Dunno if this has been asked before....O_O

[Waterstorm]

Not sure where to ask this....

Sorry if I sound a bit daft, but I was wondering how you charge a stone... And also, does the stone "work" if you don't charge it? And....Do all spells have to be done in a sort of ritual?(casting a circle, etc.) Just some rookie questions :D

[Rain Gnosis]

See the word "Search" up at the top of the page? If you click it, you can search the forum to see if things have already been discussed. In this case, you could search for "charge stone" and have found threads on charging stones. We even have a forum for stones.

For example, this thread has what you're looking for - http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=19997

Sometimes it's hard to find the right threads though, so if you've done a search and still can't find stuff, just ask. Don't think I'm saying you were bad for posting :)

So, to your other questions. Do spells have to be done in a circle? No. But I'd suggest you learn about spellcrafting and circles so you know why most of the time people do spells in circle. If you understand the mechanics of circles you'll understand why people use them.

Will a stone "work"? Well it depends on what you mean by work. What do you want your stone to do?

[Waterstorm]

Okay, thanks for telling me ^_^

For example, if you have a piece of amber with you everywhere you go for protection, will it actually do anything if you don't charge it? I know that it doesn't always work, but will the chances of it working be better if you charge it?

[Laurelei]

Stones always have a natural power about them so, yes, I suppose it will 'work'. However, by charging it you can intensify the power and direct it for a specific purpose.

Charging a stone? Hmm, well, I guess there's more methods than I know or can say, so here's my favourites:

Leave it on a pentacle on your altar for at least 24 hours.

Rub your hands togrther quickly and pull them apart and closer slightly to feel energy building up. Then, quickly pick up the stone or object, hold it in your hands, and focus al your attention and strength on this object.

Depending on the stone, leave it out in the sun or moons rays.

Stand up tall. Hold your hands over and imagine a white hot light entering and encircling the stone. Do this for as long as you like. You can make this more complicated if you like, visualisation makes for powerful charging (well, it does for me anyway :))

Right, well, I can't remember anymore because my head is a bit fuddled from a bottle of Bailys! :D

Okay, I can stand one more question. "....Do all spells have to be done in a sort of ritual?(casting a circle, etc.)" Hmm, I suppose that depends on how far your thoughts stretch in the spectrum of 'spells'. Take kitchen witches for example, they make all kinds of lotions and potions, which can be classed as spells, but they don't all use circles when cooking. (Actually, do any?) If you're talking about a banishing spell, or a spell to get something you want, or anything more elaborate then it would be better to use a circle to build up the energy and protection from negative influences ruining the effects of the spell. It all depends on your beliefs, really.

[anise]

Here's just my spin on your questions (keep in mind I'm heavily influence by Celtic Reconstructionist).

Stones, like Laurelei said, have a natural power, or charge to them already depending upon what stone it is. If you want to further charge a stone for a direct purpose what I do is meditate and direct energy into the stone myself by holding it in my hands. I'm sure there are thousands of ways of doing this, but I find my method very effective.

I also don't perform in a circle ever. The entire world is sacred, and it is the entire world that I go about my daily life and have to function in. I don't want to seperate any part of myself from it for any ritualistic purpose. I do acknowledge the elements and ask them to be present, but I don't cast a circle. So basically, if you are in a faith that teaches the importance of a circle and you believe it yourself, then you might want to cast one ;).

[Waterstorm]

Woah....*takes notes* Thank you so much, you two ^_^

[Rain Gnosis]

For example, if you have a piece of amber with you everywhere you go for protection, will it actually do anything if you don't charge it? I know that it doesn't always work, but will the chances of it working be better if you charge it?

Well, personally, I don't remember having ever charged a stone intentionally. I find they get charged *by* my carrying them around and associating them with an intent, and they seem to be well charged - if I hand one to a friend who's Pagan they tend to go "oof" and comment on how charged the stone is.

[Waterstorm]

Well, personally, I don't remember having ever charged a stone intentionally. I find they get charged *by* my carrying them around and associating them with an intent, and they seem to be well charged - if I hand one to a friend who's Pagan they tend to go "oof" and comment on how charged the stone is.

Really? I never knew that could happen....O_O Thanks ^_^

[tensen]

The thing with stones is to decide whether the correspondence you are reading is a corresponce because thats what the stone does normally.. or because someone symbolically linked it because they saw a similarity.

One side of that means that the stone does it on its own.. and charginging it can enhance that property.... but it likely could have gained more than enough energy on its own by being out in nature.

Or the other side.. it only does that particular aspect, when you recognize that similarity in the correspondence and chose to provide energy and the mindset to provoke that "power"