Our eco glassware is certainly something to raise a glass to! Unique and very eye catching designs, these environmentally friendly glassware products not only look very special, but are extremely durable and hard wearing, not to mention far kinder to the environment than buying brand new glasses, or even using recycled glassware. Sit back, let the sun glint off your Grolsch goblet, and let your conscience be salved as you quaff a fruity little Chateauneuf!


Here is an astonishing, and deeply worrying statistic: every year in the UK we manage to get through 2.2 million tonnes of glass. That’s twenty times the combined weight of every single person on the Isle of Wight! Perhaps even more worrying though is the fact that we only recycle about a third of that, with two thirds simply being dumped in landfills across the country. Imagine one and a half million tonnes of glass simply being dumped in waste sites – what a terrible waste of resources and energy.


Our eco glassware is one very easy and obvious way in which this terrible waste can be reduced. We all need glasses, goblets and vases, and most of us are throwing away or recycling bottles made from glass. It’s a simple equation, to turn unwanted bottles into attractive, sturdy and very usable glasses. The method is generally the same for any glass or goblet, and the result will obviously depend upon the original bottle used.


The process of transforming a bottle into a wine glass or goblet has been developed to be as energy efficient as possible. The factory where our glassware is made actually filters and reuses all of their water during the whole manufacturing process. Even the materials used for packaging have been made from recycled materials wherever possible. It is as a result of these initiatives that they recently won the Business Challenge Awards for energy, environment and community.


Each of our glasses is very accurately cut, with all edges smoothly grounded, and then melted to make them even smoother. These are a pleasure to drink from, with no rough or sharp edges at all. They’re also extraordinarily strong, being annealed for a good two hours in a very hot oven. To turn a bottle into a wine glass takes about three hours – probably a lot less time than it takes to drink a bottle of wine using one!


Of course, bottles have been recycled for a number of years, being turned into new glass objects. Whilst this is good, although it would certainly be good to see more than the current 35% of glass being recycled, the way in which our glassware has been manufactured is even more kind to the environment, emitting far fewer gasses and chemicals, and using much less energy.


Recycling glass involves melting it down, extracting certain chemical compounds, and then reforming the glass into its new shape. This process manages to save 18% of the energy which would otherwise be used in creating glass products from scratch. However, our eco friendly glassware can be created in a way which saves 90% of the energy used compared to the manufacture of new glass items.


It’s also worth noting that in the creation of new glass products a number of chemicals are released, including nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and carbon dioxide – causing damage to the environment, increasing levels of acidity in rain and contributing to the problems of excessive greenhouse gasses. Recycling glass means that none of these chemicals are released, and of course recycling the glass in the way we do means that not only are none of these gasses emitted, but 70% less energy is used compared to standard recycling methods.


We think that this represents an astonishing move forwards in terms of energy saving and causing less harm to the environment, and as the end products are often stronger and more durable than newer counterparts, as well as looking highly distinctive and a real talking point, these glasses really are good economy all round.


For too long now we have been complacent in discarding unwanted products with little regard to the energy expended in their manufacture, the resources being discarded, or the harm that the natural degrading of those products would do to the environment. Slowly we are realising the need to be more thoughtful with regard to the limited and precious resources we have access to, although even now too little is being done, and perhaps much of it too late.


But by using recycled eco glassware it is possible not only to reduce energy by 90% and emissions by 100%, not to mention reducing that couple of million tonnes of waste glass each year, but to do so in a way which makes it visually obvious that you are fully supportive of such initiatives.


We accept that some people will buy our environmentally friendly glassware simply because it looks good – and we would entirely agree! But for many people it is a matter of deliberate choice, trying in little ways to make a big impact. After all, it’s all too often the small changes which can add up to a huge difference. Just remember, next time you’re enjoying a drink from one of our  Carlsberg wine glasses, by using eco glassware you’re reducing harm to the environment, which all helps to ensure good weather for next year’s grapevines!

Buy Beer Bottle Goblets at Moonrust – New Age Shop.

The history of Runes provides a fascinating insight into the lives and beliefs of a people long since gone, but who have left us a legacy of mystery which manages to survive even in these times of hard facts and measurable science. Perhaps far more than simply survive, Runic history has enjoyed a massive revival, and proves to be one of the most popular items which we sell. Whether you choose our stunning Hematite Runes, the very tactile Sunstone Runes or the striking Bloodstone Runes, we are sure that, like so many people before, once you hold them in your hand you will feel that same connection as us – a connection to a distant people with secrets and mysteries which only deepen with time.


You might notice that our Runes are engraved with the Elder Futhark, but not everyone understands what is meant by this, or its significance. The history of the Runes depicts a journey which, as with many languages, has been like a river, or set of streams, being joined by other streams and swelling to encompass new waters, dividing and becoming separate tributaries, even disappearing underground and becoming lost from view. But to appreciate the Runic history and the importance of Runes it is helpful to have some idea of where these symbols have come from, their original significance, and how Runes today can vary quite considerably.


To begin with, where does the name Futhark come from? Very simply, it is derived in the same way as the world ‘alphabet’, and means much the same thing – a collection of letters or symbols. The word alphabet is created by taking the first two letters of our alphabet, in their original form, and putting them together – alpha and beta. In exactly the same way the Futhark is so named because of the first few letters or symbols.


But in studying Runic history it becomes clear that there is not one single Futhark, but several. There are two main Futharks, the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark, although there are many more variations besides, leading to about a dozen in all. Perhaps this is not so surprising, since the Runes have been in use for two thousand years, and many of the symbols have been found on engravings from the Bronze Age. Although scholars have spent many decades studying and tracing the history of the Futharks, there are dark patches, areas of knowledge that are unknown and as steeped in mystery and speculation as the Runes themselves.


The oldest and original Futhark consisted of 24 letters or symbols, although in the 17th century a version using just 16 symbols was in widespread use. The full set of 24 symbols is known as the Elder Futhark, whilst the newer, reduced set, although still 400 years old, is the Younger Futhark. Most people with a serious interest in Runes prefer the full set of 24, and all of the sets of Runes which we stock use the full 24 alphabet, or Elder Futhark.


But Runes are far more than simply letters. Our own alphabet may be little more than lines and circles, with no real significance other than that which we have attached to them in terms of pronunciation and use within words. But Runes represent far more. Many of the symbols are representative of aspects of the lives of the people who created and developed the Runes. Such symbols represent things such as the sun, a horse, and other elements of their lives, the natural environment around them, and of their spiritual beliefs.


Across two thousand years, Runes have carried with them an insight into the lives of those people, celebrating beliefs and perceptions which reveal a great deal about them. In particular, the fact that they were deeply spiritual, and connected both to the spiritual realm and the natural world in ways which far surpass anything we manage to achieve today.


But what were Runes used for, if they were more than simply letters in an alphabet used merely for everyday words? In truth, we know relatively little, thanks to many attempts to crush or eliminate the use of Runes over the centuries. In 1639 the Church tried to rid Europe of the Devil, and Runes were sadly misunderstood, being driven underground to survive only by being passed on through secret meetings and closed circles. But we do know that Runes were used for many things, from casting lots to divination, from magic spells to calling upon the spirits of the natural world to bring good harvests, rain or sun.


Today they are hugely popular for both their historical interest and value, as much as for use within divination. Without doubt, the history of Runes is shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and there is still much within the power of the Runes which we do not fully understand, and perhaps never will. If you have already purchased one of our beautiful sets of Runes, you’ll already understand something of the magic within those simple lines and curves, and appreciate the connection between us, and those whose spiritual connections live on through the Futhark.

Buy Runes at Moonrust – New Age Shop.

From now until Christmas, we’ve got an amazing half price offer on all our Pocket Gardens.

The Pocket Garden is an excellent way to give a loved one or friend a gift that will become a permanent reminder. In fact, these funky gifts are so handy that they’ll quite happily sit on any window sill or office desk, so you can give them to almost anyone!

Supplied in a sealed leak-proof bag our Pocket Gardens contain specially formulated compost and seeds, so all you need to do is cut open and add water, allowing the contents to grow into a beautiful houseplant or herb.

We have three ranges of Pocket Gardens, the Occasions Range, the Organic Herbs Range and the Plants Range, so there’s a Pocket Garden to suit everyone.

These items can only be shipped to customers within the UK.

Try our virtual Ouija Board if you dare… You may find more answers than you ever imagined!

Ask The Spirits II

For many people healing crystals and Shiva Lingham stones can be a little confusing, which is why we have compiled a beautiful collection of crystal sets, and accompanying guides to help you on your journey of healing and self improvement. Most people are aware of the incredible power of crystals, each offering unique powers and energies which can help heal, cleanse or energise the body, but when it comes to how to use crystals, or even how to choose them, it can seem quite confusing at first.

One of the easiest ways to start understanding the healing power of crystals is to consider traditional medicines, and how we see them working. You can have a dozen boxes of tablets, all of which look reasonably the same – perhaps differing in colour, shape or size. But each has tremendously different healing powers – one to wake you up, one to help you sleep, one to help you digest food more quickly, one to slow your digestion down, one to target pain, one to quicken the body’s healing powers. So much variety, yet so apparently similar at first glance.

In the same way, the energies which crystals generate can affect the body and mind in quite different ways, and just as you wouldn’t take a tablet without knowing exactly what it was going to do, and whether it was suitable, so it’s important to have a reasonably good idea of how crystals can help you, and the best ways to use crystal healing techniques.

I’m very much an advocate of alternative therapies and healing crystals – stuffing my body full of manufactured chemicals and drugs I don’t understand doesn’t always feel right. Of course, I would never suggest abandoning traditional medication in favour of alternative therapies. But at the same time there are often times when using Shiva Lingham stones or healing crystals can prove very effective as complementary treatments, as well as sometimes offering healing, strength or energy which simply can’t be offered by traditional drugs and medicines.

One of the first things to appreciate is exactly how crystals interact with our body, and how they help to ease pain and allow the body to heal itself more quickly. Many people become confused, believing the crystals are somehow directly interacting with the body, but in fact the crystals are interacting with the body’s aura. The aura is the energy field which surrounds every living thing. Just as a mobile phone is constantly sending out unseen signals, and the air all around us is full of signals, broadcasts and energies we can’t see, so our living bodies have an energy field which most of us never see.

However, the aura is often detected unconsciously by many of us, and with practice it is possible to read, and even see, these auras. I once met a man who had been blind since birth – but he could see auras. Just by looking at a person he could tell their mood, their energy level, and even identify pain or illness. A quite remarkable gift, and yet another example of how we can too often take for granted that what we see represents the totality of what exists. In truth, there is a very great deal we overlook in our busy, day to day lives.

Different aspects of the aura which flows in, around and through our bodies are connected to specific points known as chakras. Each of these areas has its own harmonic frequency, for some people identifiable as a colour. Indeed, many of the meditative exercises recommended suggest focussing on each of these colours whilst working on a specific chakra. By placing a specific crystal on, or near, specific parts of the body, the vibrational energy of the crystal can harmonise with the aura at that point, helping to restore balance, increase energy and strength, and allow the body to heal, energise or cleanse more quickly.

Imagine if you will, making waves in your bath! If you swirl your hand around clockwise you’ll create a fairly strong wave. How do you stop that wave? Three ways: you can either sit and wait, which could take a while, turn your hand the other way, which creates waves twice as high for a while, or you could turn your hand more slowly, which helps harmonise the waves, settling them in a more controlled way.
This is one, very simplified way of understanding how healing crystals and Shiva Lingham stones work – by sending out vibrational energies which harmonise with your auric energy in calming ways, to help restore balance and flow. Our healing crystal sets include seven types of crystal, one for each of the chakra points in your body, and we even provide a guide so that you can start to use these wonderful crystal sets straight away.

If you would like to buy Healing Crystals or Shiva Lingham Stones, you can do so from our Moonrust Shop.

Supplied in a sealed leak-proof bag our Pocket Gardens contain specially formulated compost and seeds, so all you need to do is cut open and add water, allowing the contents to grow into a beautiful houseplant or herb.

We have three ranges of Pocket Gardens, the Occasions Range, the Organic Herbs Range and the Plants Range, so there’s a Pocket Garden to suit everyone.

These items can only be shipped to customers within the UK.

Worry dolls and voodoo dolls come from quite different backgrounds, yet seem to have come together in providing a growing number of people with either a charming, quirky token of pagan, New Age thinking, or very real strength and confidence, depending upon their beliefs.

At Moonrust we supply a number of quite different, cheeky little voodoo dolls, and several sets of worry dolls, and although it’s not possible to know all the different reasons why our customers keep on coming back for these gifts, there are three reasons why they prove popular in general.

The first reason is that today’s voodoo dolls, about as remote from the macabre and sinister activities of the Caribbean witchdoctors of darker times as it’s possible to get, represent a wry acknowledgement of where we have come from. With our twenty first century gods of the wire, digital deities that seem to be omniscient to the point of predicting what we’re going to type next, more and more of us are feeling a deep need to acknowledge that our past contains magic, mystery and unknown powers which would make a mockery of our present day reliance on hard facts, scientific theories and dismissiveness of all things unproven.

Perhaps it’s simply the name, although this is unfair since the spiritual beliefs of Haiti, which included voodoo, were very much based upon the environment, natural and spiritual energies, and the intrinsic relationship between all people, and the natural world in which they live. But thanks chiefly to Hollywood, voodoo does stir up images of dark, mysterious magic and above all, the ability to control the actions and behaviours of other people. How appealing this is, especially when the tax man calls, or the bank writes to us!

The second reason why we feel that voodoo dolls and worry dolls have grown in popularity is that they have been designed so well, with such character and appeal, that as fascinating little curios or talking points, they engender humour and interest, harking back to dark and mysterious times but in a way which cannot be taken literally or seriously, knocking 21st century cynicism very slightly out of kilter.

But perhaps the biggest reason, and the least mentioned, is the fact that, deep down, most of us harbour superstitious beliefs in one way or another. A little voodoo doll, or a set of worry dolls might on the surface appear to be little more than harmless fun, a light-hearted bit of frivolity. But perhaps our needs run deeper than we like to admit, and small tokens or charms may hold more power than that for which they are given due credit.

We live in a world where silicon seems to be running the planet. Our love affair with silicon, the heart of every microchip, seems to have inspired us to take this compound into our own bodies in efforts to fabricate our natural bodies as we fabricate our own version of this world in place of our inheritance. Whether it is our blessing or our curse to be born into a world where scepticism is encouraged almost from the moment we learn to speak – don’t trust strangers, don’t believe all you see on TV – our life is a gift nonetheless, and it is up to us to take this gift to heart and go with it where our will takes us.

But as silicon and nuclear physics drives our world ever forwards, it seems to be becoming ever more important for us to look over our shoulders, and keep tight hold of our heritage for fear of losing it, and ourselves, in the maelstrom of modern gods of the wire over which we fool ourselves we still have control. Perhaps this is why so many of us are secretly stowing our worry dolls under our pillows each night, giving each the gift of a single worry, whilst keeping our chosen voodoo doll nearby to guard against our foes, seek out and disarm our fears, or weave their magic over those who inspire us, or whose hearts we earnestly wish to win!

It is a curious fact that as technology advances, the questions become ever more numerous, and as scientific research digs ever deeper into the fabric of our world, the more it seems to scratch its head in disbelief. Superstitions are often based on subconscious memories and knowledge inherited from our ancestors, perhaps misguided, but at least all of us alive today have been born of those who survived. Perhaps there may be something in it after all!

Above all, for many people, simply having one of our sets of worry dolls encourages the mental facing up to our fears, the acceptance of our concerns and the organisation of our troubles, and this in itself is a healthy and positive thing to do. Similarly, whilst we cannot guarantee our delightful little voodoo dolls will win over your boss, win the love of your life, or guard you from all possible harm, perhaps the mere acknowledgement of your fears, hopes and desires is really all it takes?

Crystal dowsing and pendulum divination have been popular for at least six thousand years, with both the Egyptians and Chinese attaching great importance to the power of the pendulum. Dowsing with crystals has been long held as having an established history of success, and today it is accepted by almost every professional field to be able to produce very real, very measurable, and very accurate results. Used by the British army, police and doctors, crystal pendulums have been used to determine everything from the location of murder weapons to the location of enemy submarines, from underground water to gold veins and even identifying the exact location of problems within the body. Without doubt, the use of a pendulum as a form of divination really does work – but how is this possible?

The truth is that no one really knows for certain. The cause of the effect cannot be measured, but the degree of success most certainly can. The easiest way of thinking about crystal divination or pendulum dowsing is to consider the aerial on your radio. Flying through the air, quite unseen to any of your senses, is a multitude of radio waves and radio signals. Passing through your body, through your head right now are many dozens of radio channels, voices, songs and adverts. Fortunately for us all we can’t tell!

But simply by using a little aerial, our radio can detect these unseen signals, and interpret them as meaningful sounds, words and music. In just the same way of course, our televisions also pick up the many other signals flying thorough the ether. When you stop to think about it, at any one given moment there may be dozens, scores – perhaps even hundreds of programs and signals, all man-made, passing through every cell in your body, every second of the day.

But these unseen signals all around us aren’t just man-made. Think about the earth’s magnetic field. We can’t feel this ourselves, at least, not many of us can. But birds and many other animals rely on being able to detect these fields. It’s one of the main ways that birds and other migratory animals are able to navigate their way with pinpoint accuracy across journeys of thousands of miles. Some people seem to have an uncanny natural ability to tell which way north is, even when blindfolded in a room, and it may be possible that there are vestiges of this internal compass in some of us.

Crystal dowsing using a pendulum is believed to be a way of tuning our bodies and minds into these unseen signals which are all around is, but which we cannot detect using our normal senses alone. It isn’t known precisely how we manage this, or in what form these energies or signals may be, but proof, if any is needed, is in the undeniable fact that using a pendulum works, and has been seen to work in all manner of fields.

You may not be looking to identify the exact location of enemy submarines, nor locate murder weapons, gold veins or blood clots, but one of the reasons why pendulums have proven to be so popular is that they can be used for almost any purpose. We all have questions, every day – many of them seemingly trivial, but often we find ourselves debating which course of action is right, which way to tackle a problem, or who to trust.

Perhaps deep down we have an inkling of an idea, a subconscious gut feeling, which many perceive to be a very low quality method of tuning in to the energies around us, picking up on the positive feelings, the right energies, and turning away from potential negative energy. If so, then it is clear to see how using a pendulum or crystal dowsing chain can help calm and steady our bodies, helping them to tune in to these subconscious feelings and guide us in the right way.

Although many pendulums incorporate a crystal within the base, there are many different types of pendulum, and many jewels, crystals and metals which can be used. Some have even used wood, or water. It seems that certain natural elements have an added ability to tune in to the energy and signals around us, and crystals have long been known to have the ability to tune in to vibrations – which is one of the reasons they’re often used in watches.

We sell onyx and quartz pendulums which are very beautiful and tactile. We’re also very excited about being able to offer a new range of pewter pendulums. These have a very classic look to them, and because pewter is quite heavy, the pendulum’s swing is much more precise. This means that readings taken using our pewter pendulum are far more accurate and much easier to interpret. Whether you have an interest in using crystal dowsing as part of Reiki, Feng Shui or healing, or whether you wish to use explore the art of pendulum divination, we are sure that our pendulum will prove to be both beautiful and effective. As many people use pendulums to help find lost items, why not buy two – then if you lose one you can find it with the other!

The Samurai voodoo doll and in fact voodoo dolls in general, have seen a great revival in recent years, with a growing number of westerners expressing interest in these curios. Yet the world is not preparing itself for a riot of black magic – for these little Samurai voodoo dolls are armed with charm and a cheeky little smile! Voodoo doll charms have become hugely popular with people for a wide number of reasons.

Voodoo itself carries with it much mysticism and intrigue, with many people perceiving it through the lens of Hollywood. Certainly films have depicted dark, mysterious and undoubtedly evil doings relating to voodoo, with voodoo dolls being tortured, stuck with pins and burnt. Yet this image is distinctly unfair, and the reality of voodoo, and its use of dolls, is as distant from black magic as the little voodoo charms carried by people today.

Used as key rings, attached to bags and zippers or simply hidden inside a pocket, the little samurai dolls which people enjoy today are in no way symbols of dark magic or of a culture which entertains dark or evil forces. Indeed, voodoo is very much an aspect of the ancient Caribbean religion which worships Loa, and Loa’s sub-deities. It is a religion which harnesses the natural world, and which takes on board the idea that everything is interconnected, with spirits and natural energy underpinning all that we see, both in the natural world and in the behaviour of people.

It is particularly this idea that people’s behaviour can be affected by natural forces or energy which has encouraged the increased interest in lucky charms, samurai dolls and voodoo dolls. However, rather than seeing these little doll charms as being dark, restricting or affecting people’s behaviour against their will, it is instead the idea that people who approach you with dark thoughts, ill intentions or bad news will find that their negative energy is either dispelled or rebuffed.

In practice the concept is that one of these brave little voodoo doll charms will defend you from this negative energy, bouncing it back towards the other person, and keeping you safe from harm. Sticking pins in your little doll charm will do little else but risk him losing a little of his stuffing, and you wouldn’t want to impair his ability to defend you, would you?

Whether you believe in the idea of natural energy, negative energy or the ability to defend yourself from negative energy is unimportant. Certainly many people do, and we all know people who seem charmed, able to float through life untouched by negative energy, or like ducks, able to let bad news or dark times simple trickle off their back as they drift onwards towards warmer waters. Similarly many of us know people who seem always to be the ones to experience bad news, calamities, failures and problems, constantly stressed, upset or angry, with a fuse so short that it barely has any delay before bursting with a furious reaction!

Why should it be that some people have it so easy, whilst for others life seems to be a constant challenge? Is there something in the idea of being charmed? Is it simply that by believing that things will get worse, that they do, and that by having faith that things will improve, they will? If this is the case, then our plucky little heroes, your little samurai voodoo doll or other voodoo doll charms may work simply by being around, filling you with just enough confidence to make the difference.

Of course, for many people charms have great importance, from special pebbles or shells, to crystals or pendants, jewels, rings or other items which seem imbued with energy or associations which help the owner feel more positive. Voodoo dolls manage to evoke the mystery of an ancient and powerful religion from a part of the world connected deeply to the natural environment. A holiday to Haiti will not only bring you right to the heart of the origins of Voodoo, but is likely to help invest you with renewed vigour, feeling positive and energetic! But of course, that might simply be the sun, the white sand and the local rum!

There are many people who carry such charms simply for their visual appeal, and this is understandable looking at the wide selection of voodoo dolls available today. Delightfully designed, with great detail and a distinct sense of charm which has a great deal to do with their cheeky little expressions.

The samurai voodoo doll may offer you protection against those who may mean you harm, or he may provide you with a renewed sense of confidence and faith in yourself, or he may simply be a rather unusual little character hanging from your bag or tucked in your pocket. But one thing is for certain – voodoo doll charms won’t needle you, and who knows – maybe neither will other people whilst you keep him with you!

In a bid to become more eco conscious and help the environment, we’ve got a whole range of eco friendly glassware in stock now at Moonrust.

90% more energy efficient than normal recycled glass and packaged in fully recyclable cardboard gift packs, our Eco Glassware is perfect to give to friends and family, as well as to keep for yourself.

I’ve got a pair of Eco Friendly Goblets myself and we use them all the time.