Big Crystal Energy Podcast - Crystals, Glamour, and Magic for Liminal Spaces

As the veil grows thinner and Samhain approaches, The Crystal Library closes out Season 2 with a stone steeped in ancient mystery, mourning traditions, and protective magic: onyx.

Often celebrated as a powerful stone of grounding and protection, onyx has a much darker and more complicated history than you might expect. From ancient burial sites and Greek mythology to Victorian mourning jewelry and its surprising association with unsettling dreams and discord, this stone has carried many different meanings throughout the centuries.

In this episode, Ashleigh explores the fascinating geology of onyx, including why not...

What if the most powerful magic isn't something you buy, learn from a spellbook, or find on social media? What if it's something you've had within you all along?

This week on Big Crystal Energy, I'm joined by author, witch, and Haitian Vodou Mambo Samantha Corfield for a fascinating conversation about traditional New Orleans witchcraft, the old ways of working with magic, and why reconnecting with nature might be one of the most powerful things you can do for your spiritual practice.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Samantha grew up surrounded by...

What if I told you that beautiful blue-green crystals have actually been discovered growing on human bones?

In this haunting installment of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores vivianite, an extraordinary mineral with an unusual connection to death, decomposition, and ancient burial grounds. And with Samhain approaching, there couldn't be a more fitting time to explore a crystal whose geological history is just as mysterious as its spiritual symbolism.

From a centuries-old body recovered from a Swiss lake to prehistoric burial sites in Sardinia and ancient coffins in China, vivianite has appeared in some truly unexpected...

Spooky season is in full swing, and this week I'm taking you along on a little Southern Gothic adventure through Georgia and South Carolina!

Coming to you from my hotel room in Tucson, Arizona, just before heading into a Femmes and Thems Rage Retreat, I'm sharing some of the spooky, strange, and magical moments from my recent travels. From wandering through Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery beneath a beautiful moon to exploring the darker side of Savannah at the Graveface Museum, this trip was filled with fascinating history, curious oddities, and plenty of witchy inspiration.

I'm...

What happens when a crystal asks you to look directly at the things you would rather avoid?

In this Season of the Witch episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores wulfenite, a striking orange-to-golden mineral whose metaphysical lore is filled with shadow work, psychic awareness, spiritual communication, past-life memory, creativity, and magic.

Wulfenite is an unusual contradiction. Physically, it is a heavy lead-bearing mineral, yet spiritually it has long been associated with moving beyond ordinary awareness and exploring the unseen. Its symbolism invites us to acknowledge darkness without becoming consumed by...

Vampires weren’t always seductive, beautiful creatures lurking in candlelit mansions. Long before Anne Rice, True Blood, or Twilight, the vampire was something far more unsettling—a corpse blamed for disease, death, and unexplained suffering.

So how did we get from that… to the vampire we know and obsess over today?

This week on Big Crystal Energy, I’m joined by professional vampire nerd, author, and New Orleans vampire tour guide Rose Sinister for a deep dive into the history, folklore, sexuality, and enduring fascination of the vampire.

Rose takes us...

Jet is more than just another black protection stone.

In this episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh returns to a stone she first covered briefly last September and gives it the deeper exploration it deserves.

Jet is an organic mineraloid formed from ancient wood, transformed underground over millions of years into a lightweight black material that humans have carved, worn, buried with the dead, and used as protection for centuries.

This episode explores the geology and formation of jet, how to tell it apart from black obsidian, onyx, and black tourmaline...

We are officially stepping into the Season of the Witch, and to take us a little deeper into spooky season, I’m bringing one of my favorite conversations back from the Big Crystal Energy archives.

So many new listeners have found the podcast since this episode originally aired, and this conversation with John Kozik of the Salem Witch Board Museum was simply too good to leave buried.

John is a historian, collector, and founding member of the Talking Board Historical Society whose fascination with Ouija began with the board he inherited from his grandmother. What st...

What does it mean to stay grounded when everything around you feels like it is shifting?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores aragonite, a stone associated with grounding, patience, emotional balance, surrender, and staying connected to your center during periods of change.

Aragonite is especially known for its striking starburst formations, with crystal points radiating outward in every direction from one central core. That structure becomes the perfect metaphor for this episode: life can feel busy, uncertain, expansive, and even chaotic, while you still remain anchored to yourself.

...

Life has been lifing lately… so today’s episode is a little different.

I’m sitting down for an impromptu Big Crystal Energy life update to share some of what’s been happening behind the scenes—the good, the stressful, the completely chaotic, and, of course, the witchy.

I’m talking about burnout, family life, the absolute saga happening at our historic property in Augusta, Georgia (including our first official squatter 😬), and why I’m realizing that something has to give when it comes to how much I’m trying to juggle.

I’m also sharing some o...

Apache Tear was one of the very first stones I ever chose as a child, long before I knew anything about crystal meanings, shadow work, or the symbolism this little piece of volcanic glass would eventually carry for me.

I found it while visiting a witchy shop in Omaha, Nebraska with my dad during a complicated period of my childhood. My parents were divorced, I was moving back and forth between two homes, and as an only child I often found myself caught in the middle of adult emotions and situations I didn’t yet have the la...

Mabon marks the Autumn Equinox, a threshold between light and darkness, abundance and release, growth and the quieter season ahead. For me, it also marks the final episode in my Wheel of the Year series.

In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, I’m exploring the history and meaning of Mabon, including why the name itself is much more modern than many people realize. I talk about Mabon as the second harvest, the symbolism of the Autumn Equinox, and what this season can teach us about gratitude, discernment, balance, and recognizing what has already grown in...

This week inside The Crystal Library, we’re going deep into magnetite and lodestone, a stone whose actual physical properties are every bit as fascinating as its magical associations.

Magnetite is one of the most naturally magnetic minerals on Earth, and naturally magnetized pieces are known as lodestones. Long before humans understood magnetic fields, people were already fascinated by this strange dark stone that could pull iron toward itself without ever touching it.

In this episode, Ashleigh explores the science behind magnetite, how lodestone became connected to some of the earliest compass technology, and why th...

What if becoming a witch isn’t about becoming someone new—but finally giving yourself permission to become who you’ve always been?

This week on Big Crystal Energy, I’m joined by Adrienna Elcome, aka the Violet Wiitch—a tarot reader, witchcraft teacher, photographer, shadow worker, and creator of Witch School.

Adrienna and I originally crossed paths through Angelica Cresci’s Glamour Magic course, and in this conversation we get into what it actually looks like to live your witchcraft—not just learn about it.

We talk about Adrienna’s experience growing up as a magical...

What happens when a stone seems to exist between two worlds?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we’re exploring Mystical Merlinite, also known as Indigo Gabbro—a dark, mottled igneous rock surrounded by modern metaphysical associations with intuition, divination, shadow work, past lives, spirit communication, and the unseen.

We begin with the geology of Indigo Gabbro and the surprisingly beautiful story of a rock that forms slowly beneath the Earth’s surface, crystallizing in darkness over time. From there, we untangle the confusing difference between Merlinite, Mystical Merlinite, and Indigo Gabbro before...

September always feels like a threshold for me.

It’s the beginning of my favorite part of the year, the point where I start feeling more like myself again, and where style, scent, crystals, and ritual all begin to take on a little more meaning.

In this solo episode, I’m exploring the idea of liminality and how certain seasons or transitions can help us reconnect with parts of ourselves that may feel quieter at other times of the year. For me, autumn is that season.

I’m also talking about glamour magic in a w...

What happens when your logic, intuition, words, and actions finally begin moving in the same direction?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we explore sodalite—a deep blue stone commonly associated with truth, communication, intuition, and conscious awareness.

We begin with the science of sodalite, including its mineral structure, its connection to lapis lazuli, and the fascinating sodalite variety known as hackmanite, which can actually change color in response to light.

From there, we move into sodalite’s history, including its formal description in 1811 and its earlier use in M...

Coming home from the Powerhouse Women Conference, I had absolutely nothing prepared for this week’s episode.

And maybe that was exactly the point.

Instead of forcing myself to immediately jump back into researching, recording, creating, and checking things off my list, I let myself actually be present for the experience. And when I got home, I sat down behind the microphone without a script, without an outline, and without really knowing where this conversation was going to go.

What came out was something I think I really needed to say.

In...

What if everything you think you know about fairies is only a tiny—and very modern—piece of the story?

In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, I’m joined by Brandon Becker of Inside the Hollow Hills for a fascinating deep dive into Faery Craft, the Good People, and the ancient relationship between humans and the beings of the Otherworld.

Brandon’s path into this work began with an interest in megaliths, archaeoastronomy, and ancient sites across Ireland and the British Isles. But as he dug deeper, he began noticing somethin...

For almost two hundred years, smithsonite didn't have a name of its own. It was lumped together with a completely different mineral, hemimorphite, under the folk name "calamine" — used by the Romans to make brass, by Tang Dynasty artisans to smelt coins, and by medieval physicians to treat skin conditions, all without anyone realizing they were handling two different substances.

In this episode, we trace how smithsonite finally got its own identity — and how many other systems still can't agree on where its boundaries sit. We audit the physical healing claims attached to this stone across multiple refe...

Have you ever felt like your career became your entire identity?

This week on Big Crystal Energy, I'm joined by fellow physician assistant, Reiki Master, medium, and witch Calla for a conversation that feels like sitting down with a friend who just gets it.

As two healthcare providers who also embrace spirituality, we talk about what it means to walk the line between science and magic, why burnout is so common in medicine, and how reconnecting with our spiritual practices helped us rediscover ourselves outside of our careers.

From...

Most people know hematite as the crystal for grounding—but what if that's only the surface?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we're looking beyond hematite's polished, metallic exterior to uncover a history written in blood-red pigment, ancient cave art, legal talismans, protective magic, and one of the oldest relationships humans have ever had with a mineral.

You'll discover why hematite has been used for thousands of years as a symbol of protection, why archaeologists continue to debate its role in ancient burials, and why cultures separated by oceans all seemed to re...

What if the fears holding you back aren't even yours?

In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, I'm joined by crystal healer, teacher, and author Krista Mitchell for a fascinating conversation about crystal consciousness, shadow work, ancestral healing, and why working with crystals goes so much deeper than memorizing metaphysical properties.

Krista shares how a single piece of selenite completely changed the course of her life, why she believes crystals are conscious allies rather than passive tools, and how decades of experience led her beyond traditional crystal healing into deeper work...

Danburite doesn't have the ancient mythology of amethyst or the centuries-long history of quartz—but what if that makes it even more fascinating?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we're exploring one of the most intriguing stones I've researched so far. While working through my Akashic Crystal Healing certification, I kept noticing something unusual about Danburite: no matter which respected crystal author I turned to, they were all describing the same core experience in remarkably different words.

Is Danburite simply another beautiful crystal—or is it something more?

Together we'll expl...

Have you ever wondered if your soul chose this life before you were born? Or why certain fears, gifts, or relationships seem to follow you throughout your lifetime?

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Meli Guidance, an Akashic Records reader, past life psychic, channeling teacher, author, and host of the Mystical & Practical podcast. Together we explore reincarnation, soul plans, spirit guides, karma, and how understanding your soul's journey can bring healing and clarity to your life.

Meli shares the remarkable story of her own spiritual awakening—from a frightening childhood encounter wi...

Flower Agate is often described as a crystal of peace, growth, and gentle transformation—but what if we've been telling the wrong story?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we're taking a closer look at one of the most beloved modern crystals and uncovering the fascinating geology behind its signature "flowers."

Along the way, we investigate the claim that Flower Agate was "discovered in 2018," examine how information spreads through the crystal community, and explore the difference between a geological discovery and a marketing story. Then we dive into the science of how Fl...

How do we make our dreams real without burning ourselves out in the process?

In this special Lammas bonus episode of Big Crystal Energy, I pull a collective reading using the Seasons of the Witch: Lammas Oracle and walk through the beautiful Bird Feeder Spread from the guidebook.

Centered around the question, "How can you contribute to making dreams a reality?", this reading becomes less about chasing bigger goals and more about honoring the quiet, steady work that creates lasting change.

Together, we...

Lammas: The First Harvest & Reclaiming Your Power

Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) marks the beginning of the harvest season—but spiritually, it's so much more than gathering crops.

In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, we're exploring the history, mythology, and deeper meaning behind the first harvest festival. From the Celtic god Lugh and the story of the earth goddess Tailtiu to ancient harvest customs and symbolic sacrifice, we'll uncover why Lammas asks us to stop chasing what could have been and instead acknowledge what has actually grown.

This conversation also be...

Larimar is one of the most recognizable crystals in the world—but almost everything you've heard about it may have come from the same handful of modern sources.

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we're diving beneath the surface of the beautiful blue stone often called the "Atlantis Stone."

You'll hear the familiar story: lost civilizations, divine feminine energy, ancient wisdom, dolphin medicine, and messages from Atlantis. Then we'll ask a much bigger question:

Where did those stories actually come from?

Together we'll explore:

This week I'm joined by the absolutely delightful Markella, creator of Letters of the Zodiac, a monthly tarot subscription that's bringing beautifully curated collective tarot readings to mailboxes around the world.

What started as a simple idea in January has grown into a thriving global community—and after reaching 1,000 subscribers, Markella celebrated in the most unforgettable way possible: by jumping out of an airplane.

But this conversation goes far beyond business.

We talk about what it really means to follow your intuition, navigating life's unexpected challenges, finding purpose after fe...

In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with psychic medium, energy intuitive, photographer, author, and fellow podcaster Kelsey Anderson to talk about what it really means to reclaim yourself.

We explore what it was like growing up as highly intuitive children, sensing things we couldn't explain, and learning to trust those experiences in a world that often teaches us to ignore them. Kelsey shares how her mediumship abilities gradually came online after years of anxiety, burnout, and questioning her own perceptions, eventually leading her away from corporate life and into the work she does...

Red Jasper is often called a grounding stone—but what if grounding was never meant to make us comfortable?

In this deeply personal episode of The Crystal Library, I explore the remarkable geology, mythology, and symbolism of Red Jasper through the lens of my youngest son, Jasper, whose fourth birthday is just around the corner.

After a weekend in Santa Cruz, watching my son joyfully carry a fish skeleton across the beach while everyone else looked away, I realized he instinctively understands something that many adults spend their lives trying to learn: nature is not se...

What happens when the community you're searching for doesn't exist yet?

In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, I'm joined by creative director, oracle creator, community builder, and founder of Unconventional Bliss, Isabel Bagsik. Together we explore the intersection of creativity, visibility, spiritual entrepreneurship, and the deep human desire to find people who truly understand us.

Isabel shares her journey from working with major brands, celebrities, and influencers to creating a business that helps mystical entrepreneurs, creatives, and practitioners show up authentically online. We talk about the courage it takes to be visible, the healing...

In this episode of The Crystal Library, we're exploring Blue Lace Agate—a stone often known for calm, but whose deeper gift may be helping us reconnect with our authentic voice.

I begin with a story I've never shared before: a spring night in 2001, a country road outside the University of Kansas, and a small blue stone pulled from the floorboard of a car during one of the most transformative periods of my life. I didn't know its name then. I only knew that holding it helped.

Twenty-five years later, that same stone is still wi...

In this episode of Big Crystal Energy, Ashleigh sits down with artist, author, deck creator, teacher, and magical powerhouse Marcella Kroll to talk about her newest deck, The Initiates Oracle.

This conversation weaves through Marcella’s lifelong relationship with magic, tarot, mediumship, creativity, and the occult — from her early intuitive experiences and discovering tarot as a teenager, to becoming a professional reader, creating multiple oracle decks, and eventually stepping into the next evolution of her work.

Marcella shares the story behind The Initiates Oracle, a stunning deck inspired by her pilgrimage to E...

Welcome back to The Crystal Library.

Lemurian Quartz may be one of the most fascinating crystals in the modern metaphysical world—not because of what it is, but because of the story surrounding it.

In this episode, we're tracing the surprising journey of Lemurian Quartz all the way back to its origins. Before there were crystal healers, channeled messages, or stories of lost civilizations, there was a British zoologist trying to solve a mystery about lemur fossils. That scientific hypothesis eventually evolved into one of the most enduring myths in modern spirituality: the lost continent of...

The Turning Point Spread: A Litha Collective Reading

Happy Litha and Happy Summer Solstice!

This special bonus episode is a collective oracle reading inspired by the energy of Litha—the longest day of the year and the sacred turning point between the reign of the Oak King and the Holly King.

Using the Seasons of the Witch: Litha Oracle deck by Lorraine Anderson and Juliet Diaz, with artwork by Tiana Lukovic, I walk through a five-card spread I created called The Turning Point Spread. Together, we explore the themes of abundance, in...

Welcome back to Big Crystal Energy! In this episode, Ashleigh dives into the Sabbat of Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice — the longest day of the year and one of the most powerful turning points on the Wheel of the Year.

Litha is a celebration of peak solar energy, abundance, fire, illumination, love, and transformation. But it is also a threshold. At the exact moment the sun reaches its height, the darker half of the year quietly begins. This episode explores that beautiful paradox: the peak, the pause, and the tu...

For thousands of years, Opal was considered the Queen of Gems—more precious than diamonds, sacred across cultures, and associated with vision, hope, transformation, and the divine. So how did it become known as a stone of bad luck?

In this episode of The Crystal Library, Ashleigh explores the fascinating science, mythology, history, and metaphysical properties of Opal. From Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and Greek mythology to Roman legends and Incan traditions, you'll discover why cultures around the world viewed Opal as a visionary stone connected to magic, sovereignty, and the unseen realms.

You'll also learn wh...

Welcome back to Big Crystal Energy! This week, we're returning to the foundation of the podcast and exploring one of the most requested topics of all: crystal healing. ✨

Whether you're completely new to crystals, a longtime collector, or simply curious about why people have worked with stones for thousands of years, this episode offers a fresh look at the history, science, and spiritual practice of crystal healing.

Ashleigh explores the ancient roots of crystal healing, the scientific concepts often referenced in crystal work—including coherence, entrainment, piezoelectricity, and frequency—and why crysta...