Creating a Sanctuary Space
What is a sanctuary space?
A sanctuary space can come in many different forms and under many different names.
Altar, Sacred Space, Soul Space, Zen Zone, Meditation corner ... the list goes on.
It really doesn’t matter what you call your space, the most important thing is that it is yours. That it is filled with beautiful energy, meaningful objects and that it is somewhere you alone can go to at any point, as a place of sanctuary.
A place filled with magic that belongs only to you.
A sanctuary space is an ever changing, constantly evolving area. It can be as small as a matchbox to keep with you all of the time, or it can fill an entire room. Your space is a place where you can centre yourself, meditate, create magic or simply prepare yourself for the day with a morning ritual.
The energy around you can either support and lift, or drain you. Creating a sanctuary space gives you a permanent area for us to be where we always feel comfortable, calm, supported and loved. Sacred spaces are also vital containers of positive intention and action.
The power of intention is incredible
Practising ritual or meditating with a space filled with intentional objects and energy can be a great way to manifest your intentions into reality.
Creating a sanctuary space to express gratitude for the blessings in your life, to focus your intentions and goals toward where you’d like to be and what you’d like to achieve is a great practice to keep focused, grounded, steady and on track.
The importance of having a sanctuary space
How often do you set aside time to rest, recharge and reflect?
How different might your health, energy levels and mindset be if you did create time to do these things?
Personally, I have found that dedicating time at each New Moon and Full Moon is essential to my health, energy and mindset as it ensures that once a fortnight I check in and tune in with how I am feeling, and where I am heading.
Having rituals/ceremonies/practices can lead you to feeling more aligned and more likely to embody your fullest and brightest self. Your rituals and your space are about you and what you need most. Having a space that you can feel at peace in and can fully relax in is essential to living your most wild and full life.
Benefits of creating a sanctuary space include:
- Having a physical expression of your personal goals or desires
- Having a symbolic collection place for tools to enhance your spiritual practice
- Gaining a ‘spiritual centre’ in your life that you can return back to every day
- Having a source of positive energy that fills your home or room
What should your space contain?
The most important thing is to have your sanctuary space in a place where it won’t be disturbed.
You don’t want someone else’s fingers (or energy) all over it. If this is tricky, you can keep it high on a shelf, in a cupboard or drawer. If space is an issue you can even make yours in a large glass jar.
But wherever it is, it should be somewhere that feels like it is truly yours. A place where you can express yourself and your spirituality freely, without judgement or other people disturbing it.
The actual foundation of your sanctuary space can be a plate, a tray, a throw, a piece of wood. It can be on the floor, a table or shelf. It can be as elaborate or as simple as you like and as big or as small.
When choosing objects for your sanctuary space, it’s good to keep in mind a few questions:
- What will my space be used for?
- Why am I creating a sanctuary space?
- What do I want to reflect or express within my space?
- Does my space have a theme or is it spontaneous/changeable?
Ideas of objects to include
Rocks from special places
Healing crystals
Dried flowers or petals
Meaningful jewellery
Vision board
Singing bowls
Candles
Feathers
Inspiring quotes
Your journal
Plants
Shells from special places
Symbols
Photos of loved one
Oracle or tarot cards
Essential oils
Incense
Dried herbs for burning
Symbolic elements which have a place in your rituals are the most important pieces to include.
For example, I personally like to write out any negative feelings I have of anger, anxiety etc. This helps me to accept and process those feelings. I then burn what I have written to symbolically release it back to the universe with gratitude for the lessons that experience has brought me.
Therefore I always have paper, candles and a fire proof bowl as they are both wonderfully symbolic and practical for my practise of burning away the old and releasing what no longer serves.
Another example of this could be to include a big mirror. Mirrors reflect and therefore are symbolic of expansion, amplification, brightness and light. Having mirrors around your space could amplify the feeling of whatever you do in the space, including intentions being magnified and protected.
Ideas to inspire you
The Four Elements of Nature
To feel connected to mother earth, it’s nice to include the five elements within your sanctuary space. It’s a beautiful way of harmonising with the nature around and within you, for keeping your practice grounded and earthy. For example plants, especially succulents and cacti can represent water. Wood and crystals can represent earth. Candles or smoke can represent fire or air. Feathers and incense can represent air.
Something for each of the five senses
Feel connected to your physical body via your senses by placing something for each of them within your sanctuary space. Colours and beautiful objects for the eyes, a singing bowl or meditation music for sound, incense or scented candles for smell, cacao drink for taste, fabrics and textures for touch. Perhaps a specific cushion or shawl that you always use when you engage with your space.
Changeable decoration
If you like to flow with the seasons, the Moon, the months etc you can change the decoration of your space as often as you like. This could be with specific candle colours, plants or crystals. You can display certain cards from your oracle or Tarot decks to signify certain energies. Even small pieces of art that inspire and encourage you to bring positive energy to your space.
Your sanctuary space is your spiritual workplace and your physical space of power.
It is completely yours to create, build, and transform as often as you like. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a space that is significant to you but taking care of it, nurturing it and spending regular time with it is important.
Keeping your sanctuary clean from cobwebs, dust and other residue is important: it shows respect for your practice and after all, it is supposed to be your sacred space. Do this as regularly as you feel necessary.
You are free to change, adjust, add to or take away from it whenever you choose. As your inner work develops, you will probably find that certain items on your altar are no longer relevant, necessary or hold the same meaning to you. This shows growth and transformation, so flow with whatever feels right for you.
As much as it is important to keep your space physically clean, it is equally important to keep your space energetically clean. It will likely be the place that you go to in order to do release work, to calm down when you feel anxious or agitated. So it’s good practise to regularly perform smoke cleanses, crystal cleanses or any other type of energy cleansing which feels good to you.
Your sanctuary space is yours to build, alter, nourish and cherish every day. It is one of the most precious gifts you can give to yourself.
A Full Moon Ritual using candle magic
Been wondering how to create a Full Moon ritual using candle magic? Wild As The Moon's Full Moon Candle is the perfect tool to enhance your Full Moon ritual. Helping you to purge negative energy, let go of self-doubt, and declare to the Universe that you are ready to release what no longer serves you.
The Full Moon is a powerful time for release. She brings all of your energies to the surface to help you let go of unwanted emotions, and create space in order for you to manifest your desires.
Here is a ritual idea for using your candle to take your Full Moon ritual to the next level.
- Create a sacred space:
Creating a sacred space is an important part of any Full Moon ritual. Choose a quiet, peaceful space where you can be alone and free from distractions. Light some incense or use a smoke stick to cleanse the space and create a calming atmosphere. Arrange any crystals, tarot cards, music or other tools that you like to use during your rituals. Finally, light your Full Moon candle. - Set your intentions:
Before you begin your Full Moon ritual, take some time to consider your intentions. Think about what you want to release and what you are currently grateful for. As things come up for you, write them down in bullet point form and keep it nearby during your ritual. This will help you focus your energy and give your Full Moon candle a clear purpose. - Focus on your candle:
When you're ready to begin your ritual, take a moment to notice the scent. Watch the colours and feel the warmth of the flame. Begin to visualise the fire purifying your space and illuminating your intentions. If it feels right, speak aloud the intention affirmation on your candle. - Meditate:
Sit quietly and meditate for a few minutes, focusing on your breath and clearing your mind. Visualise the energy of the Full Moon entering your body and filling you with light and positivity with each inhale. As you exhale, release any negative thoughts or emotions that are weighing you down. - Write a letter:
Take out the piece of paper with your intentions and use those intentions to write a letter to the Universe. On one piece of paper write your letter about what you want to release. On a second piece of paper write about what you are grateful for. Be specific and heartfelt in your words. - Release:
When you're finished writing, read the release letter out loud and then use the flame of your Full Moon candle to burn the letter about what you want to release. (Carefully light the piece of paper and then leave it to burn in a heat proof bowl). As the letter burns visualise what are letting go of being released into the Universe and watch the energy transmute via the smoke up and away back to the Universe. - Trust:
As you watch the flame of your Full Moon Candle flicker and dance, releasing any negative emotions or self doubt that are holding you back. Trust that the Universe is working in your favour and that your intentions will manifest in the perfect way and time. Now is the time to ask your Oracle or Tarot cards for any guidance, if you choose to work with them. - Gratitude:
When you are ready, come back to your gratitude list and read out loud all of those things in your life which bring you joy, to finish your ritual on a high note. - Self care:
Take the opportunity of the Full Moon to indulge in some self care in whatever way that feels good to you. Whether thats a deeper meditation, doing something creative, taking a hot bath filled with essential oils, salts and candles or getting out in nature.
Wild As The Moon's Full Moon Candle is a powerful tool for enhancing your Full Moon ritual using candle magic to helping you release what no longer serves you. Use this candle with intention and allow its energy to guide you towards your desired outcome. Remember to always practice safe candle use and to never leave a candle burning unattended. Happy Full Moon, witches!
If you are looking for other ritual tools to enhance your Full Moon practice, visit the shop for a selection of hand crafted magical tools.
Love Gina x
How to perform a New Moon smoke cleanse
Have you been looking for a way to energetically cleanse your space over the New Moon, but you're not quite sure how to smoke cleanse your space? I've got you covered.
I do recommend trying my seasonal hand wrapped smoke sticks to perform this practice with. I make them with plants that I have either wild foraged or grown in my garden, to bring in an extra dose of love and intention. This powerful tool is perfect for clearing out negative energy and helps you to call in a fresh start and new beginnings. Which is perfectly aligned with the energy of a New Moon.
Here is my ritual idea for you to use, explaining how to smoke cleanse to energetically freshen your space and make room for the magic of the New Moon and a brand new cycle.
This ritual can be done on its own, or can be used as preparation for a deeper more involved practise such as a New Moon candle magic ritual.
The Ritual
- Set Your Intentions:
Before you begin using your smoke stick, take some time to set your intentions. Think about what you want to release and what you want to manifest with the New Moon. It can help to write down your intentions on a piece of paper and keep it nearby during your ritual. This will help you focus your energy and give your cleansing ritual a clear purpose. - Prepare Your Space:
Preparing your space is an important part of any smoke cleansing ritual. Open up windows and doors to allow for fresh air to circulate. This will help move stagnant energy out of your space. Turn off any electronics that may be causing interference. Clear away any clutter and ensure your space is tidy. - Light Your Smoke Stick:
When you're ready to begin your cleansing ritual, light your stick. Hold it over a fireproof dish to catch any falling ashes. Listen for the soft crackle and inhale the scent of the burning herbs visualing the smoke purifying your space and illuminating your intentions. - Cleanse Your Space:
Start at the front door and move clockwise around your space, paying special attention to corners and areas that feel heavy or stagnant. Use your intuition to guide you. You can use a feather to fan the smoke around the space if this feels good to you. As you are cleansing, visualise any negative energy being transmuted into light and positivity. - Cleanse Yourself:
After cleansing your space, take a moment to cleanse yourself. Start at the crown of your head and move the smoke stick down your body, visualising any negative energy being released and replaced with positivity. Be sure to cleanse your hands and feet too. - Close Your Ritual:
When you're finished snuff out the smoke stick in the fireproof dish if it is still alight. Take a moment to thank the Universe for supporting you in your intentions. Dispose of any ashes outside of your home. Keep your intentions close to you and trust that the magic of the New Moon is working in your favour.
Use smoke sticks with intention and allow their energy to guide you towards your desired manifestations. Remember to always practice safe burning and to never leave a burning stick unattended. Happy New Moon, witches!
Smoke sticks are a powerful tool for energetically cleansing your space for the New Moon. By releasing the aromatic smoke you are literally changing the structure of the air around you, meaning you can create any desired energy depending on which plants you are working with.
Just like crystals, plants all have their own properties and energies too! Once you know how to smoke cleanse, you can have fun researching and connecting to different plant energies as your practise develops.
If you are looking for other ritual tools to enhance your New Moon practice, visit my shop of hand made ritual tools .
Love Gina x
How to use your Moon Cycle crystal grid.
Crystal grids are beautiful pieces of artwork that display wonderfully in your sanctuary space, bedside table or as a focal point on your altar. But, if you are not that far into your journey of the healing power of crystals, you may not be aware of the power these little works of art can bring into your life. So, lets start off by asking what is a crystal grid?
Why are crystal grids the perfect way to connect to the energy of your crystals?
Arranging your crystal treasures in the specific geometric shapes on your grid, will focus and enhance their energies in a particular way, to help create your particular intention.
If you look at a variety of crystal grids you will notice that they are all designed with geometric patterns. Geometric patterns exist all around us, they are the shapes and patterns that form the templates of all life within the Universe.
These patterns are intrinsic in the energetic connection of everything.
Artists, musicians, and philosophers have understood and evoked the power of this sacred geometry in their work for as far back as history goes and these sacred shapes can be seen everywhere in nature.
For example the sacred spiral (fibonacci sequence) is seen in everything from the simple pine cone, to a snail shell and even within the human body. Plato’s solids (platonic shapes) form the basis for every design in the Universe, even down to a molecular scale.
How do you use a crystal grid?
When using a grid you want to have a specific intention in mind. Sometimes the grids are pre-designed for a specific purpose (like my Moon cycle crystal grids), or they are based around a generalised design which you can use to create your own intentions on. Whatever the case is, use this intention to decide which crystals to work with.
Examples of intentions- the possibilities are endless.
- A peaceful night’s sleep
- Unlock creative inspiration
- Emotional release work
- Self-love and self-worth
- Grounding ready for meditation
- To open your Third Eye
- New moon manifestation
- Healing from emotional wounds
- Boosting confidence
- Calling in joy
When you set out your grid to create your intention, you should put your main focus crystal at the centre. (Or if you are using the Moon Cycle grid, you can set your focus crystal on the specific Moon phase you are working with).
For example, for a New Moon intention setting practice you could place Clear Quartz as your focus crystal. Clear quartz amplifies energy and therefore intensifies the energy of your intention. If you want to use your grid to assist you in relieving anxiety, you could place Amethyst at the centre. If you want to ground before a meditation you could use Hematite at the centre.
The other crystals you would pick based on what energies will help to manifest your intention into reality. These go around the edge of the grid. For example, Citrine for warmth and joy, Rose Quartz for love, Fluorite for wisdom and truth. You can use as many or as few as you want for whatever intention you wish to set.
When do you use a crystal grid?
You can use grids to set intentions for a variety of different reasons, in a variety of different ways; before a meditation, as a sleep aid to place in your bedroom, for Moon ceremonies, to cleanse a space or any other purpose where you want to intensify the energy of crystals.
- If you want to clear away negative energy in a room, you can leave the grid at the centre of it overnight, to work its healing magic.
- If you want to keep your bedroom a place of tranquillity and calm, you can place a crystal grid underneath your bed permanently. Remembering of course, to cleanse and charge your crystals accordingly.
- You can keep a grid within your sacred space. This will act as a reminder and intensifier of any particular goals, manifestations or energies you want to keep close to you for the week, month or season ahead.
- Or, quite simply you can sit the grid with you as you meditate to help you harness certain energies during your mediation; gratitude, self-love, connecting to spirit etc.
How to connect with your new crystal grid.
Intention is everything, so before you use your grid for the first time it can really help to actively bond and connect to it. Below is a practise that I like to perform when connecting to a new grid. Please feel free to use this or adapt it in any way that feels right for you.
I begin with a smoke cleanse, allowing the smoke to cover the entire surface of the gird. You can use any cleansing tools to dispel energy the grid may have picked up on the journey to you. If you prefer, you can place specific cleansing crystals on your grid for a few hours such as Black Tourmaline or Selenite. This will transmute any negative energy into positive and call in high frequency energy.
Once your grid is cleansed, sit with it in a quiet and peaceful place, close your eyes and hold your grid. Remember, intention is always the most important thing! So never worry that you are not doing it right- if it feels good to you, it is right for you.
Take a few deep, relaxing and grounding breaths. When you are ready, imagine a bright white light from the centre of the Universe is pouring down into the Crown of your head. A beautifully pure, cleansing and healing light. Imagine that the light is running through from your Crown, down your neck, arms, hands and into the grid. Everything the light touches it purifies and heals, and the energy is running through you, connecting your energy to the grid. When it feels right you can open your eyes.
Do this as often or as little as feels right for you, or any connecting visualisation which you prefer.
Wild as the Moon Crystal Grids
I design and hand make the crystal grids here at Wild As The Moon. With specific intentions to help you progress on your self-healing journey. The grids are made from natural, untreated wood, straight from the tree. I dry the wood myself, hand selecting the pieces which call to me for specific grid designs.
A beginners look at your Natal chart
A personalised natal chart shows a map of the solar system at the exact moment you were born, from the perspective of the location you were born in.
You can tell so much from your astrology natal chart including your personality traits, shadow aspects, karmic destiny, relationship needs, gifts and talents and even details about your past life.
Get aquatinted with your natal chart.
If you have never seen your natal chart before it can be a little overwhelming. So I have broken down some of the key aspects right here, to help you begin finding your way around.
The rings-
At the centre of the chart you can see a circle of dots. This circle represents Earth.
The very outside rings of the natal chart contains symbols which shows where each of the zodiac constellations were sitting in the sky at the moment you were born, from your local perspective on Earth.
The segments-
Within the natal chart you will see 12 slices emerging from the centre 'Earth' which are numbered moving anti-clockwise from 1-12 starting on the left. These mark the houses. 1-6 are the houses which were below the horizon at your time of birth and 7-12 are the houses above the horizon at your time of birth.
At the very start of house number 1 you will see here the zodiac constellation which was rising on the horizon at your moment of birth. This gives you your rising or ascendant sign. (The line marked with AC on your chart).
As you look to the top of your chart you will see the zodiac constellation which was at the highest point above the horizon at your time of birth. This is your midheaven. (The line marked with MC on your chart).
The symbols-
Within the main ring of constellations, you will see a number of symbols. Each of these represents a specific celestial body (planet).
Each one of these symbols also has a number next to it; everything is constantly in motion, and everything orbits a total 360 degrees. As there are 12 zodiac constellations, each constellation consists of 30 degrees, before it moves into the next zodiac sign.
So for example if your Sun was at 29 degrees of cancer, it was at the very end of its journey with Cancer, and would have soon moved into Gemini energy.
If your Mercury is at 3 degrees of Pisces, it has not long entered Pisces energy.
It gives you an understanding of how 'deep' that planets journey is, into that particular energy archetype.
The aspects-
Between the symbols which mark your planetary placements, you will see lines connecting them.
The solid lines represent the 'hard' aspects - Squares and Opposites.
The broken lines represent the 'soft' aspects - Trine and Sextiles.
You will also be able to see any conjunctions.
Every chart is unique, so you may have none or you may have many of any of the different aspects.
Conjuction:
A conjunction happens when two planets align with each other in the same sign, close to the same degree. Exact conjunctions are the strongest.
When planets are conjunct their energies blend, amplifying the themes associated with those planets and the sign they're in.
For example, if a person has Venus next to their Sun this influences their personality. For example, and Aries Sun with Venus next to their Sun will be different to an Aries who has Mars next to their sun, or no planets next to their sun.
Oppositions:
Oppositions are formed when planets are 180 degrees apart. You'll see they sit directly across from each other on your chart. Oppositions can results in "seesaw" energy within someone's personality. They may move from one extreme to another, which can be uncomfortable but will be an important lesson within that persons life.
Squares:
Squares are often considered the most difficult, uncomfortable, or challenging aspect in astrology. They form when planets are 90 degrees apart. The energies will clash because not only are the elements incompatible (water and air, for example), but the signs will also be under the same modality (cardinal, fixed, or mutable), so there can be some competition there.
Squares will often result in the planets showing their challenging or shadow sides. The result is that squares create resistance and offer a powerful opportunity for growth if you work with this evegy.
Trines:
Trines are formed by planets that are 120 degrees (four signs) apart. Signs that are four signs apart are always the same element, which makes trines a more harmonious aspect.
Having Venus (the planet of love) trine with Jupiter (the planet of luck), for example, could indicate you'll be lucky in love in your life.
There is also the possibility of having a grand trine, which occurs when you have three planets forming an equal triangle on your chart. This results in notable gifts in these individual, with the nature of those gifts being dependent on the planets and signs in question.
Sextiles:
Sextiles occur when planets are 60 degrees apart. The signs and planets involved in sextiles usually reveal their positive energies or positive sides to each other and can be used synergistically. For example Mars involved in a sextile, will usually give action, courage, and initiative to the other planet involved in the sextile, she adds.
Candle care - a few tips that you might not know
Thank you for choosing to take home a Wild as the Moon candle.
How to look after your candle
Burn time
If you struggle with candles tunnelling and then not lasting very long, this one may help you.
One of the most common mistakes people make when burning candles is to not burn them for long enough each time they are lit.
When you burn a container candle you get a pool of melted wax around the wick. Once the wax has melted and hardened, it will be quicker to melt next time you light it, in comparison to the rest of the wax.
In order to get a nice even melt, you want to make sure that there is nice wide melt pool every time you burn the candle. That way you don't end up with just the centre of the candle burning down really quickly.
All Wild as the Moon candles are designed to be burned for around 3 hours at a time. (No more than 4) Especially the first three burns, after that you can get away with two hours.
Don't worry if you do not see a full melt pool on the very first burn, a nice wide pool that's almost at the edges is ideal.
Wick care
Another common mistake people make when using candles is not trimming the wick in between burns.
It is important to always trim the very top of the burnt wick off, before you re-light the candle.
A wick length of around 4-5mm is ideal.
When the wick is too long the rate of combustion is higher, creating more heat, reducing the life of the candle and creating soot. Which nobody wants in their lungs.
A nice healthy, clean burning, long lasting candle needs a nice clean, short, wick before every burn.
Why two wicks?
All of the candles I create here at Wild as the Moon have two wicks in them. This is for one simple reason - to act as a reminder.
A reminder that every, single experience in life is experienced as a cycle. Nothing in the natural world is linear - including you.
The cycle of the Sun each day
The cycle of the Moon each month
The cycle of the seasons each year
The cycle of a life, whether that is a butterfly or a flower or even yourself.
The cycle of a breath
The cycle of sleep
The cycle of your hormones
The cycle of every little thing within you and around you.
We often see things as 'bad' or 'good', but nature does not work that way. There is no one thing without its opposite.
No light without dark
No sunrise without sunset
No New Moon without Full Moon
No Summer without Winter
No inhale without exhale
No death without birth.
Everything has an equal and opposite. So if you are in a low part of a cycle, this acts as a reminder that things will get better. If you are in a high part of a cycle, this acts a reminder to find gratitude in what you have.
How to use your new Smoke Stick
Your new Wild as the Moon smoke stick has been hand crafted with a lot of love & intention and I hope you can feel that energy every time you use it.
The practical stuff:
When lighting your smoke stick, hold the end which is wrapped in twine. The twine is here to create a nice sturdy base and keep everything held together as the stick burns down.
Light the stick at the very top, at the opposite end to where you are holding it.
I recommend holding the tip in a candle flame to light it, rather than using matches as it's safer and easier.
Hold the stick in the flame until you see it catch light, then remove it from the heat.
If your stick has any flames, gently blow it out (like an incense stick) so that it is only smouldering and not actually on fire.
Your stick will smoulder for a few minutes before going out by itself.
You can re-light your stick as many times as you want.
If for any reason it won't stop smouldering, simply put a couple of drops of water on the end to extinguish it. Don't soak it though as this may ruin your stick.
Always hold a fireproof dish underneath a smouldering stick to catch any embers and leave your stick on a fireproof dish after use until it cools down.
A handy tip:
If you have been using your stick for a while and you are now struggling to light it, your stick may just need some TLC.
If the end is very black and charred, simply trim those bits off with sharp scissors to remove them. This will allow you to light it much more easily.
The wholesome stuff:
These sticks are designed to be a sensual and mindful experience. So take your time with it, make it feel good.
There are many great reasons to use a smoke stick.
-To ground yourself before yoga / movement.
-To cleanse your mind and space before meditation. -As part of a daily ritual before writing a gratitude list or pulling cards (or whatever your ritual looks like.)
-To cleanse your space for Full or New Moon
-To take five minutes to ground your body whenever you're feeling stressed, anxious or just want to relax.
- As part of your bedtime routine to unwind your mind.
This is just to name a few.
Use your smoke stick however you are called to use it. If you're new to it, try different things, see what feels good. But whatever your reason for using your stick, be sure to take a few deep grounding breaths before you start.
Take a moment to notice how the plants look, feel and smell. Connect with them.
Watch the smoke as its tendrils dance through the air, releasing aromatic fragrance.
Create a moment.
What are ethically sourced crystals?
Energies are shifting globally. As a collective we going through a time of powerful transformation which means more and more people across the world, are feeling a deep stirring and a deep calling to reconnect with Earth.
If you are reading this, you are one of those people. There is something in your core that is pulling you to remember your connection with the power of Mother Nature, and often this begins to manifest as being drawn to the healing power of crystals.
Crystals are a powerful gateway to learning how to connect to the energies both within and around us and that is a beautiful thing to remember. But, like anything that becomes popular in our modern culture, it quickly gets commercialised simply because there is money to be made from it.
This rise in this popularity of crystals can therefore be a double edged sword - both beautifully healing and connecting and awakening, yet destructive and unkind at the same time. Which means it is imperative that to continue our collective journey with crystals, that we source our new tools of transformation in the kindest, most responsible and ethical way possible.
There are a few factors to think about when sourcing crystals from the land;
What is happening to the land where the crystals are mined?
Who is mining the crystals and what are the conditions like?
Who is cutting, polishing and distributing the crystals?
How are the crystals being transported across the world?
Those are lot of very heavy, complex and difficult questions to answer as a person only just starting to explore the world of crystals! So I have broken it all down here for you in a transparent piece about where my crystals come from, so that you can purchase with a clear conscience and understanding of their story.
What is happening to the land where the crystals are mined?
I’d like to begin by stating that every single crystal in my collection can be traced back to the exact mine it came from.
This is because my suppliers (the people who purchase the crystals directly from the mines and ship them to the UK) are extremely diligent in who they source from. They regularly visit the locations personally, to spot check and make sure that the standards are being maintained.
It is important to know exactly where the crystals come from because there are a lot of illegal mines across the world which destroy huge swathes of habitat, cause alarming levels of water pollution and partake in child, slave or unfair labour.
By visiting in person, it also means that they can check out how the mines operate in terms of caring for the natural environment they are mining within. The suppliers assure me that they only work with small scale mines and/or hand dug sites to ensure the impact on the environment is as minimal as possible.
Who is mining the crystals and what are the conditions like?
Most of the crystals I source come directly from Brazilian and some Indian mines via my suppliers who go directly to the mines every few months to select the pieces they want to bring into the UK.
Whilst they are on site, they check what the workers conditions are like and I have seen video evidence of them doing this. Some of the things they look for include fair pay and quality health and safety measures.
After talking with my suppliers they also mentioned that they don’t haggle down their prices when purchasing from the site as this only leads to someone else paying for the lost money down the chain, whether that’s with unfair pay, equipment not being maintained or health and safety not being properly maintained. This is why you will find the prices of the crystals I sell a little on the higher side compared with others- because everyone, right from the source has been fairly paid and corners have not been cut.
Who is cutting, polishing and distributing the crystals?
This is an easier question to answer in certain countries and trickier in others. The sites that my supplier gets their crystals from in Brazil do all of this on site. They have machines that tumble larger pieces into tiny pieces and others which are hand polished into their unique shapes, by their workers.
Again I have seen video evidence of the health and safety equipment in place for the people doing this kind work on larger scale like this. Equipment including filtering machines to prevent workers from breathing in the mineral dust.
In other countries such as India it’s a little trickier to guarantee certain things because for some cultures stone polishing in smaller batches is very much a traditional family trade. The adults teach their children how to polish the stones in order for them to be able to sustain a livelihood for themselves and their families in future. It is a passing down of skills, rather than forced child labour but it is child labour nonetheless so I wanted to be transparent about this as some of the crystals have been sourced from these families.
From the lengths that my suppliers go to, to ensure safety and fairness for all involved, I am happy to trust that this is purely a cultural difference and a passing down of skills and is in no way forced child labour. I truly believe they would not endorse this.
How are the crystals being transported across the world?
The suppliers I work with only use ships as their method of transport rather than flying the crystals to the UK as it uses far less energy to transport via the water compared to flying.
Once they reach me, I only send your new crystals treasures to you in fully biodegradable packaging and I never use plastic. All of my packaging is done with paper, including biodegradable packing tape, recycled paper business cards (printed with toxin free ink) and hessian bags or tissue paper to wrap the crystals.
I hope this has answered all of your questions but if there is anything else you’d like to know, please do feel free to contact me. I am always happy to answer hello@wildasthemoon.co.uk and don't forget to check out the 'available' highlight on Instagram to see all pieces which are still looking for a home or the sets in the shop.