Guest Post: Crystal Divination

​This month we are thrilled to welcome Lizzie from backyardbanshee.com for a guest post on crystal divination. Click on read more to check out her incredible article!

We love to buy crystals and whilst they are so beautiful, and so handy through spellwork & healing, did you know you can also use them for divination? Lithomancy is a form of divination through stones, gems, crystals and the way they fall/cast shadows/cast shapes creates the answers to the subconscious questions we’ve been asking. Some of my favourite ways to use lithomancy is to intuitively select crystals from my own collection, bring them over to a crystal grid and intuitively read them as they fall when I’m querying for guidance. I then pull clarifying tarot cards, to bring the whole reading together, and I journal the shapes/cards/themes that come through for me to reflect on later. I feel that it’s more than the shapes etc that matter, but the magickal correspondence behind the crystal that “called to you” in the first place that matters most. Nobody has to be experienced or “the High Priestess” to try lithomancy; pick up some quartz from a beach next time you visit, and see how it’s instinctively making you feel.
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I love making use of the crystals that are otherwise not in use, more than just a gorgeous rock to look at on my shelves. What this isn’t is an excuse to just buy more crystals. Crystal shopping, and hoarding them, can be a real addiction just like any other. A crystal doesn’t quickly fix problems, and if you’re picking them up for physical/medical conditions, then it’s time to put your credit card down and time to call up your doctor. Lithomancy isn’t just scrying into a crystal ball either, and if you do have a clear quartz crystal ball be sure to keep it covered during the day to keep the sun's rays from reflecting and causing a fire!

Why it’s important is that this is a method of divination that’s been around since Mesopotamia. Geomancy (a form of earth divination, sometimes involving sticks and also sometimes known in the east as a form of I Ching) is like a parent method to this branch of divination, and recently it’s become easier to purchase crystals with runes inscribed onto them for ease of reading. There have even been subscription boxes that include these, Vikings used to use them to help them reach their destinations and you can pick some incredible crystal pendulums now to help with your dowsing practice. 

Ways to incorporate it in magical practice include setting up intuitively selected crystals for a crystal grid before spell work, instinctively selecting a crystal before meditation, casting small chips for shapes & imagery, feeling the energetic pull between your decks and your crystals (who likes to match up with who?) and working with your astrological birthstone during solar returns.

​Crystal Grid for Intuition Growth & Spiritual Connection: Golden Spiral

You will need:

• Cleansed and comfortable space to spend time in
• You feel grounded and ready, not distracted by tasks

• 9 crystals
• Cute mat to lie them out on that brings you peace & joy when you look at it

1. If you would like to create a small, easy to build crystal grid for developing on your spiritual growth, imagine a snail shell. This is what you want to aim for. 

2. Set up close to where you will be performing (or receiving) your tarot & oracle reading.

3. Start with a centre small cluster or chip on the mat or fabric.

4. Working to the left and slightly south, about a centimeter out, place another similar sized chip. 

5. In a clockwise direction, then layer out the remaining crystals spiraling outwards adding more space between the crystals - adding room for growth that you wish to attain in your own spirituality.

Once you’ve finished, enjoy gazing at your crystal grid that works on bringing in the spiritual growth for you whilst you continue with your day to day.

A big thank you to Lizzie for her article - I loved learning about divination with crystals and really look forward to giving this a try!

" My name is Lizzie and I am the owner of backyardbanshee.com.  My previous work has been published on Witches Magazines and my next one is coming out in the next Witchology Magazine. You can also learn more about me and see what backyard banshee is about on my Instagram."