Crystals & Their Care

Crystals have been prized since time began both for their mystical qualities as well as for their natural beauty. They have been found in the medicine pouches of cavemen to the Pharaohs tombs. In India, they used Agate to defend themselves against the evil eye, and the ancient Greeks believed amethyst would prevent them getting drunk.

Scientists have proven what man has known by instinct for eons, that crystals possess a natural power called the piezoelectric effect, meaning that they have the ability to amplify, channel or alter the flow of electricity. Crystals are used for this purpose in radios and television, computers, microphones and watches. People, animals and plants all carry an electrical charge, sometimes also called an aura, so it is logical that crystals have an effect on us as well. Crystals can clarify thoughts, channel energy, increase creativity and create emotional balance.

Crystals have long been used in jewelry, and some are also known as gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. But the popularity of crystals as a whole has grown dramatically in this century. Many more people are going back to what our ancestors believed and used, and crystals are a large part of that.

Choosing a Crystal

When considering how to get the best crystal for you, always choose your crystal with your senses rather than because it appears to be the most beautiful one there. As mentioned previously, each crystal has the ability to clarify and respond to your aura, so it is important that you choose one that has a similar frequency and as such will be of more use. The method of choosing the right one is remarkably simple. Close your eyes and hold your hand just above the crystals and ask 'which is the best one for me?' You will feel or sense a reaction. It may be coolness, tingling, heat or your fingers may touch one stone in particular. Always go with that first choice and trust your instincts.

Which Type is Right for Me?

During this series I will cover the more popular of the crystals, and share what each type are their unique properties. However I have often seen a crystal do more than it is supposed to, like one that is usually used for muscle problems successfully alleviates stress as well. Science has a long way to go before it catches up with what has been learned long ago by mystics, in other words, science is slowly proving what we have known all along; that certain crystals are good for us in certain ways.

Care of Your Crystal

Always remember that your crystal needs special care. Crystals can break and some can crumble, so take care of them at all times. It is often said that is a crystal does break, and sometimes they do this even with special care and attention, then their time is past, and they have completed that which they were meant to do for you. Always make sure if this happens that you bury the crystal, returning it to the earth, and thanking it for the help it gave you.

It is essential to clean your crystals of all negative energy. There are several ways of doing this, including with incense which is safe for all stones and minerals. Hold the stone in the smoke of the incense, and ask that it be cleansed of all disharmonies it has taken on in an effort to protect you and your environment. Ask that it be filled with unconditional love and to continue working with you.

Another way is with water, although this is not advisable with delicate crystals. One way is to let them soak in salt water and in the sun for three to seven days. Never use hot water as it can damage them.

*You can also lay them on the ground or hang them in a tree on a full moonlit night.

After clearing your crystals, it is possible to program them with certain emotions or vibrations specific to the use you have planned for them. Simply hold the crystal and visualize the required emotion filling the crystal. Please remember that only one use at a time should be assigned to each crystal or else it will be less effective as it attempts to split its energy in two or more ways. So it is best to have one crystal for meditation, one for healing, etc...