One of my favorite magical healing techniques is crafting amulet pouches for specific purposes. Depending on the needs and situation of the person who it is being crafted for, Amulet bags can contain a wide variety of materials. Small crystals or other semi-precious stones are a good place to begin, since all stones vibrate to specific frequencies, and have specific properties. Herbs also demonstrate specific attributes. By using a combination of herbs and stones, an amulet bag can be created to suit nearly any magickal need.
As a working example, I once created an Amulet Bag for a Picean woman who was experiencing situation depression because of a difficult set of situations in her life. I began with assembling the appropriate stones, beginning with Amethyst. Amethyst in particular was appropriate in this case, since this person was a Pisces, and amethyst usually works very well with these folks. Amethyst is used for psychic protection and psychic focus... a good choice for her here.
I then added a point of clear Quartz crystal. The clear Quartz is a generic "battery" crystal that enhances the vibrations of the things around it. You can charge the quartz with a specific intent before adding it to the charm.
Rose Quartz adds emotional balance and healing. It's a nice soother, and promotes self-love and self-esteem. The amethyst, clear quartz, and rose quartz also work excellently together, since they are all in the quartz family.
I also chose to use Adventurine as a good grounding stone, as well as using it for both physical healing and prosperity. This is a very earthy, physically oriented stone. It will balance the quartzes nicely.
I also added a bead of Tiger’s Eye. The Tiger's Eye will add courage, energy and strength... all attributes that this person was likely in need of as she faced the challenges ahead.
Finally, I added a piece of chalcedony. It's definitely a "water" rock... it's incredibly peaceful and soothing, and would work quite well with her Piscean nature. Chalcedony isn't usually cheap, but a small raw piece works just as well as a large polished hunk.
(You will want to keep these stones small anyway, unless you create this amulet pouch from a backpack!)
For herbs, I tried to suggest some things that could be found with "relative" ease.
LAVENDER - was a good choice... among it's multiple uses are love, protection, happiness
and peace. It's a fantastic soother, and smells nice, too!
PINE - for healing, protection, and purification
SAGE - for Wisdom and spiritual strength, as well as purification
THYME - healing, psychic powers, courage, and ... purification
HAWTHORNE - might be trickier to get unless you know someone with a Hawthorne tree nearby, but Hawthorne is a very magical plant, and one of it's uses is to help lift depression and sadness.
As you can see, I listed three different herbs that have purification as one of its attributes. Having a purification herb among the stones helps to keep the stones cleansed, preventing the negatives from clinging to them.
She specifically requested extra energy from God. To add strength and "God energy" I added an acorn. I use the nuts frequently in amulet pouches to embody the God, and it's a non-threatening symbol for those who have different God concepts. A miniature pine cone often serves the same purpose, if you can find one that will fit into your pouch. Another suggestion would be to get some token or symbol representing the sun. Anything solar is another way to add "God" energies. Goddess energies can be included with tokens such as sea shells, or similar items that might be associated with Goddess energy.
I try to limit myself to three of any kind of item when I create amulets. (Three different rocks, three different herbs, three different symbols or runes, etc.) Two reasons: Three is a number that harmonizes well (the three elements interact in a beneficial manner), and it prevents me from "magical overkill", where I try to do to much at once and end up confusing the issue. In other words, try to cover all the bases, but keep it simple. Remember, you will have to charge every single item with it's proper intent before it goes into the pouch you've chosen. If you have 23 things going into the amulet, you're going to be up all night charging items, and likely exhausted at the end!
Once the items are charged and assembled, the amulet bag should be worn or otherwise kept close to the person that it was made for. Depending on the need and situation, the bag should be held in the hands and “recharged”every so often with the intent it was made for. When it’s purpose is no longer needed, the spent herbs should be given back to the earth, and the stones should be thoroughly cleansed.
Becoming familiar with the various healing attributes of stones and herbs will expand your opportunities to create positive magick to heal yourself and others.
~Flame RavenHawk