Seashells can be a powerful tool in Magick; not only are they aesthetically pretty and come in a variety of different shapes and colours, but different types of shells have different meanings associated with the. These can be used to help you manifest your intent, and strengthen your Magick.
Taking a walk on the beach is a great way to acquire shells, but if you aren't fortunate enough to live near the coast of a beach, then you can buy them online. Just make sure that you are buying real shells - many will sell fake, man made shells for the purposes of arts and crafts that look very convincing!
If you are picking shells from the beach, please be aware of the local habitat. Shells provide homes for many small sea creatures, and can help them survive, especially when the tide is out. Make sure you leave far more than you take.
Below we will look at the different types of shells, their meanings, and how you can use them in your magick.
Taking a walk on the beach is a great way to acquire shells, but if you aren't fortunate enough to live near the coast of a beach, then you can buy them online. Just make sure that you are buying real shells - many will sell fake, man made shells for the purposes of arts and crafts that look very convincing!
If you are picking shells from the beach, please be aware of the local habitat. Shells provide homes for many small sea creatures, and can help them survive, especially when the tide is out. Make sure you leave far more than you take.
Below we will look at the different types of shells, their meanings, and how you can use them in your magick.
Abalone: Commonly used as a smudging bowl for those who practice smudging, it is also associated with healing, prosperity, and abundance
Ark: The ark shell has quite a masculine energy, and can help us feel stable and secure. It allows us to put the past behind us and move forward with strength and determination.
Auger: The auger shell promotes focus and clarity, as well as protection.
Carrier: Carrier shells are fascinating. Often the creature inhabiting this shell will cement other shells and small stones to the edge of this shell as it grows, and there are some beautiful ones out there. As such, the carrier shell is associated with abundance, growth, development, and creativity. It can be useful to those who wish to come ‘out of their shell’ or explore their own personality, individuality, or creative expression.
Clam: The clam has many different associations; these include abundance, communication, foundations, grounding, healing, love, purification, stability, vitality, finding your place in the world, and protecting your own emotions
Cockle: Associated with love, joy, contentment, and new beginnings, it can aid us in centering and calming personal energies
Conch: The conch shell has a very feminine energy, and has many different associations. It can be used to promote love and beauty, as well as knowledge, wisdom, and magic.
Ark: The ark shell has quite a masculine energy, and can help us feel stable and secure. It allows us to put the past behind us and move forward with strength and determination.
Auger: The auger shell promotes focus and clarity, as well as protection.
Carrier: Carrier shells are fascinating. Often the creature inhabiting this shell will cement other shells and small stones to the edge of this shell as it grows, and there are some beautiful ones out there. As such, the carrier shell is associated with abundance, growth, development, and creativity. It can be useful to those who wish to come ‘out of their shell’ or explore their own personality, individuality, or creative expression.
Clam: The clam has many different associations; these include abundance, communication, foundations, grounding, healing, love, purification, stability, vitality, finding your place in the world, and protecting your own emotions
Cockle: Associated with love, joy, contentment, and new beginnings, it can aid us in centering and calming personal energies
Conch: The conch shell has a very feminine energy, and has many different associations. It can be used to promote love and beauty, as well as knowledge, wisdom, and magic.
Cowry: The cowry shell is most often associated with abundance, prosperity, and wealth. It can also be used to increase fertility and encourage personal growth.
Limpet: The limpet brings us the confidence and courage needed to endure difficult situations, or those where we may feel unsure of ourselves. It teaches tenacity, that of ‘clinging on’ and persevering. It can also bring wisdom, and help us to realise when it may in fact be time to let go rather than clinging on to that which no longer serves us.
Mussel: The mussel shell has quite a gentle energy. It can help us to feel more connected in our relationships and with those around us. I find that this shell gives off strong lunar vibes with the colouring of the inside of the shell). It can also help bring us peace and a sense of stability when going through difficult periods.
Periwinkle: The periwinkle is associated with friendships and platonic relationships. It can also bring grounding and help us stay focused.
Limpet: The limpet brings us the confidence and courage needed to endure difficult situations, or those where we may feel unsure of ourselves. It teaches tenacity, that of ‘clinging on’ and persevering. It can also bring wisdom, and help us to realise when it may in fact be time to let go rather than clinging on to that which no longer serves us.
Mussel: The mussel shell has quite a gentle energy. It can help us to feel more connected in our relationships and with those around us. I find that this shell gives off strong lunar vibes with the colouring of the inside of the shell). It can also help bring us peace and a sense of stability when going through difficult periods.
Periwinkle: The periwinkle is associated with friendships and platonic relationships. It can also bring grounding and help us stay focused.
Sand Dollar: The sand dollar shell is in fact an endoskeleton of a sand dollar, which is a type of burrowing sea urchin. With its flower-like imprint, the sand dollar shell represents balance, harmony, and completeness. It is also associated with transformation, wisdom, and opening ourselves up to the secrets of the world around us.
Scallop: The scallop is another shell associated with Goddess energies. It can bring healing, and lift our spirits. It brings love, beauty, relaxation and regeneration. It can also be used to encourage change, and help us navigate change with a positive attitude.
Starfish: The starfish is often seen as a sign of fortune and used as a good luck charm. It also represents renewal, and is good for those who are recovering from a period of negativity.
Slipper: I find that the slipper shell has quite a feminine energy. It represents balance and encourages compassion and selflessness.
Whelk: The whelk is one of my favourite shells. It represents knowledge, wisdom, and imagination, and can help us when we need guidance or inspiration. I have heard whelks referred to as ‘the bullies of the sea’ in the wild, and so can also be used for strength or to help you overcome adversity.
Scallop: The scallop is another shell associated with Goddess energies. It can bring healing, and lift our spirits. It brings love, beauty, relaxation and regeneration. It can also be used to encourage change, and help us navigate change with a positive attitude.
Starfish: The starfish is often seen as a sign of fortune and used as a good luck charm. It also represents renewal, and is good for those who are recovering from a period of negativity.
Slipper: I find that the slipper shell has quite a feminine energy. It represents balance and encourages compassion and selflessness.
Whelk: The whelk is one of my favourite shells. It represents knowledge, wisdom, and imagination, and can help us when we need guidance or inspiration. I have heard whelks referred to as ‘the bullies of the sea’ in the wild, and so can also be used for strength or to help you overcome adversity.
