Perhaps you've seen a psychic “read” a person's life story simply by holding her ring in his hand. That's because minerals — stones, shells, crystals, and metals — pick up the vibrations of things they come into contact with and retain those vibrations for a long time. Minerals may appear inert to the untrained eye, but if you try you may be able to sense the subtle emanations given off by stones and metals. Gemstones and crystals, in particular, pulse with their own unique life energy.

Minerals resonate at a slower rate than plants or animals. This quality makes them especially useful in certain types of spells. If you imprint minerals with a magickal intention, they will retain it for months, years, or even longer. Minerals can also be combined with other ingredients to strengthen or lengthen the duration of a spell. In a world of continuous change, minerals remain constant and firm.