Posts Tagged ‘gemstones’

In most every culture, shamans embarking on a vision quest and other spiritual healers honor the tradition of their ancestors and teachers by carrying and using something known as a medicine bag. Medicine bags are various-sized pouches containing sacred objects, especially crystals, bones, feathers, and stones, but they can carry any small object of significance to the shaman.

Amulet bags have been made in African nations, for the indigenous peoples throughout the Americas, and in Europe and Asia, too. It is rare to find a practitioner of any nature religion, such as Wicca, without his or her personal medicine bag.

When used with an attitude of honor and respect, the bag and its contents are able to bring the shaman in touch with powers of his or her innermost being. Very often, a shaman will carry one or more crystals or other objects that accompanied him or her on the vision quest and will use the stored energy to enhance healing and other ceremonies and sacred rites.

Medicine bags are usually hand stitched and constructed from leather, with beaded adornment. They are small bags, usually hung like necklaces from a cord around the neck, but they can be worn on a belt or carried in a pocket or purse. The exterior designs often act as protective influence, but the bag itself usually contains additional protection inside in the form of sacred objects, crystals, feathers, shells, or herbs that have meaning for the shaman, thereby helping him or her to focus intention.

Medicine bags are meant to give guidance, good luck, good health, abundance, and even love to their wearers. They act as a means of personal energetic protection and can be held to help invoke healing and protection. For instance, a shaman consulting with a person in need of balancing may have a medicine bag embroidered or painted with balancing symbols and containing some obsidian stones used for protection. A lay individual who might carry a medicine bag could include a person going to a stressful job interview or other important business meeting. He or she would wear or carry a small medicine bag containing malachite for success and prosperity.

The crystals placed in your bag should represent a part of yourself or your life that you wish to develop or empower. For example, if you want to be more loving, you could place a small piece of rose quartz in your medicine bag.

Various cultures felt that if one wore the medicine bag close to the body, the sacred power of the bag was stronger and one’s personal power was enhanced. In this book, medicine bags are designed for protection from seen and unseen things and are worn to enhance the wearer’s positive attitude and keep negative energy away from the wearer’s physical and spiritual self.

A person may have several medicine bags, each carried for different reasons.  One bag may be for dealing with stress, one for happiness, one for specific healing purposes. The bag itself should be as attractive as possible. It can be decorated with a symbol of your personal deities, signs of protection or health, or a design of your own creation.

The creation of your personal medicine bag is a pure example of “spiritual crafting,” as it is a process in which you can nurture your art and soul, find inner peace, and enhance your well-being. To benefit from the spiritual crafting lessons that are in Healing Crystals, all you need are a few simple supplies and a desire to connect to a mystical state of grace. (c) Amy Zerner & Monte Farber, from “Healing Crystals: A Shaman’s Guide to Making Medicine Bags & Using Energy Stones (Enchanted World)

Our new book,

“Healing Crystals-A Shaman’s Guide to Making Medicine Bags & Using Energy Stones”

is out! It’s a is a One Spirit Book Club Alternate Main Selection:

http://www.onespirit.com/ecom/pages/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1045832347

More About Monte Farber and Amy Zerner:

Internationally known self-help author Monte Farber’s inspiring guidance and empathic insights impact everyone he encounters. Amy Zerner’s exquisite, one-of-a-kind spiritual couture creations and collaged fabric paintings exude her profound intuition and deep connection with archetypal stories and healing energies. For more than thirty years they’ve combined their deep love for each other with the work of inner exploration and self-discovery to build The Enchanted World of Amy Zerner and Monte Farber: popular books, card decks, and oracles that have helped millions answer questions, find deeper meaning, and follow their own spiritual paths.

Together they’ve made their love for each other a work of art and their art the work of their lives, with over two million books in print in fourteen languages. Their other best-selling titles include The Chakra Meditation Kit, The Tarot Discovery Kit, Karma Cards, The Enchanted Spellboard, Secrets of the Fortune Bell, Little Reminders: Love & Relationships, Little Reminders: The Law of Attraction, Goddess, Guide Me!, The Animal Powers Meditation Kit, Astrology Gems, True Love Tarot, The Instant Tarot Reader, The Psychic Circle, Wish Upon A Star, The Pathfinder Psychic Talking Board, The Truth Fairy, Spirit of the Ancestors Altar Kit, Vibe-Away!, The Mystic Messenger, The Breathe Easy Deck, The Healing Deck, and The Ghostwriter Automatic Writing Kit.  More info at: www.TheEnchantedWorld.com

When someone says “Goddess Energy” or “Divine Feminine” what do you think of?  I think for many people words like intuition, wisdom, and balance come to mind. Being a geologist, when I think of the Goddess, I think of one of my favorite crystals- Moonstone.  Moonstone is the quintessential stone to represent the Goddess Energy and, like the Goddess herself, can be very powerful.

So is moonstone from the moon? One might think so since the Goddess is also associated with the moon but the name in fact came from its milky and moon-like appearance.  Scientifically I can tell you that moonstone gets its beautiful sheen from the fact that it reflects light internally.  And as a spiritual person, I recognize that this is not a coincidence as it’s much like one working to connect with the Goddess- the need to reflect on things inside ourselves.

Mystically this stone is vibrating with the feminine wisdom and Goddess energy. It helps to create a reflective and calming energy and, because it is connected to the Divine Feminine energy, can assist in strengthening intuitive and psychic perception.  Obviously it is a very feminine crystal and helps women contact the goddess within.  Don’t feel left out gentlemen – this stone can help you connect with your feminine side too- something that is often forgotten.

There are many different ways you can incorporate the moonstone crystal into your daily life.  My favorite way is to use the Goddess soap and lotion that I created for my metaphysical line of bath products, Celestial Farms.  As with all of the products created in the Celestial Farms line, we add charged and blessed crystals to the Goddess soap and lotion- in this case we add moonstone. By adding the moonstone to the bath products you are able to connect even further with the Goddess energy and carry it with you all day. And a bonus is that when you’ve used the soap or lotion up you have a small moonstone crystal to carry with you.

If you prefer to buy a moonstone crystal I recommend, as with any crystal or gemstone, that you cleanse and charge it before using it or carrying it with you.  There are many methods to clearing and cleansing a crystal and not all are safe for all crystals. So please keep in mind what I suggest here for moonstone may not be applicable to other crystals.  As we talk about different crystals in the future I’ll talk specifically about what methods are best in each case.

For moonstone I recommend first cleansing the stone with water.  I first place the stone under running water to remove any physical debris that may be present, such as dirt or dust.  The best place to do this would be in a stream with running water or in the ocean surf- this would allow the crystal to not only be cleansed but also be charged with the energy from the water in a more natural setting. But if that is not an option for you simply placing it under running water in your sink will work too. I do this for several minutes to be sure the crystal is well cleansed.

Now that you have cleaned your crystal physically we want to remove any energetic debris that may be attached as well. Crystals can absorb the energy around them, positive or negative, so we want to remove that before we open ourselves up to the stone. My preferred method is smudging. Simply light a bundle of white sage and let the smoke swirl around your stone.  I’ll also have a small dish of salt next to me to absorb any of the negative energy coming off the stone.

The next step is to charge your moonstone.  There are a number of methods to do this but I think the most powerful is to use the moon, preferably when it’s full. I would suggest doing this for several nights so start one night before the full moon and let the crystal absorb the energy through one night after the full moon. You simply place your stone outside under the moonlight and let the moon do its work.  If it feels appropriate to you, you might say a few words to the moon and the Goddess, asking them to bless the stone and charge it with their energies.  Do what feels right to you and what feels most natural. After the third night your stone is ready for you to use in your daily practice as you see fit.

More About Niki Fountain….

Serene Bath & Body was the vision of its owner and founder, Niki Fountain. As a young woman, Ms. Fountain, like many girls her age, found herself with a poor body image and did not treat her body with the love and respect it deserved. Through the years she was able to overcome this and realized that everyone, especially young women, needed to learn to care for and respect their bodies. This eventually inspired Celestial Farms. The inspiration was one of creating products that would help young girls and women learn to love their bodies and treat them well by using high quality products that nourish the body, the mind, the spirit and the soul.  Ms. Fountain earned her Masters Degree in Hydrogeology and has a professional background in developing and perfecting soaps. She spent two years in a university laboratory as a hydrogeologist developing soap formulations to be used to “clean-up” chemicals that had been spilled into groundwater. She has been applying this experience and knowledge ever since while working in the environmental industry, cleaning up sites that have been contaminated with chemicals. She has since taken this knowledge and experience and applied it to developing and perfecting formulations of soaps for people. Additionally, being a geologist, she is intimately familiar with crystals and gemstones and both their physical and metaphysical properties. She uses this knowledge while creating new formulations that include various combinations of soaps/lotions with the appropriate crystals to obtain an array of desired outcomes (relaxation, invigoration, etc) More info at: www.theserenestore.com

On Explore Your Spirit with Kala’s Bohemian Blog, we continue to seek out the most talented and innovative designers of the 21st Century.   Join us this summer as we meet up with bright souls who do what they love and allow the rest to unfold as it should. On this path, we connected with Susie Holladay, who creates custom jewelry. Enjoy the interview here with Susie…  *~Kala~*

Kala: Hi Susie, Thanks for joining us here on Kala’s Bohemian Blog. This summer, we’re featuring Fashion and Design for the Body, Mind and Spirit.  I discovered your work via Twitter, which led me to your jewelry on ArtFire and Etsy.  I find your designs to be mystical and refreshing with unexpected introductions of inspired whimsy, which is delightful. Tell us, how did you begin making jewelry and what do you enjoy most about it?

Susie: Thank you Kala.  I’m delighted to be here.  I have always enjoyed being creative, whether it is music, sewing, painting or gardening.  My introduction to jewelry making came from my love of “rocks”.  It doesn’t matter what kind either.  I can see beauty in the plainest stone.  I’ve collected rocks for years and used them in various ways. I gradually began to want to make something “pretty” to wear and I was hooked.  It has been one of the most satisfying endeavors I’ve undertaken.  Each piece is unique and special.  When I work I seem to go somewhere else and become completely at peace.  Hours can pass without realizing it!  Usually when my stomach growls I know it’s time for a break!   The thing I enjoy most about jewelry making is the creative aspect of it and the peace within that comes from each experience.

Kala: When viewing your work, I was immediately attracted to one particular piece, this beautiful amethyst bracelet which was described as a bohemian design, of which I am now the delighted owner.  What was your inspiration for this piece?

Susie: The amazing thing about this bracelet was the fact that as I was working with the stones I actually had you in my mind which caused me to give it the name of bohemian after your blog!  I never dreamed you would be the one who would buy it!  I guess this is a perfect example of how the Universe works.  I couldn’t have been more delighted when you found it!  It truly was meant for you.

Kala: I love that too, so synchronistic! I am delighted that you are a fan of the show and the blog and had made this piece with me and the blog in mind! I had no idea, I saw your general Tweet sharing your work and went to look and fell in love with this bracelet. I agree, the Universe works in many powerful and mysterious ways and it’s so fun to watch it all come together.

Looking at all the stones you use in your designs Susie,  I see that you work with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise in some of your designs. What are the unique properties of this turquoise?

Susie: These turquoise stones are world famous.  I did some research on them and found that they are highly prized and some of the best turquoise available!  The one’s I have are just like they were when they were mined back in the 70s.  They have no need for enhancement or stablization which is unusual these days.  Turquoise is such a wonderful stone and treasured by many cultures.  It is the stone of longevity and prosperity.

Kala: Do you connect with the gemstones when you work with them? Do you have a design in mind when you begin or do the stones lead you to the design?

Susie: Yes I do connect with the stones.  I just love to handle them.  Sometimes I have an idea in my mind but usually the stones have the final say about it.  It’s amazing how things come together!

Kala: You’re a musician, artist, jewelry designer and love to travel. How have your travels inspired your designs?

Susie: Just being in nature and different cultures seems to inspire me to try different things!  I just love the wonderful designs in nature.

Kala: As a creative person, you’ve found many outlets to share your talents with the world. How do they differ and how are they the same when you are expressing yourself?

Susie: I guess music was my first real passion.  I love people and this allowed me the privilege of connecting with them.  I love bringing joy to others and letting them know just how special they are.  The pleasure and satisfaction of bringing joy to others is always in my heart.  I am older now and seem to be less active in the world and I am finding jewelry making is giving me another outlet to connect and hopefully bring happiness to others in a different way though my desire remains the same.

Kala: Your work is beautiful with the introduction of copper in many of your pieces. I have to wonder if you are connecting to past lives in Egypt, as several pieces you have designed include spirals and sacred symbols and appear to call forth an ancient energy. What inspired you to use copper in your creations?

Susie: It is interesting that you bring this up.  I do seem to have a special connection to spirals and sacred symbols.  I have often wondered if I might have been a musician or artist in another lifetime in some ancient culture.  I am very interested in ancient symbols.  A few years ago I became fascinated with indian symbols and began painting them on rocks.  In jewelry designs, especially copper, I love to use lots of spirals and coils in the designs.  Copper is such a warm and wonderful metal and is used by many people for health benefits.

Kala: Do you accept custom orders? What has been your favorite piece that you have designed thus far?

Susie: Yes, I would be glad to do custom orders.  I will do my best to fill any request.  If I find I can’t do it then I will gladly give a refund.  To date I guess my favorite piece would be the Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Necklace but it’s really hard to say for I like them all.

Kala: I love the work you do with freshwater pearls. There’s something so light and soothing about these pieces. Pearls seem to embody the essence of every woman. What do you feel when you work with pearls and can you describe your inspiration regarding this particular piece…

Susie: I love to work with pearls.  They seem to embody all that is feminine….. graceful, beautiful and lasting.  I think every woman should have a string of pearls!  This necklace is especially interesting.  The pendant is rather unusual in that it can represent something different to each person.  I can see a dolphin, a seal, and a cross in this pendant.  Someone else might see something different.  The small freshwater pearls with the purple quartz seen to combine land and water.  The pendant was the inspiration in this piece and I just worked from there.

Kala: Who is Susie Holladay? If your friends and family were to describe you in five sentences, what would they say?

Susie: I think they would tell you I am a very optimistic person, always trying to look on the bright side of things and that I value my family and friends and can be counted on to lend a hand when they need me.

Kala: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to connect more with their creative side?

Susie: Just begin.  Find out what really interests you and experiment.  Don’t be afraid to try.  Something will come along that will grab hold of you.  Life is a journey so fill your life with things that give you happiness, then you will be able to share that happiness with others.

Kala: Beyond your artistic creations here Susie, what inspires you? How do you Explore Your Spirit?

Susie: I love to listen to the view points of others and studying things I’ve never known.  I have an avid thirst for knowledge and understanding.   I try to keep an open mind and heart and have found by looking inward we already have the answers.  We only need to seek.

Kala: It was a pleasure speaking with you Susie. Looking forward to seeing more of your work and best wishes for your continued success.

Susie: And thank you Kala.  It has truly been a pleasure being here with you.   So many of us look forward to your podcasts and blogs.  I learn something new every time.  You are an inspiration to so many people.  Keep up the good work!

More about Susie Holladay…

Hi, I’m Susie Holladay and I love rocks!  My husband and I have spent many years traveling out west looking at all the natural wonders available to us.  The first part of my life was spent in music which has been a passion all of my life.  Now I am taking it easy and just enjoying life.  I have had various jobs over the years from substitute teaching to being a post master relief in our local post office.

My husband retired in 2000 and I worked on for another 6 months.  One morning I woke up and just knew I was ready to quit too!  I haven’t looked back since.  From our travels I have developed a deep love of nature and rocks.  It was only natural that I would eventually make jewelry which I absolutely love to do!       (Discover Susie’s jewelry at ArtFire and Etsy.)

Recently, I’ve discovered some very talented artisans who are designing unique, one of a kind jewelry using natural gemstones, crystals, and geodes. I’ll be featuring interviews with them about their designs throughout the summer on the Bohemian Blog, as we focus on fashion that nourishes, harmonizes and enhances the body, mind and spirit.

First up we have Ginny O’Shea from New York. Her jewelry can be purchased on ArtFire.  Enjoy!

Kala: Hi Ginny, Thanks for doing this interview. I’m the proud and delighted owner of one of your beautiful pieces, a rose quartz necklace. What drew me to your work was your extensive use of natural stone work and gemstones in bold designs. How long have you been making jewelry and how did you get started?

Ginny: Hi Kala, I’ve been making jewelry for just about two years now. When I lost a bead to a pair of earrings that a friend had made for me, I went to the local craft store to find a replacement. Couldn’t find the exact bead, but what I did find was a whole new way for me to express myself through making jewelry. I bought a few tools and beads and that was it!

Kala: You mix a variety of gemstones together and the colors and dramatic designs are eye catching and make a statement. It’s what attracted me to them as I felt the energy in each piece and the confidence in the message it was trying to convey. How do you connect with the stones you work with and what is your process for creating each design?

Ginny: I start by purchasing gemstones that appeal to me. I tend to like a rustic chunky look for my necklaces. The stones just jump out at me and I have to have them! Sure, you can make a necklace to go with a specific outfit, but for the most part, I randomly lay the stones that I think will work together out on my work table. Then the colors and textures that belong together become clear to me. Those are the ones that get played around with until the design is decided upon. Eventually there’s always a necklace in my house that will go with any given outfit!

Kala: You’re also a musician. What commonalities have you found between music, art and design?

Ginny: That’s a great question Kala. I would say that when you create things that you like, the sense of accomplishment and joy is something that you want to experience again and again. It never gets old! So whether you sing a song, design a piece of jewelry, or decorate a room, you are expressing yourself in a unique way. There’s real satisfaction in that.. I’ve read that when the brain experiences anything new, whether it be a beautiful view, or new book, or even a new scent, it stimulates your whole being and lifts you to a state of enjoyment that fights depression. I really believe that’s true.

Kala: Do you accept custom orders? What has been your most favorite design of all to date?

Ginny: Oh yes definitely! My favorite piece to date would have to be this geode necklace.

I love when a necklace features one geode as a pendant, but this one has five! That’s five sparkly amazing miracles of nature glowing around your neck.

Geodes or Drusy is when a crystal formation occurs over time on a stone, and each one is beautifully unique.

Kala: Are there any limits to what can be used when making jewelry?

Ginny: I believe there are no limitations when it comes to designing jewelry. I can honestly walk into a hardware store and find a lot of possibilities! But I know my heart belongs to gemstones. They are each so unique and beautiful and earthy to the touch.

Kala: Looking at another one of your designs here, this is the rose quartz necklace that I fell in love with. Describe this for us… and how did you decide upon this layout?

Ginny: This design came from the stones themselves. The sugar candy looking Rose Quartz stones just spoke for themselves, leaving me to keep within a simple design. They are so soft and feminine and perfect. It’s Rose Quartz at it’s best.

Kala: You’ve followed your passions in life, from music to design. What advice would you give to other women who are thinking about following their passion and embarking on a new career?

Ginny: My advice would be, and it’s so simple, to quote Earl Nightengale, “just do your work”. That’s it! Do your thing. When you have a passion for something and do it day after day, something marvelous happens. Your positive energy comes back to you. It happened with my music, and I’m so excited to be in this place in my life. When you love what you do, it shows and people connect with that. Yes, it takes time, but all successes take time. Don’t look back, just do your work.

Kala: Do you have plans for expansion? I’ve seen jewelry and stones now being woven into bridal veils, clothing, purses and home decor. Where do you think your work will take you?

Ginny: I’ll go wherever this takes me! I don’t mind being challenged, because that’s what makes us grow. Right now I’m working on an instructional DVD about getting started making jewelry. I’d like to help people save time, money and hours of frustration that get wasted when you’re a beginner and you have no idea what a crimp bead is or what kind of stringing wire you’re supposed to use. It’s all very confusing!

Kala: This next piece here is most intriguing. Tell us about it…

Ginny: This is one of my favorites! The blue Lapis beads I knew needed a bold pendant. I found this slice of drusy Agate and knew they should go together. Then I added a second row of Lapis because I felt the size of the pendant required a more substantial row of beads.

Kala: Who is Ginny O’Shea, if you had to describe yourself in three sentences or less, or if a friend were to describe you, what would they say?

Ginny: Ginny O’Shea always sees the glass half full! I’m positive, hopeful and grateful for all the good things in my life. My daughter says, “Mommy always needs a project” I guess she’s right.

Kala: Beyond the jewelry, What inspires you?

Ginny: Songs written in minor chords
Spending time with my daughters and appreciating what truly caring, responsible and intelligent young woman they’ve turned out to be
Random acts of kindness
My husband’s huge heart that’s equally matched by his depth of integrity
Watching my two dogs greet guests at the door sporting , yes , doggy jewelry!!
=============================

Ginny’s Bio: I grew up, one of seven children, on Long Island, NY. My mom was always doing creative activities from making our Halloween costumes to writing articles for the local newspaper! She set a great example for her kids to not be afraid to go for whatever you want to accomplish in life. I’m married to a wonderful man and have two grown daughters. I’ve been a singer/songwriter for 20 years, and am now enjoying this new adventure. I feel so blessed to find such joy every day in my craft. I’m honored to share my creations with all of you. Thank you!

Discover the artistic vision and jewelry of Ginny O’Shea on ArtFire

Do you have a favorite crystal or gemstone? Do you ever find yourself drawn to certain crystals? Have you ever noticed if what you’re drawn to changes from time to time? If so you should listen to that little voice in your head.  You may start to notice that what you are drawn to or what you call your favorite changes during certain periods of your life.  You might want to pay attention to what calls to you now and learn a little about that particular stone- your higher self may be trying to tell you something.  To me it’s much like having a craving for a certain food.  I find that, more often than not, if my body is craving something then I’m probably lacking that something in my diet. The craving is my body’s way of telling me- “Hey, you’re body needs this, eat it now”.  It’s that same idea when you’re drawn to a particular stone. It’s your higher self’s way of saying- “Hey, you need this, spend some time with this stone”.

At this time in my own life I find that I am particularly drawn to rose quartz.  As a geologist I know that rose quartz is part of the silica dioxide family (along with amethyst, citrine, and Tiger’s Eye, among others).  I also know that it gets its beautiful pink color from small amounts of “impurities” like iron or manganese.  As a geologist, I have found that what we call the imperfections in a stone are what typically make it so beautiful.  And as a woman, I have found the same, that what we describe as our imperfections are actually what make us so beautiful and unique.

What I didn’t learn as a geologist (but learned much later through various means) is that rose quartz is the quintessential crystal of love.  It’s associated with the heart chakra and represents many types of love including romantic love, love for friends & family, love for humanity and, most importantly, self love.   If you find yourself drawn to this stone you may want to look around your life a little. Are you looking for love? Are you trying to heal a broken heart? Are you trying to learn to love yourself?

If you, like me, find yourself drawn to rose quartz I encourage you to find something either made with it or simply a crystal itself.  I have a beautiful tea light holder cut from a large rose quartz crystal that sits by my bed. It creates a warm and loving energy that is perfect to meditate by.  Heart shapes cut from rose quartz are also very popular and can help you connect to that heart chakra energy.  As I began to create my company, Serene Bath and Body, my vision was to create products that would take care of both the physical and spiritual body. Because I was so drawn to it, rose quartz was the first stone that I considered when choosing to embed stones into my products. Each stone is charged with love and the intent is that each time you bathe or apply the lotion, you are connecting with that loving energy from the rose quartz and covering not just your body, but your auric field with this loving intention.

Next time we’ll be talking about another personal favorite- Moonstone, the crystal of the Goddess energy. We’ll also start talking about how to properly prepare crystals before using them.

More About Niki Fountain….

Serene Bath & Body was the vision of its owner and founder, Niki Fountain. As a young woman, Ms. Fountain, like many girls her age, found herself with a poor body image and did not treat her body with the love and respect it deserved. Through the years she was able to overcome this and realized that everyone, especially young women, needed to learn to care for and respect their bodies. This eventually inspired Celestial Farms. The inspiration was one of creating products that would help young girls and women learn to love their bodies and treat them well by using high quality products that nourish the body, the mind, the spirit and the soul.  Ms. Fountain earned her Masters Degree in Hydrogeology and has a professional background in developing and perfecting soaps. She spent two years in a university laboratory as a hydrogeologist developing soap formulations to be used to “clean-up” chemicals that had been spilled into groundwater. She has been applying this experience and knowledge ever since while working in the environmental industry, cleaning up sites that have been contaminated with chemicals. She has since taken this knowledge and experience and applied it to developing and perfecting formulations of soaps for people. Additionally, being a geologist, she is intimately familiar with crystals and gemstones and both their physical and metaphysical properties. She uses this knowledge while creating new formulations that include various combinations of soaps/lotions with the appropriate crystals to obtain an array of desired outcomes (relaxation, invigoration, etc) More info at: www.theserenestore.com

Even as a small child I loved to play with rocks. We had a big pile of them out behind our house that I would sit and play on for hours. I daydreamed about what I would do when I grew up. I even plotted my escape from that tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I didn’t realize it then but in all of those hours I spent on that rock pile, I was feeling and drawing on the energy of those stones.

Many years later I earned my Masters Degree in geology where I spent the majority of my days (and as a graduate student many a night) with rocks and minerals. As a geologist you are expected and required to know, in painstaking detail, a multitude of physical and chemical properties of rocks and minerals. While I enjoyed this on some level I knew my attraction to the field had to be deeper. Sure, it was interesting to know how different minerals formed; to understand how water moved below the earth’s surface so that we could access it for drinking purposes; to find fossils and consider the theory of evolution. But I knew for me there was more to it, a deeper calling.

One day, years later, I found myself standing in a bookstore reading a book on crystals and gemstones. To my surprise the book didn’t come from the science section of the store. This book was talking not about the physical properties of crystals gemstones but the metaphysical ones. It was then that I understood my calling to the field. It was important for me to have the science background, to understand the physical nature of rocks and minerals but to combine that with what I was learning about the metaphysical.

Since that day many years ago I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to take my knowledge and experience with both the physical and metaphysical properties of minerals and gemstones and apply that to a metaphysically-inspired bath products line called Celestial Farms (found at TheSereneStore.com) where crystals are actually added and embedded to all of the products.

Watch for upcoming guest blog entries on some of my favorite gemstones and their metaphysical properties, including which gemstones are best for certain situations and how to properly prepare them for use.
More About Niki Fountain….

Serene Bath & Body was the vision of its owner and founder, Niki Fountain. As a young woman, Ms. Fountain, like many girls her age, found herself with a poor body image and did not treat her body with the love and respect it deserved. Through the years she was able to overcome this and realized that everyone, especially young women, needed to learn to care for and respect their bodies. This eventually inspired Celestial Farms. The inspiration was one of creating products that would help young girls and women learn to love their bodies and treat them well by using high quality products that nourish the body, the mind, the spirit and the soul. Serene Bath & Body became an LLC in 2005. Ms. Fountain earned her Masters Degree in Hydrogeology and has a professional background in developing and perfecting soaps. She spent two years in a university laboratory as a hydrogeologist developing soap formulations to be used to “clean-up” chemicals that had been spilled into groundwater. She has been applying this experience and knowledge ever since while working in the environmental industry, cleaning up sites that have been contaminated with chemicals. She has since taken this knowledge and experience and applied it to developing and perfecting formulations of soaps for people. Additionally, being a geologist, she is intimately familiar with crystals and gemstones and both their physical and metaphysical properties. She uses this knowledge while creating new formulations that include various combinations of soaps/lotions with the appropriate crystals to obtain an array of desired outcomes (relaxation, invigoration, etc).

Watch for an upcoming interview with Niki on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show in February 2009.

More info at: www.theserenestore.com