Ruby: July’s Birthstone

Ruby is a rare and beautiful crystal—and for July babies, it is your birthstone! No matter when you have your birthday, Ruby has amazing lessons to teach us. It is a crystal that helps us all connect with the passion and energy of July.

What is Ruby?

Ruby comes from the corundum mineral family and has a hexagonal crystal system. Named for the Latin word for red (“rubrum”), Ruby’s distinctive color is due to a high concentration of chromium, as well as titanium oxide inclusions. Ruby usually comes in warm tones, from deep crimsons to dark pinks and blood oranges, but there are also rare blue and green Rubies.

Ruby’s Metaphysical and Spiritual Properties

Ruby resonates strongly with the element of fire, which makes it the perfect way to channel July’s heat. This crystal carries all of fire’s boundless energy, and it gives you the vitality you need to achieve your dreams. Whenever you feel burnt out, directionless, or ready to give up, reach for Ruby.

Ruby is a stone of passion. It connects with your Heart Chakra to help you identify your true desires. Then, Ruby works with the Sacral Chakra to turn your passions into motivation and unshakeable fortitude. Ruby promotes creativity and energy while also providing you with protection, which has made it a favorite of artists, musicians, and writers for centuries. Ruby proves just as fruitful in your personal life as your professional life; it is a great tool for enhancing long-term romantic relationships.

Ruby promotes positivity from a sustainable perspective. Rather than getting lost in fear or uncertainty, this crystal encourages you to find innovative solutions to any problems you encounter. If you feel worn down, Ruby replenishes your energy so that you can keep going.

Ruby harnesses all of its properties to attract abundance. This crystal understands that true prosperity is holistic, and it encourages you to nurture all aspects of your being. From your emotions and relationships to your finances and career, Ruby helps you build a life that truly makes your heart sing.

On an astrological level, Ruby is an important stone for July’s birthday signs. Ruby draws out Cancer’s artistic side, channeling their intuition to support both creative projects and strong interpersonal relationships. It also helps Cancers overcome their tendency to fall into anxiety and paranoia. For Leo, Ruby amplifies their innate ambition and leadership skills; it encourages them to see past their desire for control and support the highest good for everyone.

Work with Ruby this July to discover your most authentic, most passionate self!

Summer and the Solar Plexus Chakra

Do you ever step out on a sunny day and feel like anything is possible? You can access that summer feeling, no matter the weather, by working with your Solar Plexus Chakra.

What is the Solar Plexus Chakra?

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located in your upper abdomen, below your breastbone. It is the third point in your Chakra system, a map of energy centers that run along your spine in Ayurvedic medicine. In Sanskrit, the Solar Plexus is called “manipura,” which means “lustrous gem.”

The Solar Plexus Chakra corresponds to confidence, joy, and manifestation. Its color is yellow, and it resonates with the element of fire—both of which call to mind the bright, happy rays of the summer sun. The Solar Plexus Chakra is the source of self-worth and empowerment; if you’ve ever had a “gut feeling,” that’s your Solar Plexus talking!

When your Solar Plexus is open and aligned, you effortlessly attract abundance, and you have all the energy, determination, and positivity you need to achieve your goals. If you are struggling with a negative self-image, codependency, or a scarcity mindset, your Solar Plexus Chakra may need some attention. It could be out of balance with your other Chakras, or it could be blocked with toxic or stagnant energy.

Solar Plexus Chakra Crystals

Crystals place an important role in Chakra system maintenance. If you’ve never worked with your Chakras before, a crystal can help activate them, and you can use carefully chose crystals to re-align and clear them.

Some crystals that resonate with the Solar Plexus Chakra include:

Amber

As fossilized tree resin, Amber carries some of the ancient Earth’s nurturing vibrations. This crystal channels divine feminine energy, and it gently supports you like a mother. If a blocked Solar Plexus Chakra is interfering with your self-confidence, Amber will dispel the stagnant energy and allow you to understand your true worth.

Bumblebee Jasper

Bumblebee Jasper connects with the most joyous elements of the Solar Plexus Chakra. This crystal emanates infinite optimism, uplifting anyone that it encounters. Bumblebee Jasper reawakens your childlike sense of wonder so that you can see the beauty in everything around you—including yourself.

Citrine

Citrine is as bright as the sun’s rays, and it is a powerful manifestation stone. Citrine’s pure positivity supercharges your Solar Plexus Chakra. This crystal brings you into perfect alignment with universal energy so that you can effortlessly accept abundance.

Libyan Desert Glass

Libyan Desert Glass is a very high vibration crystal. Formed by a meteorite, it is a truly celestial stone. Libyan Desert Glass works with your Solar Plexus Chakra on the most refined levels possible, removing anything that is holding you back from the life of your dreams.

Pyrite

Pyrite links the Root and Solar Plexus Chakras, borrowing the planet’s grounding energy to balance your entire being. If your Solar Plexus is out of alignment, Pyrite will re-attune it. Once Pyrite brings you into better harmony with the divine plan, you will unlock a whole new level of attractive power.

Sunstone

Sunstone offers all of the sun’s radiant rays to the Solar Plexus Chakra. It is a stone of joy but also pragmatism. Sunstone reminds you that you already have everything you need and success is within reach if you only trust yourself.

Yellow Calcite

Yellow Calcite is as bright and refreshing as a glass of lemonade. Use it to unlock your Solar Plexus Chakra. Once you activate it, Yellow Calcite works with its energies to amplify all of the positivity energy that your aura generates.

Yellow Jasper

Yellow Jasper reminds us that true happiness is a practice; you cultivate it through patience and consistency. Yellow Jasper’s gentle vibrations work with the Solar Plexus Chakra to support you in this quest, building your endurance, motivation, and positivity.

Reiki 101

Everything has an energy, but do you know how to use it? Today, we’re taking a deep dive into Reiki, a Japanese energy channeling technique, and learning more about how it can partner with crystals for holistic wellbeing.

What Is Reiki?

The term Reiki (霊気) is a combination of two Japanese words, rei 霊 (“soul”) and ki 気 (“air” or “life force”). It is the practice of directing life force energy through hands-on healing. If you are familiar with the Chinese art of tai chi, “chi” and “ki” are the same life energy.

While Reiki has existed in one form or another for centuries, modern Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in 1922. After a period of intense meditation on Mount Kurama, Usui experienced attunement (“reiju”) with the universal energy of the life force (“ki”), and he was able to become a vessel for hands-on healing.

Usui developed five principles that guide modern Reiki practices and outline a commitment to using Reiki for the highest good. They state, “Just for today:

• Do not get angry.
• Do not worry.
• Be grateful.
• Work hard.
• Show compassion to everyone.”

Reiki practitioners do not claim to hold any unique healing power; they simply serve as conduits for universal energy. Just like crystals can give you access to divine wisdom, Reiki practioners use their hands to direct life energy wherever it is needed. They gain this ability through a formal attunement process with a Reiki master.

The Benefits of Reiki

Simply put, Reiki raises your vibration. It has a wide variety of benefits, including:

• Relaxation
• Increased energy
• Emotional balance
• Mental clarity
• Enhanced mood
• Improved wellbeing
• Anecdotal relief of pain, headaches, insomnia, and nausea

Preliminary studies from Gumushane University, Odemis Public Hospital, and Zabol University have demonstrated that Reiki may improve pain and recovery following certain medical procedures.

Since it works on an energetic level, Reiki is a wellness technique that is safe for everyone, but it should always be used in conjunction with allopathic medicine.

What Happens During a Reiki Session?

So, what does a reiki session actually look like? The exact techniques will vary depending on your practitioner, but each session will follow a standard outline.

Reiki sessions may last anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes. The treatment will be administered in a private room designed to promote peace and relaxation; there may be gentle music, a soothing fragrance, and/or spiritual decoration. Before you begin, the practitioner will ask you if you have any particular concerns you would like address.

Then, you will either sit in a chair or lay on a table, and treatment will begin. Your Reiki practitioner may use a variety of techniques, including:

• Laying on of hands
• Hovering their hands over you
• Placing crystals on the body or using crystal wands

These techniques will allow the Reiki practitioner to cleanse your aura, clear and align your Chakras, and center you.

A Reiki treatment is profoundly relaxing. You may feel sensations such as tingling or warmth or experience visualizations. Just like a meditation practice, gently acknowledge these experiences and release them. After a Reiki treatment, you may notice a new feeling of clarity or balance, or you may feel like you’ve received a hug from the universe.

Reiki Crystals

Crystals play a major role in Reiki for many practitioners. When a practitioner chooses to use crystals in their practice, they use their Reiki skills to specially attune each crystal to their unique purposes.

Crystals may be placed in the Reiki treatment area to raise the room’s vibrations and create a sacred space. The practitioner may also wear specific crystals to enhance their practice. Some Reiki practitioners place crystals in certain areas on or around the body or use crystal wands to direct energy.

Crystals that are commonly used in Reiki include:

• Clear Quartz
• Healerite
• Serpentine
• Selenite
• Tourmaline

If your practitioner is doing Chakra work, they may also use crystals that relate to each Chakra.

Feel free to ask your Reiki practitioner which stones they are using and why; you may learn something valuable for your personal practice!

Decluttering with Crystals

With National Simplicity Day coming up on July 12^th, we’re thinking about ways that we can streamline our lives—and for many of us, that means keeping our spaces clean. Clutter gets in the way of productivity, mental health, and even physical safety (how many times have you fallen over something left on the floor?), but it can be super intimidating to tackle. Thankfully, crystals can help!

Decluttering Tips

There are dozens of decluttering methods around, from Mari Kondo’s famous “Does this spark joy?” to the classic 3 pile technique (keep, donate, trash). No matter how you choose to sort through the mess, keep these tips in mind:

• Work on one space at a time. Decluttering can get very overwhelming very quickly, so limit your scope. Try one room or even one drawer. You can also help keep the decluttering process under control by setting aside a specific amount of time; one hour a day can go a long way!
• Try some tunes. Music is a powerful motivator. Just like you may use lo-fi beats for studying or work out to a playlist, you can also use music to keep you focused and energized as you declutter.
• Make sure everything has a specific place. If every object has a home, it will be easier to put it away when you are finished with it. Help organize yourself with products like clear storage bins, drawer organizers, file folders, storage bags, over-the-door hooks, and labelers. If you can’t find a place for something, it may be time to get rid of it—or get rid of something else to make room for it.
• Use the 90/90 rule. If you haven’t used something in 90 days and don’t anticipate needing it in 90 days, it’s probably time to get rid of it.
• Try the tape technique. Put a small piece of tape on items you are considering getting rid of. When you use the item, remove the tape. Anything that still has tape on it after a set time period (anywhere from 3-6 months) should be removed.
• Don’t get guilt-tripped. You don’t need to keep gifts or sentimental items just because you think someone would be upset if you got rid of them. Those objects have served their purpose, and it’s okay to let them go.
• Keep flat surfaces clean. It’s all too easy to let clutter build up on countertops and side tables. Only keep things that you use regularly (once a week or more) on flat surfaces. If you can’t break the habit of dropping the mail on your kitchen counter, place it in a basket or container instead. Then, sort through the contents once a week.
• Set a deadline. Come up with realistic decluttering deadlines and stick to them. Set a goal for each room in your house so that you stay on schedule.

Using Crystals to Declutter

Where do crystals come in? Crystals can help with every part of the decluttering process.

• Meditate with clarifying, high vibrations crystals like Clear Quartz or Apophyllite to set an intention before your start decluttering.
• Cleanse items of old energy with Black Tourmaline.
• Use Fluorite to help you focus as you declutter. This crystal can also help you make better decisions about what to keep and want to let go.
• If you are sorting items into keep, donate, and trash piles, place a crystal in front of each one, and tune into those vibrations to help you make choices. Try Rose Quartz for keep, Danburite for donate, and Shungite for trash.
• If decluttering is bringing up unexpected feelings, reach for Lepidolite. This stone links your Heart, Third Eye, and Crown Chakras to stabilize your emotional body with divine wisdom. Change is scary, but Lepidolite’s tender vibrations will guide you toward a new beginning.
• After you’ve finished your decluttering, leave an Unakite stone in the room, especially if it’s a space where clutter tends to build up. This balancing crystal will remind you to put things away before the clutter spirals out of control.

Be Free: Independence Day Crystals

July is all about freedom! From the Fourth of July to Bastille Day, this month is the time to declare your own independence. Here are some of our favorite freedom crystals:

Amethyst

Amethyst invites the clarity you need to live your most authentic, uninhibited life. If you are struggling to free yourself from bad habits, draining relationships, or toxic cycles, reach for this stone. Amethyst supercharges your intuition, leveraging divine wisdom to show you what you truly need—and what is holding you back.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a stone of empowerment. Being independent can be scary, but this empowering crystal imbues you with the courage to claim your freedom. Its soothing vibrations dispel fear and anxiety, instead replacing them with clarity and focus so that you can enjoy true independence.

Carnelian

If you need some extra motivation to strike out own your own, Carnelian is your best friend. Carnelian has been traditionally used by warriors, and it works with your Sacral Chakra to remind you to fight for the freedom you deserve. Let this crystal’s creativity, courage, and energy unlock your most independent self!

Labradorite

A big part of freedom is being authentic, which is where Labradorite comes in! This dreamy crystal reconnects you with your own intuition, allowing you to think creatively and step into your true self. If you’re unsure where your destiny will take you, Labradorite will set you on the right path.

Sunstone

The Sun embodies masculine energy, and Sunstone connects you with its lessons of action, independence, and inner power. Sunstone discourages co-dependency, gently showing you that you already have the skills you need to build your own life of freedom.

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s Eye activates your Root Chakra, lending the Earth’s nurturing vibrations to support your independence journey. After all, being free doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. With Tiger’s Eye, you can chase your dreams with all the strength, energy, and confidence of a tiger.

This July, let crystals help you celebrate your own Independence Day!