they helped develop this aspect within you.

      Five Stones
      Here are the top five gemstones to balance your masculine energy. These gemstones also make a great gift if you are trying to figure out what to get dear old Dad! They can be used as paperweights, a decoration, or as a worry stone. Perhaps a bracelet or a bookend made of one of these stones would fit the bill. Gift yourself with one of these. Use the matching positive thoughts associated with each stone until you notice that you've integrated the thoughts and make them the truth in your life.

        1. Carnelian
          Carnelian is a stone good for actualization. The brilliant orange helps you dive into a project, release procrastination, and make things move forward. It's a stone of action and courage. This stone acts as a catalyst to put things in motion so that they can come to fruition. Use this stone to mentally integrate the true meaning of active courage. Carnelian is an ideal stone for improving visualization skills.Affirmation: I am courageous and bravely bring my ideas into actuality. My imagination is the key to my success.

        1. Citrine
          Citrine is good for mental clarity. It reminds you that whatever you ardently believe and desire and work passionately toward will manifest. Let the golden rays of this stone dissipate negative thoughts or emotions that you perceive are blocking your way to happiness or a specific goal. Citrine is a perfect tool to move you toward releasing repetitive patterns of self-limiting thoughts.Affirmation: Whatever I desire, imagine, and passionately act upon becomes a reality. It is safe for me to be powerful! I am confident and courageous.

        1. Garnet
          Garnet is the stone of energy and vitality. Garnet is a good stone to work with when you are in the process of manifesting. This semi-precious stone is directly connected to the vital life force. It also helps improve your libido and your love life. Use garnet to help you live life fully and passionately.Affirmation: I have plenty of energy and plenty to share. I am vital and strong! I live a full passionate life. I am determined.

        1. Lapis Lazuli
          Lapis Lazuli is a good stone to turn to when you want to be grounded and maintain your intuitive nature. It is a good stone to hold to improve your concentration and beneficial to integrate complex intellectual tasks. The dark blue stone can assist in calming anger, rage, and aggression. It reduces feeling associated with emotional turmoil. Use lapis lazuli to attain inner peace and a meditative state.Affirmation: I am focused. I see, sense, feel, and know the truth. I follow my intuition. It is easy for me to meditate.

      1. Pyrite
        Pyrite can be used to open your mind to golden opportunities. It's a stone to help you focus on the positive and is associated with the vibration of the Sun, the ultimate Divine masculine. The golden vibration of pyrite assists you in remembering your magnificence. You are powerful, so use this gemstone to remember who you truly are and watch your self-esteem increase. Growing in block formations, it is inherent within the stone to offer a strong foundation to improve some of your core beliefs about yourself.Affirmation: My confidence is rock solid. I focus on my intentions and take positive action to manifest my goals.

      Intention
      It is important to have an intention and to focus on the positive so that life reflects your highest potential. Everything that is created is created through intention. We create our lives with our thoughts, actions, words, and deeds. Our intentions vibrate out into the world and return to us in the form of our personal reality.

      When a gemstone is paired with an affirmation, the stone amplifies that intention. It is a tool that helps you maintain your focus on what you do want. In my work with color and crystals over the course of three decades, I've found that to use a stone most effectively, it is best to associate an intention with it. And the more information you have about the qualities associated with certain stones, the more creative you can be with using these valuable tools to improve your life.

      The most important thing about working with crystals, minerals, and stones is to remember is that they are simply tools that provide you with a reminder of your intentions and goals. Just as you might light a candle to help you focus on your intention or tie a string around your finger to remember something, a gemstone can provide that same nudge. These sparkling treasures from deep within the earth can help distract you from any troubling thoughts that might be getting in the way of your progress. They remind you to focus on what you do want instead of what you don’t want. Here is a good way to get started:

      1. Pick a stone, any stone.
      2. Hold the stone in your hand, or if it's too large to hold, gaze at the stone.
      3. Use an affirmation to help you maintain your focus on what you want, thus replacing thoughts of things you do not want.
      4. Every time you touch the stone, look at it, or think of it, remember why you are working with it, and reaffirm your intention.

      You can carry smaller stones around with you to stay focused on your intentions while you go about your day, or you can place them strategically around your house or workplace. In fact, there are many methods for incorporating crystals into your daily life, including:

      • Carry smaller gemstones in your pocket. Every time you touch your chosen stone, bring your mind back to your intention.
      • Put smaller crystals in your pillowcase. Set your intention as you fall asleep and let your subconscious mind work with the crystals to amplify your intention.
      • Put the chosen stone on your desk, workstation, or even on the dashboard of your car so that every time you look at it, the rock will remind you to be mindful and conscious of your thoughts and the actions you are taking to actualize your reality.

      Contemplate on balancing the masculine and feminine energies as a spiritual practice and observe the positive changes in your life. Decide how you can bring your masculine energy into balance in your life. Honor the masculine within and around you. Remember those who have filled the position of father in your life and pause for a moment of gratitude.

      Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2015. All rights reserved.

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    • Double Vision: Do Spells Really Work?

      dv-1:19

      Do Spells Really Work?

      I am wondering if spells really work. If so, then I have so many questions! Do they take time? Can others cast spells for us, or do we have to do it ourselves? Can we affect other people with spells, or only ourselves? Is it wrong to cast spells? Are there negative repercussions? Is it dangerous?

      Thank you!
      Sandy

      Dreamchaser:

      Yes, I believe in the power of spells. I grew up in an area where voodoo is still practiced and spells are cast on a regular basis. You have to decide for yourself if you believe this is right or wrong.

      I believe we should only cast spells for ourselves, however, there is one exception, and that is when a professional casts a spell for you. Even in that situation, I think there are guidelines that should be followed.

      The biggest rule governing spell work is: “Harm no one and do not tinker with anyone’s free will.” If a spell brings harm to someone else, then you absolutely should not do it or have it preformed for you.

      For example, if you want your married boyfriend to leave his cheating, miserable wife so he can be with you, you cannot cast a “divorce spell,” even though it appears it would help both of them. You can’t cast this spell because you would be interfering with his free will and his wife’s free will. It is up to them to decide if they will stay in a bad marriage or not; it’s not your decision.

      If you interfered, you would affect not only yourself and the couple, but also all the family and friends surrounding that couple. Your one spell would affect quite a number of people. That is something we all need to consider before we decide to do a spell. We have to take a good look at the entire situation and all the possible ramifications.

      I think casting a positive, helpful spell is a wonderful thing. Casting a prosperity or good health spell is a great tool for those who are in need. I do not use spells. I believe in the power of my words as they are sent into the universe. I believe that I have to allow my life to unfold on its own, and that I have the power to choose what I want to do at any time. Long ago I gave up on trying to create what I thought I wanted to happen. I realized that the universe always had a better plan, so I took it easy, sitting back allowing things to happen. It works best for me.

      Let’s cut to the bottom line: Is it wrong to cast spells if you harm no one and do not play with another’s free will? No, it is not wrong. Are there negative repercussions if you interfere, even if it’s indirectly related to their situation? You will get back whatever you have sent out at least three times over because whatever we put out comes back to us and then some.

      Is it dangerous? That would depend on your definition of dangerous. I personally feel that casting spells to make something happen is always dangerous, because if it is not happening by itself already, there is probably a good reason. Either you are stopping it from manifesting somehow, or the universe does not think it is time. Either way, there is work that must be done, and trying to skip or avoid that work could prove unwise.

      I wish you good judgment.

      *****

      Astrea:

      I am very conflicted about spell work, Sandy, but you made up my mind for me about one thing, and I thank you. I’ve always felt it was wrong to sell a spell.

      After reading your question, I removed the only spell I was offering at Psychic Chat. For me, magic is a sacred part of divine worship, and trying to sell even the most innocent spell isn’t right. I’m going straight. I’m either going to give it away from now on, or just avoid spell work altogether.

      Magic is dangerous in the hands of someone who is dabbling and unprepared. They’re inviting demons and who knows what else by playing with fire. Even with years of study, many people can’t do a spell correctly.

      I could write endless descriptions of horrible things that go wrong when someone gets a spell out of a book and tries to duplicate it, or buys a spell on the internet and expects someone else to work magic for her. The person doing the spell for you might not know any more about magic than you do. Can you trust this person with your life and future?

      In most books on spells, some ingredient of the ritual is missing. People who practice magic regularly are like chefs, and will leave out one key ingredient to keep the real recipe all to himself. Of course, if you’re truly interested in spell casting, there are lots of books and classes that can get you started. While you won’t ever learn magic from a book, you can gain lots of basic knowledge. You can also learn how to protect yourself from fakes and phonies.

      If magic runs in your family, even if you can’t ask other family members to show you what to do, with meditation and practice you should be able to harness your inherited skills.

      Times have changed. The spells that worked to ward off the Black Plague in the Middle Ages have to be fundamentally changed and adapted to drug addiction and alcoholism. Magic is a living language, and changes all the time. A spell written in a book today might not work tomorrow, or just the opposite could be true. Altering an ancient spell may even prove disastrous! It takes time and experience to be able to intuit what will and won’t work for you.

      Personally, I prefer prayer. It’s safe, quick, easy, free, and the results are guaranteed. You don’t have to have candles or graven images, or be in a certain building, or wear a certain color. Also, you can always get guidance on decisions through prayer.

      Regardless of who your supreme deity may be, if you listen with your heart, you can find what you’re seeking.

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