Abalone (Haliotidae)
There are around 100 different types of Abalone. All have a plain exterior with an interior that is highly nacreous, iridescent and often very colourful (better known as Mother of Pearl). The Abalone is flat in shape and is edged with small holes. It is usually found in low-tide zones, in shallow water attached firmly to rocks. The Abalone is useful for finding things hidden and good fortune. It is also a good shell for meditating upon inner beauty. The Abalone is related to the Tarot card "The Magician"

Auger (Terebridae)
This is a large family of very long and slender shells, ranging in size and with numerous whorls. Due to it's phallic shape it may be used for any male oriented magic, e.g. fertility, courage, power and in the aid to healing male ailments. The Auger is related to the Tarot card "the Emperor"

Carrier Shells (Xenophoridae)
This is a fascinating little creature that collects the shells of others, stones and other objects. It uses a cement type material to glue these objects to itself. This shell is perfect for magic pertaining to prosperity and gain.

Cerith Shells (Cerithiidae)
Most species of this major family are small, long and thin. Due to it's phallic shape it may be used for any male oriented magic, e.g. fertility, courage, power and in the aid to healing male ailments.

Clam (Many families of Clams, Tridacna, Mactra, Solenidae, Cultellidae, Veneridae)
The giant clams are a small but well known family of large to very large shells. The Goddess Venus is often depicted standing in a Clam (the Tridacna Gigas). This shell is perfect for Goddess related spells and rituals. It is also ideal for love and friendship spells. The Clam is related to the Tarot card "The Lovers" and "The High Priestess".

Coat of Mail Shells (Neoloricata)
This is a large class of colluscus with over 1,000 species. This shell looks exactly like a shield. Use it for defence and protection.

Cockle (Cardidae)
This is a large and very well known family, composed chiefly of edible bivalves, which live in worldwide locations in both shallow and deep water. This shell is suitable for spells of love, friendship, family and emotions and we are reminded of it with the saying "to warm the cockles of my heart".

Conch (Strombidae)
This is a large, well known and diverse family. Some are quite smooth, with others having long spiny extensions along the outer edge. The Conch has been used for thousands of years as a means of communication in coastal areas. When blown it produces a wonderful, deep and far carrying tone. This shell is ideal for summoning spirits, for announcing arrivals or for problems in communication.

Cowrie (Cypraediae)
This is a very large family and is greatly prized by shell collectors. Viewed from one side it is shiny & avocado shaped, greatly resembling the human uterus. Viewed from the other side it resembles the female genitalia. This shell can be used for female magic, in particular fertility, pregnancy, birth, menstrual problems, difficult menopause and female sexuality.

Egg Shells (Ovulidae)
Closely related to and not dissimilar to the Cowrie Shells. Viewed from one side it is shiny & avocado shaped, greatly resembling the human uterus. Viewed from the other side it resembles the female genitalia. This shell can be used for female magic, in particular fertility, pregnancy, birth, menstrual problems, difficult menopause and female sexuality.

Keyhole Limpets (Fissurelloidea)
This is a large family of primitive snails and are generally round or ovate and include a hole in the middle. Use this shell when you need to find a way in or out of a situation. This shell is ideal to meditate upon to unlock psychic & divination abilities.

Harp Shells (Harpidae)
Harps are a very small family of about 14 species and are highly collectable. As the name implies, many have a harp like appearance. Use this shell to bring laughter, music and happiness into your life. Also useful for musical inspiration.

Helmet & Bonnet Shells (Cassidae)
Several of these species resemble the human heart. Use this for spells relating to matters of the heart, love, emotion and in the aid to heart & circulatory problems.

Latiaxis Shells (Coralliophilidae)
Related to the Murex, the Latiaxis Shell is covered with long hard spines used as a defence. This shell is perfect to use in defence, protection and preservation spells & rituals.

Moon or Necklace Shells (Naticidae)
This is a large worldwide family of smooth, glossy shells with depressed spires and enlarged body whorls. Due to their shape & patterns many resemble the moon and are ideal for any form of moon magic. These shells are related to the Tarot card of "The Moon".

Nautilus Shells (Nautilidae)
This is one of the most beautiful shells you will ever find. It is a small family of only four or five species. The shell is coiled and usually has a rippled surface, greatly resembling the human brain. This shell is perfect for the getting of wisdom, knowledge, for understanding difficult concepts, examinations and literary skills. It is also suitable for spells to regain psychological balance and harmony.

Operculum
This is not a shell in itself, but is a useful part of shell fish. It is the disc that is used to close the entrance to the shell when the shell fish is inside the shell, both as a defence and to retain water during low tides. The Operculum are easily found, are disc shaped, smooth on one side and with spirals on the other. The Operculum is used in magic relating to defence, preservation, shutting the door on the past and to retain the status quo. Due to it's resemblence to a coin, it may also be used for prosperity and wealth.

Oyster Shells (There are many families of Oyster, Pteriidae, Malleidae, Ostreidae to name a few)
The Oyster is best know as a popular food source and for the production of pearls. The Oyster is related to the moon, and in some cultures the pearls are considered to be "the tears of the moon". This shell is useful for any form of lunar magic, and for spells relating to passion, virility and sexual love.

Rock Shells (Muricidae)
The rock shells are a vast family of at least 1000 widely distributed species. They may be found on rocky shores, coral reefs or stony, muddy or sandy substrates. The Roch Shell iscovered with long hard spines used as a defence. This shell is perfect to use in defence, protection and preservation spells & rituals.

Scallop Shells (Pectinidae)
Because of the diversity of pattern and colour, and because they are easy to store, the scallops are very popular with collectors. It is a large group with several hundred species, occuring worldwide. Most are found in tropical waters. Because of its diversity, the Scallop Shell may be used in any form of magic, especially when you can't find just the right shell for the job.

Screw Shells (Turritellidae)
This is another long, thin shell that due to it's phallic shape may be used for any male oriented magic, e.g. fertility, courage, power and in the aid to healing male ailments.

Spindle or Tulip Shell (Fasciolariidae)
A large and popular group mainly living in warm shallow water. As it's name implies, this shell looks like a miniature spindle and is linked to the Tarot card "The Wheel of Fortune". This is a good shell for magic pertaining to fate, destiny, change, karma and meditation.

Star Fish
Though the Star Fish is not a shell, it is worthy of mention here, as its shell-like remains can be found and put to magical use. Not surprisingly Sea Witches relate the 5 pointed Star Fish to the Pentacle, with the points relating to the elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Air & The Spirit (or Self). The Star Fish may be used for any magical operatons that you would normally use your Pentacle for. The Star Fish is related to the Tarot card "The Star".

Sundial Shells (Architectonicidae)
This is a small family of flat, disc shaped shells. Use this spell for solar magic, warmth and light. Also associated with the Sun God and the Tarot Card of "The Sun"

Turrid Shells (Turridae)
This is by far the largest group of mulluscs, numbering over 1,000 species. This shell too resembles a miniature spindle and is ideal for magic pertaining to fate, destiny, change, karma and meditation.

Tusk Shells (Dentaliidae)
There are at least 1,000 known species of tusk shells. As the name implies they resemble an elephant's tusk, some being quite sharp and dagger like. Use this shell for when you need to do battle. It resembles strength & attack.

Wentlertraps (Epitoniidae)
This wonderful family of exquisitely sculptured and ornamental shell is distributed worldwide, mostly living in shallow water, found among soft corals and sea anemones. Most are conical in shape with delicate spirals and ribbing. Use this shell in magic related to any form of creativity, building, art, sculpture and inspiration.

Whelk (Buccinidae)
A large and diverse family of some hundreds of species. This shell lives in both cold and warm seas. Due to its shape, it is both comfortable & easy to hold, fitting perfectly into the hand. Use this spell when you need to take control, when you need to get a grip on yourself or a situation. It is also a good shell to use when you wish to retain the status quo, or when you are needing stability in your life.

Window Pane or Saddle Oysters (Placunidae)
This is a very small group of bivalves, with think translucent valves. Use this shell to increase your