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Mercury stationed to go retrograde on Monday, November 25th, 2024, at 22° Sagittarius and will continue it's apparent backward motion until December 15th, 2024, when it goes direct at 6° Sagittarius. Mercury Retrograde is known for its influence on communication breakdowns, travel delays, and technology glitches, and this particular retrograde in Sagittarius brings a focus on big-picture thinking, future goals, and truth-seeking. Miscommunications may arise around plans, beliefs, and philosophical ideas, making it the perfect time to reflect and reassess rather than push forward. Instead of viewing Mercury Retrograde as a time of chaos, it's helpful to see it as an opportunity for revision, introspection and personal growth.

To help you stay grounded, calm, and in tune with your intuition, we’ve curated a list of 8 healing crystals that are ideal for navigating the challenges of Mercury Retrograde. Whether worn as jewelry or carried as tumbled stones, these crystals can support you in finding balance during this holiday season cosmic shift.

1. Lapis Lazuli

Known as the stone of truth and wisdom, Lapis Lazuli is a powerful ally for clear thinking and effective communication. It enhances insight and helps you stay grounded when misunderstandings occur. During this Sagittarius-influenced retrograde, Lapis Lazuli will assist you in exploring deeper truths while maintaining focus and clarity in your interactions.

2. Iolite

Also called the stone of vision, Iolite promotes clarity, intuition, and focus. It is a great choice for Mercury Retrograde because it helps you reconnect with your inner guidance, allowing you to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Iolite supports decision-making when external circumstances feel unclear.

3. Turquoise

Turquoise is known for its ability to aid in communication and provide protective energy. It’s especially helpful during Mercury Retrograde for expressing yourself authentically and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Additionally, Turquoise is believed to shield against negative energy and chaotic influences, making it a must-have during this turbulent time.

4. Amethyst

A stone of peace and balance, Amethyst is perfect for easing stress and staying calm during Mercury Retrograde. It heightens intuition and allows you to make thoughtful decisions, even when the retrograde energy feels overwhelming. Amethyst also encourages emotional clarity, helping you find stability in challenging moments.

5. Lepidolite

If Mercury Retrograde has you feeling anxious or emotionally unbalanced, Lepidolite is your go-to crystal. Known for its calming properties due to its lithium content, Lepidolite supports emotional stability and helps you adapt to unexpected changes. It’s ideal for soothing retrograde stress and promoting a sense of peace.

6. Aquamarine

Aquamarine is highly regarded for its ability to enhance clear and calm communication. Whether you’re navigating a tricky conversation or working through a misunderstanding, Aquamarine helps you speak your truth with confidence and grace. It’s also a wonderful crystal for promoting emotional balance during chaotic retrograde moments.

7. Rainbow Fluorite

For mental clarity and focus, Rainbow Fluorite is a must-have during Mercury Retrograde. Its grounding energy helps you stay organized and centered, even when life feels unpredictable. This crystal is especially helpful for sorting through confusion and making sense of complex situations.

8. Labradorite

Labradorite is a stone of transformation and self-awareness, making it an excellent companion for Mercury Retrograde. It helps you uncover hidden truths and embrace personal growth, turning retrograde challenges into opportunities for reflection and alignment. Labradorite encourages you to trust the process and focus on inner transformation.

How to Use Crystals During Mercury Retrograde

To make the most of these crystals, you can:

• Wear them as jewelry: Keep their supportive energy with you throughout the day.
• Carry tumbled stones: Hold them in your pocket or purse to stay grounded and balanced.
• Meditate with them: Set aside quiet time to connect with their energy and align your intentions.
• Place them in your space: Keep them on your desk or in your home to create a calming and focused environment.

This Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius is a time to pause, reflect, and realign. These carefully selected healing crystals can help you stay calm, clear, and connected to your inner wisdom. Whether you’re facing miscommunications, delays, or emotional turbulence, these crystals offer grounding support to turn retrograde challenges into opportunities for growth. 

This year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 30th—a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting small, local businesses like ours. This special day, launched in 2010 by American Express, encourages shoppers to prioritize independent, woman-owned, and community-focused businesses during the busy holiday season. While it’s tempting to turn to big-box stores or online retail giants for convenience, there are countless meaningful reasons to shop small instead—especially if you’re searching for unique, handcrafted crystals, spiritual tools, and gifts infused with love and intention.

Here are five reasons to shop small on Saturday:

1. You Support Local Dreams Instead of Corporate Profits When you shop at a small business, your purchase helps someone pursue their passion. Your support helps us source high-quality crystals, design beautiful spiritual tools, and create an inviting space for our community. Every sale makes a tangible impact—whether it’s helping us stock shelves, pay rent, or expand our offerings to serve you better. In contrast, shopping at big-box stores or online giants funnels your money into corporate profits far removed from your community. Shopping small is an intentional vote for your neighbors, their passions, and the businesses that make your town unique.

2. Your Money Stays in the Community, Not in Corporate Headquarters Shopping small means your dollars stay local. Businesses like ours reinvest in the community by supporting other local artisans, creating jobs, and giving back to causes that matter. Every crystal, handmade jewelry piece, or spiritual gift you buy supports not just us but also the many other small businesses we collaborate with. When you shop big-box stores, profits are funneled to distant corporate offices, with little benefit to your town. By shopping with us, you’re building a stronger, more connected community.

3. You Get Unique, Personalized Products Instead of Mass-Produced Goods At our crystal shop, every product is thoughtfully chosen or handmade with love. Whether you’re buying an ethically sourced crystal, a custom gemstone bracelet, or a spiritual tool designed to support intention setting, you’ll find gifts that are as unique as the people you’re shopping for. Unlike mass-produced items from big-box stores, our products carry the care and personal touch that can be felt by the recipient. When you shop small, you’re giving gifts that have heart, story, and soul—perfect for creating meaningful moments this holiday season.

4. It’s an Eco-Friendly Choice Compared to Shipping Giants Shopping with a local business like ours is an eco-friendly choice. We work with nearby suppliers and prioritize sustainable practices to minimize our environmental impact. When you shop locally, you avoid the excessive packaging and long shipping routes that come with online giants and big-box retailers. Each purchase helps reduce waste and transportation emissions, making your support a meaningful step toward sustainability. And we reused a lot of packing material to cut down on our carbon foot print. 

5. You Build Meaningful Relationships Instead of Transactional Experiences Shopping at a small business like ours is more than just a transaction—it’s a chance to connect. We’re passionate about sharing the stories behind our crystals and the energetic properties of our handmade products. When you shop with us, you become part of a community rooted in care, collaboration, and intention. In contrast, shopping at big-box stores can feel impersonal and disconnected. Supporting small businesses means fostering relationships that add depth and meaning to your holiday season.

This Small Business Saturday, November 30th, is your opportunity to make intentional, impactful choices about where you spend your money. By shopping with a small, woman-owned business like ours, you’re supporting dreams, reducing environmental impact, and investing in a brighter future for your local community. Let’s make this Small Business Saturday unforgettable. Visit our shop to discover unique, personalized crystals and gifts made with love, and experience the joy of supporting your community. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change—one thoughtful purchase at a time. Shop Small. Shop Local. Shop with Intention.

Maybe you've been here with us since the beginning, thank you. And maybe you are new, thank you. Here's a little more about us! 

Let's start at the beginning:

Heather has very fond memories searching for garnets and rubies with her mother and Grandmother in North Carolina as a small child. She had always had a fascination for rocks and crystals and dreamed of having a magical crystal shop. That dream came true after buying Willowtree Market in 2015, formally Willow’s Naturally, a health and wellness store . She decided she would bring a small selection of crystals in and the customer’s enthusiasm continued to grow, so Heather decided to fill the entire upstairs of the store with more crystals , jewelry and gifts . In the fall of 2019 The Crystal Loft opened. Lou, who also had a deep interest in the healing qualities of crystals , discovered the shop days after she moved to Washington. She knew instantly that she wanted to work there and applied on the spot! She came from a life of collecting pretty rocks as a kid to connecting with the metaphysical side and loving every aspect of it. We loved the Crystal Loft. It was cozy and the sun would come in and play with the crystals.

During the summer of 2020 we moved the Crystal Loft downstairs in Willowtree and changed its name to Wild Heather, so that it was Wild Heather under the Willowtree. We loved this space, it felt like it went hand in hand with Willowtree. A wellness shop with a metaphysical wellness space. But it was a very tiny space and our customers excitedly asked for more. 

Through all of its iterations, we got to know our regular locals very well.

In April of 2021 we moved to the Winslow Mall and expanded 5 times the space we had. Here we were able to meet even more of our locals and tourists, making sweet connections. We expanded in every way, carrying more of the metahysical and occult items as well as dipping our toes into the jewelry world more, and of course find even more awesome crystals to share with everyone. We had 2 wonderful and busy years filled with a lot of growth. 

And now we found the space we have always wanted, at the Orchard. We are excited to be going into our third year of Hidden Gem in a beautiful light filled space. This space feels like a breath of fresh air. The crystal sparkle a little more and we are all happy to be here. We can't wait to see how things will progress in this new space.

Through all of this time of growth we have worked hard to support local women makers and employ amazing women who have knowledge of many wonderful things. As a women owned, women run small business we work hard to support women in our local community and our small business community. Currently we have 25 local, regional, and US made items from women owned companies. And we are always looking for more that we align with. If you are a maker and interested in having your pieces in our shop please reach out through email, hello@hiddengembainbridge.com

We fully acknowledge everyday that we wouldn’t be here without all of you who have been here with us since the beginning or have just recently found us. Your presents means so much to us. Heather and the whole team at Hidden Gem want to thank you for the love and support. We hope you will come checkout our new space and we thank you for being a part of our community through all of the change.

We are so excited to announce that we have moved and we are so happy in our new location. 

You can find all of our beautiful crystals and jewelry just steps away from our original. 

              380 Winslow Way E Suite 101 Bainbridge Island WA

We are ecstatic to have found such a wonderful light-filled location that's even easier for you to get to. We are now nestled between Celtic Crossroads and  L'Atelier Chocolate Shop across from Town & Country. 

You will still find our wall of unique and traditional tarot and oracle decks, all of our amazing ethically sourced crystals, locally/regionally made candles, and jewelry. Plus new jewelry makers and beautiful small batch pottery. We are looking forward to showing you our fresh new space and all of the treasures inside. 

Come find us! We aren't as hidden anymore but you can still discovery lots of new beauty. 

Simple Tarot Practices from Pam Christiansen

Tarot is a wonderful tool for self-reflection.
Here are some easy practices that yield valuable experiences.

1. Pick a card with a person on it. Have the intention of embodying that person
throughout your day.

For example, if you pick the Hermit, you may find yourself slowing
down a bit. You may find that your mind is more peaceful, and decisions are not rushed.
If you pick the Fool, this brings a new, more energetic sense of being. Lighthearted and open to new experiences. Play with the images and watch how your life options expand.

2. To enhance your dreams or to inform your waking life, sleep with a tarot card.

Let the card be the last image you see before going to sleep. If you have a question to answer, or a problem to solve you can use the card to give you specific information. Or be open to whatever message the card may have for you. This can be quit amazing.

The first time I did this, I slept with the Hierophant and dreamed of a teacher coming to me feeding me peanuts. Within a week a spiritual teacher came into my life and provided one of the most impactful experiences of my life.

3. Choose a card for the day and as you move about your world, watch for images that are similar in the card and in your world. Watch for similar shapes. Shapes are significant in themselves. Ask yourself what these images have to say to you. This is really fun especially if you have nature-based deck.

Today I think I’ll embody the Chariot and see where it takes me. Happy Tarot Travels!

 Pam 

Mercury Retrograde!

What is it? Some people make it sound really scary and hard. It doesn't have to be.

This is a time when it can look like Mercury is going backwards in its orbit. It's not actually going backwards. Mercury has a different obit from the Earth, it only takes Mercury 88 days to orbit the sun while it's takes us 365 days. So it's just an optical illusion.

However, during this time the energies can feel a bit intense. Communication can feel hard because Mercury is the ruler of communication. It can also feel like things break down a lot whether its small things like cellphones or other electronics or bigger things. During this time you can feel exhausted or emotional. It's ok, you aren't going crazy, a lot of people are feeling the same. Make sure to slow down and really support yourself right now. Drink a lot of water, get some extra rest, and make sure you are connecting to nature, in whatever way you can.

You can also have some stones around to you support you. Here's a few that Lou loves to work with right now! 

Labradorite~ Feel grounded, connect to your intuition, feel your inner magic/strength, and feel present in the here and now. 

Obsidian~ Ground down, feel protected. Obsidian creates a protective shield around you that really repels any energies that are not for the highest and greatest good. If you are feeling extra emotional consider working with Sheen, Velvet or Rainbow Obsidian. These three are truly beautiful formations of Obsidian that support the heart. They help with grieving and emotions by grounding and protecting you while also bringing ease to the heart.

Amazonite~ This is the stone that is all about feeling inner strength and having courage. It supports you in saying what you need to say. Which is a great stone to have right now since Mercury is the ruler of communication. When Mercury is Retrograding it can feel like communication isn't happening or its getting all screwy. Support your self and have the courage to say it. 

K2 Jasper~ Another awesome stone for grounding and bringing balance. This stone helps you ground down before you speak. Which can help you pause and let that filter kick in before you say something that might not be what you really want to say. 

Blue Kyanite~ Blue Kyanite opens the throat chakra to encourage communication.  It can help you break through blocks and let go of fear associated with speaking your truth. It can be a great stone to support public speaking. 

Fluorite~ "The Genius Stone". Fluorite helps you connect to your intellect and brings clarity of mind. Rainbow Fluorite really helps you connect to your body and what's around you. Green Fluorite is a little more focused on connecting the head and the heart. Help your brain focus on what it needs to right now. 

Selenite~ Clear and cleanse. This is a great stone for cleansing your energies, the energies around you, your space, and the stones you wear during the day. It's great to have a pieces by your front door to clear you as you enter your home. Having a piece to place your pocket stones and jewelry on after the day is great to help them removed the gunk f so they are ready to go the next day. 

Shungite~ Shungite is another protector. It grounds you and helps with radiation and EMF. Keep it near your electronics and wifi to protect yourself. Having this stone during Mercury Retrograde is great because some times electronics act up a bit during this time. Having a piece stuck to your phone or on your person can really help limit major issues with your electronics. 

Follow us on Instagram @hiddengembainbridge for more ideas to support yourself  during Mercury Retrograde.

Stay grounded and go with the flow right now. 

Energy can get stuck all too easily in the physical and emotional body.

Spring is the best time to get things moving. And self care is one of the best ways to help do it. 

How do you know if energy is stuck? And how do you get it moving? These questions might be going though your head right now. No worries. Take a deep breath and keep reading. 

How do you know if energy is stuck? 

First off, you may feel slower or bogged down physically, emotionally and mentally. You might feel physical pain or discomfort that just won't go away no matter what you do. You might feel like one thought just keeps popping back up into your head. You might be feeling a specific emotion even when it doesn't feel connected to your present self. Or you might feel easily triggered by something or someone that brings out stronger reactions or feelings. 

Ok how do I get things moving and remove blocks?

Self-care is such a simple beautiful way to support yourself. Baths, meditation, massage, grounding, movement, and crystals. It's simple but can feel overwhelming at first just keep in mind that you need to do what's best for you. Everyone has their favorite self care rituals. Here are some ideas. 

Baths

Take an intentional bath. Intentional baths are focused, slow and meditative. By lighting candles and adding crystals to a regular bathing experience you can set an intention for your bath such as "I will sit with my anger."

Meditation

Still or moving. There are many guided mediations on youtube. You could watch a candle while taking deep breath. You can go for a walk making sure to go slow and take it all in. 

Grounding

Being in nature is so therapeutic. It can give silence that is hard to come by in our every day lives. Being in nature can also give you a sacred space to speak out loud for no one else to hear. Making noises you wouldn't normally is extremely helpful in getting energy moving in the body especially for the throat and heart. Touching the trees, rocks and dirt, feeling the ground beneath your feet can help you feel connected to the earth and move energy out the legs and feet. 

Stretching/ Mindful Movement

Stretching into those sticky spots can feel good but if you don't do some focused work on your emotional body the icky feeling will linger or just keep coming back. Using a foam roller, walking, doing yoga these are all great things to mindfully stretch. 

There are a lot of thing to do and feel, so to keep your self from getting overwhelmed start small and remember you don't have to do everything. 

Getting Reiki and other energy work such as acupuncture and massage done is also a beautiful way to take care of your self with the help of another person. 

If you are ready to do some serious energetic healing I would recommend visiting https://www.lightbirdhealing.com. I have been working with Myna for a few years now and have really seen the transformation in myself. Of course it takes time and work and nothing happens over night. But you can do it

Love & Healing,

Lou

Manifestation is easier than it may initially seem.

Breathing: A Selfcare Practice to Connect to the Universe Within

The world spins at such a fast clip that it’s easy to get spun out and lose your Self. We can feel this separation as uneasiness or agitation. Take these tangible sensations as cues to pause so you can realign your energy. Literally, stop. Feel into your physical body and then allow yourself to release into the pull of gravity, reconnecting with the physical world here and now. Next, take a moment to look up and out or choose to close your eyes and turn inward. You might already feel your body soften or you may hear yourself exhale. Bring your attention to your breath and watch your body being breathed - inhaling and exhaling all on its own. As the body exhales, feel yourself let go as you surrender to the moment. Let the sound and rhythm of your breath soothe you.

Your breath is the gateway to a vast universe that lies within the physical body. By skillfully cultivating and sculpting the breath, you have the power to change your physiology and neurology, altering how you feel and your state of being. Depending upon which breath technique is used, you can shift from agitation to calmness, from distracted to focused, or from lethargic to energized.

One calming and accessible technique is diaphragmatic breathing, where you breathe through the nose into the low belly, in a sense, bypassing the ribcage. Diaphragmatic breathing encourages full oxygen exchange, regulates your heartbeat, and reduces anxiety and stress. 

It is best to practice lying down, but diaphragmatic breathing can also be done standing or sitting. To try it:

1. Place one hand on your abdomen and one hand on your chest.
2. Breathe in slowly through your nose directing your breath toward the low belly without forcing. You will feel the abdomen rise while the chest remains still.
3. Let the exhale be easy and natural. 

Once you feel comfortable belly breathing, start shaping the breath.

1. Continue breathing diaphragmatically.
2. Begin counting the length of your inhalation and exhalation.
3. Gently and equally lengthen the inhale and exhale without causing stress or anxiety.
4. Follow the path of the breath with the mind’s eye and allow the mind to rest in its rhythm.
5. In time, lengthen the exhalation so that eventually it becomes twice as long as the inhalation.

Practice 5-10 minutes a day to reconnect with your Self and to change your state of being. 

This wonderful information is shared by Sara Tuminello 

Sara Tuminello is an artist and designer who enjoys weaving together a variety of disciplines. She is the creator of the empowering and supportive Haven Oracle Deck — a set of universal affirmations born from her relationship with yoga and breathwork. She shares these transformational tools in accessible private and weekly group yoga classes.

Why is Shopping Small and Local Important 

An opinion piece by Lou 

Have you been hearing “Buy Local”, “Support Local,” “Shop Small,” “Shop Women-Owned” a lot lately? Sometimes it feels like it’s all that’s being talked about, and seems to be a big movement in the last few years, and especially this year. But do you know what it actually means?

There is so much that goes into these sayings so let’s break it down. 

What does shop small mean? It means to shop from small businesses, supporting small locally-owned shops over big business. 

Here are some deeper thoughts: shopping at small businesses does some truly amazing things. It’s awesome to buy from a store that knows you as a person, from people who are there to help you get exactly what you need. Maybe they make all of their own products, or source from other small businesses, creating a beautiful community of support. 

Is buying from small businesses easier? Sometimes- you can definitely get a more personalized shopping experience from a small business, which can make finding that special something easier.  But sometimes shopping small isn’t the most convenient. Small businesses don’t usually employ a lot of people, so if they are out of stock and they make their own products it takes time to get things made and ready. Or maybe there’s an item they don’t have in stock at that moment and they need to order it for you. The wait might be longer than if you bought it online, because perhaps they don’t buy in bulk, or are buying from another small maker. This can be frustrating - especially when you know you can get that exact item or a very similar item from Amazon. But there’s a HUGE difference in buying from Amazon and buying directly from the maker or a small business. 

You can choose to support the faceless ‘big business.’ OR, you can choose to buy from a small business and help someone in your community, and maybe even make a new friend. That maker or entrepreneur has invested everything into a dream, working hard to succeed with their passion. They often work long, hard hours, and this year, probably just barely staying afloat. Small businesses are trying hard to stay open and keep their few employees employed. Shopping at a small business is supporting the single mom, the person who quit their job to finally pursue their dream, the person who invested their life savings into an idea, and the young family wanting to make the world a better place. 

Ok what is the big deal about buying local AND small? You are supporting your local economy which in turn gives back to the people in your community; it creates jobs! 

Shopping local is also best for the environment. By buying from a local business you can bypass shipping, saving money all around. It also reduces waste, because reducing shipping eliminates the need for packaging and lowers the amount of single use plastics. Buying from local shops also cuts back on emissions; the ‘footprint’ of your item is smaller, reducing pollution from the decrease in shipping. Lastly, shopping locally also helps you meet and know the people in your area. There are so many talented makers here in the Pacific Northwest, and we love supporting them the best that we can. Shopping local helps your neighbors to pay rent and keep the doors open. It can come at a higher sticker price, but it’s worth it to know that your money is staying in your community- which helps you, too! 

  This holiday season, and going forward, let’s work hard to make intentional purchases. Make sure to spend your money wisely, supporting the people and places you want to be around for the long haul. 

"As a dream worker, I am quite focused on my sleep at night, including the quality and duration of time I sleep. We spend approximately one third of our lifetime sleeping.

Allow me to guide you through a sleep ritual, so that you may increase your dream recall." - Amy Curran