Unhidden Gems

Fascinated with all the hype surrounding healing crystals? Here’s everything you need to know if you’re keen to get started on this ancient ritual.

Gone are the days when healing crystals were the tools of choice for hippies seeking an alternative outlet for wellness. Today, healing crystals are creeping into the mainstream, with celebrities like Miranda Kerr and Kylie Jenner using them. Now, they are finding their way into modern women’s skincare and wellness routines.

And before you dismiss them altogether, chances are you’re already part of the crystals movement – remember those facial rollers or DIY guasha tools? Most of them are made of healing stones like rose quartz, jade or amethyst. So how does it all come together to promote “healing”? Here’re all the fundamentals every beginner looking to healing crystals should know about.

HOW DO THEY WORK? 

The use of crystals in human civilisations has been recorded as far back as the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Chinese cultures. While ancient humans used crystals more for protection – ancient Greeks believed haematite protected them in times of war while ancient Egyptians used topaz and peridot to repel evil spirits and nightmares, the application of healing crystals in today’s context has evolved greatly. Today, crystals can be used in many ways, including helping to boost clarity of mind, manifest your intentions and balance out your inner energy.

Think of these crystals as tiny energy sources. Since they are made of minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, they respond to their surroundings and give off a tiny electrical charge. This is not unlike our body, which also emits an electrical field, since we are made up of atoms and molecules which are essentially charged particles.

And because each crystal vibrates at its own frequency, your body responds to every crystal differently. This explains why some crystals appeal to you but not your friend, or even why you find that certain crystals work better in different situations.

Working with crystals isn’t some magical process that will leave you suddenly enlightened. What it does is to help you ascertain what you want to achieve, be it clearing out negativity in your mind and in your surroundings or to let go of past emotional baggage, so that your actions can become in sync with your mind through the manifestation of your intentions.

CHOOSING YOUR CRYSTALS

As previously mentioned, different crystals emit their respective vibrational energy, so each crystal brings about its own set of benefits. To make the most of crystal healing, let your crystals choose you. And when you’re shopping for crystals, it’s best to visit a physical store so you can hold each individual piece of crystal in your hands for a couple of minutes and see how you respond to it. Try not to focus too much on the benefits that the different crystals possess; instead, let your intuition guide you. Read on for the properties of the most commonly found crystals and how to use them.

Rose Quartz

In the field of healing crystals, pink stones are generally associated with love. Like other pink crystals (including rhodonite and morganite), rose quartz helps restore love, trust and respect, which can be applied to relationships with others and even with yourself. Some people also use this when they are seeking comfort in times of grief, as well as to promote empathy and compassion.

You can use it during meditation by simply holding it in your hands as you clear out your mind and become more aware of your surroundings. You can also place it around your house to promote harmony amongst loved ones.

Citrine

Often used to bring about optimism, motivation and clarity, citrine is said to release negative traits like self-doubt. In addition, it can also help boost focus and creativity.

To reap the full benefits of this wonderful crystal, you can carry a small stone in your purse every day or leave some at your work desk to help improve productivity.

Blue Lace Agate

Those who are prone to anxiety and anger can benefit from the calming and soothing properties of blue lace agate. Working with your throat chakra, this stone promotes better communication by helping you avoid angry and resentful words while ensuring that you get your point across effectively.

Most people carry a small stone with them, or you can also wear it as jewelry, preferably as a necklace or pendant to keep it near your throat chakra.

Selenite

An excellent stone for beginners in crystal healing, selenite and other white and clear stones are known to be extremely “absorbent”, making them perfect for cleansing a space, and purging it of negative energy. It is also great for meditation as it helps declutter your mind so you can focus better.

Frequently placed near windows and doors to keep out negative energy, selenite also works well at your work place to ward off toxic energy.

Amethyst

Known for its ability to protect against negative energies and purify the mind of negative thoughts, amethyst is another stone that can easily for incorporated into your everyday life. It also emits a calming energy, which is why it’s often used in meditation.

It is not uncommon to see a big beautiful amethyst stone placed around people’s homes as decor as well as to emanate its calming energy. Some people also place a bowl of small amethyst stones in their bedroom to promote a feeling of calm and wellbeing for better sleep.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CRYSTALS

After you’ve carefully selected the crystals that speak to you, what you do to them next is also crucial. Most retailers will have a cleansing bowl to help cleanse your crystals of previous energies they have absorbed. This service is usually provided free of charge. After you bring them home, you may wash them in a salt water bath. All you have to do is fully submerge your stones in a bowl of salt water and leave them to soak overnight. Finally, remove them from the salt water, and leave them out in direct sunlight to “charge”. 

PHOTOS SHUTTERSTOCK