The next new moon is August 17 (2012). The period of the new moon is when the moon and the sun align in the sky (are in conjunction), making the moon dark from earth's perspective.

The dark time of the moon is a time for setting intentions and goals, and planting metaphorical seeds. It’s a chance to refresh ourselves and decide what projects we'll focus on in this upcoming moon cycle. The quiet energy of the dark moon is the energy before the manifestation of a new project, the waiting darkness that comes before creation.

Wednesday, August 1 is Lammas, one of the Pagan holidays in the Wheel of the Year. Lammas is the first of three harvest festivals. It is one of the cross-quarter (or high-holidays) celebrations, along with with Imbolc, Beltane, and Samhain (as opposed to lesser holidays of the equinoxes and solstices.) The holiday’s true astrological date occurs when the moon is 15 degrees Leo, so some people choose to celebrate on this day (which is usually closer to August 5), but contemporary Pagan tradition has set July 31 or August 1st as the day Lammas is typically celebrated.

We are often are what crystal spheres or  balls are used for? They can be used for a multitude of purposes, such as: scrying (a form of divination), in rituals, meditation, to bring the energy of the stone into your space, for healing, and also just for decoration.

Focus on Selenite

Selenite is one of my favourite crystals and one I would say is a must in one's crystal kit!! Selenite is named for Selene, Greek goddess of the Moon because of its moon-like glow. It is a crystalline form of Gypsum and is comprised of some of the lightest elements on earth (calcium, sodium, oxygen, and hydrogen).

Selenite is known as a 'high vibration' crystal, making it a powerful energy tool. It is also self-clearing, and self-charging! Selenite is also one of a very few minerals with the specific metaphysical properties that make it capable of clearing and re-charging other crystals. Not only is Selenite useful for clearing negative or unwanted energies from crystals and stones, it may also be used to effectively clear jewellery, tarot cards, even the surroundings. To create a protective energy grid in your home, place a selenite sphere in the corners of your home. This helps your home to be a peaceful, safe environment that will not be disturbed by outside influences. Some people like to combine it with Black Tourmaline for this purpose. For keeping your stones clear, place 4 rough pieces around your crystal collection or if you have a selenite tower or lamp, you can place gemstones on top of it to be cleared and cleansed.

It is widely believed that crystals choose us. Quite often you may be drawn to a stone without knowing its properties, or receive one as a gift, only to find out later that the stones properties "rings-true" to some area of your life. Before going out crystal shopping it is an extra help if you can 'set your intention' and utilise your own magic of attraction! You can focus inwardly and say, "I find exactly the right crystal for me right now."

There are many ways to choose a crystal, such as attuning to it and sensing it's energy, choosing visually, considering areas of balance or imbalance, research for specific issues, using a pendulum or muscle testing. Here I have eleborated on these methods. Have fun and see which way works best for you! Let us know if you have any unique ways that you like to use!

In the Northern hemisphere, today is Vernal Equinox - the first day of spring! This day is also known as Ostara or Ēostre, after the Goddess known by those same names. This day is one of the eight major pagan and Wiccan sabbats, as marked by the Wheel of the Year. It is a time to celebrate birth, fertility, new beginnings. The great Goddess has passed from her crone phase and is reborn as maiden. This day also marks when the sun enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, so astrologically speaking - Happy New Year!

A mantra is a word or phrase charged with the power to change our consciousness. It can be single syllable sound, or one or several words, or even one or several sentences in length. The repetition of a mantra is called japa. Chanting helps create the right conditions within ourselves so we can access our inner silence. Mantras can also help establish spiritual qualities within the practitioner. Chanting a mantra over many times creates a vibration within and around the person chanting. We use mantras to create a specific vibration, still the mind and become absorbed in the consciousness of the mantra. Another way to use a mantra is to chant it aloud and then silently and finally not at all but instead ‘hear’ and ‘feel’ it quietly reverberate within you –this quietening down of the mantra absorbs the mind, and allows you to enter the stillness and silence within.

I have found over the years of teaching meditation, that those who set up a designated area for their meditation practice, stick with it! It can be a corner of your bedroom, or another room where you will have some privacy and not be distracted. It is good if you can have an area that you can keep sanctified and only use for your meditation. This location is not only a physical reminder to meditate, but also you will find that a 'meditative, peaceful vibration' will gradually build up in your area thus making it easier to enter into a place of inner silence.