Technique: Making Gem Elixirs

While I'm on the topic of subtle energies, I feel it's a good time to discuss a useful art that can be used alone, or as a compliment or initial stage to more intricate formulae.

In addition to placing gems and crystals in a brew whole, for the purpose of charging, or adding to the mixture in powdered form, you can also make a gem elixir or crystal essence. These potions have more in common with other vibrational medicines like Bach Flower Essences or homeopathy than herbal tea, and impart their energies on a very subtle level. The following is gathered from online.

"Gem elixirs, also called crystal essences or crystal waters, have been used by many throughout the ages. They are a convenient way to use the vibrational energies of the crystals for crystal healing, magick, and more. They are easy to make and can be stored for later use.

You can use either one crystal or several different types to make a gem elixir. Using multiple crystals creates a synergy blend, which is useful for bringing together the vibrations of several stones as more than the sum of the parts, so to speak.

I recommend creating gem elixirs using what is called the indirect method, and I outline it below. This method is the safest for all crystal types, because the elixir waters do not come in direct contact with the stones used.

The direct method — where the stones are placed directly in the water — can be potentially dangerous if the stones used have components that may be toxic. Personally, I prefer to avoid creating potential health issues by using only the indirect method, as it seems contrary to the point of bringing in beneficial energies.

To prepare, you will need:

• The crystal(s) whose energies you want to imbue the elixir with
• Optionally, additional crystals of the same type(s( or quartz crystals to assist with charging the elixir
• Two clean glass or food-safe glazed ceramic containers that fit one inside the other with some room between the smaller container and the larger one (A glass bowl and a smaller sealable glass bottle or jar that will hold the crystals work well.)
• Two clean, dark colored glass bottles, dark blue or brown work well. one larger and one smaller for the finished crystal essence
• A clean glass dropper – Either to fit the smaller bottle, or it can be separate.)
Spring water or distilled water. Some prefer rain water they have collected.
• Vodka (80 proof or higher) or vinegar (any variety) as a preservative and to “fix” the crystal vibrations
• A calm, centered state of mind
Sunlight, moonlight or a dedicated sacred space – This may be outdoors or in a window that gets sun or moon light, or it may be on your personal altar or other sacred space.

To make the elixir:

• Clear the crystals you will be using. You may also charge them if you wish.
• Take your prepared crystals and other items to the place you will make the elixir.
• Center yourself and clear your mind of concerns as much as possible. Prayer, breath techniques or meditation can help with this.
• State your intent for the elixir out loud. Ask the Divine and the crystals themselves for assistance with making this elixir for the highest good of all concerned.

• Place the larger container you will be using to charge the water with the crystal energy where you will be creating the gem elixir.
• Place the crystal(s) in the smaller glass container. Seal it if possible. (Alternately, the larger container can hold the crystals and the smaller container the elixir — just reverse the instructions about the containers below if you wish to do it that way.)
• Place the smaller container in the larger container. Be sure the smaller container is stable and will not fall over.

• Carefully pour as much water into the larger container s you can without allowing any of the water to get into the smaller container.
• Optional: Arrange the additional crystals or quartz crystals around the outside of the container, pointing in toward the container.
State your intent and ask for divine guidance and crystal assistance again, for the highest good of all concerned.
• Leave the containers in the sunlight, moonlight or sacred space for four or more hours.

• Afterward, remove the inner container and carefully pour the charged water from the larger container, called stock or mother essence of the gem elixir, into the larger of your bottles, filling it halfway.
• Fill the bottle the rest of the way with the vodka or vinegar for preservative and seal it.
• Add a small portion of the preserved mother essence gem elixir to the smaller bottle for immediate use. You can use using  spring or distilled water if desired to dilute it or you may use it straight.

• Thank the Divine and the crystal(s) for helping create this elixir.
• Clean everything used and store safely for future use. You may dispose of the water the crystals were in using any safe method.

 Crystal waters can be made the same way: for immediate use only, with only one bottle for storage, and do not add the preservative. These crystal essences can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator in a sealed container, but should be used quickly.  You may also charge the waters with Reiki or Seichim energy for healing, if you wish.

Soft stones (Calcite, Halite, and Selenite are examples) should not be placed in water, as they may dissolve or “melt”. Anything with a Mohs hardness of 4 is likely to dissolve. You can check regarding the hardness of the stones you wish to use by looking them up at mindat.org or gemdat.org. For softer stones, rather than using water to hold them, you may tape them to the container where the stock or mother water is being made, or you may put them inside a bowl or container the mother water container is put in."

Other methods for making crystal essences, of course, do call for the stone to be fully immersed in purified or intention-blessed water. The stones I used in my Fresh Start Brew on Jan. 3rd were all stones I knew to be able to withstand immersion in water with no ill effects or dissolution.

Once complete, gem elixirs can be taken alone as spiritual and emotional healing remedies, as with flower essences, or added to potions alongside other ingredients. A typical formula for subtle healing can include herbal tinctures, flower essences, and gem elixirs all in balance together.

Further enhancement of the brew is possible if you create it during certain planetary aspects and phases of the moon. Also, as an alternative to charging the elixir in sunlight, a gem essence can be made by placing it in the light of the moon itself, preferably full. Solar and lunar waters take on further vibrations with the addition of crystals and minerals.

With recent celestial and earthly events, I could even see potential in employing the light of a lunar or solar eclipse! (Last summer on Aug. 21, I even made solar eclipse water, using a couple quartz crystals to boost the energy level.)

This is definitely an area I'd like to explore. Most likely I'll combine my work with the pendulum, since I'm quite a "grounded" person who has trouble at times sensing subtle energies without aid.