Dreaming about Carrots: Carrot Symbolism

The spiritual significance of dreams has fascinated humankind since, well, since dreams have existed. Orange

Each object in a dream carries with it symbolism that can be interpreted in the waking world.

Dreaming about carrots 🥕 can often hold a meaning of prosperity, self care, and proactive steps to take care of yourself and those around you. In many cultures, carrots are also symbolic of abundance, wealth, good health, and longevity as the carrot’s taproot can be replanted to grow again and again.

Carrots can also be symbolic as rewards; you’ve heard the phrase “carrot and stick” to mean rewarding or punishing someone for acting on your commands. This comes from people using carrots as food rewards to train livestock, especially horses. Dreams of carrots can symbolize the prize at the end of a long, hard road.

Because of a carrot’s golden color before mass farms turned them orange, carrots are often associated with wealth and prosperity. A golden carrot is a special item indeed! 

Gemstone Project: Chronically Illin’

 The person I made this necklace for (and his gf — who I’d like to make one for, too!) works with someone close to me.  The subject is a male hip-hop artist that struggles with some health issues.

Because this was a gift commission, I began by pulling a card in my search for inspirado. I wanted bold colors and a modern, masculine style. Our guy is a New England Patriots fan, so that took care of the color scheme quite nicely! Since I overbought on red seed beads for a khokhloma project I never got around to finishing 😂 I had tons of reds in every shade — I picked the boldest and closest to the Patriots’ colors.

My card was the six of swords. This is a card of air, of a flexible and positive spirit that enjoys wandering to avoid danger *and* also to gain experience and have adventures — not just in the physical world, but also the creative journeys of the soul this movement can bring. This soul is innately intelligent about survival and self-preservation, so they can enjoy many facets of life packed into the time they have on this earth. Basically, he can live many lives in the space of just the one we’re all given! 

The gemstones I picked were: Sapphire (for good mental & tummy health); Buffalo bone (symbolizing the bod in harmony with nature, it imbues all the powers of buffalo — including Taurean bonuses to musical creativity!); Black imperial jasper cubes (to deflect negative energy & return it back to the sender!); Smoky blue dragon vein agate drums (for creativity & fire, powers of dragon including mental prowess, bod health, & an eye for opportunities). In the the very middle of the piece, I added the one yellow Flameheart Carnelian that I have! It’s mostly an orange-y yellow, with a heart of red and white — specifically for health & calmness of the solar plexus [aka tummy] and sacral [intestines/ass/bladder] chakras. Red is a great color for creativity & physical health, blue is for mental strength to stay positive through all.

Also tried real hard to make this (a) masculine, and (b) hip hop.

Also “chronic” is a double meaning, as is “illin” — It’s just so punny I can’t stand it!  I hope he likes it!!

Tricolor Cannabis-Themed Beaded Necklace with Gems

Frannie from SpiritClique recently completed her latest art project. We love this fun beaded necklace — just in time for spring! Check out more of SpiritClique’s spiritual lapidary art at the SpiritClique Etsy shop.

My first step was to create the color palette.  I went with a standard tricolor here because I wanted something bold and festive, that would show the gleam of the stainless steel off to its best advantage!

The color yellow has a deeply spiritual vibration that is interpreted in similar ways throughout human culture. As the color we most associate with the sun, yellow symbolizes life, renewal, and community. People with a yellow aura tend to be friendly, strong, and (despite the western’s association between yellow and cowardice) bravery.

Red is often associated with the planet Mars, plus all the strength and creativity that comes with it. In China, red is strongly associated with good fortune. In the western world, we associate it with physical strength, passion, and power. It’s no wonder that people with a red aura have a strong and vibrant life force!

Many cultures attribute qualities like healing, fertility, and relaxation with green. It has been proven that the color green can help people center their thoughts and get to a more logical place mentally. It’s also associated with the earth, plant life, and the heart chakra. Green aura bearers are naturally loving, brought to earth as healers and helpers. Green is a lucky color, combining the energy of yellow and the tranquility of blue. And of course, it’s the color of American money and cannabis — making it a great choice for this project.

These three colors together can symbolize many things. Lots of cultures use this color combination of red, yellow, and green: Pan-African culture, Rastafarian spirituality, Malaysian traditions, as well as the flag of the Lithuanian people. 

As a proponent of medical cannabis and a person of Lithuanian ancestry, this color combo has a special place in my heart! I chose to use lemon-yellow micro beads for this project because I had a lot of leftovers from my ongoing khokhloma project — but also, I wanted the piece to be warm and summery. Plus, making yellow the dominant color in my palette removes any assumption that this is a Christmas necklace. Not that the weed focal isn’t also a huge tip-off. :)

Beads. I chose sunny yellow Czech micro beads (11/0) for this project. And may I say, the 11/0 size is starting to become a fav to work with. :) Green crystal bicones and shimmery metallic Czech glass beads add more body and diversity to the piece. 

Metals. My chosen focal is a cannabis silhouette glyph made of brushed stainless steel. I love using steel in my pieces because it’s tough as hell, easy to care for, and fun to work with. Mars is the planetary correspondence of iron, and it’s also my main ruling planet. Iron is also the metal correspondence of Aries, which is my zodiac sign. And of course, as a daughter of miners, steel makers, and iron workers... it’s a perfect medium for me!

Gemstones. Because I’m working around a cannabis theme, I decided to choose two types of gemstones to represent the two basic weed types: soothing indica and invigorating sativa.

Flanking the cannabis focal are three beads made of natural shell dyed in red, yellow, and green — these are my soothing indica stones. Mother of Pearl is a fantastic choice for organic jewelry. Associated with the moon, throat chakra and solar plexus chakra (especially in yellow and green!), these ethereal shells are also linked with the psychic realm. It’s a wonderfully healing gem for people with anxiety or those who need healing in negativity-filled situations.

My sativa choice just had to be the lively, energy infusing emerald! I added about a carat of emerald beads to the center of this piece, keeping it close to the heart chakra to add all that fab green energy. Emerald is one of my favorite gemstones to use for its fun loving and exciting vibe. It’s the birthstone of May as well as a gemstone of Taurus. It is one of the world’s most precious gemstones (along with diamond, ruby, and sapphire). Many old-world religions strongly associated emeralds with love, more so than virtually any other jewel. And it’s no wonder — the emerald reflects the green power of the heart chakra. Emeralds can help us rediscover passions for people and things that seem a little boring; it helps to heal depression, raise self-esteem, and invigorate the soul.

I also have this piece in a white/blue combination with howlite! But that’s a story for another time.

Magickal Properties of the Pearl

Pearls are the gemstones of the sea. Not a crystal but can still be used in crystal therapy. There are various myths that tell the story of a pearl's formation; they are said to have been formed by a tear from Venus, the Goddess of love. However, the truth is that a pearl is made grain of sand or other object manages to get inside the shell of a mollusk (oyster, clam, etc.). The foreign object becomes covered with a calcium substance that is secreted by the animal. Over time, it becomes hard and smooth, with a radiant luster. Pearls come in many shades; the most popular are white, but pink, black, yellow, brownish, and other colors also occur in nature. They are found in bodies of water all over the world.

Because of the pearl's shape and luster, as well as its origin, it is considered to be a gemstone of the Moon. Pearls are also said to have aphrodisiacal qualities and boost feminine powers, as well as ability to make the bearer immortal. Legend has it that pearl powders are a key ingredient in elixirs of immortality as they are a talisman of youth and beauty. Pearls are the gem of choice to strengthen the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Yellow and green pearls are said to bring prosperity and abundance, while brown hued pearls give their bearers intelligence and foresight. White pearls are worn to give strength, female power, and happiness. All pearls are powerful in blocking the evil eye, curses, and negative energies; they are all also instrumental in enhancing psychic abilities.

Peridot Power! Its Magickal Properties

A word of caution:  The peridot crystal is only for the most extreme personalities.  If you're interested in harnessing the magickal proprties of this firey, intense gemstone, you'd better be able to handle it!  It is sometimes referred to as "That stone which is the color of Mountain Dew."  And it's true: few things are similar to the delicious lemon-lime color of a peridot.  It is truly a unique stone for many reasons.

The brilliant yellow-green peridot is one of history's oldest gemstones.  The earliest written history of the peridot dates back to about 1500 B.C. in ancient Egypt.  There are some experts who feel that the infamous emeralds which were worn and prized by Cleopatra were actually peridots. 

Most gemstones are formed in the Earth's crust.  This is not true of the diamond or the peridot.  Instead, these gems are formed in the mantle of the earth, and rise to the surface as the mantle is disturbed by various forces of nature.  Peridots are formed higher up in the mantle than diamonds, but both are pushed upward by volcanic activity and earthquakes.

Throughout history, the peridot has been revered as having many different mystical powers.  First and foremost is the peridot's power to shatter and dispel all other enchantments at the bearer's will.  It is unparalleled in its ability to dissolve spellwork -- for maximum potency, choose a peridot which is set in gold.  Its healing properties are also legendary; peridot allegedly has the power to heal asthma, to alleviate fevers, and to help the digestive system work in optimal condition.

Peridots are also thought to alleviate a number of emotional and mental issues, as well.  It can fight depression and anxiety; it's particularly helpful for phobias and panic attacks.   Sadness, grief, and sorrow can be helped by lighter shades of peridot as well.  Peridot can also enhance restful sleep and relaxation.  It can also balance mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and alleviate self-consciousness and low self-esteem.

Magic Properties of Diamonds

There is, perhaps, no gemstone nearly as famous as a diamond -- and certainly none as precious!  These stones are among the hardest in the world, and prized all over the planet for their immense beauty, durability, relevance as a status symbol, and most of all... their power.  Although they are often imitated, nothing is quite the same as a real diamond.

Diamonds come in all types of colors, though white is the hue we think of most when diamonds come to mind.  They also come in all shades of brown, yellow, grey, even pink or red!  Commercial diamonds are often treated to enhance their color or clarity, though it certainly does not detract from their beauty.  Many different colors, shapes, and crystal styles can be created through modern technology.

Many legends and myths surround this awe-inspiring gem.  As an amulet, it is known as the "mother's stone," since it helps to protect the female reproductive organs, the heart, and the circulatory system.  It is also said to protect against all manner of catastrophic issues:  snake bites, curses, fire, poison, illnesses of all types, as well as evil magicks.  Diamonds are virtually indesctructable; they symbolize innocence, purity, and beauty.

As healing stones, diamonds are very useful for reproductive parts of the female anatomy and the heart.  It is also excellent for depression, memory issues, to center and calm the bearer as it strengthens.

What Does a Yellow Aura Mean?

Yellow is a bright, warm color within the aura spectrum.  This hue corresponds to the elements of air as well as earth, with a nod towards fire.  Yellow corresponds to the Solar Plexus chakra, and is a versatile and uplifting color.  Yellow aura bearers tend to be dreamers, and they often dream big.  Those who possess this auric shade can often enlighten and uplift those around them with their positivity and genuine interest in helping other people.  However, don't let this uplifting shade fool you; there is a "dark side" to the yellow aura as well.  While there is a tendency to cheerfulness and helpfulness, there is also a talent for glibness, and in some people, the ability to maniplulate and take advantage.  This auric presence is truly a unique one.

Pastel yellow, contrary to many of its yellow-hued cousins, is actually found in the auras of shy, introverted people.  While the concern for others and clarity of thought are present, the people skills aren't always there.  This person would do well to try coming out of his or her shell to deepen their yellow aura hue a bit.

Maize yellow, which is another pale shade of yellow resembling uncooked corn, can also indicate introverted tendencies.  However, this aura bearer is not nervous or shy; they are simply unaware of others' feelings or presences.  This shade is often found in daydreamers or "clueless" types of people.  The maize aura is not necessarily bad, but is often a work in progress, and thus is more likely to be seen in younger people -- or in older folks who haven't quite grown up!

Sunshine yellow (think of Big Bird!) is a tremendously positive and confident representation of the yellow aura.  The sunshine aura bearer's enthusiasm and enjoyment of life is contagious to all those around him or her.

Lemon yellow is a deeper shade than sunshine.  While some see this shade as an indication of shaky confidence and a perpetual fear of loss, it is also important to realize that lemon yellow auras can also reflect a tremendous inner strength which can override these fears if the bearer possesses enough tenacity.  If other colors are present in the aura, especially reds, browns, or blues, this fear and worry can be offset by practicality or self-soothing capabilities.

Goldenrod is a dustier, dimmer yellow which tends less in the direction of outward chipper tendencies, and into a more calm and inspirational ability.  These people can charm and motivate with their natural charisma, but must be wary of a tendency to take advantage of others.  Look for other aura colors to help strike a balance.

Mustard yellow is a more intense version of the goldenrod aura.  However, these people will often manipulate or control other people, usually without realizing that they're doing it.  Be careful of someone with a mustard aura -- they are not beyond help, but it's not easy for a yellow aura bearer to change, and even tougher to come to the realization that they need to change.  Try some aura polishing techniques if you need a positive change.  Every aura is different, and different things may work for various aura colors and aura patterns.  Do what feels right for you!

Mystical Properties of Sunstone/Citrine

Not only are crystals and gems beautiful to look at as we adorn our homes and bodies with them, but they're also wonderful tools to help us focus positive energy, healing us from the inside.  Since the dawn of civilization, crystals and precious or semi-precious stones have been used for their healthful vibrations on our lives, relationships, and our living or workspaces.

Like the dynamic force of the sun, a sunstone crystal can help encourage strength in rising to meet challenges, to inspire leadership, and to strengthen the will of the bearer.  Even better, it is especially powerful when the intentions are meant to benefit a larger group of people rather than for individual fulfillment.  Sunstone can help to generate faith, hope, and positivity.  It is associated with love, prosperity, progress.  Sunstone is a crystal that can help strengthen you emotionally for tough times to come, but also to encapsulate the positivity of happy times and to repel negative energy.  Sunstone can also help you to keep goals and personal standards in mind, so that you're strong enough to reject temptation or to refuse requests which are unreasonable.    It can also help with anxieties and phobias, helping to center and ground you.

Sunstone is a wonderful all-purpose stone, and is an excellent tool to have in your crystal repertoire.  It has many wonderful and helpful properties for those whose lives need a little extra brightening.  It is a type of feldspae, with a Mohs hardness number of around 6; this makes it fairly sturdy, but not extremely hard.  It often occurs in yellows, oranges, and reddish-browns.  The crystal itself is obviously associated with the sun, bringing with it proactive and energetic forces which help to bring about change.  The Sun rules the heart and emotions according to astrological teachings, and sunstone can be utilized to help enhance these within us as well.

Healing and Magickal Properties of Jasper

Practicioners of crystal therapy claim that the vibrations of each type of crystal can perform various functions. Their energy can be harnessed to make subtle changes in one's physical and mental health.

Jasper is a type of quartz which has often been referred to as "The Supreme Nurturer." This stone can be wonderfully supportive to people during times of stress or emotional turbulence. Jasper can bring about a calm peacefulness which can be like a soothing balm to those in distress. Jasper stones can bring a tranquil sense of calm to the bearer, and they can also absorb negative energy as well. Many different colors and types of jasper exist, and although each of them have specific beneficial properties, they all have a wonderful nurturing advantage to their energy.

Red jasper helps to protect from stress, panic, and anxiousness by helping to give insight into issues which require more attention. Red jasper can also help you with interpreting and recalling dreams. Physically, it is thought to aid blood circulation and promote a healthy liver.

Yellow jasper is another great choice for calming distress and promoting tranquility in someone who is upset or feeling a high level of anxiety. Its physically healing properties give it the power to heal digestive ailments and soothe an upset stomach.

Green jasper is another mood-levelling type of jasper, though this one is thought to work especially well on obsessive thoughts. One can also turn to green jasper for aid with troubling skin conditions and immunity imbalances. Like yellow jasper, green jasper is also proficient in healing digestive troubles as well.

Ocean jasper is an amazing type of jasper that comes in myriad colors and patterns; it's not uncommon to see an ocean jasper item containing blues, reds, greens, yellows, and black all in one piece. It is another highly protective jasper which can aid the user with a calming, patience-boosting property. This one can help to provide insight and perspective in order for the bearer to take personal responsibility for any issues he or she may have caused. Because it often contains yellow and green shades, this is another good choice for helping digestive troubles and also to dispel toxins from the body. It is also reputed to help with body odor.

Picture jasper is another multi-colored type of jasper. Often it contains shades of orange, red, and sandy brown, with ripples of dark brown and black veins. This gorgeous stone can help to promote peace and harmony, as well as to encourage stability. Picture jasper can also help calm phobias and gently uncover repressed emotions. Physical healing properties include the stimulation of one's immunities in order to promote self-healing, as well as the treatment of kidney illnesses and troubles with the skin.

Zebra jasper is usually a black and white rippled jasper, though it can sometimes be seen in colors other than white. It's another excellent choice for promoting peace, harmony, and stability. Zebra jasper can also keep you grounded and calm emotional distress.