Ganesh pendant - clear quartz

Ganesh - Hindu elephant God
Ganesh or Ganesha is the Hindu elephant god. The first son of Shiva and Parvati, he is regarded as being the master of intellect and wisdom. In pictures he's usually shown as a large god with the head and trunk of an elephant, but the legs and body of a human, with four arms. Colours strongly associated with Ganesh include red and yellow. Look carefully and you'll also see a mouse in any picture - he's even often shown riding on a mouse.

Ganesh is one of the five major Hindu deities (along with Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga) and devotees who worship him are called Ganapatyas. There are lots of areas of significance in the way Ganesh is represented in art, statues and pictures. His elephant head symbolises the Atman or the soul and his human body signifies Maya, the existence of humans on earth. He holds a goad in his right hand, which is said to help remove obstacles in people's lives and a noose in his left hand represents a tool to capture difficulties.

Additionally, his pot belly represents infinite universes and the position of his legs - there's often one on the ground and one raised - highlight the importance of maintaining balance in both the spiritual and earthly worlds. The four arms represent the four inner attributes of the subtle body - mind, intellect, conditioned conscience and ego.

Ganesh is worshipped and called upon by those wanting assistance with removing obstacles in their life, such as on their spiritual path, and for enhancing intellectual ability and wisdom.

Clear Quartz - Clarity, higher purpose
Clear quartz is often known as "rock crystal". We have termed it clear quartz to differentiate from milky quartz, which is whiter in colour but essentially the same chemically. THis type of quartz will still have internal markings in it.

Quartz helps to develop determination and structure in your life and helps focus your ideas and inspirations. Clear quartz acts as an amplifier for both positive thoughts and energy and can therefore be good to have around when positive action and focus is needed. It can be held or worn to bring more power to situations and to promote clarity of thought. Quartz is a stone of harmony and will tend to produce a more balanced state in you regardless of where you are. It is often thought of as the stone of the stars as it helps to bring you in line with a higher purpose, both in a personal and a more universal way. It can also aid in bringing about altered states of consciousness and stimulate psychic abilities.

In terms of healing clear quartz can help to stimulate healing in the chakras of the body and also in healing the four bodies: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It also tends to combat radiation and static so can be good to have near a computer monitor.

Clear quartz has been used by many traditions such as Celts, Native American, Egyptian African, Mayan and Aboriginal in the use of healing, communicating with spirits and attaining an enlightened state.

Clear quartz helps to dispel negative energy you may have absorbed from other people. If you tend to put yourself down, quartz may help you fight that feeling. It is good to hold or have around whenever you feel foggy, uncertain or would like to see your way more clearly. It is one of the most frequently used crystals because of its wide-ranging benefits.