Crystals for Samhain

 

With Samhain being round the corner, it is time to gather our energies and focus on this time where the veil between the world of the living and that of the dead is at it's thinnest. 

Whether you'll be celebrating the Sabbath on your own, or with like minded individuals, crystals can very well play a major role in your process. 

Here are a few Crystals that are appropriate to use for the occasion, as well as a brief explanation as to why. (Oh, by a few, I mean 30).

1) Fluorite

Fluorite allows the mind to flow freely, thus making it an excellent crystal to use during this time of the year, where the so called veil between the world of the living and that of the dead is at its thinnest. 

2) Obsidian

Obsidian is associated with magickal activities such as scrying, and is a great stone to be used for protection and grounding.

3) Smoky Quartz

Looking through Smoky Quartz feels like one is looking through smoke to see what's on the other side. It is an excellent stone to use in meditation around this time of the year, and can help connecting with the spirit world be an easier process. It is also a good grounding stone. You might be noticing a pattern already - grounding is crucial in day to day workings, but even more so at some a highly energetic time. Unless properly grounded, it can become a very overwhelming experience, very quickly.

4) Hematite

Hematite stimulates concentration and focus, enhancing memory and original thought.and - you guessed it - is an excellent grounding stone. The shiny nature of this black crystal makes it also ideal to use for scrying.

5) Labradorite

Labradorite is associated with divination and intuition, and is also an excellent tool for those of us who might still be dealing with the trauma of loss. It is a good emotional healing crystal.

6) Howlite

Howlite is associated with communication, patience and helps to eliminate rage, pain and stress. A calming stone, Howlite facilitates awareness and encourages emotional expression.

7) Botswana Agate

Botswana Agate is a comforting, protective stone that can bring comfort to those of us dealing with loss. It is sometimes called a 'Stone of Change', and is a great tool to use for grounding and to help release repressed emotions to allow room for healing.

 

8) Rhodonite

Rhodonite is a stone of compassion and balance. Around this time of the year, it is particularly useful as it allows those of us dealing with the aftermath of losing a loved one to acknowledge and deal with our emotions, whilst still functioning and forging ahead in our mundane lives. 

9) Rose Quartz

Not the crystal you were expecting to find here, right? Most commonly known for its associations with romantic love, many seem to forget that Rose Quartz is primarily a stone for self love. It is an excellent emotional healing stone, and is provides us with comfort.

10) Unakite

Unakite is a stone of vision, opening the third eye and useful for scrying - not as a scrying mirror, but to lend its energies to help make it happen.It is therefore of little surprise that this crystal is very much sought after around this time of the year. And, guess what? It is also a great emotional grounding tool too!

11) Amethyst

Besides from being a healing stone, and very pretty [an irrefutable opinion], it is also a stone of calmness and levelheadedness. It is a very useful stone to use in meditation, and it is said to alleviate sadness and grief.

12) Angelite

Angelite is said to be a very high vibrational stone that activates and aligns our throat, third eye, and crown chakras. As a consequence, Angelite helps attune oneself to a higher frequency, which is useful for connecting to one's guardian angels and spirit guides.

13) Apophyllite

Apophyllite is also linked to the higher chakras, and particularly useful to help connect with the spirit world. It is a crystal that is particularly useful to help develop one's Clairs - that is, clairvoyance, claircognizance, clairaudience, clairsentience, clairalience, and clairgustance. 

14) Apatite

Apatite is said to clear away confusion, apathy or negativity, and to stimulate the intellect to expand knowledge and truth. It is also a great stone with work with when dealing with the aforementioned Clairs, especially clairvoyance, clairaudience and clairsentience. Apatite also can help expand the awareness of past-life experiences.

15) Aventurine

Aventurine is a stone of compassion and empathy, and stimulates feelings of wellbeing. Aventurine comes in a variety of colours, but the three colours that work best for Samhain are Green Aventurine, Yellow Aventurine and Red Aventurine.

Green Aventurine is a comforter and heart healer, and assists with past life work.

Yellow Aventurine helps balance emotions and alleviate grief.

Red Aventurine helps one be more open to receiving other people’s suggestions and creative feedback, and help incorporate these new ideas into one's expanded consciousness. 

16) Emerald

Emerald is said to enhance psychic abilities, specifically Clairvoyance. 

Emerald is also associated with the eighth planet Mercury in the Solar System. Lord Budha (Devanagari: बुध ) (Tamil: புதன்) is considered as the god of the planet Mercury. According to Hindu mythology Lord Budha is considered as one among the nine Navagrahas. He represents green color and gemstone emerald. He is also the god of merchandise and protector of merchants. He is of Rajas Guna and represents Communication. as well as the Navagraha.

 

17) Kyanite

Kyanite is an excellent stone for meditation and attunement.  It is a stone that is said to align all chakras and subtle bodies instantly., providing balance of yin-yang energy and dispels blockages, moving energy gently through the physical body.

 

Its blockage removal properties make it a great stone to use to allow channeling and mediumship to take place.

 

18) Malachite

Malachite clears and activates the chakras and attunes to spiritual guidance.  It is a crystal that is said to enable you to absorb and process information, release negative experiences and old traumas, and stimulates dreams. It is of no wonder that it is an excellent stone to work with during this time of the year.

19) Ruby Zoisite a.k.a Anyolite

Ruby Zoisite is said to help create an altered state of consciousness, and stimulate psychic abilities.   Anyolite instills joy, spontaneity, laughter and courage, bringing passion and a zest for life.

20) Citrine

Citrine is found both in its natural form, as well as in a heat-treated form. In the photo above, you can very clearly distinguish which one is which - naturally formed Citrine tends to be more of a pale to lemony colour, whereas heat treated Citrine is more of an amber-orangey colour. Heat treated Citrine is made in a lab environment where amethyst is, quite literally, treated with heat, to change its colour. If you'd like to read more about the process, you can check out this very sciency article here. Citrine and Amethyst, together with Prasiolite, tend to often form in the same areas, and the mineral inclusions in them as well as the heat under which they form determines the end result. Some people, like myself, don't mind whether the Citrine is natural or heat treated, whereas others like to solely use naturally formed Citrine.

Naturally formed Citrine is somewhat uncommon to come across and therefore tends to be pricier than the other 2 aforementioned crystals.

Citrine is an excellent crystal for interpersonal relationships. It smooths family or group problems and promotes solutions and cohesiveness. Citrine healing properties can help with physical, emotional, and spiritual balance and issues. Its foremost energy is to aid in manifestation.

21) Sunstone

Sunstone provides a source of strength if you are dependent on others emotionally, or have suffered the sudden loss of a partner.  Sunstone instills good nature, heightens intuition and allows the real self to shine through happily. It dissipates fearfulness

22) Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is one of the most sought after stones in use since man’s history began. Its deep, celestial blue remains the symbol of royalty and honor, gods and power, spirit and vision. It is a universal symbol of wisdom and truth.

 

A stone of truth, Lapis encourages honesty of the spirit, and in the spoken and written word. It can be used for all forms of deep communication.

 

23) Selenite

Selenite is said to provide clarity of the mind, helps with expanding one's awareness of the self and of ones surroundings.  It is also said to open the crown and higher crown chakras and accesses angelic consciousness and higher guidance.  It is a stone that can be used for past life regression and is an excellent stone to use in meditation and psychic workings.

24) Moonstone

A stone for “new beginnings”, Moonstone is a stone of inner growth and strength.  It soothes emotional instability and stress, and stabilises the emotions, providing calmness.  Moonstone enhances intuition. 

It is said that in Hindu legend, the belief was that Moonstone is made of solidified moon beams.

This stone is sometimes compared to a moon hiding behind clouds, and is brilliant to bring out that which is hidden, shining its light to break through the darkest moments. It is therefore a good stone to use during this time of year, as it helps bring respite from melancholy and feelings of loss.

25) Dragon's Blood Jasper

Dragon Blood Jasper is said to contain properties that manifest themselves in the form of great courage and adaptability. It is said that Dragon's Blood Jasper helps awaken the kundalini, which once  activated, it allows the soul and mind to persist through hardships by becoming more resilient and adapting to ever-changing circumstances.

 

26) Black Tourmaline

Black Tourmaline is an excellent stone for protection and grounding - which when doing any ritual work is always good to have, but during this time of the year, things can get very intense very quickly, therefore having Black Tourmaline handy is.. well.. very handy indeed. 

27) Red Jasper

Red Jasper is reported to increase emotional focus and balance. Red Jasper can also be used for increasing memory of dreams.It is an exceptional grounding stone that helps one better engage with the world around them - both the physical and the spiritual.

 

28) Carnelian

Carnelian is believed to help timid speakers become both eloquent and bold - thus helping with communication. Carnelian lends the courage needed to help overcome difficulties. It improves concentration and removes irrelevant thoughts in daydreamers, and during meditation.

 

29) Bloodstone

Bloodstone - also known as Heliotrope - heightens intuition and stimulates dreaming. It is a grounding and protecting stone. Bloodstone is regarded as a gem of noble sacrifice and can offer courage and solace to all who are called to give of themselves for the good of others. Heliotrope was called "stone of Babylon" by Albert the Great and he referred to several magical properties, which were attributed to it from Late Antiquity. Pliny the Elder (1st century) mentioned first that the magicians used it as a stone of invisibility. Damigeron (4th century) wrote about its property to make rain, solar eclipse and its special virtue in divination and preserving health and youth.

 

 

30) Black Onyx

Black Onyx is a great stone for protection and shielding from negative energies, and is a good stone for grounding. It is said to assist in facing one's shadow side with courage and learn important lessons so that old patterns and traumas can be released. It is therefore said that Black Onyx can help banish grief.

All of the above crystals are in stock at Fata Morgana in varying amounts.

I hope that this list of sorts has been helpful! Feel free to get in touch should you wish to claim any of the above-mentioned crystals.

Until next time,

Ros

 

Spooky Season 2021

Hello everyone! 

Apologies for the radio silence around these parts - if you follow the Fata Morgana Facebook Page you'll know how busy we've been these past few months, so finding time to sit down and write has been very difficult. 

Today, Spooky Season has been launched! Friday 13th seemed to be the perfect opportunity to get started on the Halloween stock 🎃

Jay Statuette - Stock item

There is a lot that will be shared on the page, as well as on the shop's instagram - so the best way to be kept up to date is to follow the accounts if you don't do so already. 

Another thing I'm trying to stay on top of is the Fata Morgana TikTok account - there you will find a mix of stock related posts, and silly posts. After all, work can - and should be - fun! 

This summer I have held a workshop already, and am currently working on the material for the next one. I'm going to tentatively say it'll happen at some point in September - but that entirely depends on how much material I prep for it, and how quickly I manage to get it done. 

So, between regular shop things, keeping 3 social media accounts up to date, writing material for the workshop, and creating stock items myself, it is a constant race against time. I'll try to write again soon... Promise! 

Until next time, 

Stay spooky! 🎃

Ros

Samhain! Halloween! Today!

Blessed Samhain! Happy Halloween! 

Although this year it won't be possible to celebrate as we normally would due to the pandemic, it doesn't make this time if the year any less exciting! 

Halloweenies Soaps - Vegan - Stock Item

Over at Fata Morgana this year, I set up 1 single photo album and divided each category within the album with a divider image. It is bittersweet to think that this particular album will not have any new stock uploaded to it soon! 

Having said that, it will be nice to share a vaster variety of goodies to the rest of the photo album, and diversify the content shared on both the Facebook page as well as on the instagram feed. 

So, what makes this the best time of the year, you might be wondering? 

Broom Parking sign, Besoms & Hat - Stock Items 

 

There is no short answer I can give, but I will do my best to put in writing my perspective. 

In everyday life, I find that people are too rushed, trying to keep up with the rat race, and not really taking time to connect with their inner child. Halloween brings back a childlike glee and rekindles the flame of playfulness and finding amusement in the little things. We get to play dress up, carve pumpkins, be inventive in the kitchen to use up all the pumpkin flesh that is a delicious casualty of the Jack off Lanterns' creation. Trick or treating not only allows us to spend more time with our children, but it also allows up to connect with our neighbours in the day and age where one rarely knows who their neighbours are, let alone have a connection with them. 

Spooky Mystery Bags - Stock Items

Another aspect of the awesomeness of the Spooky Season is the fact that the unspoken rule that one isn't allowed to grieve beyond a few days, and should go back to "business as usual" flies out of the window. It is suddenly ok to remember our dear departed, and it is suddenly socially acceptable to both cry over the loss as well as laugh at the memories of the good times we would have shared with those who have passed away. 

It is said that the veil separating the world of the living, and that of the dead, is at it's thinnest on Samhain. I must admit that this thought is comforting, and makes it feel like I'm due my annual reunion with all the people dear to me who have died over the years.

Skull Incense Burner - Stock Item

 

Every year, I look forward to Samhain, lighting up a bonfire, and celebrate with fellow witchy-type people. This year things will have to be conducted online, so we don't have to miss out on celebrations, at least! 

From a shop perspective, I love encountering so many Halloween Fiends such as myself and being able to provide spooky stuffs to bring little moments of joy. 

This year, I decided to hold a Spooktacular Giveaway for whoever picks up their order as opposed to having it delivered. The giveaway runs until The Best Day of the Year - today- and it closes at 8pm Malta time. 

Spooktacular Giveaway 2020

 

It has been a super busy week, and as I write this, I'm expecting one of you lovely folk to drop by at any minute. It has been wonderful seeing so many of you visit! Many familiar faces, and quite a few new ones too! 

Now, to finish up my coffee, and continue cooking and baking and celebrating at home with my little Spooky Monster High student. 

Until next time! 

Ros

Samhain Incense Blend

I have decided to create a unique Incense blend for Samhain this year. With resin incense becoming increasingly popular, it felt like the right time to take the plunge into making this. 

I have made a limited quantity of this blend, and it is available for purchase at the price of €6 per glass jar. You can do so by getting in touch via Facebook or Instagram. 

How to use the Samhain Incense Blend:

You will need:

• Fireproof container - a censer, or a cauldron will do just fine. 
• Charcoal disc 
• Tongs - if you have fancy charcoal tongs, all the better, if not then kitchen tongs will work just as well. 
• Lighter or matches
• Samhain Incense Blend

When working with loose incense, make sure you have adequate ventilation in the room you will be using. 

Many people like to put a layer of sand at the bottom of their cauldron/censer/fireproof container of choice for extra insulation. Be careful when you handle your fireproof container as heat travels and it can still be surprisingly warm to the touch. 

Packet of 10 Charcoal Discs - Stock Item

Light up your charcoal disc, holding it with your tongs. Once you're happy it has lit up, place it in the middle of your fireproof container - I shall refer to it as a cauldron, since that's what I prefer to use. 

Place a pinch of the Samhain Incense Blend on top of the charcoal disc. A little goes a long way. It is always better to put the incense on a little at a time, topping it up whenever you wish. That way you won't be wasting any, and it won't be overpowering. 

Pentacle Cauldron - Stock Item

About the blend:

When working with loose incense, one can find many recipes out there, however it often happens that they are created with the intent in mind rather than the scent.

I am happy to say that this blend has a pleasant scent! I asked a dear friend, who is brutally honest and who is well versed in the usage of loose incense, to provide me with feedback. I was looking for 3 boxes to be ticked - how well it burns, how well it smokes and what it smells like. 

The feedback received was that it burns nicely, it smokes well, and it has a pleasant, long lasting smell when it is burning.

It is a given that I was also interested in knowing how well it fares ceremoniously - and the feedback in that aspect was that it worked very well. The lingering scent after the rite was complete - and I quote verbatim - helped bring up subtler sensations and connection to the work done. 

What's in it? 

This blend contains several ingredients, which I will break down below. The vast majority of the ingredients have been locally sourced in a sustainable manner - for example, the Cypress has been gathered from my favourite cemetery here in Malta whereas the Olive leaves have been harvested from our own Olive Tree. 

Persephone Statue - Stock Item

There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember.

- William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Rosemary is a herb that has long been associated with remembrance and death. In ancient Roman times, the herb was used in burial rites for this reason. There are also several accounts of funerals in England where mourners traditionally tossed bouquets of rosemary on top of coffins.

Come away, come away, Death,

And in sad cypress let me be laid; 

- William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

The cypress is a symbol of mourning, spanning from classical antiquity to modern day times. It remains the principal cemetery tree in both the Muslim world and Europe. 

In the classical tradition, the cypress was associated with death and the underworld, as it does not regenerate when cut back too severely. Athenian households in mourning were garlanded with boughs of cypress, and Cypress was used to fumigate the air during cremations. It was among the plants that were suitable for making wreaths to adorn statues of Pluto, the ruler of the Underworld. 

In Greek mythology, besides Cyparissus who was turned into a Cypress tree to be able to forever mourn the death of his favourite stag, the Cypress tree is also associated with the Goddesses Artemis (Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt, twin of Apollo), and Hecate (Goddess of magic, crossroads and the underworld) . 

While Wormwood hath seed get a handful or twaine

To save against March, to make flea to refraine:

Where chamber is sweeped and Wormwood is strowne,

What saver is better (if physick be true)

For places infected than Wormwood and Rue?

It is a comfort for hart and the braine

And therefore to have it it is not in vaine.’

- Tusser, 1577

- 

Dried mugwort added to a fire will help keep it smoldering for a long time. In ritual, Mugwort is used for strength, psychic work, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, and astral projection.

The protective properties of Mugwort have been recorded since the European Middle Ages. It has also been used since ancient times as a remedy against fatigue and to protect travelers against evil spirits and wild animals. Roman soldiers put mugwort in their sandals to protect their feet against fatigue.

It was one of the nine sacred herbs given to the world by Odin. In Pre-Columbian times the Aztecs used mugwort as a ritual incense. 

Mugwort, whose latin name is Artemisia Vulgaris, is dedicated to the Goddesses Artemis and Diana. 

"At dawn one/we will see the form of the opoponax sitting on a windowsill." 

- Monique Wittig, translated by Helen Weaver, L'Opoponax. 

Opoponax is a resin from the plant of the same name which enjoys a warmer climate and grows in Iran, Italy, Greece and Turkey. The resin can be called "sweet myrrh" and King Solomon is said to be the Myrrh variant referred to in the Song of Solomon, as being the noblest of resins.

Opoponax is sometimes referred to as Sweet Myrrh, and when included in a blend, it helps the scent longer for a longer period of time. 

Opoponax helps relax the mind, ease stress and anxiety, and is particularly helpful in meditation. 

"Under a juniper-tree the bones sang, scattered and shining.

We are glad to be scattered, we did little good to each other.

Under a tree in the cool of the day, with the blessing of sand.

Forgetting themselves and each other, united

in the quiet of the desert."

- Ash Wednesday, T. S. Eliot

Juniper is traditionally used in Scottish folkloric and Gaelic Polytheist saining rites, where the smoke of burning juniper is used to cleanse, bless, and protect the household and its inhabitants.

Juniper was a symbol of the Canaanites’ fertility Goddess Ashera or Astarte in Syria. Although burning Juniper gives off only minimal visible smoke, this smoke is highly aromatic, and in ancient times it was used for the ritual purification of temples. The smoke is said to aid clairvoyance, and continued to be burned for purification and to stimulate contact with the Otherworld at the autumn Samhain fire festival at the beginning of the Celtic year.

A sample of Herbs, Spices & Resin in stock

"In the olive grove, a wise man at the feet and a wild man at the head."

- Traditional Sicilian proverb

Olive is the traditional plant used in Malta to protection against the evil eye. Eirene, Goddess of Peace, was depictes holding an olive leaf in her hand. In the Bible, an olive branch is also a symbol of hope and Peace. 

It has therefore been included in this blend as a plant to allow peaceful transition between the world of the living and that of the dead. 

”Why should a man die when sage grows in the garden?”

- English proverb

The Romans regarded sage quite highly and much sacrifice and ceremony was associated with its harvest. They believed it stimulated the brain and memory. 

The White sage included in this blend is coated in Dragon's blood resin. 

Dragon's Blood is great for protection work, and boosts the properties of all other ingredients in a loose incense blend. It is particularly a useful resin to use when emotional strength is needed, and it is also often used to honour deities and the Ancestors. 

This is a time of the year to honour and to remember our loved ones who have died. It is said that the veil between the world of the living and that of the dead is at its thinnest on Samhain - that's the 31st of October. Having said that, the transition is gradual, and the entire month of October is a good time for psychopomp workings. 

May your reunion with those who have passed on be joyous and fruitful, and may it bring closure. 

Until next time!

 

Ros

Autumn Equinox Greetings

Green Man Plaque - Stock item

 

Mabon, Autumn Equinox, Fall Equinox, Second Harvest. Call it what you will. Today is a time to reflect on what you have achieved so far, and give thanks for your personal harvest. 

How will you celebrate this turn of the wheel?

Here are a few simple guidelines for you to help you make the most out of your celebrations:

Should you wish a more in-depth perspective into this Sabbat, or a selection of recipes and crafts, there is always this marvellous book:

Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials: Mabon - Stock Item

Last but not least, tune in tomorrow on the Fata Morgana facebook page where we will be sharing the Heritage Malta livestream of the Autumn Equinox Sunrise at Mnajdra temples.

Until next time, stay safe!

Ros

Hello September!

 

Here at Fata Morgana September 1st means we can start the countdown until Halloween! Although there is still one more Sabbat left before Samhain - namely Mabon [a.k.a. Autumn Equinox], it is hard to hold back excitement over our favourite day of the year happens!

This year, all Spooky Season items will be gathered in one single album for ease of browsing. Each category will be divided with images that act as separators, setting expectations of what items will follow. Yesterday I set up the album with what will act as the cover photo - namely:

Halloween 2020 Album

This morning I have also placed an order for some items which will eventually be added to the abovementioned album, and I just can't wait until I'm able to share with you lovely lot the goodies in store [ha. store. *grin*]

In the meantime, I'm planning on a number of blog posts, and special stock items that will be made by yours truly, so expect a lot more updates around here! I suppose one can consider it to be a good outlet to share the excitement with fellow Halloween Fiends!

 Oh! I almost forgot!

We are finally in a position to restart appointments at our base in Tarxien! Drop us a message either via our Facebook page or Instagram account  if you'd like to come over. The only thing we ask is that you wear a mask and let us know if you will have anyone else joining so we can ensure that we adhere to social distancing measures. 

Now I'm off to continue preparing for our Gozo Escapade taking place on the 13th of September. And by escapade, i mean delivery day, of course! You're still in time to place an order to be delivered on the day - let us know if there is anything you need! Delivery is, as always, at no additional cost.

Fata Morgana - Gozo Delivery Day - 13th September 2020

So, until next time, stay safe!

Ros