The Healing Power of Crystals

People have been attracted to crystals and gemstones for spiritual enlightenment and healing rituals for thousands of years. Sceptics will argue there is no scientific evidence to prove the healing benefits of crystals, however those with a more mystical perspective swear by them and their ancient healing powers. Here we break down seven significant crystals, their properties and how best to use them.

Love and Relationships

Rose Quartz

This soft, beautifully pink-hued stone has a gentle energy that brings inner healing and peace. It can be used to promote healthy relationships, attract new love, deal with grief and restore trust. The positive energy of the stone also helps with emotional balance and stress relief.

Sleep with a small piece of stone under your pillow or create a spray by placing the quartz in filtered water from dawn to dusk, then add a few drops of jojoba oil and rose oil and spritz as needed.

Opal

Opals are a symbol of great luck. In the middle ages the stone was believed to carry the virtues of all the gemstones. Opals have a light energy that is said to enhance commitment and loyalty in relationships.

Wearing an opal as jewellery is said to bring happiness, self-confidence and attract good luck to the wearer. Keeping an opal in the bedroom can enhance passion and spontaneity.

Serenity

Amethyst

One of the most attractive and popular crystals, amethyst has powerful healing and cleansing properties. The stone’s high vibrations help with intuition and self-awareness but mostly it is used to relieve anxiety and depression.

Use amethyst when meditating to calm the mind and promote spiritual awareness; or make a healing tonic to help with anxiousness. 

Aquamarine

This smooth blue-green stone is said to harness the soothing spirit of the ocean. Aquamarine’s gentle calming energy is ideal for discarding negative emotions and attracting inner strength and confidence. It is also a good ally against stress and anxiety. In Ancient Rome the stone was a symbol of everlasting youth and to this day is believed to carry anti-ageing qualities.

Keep aquamarine in the bedroom to help create a calming space or place a small aquamarine stone under your pillow to stave off insomnia. 

Success

Citrine

Citrine, a type of quartz that ranges from a light honey colour to a vibrant yellow, is known for its bright, warm energy, and is said to attract happiness, creativity and prosperity. This stone clears away bad vibes to make way for positive energy and can also assist with self-confidence and self-worth, especially when it comes to relationships.

Keep citrine on your desk to promote productivity, or place on a pile of new currency to invite prosperity. Much more rewarding than an ordinary paperweight.

Malachite

This stunning intense green stone is believed to be a powerful protector against negative energy. Ancient Egyptians used malachite as far back as 3000BC and in the Middle Ages it was used as a talisman to protect against evil. Now the stone is used to guard against environmental radiation and to attract abundance in all areas of life.

Use malachite in the workplace to guard against electromagnetic pollution and promote clear thinking and creativity.

Energy

For those that need a little motivation or a vitality boost, clear quartz has the most powerful energy of all the crystals and gemstones. Made up of translucent crystal clusters, this pretty stone has been regarded as a great source of power for centuries. The clear quartz is considered a ‘master healer’ due to its strong positive vibrations.

Keep clear quartz in the home to amplify positive energy and emit healing vibrations. It is also a good crystal to assist in manifesting intentions. 

Meditating with crystals

Not only are a crystal’s virtues amplified and more easily accessed during meditation, but having a physical item to hold or focus on, such as a crystal, can help in keeping the mind still. Here’s an easy step-by-step guide on how to meditate with crystals:

1.
First you must reflect on what your intention is and choose your crystal accordingly.

2.
Find a comfortable, quiet space with all electronics off, or even better, in another room.

3.
Hold the crystal gently in your hands and visualise your intentions.

4.
Close your eyes, focus on your breathing and consciously relax any parts of the body that are feeling tense. 

5.
Visualise a flow between yourself and the power of the crystal, focus on your intention and feel the cycle of energy between your body, mind and the crystal. 

6.
When you have finished the mediation, slowly bring movement back to your fingers and toes and, finally, open your eyes.

How to clean crystals

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Bury them in the earth for a week; returning them to the ground cleanses them and allows them to recharge from the earth’s vibrations.

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Rinse them in salt water. The salt will purify and absorb negative energy.

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Recharge the crystals. Leave the crystals out for at least 24 hours before the full moon and 24 hours after.

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Finally, purify the crystals by burning sage and running the stone through the smoke. •