Crystals for Healing

by Karen Frazier

  TO MAKE THE GRID you will need one large round rose quartz crystal and 12 small rose quartz beads or crystals of any shape.

  1. After cleansing the crystals, place the large round rose quartz crystal on your surface.

  2. Arrange the smaller stones around it in an infinity symbol (a sideways figure eight) with six crystals on either side and the large crystal as the center point of the symbol.

  3. Trace the lines between the stones as described in step four here.

  4. Leave the grid in place for as long as desired, cleansing the crystals and setting them out again at least once a week.

  The rose quartz triggers love, while the infinity symbol represents lasting love.

  Shopping for crystals is a fun activity. Part of the enjoyment comes from personally choosing crystals for your collection. There are many types of stores that sell crystals, such as dedicated crystal stores, New Age shops, bead stores, hobby shops, Wiccan stores, and metaphysical shops. You may also be able to find crystals at traveling rock, gem, and mineral shows; swap meets; fairs; and similar events.

  Inside the Crystal Shop

  Just like any new experience, shopping for crystals may seem a bit daunting at first. Shops that sell crystals often offer a number of other items for sale related to New Age or metaphysical practices, such as incense, candles, statues, reference books, and oracle cards. As you walk through the door, your eye will likely be drawn to many different types of crystals and products.

  How a shop organizes its crystal displays varies from place to place. Some of the more expensive specimens, such as crystals cut into spheres and pyramids, large point clusters, or gemstone jewelry may be locked in glass display cases. Smaller crystals are typically displayed in open containers so you can sift through them to find the perfect fit without asking for assistance.

  While in the shop, you can browse or ask questions. If you are interested in purchasing a crystal you see in a locked case, don't hesitate to ask to hold it. Finding a vibrational affinity for the crystal you choose is an important part of the process. Many of the salespeople at these shops are well versed in the use of crystals and can help you find the perfect crystals for your needs.

  Buying Crystals for Someone Else

  Occasionally, you may wish to buy a crystal for someone else. This can be tricky, since crystal energy resonates differently with different people, but you can still give a crystal as a gift. In fact, I buy crystals for friends all the time. If I am giving a crystal for healing purposes, I base my selection on the issues the friend is currently dealing with and choose a crystal that will best fit the situation. I still perform a touch test. However, instead of thinking of myself, I set the intention of selecting a crystal for my friend, and then I visualize that friend as I hold each crystal and mentally ask if the crystal is right for that person. Feeling positive emotions, just as you’d hope to feel when considering a crystal for yourself, is a good indicator.

  Common Shapes

  Crystals come in many colors, cuts, sizes, and shapes. Some are completely natural and look just like rocks, while others are cut and polished into an array of shapes. When you are shopping for crystals, you’ll likely find a wide variety of the following types.

  ROUGH STONES are uncut and unpolished, and sold in their naturally occurring forms. They may be more opaque than their cut and polished counterparts. Although some may look like the rocks you’d find anywhere in nature, they still have the properties of cut and polished crystals.

  TUMBLED STONES are small rough stones that have been placed in a rock tumbler to round out the edges, producing a smooth, shiny finish. This brings out the color and natural pattern of the crystals. These may also be called polished stones, though polishing can also be done by hand or another method.

  POINTS occur naturally on one end of some crystals, due to the crystalline structure (some are cut to a point). The points may be polished or unpolished. Using a crystal point is a good way to direct energy either away from the body or toward the body by pointing it in the desired direction.

  CLUSTERS are naturally occurring formations that consist of several crystal points projecting from a rock base. Clusters work well for directing energy into the space in which they sit.

  GEODES are rocks that contain a small cavity that is lined with crystals. Geodes are usually sliced in half to reveal the crystals inside a generally rough outer shell.

  SLABS are cross-cut disks of certain types of crystals, such as agates. Sometimes geodes are also sliced into disks.

  WANDS are smooth, oblong, polished crystals with rounded ends. They may be wider at one end than the other, or they may taper to a dull point at one end. Many people use wands for massage, because they are helpful for channeling energy.

  PYRAMIDS, CUBES, SPHERES, HEARTS, AND STARS are among the many shapes crystals can be cut and polished into. Choose a shape that you feel drawn to.

  How to Choose a Crystal

  Choosing a crystal is unique to each individual, because crystals may vibrate differently with different people’s energy. Be sure to pay close attention to your inner voice when choosing a crystal. Making a selection that feels good to you is an intuitive process.

  COLOR ATTRACTION

  One of the first keys to choosing a crystal for yourself is attraction. Walk through the aisles of the crystal shop, visually scanning all of the offerings. Note colors that jump out at you. If you are drawn to a particular color of crystal, then you can look at other crystals within that shade. For instance, if red crystals attract you, take a closer look at gemstones such as garnet, red jasper, bloodstone, and sardonyx. As you examine crystals in that color range, note specific crystals that draw you to them, making you want to take a closer look or touch them.

  PHYSICAL SENSATION

  After making your visual selection, do a touch test. This is one of the most important tests for choosing a crystal. Much to my family’s consternation, I’ve been known to spend a long time picking up and holding different stones to find those that resonate with me.

  Hold the crystal in the palm of your receiving hand (your nondominant hand, so if you are right handed, this is your left hand, and vice versa), close your eyes, and notice how the crystal feels there. If it creates an unpleasant sensation, put it back and choose another. If it creates a pleasant or neutral sensation, continue your test.

  After noting how your hand feels, expand your focus to the rest of your body. Do you notice any physical sensations? How do you feel emotionally when you hold the crystal? How do you feel mentally? Use all these questions to evaluate whether the crystal is right for you. A good match is a crystal that makes you feel balanced, grounded, clear, peaceful, happy, or other positive emotions or sensations.

  Finally, it’s okay to ask yourself silently, “Is this the crystal for me?” I do this with every crystal I am considering. I ask myself the question, and then I stand with my eyes closed and wait for the answer. Typically, the answer I’m seeking is the first thought that pops into my mind. Listen to your inner voice in this manner as you interact with the crystal to make your decision.

  COST

  When evaluating any purchase, cost usually plays a role. Crystals range in price from a few dollars to three figures (or more for extremely large or rare specimens). If you find a crystal that feels really good but it’s not in your budget, you can look for smaller versions of that crystal, which may be less expensive. Generally, if you’re on a budget, it’s best to choose among crystals that cost under $20. Tumbled stones are a good, relatively inexpensive option if you plan to buy several different stones. Feel free to pay more if a specific crystal is rare or large and truly feels like it belongs with you.

  SIZE

  Larger pieces of crystals tend to generate more energy and, as a result, a more profound power. However, even the smallest crystal can be extremely effective, so small crystals will work well for most people’s needs. If you are considering the same crystal in two different sizes, don’t let size alo
ne determine which you purchase. If you connect more immediately with the sensation of the smaller stone, that is likely the one that will work more effectively for you.

  Crystal Jewelry

  Natural gemstones in jewelry still carry the same healing potential as crystals sold individually. When you purchase a piece of jewelry with one or more gemstones in it, you have beautiful, wearable art that also imparts healing properties; whether the jewelry was marketed as a healing crystal or not, it has the same vibrational energy. This only works with natural gemstones, however, and not with synthetic or altered stones.

  When you purchase a piece of gemstone jewelry, cleanse it in a manner similar to a regular crystal cleansing (see here), taking precautions to protect the nongemstone elements of the piece. Then feel free to wear it for healing purposes. By cleansing the gemstones once a week, you can maintain the healing properties of the jewelry.

  Choosing Multiple Crystals

  If you are just getting started with crystal healing, you may wish to buy multiple crystals to work with a variety of issues. Multiple crystals enable you to capitalize on the synergy between the energy of crystals (see Chapter 4 for remedies involving more than one crystal used to address a particular problem or goal) or balance your chakras. Multiple crystals make it possible for you to put together crystal grids or simply enable you to get started with a few different (and beautiful) options.

  CRYSTAL STARTER KITS

  Crystal healing starter kits are available from various vendors. These kits may contain anywhere from a few common stones to as many as 30. Smaller starter kits may cost $15 to $20, while larger starter kits may cost $100 or more. Some starter kits are specific to the chakras and may contain one to three crystals for use with each chakra.

  If you purchase a starter kit, you don’t have to spend your time selecting individual crystals. However, because you don’t have the luxury of feeling how each crystal interacts with your energy field, this can be a disadvantage. I’m not a huge fan of starter kits for this reason, but if you’re looking for a quick way to get your collection started, a starter kit may be the way you choose to go.

  MAKE YOUR OWN STARTER KIT

  You can make your own starter kit containing the essential crystals that everyone should have in their collection for crystal healing work. You can keep the kit affordable by selecting smaller stones. Five crystals to have on hand include:

  • Clear quartz

  • Amethyst

  • Citrine

  • Rose quartz

  • Smoky quartz

  To put together a chakra starter kit, consider these stones (or any of the other crystals listed for each chakra here):

  • First chakra (root or base): Red jasper

  • Second chakra (sacral): Carnelian

  • Third chakra (solar plexus): Citrine

  • Fourth chakra (heart): Green aventurine

  • Fifth chakra (throat): Sodalite

  • Sixth chakra (third eye or brow): Amethyst

  • Seventh chakra (crown): Clear quartz

  Buyer Beware

  When you’re shopping, you’ll want to avoid some common pitfalls associated with buying crystals. Keep the following in mind before you make your purchase.

  SOME CRYSTALS ARE SYNTHETIC OR MAN-MADE. If a crystal seems to be too perfect or flawless, it may be manufactured. Talk with the salesperson and ask about the source of the crystal. You can still purchase the piece if you’d like, but it is important to know what you are buying and how useful it will be for your purposes.

  NOT ALL CITRINE IS NATURAL. Much of what may look like citrine is actually amethyst that has been heated until it turns yellow. This changes the properties of the crystal somewhat, so be sure to ask if a specific crystal is natural citrine, if that is the stone you want.

  BEWARE OF TRADEMARK-NAMED STONES WITH A HIGHER PRICE TAG. Stones with a name that has been trademarked are just other stones that have been given marketing-friendly names, which may make them more expensive but not more powerful. This doesn’t mean trademarked stones are bad or ineffective, just that they may be more expensive than their non-trademarked counterparts. Trademarked stones include Infinite Stones, Boji Stones, Azeztulite, and many others.

  SOME CRYSTALS HAVE BEEN ALTERED FROM THEIR NATURAL STATE. Be sure to ask the salesperson if the crystal has had any treatments, such as dyeing, heat treating, or coating. These may alter the properties of the crystals. For example, howlite can be dyed to look like turquoise, but these stones have different properties. If you are in the market for turquoise (or any stone, for that matter), it is important to ask if it is a naturally occurring crystal in its unaltered form.

  After carefully selecting my crystals and bringing them home, I immediately start preparing to use them by cleansing, charging, and programming them. Your crystal energy work will benefit if you do the same. A big part of using crystals rests with how you set your intentions. Properly preparing your crystals, the space where you use them, and your mind can help you set your intention, allowing you to make the most of their energetic healing properties.

  Cleansing Your Crystals

  Due to their energetic nature, crystals hold on to energy patterns with which they come in contact. By the time your crystals have made their way to you, they have been in many hands and places. This is why it is important to cleanse your crystals. I recommend cleansing them as soon as you bring them home, and then cleansing them at least weekly, or more frequently for those you use daily. There are several methods for cleansing crystals.

  SALT WATER Nonporous crystals, such as quartz and amethyst, can be soaked in a saltwater solution. Submerge your crystals in the salt water for about an hour (longer if the crystals have had heavy use), and then rinse them and pat them dry. Use sea salt or Himalayan pink salt for this task, not table salt. Do not use this method for porous crystals, such as selenite, desert rose, and gypsum. You’ll also want to keep magnetic stones, such as lodestone, out of salt water because it could rust the stone.

  SMOKE Light a bundle of sage, cedar, lavender, or sweetgrass, and blow out the flame. Then hold the crystals in the stream of smoke to cleanse them. (I use a combination of these four herbs.) You can also cleanse them in the smoke from incense, such as Nag Champa sticks.

  QUARTZ CLUSTERS OR GEODES If you have a large cluster or geode made of a quartz stone, such as amethyst or clear quartz, you can place your smaller crystals in the cavity for 24 hours to cleanse them.

  ENERGY If you have some type of energy healing ability (such as Reiki), you can cleanse the crystals using that energy. As a Reiki master, I do this by holding the crystals in my giving (dominant) hand and sending Reiki energy to them.

  Is It Possible to Ruin a Crystal?

  Crystals are hardy. They never lose their energy, regardless of their shape or condition. Even if they break, they still work well after cleansing and charging. For example, a piece of black tourmaline I was carrying in my pocket broke in half when I came into contact with an extremely negative person. After I discovered the broken tourmaline, I cleansed and charged both pieces, and each piece was good as new.

  Really, the only way to harm a crystal in terms of how it works for you is by failing to cleanse and charge it. However, once you do, it will be back in full working order.

  Charging & Programming Your Crystals

  After cleansing, you need to charge your crystals. Charging puts energy back into the crystals so they can continue to function at their highest level. You should charge your crystals every time you cleanse them. Programming your crystals involves placing intention into them for the specific task you’d like them to complete. This can help the crystal work more effectively, so do this every time you cleanse and charge them. You can use several methods for these purposes. Consider the following ideas.

  To charge your crystals in nature, you can place them outside in the sunlight or moonlight for 6 to 12 hours. You can also charge your crystals with visualization. Hold the crystal or crystals i
n your giving (dominant) hand. Close your eyes and visualize white light coming down from the universe, entering through your crown chakra, traveling down through each of your chakras, then into your arm and hand, and then from your hand into the crystal. Do this for about 10 minutes.

  To program the crystal once it has been charged, repeat the visualization process described, but this time, focus on the type of energy you’d like the crystal to have.

  Preparing Your Space

  Creating an environment for your crystal work can help you set your intention for success. I have a small space dedicated to my energy healing work that is free of distractions and energetic disturbances. It is an electronics-free zone, as well as a quiet and comfortable place where I won’t be disturbed.

  When setting up your workspace, make it comfortable. Consider the following tips:

  • Create a space where you can sit and/or lie comfortably for meditation.

  • Use soft lighting, possibly on a dimmer.

  • Remove distractions.

  • Minimize objects that may disrupt or disturb energy flow, such as computers, tablets, or cell phones.

  • Keep the tools you will need nearby, such as candles, incense, and sage.

  • Decorate your space with beloved objects that make you feel happy, peaceful, and positive.

  • Once your space is set up, clear the energy by using the space cleansing remedies here. Whenever the area starts to feel congested, cleanse the space again.