The Year of the Dragon: An Intro to the Chinese Zodiac

February 10th is the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year. While the calendar may have switched to 2024 in January, throughout China and all over the world, many people will welcome the Year of the Dragon this February.

All of these traditions have their roots in Ancient Chinese astrology, and Chinese astrology actually has its own zodiac system. You may already know that you’re an Aquarius, but do you know if you’re a Dragon?

The Basics of the Chinese Zodiac

According to Chinese mythology, the first Chinese emperor, Huangdi, invented the lunar calendar in 2637 BCE, and it was used as a guide to determine lucky and unlucky days, as well as the best times for planting and harvesting crops. However, it wouldn’t be until the Han Dynasty when Chinese astrology started to really focus on personal divination.

While the Western astrology that most of us are familiar with is closely related to planetary movements and constellations, Chinese astrology is tied to years. So, your Chinese Zodiac sign relates to the year you are born, not the stars you were born under.

The 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac have their origins in a mythological race, decreed by an emperor to determine the fastest animal. A rat won the day, but not by speed.

First, when his friend the cat asked for help in waking up the day of the race, the rat was so excited that he forgot to wake up his feline friend—resulting in the cat missing the race and being excluded from the zodiac.

When the race actually began, the rat jumped on the ox’s shoulders, and he jumped off at the finish line, just eking out a win. The rest of the animals followed. After the ox, came the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, and dog. The pig carried up the rear, having stopped for a snack and snooze along the way.

Your Chinese Zodiac Sign and What is Means

Use this helpful chart to determine your Chinese Zodiac sign and what it says about you:

Similar to Western astrology, Chinese zodiac signs are also associated with elements, namely those found in Feng Shui: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. Everyone has a fixed element (one that their zodiac sign is always associated with) and an annual element (one associated with the exact year of their birth).

The fixed elements are:

• Metal (willpower): Monkey and Rooster
• Water (communication): Rat and Pig
• Wood (creativity): Tiger and Rabbit
• Fire (energy): Snake and Horse
• Earth (grounding): Ox, Dragon, Goat, and Dog

Your annual element depends on the last number or your birth year:

• Metal: 0 or 1
• Water: 2 or 3
• Wood: 4 or 5
• Fire: 6 or 7
• Earth: 8 or 9

So, for example, if you were born in 1994, you are a dog who is ruled by Earth and Wood.

Chinese Zodiac Crystals

Crystals have long been associated with the Chinese Zodiac, with specific stones being assigned to specific signs:

What Does the Year of the Dragon Mean for You?

The crystal of the 2024 lunar year is Green Aventurine, a stone that symbolizes success, new beginnings, creativity, and strong relationships.

2023’s Year of the Rabbit was all about rest and peace, but the year of the dragon will be all about expansion and new opportunities. Many Chinese astrologers agree that 2024’s Year of the Dragon will be a year of transformation and prosperity, with monkeys, roosters, and pigs set to be the luckiest of all. 2024 will be a year for getting well-deserved recognition in the career sector, which will also probably come with financial benefits. However, many of us may notice difficulty in our romantic relationships (so reach for the Green Aventurine to smooth things over).

If you are a Dragon, you may think that this your lucky year, but be careful! Traditional wisdom states that when your zodiac sign comes up, it is tempting fate to be too prideful. Dragons should look inward instead of outward and avoid making any major life changes.

No matter what, 2024 will be a year to remember, so connect with your Chinese zodiac and see what you discover!

Happy Galentine’s Day: Crystals for Your Gal Pals

As February 14^th draws closer, don’t forget about the holiday that is as important—if not more important—than Valentine’s Day: Galentine’s Day. Originally appearing in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day has since left the realm of fiction to become part of pop culture.

So, what is Galentine’s Day? As Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope explains: “Oh, it’s only the best day ever. Every February 13^th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”

In addition to enjoying delicious breakfast food, Leslie Knope carefully selects a gift for each of her friends, and if you’re looking for something worthy of your closest gal pals, why not consider some crystals?

Galentine’s Day Crystals

Green Aventurine

Green Aventurine perfectly symbolizes the bond between friends. This crystal promotes trust and optimism, encouraging you to remain open. It also helps balance both your Chakra system and your friendships. Friendships are important relationships that deserve attention and care, and just like a romantic relationship, friendships can sometimes necessitate serious conversations. When that happens, Green Aventurine reminds you to be honest yet kind and work through your feelings without resentment or a fear of betrayal. Try a tumbled Green Aventurine stone or really pamper your pal with Green Aventurine massage wands!

Lapis Lazuli

Communication is a must for any relationship, and that’s where Lapis Lazuli comes in. This crystal connects your Throat, Third Eye, and Crown Chakras, allowing you to draw on divine wisdom in order to communicate effectively with your friends. Lapis Lazuli is also a stone of harmony and a great tool for deepening existing relationships. We particularly love these Lapis Lazuli soap stones.

Moss Agate

Moss Agate encourages you to accept your friends as they truly are—and when you do, this crystal shows you a whole world of abundance! If you are looking to attract new friends or turn a passing acquaintance into a true friend, Moss Agate is the crystal for you. These Moss Agate spheres are a great ally for spreading the power of friendship far and wide.

Pink Opal

For many of us, our friends are like family, and Pink Opal’s gentle, nurturing vibrations help keep that found family together. This crystal cleanses friendships, especially longstanding ones, of any negative or stagnant energy to ensure that you can all move forward together. We recommend giving a tumbled Pink Opal to every member of your friend group!

Pink Calcite

Pink Calcite is a powerful amplifier. It reminds you and your friends how much you mean to each other and helps you see things from each other’s perspectives. Pink Calcite also cleanses your Heart Chakra to promote forgiveness and compassion. When you work with Pink Calcite, you truly speak from the heart, so these Pink Calcite hearts are a great option.

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite is a partnership crystal, making it the perfect gift for your best friend. This loving crystal encourages empathy, balance, and confidence. It also resonates strongly with the divine feminine, making these Rhodochrosite slabs the perfect embodiment of the Galentine’s Day spirit.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is a classic for a reason; it is the ultimate love crystal, which makes it just as powerful for friendships as romance. Rose Quartz increases your own sense of self-love to attract new friends, and within established relationships, it cultivates profound happiness and peace. A Rose Quartz crystal bracelet is a simple and beautiful way to wear some love with you wherever you go.

This February, don’t forget your gal pals. Let’s make 2024 a Galentine’s Day to remember!

Rose Quartz: The Ultimate Love Crystal

February always has us thinking about loving people—romantic partners, friends, family, and, most of all, ourselves! And when it comes to love crystals, there is one that stands above the rest: Rose Quartz.

What is Rose Quartz?

Rose Quartz is a member of the Quartz family with other high vibration crystals like Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, and Smokey Quartz. Today, Rose Quartz is primarily mined in Brazil, but the earliest known Rose Quartz jewelry was crafted in Mesopotamia around 7000 BCE.

Rose Quartz has a distinctive, delicate pink color that matches well with its gentle, nurturing vibrations. This crystal is the physical embodiment of the divine feminine and unconditional love. Rose Quartz helps you find beauty everywhere, and it reminds you to constantly orient yourself towards the divine.

Rose Quartz for Romantic Love

If you are looking for a serious relationship, Rose Quartz should be your go-to stone. This crystal’s frequencies attract romantic partners, and it is a great addition to any beauty routine. Rose Quartz also helps you select the right partner by helping you identify what you really need in a relationship.

For people in a relationship, Rose Quartz continues to be a great ally. This crystal helps you deepen your connection through loving communication and trust.

Rose Quartz is also a must-have breakup crystal. It provides support as you work through your feelings of loss, betrayal, and hurt, and when you are ready, it gently opens you up to experiencing love again.

Rose Quartz for Platonic Relationships

Rose Quartz brings you closer to your friends and family. This crystal encourages empathy and promotes harmony within any relationship. It can also help you and your friends adapt as you each go through changes in your lives. When you work with Rose Quartz, you radiate unconditional love, and you spread some of that love everywhere you go—effortlessly attracting friends and improving others’ lives.

Children respond especially well to Rose Quartz, and new parents should use Rose Quartz to help develop a relationship with their baby.

Rose Quartz for Self-Love

Rose Quartz works closely with your Heart Chakra to heal your relationship with yourself. It reminds you that you are inherently worthy of love, and then it teaches you how to directly ask for the love that you deserve.

If you have experienced a loss, betrayal, or trauma, Rose Quartz helps you process the emotions and heal your wounds; it is even a helpful guardian against nightmares. This crystal emanates positive energy, reminding you to appreciate the good in life without ignoring the bad. Rose Quartz also eliminates negative self-talk, and it encourages you to release stress and avoid toxic people and situations. With this profound sense of self-worth, you will enjoy more confidence and peace.

No matter how you use it, Rose Quartz makes sure that your life will always be filed with love—in February and beyond!

Bottle It Up: DIY Crystal Spell Jars

Are you trying to manifest something in your life but struggling? Crystal spell jars may be the answer!

If you’ve never heard that term before, don’t worry. We’re here to walk you through the spell jar basics and give you a few suggestions on how to make your own.

What is a Spell Jar?

A spell jar is a physical embodiment of your intentions. It is a clear container filled with crystals, magical herbs, and anything else that relates to your intent. You can purchase a cute little bottle for the purpose, or you can just upcycle a jam jar. It’s the intention that matters.

The act of creating a spell jar is a powerful manifestation tool, allowing you to craft your intentions into a physical form. Then, you can display your spell jar somewhere as a reminder of your intent.

Spell jars are especially effective for long-term goals. Think about pickles, jams, or wine: all of these items are bottled up in order to preserve and even improve them over a long course of time. Your spell jar does the same thing!

How to Make A Spell Jar

• 1.Before you do anything else, clarify your intent. Why are you making this spell bottle? What are you hoping to manifest with it?
• 2.Select your materials. You will need:
• A jar, bottle, or other sealable container
• Crystal(s) relating to your intent
• Dried herbs, food, or flowers (make sure they are dried properly to avoid mold!)
• Any other items that relate to your intent and fit in your container, like a scrap of paper with your intent written on it or a small heart for a love spell. Feel free to explore your local craft store for ideas!
• A candle or other form of meltable wax in a color that corresponds with your intent (if you can’t find the right color, white is a great all-purpose option)
• 3.When you are ready to make your spell jar, find a quiet place where you can focus.
• 4.You may want to cleanse all of your materials before you combine them. You can use your favorite clearing method, such as Selenite or Clear Quartz, a circle of salt, or Reiki.
• 5.Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and state your intention out loud.
• 6.Then, assemble your jar. We recommend placing the largest and heaviest items, like the crystals, in first and sprinkling dried herbs, flowers, etc. on top. As you place each item into the jar, focus on why you are adding it and what it will do to assist your intent.
• 7.To seal your jar, put on the jar’s lid or cork. Then, light your candle or melt your wax and carefully drip it onto the lid while stating your intention again.
• 8.Display your jar somewhere where it is safe but accessible. For example, protection jars can be placed at the entryway to your home, or productivity jars can be placed on your desk.

Sample DIY Spell Jars

To help get you started, here are a few ideas for DIY spell jars:

Make Your Own Crystal Bath

Did you know that February was historically a month of cleansing? Its name comes from an Ancient Roman purification festival, Februa, that took place around February 15^th. Even February’s Zodiac signs, Aquarius and Pisces, have a connection to water.

And when it comes to purification, one of the best things you can do is a relaxing, refreshing crystal bath!

What is a Crystal Bath?

A crystal bath combines all the joys of soaking in a hot tub with healing frequencies from crystals. It is a great way to cleanse your aura, release anything that is holding you back, and relax your mind and body. It is also a great way to meditate and manifest.

All you need for a crystal bath is a bath tub, water, and a water-safe crystal, but you can also amplify your intentions—and make your crystal bath even more luxurious—with other ingredients like magical herbs, dried flowers, and essential oils (making sure you always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil to avoid negative side effects).

To create your crystal bath, simply draw your bath and add your ingredients to the water (crystals, herbs, oils, etc.). You can set the mood even more with candles, incense, or music. Take a few deep breaths to focus on your intention, step into the tub, and enjoy!

Water-Safe Crystals

The most important thing to consider when making your crystal bath is your crystal choice. It’s important to think about your intention, but it’s even more important to make sure that you pick a crystal that won’t disintegrate or release harmful minerals.

To determine whether a crystal is water-safe, there are two good rules of thumb:

• 1.Only place a crystal in water if it has a 6 or above on the Moh’s Hardness Scale.
• 2.Do not place crystals that contain mercury, copper, aluminum, or lead in water.

Many crystals that end in -ite (except Shungite) are not water-safe; however, Quartz varieties, like Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Smokey Quartz, and Rose Quartz, are great, safe choices for a crystal bath.

Other water-safe crystals include:

• Aventurine
• Carnelian (cannot be combined with bath salts)
• Agate
• Jasper
• Obsidian (may break if the water is extremely hot, so consider adding it once you are in the bath and have confirmed that the water is a safe temperature)

Since there are so many crystals out there, be sure to research the exact crystal you want to use in your bath before placing it in water. If you have your heart (and intuition) set on a certain crystal that isn’t water-safe, don’t worry! You can still use the indirect method. Simply place the crystal in your bathroom (but away from any water) and allow its frequencies to diffuse into the entire space.

Crystal Baths for Specific Intentions

When it come to the exact ingredients for your crystal bath, the possibilities are infinite. Consider your intentions, preferences, and intuition. If you need something to get you started, here are some of our favorite crystal baths:

Give crystal baths a try, and see just how refreshed, revitalized, and recharged you can be!