Crystals, Oils, and Rituals to Elevate Your Spirit

Amy Leigh Mercree

STERLING ETHOS and the distinctive Sterling Ethos logo are registered trademarks of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Text © 2019 Amy Leigh Mercree

Cover © 2019 Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

This publication includes alternative therapies and is intended for informational purposes only. The publisher does not claim that this publication shall provide or guarantee any benefits, healing, cure, or any results in any respect. This publication is not intended to provide or replace conventional medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis or be a substitute to consulting with a physician or other licensed medical or health-care provider. The publisher shall not be liable or responsible in any respect for any use or application of any content contained in this publication or any adverse effects, consequence, loss, or damage of any type resulting or arising from, directly or indirectly, the use or application of any content contained in this publication. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners, are used for editorial purposes only, and the publisher makes no claim of ownership and shall acquire no right, title, or interest in such trademarks by virtue of this publication.

ISBN 978-1-4549-3319-9

For information about custom editions, special sales, and premium and corporate purchases, please contact Sterling Special Sales at 800-805-5489 or specialsales@sterlingpublishing.com.

sterlingpublishing.com

Cover design by Igor Satanovsky

Interior design by Christine Heun

To my beloved twinsie, Jamie, the most supportive soul sister a girl could ever have. And to the goddesses of light who guide my steps and unfurl my creativity with their supernatural midwifery.

INTRODUCTION

The Mood Book is all about you. It’s like your own personal mood ring. It wants to know how you are feeling and how can it help. It’s organized into easy-to-follow sections based on your mood. If you’re anxious, you will find baths, suggestions for essential oils and crystals that can help, and guided meditations to help you find your Zen. If you have a big presentation coming up at work and you need to shore up your confidence, you will find the perfect physical exercises and metaphysical suggestions to rock your career. If you’re feeling sensual and romantic, you will find the perfect essential oils that will enhance the mood, colors that will accomplish different objectives, and the subtle spiritual meanings of different flowers that can be used for romantic healing and benefit.

This volume is sequenced around five different groupings of types of mood, and it provides suggestions for bettering each mood. It shares powerful and fun self-care rituals, delightful quizzes, metaphysical tools of the trade that can help you accomplish your objectives, and ways to optimize your life and environment.

I’ve been a medical intuitive and life coach for the past seventeen years. I have heard from thousands of clients about what they struggle with in their day-to-day lives. This book is a fun and entertaining way to address all of those women and men and provide easy, uplifting, actionable steps to feel better now. Because that’s what we all want to feel good and live a positive life. The Mood Book will teach you how.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Here is a guide to help you navigate all of the fun and fragrant tools in this book. We will discuss how to use essential oils, charge crystals and much more. So, let’s dive in!

All About Oils

How to Use Oils

Not everyone is going to like the smell of every essential oil, so it is important to get an idea of what you like before you decide to buy. Liking the smell is extremely important here because in this book the oils are being used to influence mood. Think about it this—if you buy a perfume or aftershave because it’s the trendiest scent at the moment, but you don’t really like it, how often will you wear it? With essential oils the same is true. Take some time to find the scents that you like, even if it whittles your list down to only two or three.

Diffuser

Essential oil diffusers are a good option. Diffuse the oils for about half an hour at a time and then switch the machine off. Half an hour of exposure to the oils in this manner will deliver an adequate dose of tranquility.

Mobile Therapy Unit

Make your own mobile therapy unit by getting a small bottle that seals properly and that has dark sides. Fit in a cotton ball and then drop in your essential oils. Leave it in the glove compartment of your car, in your desk drawer, or in your purse, and open the bottle to take a whiff whenever you need to.

This should last for a few months, but if you find that the scent is fading, change out the cotton ball and add more oil. Use the diffuser to help you stay calm when you’re in a traffic jam, waiting on a line, or need to stop anger in its tracks.

Body Lotion and Perfume

You can make a lotion using essential oils—use a quality aqueous cream base and mix in a few drops of the oils you choose. Feel free to mix and match a little to create your own blends, not just the ones suggested in this book. When experimenting, use a small dollop of cream and a drop of each oil. If the end result smells pleasing, you’ve hit on a winner. You could also mix the oils into your normal moisturizer or body lotion. Alternatively, mix them into a carrier oil like sweet almond oil or coconut oil and massage gently into your temples, shoulders, and neck as necessary.

Basic Lotion/Oil Recipe

1 cup aqueous cream

Up to 20 drops of your choice of essential oil

Place everything into a clean container that can be sealed and stir thoroughly. Apply as needed.

All About Crystals

How to Use Crystals

There are a variety of ways to use crystals. For serenity, it is best to use a combination of crystals in your environment and carry crystals with you. You could use the crystals to focus on during meditation or consider using them as gem essences.

In Your Environment

This is an extremely effective way of changing the energy in a particular area. Place a stone on your desk where you can see it, or place a larger stone in each corner of the room. If you want a more peaceful night’s sleep, you can put the stone next to your bed, under your pillow, or under the mattress.

Use as a Touchstone

This is where you keep a stone on you at all times and are able to touch it whenever you need to. The advantage of a touchstone is that you don’t need any specific jewelry setting. All you need is a pocket or little bag to keep it in as you go about your day.

All the stones in this book make good touchstones, and this is an ideal way of using those that need direct skin contact.

Jewelry

This can be a convenient way of using the stones. If the stone, like black tourmaline or carnelian, is best used against the skin, it is best to use it in the form of a pendant or ring where the stone can touch the skin.

Healing Layouts

This is where you lie down and place the stones on the chakra points (energy vortexes) of your body, or surround your body with the stones. There are many different healing layouts that are effective, so explore and experiment and find the best one for you. You can also use clear crystal points to boost the effectiveness of any of the crystals listed in this book. Simply lay out your crystals according to your chosen selection and then hold the clear crystal point above the area, with the point facing your crystals. Clear crystals boost the effectiveness of other crystals when used in this way.

Gem Essences

This is where the crystal is placed in a glass of distilled water and left out in the sunlight or moonlight. The water then contains the essence of the gem and can be ingested or used for bathing. When making gem essences, be careful about which stones you use.

You do not want to use any soft stones as these might dissolve in the water and leave traces of toxic minerals.

Remember that you need to know exactly what the stone you have is. If you have a pure citrine crystal, for example, that’s simple enough. But what about stones where there is more than one type of mineral present? Do you know exactly what the stone contains? Here it is best to do copious research and err on the side of caution. So, if you are not sure whether or not it is safe to use a crystal to create a gem essence–just use it in another way.

How to Cleanse and Charge Crystals

Crystals act as conduits for energy, which is the reason that they are so helpful when it comes to healing. The downside is that the more they are exposed to negative energy, the more negative energy they absorb. This means that every so often, it is necessary to cleanse the crystals of all the negative energy contained within and recharge them with positive energy. This is a simple enough procedure and should be done after every healing session or after you have been carrying the crystal around for the day.

Here are the main ways to cleanse and charge your crystals. As you will see, each of the main elements—earth, air, fire, and water—is represented.

Using Water

Ideally use a natural spring, if you can get to one, but tap water will also do. Allow the crystal to be submerged and feel the negative energy being washed out of it and down the drain. This should not be used for crystals that do not do well in water, like opals and sapphires. When the crystals are clean, set them out in direct sunlight so that they can dry naturally. (This has the added advantage of charging them as well.)

Using Earth

Burying crystals in the earth, like leaving them in the sun has the dual purpose of both cleansing them and charging them. Look for a patch of earth that is relatively dry and leave them in there for at least an hour, preferably overnight. When you dig them out, use a soft cloth to dust them off if necessary.

Using Incense or Dried Sage

Choose incense that you like and light it. Pass the stones through the smoke a few times. This is called smudging.

Using Sunlight

If you are short on time, you can place the crystals in the sun for a few hours, and this will help cleanse them as well.

Using Moonlight

Some crystals, such as Amethysts may change color when exposed to the sun. In these cases, cleansing them in moonlight is a viable alternative. Other crystals just love the moonlight. The full moon is good, but not essential. Leave them overnight.

Using Salt

Salt is an extremely potent cleanser and will draw the negative energy out of the crystals. Use plain, untreated sea salt and bury the crystals in it overnight. If the crystals are softer and so more prone to scratching, do not use this method.

Using Sound

This can be effective, especially if you need the crystals cleansed in a hurry. Clap cymbals together right next to the crystals so that the sound waves pass through them. Alternatively, you can place them in a Tibetan singing bowl and bring it up to the right frequency. If you are using this method, do take care that the stones are not fragile or brittle, because they could be damaged by doing this.

All About Plants

How to Use Plants

Herbs can be used in many different ways. Tea infusions are a popular and effective method. Plants are also used for their medicinal and aromatherapy properties in different spa treatments, remedies, and even floral arrangements. There are many overlapping uses for each of the herbs and plants listed in this book.

In Teas

A tea is actually an infusion unless you are making it with a variety of teas, such as white green, or black tea. To make an herbal infusion, simply soak a dried or fresh herb in hot, warm, or boiling water for a period of time to extract some of its medicinal properties. Some infusions are premade in teabags. You can also place chopped herbs in a muslin bag or in a metal mesh container to soak them in hot water. Many teas are better made with water just a bit cooler than boiling. Some herbs are delicate and will retain more medicinal qualities if they are not exposed to water that is vigorously boiling. Herbal infusions are best consumed warm, not hot, so let them cool a bit first.

Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is a lovely way to take in the goodness offered by some herbs. Infusions can be made to create steam for inhalation. You can do this with a large bowl. Make sure it is not metal or made of something that will be dangerously hot to the touch once you’ve added hot water.

Add the steaming water and the herbs to the bowl. Carefully place a towel over your head and get close to the steaming water. Use caution as you approach it and wait until the heat is comfortable and you can breathe in the vapors without burning your face.

You can even breathe in the steam from a hot, steamy cup of herbal tea. That delivers a bit of healing vapor with a small amount of effort. Another easy way to inhale botanical goodness is to place a few drops of essential oil on the floor of a steamy shower (but not near where you’re going to stand). You can also place dry aromatic herbs in a satchel and position the satchel under the hot water as you shower.