This is an ancient technique for evoking, or rousing, the power within a crystal. This method is best used on crystals, but any stone can be used by adapting it to the technique. At Lake Nemi and along the coast of Naples, Italian Witches known as Strega have long performed the following ritual:
On the night of the Full Moon wade out into a body of water until you are about waist deep in the water. If possible you should be nude. Seek out a spot where a rock is protruding through the water. If none is found then pick up a rock from the shallow water and carry it with you.
Once you are prepared (standing out in the water) look up at the Full Moon and strike the crystal three times on the rock. Be careful not to damage the crystal as you strike the rock. You don't want to be too gentle or too rough. When performing this technique use the base or blunt end of the crystal. If you carried a rock out with you, drop it into the water where you stood once you had finished. This technique is best applied to awaken the nemen (spirit/consciousness) within a newly obtained crystal, and again later, to awaken any charges that you have set within it.
If you have a crystal set into the head of a wand it can be roused with this method also. Another method used by Witches is to hold the crystal up to the Full Moon and strike it three times with the wand. This would also be performed out in the water. If you desire, the appropriate crystals could be roused beneath the Sun. In this case you would not go into the water, and Noon would be the best time to perform the ritual.
According to ancient beliefs, all gems contained a magical stellar charge. Many stones were associated with stars and constellations. This system was the basis for the "birthstone" in astrological lore. The energy of the stars is condensed by the Moon, and directed down on the Earth. This principle also applies to the energy of the planets. Many ancient grimoires contain material containing stones, the stars, and planets. You may wish to consult a book written specifically on this subject for further information.
Common to many ancient cultures was the belief that spirits inhabited stones. Each stone possessed an individual spirit. It was believed that the aid of the spirit could be enlisted through various offerings to the stone spirit. The advantage of using stones magically was that stones seemingly lasted forever. The life force within a stone allows its material form to wear extremely well against the physical elements. Stones possess very strong spirits or numen. The numen is the consciousness of the gem.
The shape of the gemstone is also important for magical purposes. Gems that are pointed, such as the amethyst crystal, are transmitters of energy. Stones that tend to be rounded are collectors, excellent for establishing energy fields. This is very useful for setting up of ritual circles (quarter stones). Pointed stones are excellent for spells that send their energy from one place to another. The ancient ritual circles were set with many small stones placed around the circumference. A crystal or pointed stone was set on the alter, marking the center.
Crescent-shaped stones were considered sacred to the Moon and the Moon Goddess. The shape that a stone evolves into is caused by the nature of the indwelling numen. The physical elements that shape the stone are merely tools for the numen. Thus a stone shaped like a crescent could possess a spirit who could link the possessor to the forces of the Moon. This stone would then be considered a charm or a talisman.
