I set out to write a Halloween-themed post—it’s one of my favorite holidays—and I’ll take absolutely any opportunity to get into the spirit. But I fell down a rabbit hole and came out with something I didn’t necessarily expect.
There are four main themes in every Halloween value pack—a ghost, a pumpkin, a bat, and a witch (or typically a witch’s hat). It’s in the sprinkles I use to decorate cupcakes with my kids, in the window clings that keep them busy for an hour, and in numerous other household decorations you can buy anywhere (skeletons and spiders are popular too).
But my thoughts have been on the witch. At Halloween, the witch is often represented as a green-faced, pointy hat–wearing, broomstick-riding, cauldron-carrying being, a cartoonish evolution from the women who practiced witchcraft in the 17th century and even before it (blame the Wizard of Oz, maybe).
Obviously, there’s a lot of history to dig up here—and you, too, can lose an entire night when you’re supposed to be sleeping reading about the ancient witch trials and modern Wicca and more (here is a good place to start). But what I really wanted to know was, what kind of jewelry did (do) witches wear?
Depending on where you’re looking, there’s plenty to offer online about the jewels witches—both past and present—wore, from icons of protection to pieces blessed with power. But one common thread is crystals.
Despite the Halloween caricatures of the witch, those practicing pagan religions are spiritual people connecting with the cycles of nature, really not so different from many mainstream wellness seekers today.
Not long ago, crystals became mainstream—a trend for some, but a lasting mainstay for many others. The average consumer discovered what those practicing spiritualism already knew—that crystals had power from Mother Nature herself.
“Spirituality is the belief that there is something more out there for us to embrace. It gives a sense of peace, balance, and wholeness and affects us physically, emotionally, and socially,” says Melissa Randazzo of True Warrior Jewelry, a brand specializing in crystal jewelry. “In turbulent times, many people harness ways to feel grounded and soothe tensions. Alternative therapies like crystal healing have been known to soothe the soul.”
“It is by far not a new concept, having been in use for centuries,” continues Randazzo. “Once again, Mother Nature provides us with ways to make deeper connections. Crystals hold energy and vibrations. The energy of these crystals is said to hold potent healing properties. These healing properties differ depending on the crystal you are working with.”
From love and fertility to trust, friendship, forgiveness, health, and healing, different crystals are thought to support in different ways.
“Crystal healing is, in my opinion, a form of hope, confidence, and assurance. The idea that there is something bigger and higher out there than what we actually can see, yet still within our reach,” says Randazzo. “They are tools that we can actually grasp and utilize that give us belief in something greater. That is exactly what crystals are. They are the idea that these pretty little gemstones hold a higher power, the ability to surround us with healing and positive energy. They give us something to believe in.”
Practicing Wiccan or not, so many consumers have taken a shine to crystals—and with more brands making them accessible in jewelry, discovering their power has become a mainstream idea.
Top: Large pendant necklace in 14k yellow gold with large aquamarine, diamonds, and morganite beads, $14,400; Sydney Evan
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