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CHAPTER 1
LIVING WITH CRYSTALS
Selecting Crystals for You
With there being thousands of different crystal varieties to choose from, selecting the perfect one can seem overwhelming. If you feel drawn to a specific crystal, it can often mean that you are in need of that stone's particular energy in your life. Here are a few helpful methods to assist you in selecting the right ones:
BY COLOUR: If you are looking to acquire a stone for a particular need, it can be helpful to choose the stone by its colour, for each carries an energy that is related to its colour. For instance, pink and green stones are associated with the heart chakra and are powerful in aiding emotional healing. You may like to look up the colours and their associations first (see page 165) or pick the one that you are drawn to. Either way, selecting a crystal by its colour is an effective way to ensure you are choosing the right stone for your needs.
BY FEEL: Many people like to choose crystals based on how they feel. By holding a stone and focusing on how its energy feels, you will be able to decide whether you are connected to its healing vibration. Some people feel a hot or cold sensation emanating from the stone. Others may feel its energy resonating with a certain chakra or a specific area on the body. This method may take some time to develop, so remember not to feel pressured if you have not yet become fully attuned to this ability.
BY NEED: Crystals can be great sources of comfort and support in all kinds of circumstances. If you are going through a difficult time emotionally, a stone such as rose quartz can bring great comfort and peace. If you are looking for a stone to increase energy, creativity or motivation, carnelian may be the stone for you. You can use the index at the back of this book to search for stones that answer particular concerns or requirements (see pages 184–88).
Crystal Shapes and Sizes
Crystals come in a huge range of shapes and sizes – factors that have a unique effect on a stone's healing energy and how it can be used for the best results. Some of these shapes occur naturally, while others have been artificially cut and polished to create a new formation. Learning the purpose of each shape, as well as the difference between polished and raw stones, will greatly enhance your knowledge of how and when to use each variety.
Polished vs Raw Stones
Being unaltered, raw crystals tend to carry a stronger energy than those that have been cut and polished. Polished stones carry a softer vibration that can be helpful for many situations, especially for those who are sensitive to crystal energies. Both raw and polished stones are effective healers and have an important place in any crystal collection. Be aware of the different energies that each type can stimulate when selecting your crystals to make sure they align with the purpose you wish them to fulfil.
Crystal Shapes
There are hundreds of crystal shapes and formations, many of which are extremely popular for both healing and decorative purposes. When a stone is carved into a certain shape, such as a sphere or point, it will influence how the energy flows throughout the crystal. The following are some of the most common varieties, each carrying their own specific characteristics:
• NATURAL POINT A natural point is a powerful raw crystal that has not been polished or altered. These crystals are often used in healing and are powerful stones for directing energy towards or away from the body, depending on the direction in which you direct the point of the crystal.
• GENERATOR A generator crystal features six facets that converge at a point. This shape is known as an energy amplifier and will increase a stone's overall healing properties.
• SPHERE Spheres emit energy from all angles, creating an equal energy flow throughout an entire space. A sphere is a particularly effective crystal to keep in the home if you are looking to energize and purify your surroundings.
• PYRAMID A pyramid features four equal sides with a base. It may be natural in some cases, however many are polished into this shape. Pyramid crystals are known to deepen meditation and are effective to use when setting positive intentions or affirmations.
• CLUSTER Powerful energy amplifiers, clusters contain many points that come from the same base. These stones radiate energy outwards, while cleansing and purifying the space around them.
• GEODE A crystal geode is a hollow cave-like stone with numerous smaller terminations inside. As with a cluster, a geode will amplify the energy but will also soften it, allowing a slower release of a given energy.
• WAND Crystal wands are often cut and polished into shape. They are typically rounded at both ends and are popular stones among massage therapists and reflexologists. Other wands may be pointed at one or both ends, making them powerful stones for directing the flow of energy.
• TUMBLED These stones are usually small and polished, and are perfect to use in crystal grids, meditation, elixirs and other basic healing practices. Their size and durability also makes them useful stones to carry with you.
Crystal Care
Caring for your crystals is relatively simple, however learning a few tips will help you to avoid any accidents, such as disolving your celestite in water while trying to clean it. Some elements of crystal care include cleansing and charging your crystals to enhance their healing properties, as well as different methods for cleaning and storing your stones. It is also important to make sure you purchase your stones from a sustainable and ethical source.
Buying and Sourcing Crystals
The crystal healing industry is growing rapidly in popularity. With so many sources all around the world, both online and in-store, it can be difficult to know where your crystals originally come from and if they have been sourced ethically. The process of collecting crystals is much gentler on the Earth than the mining of industrial minerals such as graphite, corundum or limestone, as the majority are sourced by hand or by small-scale mining. Large-scale mining for precious stones is usually focused on extracting gold or copper rather than crystals, which are often considered a by-product of the more environmentally destructive industrial mining. However, it is important to be aware of unethical mining and poor working conditions, especially in relation to large-scale mines.
Crystals can also go through many hands before ending up in yours, so it is important to support the sellers that are open about where they source their stones, and to look out for those that don't disclose this information, even when asked. Of course, it can be difficult to know for sure. However, it is helpful to look for a supplier that understands and respects where the stones have come from. By building strong, lasting relationships with crystal suppliers you can establish a high level of trust regarding authenticity. By remaining conscious and mindful when sourcing crystals, we can ensure that the natural environment is appreciated and preserved.
Cleansing and Charging
Crystals accumulate negative or stagnant energies and is it important to cleanse and charge them regularly, especially stones that are used for healing of any kind. Doing so restores a crystal's natural frequency. There are various methods for cleansing and charging your stones.
• SMUDGING Burn palo santo wood or a sage smudge stick and hold your crystal in the smoke to cleanse its energy. This a powerful ancient practice that has been used for centuries to clear negative energy and connect us to the spirit world. Today, both sage and palo santo are seen as essential tools for energy cleansing and other sacred rituals.
• MOONLIGHT / SUNLIGHT Lay your crystals out in the sun from dawn until dusk, or leave them overnight under a full moon to recharge. Remember that some crystals, such as amethyst, may fade in harsh sunlight. Moonlight, however, suits all types of crystals.
• WATER Place your crystals under fresh running water for several minutes to cleanse and energize them. This method is not suitable for delicate or porous stones, such as celestite.
• OTHER CRYSTALS Some crystals can be used to cleanse and recharge other stones. Selenite is my favourite example of this, as it carries a powerful cleansing and purifying energy. Placing smaller crystals on top of a selenite crystal overnight will cleanse and recharge their energy. This is also an ideal cleansing method for your crystal jewellery.
Cleaning Your Stones
While many crystals can be cleaned in running water, some, such as selenite, are water-soluble. Fragile or porous stones may be cleaned with a dry cloth or using an aerosol air duster. It is best not to use harsh chemicals to clean your crystals, as this can damage their surfaces and even affect their energies.
Displaying and Storing Your Stones
When displaying or storing your crystals, be mindful of those that may fade in sunlight. These include fluorite, amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, rose quartz, green apophyllite, celestite, aquamarine, topaz and kunzite. Delicate crystals that may easily scratch or chip can also be stored in a cloth or a bag to protect them when not in use. This is also helpful for fragile crystal jewellery that may otherwise be damaged when kept amongst other stones or jewellery.
Travelling with Crystals
From protecting against accidents to calming nervous flyers, carrying crystals with you when travelling is a powerful way to benefit from their healing properties. When we travel we often experience fatigue or stress, and crystals are useful tools for offsetting this. Keeping a protection stone such as black tourmaline or smoky quartz in your pocket will bring a sense of security and calmness. Hematite will keep you grounded and balanced, which is especially helpful for those who feel stressed when travelling.
Tumbled stones are ideal crystals to travel with, as they are small and can be carried conveniently in hand luggage or in a pocket. Wearing crystal jewellery is another effective way to harness healing energy while travelling. By keeping a crystal close to your body, you are able to connect with its energy, allowing the stone to positively influence your own vibration as well as the energy around you.
Key Stones for Travel
• Turquoise
• Malachite
• Moonstone
• Pyrite
• Carnelian
• Black Tourmaline
• Amethyst
• Smoky Quartz
• Garnet
• Hematite
Fear of Flying
Many people tend to feel anxious or fearful when flying, and certain crystals can be worn or carried with you to help ease these stressful situations. Malachite is a powerful protection stone that will calm feelings of anxiety or fear, while also providing relief from motion sickness and vertigo. Hold a grounding stone, such as black tourmaline or hematite, to soothe and stabilize nervous energy.
Protection Against Accidents
Pyrite and turquoise are powerful protection stones that can be used to guard against accidents while travelling. Carnelian and garnet are also known to protect against accidents and injuries, especially while driving.
Wearing Crystals
Crystals have been worn in jewellery for thousands of years, for both their beauty and healing properties. Wearing a crystal is a powerful way to benefit from the stone's energy, especially when using it for a particular purpose. Having a crystal in your energy field for a long period of time will increase its ability to support your intentions and can help you to manifest whatever you need in your life.
Use your intuition when picking a stone to wear. Often, you will find that the one you select carries the energy that you need most at that time. If you are looking to attract love into your life, for example, wear a rose quartz necklace to invite this energy in. Wearing a ring or necklace with citrine will help you to attract abundance and success into your life.
To increase the energy of the stone, try wearing it over the related chakra to boost its healing effects. For example, if you are looking to strengthen communication skills, wear an aquamarine necklace over the throat chakra.
BIRTHSTONES
Twelve gemstones have come to be recognized as representing specific birth dates and are a popular way of choosing a crystal for jewellery. The stones are affiliated with a specific month of the year, and also with one of the zodiac symbols. You may therefore find that two different stones both relate to your birthday; choose the one that resonates with you the most.
Crystals in the Home
Keeping crystals in the home is a wonderful way to attract positive energy into your space. They will amplify the atmosphere you need while clearing away any negativity. Placing the right stones around your house will keep spaces feeling light, positive and pure. This section of the book identifies key spaces in the house, matching each one with the ideal optimal energy and the stones that will help you to create it. Use this as a starting point then follow your own intuition to select the best stone for particular areas in the home.
Take time to consider what it is that you would like each stone to bring to the home – are you hoping to attract abundance into your home? Do you want to foster a calm atmosphere for the family space? Once you have identified your intention, use the advice on the following pages to select the stone, placement and display method that will best achieve that. To maximise the healing potential of crystals in the home, clear the space of any negative energy before introducing a new stone to your space; it can also be helpful to programme each stone with a specific intention.
Space Clearing
Stagnant and negative energy can build up in homes, whether from disagreements, bad moods or even illness. It is important to clear your space regularly, as this will promote balance and harmony within the area and will help to clear away any unwanted energy. Burning sage, incense or palo santo wood is a very effective way to cleanse the area of any negativity. Space clearing will bring the home back to its original state of peace, comfort and positivity. (See page 162 for a space-clearing ritual.)
Programming
It is important to programme your crystals, especially when you using them for a particular healing purpose. Having cleansed a stone, sit quietly and hold it in your hands for a few moments. Set your intention for the crystal by focusing on its desired purpose – for example, health, love, abundance or protection. By dedicating the crystal to a specific purpose, you are infusing it with pure intention.
Setting an intention is a powerful way to begin the process of manifesting your goals or visions. An intention can be seen as an internal drive that brings a sense of clarity and direction in life. When setting your intention for the day or week, ensure that it is positive and uplifting, for example: 'I intend to bring love and happiness into my life'. Setting an intention is about defining how you wish to operate both mentally and spiritually – not only to achieve your goals but also in bringing a greater sense of self-awareness and gratitude to your daily life.
CRYSTALS FOR A NEW HOME
Before moving into a new home, trying gridding the space with black tourmaline (see page 127). After cleansing with sage or palo santo wood, place a black tourmaline crystal in each corner of the house to create a protective shield against negative energy. Placing a clear quartz crystal in each room will amplify the positivity in your new home.
Introducing Crystals to a Room
There are many beautiful ways to introduce crystals into the home. As with plants, crystals offer an opportunity to bring a piece of nature into your space. By exploring different placement options that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical, you will be able to immediately lighten the energy and ambience of the home. Below are some of my favourite ways to display crystals that can be applied to any area of the home, and on the following pages are room-specific ideas that will help to attract the right kind of energy into each area.
• A small dish or bowl carved from a crystal such as rose quartz is a lovely way to display jewellery or other small items, while also adding some extra positive and loving energy into your space. In the bathroom, it can be used as a soapdish.
• Keep quartz points or clusters on a surface where the sun regularly shines; this will often create a stream of beautiful rainbows, transforming your living area into a bright and positive atmosphere.
• Use crystal bookends on shelves to brighten up your favourite reading corner, or to keep stagnant energy away from the office space.
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Excerpted from "The Crystal Fix"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Juliette Thornbury.
Excerpted by permission of The Quarto Group.
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