Stone Medicine with Renee

Endings and Beginnings!

Hallowmas/Samhain is approaching! We are nearing the end of the Pagan Calendar, the Witches New Year. It is now time to honor our dead and reflect on how to prepare for rebirth in our lives, time to let go so we can begin anew.

This is the season during which the trees let their leaves fall. I find it inspiring how the trees so easily let their dead leaves drop away, but the branches and trunk remain healthy and strong. To me, this is a perfect metaphor for letting go: we purge what no longer works for us, but hold onto our strong foundation, what makes us who we are. Keeping a strong foundation means nurturing those things in your life that feed your true self—body, mind, and soul.

How do we know what to let drop away? Meditation and prayer can help us identify our dead leaves. So can simple self-reflection. Reflect on what no longer feels good or right, what takes more effort to maintain than before, what keeps us from being true to our “foundation.” These can be foods, activities, people, our jobs, or even where we live. Medications that have worked for us but no longer do the job. People who used to support us who now drag us down. During this past year, I’ve watched so many of the people around me struggling with loss and letting go. I myself am experiencing some of my most difficult losses, pains, and struggles ever. But I feel lighter when I begin to let go, breathe, and say “whatever!” I find it helps to visualize my pain as a big maple leaf, turning brown and falling gracefully to the earth where it will be absorbed by the great Mother.

I trust that the more dead leaves we let go of, the more room we have for healthful, mindful, and soulful things to grow. So, during this season, let go of the old so you can open yourself up to the new. “Make space, make space, make space” seems a good mantra. My Reiki Master explains that the more space you make, the more Spirit or Universal Energy Force can move through you. To me, that means clearing my mind, stretching my body, and meditating more. Meditation is a tool I use to make space. You will find you own way to make space in your mind, body, and soul (heart). I encourage you to make this a priority during this season of death and preparation for rebirth.

And finally, remember: when the dead leaves fall, let them go. Don't try to grab them back or they will crumble in your hand.

Peace and Blessings,

Renee Bastet
Stone Priestess

		Stone of the Month
Garnet! Grounding and Confidence! Garnet is a great stone for helping keep a strong foundation, especially while facing difficulties or stress. This stone is a confidence booster. It helps us open up to our greatest fears, then stay safe and grounded when working through them. In this way, it lets us push out of our comfort zones so we can try new things. Physically, Garnet fortifies the immune system and enhances the absorption of nutrients. I work with Garnet in the elements of Earth and in the first chakra. It’s a wonderful stone to help release panic, fear, and worry. It teaches us to trust in the infinite and keeps us calm and grounded More Garnet

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Please visit www.bastetjewelry.com. Renee Bastet has been creating jewelry for over 16 years. She thrives on working individually with people to create custom pieces that put magick in their lives.

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