Beyond being beautiful, crystals hold their own innate wisdom and emit frequencies that can aid us on our spiritual journeys as well as healing on all levels. Here we will chat about how to choose and care for your crystals and the when and how to use them.
In Part 2, we will discuss the metaphysical properties of stones and how they can assist you in your spiritual journey of manifestation and enlightenment.
Pictured: Smoky quartz
Crystals have been treasured and revered since the dawn of creation and by many ancient civilizations such as the Mayan, Celtic, and Chinese just to name a few. In fact, the Bible mentions them over 200 times. Honored for not only their value, color and beauty but for their electrical, magnetic and metaphysical properties. For example, the piezoelectric properties of Quartz crystals are utilized to make accurate timepieces due to their ability to maintain a precise frequency standard, which helps to regulate the movement of a watch or clock. Essentially the jewels of the mineral kingdom, crystals are truly gifts from God and the Earth itself.
You can research the scientific properties deeper on your own but I’m going to speak about how to choose, cleanse, charge, and program them, learn of their properties, and how you can incorporate crystals in your everyday life, perhaps in ways you never thought of.
Using crystals and gemstones alone will not magically heal, shift or alter but are useful and powerful tools to be used in conjunction with other methods such as energy therapy to hold the vibration you are looking to maintain, acquire or dispel.
How to pick a Crystal?
Whether you are seeking out a particular stone for a specific purpose or just inexplicably drawn to a pretty crystal in a shop, the right crystal has to "find" you or to put it more accurately, you find each other. The crystal will seem to 'call' to you as if it has been waiting for you. This is because you and that crystal are on the same frequency. Place it in your hands, close your eyes and let it "sing" to you. That sounds kooky, i know. If self- conscious, just ask your heart in prayer, "What do I need right now?" or "Which crystal will assist me at this point in my life?" Put your hands over the stones and choose... You'll pick the right one.
If you are looking for assistance in certain areas of your life, say communication, clarity, addiction issues, or prosperity; do your research. There is plenty of online info out there on crystals and their corresponding healing properties to help you find what you're looking for. I will list some popular ones a little further on in this article. Love is in the Earth by Melody is probably the best known Crystal Encyclopedia describing over 1400 minerals and crystals. You will not find a more comprehensive reference book describing metaphysical properties of stones including info on crystal configurations, practical applications as well as their numerical vibrations.
Shapes and Sizes:
You will find crystals in all sizes and shapes, so you should find the right one depending on your purpose, needs or goals. Tumbled smooth stones are ideal for creating your own intention bag, crystal grids, and the laying of stones on the body for energy work.
Wands, eggs and crosses can be used to scan the auric field for blockages, to cleanse the auric field, or to focus beams of energy into the body and its energetic layers during energy therapy.
Faceted stones determine the direction of the energy flowing from a crystal while pyramids focus & amplify the energy in a tight beam though the apex. Larger crystal clusters can be used to stimulate areas of a room with the energy contained in its crystal structure. What is produced is an increased quantity of energy available to the user or the subject of healing. Many a healer I know use large clusters of crystals, especially amethyst, under their massage tables for exactly this purpose.
The right crystal has to "find" you or to put it more accurately, you find each other. Place it in your hands, close your eyes and let it "sing" to you.
Cleanse, Charge and Program:
After you receive your crystal you may want to prepare it so it can be dedicated for your needs and purpose. You can think of it as re-calibrating it's settings to neutral so you can then imprint upon it your purpose and intentions and make it completely yours. This resets your stones so they are at their finest and purest frequency and readies them to connect and work with you.
There are several ways to Cleanse a crystal:
Place under running water with the intent that any unwanted energies are washing away. (DO NOT cleanse a Selenite crystal this way- Selenite is similar to a salt and it will dissolve in water)
Selenite has the ability to cleanse and re-charge itself and other stones. Clear Quartz and Carnelian can cleanse other stones as well but will likely need to be cleansed when done. Do this for 24-48 hrs.
Smudge your stones with lavender, sweet grass or white sage. The smoke will carry unwanted energies away from the crystals. Always do smudging in a ventilated area, and keep a window open to allow the negative energies to flow out of your space.
Visualize and Focus a bright white light enveloping your stones. Hold this for at least 30 sec. Reiki blast will work as well.
Salt Water soak. Suitable crystals can be left to soak in sea water or water mixed with sea salt. 1/4 tsp. of sea salt in 1 pint of spring water overnight.
For minerals or stones that are not water friendly, a dry salt soak in a shallow bowl will work as well. Salt can corrode so i would place the stone in a smaller dish within the bowl holding the salt. This way there's no direct contact.
Soak your quartz crystals in Brown Rice overnight. The rice balances and centers the crystal's energy as well as receiving the crystal's energies and properties once the cleanse is complete! Now your rice is charged too! (*make sure your stone does not contain toxic materials such as lead, arsenic, etc)
**Please do some research on your own if you are unsure if it is safe
to eat or drink anything that has contained your stone
Exposing your crystals and stones to Sunshine and Moonlight for 24 hrs will also cleanse them. (Amethyst's color will fade if left in the sunlight- so I wouldn't recommend this method for Amethyst)
I generally either smudge my new crystals or blast them with some Reiki to clean them. That way i can do a bunch at a sitting, quickly and safely, and not have to worry about dissolving the softer stones or fading others with sunlight.
Next step is to Charge your crystal -
I would place the crystal in your hands holding the intention that the crystal to be used in love, in light and for the Highest Good of All.
By placing your crystals in sunlight or moonlight , you can both clear and charge your crystals at the same time. Find a safe place and leave your crystal for 24 hours or more (up to a week) in sunlight and/or moonlight.
Use the sound vibrations from a gong, tuning forks, crystal or Tibetan bowls or Tingsha bells. You could place the crystal inside the Tibetan bowl or crystal bowl then gently strike the bowl to produce a tone. I'd be careful doing that with a crystal bowl though.
Reiki blast- BOOM
Use a Selenite charging pad since Selenite has the ability to cleanse and charge.
Programming is the process of instructing the energies of the crystal to use it's inherent qualities for a specific purpose. Some examples would be for tranquility, abundance, clearer communications, or protection. Clear quartz crystal is perfect for this purpose.
To program the crystal for a specific use, hold the crystal in your left hand. Focus on the intended use of the crystal (healing a specific dis-ease, protection, meditation or love). Be clear about what you most want help with. Once you've ensured the crystal's purpose, finish the process by saying: I dedicate this crystal for the (state your purpose).
It's suggested that one ask for guidance, protection and assistance in the programming process. I have always connected first to my Higher Self, my Angel and the Deva of the Stones when doing this process. Crystal Devas are the consciousness of the crystals, the spirits, the minds and souls of the stones. You can think of it in terms of the Guardian of the Stones.
Formulate a precise phrase which accurately describes the nature of the programming. Repeat this phrase 20-30 times while visualizing and/or feeling the desired effect of the program. For example, How you will feel once you finally let go of your fear of speaking your truth? Really live and feel through that feeling while holding that stone!
The quartz or stone will maintain and continue to radiate that frequency of vibration throughout your immediate environment and support your own energetic field. In addition to this, It will not only hold but also amplify that frequency.
The crystal will continually emit that intention until it is cleared or reprogrammed.
Now...What to do with them?
How can you incorporate crystals in your everyday life with intention? I've got a few suggestions...But ultimately your are your own best guide on this.
Hold a crystal during meditation....
Selenite and quartz in combo for mediation: Selenite helps to connect with the Christ Consciousness and helps to bring high vibrational light from crown and into the lower chakras. Crystals that work with the 3rd eye and crown chakra in particular (such as Amethyst, Blue lace agate, Aquamarine) are very helpful for gaining insight, connecting with the Divine and inducing a calm, tranquil emotional state. Honestly, holding any crystal or stone during a meditation is beneficial. It allows the opportunity for the crystal to "speak to you". Write down your impressions in a journal next time you "travel" with your stone. You might be amazed at what is revealed.
Create a crystal grid...
Crystal grids can sometimes be more powerful than using a single crystal for an intended goal (protection, peace, prosperity) especially powerful when combined with sacred geometry. Sacred Geometry is the basic fundamental building blocks of our Universe are based on mathematics and form. They form a mandala that can facilitate healing or manifest an intention especially with coupled with crystals or anything that holds strong significance with you. In the past, I have used coins, shells, feathers, even my mother's rosary beads. A couple of examples of Sacred geometry shapes would would be the Flower of Life or Metatron's Cube. You don't have to use anything fancy just print one on a plain piece of paper. Whatever your intention, the crystal grid is an effective use of crystal energy when done with your clean intention. Tumbled, rough or even faceted stones are centered around the "Master Crystal" which acts as the primary energy force for the grid. Other stones are places around the Master Crystal to amplify and assist the center stone to accomplish your goal.
Make a beautiful sacred space. ...
Bring beauty and positive energy to your décor or work environment. Place Carnelian by the stove to keep you creative in the kitchen. Use Black Tourmaline in corners of house to absorb negativity and create a safe space. Use Fluorite at work to lessen the energetic impact from gossipy or catty co-workers. Plunk a hunk of Amethyst on your night stand for a good night's rest since it brings soothing and calming energies that help you to relax. Crystals placed in plotted plants not only look nice but the plants appreciate the vibes too! Even if they’re small, they work very well as protection against big and strong negative influences and bring energetic blessings into the space.
Carry a crystal with you. ..
Wearing crystals as jewelry keeps them close and allows them to impart their energies on you at closer range for longer periods of time. If it is your intention to heal your heart from grief or betrayal, wearing a pendant of rose quartz can help bring empathy, forgiveness, and of course, unconditional love or Apache Tears which is useful for the cleansing and release of feelings of woundedness or grief in the loss of a loved one.
Creating and carrying an intention bag would be helpful in keeping you in the vibration of the intent you have set for example, putting the lid on anger and maintaining composure. This technique was especially helpful for my children when they small going to grade school. We would choose the stones that would best assist in this task, set our intention and place them in a small pouch that they could leave in their backpack or in their pockets.
Charge your water...
Charging your drinking or bath water with crystals, can be a wonderful way of absorbing the metaphysical properties of a crystal into your body. In regards to drinking water, by leaving the crystals in the water for 24 hrs in the sunlight or moonlight gives the stone the opportunity to imprint and impart their energetic characteristics into the water that we in turn can take into ourselves. When working with crystals that aren't water friendly or are toxic to the body, a safer method would be to place crystals around the outside of the glass of water overnight then drink in the morning.
Conscious bathing with quartz crystals such as amethyst, smokey quartz, or rose quartz set along the rim of your bath, or in the tub with you can help stimulate the chakras as well as recharge and realign you. The most important thing to remember here when working with crystals and water, is that energy follows intent. Set the intent. Hold the intention at the onset that it is your wish and desire that the best parts of these crystals find their way into you for your Highest Good and Highest Healing. Transfer complete!
Use crystals during a spa treatment or during energy work...
During energy work, either by a therapist or by yourself, crystals placed on the body takes the session to the next level. It can facilitate healing on all levels, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Applying Reiki or another energy therapy, promotes the energy transfer from the minerals to the physical body. Traditionally, colored stones that correspond with the chakras they work with are placed on the body for healing however, you can use any stone, anywhere, however you fell guided to do so. You are not forever tied to using Rose Quartz solely for heart chakra work. If you feel drawn to placing it on your brow, go for it. All the same, it is recommended to use the appropriate minerals on the root (Hematite, Aragonite, e.g.) and feet chakras ( Black tourmaline ) to promote grounding to the physical plane. Also assists in the anchoring the crystal or mineral properties to the Earth plane for manifestation. In other words, it brings it down into the earth so it can be part of your here & now.
#Crystals #crystalcare #crystalproperties #chakras #stones #citrine #selenite #crystalgrid #rosequartz #moldavite #bluelaceagate #sodalite #florite #blacktourmaline
Resourses:
The Bible of all things crystal and mineral is the book Love is in the Earth by Melody.
[Eason, pp. ]Cassandra Eason, The New Crystal Bible (London: Carlton Books Ltd., 2010).
[Simmons, pp.] Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007).
energymuse.com
crystalsandjewelry.com
healingcrystals.com