Easing Anxiety with Stones, Scents and Spells
Do your worries keep you up at night? Do you face every new day with a subtle feeling of dread? You are not alone -- millions of people go through the same feelings of anxiety and depression at times. While anxiety can have causes that should be addressed by a doctor, it is important to understand how these feelings affect your spirit. Learning to soothe yourself and calm your spirit can go a long way toward putting your mind at ease.
If you find that feelings of worry are keeping you from fully enjoying your life, there are things you can do to help re-center and prepare yourself to take on the world.
Carry A Protective Stone
Stones are the ideal representation of earth, the element of stability and security. If your worries are putting your head in the clouds, carrying or handling a stone can help you keep both feet on the ground. Depending on the nature of your feelings, some crystals may be more suitable than others. For example:
- Tiger eye is great for building self-esteem. Wear a tiger eye necklace or bracelet when your sense of confidence is shaken.
- Black tourmaline is a powerful protector. Wear or carry some when you are surrounded by negative people who make you feel worried or depressed, it will shield you from their energy.
- Amber is a bright, sunny stone. Unlike the heavy protective energy of black tourmaline, it helps by triggering the release of negative energies and thought patterns (like phobias). Wear or carry some when your spirits need lifting.
- Amethyst is often recommended to those who need a calming influence in their lives. It is a stone of meditation, so it really helps when it comes to soothing and calming the mind. Wear or carry some when you need to take some time to breathe, relax, and clear your head.
Lift Your Spirits with Scent
The fresh, citrusy scent of oranges is often credited with the ability to help lift dark moods and ease fears. They are tied to the sun, and, as a solar fruit, are associated with joy, success, confidence, and luck. You can steep some orange peels in white vinegar and add this to a spray bottle or mop water to help make your home a happier, more inviting place. You can also make a pomander by studding an orange with cloves, then hanging it in your home with a bit of bright ribbon. When you are on the go, tuck a bottle of Naranja or Orange Blossom cologne in your bag -- apply a little during the day when you feel you need a pick-me-up. Bergamont, Clary Sage and Uplifting oils can be worn on your wrists or neck and be reapplied throughout the day. Add any of these oils or colognes to baths at the end of the day to release built up tension. Incense is also a good way to lift your mood. Burn some at home before sleep to help calm the mind.
A Spell for Easing Fears
If you struggle with daily worries, let the bright white or yellow flowers of the yarrow plant take them from you. For this, you will need:
- a pink candle
- some dried yarrow
- parchment paper
- a square of yellow cloth
- one of the stones listed above.
Anoint the candle with Orange Blossom oil. Both oranges and the color pink are associated with love, happiness, and healing anxious feelings. Next, write your worries down on the parchment. Do not worry if you begin to feel anxious doing this, write down as many as you can. When you are done, anoint all four corners of the paper with the orange oil, and sprinkle the whole thing with dried yarrow while chanting,
"Worries that plague me, worries that bind,
They will be lifted, no longer in mind."
Fold the parchment up with the yarrow inside, and place it and the stone in the middle of the yellow fabric. Tie the fabric up in a bundle either using thread, ribbon, or just by knotting the corners together. Set the bundle in front of the candle and take a moment to sit quietly and picture yourself, fearless and joyful.
Snuff the candle and carry the bundle with you. When you feel your worries coming back or your self-confidence flagging, hold it in your hand and repeat the chant. When the bundle feels like it could use some recharging, re-light the candle and repeat the visualization.
Everyone experiences some anxiety or depression now and then. Sometimes, healing these feelings needs a doctor's help. Other times, you may find relief by soothing your soul. By tapping in to the natural calming powers of crystals, herbs, and rituals, you may be able to start yourself on the road to overcoming your worries.