A CRYSTAL SHIELD

This is a selfie of me with my new shield, a piece of black tourmaline. That stone not only protects against negativity, it also transmutes it into positive energy.

When I was working as a telephone psychic some years ago, I found that if the person on the other end was suppressing anger, it would almost paralyse my ability to give a reading; if they were sceptical about readings, I would go into self-doubt; and so on. I was able to overcome my reactions and do the work, but with some effort.

I realised that telephones are very good conductors of energy. Although people who consult me face-to-face may have similar thoughts and feelings, it doesn't have the same effect on me.

I started paying attention to see where their energy was getting in, and it became apparent it was through my solar plexus. That was a huge revelation. For years my guides had been telling me to open my heart more. I wanted to, but I was afraid it would put me at the effect of other people's 'stuff'. I couldn't work out how to open my heart and stay shielded at the same time.

As soon as I realised the 'stuff' came in through the solar plexus, I had my answer. Before working on the lines, I would shrink and close that chakra, and construct a psychic shield over it. That could have taken any form, but I chose to visualise it as a large circle of bronze, with an equal-armed cross on the front. With that in place, I was then able to open my heart chakra as wide as I liked and work in the energy of Unconditional Love — ideal for any endeavour, and particularly when working with people.

Later, at a market, I was guided to a big round copper pendant on a chain, the same size and colour as my visualised shield, and when I put it around my neck, sure enough it sat right over my solar plexus. It was from an estate, and all that the family member selling it could tell me was that it had come from Central or South America, where the deceased person had travelled. It had an image of a deity I was very friendly with in those days: Kulkulcan, or Queztalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent.

I wore it for years, then on a visit to Texas in 2006 I was guided to give it to a shaman I met. We are still in touch, and he is now based in Guatemala, constructing a Temple of Illumination. Many of the locals are helpful; some others, who are into using magick for power and evil, have tried to be obstructive, with little success. I like to think the medallion, which I see in photos that he still wears, may be helping with protection and limiting what his enemies can achieve.

Meanwhile, I never replaced the medallion. I went back to using my etheric shield with the equal-armed cross. As I eventually stopped working the psychic lines, even this became less necessary. Until now.

I've been unwell. I contracted shingles, a first for me, and not pleasant. When I took a friend to my favourite crystal shop, this pendant caught my eye. I was strongly drawn to it and three others, and bought them. Of course, when I brought them home and consulted my crystal books, they all had properties I need at present.

I am wearing one of the others too, in the picture above: it's chrysocolla, which, among other things, helps to strengthen the immune system. (I am wearing it over my thymus.) A weakened immune system is one of the reasons people get shingles! The chrysocolla was actually the first one I was drawn to that day, and the tourmaline second.

I don't think I am under psychic attack just now, intentional or otherwise; I think that, due to the illness, I am probably a bit vulnerable to any negativity which may be floating around. But my new shield will be valuable against attack too, if ever it occurs. For whatever reason I need it, I trust my guidance. I have always found it good.

By now I have asked many other aware people where they experience psychic attack entering their being. I wanted to see if it was the same for most people or different for everyone. They all confirmed: solar plexus.

Using an etheric shield is pretty quick and easy if you're practised at visualisation and intentionality, but popping a pendant around your neck is even quicker and easier, and you don't have to remember to strengthen it from time to time.