A little about crystals

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I must start by saying that I am most definitely no expert of any kind on crystals. Those crystals that I own I am getting to know well over time, & I value greatly… but given a piece of black onyx, black agate & black obsidian I would be more than a little lost.

There are some fantastic books all about this fascinating subject often containing beautiful photography… there are also some fabulous resources on the internet. For me though, the most useful place to go to find out more about crystals is a crystal shop. They all feel different, have a slightly different ‘angle’ on it all, some seem to have their own individual kind of magic… find somewhere with wonderful, good quality pieces & a shopkeeper who loves their crystals & knows their stuff & you will find out so much.

As mentioned elsewhere on this website, the Chapter & Feather journal sets include a small piece of crystal (most often a polished or tumbled stone or a simple point, occasionally a double pointed tower). The vast majority of the crystals are natural, although a couple of manmade crystals have been included after some consideration.

If you’re interested then I’d urge you to pop down to a local crystal shop if you possibly can, or get in touch on the web or on the phone. Ask their advice, best of all see which crystals call to you or catch your eye. I’ve recently heard of a shopkeeper seeing a crystal ‘come alive’ in a customer’s hand. Looking closely & seeing the wonderful rainbows hidden within some crystals can feel really special.

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The forms that crystals often come in

There are lots of different forms that crystals come in, tumble stones, palm stones, shaped or free form pieces. Some of beautifully smooth & rather lovely to hold… others spikier, rougher, more natural.

In the sets you will most often find the smoother, simpler shapes; usually tumble stones or simple points. The pieces included are small, & with luck won’t spoil the smoothness or shape of the journal while it’s all packaged up & waiting to be used. Alongside the crystal, in the small paper pouch, there will also be seaglass. This feels like both a contrast & compliment to the crystal.

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Some types of crystal included in the journal sets

Frequently, although not always, the journal sets will have gentler crystals; many of their names will likely be familiar to most people.

After the i Ching hexagram has been divined & the type of paper feels right (lined or dotted) it is time to ‘find’ the stone, the seaglass & the feather that feel right (& also not to forget a taper candle!). These often quickly ‘jump out’ from my supplies – but occasionally take a little time to make themselves apparent. I then look up their meanings & check that the whole feels balanced – fortunately it usually does… or if something feels a little clumsy as a fit there can often be a sense that the person the journal is destined for will know why.

I do get the small double pointed towers in batches, but the tumblestones are sourced from a local crystal shop (some of them have been tumbled by the shop themselves), it is always a positive experience to go & take the time to see & feel which of the crystals I am meant to take with me for my making.

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Potential meanings of different crystals:

Clear Quartz: the ‘Master Healer’, amplification of energy & intentions, clarity, cleansing

Amethyst: inner peace, intuition, protection, balance

Rose quartz: unconditional love, compassion, emotional healing

Tiger’s eye: protection, courage, confidence

Black onyx: protection, strength, stability

Milky quartz: calmness, purity, emotional balance

Sodalite: logic, truth, inner peace

Red veined jasper: grounding, protection, stability & strength

Opalite (manmade): spiritual transformation, inner peace, emotional healing

Smoky quartz: grounding, protection

Hematite (manmade): grounding, protection, stability, balance

Green adventurine: strength, courage, confidence, happiness

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Some of the slightly more unusual stones (many that I hadn’t heard about until embarking on Chapter & Feather) that have been included in some journal sets are listed below:

Labradorite: intuition, psychic abilities, inner wisdom

Rainbow moonstone: intuition, calmness, psychic protection

Howlite: spiritual awareness, memory, soothing

Dragonstone: strength, courage, personal power

Dumortierite: patience, self-discipline, mental clarity

Green flower jasper: emotional healing, spiritual connection, connection to nature

Red tiger’s eye: motivation, confidence, vitality

Rhodonite: emotional healing, compassion, self-love

Botswana agate: comfort, stability, easing grief or loneliness

Silver leaf jasper: grounding, protection, inner strength, mental clarity, emotional stability

Brecciated jasper: grounding, stability, brings order to chaos

Pink moss agate: healing, emotional balance, self-love

Goldstone (manmade): ambition, confidence, transformation

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Elephant skin jasper: past lives, protection from negativity, soul healing

Nzuri Moyo: deep emotional healing, self-love, releasing past trauma

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Potential ways to use crystals to support your journaling

Sometimes just being around crystals, or spending a little time with them can feel like a good thing. Some people decide to keep them in their pocket for a while, company throughout the day, or they may have a place on top of your journal.

There is much information about the most effective ways to use each type of crystal. Some lend themselves particularly well to a bedside table… others like to be in the busy & energetic parts of your home.

Simply observing & getting to know the crystal that came with your journal could be a good place to begin. How does it look & feel – how does it make you feel? Think about its shape, its imperfections. Maybe even write about them.