July Challenge Entries

Below are the entries from the July Challenge, Self Representation.

These items are from the studio of AfterSix and you may visit the studio, just click the name below.
AfterSix Artfire Studio

Gemstones

In any book that you pick up about Earth Magick, in any form, you will see that one reoccurring theme is going to be gemstones.

Gemstones are an important part, especially in ritual. The natural energy and power that is held inside a simple stone is so mystical. Each stone holds its own properties and can be used for different reasons.

Personally, I love using natural gemstones in my designs just because of that natural energy. You can feel it while you work with it. When you finally finish a piece, you set it up and look at it, knowing that whomever buys it will then receive the positive vibes. It's very fulfilling.

So here are some great uses of gemstones and the studios that made them. Click on the studio name under the slideshow to check out the people who created these amazing designs.

***Featured Studios*** Just click on a studio name to visit them.
AfterSix
Angelas_Adornments
GGS_Exclusives
GoddessJoy
JewelryByAndrea
JupiterMoon
MamaCarrieMakes
MoonlitHerbals
Nightmaiden
SleepingCatBeads
Thyme2Dream
WhisperingWoods
WiccanMagickShack

Symbols

For today's Free Reign Friday, I have opted to have "Symbols" as our theme.

Everyone knows about these but how much do we really know versus how much have we learned from the television. Granted, there are some things that are very informative on TV but we as Pagans kinda get shafted a little.

Most shows out there, not including the ones on Discovery Channel, take the idea of being Pagan as a bad thing. The use of a Pentacle as an evil mark is one of the largest misconceptions I have seen. Sure it makes for great fiction, but that's just what it is, fiction.

The Pentacle is one of the most used Pagan symbols. It is a protection symbol. The 5 points each represent the 5 elements, each working together, thus the circle. Of course here is the main thing to know, a pentacle is with the circle and a pentagram is without. Betcha didn't know that, did ya?

We use lots of symbols and what we use can be greatly determined by what path we follow. While I am personally Wiccan, I also use the Triple Moon. This is a symbol of Trinity. While Christians have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have the Maiden, Mother and Crone. This symbolizes the Triple Goddess.

While I could go on and on about all the different symbols that are used, believe me it would never end. You can see just a sampling of some of the symbols as they are used in gorgeous handmade creations. Each item has the name of the studio listed with it and below the photos you can click on a studio to visit it. As I'm sure that these items will make you drool and you will just HAVE to check them out...

***Featured Studios***
AfterSix
GaelicKnotStudio
GGS_Exclusives
JewelryByAndrea
LiminalThreads
Nightmaiden
SanikiCreations
StudioNocturna
Thyme2Dream
WhisperingWoods
WiccanMagickShack

Post thumbnail courtesy of MirthReverence

Earth Element

For the very first "Free Reign Friday", I decided to kick off the feature with the element Earth.

Earth is represented within the zodiac signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. People who are associated with the element of Earth can portray attributes such as practicality and restraint. These people are usually very grounded mentally and spiritually.

Gemstones come from the Earth and thus are very powerful. They help to gain confidence, balance the mind and strengthen the physical body. Some of these gemstones include Agate, Onyx, malachite, Obsidian, Aventurine, Quartz and Turquoise.

When using the element Earth in magick, this element is most powerful when used for employment, stablility and fertility.

Earth is a feminine element and rules the North.

Featured are some items from various studios. All of these items are a representation of the element Earth. Scroll down under the pictures for a listing of studios.

***Featured Studios*** Yes, you may click on the names of the studios to go inside and buy something. They won't mind...
Angelas_Adornments
StudioNocturna
AfterSix
DragonMoonCreations
LiminalThreads
WhisperingWoods
Thyme2Dream
MirthReverence
GGS_Exclusives