Katie Rees

I've often found myself perfectly content sitting in my bedroom with a cup of tea; the world around me a million metaphorical miles away while I isolate my mind from everything and everyone else in my life. I like the safety and familiarity of being on my own. I like it when no effort needs to be given to talking, or listening, or paying attention at all. I like the comfort of being out of the public eye, because it means I can be completely, uncompromisingly myself.

It's often the case that the word "paganism" is associated with a brutal or ancient religion that includes some sort of human sacrifice or scary masks. People tend to look at pagans as people interested in the dark arts, or black magic. Throughout history, paganism has been demonized and made to look like something quite sinister. But, like a lot of things established before modern Western society, it really isn't as scary as you think.

Oh.

So, I've always had an interest in the potential effect crystals can have on us. Sure, they just look like pretty stones, but they are said to harbour energy which can change our moods and influence our emotions. I'd had odd experiences with these stones in the past, but I was unsure whether I was willing myself to feel a certain way because I wanted to believe in these crystals. After buying an agate crystal out of curiosity one day, I found that it greatly helped in calming me down and reducing my stress and anxiety when I sat with it one day, after feeling extremely down and uneasy for the past few hours. I felt like the crystal's energy was flowing through my body and neutralising any negative energy or emotions that were polluting my body. It was a fantastic feeling. I'd never felt so good and relieved from just sitting with an object. And that is when my crystal obsession began. So, to answer some questions a lot of people have about crystals, and to introduce some of you to the wonderful world of these stones, I've listed a few of my favourite crystals for you all to have a look at. I hope you enjoy!

Yes, it happens. And it's the weirdest thing. Growing up I was such a loud and eccentric child; I was always making jokes and getting told off in class for talking to my friends too much. I always relished the opportunity of a school play or a class presentation. I just loved attention! Until I hit my teenage years, and everything went sideways.