Introduction to Crystals

 
In this ever changing competitive world of ours more and more people are turning to alternatives to find balance and harmony within their lives. Ancient traditions are remerging as we seek to put ourselves back in touch with cosmic forces and find our own spirituality. The use of crystals in our lives has become very popular in the search for awareness, from pretty little stones to natures breathtaking works of art, it is easy to see the attraction for both ornamental pieces around our home or as decorative jewellery to wear close to our bodies. Branded by cynics as another new trend, nothing could be further from the truth as for thousands of years civilisations have endowed crystals with special powers, attributed them with healing properties and linked them to the planetary forces which control our lives. Is it wishful thinking or can these beautiful structures of nature truly affect us?

Science tells us that everything is energy, that the earth and all the inhabitants on it including man is just a mass of vibrational atoms and molecules it is as alive as we are and proof that crystals are capable of emitting and transmitting energy is all around the home, from your computer to the watch you wear on your wrist the advantages of Quartz in modern technological living is undeniable, furthermore with over two billion quartz oscillators produced each year for electrical components it is fortunate that it is the most abundant of the earth’s minerals. Clear quartz is transparent often with tiny bubbles of gas or water which can give a milky effect within the crystal, it can form both huge clusters or grow as single large stones. Varieties of Quartz are plentiful Amethyst for example is a member of the quartz family and gains it’s purple colour from the inclusions of iron as the clusters grow, Smokey quartz or commonly called Smokey topaz becomes discoloured by natural radioactivity occurring in the ground where the quartz is growing

Historically quartz was used all over the world as a tool for scrying as well as healing and was a favourite for scrying mirrors and crystal balls to enable seers to both prophesise the future and contact the spirits of the dead. Quartz goblets, ornaments and bowls were made for ritual uses and the magnificent carvings of the ancient Americas in the form of crystals skulls demonstrates the reverence with which this humble rock was given.

So what are the metaphysical properties attributed to quartz and in particular clear quartz, well quartz is a good multifunctional crystal and an excellent first choice to purchase for anyone intending to start a collection. Keeping a quartz crystal close to your body on a daily basis absorbs the negative energy brought about by stress and helps keep the body balanced and functioning correctly, it is used as a universal healing crystal to bring calm and balance where there is discord, for practical purposed it also absorbs static electricity and is very useful to keep in the home near a TV or computer. Quartz or Rock crystals as they are sometimes called are known to be amplifying crystals so keeping them close means life enhancing qualities become more effective while less harmonious qualities disperse and become less effective. This idea of amplification means a quartz crystal is often used in healing in conjunction with other crystals to boost their positive effects and aid or speed up the healing process.

The use of crystals for healing often relates to their colours, for example yellow stones are said to aid digestion, stimulate the nervous system and are good for mental clarity, yellow topaz inspires the higher mind and is used as an aid to enlightenment, Citrine aids decision making and brings peace of mind and Amber is used to boost the immune system. Red stones on the other hand are used for more physical matters such as the muscular system, back pains and infertility, Ruby for example activates and revitalises the body whereas red jasper is used for liver problems and infection .Orange stones are used for kidney problems arthritis and lung disease and Carnelian aids rheumatism and coral is used in cases of paralysis. The list is endless and for every ailment of man there is a corresponding crystal to speed up healing and promote health and wellbeing.

Preparing a crystal to use for healing or just for general use as an energy booster couldn’t be more simple, the first thing to do when a new crystal is bought from a shop is to cleanse it, remembering that crystals absorb energy it is always recommended that any negative energy is removed before using it. Minerals are measured for hardness using the Mohs’ scale created in 1822 by German mineralogist Friedrich Moh, clear quartz has a hardness of approximately 7 which means it can simply be washed under running water, now people can go to wash it by a spring or river and create a lovely ritual around the whole cleansing process but if you are like me and don’t have the time to do things like that rinsing it under a tap for a few minutes does exactly the same job even if it doesn’t have the same magical feeling to it. Crystals do need cleansing on a regular basis and please note some crystals are known as soft crystals and are not suitable for washing in water, Angelite for example only has a hardness of approximately 3 and eventually breaks down in water, alternative methods of cleansing is recommended such as using sound waves, a tuning fork can be struck and held near the crystal to allow the vibration of sound to disperse the built up energy, alternatively it can be cleansed using the sound made by ting sha’s or a singing bowl. There are many varied methods which can be used to release the energy in crystals one of my favourites is to place them on the window sill in the moonlight, this cleanses and recharges the properties of the crystal gently overnight.

I always recommend tuning into a new crystal this is simply having a quiet time holding the crystal in your hand, relax and feel the gently energy of the crystal as you quietly sit, in your mind dedicate the use of the crystal to the highest purpose or for healing, it is the intent of your thoughts which is absorbed into the crystal as you prepare it for use. This may sound a little strange but if you consider that thoughts affect the physiology of your body and crystals absorb energy then it all makes perfect sense. Have a little test to prove it to yourself as you read this, think of something which makes you really angry, notice how tense your body becomes do you breathe a little faster does your body feel agitated? Then think of something beautiful, someone who you love dearly perhaps and feel the changes within you as all the tension melts away, your breathing steadies and a wave of love flows through you. Thoughts are powerful things always be aware of what is on your mind when you handle your crystals and allow them to only absorb the loving feelings from yourself.

Can crystal have an impact on us? I believe so, having worked with and used crystals both for healing and scrying for many years now, I can honestly say in my opinion they do have a power which we can use to enhance our lives. Whether it’s for physical healing or just peace of mind small tumble stones can be purchased from virtually any little gift shop for as little as fifty pence and kept about your person or your home. My advice to anyone in this fast paced hectic world we now live in, is to turn yourself back to nature, to earths hidden treasures, open your mind to the possibilities and allow ancient mysteries to once again reconnect you with a deep sense of purpose, remind you of your inner being and harmonise you with all the wonders of this majestic planet which is our home.