Magick Mondays - Lithomancy
Magick Mondays - Lithomancy Lithomancy Otherwise known as reading stones, Lithomancy is a divination method, popular in the British isles, using either 13 or 16 stones depending on the variation you use to cast a reading from. There appears to be very little recorded history on the subject but it is believed to have begun in Constantinople, now modern day Istanbul in turkey. There are 2 variations commonly used the first being the 13 stone set and the second being the 16 stone set. 13 stone set This one is used the most commonly and comprises of 13 different stones or crystals each with its own subject or idea these are as follows. LOVE, MAGICK, LUCK, HOME, LIFE, NEWS, MERCURY, VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, SUN, MOON. 16 Stone set Is used more by the Wiccan and Neo Pagan paths again have 16 different stones or crystals with their own topics and ideas, which are MALE, FEMALE, LOVE, JOY, DEATH, SORROW, PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE, EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER, SUN, MOON and a CENTRE STONE. This is also my preferred method or path. So what stones should you use? Well the thing with Lithomancy is you can use whatever stones you like making acquiring a set really easy. Although the obvious preferred method would be ones you have collected yourself, if you cant, buying them is just as good and viable way of gaining a set. Ok so now we have our sets there is a few extra things you can use to keep them safe and help perform casts. Mainly a container I store mine in a cloth bag inside a wooden box alongside a white casting mat when not in use, I would say a bag is essential especially when performing certain castings it makes things a lot easier but as long as you look after the stones they will work for you. Next we look at the interpretations of each of the stones, as with most divination methods each casters interpretations will be different, but tend to have a basic root theme7 13 stone set SUBJECT INTERPRETATION LOVE Itself, Relationships, Compassion MAGICK Itself LUCK Itself HOME Itself NEWS Itself LIFE Itself MERCURY Communication, Gaining Knowledge, Travel VENUS Love Matters, Beauty, Artistic MARS Brings Strife and Hardship, Brings Energy JUPITER Luck, Good Fortune, Gain Wealth SATURN Time, Slow, Change Bad Luck and Misfortune SUN Itself, Leadership, Outgoing MOON Itself, Spirituality, Change 16 Stone Set SUBJECT INTERPRETATION MALE Masculinity, A Man, Action, Aggression FEMALE Femininity, A Woman, Passive, Nurturing SUN Itself, Leadership, Outgoing MOON Itself, Spirituality, Change EARTH Itself, Abundance, Winter AIR Itself, Intellect, Mental, Spring FIRE Itself, Creativity, Willpower, Summer WATER Itself, Culture, Emotions, Autumn PAST Itself, Wisdom, Knowledge, Insight PRESENT Itself, Reality, Learning, Awake FUTURE Itself,Fate, Dreams, Control JOY Itself, Luck, Optimism SORROW Itself, Sadness, Misfortune, Pessimism LOVE Itself, Relationships, Compassion DEATH Itself, Forgiveness, Banishings, New Beginnings CENTRE STONE NOT USED FOR INTERPRETATIONS Ok so at this point we are now set to start using our sets, we have our kits and a basic knowledge of how to interpret the stones so the next stage would be to get ready for a casting. Firstly I like to charge each of the stones before using them and to do this you would first wash the stones in spring water, then place them on your altar. Visualize a white aura surrounding your body, then visualize this energy flowing into the tool in front of you, allow this to continue until you feel the stone is fully charged. Take some consecrated salt water, to do this take a bowl of water, regular tap water is fine but you can use spring or bottled water. Fill a small bowl and pour in salt, being very generous as salt in magick is well known for being able to absorb magickal energies and as spiritual protection in rituals. In this instance it will clean away and absorb any residual energies, be it positive or negative items fully cleansed. Take your index and middle finger and hold them together just above the water. Start to breathe in slowly and deeply. On the in breath visualize a white energy gathering around you like a white aura. On the out breath let the white aura flow down through your body and fingers and into the water, whilst doing this resist the urge to push the aura out let it flow naturally out your fingertips, also try not to tense up, relax as much as possible. When you get the sense of a total peace, that is the time to stop. Sprinkle the water over the stones and speak the words “I now charge you with Water and Earth” Now take up the stones and hold them over a smoking incense of your choice, sage is a nice common one to use, and speak the words “I now charge you with Fire and Air” Your stones are now charged and ready to use, repeat with all the other stones you need.
