Because of changes at YouTube and how it allows us to view videos posted elsewhere, when you want to watch a video posted here, click on the box found on each video that says:


"Watch on YouTube".

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

I'm Back! ~ At least for a while

 
Some of you might have noticed that I've taken a break from the internet and social media.  It was a much needed break, but I think I'm ready to stick my toe in the water once again.  During this lull, I have deleted some Facebook pages and deactivated some social media sites.  However, during this break, I've also been creating new pages at Facebook, starting over with a clean slate, for three new pages with decidedly very pointed topics.

Here they are, with Links:

Crystal Clear...
because blogging is cheaper than therapy



I embrace arm-chair psychology in all of its mundane glory.  You'll find topics at this page, everything from "The Psychology of Women Attracted to Serial Killers", to "The Psychology of People Who Pretend to Like You".  Some of these posts are inspired by personal experiences and the desire for clarity, and some of these posts are inspired by a video I've watched, an article I've read, or a dream that inspired me to ask questions.

Sources for each post are listed at the bottom of each post, and as you can see, a lot of research and time and thought has gone into "Crystal Clear".

Soulful Meditations



I post short and impromptu readings at this page.  Sometimes these readings are meant for me and I share them because I believe there's someone out there who will share a connection with the same topic; and sometimes I am inspired by Spirit to post a reading that I know is for someone specifically, directly.  When I receive this kind of inspiration, I don't question it, I just do it.

I also post videos on supernatural and paranormal topics, as well as blog posts inspired by witchy inspiration, as well as cryptoid zoology, myths, and legends. To me, creepy is fascinating.




I've been writing books now for sixteen years, with a total of 11 publications, one a best seller, which surprised me as much as it must have some of my associates.  Posts at this page are not just filled with endless boring links, but are filled to the brim with generous excerpts from the books themselves, as well as inspired blog posts on many of the topics found in my books.

Be sure to click on the "see more" link in each post intro, you won't be disappointed.




Just a heads up about my Facebook page Crystal Clear... 

There is a featured post on this Facebook page that contains the titles of all the topics posted here along with a link to that post.  What you see here is the number of posts, with links, that are there on this day that I am creating this blog post.  

I won't be updating the posts and links on this blog post, but I definitely will keep this updated on the featured post at the Facebook page Crystal Clear.  I want to make it as easy as possible for you to find the topics that interest you most, or the topic that is affecting your life at the moment.

As of this date, 06-24-26, you'll find these topics at Crystal Clear...
There will be more to come, much more.


32. The Top Ten Personality Disorders
31. Psychology of the Optimist

30. The Psychology of Crabby People


29. Psychology of the silent treatment

28. The psychology of men who
collect women friends
27. The psychology of women attracted
to serial killers

26. Psychology of the introvert

25. The psychology of people who
take back their ex

24. The psychology of people who
pretend to like you

23. Psychology of the black sheep

22. Dealing with people who don't like you

21. Psychology of the female bully

20. The psychology of people who mumble
nasty things just loud enough to be heard

19. The psychology of people who tell you
how to talk, how to reply

18. The psychology of stubborn people

17. The psychology of gaslighting

16. Psychology of the over-achiever

15. The psychology of narcissists

14. Relationships: 4 situations
that are considered cheating

13. Psychology of abandonment issues


12. Psychology of the control freak
11. Psychology of the mistress

10. Psychology of the golden child

9. Psychology of mothers who abandon
their adult children

8. Psychology of the habitual cheater

7. Psychology of the nasty mother-in-law

6. The dark triad

5. A clear picture

4. The time loop theory and deja vu

3. Psychology of women who
seek independence

2. The psychology of lying

1. Spiritual psychosis and religious hysteria

Regards, Crystal Clear


Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Armchair Psychology ~ when they tell you how to talk, how to reply

 

The psychology behind someone who dictates how you should talk, act, or reply is generally rooted in a deep-seated need for control, often driven by insecurity, anxiety, or narcissistic traits. This behavior is a form of emotional manipulation designed to make you conform to their standards, ensuring they remain in a position of power.

1. Underlying Drivers and Motivations

  • Need for Control and Security: Controlling people often feel anxious, insecure, or out of control in their own lives. By dictating your responses, they create a predictable environment that makes them feel safe and dominant.

  • Low Self-Esteem/Narcissism: Such behavior is common in individuals with low self-esteem, narcissistic tendencies, or personality disorders (e.g., NPD, BPD). They may feel superior and believe their thoughts and feelings are the only ones that matter.

  • Insecurity and Fear: A person might act this way because they are terrified of being vulnerable or losing control over a situation, a project, or the relationship itself.

  • "Fixer" Mentality or Perfectionism: Some people believe they know best and are "helping" by teaching you the "right" way to speak or reply. They may be perfectionists who cannot handle things being done differently than how they would do them.

2. Specific Behavioral Tactics

  • Gaslighting: Dictating your responses can be a form of gaslighting, aimed at making you question your own judgment, thoughts, and reality.

  • Constant Criticism: By criticizing your natural way of speaking, they wear down your self-confidence, making you more dependent on them for validation.

  • "Oppositional Conversational Style": Some people use this to ensure they come out on top. If they are feeling threatened, they may attempt to dominate the conversation to avoid dealing with their own insecurities.

  • Projection: They may project their own flaws or anxieties onto you, blaming you for not reacting the way they would, or accusing you of causing the problems they actually created.

3. Impact on the Receiver

  • Reduced Self-Confidence: Constant monitoring of your communication can lead to anxiety, fear of making mistakes, and diminished self-worth.

  • Feeling Powerless: You may feel like you are "walking on eggshells" to avoid conflict, resulting in a loss of your own voice and autonomy.

  • Resentment: Because this behavior is demeaning and controlling, it often damages trust and intimacy in the relationship.

4. How to Respond 

  • Establish Boundaries: Clearly state that you are responsible for your own words and emotions, e.g., "I get to decide how I respond to that".

  • Use "I" Statements: Express how their behavior makes you feel rather than accusing them, such as "When you tell me how to reply, I feel like you don't trust my judgment".

  • Gray Rock Method: If the person is highly narcissistic or toxic, adopt a "grey rock" approach -- be uninteresting, unemotional, and polite, offering no emotional ammunition.

  • Set Firm Limits: If the behavior continues, remove yourself from the conversation or the relationship, as it can be a form of emotional abuse.




Sources & Recommended Reading:




Borderline Personality Disorder
by Anna Nierling

@ Amazon



The Everything Guide to
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
by Cynthia Lechan Goodman &
Barbara Leff LCSW

@ Amazon

Controlling People
by Patricia Evans

@ Amazon


Wednesday, February 18, 2026

A Clear Picture


I instinctively moved forward towards my husband to take his out-stretched hand, when old Uncle Bill surprised me by moving with lightening speed, jumping in front of me, and actually taking ahold of my arm. He turned to my husband, smiled and said, “She can stay here and talk to me.” The look on my husband’s face was one of stunned disbelief, like he was trying to process what just happened.


Click  HERE to continue reading

From my blog Crystal Clear



Thursday, January 1, 2026

Hating Megan Markle Has Become Big Business

 

Yes, it has become big business, and there are people who are making a lot of money and supporting themselves by deliberately promoting hate for this one individual.  I can't imagine living like this, being one little woman who is vilified on a daily basis, much to the satisfaction of the people who are earning money from this endeavor.

The Duchess of Sussex has already revealed in an interview that in the past she has had thoughts of self-harm, that she knew she needed help, but did not know how to go about getting it.

Hopefully, ensconced in her home in California, she feels safe and secure and at peace.  I really hope so.  But if anything should happen to this woman because of the mental and emotional distress caused by these constant world-wide hate campaigns, I hope her family would seek justice, accountability, as well as financial restitution.

Everything this woman does is blasted with vitriol by an exuberant self-righteous band of journalists, podcasts, and news agencies.  Everything this woman does not do is blasted with virtriol by an exuberant self-righteous band of journalists, podcasts, and news agencies.  Meghan Markle is figuratively gunned down by the press, no matter what she does, or what position she takes, and on a slow news day, she's blasted just for existing.

~ Amythyst Raine




Yes, many observers and commentators suggest that intense scrutiny and negativity surrounding Meghan Markle have become a significant media and online phenomenon, creating an "industry of hate" where outrage drives clicks, ad revenue, and attention for various platforms and individuals, often fueled by a mix of racism, misogyny, cultural clashes, and fascination with the Royal Family. This involves British tabloids monetizing negative stories, online forums generating endless discourse, and critics focusing on her American background and departure from royal duties, generating massive engagement despite or because of the controversy.
 
How it's become a "business": 
 
Media Monetization: 

Labour MP Chris Bryant noted that UK newspapers fill their online sites with "hateful Meghan Markle material" because it's profitable, turning public lives into tradable commodities.

Clickbait and Engagement: 

Negative coverage generates significant online engagement (clicks, shares, comments), benefiting outlets and creators.

Industry of Hate: 

A whole ecosystem has formed around disliking her, with constant online discourse, Reddit groups, and social media fueling the phenomenon.

Reasons for the intense focus: 
 
Cultural Clash: 

Her "American-ness," celebrity background, and lifestyle clashes with traditional British royal expectations.

Racism & Misogyny: 

Critics point to underlying racist and sexist undertones in the scrutiny she faces as a biracial woman entering the monarchy.

Subverting Norms: 

Her decisions, like stepping back from royal duties, are seen by some as subverting tradition, sparking fury.

Polarizing Figure: 

She remains a polarizing figure, generating both extreme criticism and strong defense, which keeps the narrative alive -- and feeds the money making monster of public hatred.

The Result: 
A constant cycle of intense media coverage, public debate, and online trolling that keeps Meghan Markle in the spotlight, whether positive or negative, creating a self-sustaining industry of attention.  
 


    Media and Tabloid Revenue 

    The British tabloid press, and global media outlets in general, publish numerous critical articles because they drive high traffic, sales, and advertising revenue. The intense scrutiny and criticism of nearly every action she takes ensure consistent clicks and engagement.

    Monetized Online Criticism 

    Social media influencers and dedicated online groups (on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and Facebook) generate views, ad revenue, and engagement through constant critique, analysis, and often, mockery of Markle and her endeavors. Some analyses suggest that certain coordinated campaigns of harassment are motivated by financial gain.

    Distraction and Image Management 

    Some theories suggest the focus on Markle as a "villain" serves to distract from other issues within the Royal Family or broader societal problems. By making her a central figure of controversy, attention is diverted from other, potentially more damaging, stories or systemic issues.

    Public Polarization 

    The divisive nature of public opinion about Markle means people are either staunchly in favor or strongly against her, with few ambivalent views. This polarization leads to highly engaged audiences who consume content that confirms their existing biases, further fueling the "business" of both positive and negative coverage.
Nature of the Criticism

The nature of the criticism is often described as obsessive, covering everything from her body language and outfits to her business decisions and the names of her children. Factors cited as underlying the disproportionate scrutiny include: 
  • Race and misogyny
  • Her status as an American actress entering a very traditional British institution
  • Perceived hypocrisy regarding privacy and public life
  • General dislike of celebrity culture and wealth
Ultimately, the argument is that whether people love her or hate her, they are watching and clicking, making the sustained conversation around her a lucrative commercial enterprise.

Media Narratives and Double Standards

Bloggers and journalists have pointed out how the UK tabloids, in particular, apply different standards to Meghan compared to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. Actions framed as positive for one were often framed as negative, calculating, or difficult for the other, fueling public animosity.

"Megxit" and Blame 

A major focal point for hate was the decision by Prince Harry and Meghan to step back from royal duties. Many critics blamed Meghan for manipulating Harry and causing a rift within the family, often ignoring Harry's own expressed desire to protect his family from a system that reminded him of his mother's tragic death.

Misogyny and Racism

Many posts and articles highlight that the criticism often intersects with racism and sexism. Specific examples include racially charged headlines, comments about her pregnancy bump, and a BBC presenter comparing her newborn son to a chimpanzee.

Targeted Harassment

The Duchess of Sussex has stated she was the "most trolled person in the entire world" in 2019, much of which occurred while she was on maternity leave. This sustained personal level of abuse has led to discussions about mental health and the impact of online cruelty.
 


It’s one thing if people decide they don’t like Meghan and then just continue to not pay attention to her. But Meghan Markle inspires an especially obsessive kind of hate. Every move she makes is criticized, including the words she uses, her body language, the outfits she wears, and the names of her children. It’s ridiculous.

No matter how many times Meghan speaks about the detriment the hate has on her mental health, it never stops. See Jeremy Clarkson’s infamous op-ed about hating her (thankfully, he’s since apologized). Even if you think Meghan is tone deaf, rude, or calculating, how does that possibly warrant this amount of hate?

From:

Exactly. Leave Meghan Sussex TF alone. The obsession is embarrassing at this point. She moved on, built her own life, and is minding her business — meanwhile some folks wake up every day just to hate-watch her existence. If you don’t like her, stop stalking her and move on. She’s thriving… y’all are just mad about it.

From:

I’m not a Meghan Markle fan or anything, I'm indifferent, but every now and then, a video about her pops up on my YouTube recommendations and I’ll click out of curiosity. What always gets me isn’t the content of the videos it’s the creators behind them. Always, it’s a white woman, usually American, who has dedicated her entire channel to ripping Meghan Markle apart.

And I don’t mean one or two videos. I’m talking about years’ worth of content—video after video, thumbnail after thumbnail, where Meghan is the subject. Every sigh she lets out, every outfit she wears, every word she speaks is dissected with this creepy, obsessive energy. It’s disturbing. It’s not normal.

From:  Reddit...

Hating Meghan Markle is a billion dollar industry.  It will never stop.  Too many people make a living off it.

From:
Black Lives Matter ~ London/Facebook



Friday, December 26, 2025

The Magick of Water in Witchcraft

 

Water magic uses water's fluidity for emotions, healing, purification, and intuition by incorporating it into daily routines like charging water, performing cleansing baths, scrying, or using specific sources like rain or ocean water for intentions like love, protection, or removing negativity, often charging it under the moon, the sun, or with crystals.

Methods & Intentions

Cleansing & Protection: Use ocean water to which you've added a pinch of salt to purify your space, objects, or yourself.  

*Note: A bowl of salt sitting on your nightstand by the bed provides spiritual protection, both from nightmares, as well as those ethereal beings that move in the night.

Healing & Emotion: Drink moon-charged water with rose quartz for love, amethyst for intuition. Use well water for healing and ritual baths with herbs for specific intentions.

Intuition & Scrying: Place a bowl of water (perhaps with egg white) by your bed for dreams or use it for divination to see hidden truths.

Ancestral Work: Offer a glass of water to ancestors as a gateway for communication and wisdom.

Manifestation: Charge water under the moon, adding to it specific crystals for specific intentions. You can then drink the water, use it in baths, or water your herbs and magickal plants for added potency.

Different Water for Different Intentions

Moon Water: Charged under moonlight for general magical infusion.

Ocean/Sea Water: Powerful for cleansing and protection due to salt content.

Rain Water: For renewal, cleansing, and emotional release.

Well Water: Sacred for healing, intuition, and connecting to the Otherworld.

Steam/Mist: For dispersing energy or creating illusions.

Starting Simple

Magical Handwashing: Set an intention for your day as you wash your hands.

Dream Water: Place a bowl of water beside your bed to enhance dreams and memory.

Crystal-Charged Water: Add a crystal (check for water-safe ones!) to water for a specific intention and drink or use in rituals.

*Note:  You'll find a list of crysals and their intentions at this blog post.

Charging Water

Methods for Charging Water:

Lunar Charging (Moon Water): Place spring or rainwater in a clear container outside overnight during a full or new moon, setting intentions as you place and retrieve it before sunrise. This is believed to capture lunar energy.

Solar Charging (Sun Water): Leave water in a clear container in direct sunlight to absorb solar energy, similar to moon water but for solar purposes.

Crystal Charging: Place a crystal (like rose quartz for love) near or in a water container, focusing your energy on the crystal and water together.

Intentional Infusion: Hold a glass of water, focus your mind, and mentally or verbally state your intention, such as: "I infuse this water with the energy of protection".

Herbs & Salts: Add natural elements, salt or herbs, to the water while charging it to enhance its properties for specific magical effects.

*Note:  You'll find a long list of herbs and their magical energies at this blog post.  Scroll to the end of it.

How to prepare a cleansing bath

Performing a cleansing bath involves creating a calming atmosphere, adding natural elements like salts or herbs to warm water, setting a clear intention (like releasing negativity), and soaking while focusing on breath and mindfulness for 20-30 minutes to promote physical and spiritual detox. It's a ritual for setting intentions, releasing burdens, and restoring energy, using sensory elements like candles, music, oils, and salts for deeper effect.
 
Steps to Perform a Cleansing Bath...

 Prepare Your Space & Mind:

Cleanse the Room: Ensure your bathroom is tidy and peaceful. 
 
Set the Mood: Light candles, use an oil diffuser with lavender or frankincense, and play soothing music. 
 
Gather Items: Have your bathrobe, water, and any chosen additions (salts, herbs, crystals) ready. 
 
Define Intention: Decide what you want to release --  anxiety, negativity, grudges etc., or do you want to welcome something -- peace, clarity, good health etc. 
 
Prepare the Bath:

Water Temperature: Fill the tub with warm, not scalding, water to open pores without overheating.

Add Ingredients: Mix in Epsom salts, sea salt, or a few drops of essential oils (rosemary, chamomile, rose). You can add herbs like mugwort and lavender, or rose petals can be added in a sachet.

 The Ritual Soak:

Enter the Water: Step in and focus on your breath, letting go of tension. 
 
Meditate & Visualize: Allow thoughts to flow without judgment, visualizing negativity leaving your body. 
 
Stay Hydrated: Sip water or herbal tea. 
 
Soak Time: Aim for 20-30 minutes, allowing the water and ingredients to work.

After the Bath:

Rinse: A final rinse, perhaps with an herbal tea or cool water, can seal the cleansing.

Rest: Take time to enjoy the calm renewed feeling.

Scrying 

Scrying water is a form of divination (hydromancy), where a person gazes into a bowl of still water, often by candlelight, to receive insights, visions, or glimpses of the future, tapping into the unconscious mind through a meditative state. It involves focusing on the water's surface, looking for patterns, symbols, or images that mentally, helping to answer questions or gain spiritual guidance. Practitioners use dark bowls, sometimes with added herbs or salt, to create a more reflective surface, a technique used for centuries by seers, including Nostradamus.

How to Scry with Water:

Find your space: A quiet dimly lit room with a single candle (placed so its reflection isn't distracting) works well.

Prepare your bowl: Use a dark, plain bowl (like black obsidian or a dark ceramic) and fill it with still, fresh water. Moon water or water with a pinch of salt can be used.

Set your intention: Focus on a question or area where you need clarity.

Gaze softly: Look into the water with a soft relaxed focus, allowing your vision to blur slightly, as if looking through the surface rather than at it.

Wait for visions: Don't try to force images. Let your mind go quiet. Images, symbols, or even feelings might emerge in the water, or in your mind's eye.

Interpret: Take notes, write down what appears, as these are messages from your subconscious or your spirit guides. These are not random thoughts.

Key Elements:

Hydromancy: The specific term for water scrying.

Tools: Dark bowls, or even natural bodies of water like ponds are used.

Trance State: The goal is a relaxed meditative state to bypass conscious thought.

Reflection: The dark surface helps create a clearer more profound reflection for visions.

Using rain water for magic

Rainwater is considered a potent and versatile tool in magic due to its natural direct connection to the sky and its strong associations with cleansing, renewal, growth, and emotional release. Its energy can vary depending on the nature of the storm from which it was collected.

Uses in Magic:

Cleansing and Purification: The primary use for rainwater is to wash away negative or stagnant energy from yourself, your home, or your magical tools.

Empowering Spells and Rituals: You can use it as an all-purpose ingredient in spells, adding it to a cauldron with herbs and oils to give your work an energetic boost.

Anointing and Blessing: Anoint candles, crystals, or other items with rainwater to bless or empower them for their intended purpose.

Manifestation: By tapping into the flow of rain, you can manifest abundance, love, or success by setting intentions while collecting or using the water.

Enhancing Psychic Ability: Keeping a bottle of rainwater nearby or using it in a spray can help enhance psychic awareness during readings or meditations.

Baths and Body Cleansing: Add it to a bath for a spiritual cleansing, or stand in the rain and visualize stress and blockages being washed away.

Types of Rainwater:

The type of storm influences the water's properties and potential uses: Gentle Rain/Sunny Rain: Ideal for peace, joy, healing, and general cleansing.
Storm/Thunderstorm Water: Possesses powerful, quick energy for protection, strength, intense transformation, breaking hexes, or dispelling psychic attacks.
Rainbow Rain: Collected during a rainbow, this water is associated with luck, healing, and charm work.
    How to Collect and Store:

    Collection: Place a clean bowl, jar, or another container outdoors during a rain shower. For hail, a metal bowl is often used, but the hail should be allowed to melt and the water transferred to a dark bottle within a few hours.

    Storage: Store the collected water in a sealed glass or dark brown bottle, labeled with the date and type of storm, for future use.

    Safety Note: While some may use this collected water for teas or cooking, generally it is best to avoid consuming collected rainwater without proper filtration and boiling, as it can pick up pollutants and bacteria.




    Sources & Recommended Reading:


    Water Magic:
    Healing Bath Recipes
    for the Body, Mind, and Soul

    by Mary Muryn


    Water Witchcraft:
    Magic and Lore from
    Celtic Witchcraft

    by Annwyn Avalon

    The Way of the Water Priestess:
    Entering the World of Water Magick

    by Annwyn Avalon

    Water Magic:
    Manifestation Spells

    by Artemis Lore

    Ritual Baths 
    for the Beginner Witch

    by Ally Sands



    Sunday, December 21, 2025

    Armchair Psychology ~ The Dark Triad

     

    The "Dark Triad" in psychology refers to a cluster of three distinct but overlapping personality traits:

    Narcissism (grandiosity, entitlement)
    Machiavellianism (manipulation, cunning)
    Psychopathy (lack of empathy, impulsivity, antisocial behavior). 
    People high in these traits are often charming but self-serving, predatory, and willing to exploit or harm others for personal gain, exhibiting exploitative, callous, and unethical behavior.

    The Three Traits
      Narcissism:
      Characterized by inflated self-esteem, entitlement, a need for admiration, and superficial charm, but also a fragile ego.
      Machiavellianism:
      A manipulative and exploitative mindset, cynical view of others, and focus on self-interest, using others as tools.
    Psychopathy:
    Marked by impulsivity, thrill-seeking, lack of empathy, remorse, and enduring antisocial tendencies.

    Common Behaviors

    Manipulation & Deception:
    Skilled at charming and deceiving others to get what they want.

    Self-Centeredness:
    Focus on personal gain (status, power, pleasure) at others' expense.

    Lack of Empathy:
    Indifference or callousness toward the suffering of others.

    Exploitative Relationships:
    Viewing people as objects or status symbols, leading to infidelity and shallow connections.

    Arrogance & Grandiosity:
    Exaggerating successes and presenting an image of superiority.
    Why They Matter

    These traits predict predatory behavior, interpersonal exploitation, and callousness, even without a clinical diagnosis.

    They are associated with a higher risk of criminal behavior and poor relationship outcomes.




    As we've stated above, but we'll say it again... The Dark Triad consists of three overlapping negative personality traits: Narcissism (grandiosity, entitlement); Machiavellianism (manipulation, cynicism); and Psychopathy (lack of empathy, impulsivity). 

    While distinct, they often co-occur, describing people prone to callous, self-centered, and exploitative behaviors, with researchers sometimes adding Sadism (enjoying cruelty) to form the "Dark Tetrad".

    Narcissism is about self-focus and grandiosity; Machiavellianism is about cunning exploitation; and Psychopathy is about emotional detachment and impulsivity.  While distinct, they share core features like low agreeableness, exploitativeness, and callousness, leading to their grouping.

    The Additional Trait 

    Sadism: 
    The enjoyment of inflicting pain or cruelty on others, sometimes added to create the "Dark Tetrad".


    Understanding these traits helps recognize harmful patterns in interpersonal and professional settings, as individuals high in these traits often cause distress and dysfunction.