Heart-shaped crystals carry a unique energetic signature of love, emotional reset, and compassion. They remind us to soften, open, and connect with others and ourselves. The heart is the universal symbol of Love and emotional truth. When a crystal is carved into this form, its energy is synced with the Heart Chakra, supporting emotional balance, empathy, and inner harmony.
How to Work with Heart-Shaped Crystals
Their sweet energy can support you in relationships such as romance, family, and work. They soften defenses, encourage empathy, and support open-hearted communication. Here are our favorite ways to work with them.
Crystal Hearts
While any crystal can be carved into a heart, there are certain crystals that also carry the same frequency as the heart space. Here are some of our favorites.
The perfect crystal for those who are working through loss and grief.
Encourages an emotional reset and a renewed sense of joy.
Works with the Heart Chakra to attract love and compassion.
Inspires Love, passion, and devotion.
Symbolizing fresh starts and new beginnings, this crystal supports you during times of transformation.
Heart-shaped crystals are gentle companions, offering reassurance as you move through love, loss, and transformation. By working with them intentionally, you invite in deeper emotional connection and cultivate through compassion and Love.
Every gem show is a whirlwind and this year was no exception! Attending the show in person allows us to choose each crystal with intention and gives us an opportunity to build relationships with other small family businesses. Sharing genuine conversations and mutual respect for the care and passion of Earth's natural treasures, these connections are the heart of the show and the reason we return year after year.
The backdrop of the gem show is the beauty and wonder of the desert. Coming from a Wisconsin winter of cold and snow, the open skies and warm sunshine created the perfect setting. The surrounding land carries a powerful grounding energy and encourages a deeper spiritual connection with Mother Earth.
We kicked off the trip with a Full Moon rising (pictured above) during a hike through Sabino Canyon, and it immediately set the tone for everything that followed. There was something grounding and expansive about watching the moon come up over the desert, and that energy seemed to carry through the rest of the show. Add in the incredible Tucson sunsets each evening, and it felt like a reminder to slow down, stay present, and really soak in the experience.
One of our gem show traditions is designing and wearing crystal beaded bracelets. This year we handcrafted a Desert Light bracelet using Moonstone & Sunstone, Pyrite, Hematite, and Tibetan Quartz. The combination of these crystals encourage vitality, empowerment, and anchors in stability and support during times of transition. It is for those who are a walking a path of balance and in need of grounding energy while remaining connected to your inner light.
For each gem show we build a crystal grid as a way to carry our heart-led intentions for abundance, grounding, and connecting into the surrounding land. This year we incorporated crystals that carry the energy of 2026.
Be sure to also check out our Tucson Gem Show highlight over on Instagram for all the behind-the-scenes!
As we head back home to Wisconsin, we return with renewed inspiration, meaningful connections, and a deep sense of gratitude. The desert's grounding energy and the shared passion of our community reminds us that this is as much about relationships and intention as it is about crystal themselves. Thank you to everyone who followed along in stories and joined our Lives! We're so excited to share all our new finds with you once our pallets arrive - each piece was chosen with intention and guided by the energy of connection and inspiration!
Each number carries its own unique vibration and wisdom. Number 2 is the number of partnership, duality, and diplomacy. It governs relationships of all kinds: romantic, family, professional, spiritual, and even with ourselves. Number 2 teaches us how to listen empathically, hold space for others, and find equilibrium between opposing forces.
When numbers begin to repeatedly show up in your life, whether it's on clocks, receipts, addresses, or dates, it is often a gentle nudge asking you to pause and reflect on your current situation. Number 2 appears when cooperation, patience, or inner knowing is required, reminding you to simply be present, receptive, and allow things to unfold.
How to Work with the Number 2
At its heart, Number 2 is gentle yet powerful, supportive and nurturing, harmonizing, and intuitive. Using this number in intention setting, planning, and recognizing its patterns in your own life, can help you utilize its strength into your daily life.
When the Number 2 appears in your life, it often carries a message of connection and to trust in Divine timing. When this number appears repeatedly, it oftens mean you are on the right path but are being encouraged to lean into your inner knowing and review current relationships!
The month of February carries a softer, more introspective energy and invites us into a deeper exploration of the frequency of Love. When we see and speak through Love and our Heart Chakra, we transform how we meet ourselves and others. This shift in perception widens and aligns our vision with compassion and authenticity. We pulled from James Van Praagh's The Power of Love oracle card deck for inspiration and clarification on what lies ahead in this month.
VISION
No matter what, you see the bigger picture of a loving, just Universe.
"You can envision a Universe so vast, beautiful, and spectacular that miracles are a part of your everyday experience. You are able to grasp the difficult lessons of grief, loss, and sorrow, seeing them as experiences from which to grow. As you embrace and live out your vision, you remind others how to dance to the tune of Divinity and the oneness of being."
February reminds us to see and speak from the heart. Love is not only something we feel; it is a conscious choice in how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. When we align with the frequency of Love, our vision widens. Where fear and distortion narrows perspective, Love brings expansion and clarity. Love softens our gaze allowing us to see beyond immediate reactions and into the greater truth that is unfolding. Our vision widens, compassion deepens, and we begin to recognize that even challenging moments are held within a broader, meaningful context. As you ponder this card, reflect on the following questions.
"What would shift if I chose to see through Love, instead of fear, in a current situation?"
"How can I expand my vision to include trust, compassion, and patience?"
"What larger truth might be unfolding beneath a present challenge?"
"In what ways can I soften my perspective and trust the greater picture?"
Notice which questions linger. Return to it throughout the month as a way of consciously working with February's activating energy.
Working with energetically aligned crystals can be a source of support as you navigate throughout the month. Whether carried, used in meditation, or placed in your sacred space, they help to amplify your intentions.
Essential oils offer a gentle yet powerful way to support our energy and intentions. Through the sense of smell, aromatherapy speaks directly to the heart, helping us to soften, open, and shift our perspective. Here are our favorite oils and blends for supporting a clearer vision, emotional balance, and anchoring us into the frequency of Love. They can be diluted with a carrier oil and applied to pulse points and the Heart Chakra.
"I choose to see my life through the eyes of love. I trust my soul's journey, the support of my spirit team, and the Universe guiding me."
We often welcome new customers who have felt a quiet pull toward spiritual expansion but are unsure where and how to begin. As we seek a desire for deeper meanings and a more intentional way of moving through life, we may feel called or a subtle nudge to look into energy healing sessions, oracle cards, crystals, or meditation. Following an authentic self-led spiritual journey is about exploration, self-connection, and learning to listen to yourself.
Start Where You Are
There is no right order or timeline; the most powerful starting point is tuning into your intuition and following your natural curiosity. Notice what you're naturally drawn to. Trust whatever captures your attention is your starting point. Here is a short quiz to help you find that starting point. Choose the option that feels most true to you.
When you're feeling overwhelmed, what do you find most helpful?
A. Quiet reflection or journaling
B. Holding something grounding or comforting
C. Resting or receiving gentle support
D. Music, vibration, sound
E. Reaching out for guidance or clarity
F. Decluttering, cleaning, starting fresh
You're most curious about spiritual growth because you want to:
A. Understand yourself and the world around you on a deeper level
B. Feel balance and energetically protected
C. Release emotional heaviness
D. Shift or regulate your mood
E. Strengthen your intuition and inner voice
F. Create a lighter, sacred environment
Which feels most appealing right now?
A. Symbols, messages, reflection
B. Crystals, intention setting
C. Energy healing
D. Sound vibration and frequencies
E. Tools that help you receive answers
F. Energy reset
How do you prefer to learn or explore new things?
A. Reflection and self-inquiry
B. Working with physical objects
C. Experience and sensation
D. Listening and feeling
E. Simple yes/no guidance
F. Intentional actions and practices
When you imagine your ideal spiritual practice, it feels most like:
A. A quiet ritual of reflection and meaning
B. A grounding object that keeps you anchored
C. Gentle support that helps you release and soften
D. An immersive experience that shifts your energy
E. Clear guidance that helps you trust your next step
F. A fresh, intentional reset that clears space for what’s new
Mostly As - Oracle Cards & Journaling
You're drawn to insight, guidance, symbolism, and self-reflection. Oracle or angel cards are a gentle way to connect with your intuition and receive guidance from your spirit team and Higher Self. Rather than predict the future, they help you tune into your inner wisdom. You can simply pull a card and ask, "What do I need to know today?" and allow the message to guide you. Journaling is a simple yet powerful way to slow down and connect with your inner emotional landscape. When writing without judgment, you create space for clarity, intuition, and self-discovery to unfold. Keeping a dream journal helps to capture the subtle messages of your subconscious and reveals insights and transmissions. Learn more with our guide on how to work with oracle and angel cards.
Mostly Bs - Crystals
You benefit from grounding, physical reminders of intention. Each crystal carries a unique vibration that can support you on your healing journey. Start with one crystal that you feel drawn to and work with it intentionally, such as holding it during meditation, carry it on you, sleep with it, or place it in your space. You'll be surprised as often the crystal chooses you! Take this quiz to find out which crystal you should work with.
Mostly Cs - Energy Healing
You're ready for deeper energetic support and release. Reiki, shamanic, meditation, breathwork, or QHHT sessions offer a nurturing way to rebalance and restore harmony while learning about yourself on a deeper level. Often time, these sessions lead to a curiosity and a calling to become a practitioner yourself. Learn more about Reiki and energy healing here.
Mostly Ds - Sound Healing
Your body, mind, and spirit respond to vibration and frequency. Sound healing uses vibrational instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, drums, and chimes to shift energy and regulate your nervous system. Attending sound baths, using an instrument such as a singing bowl in your daily practice, or listening to music on an app such as Insight Timer is a powerful way to reset your energy. Discover the benefits of a gong bath here.
Mostly Es - Intuition & Pendulum Work
You're curious about trusting your inner voice. Pendulums helps strengthen intuitive communication and confidence. Start with yes and no questions and over time you'll notice intuition showing up not just with your pendulum, but in daily decisions and awareness. Learn more about how to work with pendulums on our blog.
Mostly Fs - Energy Clearing & Intention Setting
You're ready for a fresh start and clearing energy and setting intentions will help you to reset and create aligned space for what's next. Energetic clearing through smudging, use of crystals, or sound vibrational instruments, helps release stagnant or heavy energy from your aura and home. Regular clearing supports emotional clarity and energetic alignment. Intentions are rooted in energy rather than outcome. Setting an intention, whether it's daily or during the lunar phases, creates a gentle framework for aligned action. Read our guide on the 7 tips for protecting the energy of your home.
Create a simple daily practice
Exploring these practices does not require many hours, even a few minutes daily of intentional presence can shift your energy. For example, begin your day with a simple morning intention or affirmation, a short guided meditation, a single oracle card pull, a grounding breath, or connect with your crystal.
Your spiritual journey is deeply personal. What resonates with someone else may not resonate with you - and that's okay! This isn't about becoming someone "new". It is about remembering who you were always meant to be!
At the heart of our sound baths are the gongs. Their deep, resonant tones create the foundation for the experience, guiding the body into relaxation and the mind into stillness. It's no surprise that our sound gong baths are a customer favorite!
Traditionally, gongs were used in rituals and ceremonies, signaling important moments, transitions, or gatherings. They continue to hold protective and transformative qualities, capable of clearing stagnant energy and restoring harmony. Today, gongs can be found in meditations, sound baths, yoga, and energy healing sessions. They are valued for their profound ability to induce deep states of relaxation and awareness.
Gongs can be crafted from a blend of metals, such as nickel, bronze, stainless steel, and titanium. The metal is heated, shaped, hammered, and tempered, to create an instrument that has its own unique personality and resonance. They can range from gentle, shimmering overtones to deep, thunderous waves.
Gongs have benefits for our body, mind, and spirit. Their vibrations bypass the thinking mind and works directly with our body's energy systems. During a sound bath, you may experience sensations of floating, emotional release, deep calm, falling asleep, or vivid imagery. Each person's experience is unique and often continues to unfold throughout the day or evening.
Using a gong in your home or sacred space can be a powerful ally in your personal practice. If you're a Reiki or energy healing practitioner, sound healing practitioner, or interested in using a gong in your personal space, you can work with gongs to help clear energy, ground, and release emotions. It's more about intention and presence than technique. Play the gong gently with the appropriate mallet, giving each tone time to fully bloom and dissolve before the next strike. Let the sound guide the session, taking note of where the vibrations support release and clear stagnant energy.
See our blog Djuro's Tips for Caring for Your Sound Vibrational Instruments for more information on the care and maintenance of your gong.
Experience the gong and a glimpse at our complimentary sound bath from our 2022 Customer Appreciation Event! This sound healing demonstration combines gongs, singing bowls, chimes, drumming, and other instruments to create a soothing, immersive environment. The vibrations support relaxation and a sense of balance across the body, mind, and spirit.
Gongs offer more than just sound. They invite deep listening, energetic balance, and return to inner stillness! Making a gong bath a regular part of your self-care routine can reduce stress, improve interpersonal relationships, and bring you closer to your soul's purpose. Check out our upcoming classes & events to reserve your space!
One of our favorite crystals for grounding, stability, and perseverance, is Petrified Wood. Once a living tree transformed over millions of years into stone, this crystal holds both the ancient wisdom of the trees and its enduring strength. It carries a calming frequency that helps ease worry, promote patience, and create a sense of safety. Petrified Wood is especially supportive during times of change and transformation, encouraging steady growth while keeping you rooted and aligned on your spiritual journey. 
Petrified Wood primarily works with the Root Chakra, strengthening your sense of safety, belonging, and physical presence in the world. When your Root Chakra is balanced and aligned, you feel supported and secure, especially during periods of change and uncertainty.
The best ways to work with Petrified Wood for its energetic support and grounding properties are:
Petrified Wood reminds us that transformation and growth can be slow, sacred, and deeply supported by Mother Earth. When you work with Petrified Wood, you soften into the present moment, truth your path, and are rooted in your own strength!
The lesser known element, Ether, is the most subtle and expansive of the elements. It is an unseen field where sound, vibration, and consciousness originate. Where the other elements ground, flow, transform, and move, Ether holds. It represents unity, divine connection, and the infinite space that links all things and dimensions.
Ether is most associated with the upper chakras, particularly the Crown Chakra. It flows freely here, dissolving separation and ego. When it is blocked, we are disconnected, have difficulty expressing our authentic self, and are easily distracted by programs designed to move us off our spiritual journey. When Ether flows in balance, our inner vision is clear, our intuition is heightened, and communication with self and others is divinely inspired.
Ether is closely associated with Archangel Metatron and Archangel Raziel. Both of these beings work within the laws of the Universe. Their presence is associated with deep spiritual insight, intuitive understanding, and the unraveling of cosmic mysteries.
Crystals that vibrate with the Ether element are Selenite, Apophyllite, Celestite, Seraphinite, and UV reactive crystals such as Powellite and Flame Stone. These high vibrational crystals amplify intention and connection to Divine light and help support the Crown Chakra.
To tap into the energy of the Ether element, you can engage in activities that offer a connection to a higher awareness and promote expansion such as sound baths, yoga poses such as supported fish pose or reclined bound angle, new moon intention ceremonies, and working with the energy of eclipses and portal days (solstices, exquinoses, and lions gate portal).
When we work with the Ether element, we align with higher awareness, intuition, and our soul's true purpose. It invites us to tune in deeply to ourselves, to Source, and the ancient wisdom moving through the spaces in between.
We often have new customers who are referred to our shop for crystals and may be a little overwhelmed by the selection and the number of amazing properties each crystal holds! Our best advice is to start simple and trust your instincts. There's no wrong choice when it comes to crystals so set your intention and allow yourself to be guided toward the one that feels right for you. You'll be amazed at what unfolds!
You may be drawn to crystals by color, intention, or simply a feeling you can’t explain. There’s no need to memorize meanings or follow strict rules - your connection with a crystal often reveals itself naturally over time.
Amethyst
This soothing crystal supports intuition and clarity, making it the perfect crystal for meditation and emotional support. Amethyst vibrates with the energy of the Violet Ray and is an integral part of your practice if you're seeking spiritual growth. For those seeking to develop their intuition, it helps to open up and align your Crown and Third Eye Chakras.
Citrine is the crystal of joy, happiness, and carries the vibration of the Sun. It encourages a positive outlook, making it perfect for manifesting and embracing new opportunities. Carry it with you or wear it in a piece of jewelry to invite more light and success into your life.
Clear Quartz is the often called the "Master Healer" for its ability to amplify energy, intention, and the properties of other crystals. It balances the body, mind, and spirit and supports overall well-being.
Rose Quartz carries a gentle, nurturing energy that opens the heart space to the vibration of Love. It encourages forgiveness, soothes loss or grief, and invites more compassion and self-love into your life.
Selenite cleanses other crystals, clears stagnant energy, and promotes spiritual connection. It is a must for any collection! It keeps the energy in your home or work space clear and uplifting, promoting peace and balance.
Tourmaline
We use Tourmaline every day for shielding against low lying energies and promoting a sense of stability and calm. It helps to ground your energy and create energetic boundaries making it the ideal crystal to carry, wear, or keep in your home.
Crystals are most powerful when they’re woven intentionally into everyday life rather than reserved only for special moments. Whether you’re traveling, resting, meditating, or simply moving through your day, working with crystals can offer gentle support, protection, and alignment. Below are simple, accessible ways to connect with crystal energy and allow it to support your intentions in a grounded, meaningful way.
Crystals naturally absorb, store, and interact with the energy around them, which is why regular cleansing is an important part of working with them intentionally. Over time, crystals can take on energetic residue from their environment, from frequent handling, or from the emotional and energetic support they provide. Cleansing helps reset their vibration, allowing them to function at their highest potential and remain aligned with your intentions.
There’s no single “right” way to cleanse crystals - what matters most is choosing a method that feels respectful, intuitive, and suited to the stone itself. Below are a few of our favorite gentle and effective ways to clear and refresh crystal energy, helping them feel lighter, brighter, and energetically renewed.
As a general rule, cleanse your crystals whenever they feel heavy, after intense emotional work, or simply when you feel called to refresh their energy. Trust your intuition - your relationship with your crystals will guide you.
Always research individual stones before using water or other cleansing methods, as some crystals are delicate. When in doubt, sound, moonlight, or smoke are safe and effective options.
Working with crystals is a rewarding and deeply personal journey. Allow yourself to be guided by intuition, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. As you explore each crystal, you’ll discover that every stone carries its own unique energy and vibration—just like you—and resonates in its own way with your soul.
If you’re just beginning your crystal journey, remember there’s no rush. Trust your curiosity, follow what feels right, and know that each crystal will meet you exactly where you are. And if you ever have questions along the way, we’re always here to support you and help you deepen your connection.
Recently, we sat down with Ruth McEwen here at Angelic Roots who has a background as a sound practitioner, music-thanatologist, and hospice social worker. Ruth shares her journey, her perspective on grief and loss, and how she brings balance and gratitude into her work and daily life.
Can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to create Rx Sound Journeys?
All of my life experiences and relationships have in some way planted seeds to emerge in the birthing and offering of Rx Sound Journeys. Working with sound in therapeutic ways has been one of those life responses to my questions and curiosities about who am I, what’s my meaning and purpose, and coming at a time of great loss and grief. I was drawn to music and used it personally navigating my loss and grief journey, and then was led into the field and incredible world of Music-thanatology. Music-thanatology is a unique and specific field of care for the dying - using harp at the bedside with prescriptive music to support the complex needs in the dying process.
My professional studies and work as a Music-thanatologist expanded my mind, heart, and soul, deepening the power of presence in my hospice social work and bringing the healing resonance of Harp music to those nearing end of life and their loved ones. My desire to continue learning, and for my own personal growth and well-being, then led me to study other sound modalities and practices beyond Music-thanatology. I began utilizing some of these for my self-care and found great support in those practices and in experiencing individual sound sessions and group sound bath sessions. As friends and family members became aware of my work, they asked me to share and work with them and encouraged me to offer sessions.
Walk us through a typical individual or group session, including a bit about each instrument you utilize and how someone would best prepare.
Prior to your arrival, a welcoming and sacred space is created with sound vibrations used for clearing and opening of the space. Dress comfortably (you will remain fully clothed with the exception of shoes). The degree of your comfort supports the depth of your receptivity and experience in the sound journey. You are invited to be reclined, in a relaxed state and position through the session. Blankets, bolsters, and eye masks are available to support your comfort. If you are not comfortable in this position, alternative positioning will be found for you. Some thought about your desires or intentions for the session is helpful before you come. It may be simple “me time” or a specific life issue. In an individual session, a brief conversation about this and how to best support you is held. In both individual or group sessions, a small notebook is provided for you to write your intention in if you like - there is some power in putting your intention into words and in writing it down. The notebook is yours to take with you.
With your intention in mind, you light a beeswax candle which is provided. The candle burns with your intention through your session. Beeswax clears negative ions and offers purity as the flame holds and carries your intention. At the end of your session when you blow out your candle you acknowledge that your intention lives within you. The candle is yours to take home where you can reignite it when you want to reconnect in a conscious way with your intention and/or sound journey experience.
Intentional and prescriptive use of varied sound vibrations of Tingshas, Tuning Forks, Steel-Tongue Drum, Ocean Drum, and Harp will be offered with some brief periods of silence and stillness all supporting a deepened state of relaxation and natural innate healing processes. Each of the instruments have roots in ancient healing and meditation practices, each with its own resonance and frequencies.
A session begins with the sounding of Tingshas, ancient instruments, that provide a clear focused ringing sound and then gentle dissipating vibration. The clear ring draws energies to a focus as two chimes create one balanced focused sound and negative or superficial energies dissipate as the vibration slowly diminishes and dissipates - opening and balancing energies.
Throughout the session different instruments will be played, sounding at various times each deepening your state of relaxation as levels of the stress hormone cortisol reduce and health supporting nitric oxide levels increase.
Tuning forks are used to tune and calm your nervous system and bring your biochemistry and organ systems into balance through the sounding of varied musical intervals and overtones.
The steel-tongue drum produces low vibrations of pure sustained tones that penetrate the body to deepen relaxation and healing. The varied notes/tones can be sounded in different patterns to support the chakras.
The ocean drum creates and mimics the soothing sounds of waves or gentle rainfall, or the movement of the amniotic fluid of the womb, fostering calm, safety, and deepening relaxation. The drum is also sometimes used with stronger movement producing greater vibrancy and sound for clearing and cleansing stagnant or blocked energies.
The harp considered the most ancient of stringed instruments, offers the greatest capacity of melody, harmony and rhythm through wide range of tones, frequencies, resonances to balance and calm the complexity of body, mind and soul through its gentle vibrational tonal beauty.
All of the instruments and their unique gentle vibrations aid relaxation of your central nervous system and support a shift from the most common “fight or flight” stress state to a more relaxed “rest and digest” state - the state of healing and restoration. Your brain waves may also gradually ease into the theta brain wave state, supporting increased creativity, intuition, spiritual awareness, learning, and reduced anxiety. Some of the physical benefits of a sound session may include lowered blood pressure and heart rate, eased and deepened breathing, increase in circulation, lowered cortisol (stress hormone), and increase in nitric oxide (important for many of our health functions).
Vibrations follow intentions and may affect your energies in varied ways like cleansing, clearing, grounding, calming, freeing, energizing, moving, motivating, creating, or integrating. Vibrations are received in many ways beyond conscious auditory hearing. Your skin is much like the skin of a drum, and the hairs on your body are like little antennas - all receiving the vibrations.
Additionally, a deep inner hearing can occur beyond conscious hearing and listening when you are in a deepened relaxed state. As you relax and experience the vibrations, space is created in your physical, mental, emotional states so your innate inner wisdom can respond, knowing what is needed and what to release. This may be experienced at conscious and subconscious levels in mind, body, and/or spirit during the journey. More conscious awareness can continue to occur. For some, dream work or journaling are helpful tools in the days following. Use of your intention notebook may be helpful following your session.
Can you share a meaningful moment of growth or transformation you've witnessed in a session?
Where deep relaxation may be a “nice experience”, it can also be transformative in dealing with anxiety and depression. My client shared that in the immersive experience and safety of the sound journey they felt an opening and sense of freeing - moving out of what had become habitual reaction or expectation to their life circumstances and now beginning to see and experience that there are other ways and possibilities.
Within the session, the client’s body visibly relaxed with the muscle tension visible as they came in to the session releasing - shoulders relaxing, countenance softening, hand clenching easing with hands relaxed and open. The physical manifestation of their body opening and relaxing mirrored what they expressed feeling internally as their mind and emotions opened and softened.
Another client dealing with major life transitions and loss, expressed feeling able “to breathe” again. They reported decreased physical pain and anxiety and regaining a sense of self. The deep state experienced during the sound journey session opened awareness of the need, possibility, and commitment to care for self and the realization that while “carrying” and caring for another they lost sight of caring for self. Additionally, they expressed realization of the negative impact not only for themselves, but even for the one they were caring for.
How has sound healing transformed you personally, and how does that inner transformation influence the way you hold space for others?
As mentioned earlier, I was led to the work of Music-thanatology in the space of loss and grief following my husband’s transition from physical life. I loved my work as a hospice social worker and was not looking for any other changes in my life. My work was grounding and carrying me through my grief.
But as life would have it, I signed up for a seminar that ended in a life altering journey. I did not know what Music-thanatology was and thought I was going to hear about what types of music might bring comfort to my hospice patients and families. My life was forever altered as this seminar opened a path I hadn't been searching for, yet life had been quietly leading me toward.
The journey, a move across country and a 3-year post graduate education and formation program to become a Music-thanatologist upended my already upended life. It took the liminal and fertile tilled soil of my loss and grief and brought forward much that was already present in the depths of my life and experiences into deeper and fuller ways while it cracked my heart, mind, and soul open to so much more.
My introduction to working with sound as a modality of care and facilitation in the profound work of dying has had a profound impact on my acceptance and appreciation of self and my life experiences, and my acceptance and appreciation of the unique and cumulative experiences that each of us have. The greatest learning has been how to create and hold space and support/facilitate an individual’s processing at conscious and unconscious levels in and through the culmination of their physical life and passage. To do that, I needed first to learn how to do that for me - to create space and willingness and acceptance to grow in my own self awareness.
In order to hold space for others, I must be clear about who I am and neither project or over identify or assume I know or understand another or have answers. It is an ongoing process of living more consciously with love, curiosity, acceptance and openness. My holding space for others is in the presence, acceptance and honoring of each individual’s unique human experiences and utilizing the my knowledge, skills and experience to facilitate their journey of coming more into their balance and full expression of their deepest self.
What self-care tools or practices support you the most in your own well-being?
Just as my harp needs frequent fine-tuning, I’ve learned that my mind, body and spirit also need attention and fine-tuning for optimal beingness and vibration. I used to think “I don’t have time” and found that when I made the time, I ended up with a sense of more time because I was focused and calm and “in tune”. The reality is most of my practices literally take a few minutes each and give me so much more in return.
Here are some of my favorite self-care tools.
Additionally, integral to my well-being are spending time in nature, monthly massages, my continuing studies, and work with sound.
My experiences as a client in individual sound sessions and group sound sessions support me in my self-care and continued exploration of life and becoming more fully who I am in living out my soul path. The gifted practitioners in their presence and sound offerings open and drop me into deeper places of inner knowing and wisdom.
I have had varied experiences including much needed deep relaxation, unplugging from the busyness of life and an energy reboot, freeing up some old stuck patterns and habits, and guided shamanic journeys with new or expanded awareness of supportive beings. All of this creating and supporting a greater openness, appreciation and love for this gift and journey of life, forms the foundation and heart of my desire to help and facilitate others on their life journeys.
I have also been especially blessed this past year as life with a new teacher and expansive learning and experiences in Energy Anatomy and practices with Prune Harris.
The joy in all of this is finding that as I create space for my fine-tuning and care for me, I have greater capacity and desire to hold space and care for others.
If you would like to learn more, check out Ruth's offerings here at Angelic Roots or visit her website RxSoundJourneys.org for more information!
2026 carries the energy of renewal, new beginnings, and soul alignment. As we step into this fresh cycle, working with crystals can amplify intention, clarity, and personal growth. Take the quiz below to discover the crystal that best supports your spiritual journey in the year ahead!
What's the overall theme you want to embody in 2026?
A. Fresh start and forward momentum
B. Healing and emotional renewal
C. Protection and grounding
D. Spiritual growth and expanding intuition
E. Abundance, motivation, and prosperity
How has 2025 shaped you?
A. I'm ready to release old patterns and beliefs and begin anew
B. I've been doing a lot of inner work and need gentle integration
C. I need stronger boundaries and energetic cleansing
D. I feel more spiritually connected and am ready to go deeper
E. I've built a strong foundation and ready for the next step
What is your biggest focus in 2026?
A. Beginning a new chapter
B. Strengthening emotional well-being
C. Staying grounded and protected
D. Opening intuitive channels
E. Calling in opportunities and prosperity
Which energy or frequency do you feel called to invite into your life?
A. Light, clarity, renewal
B. Compassion, emotional healing, self-love
C. Strength, stability, groundedness
D. Intuition, synchronicity, expansion
E. Abundance, flow, confidence
How do you want your home or sacred space to feel in 2026?
A. Fresh, organized, inspiring
B. Cozy, nurturing, peaceful
C. Grounded, balanced, protected
D. Mindful, enlightened, attuned
E. Bright, expansive, uplifting
Which phrase resonates with your vision for 2026?
A. "I am stepping into a fresh path."
B. "I am ready to open and expand my heart space."
C. "I stand in my personal power."
D. "I trust my inner knowing and guidance."
E. "I am ready to receive all that aligns with my highest good."
What type of support do you most need moving forward in 2026?
A. Motivation and focus
B. Emotional harmony
C. Energetic cleansing
D. Spiritual alignment and validation
E. Self-confidence and resilience
Mostly A's: Tiger Eye, Fluorite, Orthoceras, Moss Agate These supportive crystals focus the mind, sharpen clarity, and increase the confidence you need to begin new chapters and manifest new intentions.
Mostly B's: Rose Quartz, Pink Amethyst, Golden Healer, Kunzite These nurturing crystals open and align our Heart Chakra while allowing for deeper compassion, self-love, and comfort.
Mostly C's: Tourmaline, Obsidian, Kyanite, Selenite These protective crystals ground, balance, and deflect low lying energies, allowing for a flow of cleansing energy in your auric field and your space.
Mostly D's: Labradorite, Super 7, Lemurian Quartz, Phantom Quartz These high vibrational crystals open and strengthen our intuitive abilities, the Third Eye Chakra, and encourage spiritual growth.
Mostly E's: Jade, Aventurine, Pyrite, Apatite These bright crystals bring in prosperity, abundance, and strengthens your self-confidence to allow for soul-aligned opportunities.
January opens the doorway to Year One energy, an opportunity for new possibilities and untapped potential. The beginning of 2026 is a time when new intentions take root and we invite self-awareness and divine guidance as we step into this new chapter. We pulled from Kyle Gray's Gateway of Light Activation oracle card deck for inspiration and clarification on what lies ahead in this new cycle.
Solar Light Upgrade
Solar plexus chakra. Inner Fire. Will-power.
"The light of the Great Central Sun is shining on you, activating you to push onward and create. This is a perfect time to move forward with projects, goals, and intentions. Align your energy with whatever you are ready to create and experience."
Moment by moment we move from the darkness of the winter and invite in the growing daylight. The ever expanding Sun symbolizes our link to ancient wisdom and activations. This is asking us to tune into Mother Nature's rhythms and create our own path by tapping into our inner power and sense of purpose through our Solar Plexus. This important body center governs our motivation, self-esteem, and nurtures our self-confidence. As you ponder this card, reflect on these questions:
"What version of myself is ready to be activated as I enter this Year One?"
"What intentions feel aligned with my inner power and sense of purpose?"
"How can I take empowered, intentional action this month?"
"As I trust my inner guidance completely, what is the first step I should take this January?"
Notice which questions linger. Return to it throughout the month as a way of consciously working with January's activating energy.
Working with energetically aligned crystals can be a source of support as you navigate throughout the month. Whether carried, used in meditation, or placed in your sacred space, they help to amplify your intentions.
"I claim my Light and step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and purpose."
