Our first two facebook competitions were very successful. Twice in recent times, we have offered excellent prizes for ‘naming the mineral in the picture’. Wendy Rees from Canada was our first lucky winner, who got to choose her own Peter Stone Zodiac piece valued at $80.

We then offered a $100 gift voucher for the person to correctly name the 3 minerals in the above picture. After several days, a couple of clues, and HUNDREDS of participants from all around the world, The competition was finally won by Kristy Hinton from Australia.

We plan to hold more competitions so watch out on facebook.

There has been some major overhauls to our website recently, and many many product photos are being updated. You will notice over time as you browse the site, that slowly every little section of the online shop will be updated and revised. The photos updated to keep them relevant. At the moment we are in the process of updated ALL of the tumbled stone pictures.

Our online shop is continuously synchronised with our actual shop stock meaning that ‘if it’s online, it’s in stock’. Sold items are removed immediately, and the picture online is usually the exact piece for sale. Online orders leave THE SAME DAY, and packages arrive across the planet within 2-3 weeks.

Our book department is packed full of Mind/Body/Spirit Books, Card Decks, CD’s and DVD’s. We specialise in custom orders, and particularly for those that don’t like to order online. We can do it for you. Contact us with your requests, and we’ll find them for you.

We have started stocking these two awesome Aromatherapy Sprays. Rosemary for CONCENTRATION, and Lavender, Chamomile and Yarrow for SLEEP. They are awesome organic mists sprays at only $14.95. Simple and effective.

I must also mention the arrival of a shipment of Crystals all from Madagascar. Some exceptional pieces, and they are all listed online.

Please remember also that our website has a very efficient search function. Typing a crystal name here will quickly search our database of over 4000 products. The search will look at product descriptions also, meaning that typing an ailment here may in fact give a tumbled stone as a search result.

After the success of our recent Tarot Workshops Milli and Kerstin are in fact collaborating, and working on a more advanced Tarot Course, to run over 4 consecutive weeks. This is very exciting, so please contact us now to put your name down to receive more information as we make plans for this course.

Please don’t forget also that we offer Numerology readings by appointment, as well as Reiki Healing Therapy.

And of course our awesome professional team of Tarot readers by appointment daily.

Thanks for reading. Don’t forget that it’s Mothers Day soon….and your Mum will like approx 97% of all the things we sell.

Thanks for reading

Robert

One of the best descriptions of meditation that I have heard, is that it is the practice of arriving. Much of our lives are spent ‘running’ and ‘chasing’ some kind of peace and happiness in the future, causing our present moment to always be one of stress and frustration.
I have heard it said that all of our suffering, is simply a resistance to what is. This is a very true statement, and a very deep meditation.

When we sit in meditation, we arrive very deeply in the present moment. We breathe in and out mindfully, and experience the simple state of being, an acceptance of the here and now.

Regular meditation is an excellent way for us to nurture our own deep sense of inner peace. I encourage you to find a method that suits you, and to allow time to practice it.

In March we posted our very first competition on facebook. We offered as a prize, your choice of Peter Stone Zodiac Pendant. Facebook fans could make guesses as to the names of the minerals in the picture. I thought is was pretty hard, so I was prepared to give hints away each day, but within 24 hours, there had been two very very close answers, and finally Wendy Rees from Canada, correctly named the minerals Prehnite, Lithium Quartz and Petalite. She chose Virgo as her pendant! Congratulations Wendy!

Now that was so much fun that we have launched another similar competition. This time, the prize is $100 Gift Voucher with us, that can be redeemed as an online coupon from anywhere in the world. I gotta warn you though, this one is pretty hard. A clue will be given each day until someone names the three minerals in the picture.

 Don’t forget that we can process lay-by orders for customers all over the world. Simply purchase a gift voucher online, that is at least 20% of the item value. Then email us with the details of the item you wish to order

TIBETAN SINGING BOWLS WORKSHOP

Saturday April 20th at 3pm

Finally, by request, we are planning the first of many workshops on Tibetan Singing Bowls. Cost is $50, booking an payment in advance is required for our small group workshops, because places are very limited. Please contact us asap if you would like to book in for this workshop. You can also purchase tickets online here.

Margarita has been offering Numerology readings by appointment, usually on Wednesdays. Please contact us if you are interested in having a Numerology reading, and we can arrange a day and time.

Also don’t forget that we offer Reiki by appointment. Zoe’ is a highly qualified practitioner, available by appointment, with sessions usually held in the late afternoon on weekdays.

And of course, our exceptional team of professional Tarot Readers, available in-store daily. They are each responsible for the excellent reputation they have built in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney. Bookings on 9540-2744.

Thanks for reading our Newsletter!

Robert.

We appreciate very much all of the nice emails and comments that we get from customers and fans all around the world. In the shop each day, some of the most uplifting moments are not necessarily a huge sales day, but when people say something like ‘It’s always such a nice energy in here’ or ‘I love coming here’ or ‘can I just sit in here for a while? I’ve had such a hectic day’. Even better…is the daily stream of toddlers who MUST stop at the window to look at the fairies, with Mum always saying ‘on the way back…we might go in there’ and I’ve often heard small children say ‘Mummy I love that shop’.

It reminds me that, even though running a small business is in itself hectic and stressful at times, that the original vision that inspired the slogan on our windowfront, is a whole different energy to JUST being a successful retail operation. We always need to be a balance of both.

This month I’ve left the newsletter to the last minute, so forgive me that it’s a little rushed. One of the main reasons is that we have been busy this week processing a huge new shipment of more than 80 new mineral specimens from all around the world. Facebook fans will have noticed these as they make their way online, and onto the facebook timline with direct links to each one. More than half of the shipment is online, and I’ve taken a short break just to type this newsletter, then back into getting it all online. They each will be listed in the natural specimens section of our website, but in this instance the facebook timeline is probably the best place to scan them, as they are all being posted one by one right there.

Trying so hard to get all of this processed quickly because the Tibetan Singing Bowl shipment has finally left Nepal and we are expecting it to arrive any day. We have quite an array of different styles on the way to compliment the existing range, and that will certainly keep us busy for a while, but within a week or two, they too will all be online for you to see, and instore for your to hear.

We welcome Margarita to the team, offering Numerology readings, Starting TOMORROW, Saturday March 2nd by appointment, and then every Wednesday by appointment. She has a natural affinity with numbers and how they relate to each other. She can prepare your numerological chart based on your date of birth, and various milestones in your life. An understanding of your own numerology can help you to live in harmony with the various cycles of life.

Kerstin is holding her first RUNES workshop on Saturday March 16th at 3pm. Her February Tarot Workshop was sold out, and we’ve had some excellent feedback about it. We are planning to hold them regularly. Our small group workshops have very limited places, and for this reason, we ask for payment in advance, to secure your place. You can buy tickets ONLINE HERE.

Thanks for reading our newsletter! and don’t forget that Crystal eggs are excellent diet Easter eggs!

Namaste

Robert

Spiritual Evolution means different things to different people. To me, it has to do with the ‘letting go’ of the things that once helped us to evolve physically and mentally, but are now in fact holding us back from going any further. We have now reached the level of consciousness where we have been contemplating our own existence, in the light of science, and our own spirituality.

This is the age where our understanding of our surroundings is like it never has been before. And our sense of ‘spirituality’ and the ‘wonders of life’ no longer need to have anything to do with superstitions, as they did in the past. We are now able to pursue the spiritual path, with a balanced understanding of the universe. This is a mindset that out ancestors did not experience.

Superstition remains deeply engrained within us today, and has become entwined around all kinds of so called ‘spiritual’ beliefs. It is important that we each look deeply at our own mindsets, and our own fears, to discover the way forward from here. There are many things that can help us do this, such as meditation. Unfortunately there are many many more things that can hold us back.

The best summary of spiritual evolution that I have heard is that we should ‘leave this world more beautiful than we found it’. And regardless of where we come from or what we have been through, we can start doing that now. Everything we do, or claim about ourselves, should pass through this filter. Especially if you are charging money for some kind of ‘spiritual service’.

Of course we all need to earn a living, but it needs to be an honest one.

For Awaken Crystals this means first and foremost being an excellent retail shop and website! And there is a continual flow of amazing jewellery pieces and crystals for you to browse online or in our store. Facebook is the ideal place to watch as these items arrive and our page has been growing at a rate of something like 300+ likes per day. This little newsletter also is getting dozens of signups every day.

VALENTINES DAY

We of course can offer you all kinds of Valentines day ideas to suit your budget and for both women and men, from books and cards to crystals and jewellery items.

Scan through the recent facebook timeline and notice that there is lots of ideas.

AFFORDABLE STERLING SILVER RINGS

We have just received an excellent range of very affordable, yet fine quality Sterling Silver rings available in a range of sizes, but of course limited gemstones. The claw setting rings have a 7mm faceted stone and are only AUD$39.95. The ‘twist’ setting, with three tiny faceted stones, only $44.95. You will notice many different ones as they arrive, but feel free to email us if you like a particularring but want to order a specific size in it. If we don’t have it we’ll order it fast.

These items of course compliment our range of stunning and unique natural gemstone pieces which is always changing. These amazing ‘Herkimer Diamond’ rings are a favourite for people to gaze upon, and with two recently sold, these gorgeous pieces have just arrived to replace them.

Across our showroom and through the website pages you will find many different gemstone jewellery pieces that vary greatly in price. From very cheap to very rare, unique and beautiful.

TOOLS FOR YOUNG CRYSTAL LOVERS

We have just received these two great little devices that will interest young crystals collectors in particular. With either of these devices you can look closely at the structure of a crystal, and see its finer formations that the eye can’t see. They are an excellent gift for young collectors. Find them on the ‘giftware and other’ section of our website.

After Milli forgave me for neglecting to mention in our last newsletter that she had been asked to contribute an article to the national magazine ‘Good Health’ in January, we have nevertheless been very busy with Tarot Readings, with our busiest month ever in January.

We are of course very proud of Milli and have been showing all of her clients this article. Milli is available Monday, Wednesday and Saturday by appointment.

Not really surprising that we have been so busy with such an excellent team of professional ‘no-nonsense’ readers. Kerstin and Rishi likewise have been busy as the whole team gains momentum in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney. They are each excellent at what they do.

TAROT WORKSHOP Feb 16th

Kerstin is holding her next Tarot Workshop on Saturday February 16th, at 3pm. There is only 2 places left at this stage, so be quick, but if you miss out, there will be another one soon. So stay tuned. You can buy your ticket online here or in-store before the event.

RUNES WORKSHOP MARCH 16th

We would also like to announce that Kerstin will hold her first RUNES WORKSHOP, by popular demand (already have names down), the following month on Saturday March 16th.

Kerstin has exceptional knowledge of both the Tarot and Runes, and uses both in her readings. Many people have expressed interest in having an introductory workshop on Runes. It will be announced again in our next nwsletter, and over the next few days can be booked online. Please contact us if you would like to join us for this workshop.

Stay tuned for news of upcoming workshops!

Thanks for reading and for being our customer.

Robert

It is important to look deeply at how many of our concepts and mindsets exist because of our very limited point of view. Mindfulness meditation is one way that makes it possible to see our thoughts, and our existence, as an overview.

If you have time, click the image above and watch this amazing 20 min video documentary talking about the profound effect that space travel, and particularly witnessing the earth as a planet, has had on many astronaughts. They call it ‘the overview effect’ and they talk about this experience creating within them a ‘new kind of self-awareness’. That seeing the Earth as it really is, with their own eyes, has caused them to see themselves differently.

How important it is to see how limited our perspective is, and how our behaviour is effected by this limited point-of-view. We have seen how different world-views have effected human behaviour. Religious mindsets, and various ‘spiritual’ concepts, all have one thing in common. They all limit our perspective, and they all increase the idea of separation.

Looking deeply it is pretty clear that, if we are going to survive as a species at all, let alone evolve, we are going to have to shake off these limited mindsets, and move towards a sense of UNITY and transcend the sense of separation. It becomes less of a rhetorical, poetic ideal, and more of a simple matter of survival.

If there is any good thing about Y2K bugs, Mayan Calendars, this Apocalypse and that Apocalypse, is that when nothing happens we might sit in meditation at the futility of the mis-conception. Which itself could shift our perception!

Basically, it’s time to stop talking about energy shifts and start to shift our energy. And for this reason it’s good that 2012 is over. Perhaps we can focus on the present moment with another ‘end of the world’ out of the way…

Another record sales month in December, for which we are very grateful to our customers all over the world. Thank you again. Not too surprising wih Christmas shoppers, but it certainly is encouraging to set our third monthly record in four months, even with December being a short month. We now look forward to 2013 with lot’s of fresh new ideas.

Re-sizing of our rings

The first of these announcements is that we are able to have most of our rings re-sized locally. We will be working with a local jewellery manufacturer to offer this service to our customers both in-store and online. The cost in most cases will be $20, and we will let you know within 24 hours if the particular job cannot be done for some reason. Online customers can purchase this service online here, and if it turns out that the re-size is not possible, you will be offered a full refund immediately.

A wider range of Silver chains

We are also just about to receive a lot of different styles of Sterling Silver Chains to match our pendants. We will be able to offer several different chain types, and lot’s of thicknesses and lengths. Watch out on our website because they will all make their way to the online shop in the first week of January. The range will slowly grow in the coming months so stay tuned to this section of the website.

Website Updates

There has also been a couple of other major updates to our website lately, the birthstone reference pages have been re-done recently to provide clear and concise information about birthstones and their origins. The ‘Crystals’ tab at the top of our website is the most frequently visited area of our website.

There is also a new table on the website, which will be a work in progress, that summarises some of the crystals and gemstones that are not naturally occuring, or are controversial in some way. Some are completely fake, some are treated or colour dyed, and others have undergone some kind of dubious marketting. Either way this page helps us all to understand what they are, and suggestions are welcome for additions to this chart.

As well as facebook, we are also pretty active on various other online forums, with Instagram our latest addition. You will find only the very best of our photos on Instagram to flick through on your phone, while Pinterest will be more focused general products and categories. These forums designed to give you a quick visual overview of our Crystals and Jewellery. Follow us on twitter for the occasional inspirational quote.

Early in December we stocked up on some amazing new jewellery pieces, and we were asked by Made in Earth Creations to showcase one of their amazing showpieces over the Christmas season. Yours for only $1790, this amazing natural Chakra piece is truly a one of a kind. Many have admired it’s unique beauty, and it will be in store for the next few weeks if you would like to see it in person.

In fact as mentioned last month, with this recent order we have taken the opportunity to stock in some very rare and unique pieces along with the usual favourites. One example is this amazingly rare Pallasite Meteorite ring. Very special, the fact that Olivine Crystals of Peridot quality would naturally occur within an Iron/Nickel meteorite in outer space! Do a quick google search for more info, and you will see just how rare this specimen is!

New Singing Bowls about to arrive

Many of our Tibetan Singing Bowls and Crystal Bowls were sold in December, and we do in fact expect another large shipment from Nepal in January. Stay tuned on facebook and also on the Singing Bowls section of our website and you will notice them as they arrive. Many new styles are expected with this shipment.

To quote a recent facebook post: “We distance ourselves from the mainstream nonsense, and humbly offer to you perhaps the best, most professional and experienced team of Tarot readers available in Sydney”

This service we take very seriously, and each of our readers offer a level-headed, guidance approach to the interpretation of the card reading, and each are very experienced at what they do.

Each with regular referals and even regular phone calls and messages of thanks, we just continue to do what we do, and do it well. We make no supernatural claims, we just allow the energy flow when and where it is needed.

In fact I would go so far as to say that ‘supernatural claims’ are a warning sign. This is my own personal experience.

You will notice that our website Calendar is always updated for the coming month, and you can see which of our readers is working on which day, as well as scheduled special events, and the Sundays where we are closed and open.

The Calendar can be viewed by month or by week, and there is a quick view at the left hand side of most of our website pages.

TAROT WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 16th

Kerstin is holding her next ‘Introduction to the Tarot’ workshop on Saturday February 16th at 3pm. Bookings are essential for our workshops, as space is limited and we like to keep the group small for the best learning experience.

The Cost is $50, and the workshop will run from 3pm-5pm. Booking and payment needs to be before the event, you can buy a ticket online here, or you can pre-pay in store or by phone. But be quick as these small group workshops can tend to book out. News of other planned workshops will be here in this newsletter and on our website.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our customers and fans worldwide. Thank you for reading and we look forward to seeing you in the shop, or hearing from you online.

Namaste

Robert

Well Christmas is upon us again and we have lot’s of gift ideas throughout our shop and website. Just the other day we published our 4000th product online, and we’ve been continually revising the website categories to try to make browsing our website more ’user friendly’.

In our October newsletter, you may remember that we reported a record sales month for September. Well we’re happy to be able to say that November 2012 has exceeded September and is our new biggest sales month!

December is set to be quite frantic for us and we certainly do look forward to a week off between Christmas and New Years. We will close Christmas Eve Dec 24th, and re-open On January 2nd. Our website will of course be available to you right through the season but online orders from 24th December will ship January 2nd. 

Now if you are a fan of ours on facebook you will have noticed that this week a huge new shipment of amazing gemstone jewellery went online. Made in Earth Creations manufacture some of the most amazing pieces of Gemstone jewellery you will find, and we have a huge display of their product, and every piece is also online. This time around we have even hand picked some very rare and special pieces, along with all of the normal favourites. Have a browse across our recent facebook timeline and you will see all of the newest pieces we have, if you are looking for that extra special Christmas gift.

GIFT IDEAS

Our amazing range of locally made pure Soywax candles are very much a favourite at this time of year. Available in 15 gorgeous scents, and in 4 jar sizes. The largest size has a wooden wick, which creates a really nice ambience as it crackles. Soy wax is slow burning and clean, is completely bio degradeable. They smell amazing, and make the perfect gift. Our website lists all of the scents and sizes.

We have lots of finer incense, and gift packs, that can also make a really nice gift for people who appreciate quality incense. Across our huge display of incense from around the world, there is some beautifully presented gift boxes of quality incense. Even the boutique japanese incense packets, and SMOKELESS incense, would make an excellent gift if you are after something different.

Rose Classic is a set of exquisite Rose Incenses from Japan. With 27 short sticks of 10 min burn time each. With Damascus Rose, Tea Rose and Bulgarian Rose.

Tibetan Singing Bowls are also a beautiful gift to give a meditator. We have an excellent range of them, directly imported, and can offer you the right advice on chosing them to suit your budget

Also don’t forget that our gift vouchers can be redeemed online from anywhere in the world, using a coupon code online!

We are open 7 days through to Christmas, and Milli will even be instore on Sundays through December. We will close early on Sundays however, by about 1 or 2pm, depending on how busy we are, so call us if you are planning to visit.

We are also very pleased to announce Rishi’s return from India after several months, many people have asked after her, and she will be reading at Awaken each Friday, from next Friday 7th December.

We are also planning Kerstin’s next Tarot workshop for January or early February, so stay tuned on our website or on facebook for the dates of our workshops.

Three of the very best professional Tarot readers you will find, each creating their own clientele of referrals and repeat bookings. We are pleased to journey into 2013 our little trio re-united. Welcome back Rishi.

Thank you to our customers and fans world-wide. Have a very safe christmas season, and thank you very much for all of the support this year, your lovely facebook comments and your visits to our shop.

Happy and safe holiday season.

Robert

There exists a fine balance between science and spirituality. I was inspired this month to post the above message on facebook, ‘borrowing’ this amazing photo from google, that seems to sum up what I wanted to say and suits the message very much. In fact this message sums up the way Awaken Crystals operates. 

Throughout human history wherever knowledge is low, superstition has flourished. As our understanding has increased, a beautiful natural process has taken place that tends to dissolve superstition. For example, until we realised what the Sun actually was, we assumed it was a God, that went to sleep each night and rose in the morning…

Negative Ions are spoken about a lot lately. In the shop each day I find myself discussing them a lot. They are often spoken of in an almost magical way, like they are a miracle cure-all for everything. Used to sell special bracelets, pendants, and many other products including things that we sell like Himalayan Salt lamps and oil diffusers.

So I decided to open this newsletter with a basic summary of what a Negative Ion is. Mother nature has this beautiful cleansing process, which takes place wherever there is moving water. You will have noticed that near a waterfall the air is crisp and clean. This is because the process is creating an abundance of Negative Ions in the air. Rain does the same thing, so does ocean waves, or a fast running river.

The process is creating an abundance of Oxygen atoms with extra electrons, which gives the atom an overall negative electrical charge. This is what is meant by ‘Negative Ion’ (an ion is an atom in a state of imbalance, and can be positive or negative). The Ion is very reactive, because it will shed/share these extra electrons easily with something that is lacking them. This does two things; Firstly the negative oxide ion is understood now to have a very good effect on our biochemistry (ie can be used very easily by the body for all kinds of chemical processes, and carrying oxygen faster to the brain) and secondly, it will clean the air by clinging to impurities, making them fall to the ground, rather than breathed in by us.

So, with the growth of our cities and the increase in pollution, and air-conditioned enclosed spaces, increasing negative ions is a very ‘positive’ thing - because there is hardly any there if we don’t. This is how the air will be purified. 

Himalayan Salt Lamps (which we sell starting at $25) are sold as natural ‘Negative Ion Generators’ which is very true, but so is a water feature, your Iron, shower or a running tap.

The idea is that the overall amount of negative ions in the room gets increased. A salt lamp does this by drawing moisture from the air and then the heat of the lamp evaporates it, and this ‘flow of water’ is generating negative Ions. With a salt lamp you also get the positive effects of salt, and other minerals in the rock. And as a bonus…it’s a very cool lamp. The idea is to leave it on all the time so that the process generally increases the negative ions, and in fact, turning it off just for 20-30mins sometimes and then back on will probably increase it’s effectiveness as a negative ion generator.

Now as I mentioned, a water feature will also do a similar job, and no wonder aromatherapy diffusers also say ‘negative ion generator’ on the box. This is simply because they involve the movement of water.

Our diffusers are $69.95 and are also an LED nightlight available in 4 colours. Now more importantly, in terms of Aromatherapy, diffusers are more effective than vapourisers for most oils because the do not use heat, but rather ultrasonic waves. This releases the oils into the air in their purest form, but also is more efficient, and last more than 6 hours and has an auto cut-off. They are actually probably more effective as a negative ion generator than a salt lamp is…

Also, because they don’t use heat they are safer around children and pets, than a tealight candle vapouriser.

With Christmas on the way, we have lots of new gift ideas to suit everybody, and every budget. We have an excellent new range of Angels and Fairies which are always popular, particularly as small children know us as ‘the fairy shop’.

A wide range of suncatchers with Swarovski elements, and many including natural gemstones. These are all online and starting from $9.95, would make an excellent gift or decoration for christmas.

Now of course we always stock hundreds of gorgeous and unique pieces of gemstone jewellery in Sterling Silver if you are looking for a unique gift for someone special, or simply an excellent way to wear crystals.

We carry many exclusive designs by some of the the world’s finest manufacturers. Excellent workmanship and gemstone quality. In many cases we can order a custom ring size, and some pieces are available with different stones by custom order.

We also stock carved gemstone pieces that are priced very nicely at $27.95. Lot’s of different design ideas to choose from.

We most certainly layby and have even been setting up layby’s for online customers around the world. All you need to do is contact us. If you wish to secure an item by layby, purchase a gift voucher online (for at least 20% of it’s value) and then email us with which item you wish to layby. The item is then YOURS, will be taken offline, and we will email you your payment receipt, and you can pay us off over 3 months, using paypal or online banking.

Now speaking of gift vouchers, they are in themselves an excellent gift idea for fans of our store or website. Online customers will be set up with a coupon code which can be redeemed online very easily, and they will be sent a personalised gift certificate.

We still seek another Tarot reader for the team to replace Katie-Jane (who’s catering business is taking off) and also Rishi (who has extended her stay in India). But I have to say, the more we actively seek quality readers, the more we grow to appreciate Kerstin and Milli. Both are excellent at what they do, and have started to gather quite a strong following of clients after more than a year at Awaken, with regular ’word of mouth’ referrals.

As mentioned on our readers page on the website, ‘psychic readers’ are all too common, but experienced and professional Tarot readers are actually very rare, and it’s not until you actively try to find them that you realise the truth of this.

Fortunately they are both willing to fill the days until we find a new team member. Check the website calendar for the days they they are here in the coming months.

We host regular Workshops every 6-8 weeks on Tarot, Crystals and other topics so email us to put your name down for these.

Thanks as always for reading.

Robert

People who are on some kind of ‘spiritual journey’ will mention various spiritual teachers who have influenced them, or somehow greatly affected their growth. For me personally, I can say that Eckhart Tolle, Osho, and Thich Nhat Hanh are very much a part of who I am. In fact, without realising it, they are each very much responsible for the existence of Awaken Crystals.

For to me spirituality represents the ‘flowering of human consciousness’ or the continual evolution of mankind. I always say, that it truly is time for us to let go of our superstition and fear, and this narcassistic approach to spirituality that so many seem to have. Or else we aren’t going to evolve anywhere.

Using our intuition, there is always two very easy ways in which we can discern the value of a spiritual teacher or teaching. 1) What are they saying about themselves personally? No genuine spiritual teacher ever raised themselves up as being specially gifted and unique. If your ‘teacher’ spends time talking about their own special gifts and insights? Stop listening, and go within. There is a good chance they need teaching more than you do. 2) Are they creating fear in you that wasn’t there before? Is there a threatening tone or a warning that you ‘must do it this way’ and ‘not that way’? This is usually an indication that you are being led back into a superstitious mindset that is no better or worse than any other.

A very well known spiritual teacher said ‘seek and you will find’. And I would like to suggest that ‘seeking’ is an excellent place to start. Do that as part of a personal journey, and don’t simply follow someone else’s guidance, for within you is the same potential that has existed in every human being before you.

Crystals and Aromatherapy can be an excellent way of connecting with the Earth, and connecting with the Earth is an excellent meditation practice. Meditation practice is an excellent way of growing spiritually.

We have recently received a bunch of new Crystal pieces, some of which are very rare. Facebook is the best way to stay in touch with these things and indeed some of the rare pieces are snapped up very fast by our growing online audience around the world. Sometimes I’m almost disappointed at how fast they go! Until I realise that this is precisely what is supposed to happen. Our website is completely up to date. Items mostly ship the same day we get the order, and in the rare instance that the item is no longer available, you will be informed immediately and offered a refund, or told how long the delay will be.

Causing a huge stir locally as well as online is the pricing on our new range of Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces and Bracelets. Necklaces for babies are NOW ONLY $18.90 (32cm) and Bracelets are only $14.90 (15cm). Perhaps the most exciting thing is that we have a huge range of sizes and styles for BOTH babies and adults. Perhaps the best thing about this, is that we have been able to ‘fit’ babies and toddlers of all shapes and sizes. With the baby necklaces available in a smaller (30cm) and also a larger (36cm). And many different adult sizes too!

The complete range is available online here. And updated with each new shipment.

Likewise our collection of sterling silver gemstone jewellery is always changing, as there is always fresh stock arriving, so stay tuned to facebook and keep browsing our website, which are both updated on a daily basis. MADE IN EARTH CREATIONS are amongst some of the worlds best affordable gemstone jewellery pieces and there is an awesome array of their product instore. Amongst their range, are some of the nicest crystal specimens that you will find set into jewellery.

We have also become well respected as the best place to source Tibetan Singing Bowls at a reasonable price. We have found some excellent supply sources for these products, and not only do we have an excellent array of products, but we can offer you advice on the uses and techniques of these products that you will find it very difficult to find elsewhere. There is much more stock due to arrive any day, so stay tuned to our website and facebook for their arrival.

Crystal Singing Bowls are a very similar concept but quite different in their energy and sound. We have also recently received a good range of these products. Very hard to experience online, but they are excellent for meditation, space clearing, as well as vibrational healing therapies.

Made from 99.9% silicon Dioxide (Quartz) they are an extremely resonant and powerful sound, that ‘goes right through you’. Online customers should email us to talk about what you are looking for and we will do our best to help you with all kinds of Singing Bowls.

We are now stocking two beautiful choices in japanese coil incense. They are an excellent ‘something different’ gift idea for people who love finer incense. They are slow burning a subtle. You will find them under ‘boutique incense’ on our site.

A big thank you to to everyone who voted for us in the local business awards. We have been selected as finalists again for the second year running! We very much appreciate those that voted for us online, as well as instore.

September was in fact a record sales month for us, out-doing both of the last two Decembers. The energy is certainly flowing for us now and every little bit of your support is appreciated as we grow from here.

We have a part time position available in our Caringbah store. This is a bit of an ‘all-round’ position that will involve cleaning, admin, packing of orders as well as serving customers instore. If you are interested in applying for this position please send an email to info@awakencrystals.com

This month we welcome the lovely Ronelle to our team of readers. She compliments our team perfectly, and is an experienced Tarot and Angel Card Reader. With formal qualifications in nursing and mental health, she is also an ‘Advanced Theta Healer’, A Chakra Healer, ‘A Course in Miracles’ facilitator and a ‘Louise Hay Heal Your Life’ Facilitator. This is just the start of her list of talents. Please make her welcome and say hello sometime, and she is available by appointment, so check her days on the website calendar which may shuffle around a bit in the coming weeks.

We advertised on facebook and were blessed with Ronelle within 24 hours of the post! But then, an email from Rishi in India, who has delayed her return to Australia by a few months. There is a good chance she’ll be back with us next year, but in the meantime we are seeking another reader for our team already!

Our readers are all of a similar energy, and the position remains available until we find just the right reader. They need to be a warm, compassionate soul with a genuine desire to help, nurture and counsel clients on their journey through life.

They must have a good understanding of their craft, as this is the type of service we provide. And we provide it faithfully.

If you feel as if you are this person we seek, then please contact me via email, and we can arrange a time for you to visit for a meeting.

At this meeting we will both know if it’s meant to be.

So not only do we seek another reader, but also an assistant in the shop, so hopefully next month we will welcome two new team members! Exciting times.

Please keep in mind also that Zoe’ is available for Reiki sessions by appointment. Our little reading room converts quickly into a therapy room. Zoe’ is a very experienced Reiki therapist who is available by appointment usually on Saturday afternoons. Call us for more info

Thanks for reading! Voting, and just for your support of Awaken Crystals. Every one of you are appreciated by us.

Namaste

Robert

On the 17th of September it will be 2 years since Awaken Crystals and Gifts opened for business. We arrive at this landmark with the business up 34% on last financial year, which is absolutely sensational, considering the doom and gloom in retail land around us.

After establishing the Caringbah shopfront for the first year or so, it came to December of 2011 and it was time to duplicate the store online. Eight months later, our online store now has 3,700 products, and we have hundreds of online customers in many countries around the world.

Across these past months facebook has been a very important part of our growth, and you may have noticed that our product catalogue is basically duplicated across the facebook albums, and there are links everywhere directly to the relevant pages of our online shop…in fact our website is very much working in unison with facebook.

Some people may be pleased to hear that the plan now is to make less posts on facebook! Although because it has been so very effective in encouraging online orders, they will still be very consistent, just not every single hour like it often has been, as we build the online presence.

We are always restocking different crystals and jewellery, to keep our stock fresh and exciting. They are placed online very quickly as they arrive so keep checking back. They are also removed as they are sold which keeps our online shop very fresh and new all the time.

The trouble is that some customers grab the rarer items pretty fast so it’s a good idea to register and activate your account so that when you see something you like you can secure it fast by logging in and placing an order easily…to avoid disappointment.

Both on our website and facebook, you will find simple step-by-step instructions on how to order online with us.

It is even possible to place a lay-by order online with us. Simply email us and we make these arrangements. If you are keen to secure an item, purchase a gift voucher online ($20, $50 or $100) as a deposit (at least 20% of the value) and email us with which item you wish to lay-by. We will email back a payment receipt, and you can pay the item off within 3 months, by making payments directly or via paypal. We can discuss details via email.

We have just received a huge new range of Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces and Bracelets for babies, as well as adult sizes. They are all listed now on our website. This ancient remedy has always been very popular with Mothers. Amber is fossilised resin from ancient pine trees, and when worn, releases oils into the system that have an anti-inflamatory and soothing effect.

We have also freshened up our greeting cards and this stunning new Anne Stokes design ‘Spirit Guide’ has been very popular. Her designs are always amazing, whether artwork, or jewellery. Very inspiring creations.

We also have a new range of giftware items in store, Buddhas, Archangels, Ganeshas, Fairies etc and it’s all online too! Listed under giftware and other items.

Complimenting our stunning range of Sterling Silver Gemstone jewellery, is a fresh range of carved gemstone pendants in many stones, and many designes. You will find these items under the the pendants/carved gemstones section of our online shop. The one pictured here is Aqua Aura, which is actually clear quartz, that has been infused in a vacuum chamber with 24 ct Gold, turning it blue.

Kerstin’s next Tarot Workshop will be on Saturday 15th September at 3pm. We like to keep our workshops as a small group, for space, and also for the best experience of those who attend. For this reason we take pre-booking and payments. You can purchase a ticket online or in the shop.

Our Crystal Workshop in August was a lot of fun, and we will certainly be holding them regularly, and we also have plans for a few different workshop, so stay tuned for those, they will be announced in this newsletter and on our workshops page on the website. 

Thank you very much for reading, and thanks for your support!

Robert

Many people know that I am pretty outspoken about what I call ‘New Age Hype’. I have found that it’s safest to be sceptical, whilst at the same time to have a very open mind to the great mysteries of life.

For example. I find so many areas of this so called ‘industry’ actually disgusting. The preying on fear and ignorance that has become the norm among so many ‘light-workers’. From claiming messages from your dead relative, to removing curses and ‘evil-eyes’ from you. What a shocking mess of superstition and fear we find ourselves in? It is this mindset of shallow fear-based concepts that has held us back for hundreds and hundreds of years.

This is not to say that psychic ability doesn’t exist, but that if we are to evolve from here, we must outgrow the shallow and theatrical use of them. Or worse still, outright deception.

Recently I watched some ‘fake psychic’ clips on youtube. One of them featuring quite a well know ‘international psychic’. I was so disgusted with what I saw, that the following morning I removed two of this persons card decks from the shelves of my shop, booked them out of stock, and placed them in the council garbage bin outside. I simply cannot support this kind of spiritual ugliness. Of course it’s very hard to endorse every single book and card deck among the thousands in our stock, but I certainly can follow my heart in the present moment.

OK so now for what’s new for us here at Awaken Crystals. We have gathered quite a beautiful collection of Peter Stone Sterling Silver Jewellery, and we restock the popular items fast. We can custom order from their massive range, as well as custom ring sizes. Our prices across the range are identical to the manufacturers own website, and our freight cost is actually likely to be cheaper! Contact us for personal service if you would like more detailed photos of any particular piece, or if you would like to custom order something.

Just arrived…New Archangel Sigils, gorgeous ‘Flower of Life’ in Sterling Silver and Gold. All of these amazing and unique designs compliment our range, and the detail and workmanship is quite amazing.

Speaking of ‘complimenting our range’ with over 200 different Gems and Minerals in stock, the stunning jewellery collection of MADE IN EARTH CREATIONS compliments us perfectly. Amazing stone quality as well as workmanship.  We have recently booked in a new shipment of their product, which is all online here, and instore for you to see and feel.

Here is an example of some of the stunning new items online now:

Some of the pieces are really quite amazing, and there is even a few minerals in the shop that are only found amongst the MIEC collection…

This month we also introduce an expanded range of Japanese Incense.  We have expanded the SMOKELESS range with the introduction of the ‘Ka-Fuh’ range from Nippon Kodo.  Seven new awesome scents in the ‘smoke-less’ range as well as the ‘Elemense’ range. Incense to represent each of the 5 elements:

Japanese Incense is subtle and aromatic, and reflects centuries of Incense appreciation. All of our Japanese Incense is available online here

Based very close to us in Southern Sydney, ‘Shell Essences’ have become know around the world, as gentle and effective homeopathic remedies. We have supplied this product around the world, and a nice selection of their range of ‘Aura Mists’ as well as ‘Drops’ can be found in our store and online here.

Lavender Floral  water is also an excellent way of bring the calming energy of Lavender into your home. Used as skin toners or as ‘Aura Mists’, they certainly have a huge variety of uses. Also available; Rose Hydrosol, Neroli and Witch Hazel, in the Springfields and Oil Garden range.

We are taking pre-bookings for our upcoming Crystal Energies Introductory Workshop. This small group workshop will be held instore on Saturday August 11th at 4pm. At this workshop you will choose your own set of 7 Chakra stones FREE. You will have the opportunity to select not only the type of stone for each Chakra, but you will choose the exact individual stone for you. There is limited spaces, so call or email asap. Cost is $50.

We have been selling quite a lot of Himalayan salt products, probably because our price on them (from $14.95) is excellent. I include it in the local news section because their weight makes the postage cost go way up. However, we have sold these online around Australia, because even with postage, our price still compares very well to other outlets.

Rishi is away in India for 2 months and is back in early October. Thankfully Milli will fill in Tuesdays, and Kerstin Fridays, until she returns. Katie-Jane is in store Saturdays as always.

Each member of our team of professional, experienced Tarot readers gets repeat bookings, and constant referrals. Each one is a vital member of our team, and each one is responsible for their own excellent reputation in the Sutherland Shire.

Check the Calendar on our website, and call or email us to book an appointment any day Monday-Saturday.

Thanks for reading!

Robert