The Opal Owl Blog

tickled pink: new custom-made talisman

2011-06-14T17:32:00.001-04:00

This lovely little custom- made talisman was a complete joy to make! It holds within it the power of union and connection with self, others and spirit, this talisman is a true beacon for love.

Its base is a shell I collected as a child on the Boulanderie shore in Cape Breton, where my family hails from. Under the pink ribbon is a small clear, glass marble with a tiny bubble in its centre that I found recently when gardening.

The centerpiece is a vintage shell clip-on earring, circa 1940 that is surrounded in pearl like beads that have been hand strung and wrapped to hold it all securely and lovingly in place. This talisman is precious and delicate with a whimsy that speaks to romance.

With all of the shells in it this talismans holds a great deal of water energy. The shells are also a bone of sort, which gives the piece the more balancing and grounded element of the earth. Grounding and flowing with emotion this talisman holds a seed within its pink wrapping waiting to unfurl.

The final wrapping used a kraft colored box wrapped in gauze, pink and blue ribbon and then adorned with rose and clear quartz beads. Again all aspects of the creation process within this piece were delightful! The individual requested the commission after an energy healing session and left it to me to "divine" the piece that would be perfect for her on this leg of her personal and spiritual journey.

Dimensions: 2 x 1.5x 1"

Materials: collected shell, vintage shell clip on earrings circa 1940's, found small class marble, pink ribbon, silver colored wire and pearlised micro-beads

chrysanthemum stone

2011-04-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

May's featured stone is the chrysanthemum stone. This image has been energetically charged so you can receive the vibrational benefits of the stone by gazing at the image for 30 seconds. The chrysanthemum stone aids in grounding, finding one's soul purpose and inspires joy and creation.

Sign up to receive the monthly Opal Owl newsletter for information on a new crystal each month as well as tips and insights on crystals and energy healing work.

Swan Altar

2010-11-21T21:19:00.000-05:00

I took a break from my mad talisman making for all my upcoming craft shows this December and constructed myself a lovely "installation" or altar on my work table. "Together Forever" is made up of pieces of flint I collected on the shores of Cape Breton, a couple of gemmy rose quartz crystals, two "together forever" swan salt and pepper shakers, several strands of faux pearls, a variety of vintage clip on earrings and broaches and a bunch of clear calcite and clear quartz pieces.

new talismans

2010-11-20T22:05:00.001-05:00

Here are some new talismans that I will have for sale at craft shows in December!
Check here for more pictures and here for show details.

Athame (ritual knife) with copper wire, black tourmaline, hematite and unidentified feather.

grounding tool: silver plated dinner fork, faux pearl, "crown" key, golden wire and mustard

and teal embroidery floss

wand (ritual tool) glass, orange and mustard suede, carnelian, silver colored wire

and crimson embroidery floss.

the talisman factory

2010-11-18T21:31:00.088-05:00

BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!

I am working away making all kinds of sparkly, pretty and magical things for three upcoming artisan shows Opal Owl is participating in this December!

Come Check out our wares at The Wandering Winter Craft Show Sunday December 5th,
11AM to 4PM at the legion on 201 Niagara St(at King St W) and Sunday December 19th
10AM to 4PM at the Gladstone Hotel, 2nd Floor, 1214 Queen Street West (at Dufferin)

We will also be doing the 401 Artistans Marketplace this year for 4 days starting Thursday
Dec 9th until Sunday Dec 12th (TH-SA 11am -8pm, SU 11am-6pm) 401 Richmond Street
West (at Spadina)

And if you can't make the shows selected talisman ornaments will be available
for sale at Wonderworks in Toronto!

Check out some of the newly completed talisman ornaments here!

Chakras

2010-10-16T19:17:00.001-04:00

Often people ask me for more information or to recommend further reading on the chakra system. Recently I've been reading the book Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith which was written over 20 years ago. Her later book Eastern Body Western Mind is a great resource also and one I reference often in my practice. While the chakra system they reference is a bit different than the one I use in my Crystal Resonance Therapy Practice I would highly recommend Wheels of Life as a thorough introduction to the chakra system. Both of these books are great!

I also just came across this podcast with Anodea Judith speaking on the chakra system.

Hummingbird Wand

2010-09-06T09:30:00.002-04:00

I recently completed this wand and thought I would share it with you as it has a different feel than many of my talismans. I have a real facination and affinity with trees and a VERY abundant collection of branches I have gathered from my travels within and outside of the city. I never take branches from trees that are living but rather seize the opportunity of collecting fallen branches as gifts from the trees :)

This other worldly wand is over the top measuring in at just over three feet long!

The shaft of this magical wand is a magical elm branch collected by the artist in a little-known grove within the heart of the big city. The handle is carefully wrapped in crimson ribbon topped with a golden colored hummingbird fetish with faux ruby eyes and dappled crystalline body. This fantastical wand is lovingly adorned with dangling beads of carnelian and coral, pinecones and stars, crosses and sparkly faux diamonds.

This is a delicate piece to be used for special occasions or even displayed year round on the wall.

The energy of this crimson beauty is many; the hummingbird imparts joy and adds a delicate breeze, the element of wind. Carnelian, a fire element stone, stirs passion and awakens the fire within, coral stimulates intuition and creativity while quieting the emotions and creating peace.

Elm trees carry the energy of intuition as well and they are favorite tree of the wood elves, this wand will help you to attune to these more ethereal beings. Elm helps you to hear your inner call with magical work and to become attuned to the Nature Realm.

materials: elm branch, red ribbon, carnelian, coral and agate beads, various metal baubles.

Email me at leslie@opalowl.ca if you want more information, are interested in purchasing this wand or are interested in ordering a custom-made wand.

Hemimophite and Smithsonite

2010-08-31T07:30:00.000-04:00

As promised this post will continue on revealing my smithsonite and hemimorphite explorations! I gave some background in the Gemboree Adventure post about the trace element zinc that is present both these stones, now I will touch on some of the energetic experiences and information I have gotten from working with and researching these lovely crystals.

hemimorphite specimen purchased at the Bancroft Gemboree

My first experience with the hemimorphite was when it “came” into a session energetically right onto the heart chakra, it seemed to nestle right in there (Sometimes if a stone is not in the room with me during a session and I get the intuition to use it I will bring it in energetically rather than leave the room to go get it). This all happened before I meditated with it myself, which I found very interesting… I took this as a sign that this particular piece was the first one I would work with and share with you. While all stones of a particular type will share energetic properties ultimately each individual stone has its own signature.

In this case the stone I am talking about is this lovely sea blue horseshoe shaped piece. When I researched the blue variety of hemimorphite specifically it was said to be linked to the heart chakra and then when I meditated with this particular piece boy oh boy did that confirm the heart chakra connection. I immediately felt this stone in my heart; it caused a couple of palpitations that manifested as a quick clearing of some energetic debris that was just ready to be released. As the meditation went on the energy moved into my throat and again felt quite cleansing, in this case soothing as well. Then to my surprise it moved right up into my third eye, where I experienced this feeling of expansion and again clearing. It had a real watery quality to it, but again the way the energy moved and felt it also could be a storm element stone. In this case I will say its both water and storm. After the meditation I experienced intense energy moving throughout my body, clearing away debris right down to my base chakra, it made me feel like I really needed to stretch and move. This was an amazing cleansing and ultimately energizing crystal encounter, Several hours later I can feel the impact and I look forward to watching things unfold over the next 24 hours!

smithsonite specimans purchased at the Bancroft Gemboree

The first piece of smithsonite I bought was this lovely lavender pink piece (the stone on the right side of the picture), it felt so soft, gentle and loving when I first picked it up and even though pink as a colour throws me off a little I new this delicate yet powerful healing energy was seriously needed at this time. A friend later told me about how smithsonite enhances the psychic connection between the healer and client if both are holding a piece during a session. This of course for me is very useful information to have! Thanks Silla!

The meditation I just did with this wonderful specimen confirmed my first instinct that it is a very loving and gentle energy. Like the hemimorphite the energy was felt immediately in my heart chakra but the way it felt was very different than the hemimorphites quick agility and no nonsense kind of clearing. This piece of smithsonite went directly to the heart but with a very gentle, compassionate and soft energy that moved from the heart to the upper heart area tenderly releasing old grief and heartache. All this time it was a very soft energy, it was still intense but it was more fluid, no question this is a water element stone. When thinking of how I could aptly describe its energy I had images of little fluffy clouds (almost angelic but not wind energy), wisps of pastel vapor in water, almost milky in texture come to mind. A sensation that describes the energy is the feeling of tall seaweed swaying back and forth in a subtle current of an almost still lake.

This crystal also worked on my throat and third eye chakras, it was as if the energy was moving out of my throat and 3^rd eye chakra and being released through my breath, through a lot of sighing and deep, outward, open mouthed breathing which made the release quicker. Although this was a powerful release it continually maintained a quite loving, gentle and ultimately kind hearted feeling. All that said smithsonite, in all its ranges of colours, accesses the emotional body on all levels and teaches us about divine unconditional love, joy, peace and communication.

Bancroft Gemboree Adventure

2010-08-03T11:43:00.036-04:00

This past month I went to the 47^th Annual Gemboree Rock and mineral show in Bancroft Ontario, apparently the largest gem show in Ontario. It was held, small town Ontario style, in two arenas with a mini bus shuttle between. Oh the smell of arenas and the mini school bus transported me to my youth, a truly special experience in small town living. I spent two days at the show the first day just surveying, feeling out the place, the stones the sellers and of course the prices. There was something for everyone really, jewelry sculptures, mineral specimens of all sizes, shapes and prices. It was overwhelming to say the least. I bought a couple of things but in the end decided to sleep on it to see what stones were calling out to me the loudest, what did I truly need at this time and what was lacking from my collection that my clients would benefit from.

After a fitful rest full of swirling colors, glittering gems, and an energetic smorgasbord of chemical compositions I awoke with very little clarity. All I could do was go back and trust I would find what I needed. Again I did one arena then the other then back again finally ready to buy. My lot included one large piece of carnelian, 2 smaller pieces, both palm size (one raw and one polished), a lepidiolite pendulum, some diopside and serpentine from Quebec and a bunch of smaller samples of gems I have never worked with before.

My biggest purchases and ultimate favorites are the three pieces of hemimorphite and two pieces of smithsonite I snatched up. I have yet to do full meditations with each of them but I am very excited to so soon. The research I have been doing in the meantime has led me to realize that they both are zinc-based minerals and at one time they were considered to be the same stone, which was then called calamine. But the chemical analysis is in fact different; smithsonite is a carbonate mineral ZnCO₃and hemimorphite is a silicate mineral Zn₄Si₂O₇(OH)₂·H₂O. So it made so much sense that I was attracted to both of them quite strongly, seems I need some serious zinc energy! The trace mineral Zinc is a fire energy element, smithsonite is classified as a water element stone and hemimoiphite as storm energy (storm is essentially all the elemental energies at once). So this mix is an interesting one indeed!

After saying all of that there was one other stone that I was eyeing very seriously and that was zincite, again another zinc based crystal, this one has some serious fire energy, it was buzzing away when I held it, and was almost too much for me. The zincite I had seen before came in very small shards but this was a big chunky crystal. I asked the dealer about this size variation and he told me the story of where it had come from. Apparently these large zincite crystals were produced in the vents of old zinc smelting plants in Poland. The crystals were a byproduct of this antiquated technology. All the specimens were recovered in the 90’s and are now quite difficult to come by. Even though they are not “naturally” formed they are sought after in both the healing and mineral collector communities. I can really see the draw, in the few minutes of holding one my experience energetically was quite intense. Although in the end I didn’t buy one, sadly it was outside of my budget, I will be keeping my eyes open for these in the future.

Well that’s all I have to say about my serious zinc experience in Bancroft! I will do a more in depth coverage on smithsonite and hemimorphite in the coming weeks! Until then…

all images courtesy of Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com

Opal Owl: August 2010 Newsletter

2010-08-01T08:32:00.026-04:00

August 2010 Newsletter

The Power of Peridot

Thinking of August and what stone to feature this month, I thought I would look to see what the August birthstone is. To my pleasant surprise, it is one of my favorites (okay, I do have a lot of favorites): peridot! To put it in a nutshell, these stones are amazing little gems full of positive power.

Peridot is an earth energy stone and a wonderful ally when connecting with the subtle realms of nature. This is a strong stone of manifestation that allows you to gently expand and learn to receive from the universe. It is a heart healer on both the physical and emotional planes, and a wonderful support when recovering from inhalant addictions like tobacco. There is something about the green of these summer months and the healing effects of peridot that go hand in hand for me. It's like soaking up the loving energy of a nature when you have a piece on your heart chakra. Peridot teaches you the wonders of receiving unconditional love in a world that is so often wrought with conditions.

In Crystal Resonance Therapy, the chemical compositions of minerals play an important part in the analysis and healing process. The chemical composition of peridot is (Mg, Fe) 2SiO4; Mg (magnesium) is a soothing mineral that calms the nervous system and Fe (iron) grounds light energy, from the metaphysical level into the physical body. It is the amount of iron present in the stone that determines its colour, which ranges from light to dark olive green.

Opal Owl: August Special
2-FOR-1 SESSIONS

When you initiate your healing journey in most modalities, your first session is often the start of an ongoing process. While in certain instances one session is enough to work through a particular issue, most clients benefit from regular ongoing energetic work. Energy work is cumulative and results happen over time, just like the cumulative effects of an exercise program.

My role as a Crystal Resonance Therapist and Reiki Practitioner is to act as your facilitator, to guide and support you on your healing journey. You lead the show and I support you through the process of personal empowerment, self-growth and resolving and releasing energetic patterns of past traumas. The beauty of this work is that only the things that you are ready to work through will ever come up in a session. Often clients have worked through issues via talk therapy, but don’t feel fully resolved with them at some level. This often happens when we are still retaining or holding these patterns in our energy bodies. Crystal Resonance Therapy and Reiki can clear these energetic patterns and assist you releasing them, providing relief and ultimately helping to shift deeply ingrained patterns.

I am offering a 2-for-1 opportunity, so that you can experience the cumulative effects of this kind of healing process firsthand. I recommend that you have the 2 sessions no more that 2 weeks apart, which will allow for time to integrate the last session and to have momentum to build upon. Book your initial session during the month of August to receive this 2-for-1 special.

Have a wonderful month!

Leslie Peters
- Reiki Practitioner and certified Crystal Resonance Therapist

Peridot image courtesy of Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com

Opal Owl: July 2010 Newsletter

2010-07-01T08:49:00.024-04:00

July 2010 Newsletter

image courtesy of Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com

Amber: The Element of Fire
With summer officially in full swing, my first sunburn of the season, the
Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland on our heals and the 30-year
anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the element of fire
has been heavy on my mind. Fire is a force of destruction, as well as
the element that gives us the passion to create and manifest. Fire is
movement of energy, a necessary force in healing, cleansing,
manifestation and of letting go. Some fire element stones include
carnelian, sunstone and malachite. One that I have been drawn to using
a lot lately is amber, while not a fire element stone (it's an earth
element), and while technically not a stone at all (it's actually
fossilized botanical resins), it to me embodies the element of the sun
in physical form. It is warming and soothing like the rays of the sun,
but simultaneously connects us to the plants and trees from which it
comes. It is a stone that enhances physical vitality, giving us access
to the energy of the sun even on the darkest days. If you have amber,
be it jewellery or a raw piece, I urge you pull it out of the closet or
jewellery box its in, slip it into your pocket, onto your wrist or into
your environment allowing the rays of purification to cleanse your
body, mind, spirit and space.

Opal Owl: July Special
COMPLIMENTARY CUSTOM BLENDED GEM ELIXIR FOR CLIENTS WHO BOOK IN JULY
Opal Owl is now offering custom-made gem elixirs. Gem elixirs are energetic
support tools that assist you in continuing your healing work after and
in between Crystal Resonance Therapy™ sessions. These elixirs are
essentially distilled water and gel silica that has been brought into
resonance with particular crystals and energetic frequencies, to assist
you in maintaining a specific vibration or frequency in between
sessions, further facilitating, aiding and empowering you through your
healing process. The general dosage is 3 drops three times a day, but I
always instruct clients more specifically when preparing their
particular blend.

While there are many quality gem elixirs on the market, the benefit to using my elixirs is that I personally charge them for my clients. Firstly, I charge them with the crystal's inherent frequency, then with the intentions that are specific to my clients needs, i.e., self love, gentleness, manifestation energies and also with any elemental energies that may be called for. Additionally, the crystals that I use in treatments are the same crystals I use in making the gem elixirs, which ensures that the specific frequencies that you are exposed to in a CRT™ session are the same as the elixir. The benefit of this is that your energy field is already attuned to the elixir, as well with the energies I work with and will more readily go into alignment with these familiar energetic frequencies.

What is an Altar?

2010-04-02T18:18:00.004-04:00

This is a question I have been asked on a number of occasions and I believe it could be answered in many different ways by many different people...

For me an alter is a sacred space where I put meaningful objects and items to reflect upon. These objects include pictures, natural found items like sticks and stones, messages or information, essentially things to remind me of who I am and of the things that are important to me. Things that speak to my spirit and to my heart, offerings to my higher self, source energy and to my guides along the way.

I have many altars, I have permanent altars that face the cardinal directions and I meditate in front of them according to my intuitive sense. I also create temporary altars wherever I go. When I travel I collect things from where I am as well as things I have brought so I have a sacred space on the road, which also reminds me of car altars, oh the things that can line the dashboard. Even in my bathroom the old built in soap holder is now the housing for a small bathroom altar.

There are as many different kinds of altars as there are people, try googling or looking on flickr really its quite fascinating! There are completely ornate high mass church altars, altars found on the sides of roads and then lovely little kitchen altars. Altars speak so much about their creators...look around perhaps you have an altar and you didn't even know it ;)

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above is production still (shot by Leslie Peters) for the peice Neverman's Land by Tristan R Whiston

Recent Custom Talisman

2010-03-09T16:10:00.000-05:00

Here is a recent commissioned talisman made as as a gift! I took some pictures so I could share some of this process with you!

The base is a silver collectors spoon with a ram on the handle. The spoon is adorned with sparkly emerald and lime green colored jewels and a glimmering enamel fish fetish.

The owner remarked that it was "glam" and its true! I felt this when making the piece that she had some inner sparkle to be revealed.

The Ram signifies the seeking of new beginnings, spoons are akin to the tarot suit the cups and represent the element of water and the emotions. The colour green speaks to growth healing and abundance. Overall this talisman indicated a move into new realms, into the light, the readiness to shine with full brilliance. Glam indeed :)

talismans exhibition documentation

2010-02-14T20:53:00.006-05:00

I have just finished putting up most of the documentation pictures and descriptions from my exhibition last year at the Fleishman Gallery (Wonder Works) in Toronto called talismans for the home. They are all for sale unless they say Sold and I also make custom talismans based on your needs!

If you haven't read it yet check out this interview with me about the exhibition and process of making the talismans as well.

Crystal Cave

2010-01-23T10:41:00.005-05:00

This recent find in Mexico is absolutely incredible. The crystal cave is filled with Selenite crystals so huge it truly baffles my mind, apparently the largest crystals ever discovered. This one is for all the crystal size queens out there...You know who you are!

Crystal FAQ's

2010-01-22T07:29:00.006-05:00

What could be better to start off the OpalOwl blog than to feature an overview of FAQ related to crystals and crystal healing? Why reinvent the wheel when my teacher and founder of the Crystalis Institute and Crystal Resonance Therapy has an excellent radio show that deals with this very topic!

Naisha Asihan is an expert on the subject of Crystals and Healing and this episode called Crystal Theory 2 - Crystal FAQ's.

"Does size matter? Does polishing a crystal hurt or change its energy? How important is color in crystal healing? When a stone breaks, can it still be used? These and other frequently asked crystal questions will be addressed in this must-listen 1 hour show! Naisha will be pulling out the stops (as usual) in sorting out folklore from fact and offering her opinions on the subjects of crystals and crystal healing."