How to Use Common Stones in Magick and Spells

The use of crystals and stones for their energy for healing, protection, and luck has become commonplace even among those who don't practice magick.

Many crystals are recognized as possessing certain qualities and specialized energies. Books of various sizes (and quality) attempt to describe these energies and methods of utilizing the stones in magick.

As extensive and readily available as this information is today, however, there's a noticeable lack of attention given to the energies inherent within everyday stones you find right outside your door. All matter is composed of energy and as such all stones possess energy that can be used for magickal purposes, no matter whether or not humans attribute an aesthetic or monetary value to them.

But, you may ask, how do we know what energy some random stone contains?

The color and origin of a common stone may provide clues to its potential use in magick and spells. Ultimately, it's your intuition that will lead you to recognizing why a particular stone stands out for you and how it can help you.

Color Energy

When first learning to identify the energy in stones, we're often taught that the color will give away the answers.

For example, a green stone may involve matters of money and wealth as green is typically associated with these areas. Likewise, green is also the color of the heart Chakra, so a green stone may resonate with loving and healing energies.

In some cultures, the color green is associated with scholarly pursuit. Thus a green stone may help with studying, learning, and test-taking.

As you can see, each color may hold a variety of associations--and thus possible energies--leaving you without a definitive answer as to what properties a particular common stone holds. That said, the colors of the stones help to narrow down the possibilities.

Once you have a partial idea from the color, you can look at other factors. For example, a common stone with some pink hues may suggest love, but a deeper look into other factors--such as the shape of the stone, its weight, how or if it reflects light--may reveal to you that the stone vibrates loving energy associated with a cozy, peaceful home instead.

Location Energy

Where you found the common stone may help considerably in understanding what energies it possesses. Certain locations imply different characteristics.

For example, a stone found on the beach is likely to have qualities associated with the ocean, whereas a stone found in the woods may have qualities associated with woodlands or even the specific plant or tree it was found by.

Sometimes other factors present themselves to alert you to the common stone's energies.

You may pick up a stone and then have a deer cross your path or a particular bird fly overhead. The known energetic associations of those animals may be linked to the stone you picked up. Perhaps when you first touched the stone, the wind gusts suddenly implying the stone has qualities associated with the Element of Air.

Whenever you come across a common stone you feel drawn to, pay close attention to these subtle clues as they will alert you to the stone's significance for you.

For example, I have a green stone found in a pile of landscaping stones in a motor pool during a moment of downtime from my Army days. The green suggested a connection with the earth and knowledge.

The location of the motor pool wasn't as significant as the fact that it was found among other stones that were comparatively plain and during a time when a day--that was meant to be productive--ended up wasted in wait. The location, then, implied the stone served as a reminder that no time is wasted as you can connect with the earth and notice information that stands out from what is obvious if you just take the time to look.

Connecting with the energy of that common stone helped me with grounding and noticing patterns that previously went unnoticed by others and myself.

Using Your Intuition for Common Stones

Stones--whether recognized as special, magickal crystals or simply as common stones with no known monetary value--have a tendency of calling out to us when we need them in our lives. If you find yourself drawn to a common stone you found while out in nature, you may find that the energy inherent within that stone is something of value to you.

To find out what that energy is, start out by handling the stone. Tap into your heart center or third eye (whatever method you use for tuning into your inner voice). Then, begin asking these questions:

What color is the stone?
Where did you find the stone?
Do any thoughts or images come to mind while you're holding or looking at the stone?
Were you thinking of a problem or question that you have previously been unable to resolve when you happened upon the stone?
What are you feeling while you're holding the stone?
- How were you feeling when you found it?
- How were you feeling before you found it?

Take note of the answers that come to you. The answers you receive to these and related questions will help you identify what purpose the common stone serves for you.

Once you know what energy a common stone holds and what purpose it may serve for you, you can start using the common stone in magick as you would any other crystals and stones.