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As the veil grows thinner and Samhain approaches, The Crystal Library closes out Season 2 with a stone steeped in ancient mystery, mourning traditions, and protective magic: onyx. Often celebrated as a powerful stone of grounding and protection, onyx has a much darker and more complicated history than you might expect. From ancient burial sites and Greek mythology to Victorian mourning jewelry and its surprising association with unsettling dreams and discord, this stone has carried many different meanings throughout the centuries. In this episode, Ashleigh explores the fascinating geology of onyx, including why not every black stone sold under its name is actually true onyx. She also uncovers its connection to Victorian mourning traditions, including the remarkable story of Mary Todd Lincoln's black onyx mourning watch. But the mysteries don't end there. In metaphysical traditions, onyx is believed to hold memories, offer spiritual protection, and encourage the courage needed to confront our own shadows. We'll explore its connection to psychometry, ancestral remembrance, the Morrígan, and the practice of shadow work. As the final installment of The Crystal Library for Season 2, this episode is an invitation to consider what protection really means. Is it simply about keeping darkness away, or is there another kind of power in learning to face what frightens us? In this episode, discover: The geology of onyx and the truth about black onyx.Ancient mythology and the stone's surprisingly unsettling reputation.Victorian mourning jewelry and Mary Todd Lincoln's onyx watch.The belief that onyx can hold memories and energetic impressions.Spiritual protection, the Morrígan, and the thinning veil of Samhain.How onyx can support intentional shadow work and personal reflection.Ways to incorporate onyx into ancestral altars, protection rituals, and Samhain practices.The Crystal Library will be taking a break as Ashleigh shifts her attention toward family and the Friday episodes of Big Crystal Energy during the holiday season. But these crystal deep dives will return, with more fascinating stones, forgotten histories, and magical mysteries waiting to be explored. Because sometimes the most powerful protection isn't keeping the darkness away. It's finding the courage to face whatever waits within it. Follow along on Instagram and Threads: @bigcrystalenergy.ash Website: https://bigcrystalenergy.com Historical and scientific information is explored alongside folklore and spiritual traditions. Metaphysical properties are presented as beliefs rather than scientifically established effects. References & Sources Crystal and Metaphysical References Hall, Judy. The Crystal Bible. Onyx, pp. 206–207. Used for metaphysical associations, memory, psychometry, grief, and protection.Melody. Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals. Onyx, pp. 451–452. Used for traditional crystal properties and spiritual correspondences.A Compendium of Stones. Onyx, p. 169. Used for historical references, ancient carvings, burial discoveries, and folklore.Historical and Mineralogical References Smithsonian National Museum of American History — Mary Lincoln's Mourning Watch. The museum documents Mary Lincoln's black onyx lapel watch, which she continued to use for the remainder of her life. National Museum of American HistorySmithsonian — Personal Mourning. Historical background on mourning objects and expressions of grief following Lincoln's assassination. National Museum of American HistoryPliny the Elder — Natural History, Book 37, Chapter 24. An ancient description of onyx and its contrasting bands. Perseus Digital Library Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

What if the most powerful magic isn't something you buy, learn from a spellbook, or find on social media? What if it's something you've had within you all along? This week on Big Crystal Energy, I'm joined by author, witch, and Haitian Vodou Mambo Samantha Corfield for a fascinating conversation about traditional New Orleans witchcraft, the old ways of working with magic, and why reconnecting with nature might be one of the most powerful things you can do for your spiritual practice. Born and raised in New Orleans, Samantha grew up surrounded by spiritualism, folk magic, and supernatural experiences. From attending her first séance as a child to learning traditional workings from her grandmother, her lifelong journey has given her a unique perspective on the magical traditions that existed long before modern witchcraft became what it is today. Together, we explore the roots of New Orleans witchcraft, the use of everyday objects in magical workings, and how centuries of folklore, religion, and Hollywood portrayals have shaped our understanding of these practices. We also talk about the fear surrounding witchcraft and Vodou, New Orleans' reputation for ghosts and vampires, and why so many people feel overwhelmed when beginning their own magical journey. But one of my favorite parts of this conversation is Samantha's reminder that magic doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need an elaborate altar, expensive crystals, or a cabinet full of magical supplies. Sometimes all you need is a stone that catches your attention, a few herbs from your kitchen, and the willingness to trust yourself. In this episode, we explore: The roots and traditions of old New Orleans witchcraftSamantha's childhood experiences with séances, spirits, and folk magicThe role of nature, charms, powders, and everyday objects in traditional workingsHow traditional witchcraft differs from modern religious witchcraft practicesWhy movies, religion, and folklore have contributed to the fear surrounding witchcraft and VodouThe ghosts, vampires, and supernatural reputation of New OrleansWhy trusting your intuition matters more than following someone else's magical rulesHow to reconnect with your personal power and create a meaningful practice without buying all the thingsWhether you're a seasoned witch, just beginning to explore your spiritual path, or simply fascinated by the magical history of New Orleans, this conversation is a reminder that the most meaningful magic often begins with the simplest things. Connect with Samantha Corfield Explore Samantha's magical workings, resources, and free spells at Spellmaker.com. You can also find Samantha Corfield across social media and explore her book, Create Your Own Afterlife, wherever books are sold. And remember, as Samantha reminds us throughout this conversation: You are the magic. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

What if I told you that beautiful blue-green crystals have actually been discovered growing on human bones? In this haunting installment of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores vivianite, an extraordinary mineral with an unusual connection to death, decomposition, and ancient burial grounds. And with Samhain approaching, there couldn't be a more fitting time to explore a crystal whose geological history is just as mysterious as its spiritual symbolism. From a centuries-old body recovered from a Swiss lake to prehistoric burial sites in Sardinia and ancient coffins in China, vivianite has appeared in some truly unexpected places. But how does a crystal form from the chemical processes associated with decomposition, and what can this fascinating mineral teach us about transformation and the natural cycles of life and death? Blending mineral science, forensic discoveries, and modern metaphysical interpretations, this episode explores vivianite's remarkable ability to change color, its associations with emotional healing and ancestral remembrance, and how it might be incorporated into your own Samhain practices. Because sometimes the most fascinating magic is already happening in the natural world. In this episode: The geology of vivianite and its transformation from nearly colorless to deep blue-greenWhy vivianite can form on human remains and inside ancient burial environmentsThe mysterious Blue Vivianite Man of SwitzerlandArchaeological discoveries in Sardinia and ChinaDeath, decomposition, and the natural processes of transformationVivianite's modern metaphysical associations with grief, emotional healing, and ancestral connectionsIncorporating vivianite into Samhain rituals, ancestor altars, and shadow workHow to safely care for this delicate mineralSources & Further Reading Mineralogy and Physical Properties Mindat.org — Vivianite Mineral Data https://www.mindat.org/min-4194.htmlVivianite and Human Remains Thali, M. J., et al. (2011). "Brienzi" — The Blue Vivianite Man of Switzerland: Time Since Death Estimation of an Adipocere Body. Forensic Science International. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21571462/Rodriguez, C., et al. (2021). First Evidence of Vivianite in Human Bones from a Third Millennium BC Domus de Janas: Filigosa Tomb 1, Macomer (NU), Sardinia. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102918Huang, F., et al. (2020). Perfect Vivianite Crystals Excavated from a Highly Sealed Ancient Tumulus in Jing'an County, Jiangxi Province, China. Archaeological Prospection. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1758Vivianite's Color Transformation Liu, W., et al. (2024). Vivianite Oxidation Is Not Photocatalyzed. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2024.03.031Metaphysical associations and suggested spiritual practices discussed in this episode reflect contemporary crystal traditions and personal interpretations rather than scientifically established effects. Connect with Big Crystal Energy Instagram & Threads: @bigcrystalenergy.ash Website: www.bigcrystalenergy.com Explore the science, embrace the mystery, and discover the magic within the mineral world. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

Spooky season is in full swing, and this week I'm taking you along on a little Southern Gothic adventure through Georgia and South Carolina! Coming to you from my hotel room in Tucson, Arizona, just before heading into a Femmes and Thems Rage Retreat, I'm sharing some of the spooky, strange, and magical moments from my recent travels. From wandering through Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery beneath a beautiful moon to exploring the darker side of Savannah at the Graveface Museum, this trip was filled with fascinating history, curious oddities, and plenty of witchy inspiration. I'm also sharing the story behind my newest tattoo, created by occult artist Adam Smith. Inspired by Victorian glamour, mirror magic, and a candle burning at both ends, this piece has a deeply personal meaning and has me reflecting on my own tendency to overextend myself. But before getting into the travel adventures, I'm pulling a card from the Seasons of the Witch: Samhain Oracle. And wouldn't you know it, the Banshee makes an appearance! What initially feels like an ominous message turns into a beautiful reminder about releasing what no longer serves us, embracing change, and making space for something new. In this episode, I'm chatting about: A powerful Banshee oracle reading and the magic of letting goFeeling connected to my grandmothers, ancestors, and the wisdom they leave behindExploring Atlanta's historic Oakland CemeteryMy meaningful Victorian-inspired tattoo and its connection to glamour magic, scrying, and burnoutCharleston's Southern Gothic charm and Savannah's magical atmosphereThe strange and unsettling exhibits at Savannah's Graveface Museum, including Ed Gein and John Wayne GacyVisiting Conjure 912, one of my favorite witchy shops in SavannahA little life update from Tucson, my upcoming rage retreat, and what's brewing for the podcast this winterThis episode is part spooky travel diary, part personal reflection, and a reminder that magic can show up in unexpected places. Sometimes it's found in an old cemetery, a beautiful piece of art, a meaningful conversation, or an oracle card that tells you exactly what you need to hear. So grab your coffee, light a candle, and come along for a little Southern Gothic magic! Connect with Big Crystal Energy Instagram: @bigcrystalenergy.ash Website: www.bigcrystalenergy.com Interested in a personal tarot or oracle reading? Send me a DM on Instagram to learn more! Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

What happens when a crystal asks you to look directly at the things you would rather avoid? In this Season of the Witch episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores wulfenite, a striking orange-to-golden mineral whose metaphysical lore is filled with shadow work, psychic awareness, spiritual communication, past-life memory, creativity, and magic. Wulfenite is an unusual contradiction. Physically, it is a heavy lead-bearing mineral, yet spiritually it has long been associated with moving beyond ordinary awareness and exploring the unseen. Its symbolism invites us to acknowledge darkness without becoming consumed by it, to examine the patterns and relationships that have shaped us, and to become curious about what may be hiding beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore wulfenite’s geology and distinctive crystal formations, its history and famous collecting localities, and the metaphysical traditions that connect it with altered states, divination, soul contracts, magical knowledge, creativity, and shadow integration. Ashleigh also shares ways to work with wulfenite during meditation, journaling, tarot, ritual, and other spiritual practices, along with an important reminder about safely handling this lead-bearing mineral. This is not a crystal that asks you to escape the darkness. It asks you to see it clearly. And perhaps the question wulfenite leaves us with is the most important one: What are you ready to see more clearly? Sources referenced in this episode: Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals by Melody The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall Crystal Basics: The Energetic, Healing & Spiritual Power of 200 Gemstones by Nicholas Pearson Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

Vampires weren’t always seductive, beautiful creatures lurking in candlelit mansions. Long before Anne Rice, True Blood, or Twilight, the vampire was something far more unsettling—a corpse blamed for disease, death, and unexplained suffering. So how did we get from that… to the vampire we know and obsess over today? This week on Big Crystal Energy, I’m joined by professional vampire nerd, author, and New Orleans vampire tour guide Rose Sinister for a deep dive into the history, folklore, sexuality, and enduring fascination of the vampire. Rose takes us back to some of the earliest documented vampire hysteria in Eastern Europe, when communities were literally exhuming bodies looking for evidence that the dead were feeding on the living. We explore how folklore changed as science began to explain disease and decomposition—and how literature eventually transformed the vampire from a terrifying corpse into something magnetic, erotic, dangerous, and strangely desirable. We also get into the vampire myths most of us take for granted. Were vampires always harmed by sunlight? When did they get fangs? Where did garlic actually come into the story? And how much of what we think we know about vampires was created by books, movies, and pop culture? Then we venture into even stranger territory: modern self-identified vampires, psychic and sanguinarian vampires, New Orleans vampire culture, the vampire as an outsider and queer-coded figure, skepticism versus belief, and whether centuries of collective fascination could have created something resembling a vampiric egregore. And, of course, we talk Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire, True Blood, Twilight, and the vampire stories Rose believes get the undead just right. Rose is also the author of This Crimson Debt, the first novel in her Community of Blood series, and her second book, A Bloom of Rust, arrives October 19, 2026. 🩸 Find Rose Sinister Website + Vampire Tours: Rose Sinister Media Instagram: @rosesinister 📖 Read This Crimson Debt This Crimson Debt on Bookshop.org Follow Rose for updates on A Bloom of Rust and her latest vampire projects, tours, writing, and podcast work. If you’ve ever wondered why vampires continue to fascinate us—or secretly wished they might actually exist—come a little closer. This one is for you. 🩸 Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

Jet is more than just another black protection stone. In this episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh returns to a stone she first covered briefly last September and gives it the deeper exploration it deserves. Jet is an organic mineraloid formed from ancient wood, transformed underground over millions of years into a lightweight black material that humans have carved, worn, buried with the dead, and used as protection for centuries. This episode explores the geology and formation of jet, how to tell it apart from black obsidian, onyx, and black tourmaline, and the long history of jet as jewelry, amulet, mourning object, and magical tool. Ashleigh also looks at Whitby jet, Victorian mourning jewelry, Queen Victoria’s influence on its popularity, and the fascinating connection between Whitby and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. From grief and ancestor work to psychic protection, nightmares, divination, energetic boundaries, and modern associations with vampires, jet occupies a strange and beautiful place between the living and the dead. And perhaps that is what makes it such a perfect stone for October. Jet began as something alive. It was buried, transformed in darkness, and eventually returned to the surface as something entirely new. In this episode:  What jet actually is and how it forms  Why jet is technically not a crystal  How jet differs from obsidian, onyx, and black tourmaline  The ancient history of jet as jewelry and protection  What makes Whitby jet so significant  Queen Victoria and Victorian mourning jewelry  Jet’s connection with grief, remembrance, and the dead  Protection from nightmares, spirits, psychic attack, and unwanted energy  The connection between jet, Whitby, Dracula, and vampire folklore  Why jet can be understood as a liminal or “threshold” stone  Ways to work with jet for divination, ancestor work, boundaries, grief, and protection This episode is also the perfect lead-in to Friday’s conversation with Rose Sinister, where Big Crystal Energy goes even deeper into vampire history, folklore, and the darker stories that have followed them through the centuries. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

We are officially stepping into the Season of the Witch, and to take us a little deeper into spooky season, I’m bringing one of my favorite conversations back from the Big Crystal Energy archives. So many new listeners have found the podcast since this episode originally aired, and this conversation with John Kozik of the Salem Witch Board Museum was simply too good to leave buried. John is a historian, collector, and founding member of the Talking Board Historical Society whose fascination with Ouija began with the board he inherited from his grandmother. What started as collecting eventually grew into an incredible mission to research, preserve, and share the history of talking boards—and ultimately led to the Salem Witch Board Museum. In this episode, we explore the origins of talking boards during the Spiritualist movement, how Ouija became one of the most recognizable names in the paranormal world, and how pop culture helped transform something once used to communicate with loved ones into an object many people now fear. John also shares stories from his collection, including incredibly rare antique boards, the mysterious Stranger Things board at the museum, paranormal experiences visitors have reported, and the lengths he has gone to track down some of the rarest pieces in Ouija history. But this conversation goes beyond the paranormal. We also talk about obsession, collecting, following the strange threads that have been with us since childhood, and what can happen when you go all in on the weird thing you love. Whether you heard this conversation when it originally aired or you're discovering it for the first time, grab a candle, settle in, and let's descend a little deeper into spooky season. In this episode: • The surprising origins of talking boards and Ouija • Ouija’s connection to the Spiritualist movement • How movies and pop culture changed the way people view Ouija • John’s grandmother and the board that started his collection • Rare and unusual talking boards from throughout history • The mysterious Stranger Things board at the Salem museum • Paranormal experiences and stories visitors have shared • The Salem Witch Board Museum and Talking Board Historical Society • Turning an incredibly niche obsession into a career • Why the things we're drawn to as children may follow us throughout our lives Connect with John and learn more about the Salem Witch Board Museum and Talking Board Historical Society. And if you're new to Big Crystal Energy, welcome. There is plenty more strange, magical, witchy energy coming your way as we move deeper into the Season of the Witch. Instagram: @salem_witch_board_museum Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

What does it mean to stay grounded when everything around you feels like it is shifting? In this episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores aragonite, a stone associated with grounding, patience, emotional balance, surrender, and staying connected to your center during periods of change. Aragonite is especially known for its striking starburst formations, with crystal points radiating outward in every direction from one central core. That structure becomes the perfect metaphor for this episode: life can feel busy, uncertain, expansive, and even chaotic, while you still remain anchored to yourself. Ashleigh also dives into the geology of aragonite, its relationship to calcite, its famous “sputnik” formations, and the different varieties of the stone, including blue, green, white, and golden forms. From there, the conversation moves into the deeper themes aragonite brings up around control, overworking, responsibility, emotional regulation, and learning when to act versus when to surrender. This episode also explores why aragonite feels especially relevant during the liminal season between Mabon and Samhain, when the veil is said to feel thinner and spiritual practices like divination, shadow work, dreamwork, and ancestor connection often move closer to the surface. At its core, this is an episode about finding your center when life is moving in every direction. In this episode:  The geology and formation of aragonite  Why aragonite and calcite are chemically similar but structurally different  Sputnik and star cluster formations  Grounding, surrender, and control  Overworking and hyper-responsibility  Emotional regulation and returning to the present  Different varieties of aragonite  Practical ways to work with the stone  Aragonite between Mabon and Samhain  Staying rooted when the veil feels thinnerSend me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

Life has been lifing lately… so today’s episode is a little different. I’m sitting down for an impromptu Big Crystal Energy life update to share some of what’s been happening behind the scenes—the good, the stressful, the completely chaotic, and, of course, the witchy. I’m talking about burnout, family life, the absolute saga happening at our historic property in Augusta, Georgia (including our first official squatter 😬), and why I’m realizing that something has to give when it comes to how much I’m trying to juggle. I’m also sharing some of the bigger changes I’ve been thinking about lately: simplifying my life, protecting my energy, reevaluating the future of the Crystal Library episodes, and a three-year dream that could eventually take my family back to the California coast. And because spooky season is officially here, there’s plenty to look forward to. I’m sharing my upcoming travels through Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston and Savannah, a witchy desert retreat in Tucson, and my Halloween trip to New Orleans for the Anne Rice Vampire Ball—and my very first séance. Then I pull out the Seasons of the Witch: Mabon Oracle for the Maple Tree Spread, a five-card reading centered around abundance, success, momentum, boundaries, and one question that feels especially important right now: What if success isn’t about doing more—but having more of your time back? Plus, I’m giving you a little sneak peek at what’s coming for Season 4 of Big Crystal Energy: glamour + divination. This one is messy, personal, reflective, and very much a snapshot of where I am right now. Because sometimes Big Crystal Energy looks like manifestation, magic and beautiful rituals…and sometimes it looks like trying to protect your energy while life is absolutely lifing. ✨ In this episode: Life lately, burnout, and why I’m craving lessThe ongoing chaos at our historic Augusta propertyEnergy clearing, boundaries, and protecting your peaceWhy I’m reconsidering my Tuesday Crystal Library scheduleMy three-year dream of moving back toward the California coastSpooky season travels, witchy adventures, the Vampire Ball + my first séanceThe Maple Tree Oracle Spread for abundance and successWhy slowing down may actually be part of becoming more successfulA sneak peek at Season 4: glamour magic + divinationAnd if you’re a diviner with an unusual or fascinating divination practice—or a glamour magician with something to share—I want to hear from you. I’m already dreaming up Season 4 and would love to discover some incredible new voices to bring onto Big Crystal Energy. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

Apache Tear was one of the very first stones I ever chose as a child, long before I knew anything about crystal meanings, shadow work, or the symbolism this little piece of volcanic glass would eventually carry for me. I found it while visiting a witchy shop in Omaha, Nebraska with my dad during a complicated period of my childhood. My parents were divorced, I was moving back and forth between two homes, and as an only child I often found myself caught in the middle of adult emotions and situations I didn’t yet have the language to understand. Decades later, I still have that same tiny Apache Tear. In this episode of The Crystal Library, I explore the geology of Apache Tear, its relationship to obsidian, and the striking way this almost-black stone can become translucent when held to the light. That physical characteristic becomes a powerful metaphor for shadow work: not eliminating the darkness, but becoming willing to see what is actually there. We also explore Apache Tear’s modern associations with grief, mourning, protection, forgiveness, emotional release, and resilience, along with a message from Colette Baron-Reid’s Crystal Spirits Oracle about allowing grief to move rather than suppressing it. I also take a careful look at the commonly repeated story behind the name “Apache Tear.” Rather than presenting modern crystal lore as authenticated Indigenous history, I talk about why it matters to distinguish documented history, widely repeated metaphysical stories, and our own spiritual interpretations. This episode becomes deeply personal as I reflect on childhood grief, emotional inheritance, forgiveness, and the work it has taken to hold two truths at once: that some experiences affected me deeply, and that my parents were also human beings navigating their own wounds with the tools they had available to them. We talk about:  Apache Tear geology and its connection to obsidian  Why some Apache Tears appear translucent when held to light  The history and modern lore surrounding the stone’s name  Grief that exists beyond death and obvious loss  Childhood grief and the loss of stability  Shadow work as self-awareness rather than self-rejection  Protection as staying grounded and present with difficult emotions  Forgiveness without rewriting what happened  Simple ways to work with Apache Tear for journaling, meditation, and emotional reflection  Why the stone I chose as a child carries an entirely different meaning for me now Sometimes a crystal enters our life before we have any idea what it will eventually mean to us. And sometimes, years later, we realize we have changed enough to finally see the story it has been holding with us.  Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

Mabon marks the Autumn Equinox, a threshold between light and darkness, abundance and release, growth and the quieter season ahead. For me, it also marks the final episode in my Wheel of the Year series. In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, I’m exploring the history and meaning of Mabon, including why the name itself is much more modern than many people realize. I talk about Mabon as the second harvest, the symbolism of the Autumn Equinox, and what this season can teach us about gratitude, discernment, balance, and recognizing what has already grown in our lives. I also dive into some of my favorite Mabon correspondences, including crystals, herbs, colors, scents, foods, deities, and older harvest folklore. I explore traditions surrounding apples, grapes, bread, harvest celebrations, and the final sheaf of grain, along with the deeper connection between abundance, impermanence, and the approaching darker half of the year.  I share a beautiful Mabon ritual written by Raechel Henderson from the 2024 Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac, centered around gratitude, recognizing your personal harvest, working with Hestia, and turning your blessings into meaningful action. And because I am always going to bring divination into the conversation, I also share some of my favorite seasonal decks, including the Seasons of the Witch: Mabon Oracle, the Seasons of the Witch: Autumn Tarot, and the Mabon journal, along with several simple three-card spreads you can use during the season. More than anything, this episode asks one question: What is your harvest? Not what are you still chasing or what do you still need to accomplish, but what is already here because of the work, energy, love, and intention you have poured into your life? In this episode:  The history of Mabon and the Autumn Equinox  Why Mabon is considered the second harvest  Gratitude, balance, discernment, and seasonal transition  Mabon crystals, herbs, foods, colors, scents, and deities  Autumn folklore and older harvest customs  Apples, grain, bread, grapes, and harvest symbolism  A simple Mabon ritual inspired by Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac Working with Hestia and hearth energy Seasons of the Witch: Mabon OracleSeasons of the Witch: Autumn Tarot Three simple Mabon tarot and oracle spreads  Closing the Wheel of the Year and preparing for Samhain And don’t worry, Samhain is still coming. I consider that one of those essential Big Crystal Energy episodes that deserves its own space every season. Until next time, friends, keep bringing your own Big Crystal Energy into the world. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

This week inside The Crystal Library, we’re going deep into magnetite and lodestone, a stone whose actual physical properties are every bit as fascinating as its magical associations. Magnetite is one of the most naturally magnetic minerals on Earth, and naturally magnetized pieces are known as lodestones. Long before humans understood magnetic fields, people were already fascinated by this strange dark stone that could pull iron toward itself without ever touching it. In this episode, Ashleigh explores the science behind magnetite, how lodestone became connected to some of the earliest compass technology, and why this stone has been associated for centuries with attraction, direction, luck, love, money, and personal magnetism. We also get into traditional lodestone practices within hoodoo, rootwork, and conjure, including the practice of “feeding” lodestones with magnetic material, and why attraction magic becomes much more interesting when we remember that magnetism also involves polarity and repulsion. But this episode is really about something bigger. What are you already attracting into your life? What no longer belongs in your field? And are the choices you are making actually moving you toward the life you say you want? Ashleigh also pairs magnetite with The Star and The Chariot, two tarot cards that beautifully reflect the deeper message of this stone. The Star gives us direction. The Chariot gives us movement. Magnetite asks whether the two are actually aligned. You’ll also get a simple magnetite ritual built around three questions: What am I calling toward me? What am I ready to release or repel? What direction am I actually choosing? This one is part geology lesson, part magical history, part manifestation reality check, and definitely a little bit of a crystal sermon. Because magnetite may be known as a stone of attraction, but maybe its real lesson is learning what deserves to come closer, what needs to fall away, and how to recognize your own true north. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

What if becoming a witch isn’t about becoming someone new—but finally giving yourself permission to become who you’ve always been? This week on Big Crystal Energy, I’m joined by Adrienna Elcome, aka the Violet Wiitch—a tarot reader, witchcraft teacher, photographer, shadow worker, and creator of Witch School. Adrienna and I originally crossed paths through Angelica Cresci’s Glamour Magic course, and in this conversation we get into what it actually looks like to live your witchcraft—not just learn about it. We talk about Adrienna’s experience growing up as a magical child within Catholicism, the losses that ultimately pushed her to question what she believed, and the experiences with meditation and her intuition that helped lead her toward the path she walks today. We also get into the witch wound and what happens when you begin publicly claiming the parts of yourself you may have once kept hidden. We talk about coming out of the broom closet, learning to trust your intuition, shadow work, tarot, and the sometimes uncomfortable process of allowing yourself to be fully seen. Adrienna also shares how she became the “town witch” she dreamed of being as a child, the realities of creating magical community, and why she kept showing up even when her first event didn’t go according to plan. We talk about her creation of Witch School and why she believes witchcraft is something you have to actually practice—you can consume all the books, podcasts, and information you want, but at some point, you have to get your hands dirty. And of course, because Adrienna and I share a deep love for Florence + the Machine, we end the conversation talking about Florence Welch, handmade witchy cloaks, crying at concerts, magical road trips, and the healing power of live music. In this episode, we talk about: • Growing up magical within Catholicism • Grief as a catalyst for spiritual awakening • Tarot, channeling, and learning to trust your intuition • Coming out of the broom closet and the witch wound • Shadow work and finding wisdom in uncomfortable places • Becoming your community’s “town witch” • Creating magical community and having the courage to start • Why practicing witchcraft matters more than simply consuming information about it • Letting your magical practice ebb and flow with the seasons of your life • Finding magic in simple, everyday practices • Adrienna’s Witch School and teaching witchcraft from the roots • Florence + the Machine and the magic of live music • Bringing more play, ritual, and magic into everyday life and relationships You can find Adrienna on Instagram and Threads as The Violet Wiitch. She also offers virtual tarot readings, shares witchcraft teachings and lunar taroscopes through her Substack, and has a Patreon filled with past workshops and learning resources. ✨ If you enjoy this conversation, share it with a magical friend, and don’t forget to follow Big Crystal Energy wherever you listen. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com

What happens when a stone seems to exist between two worlds? In this episode of The Crystal Library, we’re exploring Mystical Merlinite, also known as Indigo Gabbro—a dark, mottled igneous rock surrounded by modern metaphysical associations with intuition, divination, shadow work, past lives, spirit communication, and the unseen. We begin with the geology of Indigo Gabbro and the surprisingly beautiful story of a rock that forms slowly beneath the Earth’s surface, crystallizing in darkness over time. From there, we untangle the confusing difference between Merlinite, Mystical Merlinite, and Indigo Gabbro before heading into the mythology behind its magical name. We’ll explore Merlin not necessarily as a literal historical wizard connected to this stone, but as an archetype of the person who stands between worlds—between ordinary knowledge and hidden knowledge, civilization and wilderness, the rational and the magical. But the deeper theme of this episode is integration. Rather than simply treating Mystical Merlinite as a “psychic stone,” we look at its symbolism as an invitation to hold seemingly opposing truths at the same time: intuition and reason, spirituality and skepticism, light and shadow, who we were and who we are becoming. We’ll also talk about shadow work, liminal spaces, intuition versus discernment, the metaphysical association with past lives and the Akashic Records, and why The High Priestess is such a perfect tarot pairing for this stone. And at the end, I’ll walk you through a simple Mystical Merlinite practice designed to help you sit with the areas of your life that don’t have an easy answer yet. Because maybe not everything needs to be immediately brought into the light. Sometimes things need enough time in the dark to crystallize. In this episode:  What Mystical Merlinite and Indigo Gabbro actually are  The confusing history of the name “Merlinite”  The Merlin archetype and why it fits this stone  Mystical Merlinite’s metaphysical associations  Shadow work and integrating the parts of ourselves we tend to reject  Why thresholds and liminal spaces can be transformative  Intuition, logic, and spiritual discernment  Past-life symbolism and previous versions of ourselves  Mystical Merlinite + The High Priestess  A simple ritual for learning to hold two truths at once Follow Big Crystal Energy on Instagram and Threads: @bigcrystalenergy.ash If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might be standing in an in-between season of their own. Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments.  bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com