Healing Crystals

“If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, you must think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” - Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)

Have you noticed the surging interest in crystals lately? Shops are springing up everywhere, offering vibrant displays of crystals and gemstones of every color, shape and size, from smooth pebbles to statuary-sized geodes. People of all ages seem fascinated with these beautiful, multi-hued stones, and what started as a New Age fad some fifty years ago has now become mainstream. What is it about crystals that has so captured our imaginations in these post-pandemic times? Devotees fill their homes with them, create mosaic-like ‘flower of life’ grids, carry their special stones with them at all times, or wear them as jewelry in the form of pendants and bracelets. It seems as if everyone is into the crystal craze!

Strange as it may seem, crystals have been a part of natural healing traditions since the dawning of time. Crystals, aka gemstones, minerals, or simply rocks, literally are made of the Earth itself, and while many of the over 4,000 minerals found in crystals date back millions of years, new minerals are being discovered every year. Crystals are defined as ‘a solid material whose constituents are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions.’ The teeth and bones of the human body itself are composed of calcite and aragonite crystalline structures, so we can say that we are literally composed of crystals ourselves! Vibrational frequency oscillates throughout our human structure, and our DNA is composed of crystalline proteins. It makes sense that we are now examining the role crystals may play in addressing physical, mental and emotional issues and helping us evolve as a human race.

Most important to realize is that crystals contain energies vibrating at various frequencies. Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2, showed unequivocally that everything in the Universe vibrates at a particular frequency, and is both vibration and matter. Solid matter is made up of vibrating particles that are simply slow enough to be perceived by the human senses. The energy that is created is part of the electromagnetic field, or energetic field, also sometimes called the ‘aura.’ This is the energy field surrounding the bodies of all living things, created by fine electrical currents flowing through their bodies. Your heart produces the highest electrical current in your body, greater even than your brain, and your energy field varies in strength and magnetism depending on your current state of physical, mental, and emotional health. This is why energy healers, especially those who are able to read human auras, will often identify ‘holes’ or weak ‘gray areas’ around a person’s body in areas of pain or disease, and they will strive to restore balance, harmony and healthy functioning through healing tools such as crystals.

A major reason for the success of crystals in body/mind healing is the presence of piezoelectric activity in the stones themselves. Piezoelectricity was discovered in 1880 by the French scientists Pierre Curie and Paul-Jacques Curie, who determined that certain types of crystal, when mechanically pressurized, created an electric charge. Piezoelectricity is now utilized in a vast range of electric applications, from cell phones, wristwatches, television, and computer motherboards to scanning probe microscopes that resolve images at the scale of atoms. Science continues to find additional uses for the vast storehouse of energetic information contained in Earth’s crystals, and their usefulness appears to be limitless. Crystal healing involves utilizing the frequency at which the crystal vibrates to harmonize and heal imbalances at the cellular level. For example, if you feel agitated by a stressful event and your heart starts to race, reach for a grounding stone that has a slower vibration that can bring balance and stability back quickly. Your body’s energy flow, or ‘chi’, is negatively affected by stress or trauma, resulting in blockage or stagnation of your vital energies, manifesting in pain, chronic conditions, and disease. Being open to working with the energy of crystals can help your vital life force or ‘prana’ flow more smoothly, allowing your body to restore itself to its natural, balanced state of equilibrium.

Historically, crystals and gemstones have played a crucial part in mind/body healing. Chinese medicine has revered the beautiful green jade stone for over 10,000 years, and emperors were buried in armor-like suits carved of jade. Turquoise was known to both the Chinese and the ancient Mesopotamians, and beads have been found dating back to 5000 BCE; it was also the earliest stone to be mined in Egypt around 6000 BCE. The ocean-blue lapis lazuli stone was a favorite of the ancient Egyptians, who used it in traditional medical practices and rituals, as a decorative material in their temples, and ground into a powder for use in cosmetic applications. Ayurvedic practitioners in India and Tibet used crystals and gemstones in combination with Vedic astrology to harmonize energy and stimulate vitality. Native Americans, Aztecs and Incas all utilized crystals in their healing traditions. Stones of various colors, shapes and sizes were laid on the patient’s body in customized designs while the healer performed their rituals, and those who were treated also wore amulets and necklaces containing specific crystals. Crystals of all shapes and sizes have been used in healing treatments, and there is a multitude of gemstone offerings available today. Rough stones that have not been tumbled are in their raw, natural state, and include geodes and crystals with single point terminations, used to direct energy like an arrow to problem pain areas. Smooth, tumbled stones come in many sizes from pebbles to be carried in a pocket or purse, to larger palm stones, puffy heart shapes, egg shapes, pyramids and spheres that can be held in the hands and used in meditation and in full-body crystal healing sessions.

How to get started learning about crystals and crystal healing? Visit a crystal shop in your area and take a walk around, taking in the energies of the various stones offered there. Invariably, you will be drawn to one or two crystals, and will feel pleasure and a sense of relaxation when you touch them. It’s recommended to select no more than two or three crystals at first, so you can get to know their ‘personalities’ as you take them home and work with them. Colors will play a large part in your selections, and you will find that you pick stones whose colors resonate with you, and which coincidentally will address physical issues relating to the colors chosen. Color healing, known as chromotherapy, utilizes our sensory interpretation of electromagnetic radiation (what our eyes perceive as color) to treat various ailments. Chromotherapy has long been used to treat a range of hormonal and neurological disorders through the application of colored lights of white, pink, red, yellow, green and blue, and has successfully treated conditions ranging from acne to depression. Take advantage of this information as you analyze the particular crystals that you have chosen to work with at this time.

There are literally hundreds of colored crystals to choose from, but here are the most effective stones to work with when addressing pain and inflammation.

White/clear stones: Clear quartz, selenite, howlite

Clear quartz is known as the ‘Master Healer Stone.’ This quartz is a highly potent magnifier and will amplify the energies of other crystals around it. Use clear quartz for all areas where pain and inflammation is present, and for headaches and all mental states (it is ruled by the crown chakra.) Selenite, named after Selene, the goddess of the moon, is ideal for imbalances experienced by empaths and sensitive people, as it is one of the highest, purest vibratory stones in the mineral world. It is a good stone for healers, travelers, educators, and medical professionals as it instantly transmutes negative energy. It is frequently included in sage bundles used in purification of stale environments. Howlite is a beautiful smooth white stone with subtle gray veins. It has a reputation for treating pain and conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis due to its calcium content. A stone with a peaceful, soothing quality that is valued in relieving stress and anxiety, as well as facilitating communication in speaking and writing.

Pink stones: Rose quartz, kunzite, pink tourmaline

Rose quartz is one of the most popular crystals and is symbolic of unconditional love. Its soft pink hue relates to the heart chakra and the stone radiates the frequency of love, bringing calmness, harmony, and healing wherever it is displayed or worn. An excellent stone to use for all traumas and imbalances that are mental or emotional in origin. The most soulful of the stones, rose quartz is considered a ‘heart healer,’ improving the circulatory system and boosting heart health. Kunzite is another pink stone that obtains its color from the mineral manganese. It is high-frequency stone and one of the newly discovered crystals, believed to help heal the wounds of old relationships. Pink tourmaline is a stunning gemstone with a high healing frequency. It is often found together with green tourmaline in the same stone (‘watermelon tourmaline’) and combines soft pink and pale green, the two colors associated with the heart chakra. Energetically it can be used in the same manner as rose quartz.

Yellow/gold stones: Citrine, goldstone, tiger’s eye

Citrine is a pale yellow, almost transparent stone that shines like sunlight, dispelling gloom and depression. Citrine is related to the third (solar plexus) chakra and is considered to be a stone that brings strength, courage, abundance and creativity (its yellow color is due to the presence of iron.) Goldstone is a dramatic, sparkling stone that is speckled with metallic gold flecks. Technically, it is a man-made glass. It speaks of ambition, strength, perseverance, and riches of all kinds. It is also available in blue, green, or red with bright golden sparkles and is warming and comforting. Tiger’s eye is another iconic yellow/gold stone with beautiful shadings. It is a grounding and strengthening crystal and is also considered to be a protective stone, governing the solar plexus, liver, kidneys, spleen, and stomach. It is referred to as the ‘all-seeing, all-knowing’ eye for its ability to help one receive assistance beyond time and space.

Orange/red stones: Carnelian, garnet, amber

Carnelian is a popular stone renowned for its deep amber orange color and red markings. An energizing, activating and grounding stone, carnelian was worn in the breastplate of Roman soldiers going into battle. It imbues the wearer with strength and courage to deal with adversity. Garnet is a dark red colored crystal with a powerful grounding energy. As with carnelian, it is used in healing for all imbalances related to blood and the circulatory system and is believed to promote hormonal balance and reduce inflammation. Governed by the root chakra, garnet is also invaluable for treating long-held trauma in the body. Amber is a warm orange/brown organic gemstone composed of fossilized resin; a substance produced by trees to seal wounds. Traditionally it was made into necklaces for babies to teethe on, to reduce pain. The earliest amber specimen is believed to be 320 million years old. Amber is noted for its soothing properties and beneficial effect on nervous conditions such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Purple stones: Amethyst, fluorite

Amethyst is one of the best-known crystals to use in the treatment of pain and inflammation. Its distinctive violet purple color comes from manganese and iron. It is a stone beloved for its peaceful and calming properties and is used to treat addictions and excesses (its name in Greek translates as ‘not drunk.’) It is a high-frequency stone used for spiritual transformation, creativity, and protection. Fluorite is a transparent stone with purple and green banding that is used in a similar manner to amethyst. It is considered excellent to use for creativity, clarity, and mental enhancement. Both amethyst and fluorite are ideal to use for headaches and brain-related issues, as both are ruled by the crown chakra. An excellent stone for eliminating negative thinking and promoting peace of mind.

Blue stones: Lapis lazuli, sodalite, labradorite, lace agate, turquoise

Lapis lazuli is one of the most beautiful of crystals. A deep azure blue, lapis contains golden flecks and originated the term ‘royal blue.’ Deeply peaceful and transformative, lapis soothes inflammation and boosts the immune system. Associated with the throat chakra, lapis assists the respiratory and nervous systems and governs communication. Sodalite is another deep blue stone with creamy white veins. Like lapis, sodalite is known for its ability to clear the mind and facilitate clear communication. Known as the ‘Logic Stone,’ sodalite imparts the ability to focus on analytical tasks and think deeply and clearly. It is also called the ‘Poet’s Stone’ as it fosters creativity for writers, speakers, and artists. Labradorite is a mystical stone of deep blue gray green with startling splashes of bright purple, orange, and gold. Linked to the heart, third eye and crown chakras, labradorite helps one delve into the deeper meaning of life, imparting spiritual wisdom and magical creativity. Labradorite is the stone of perception and intuition. Lace agate is a delicate pale blue stone with lacy cream-colored veins throughout. It is a stone that is like rose quartz in that it demonstrates a gentle, soothing heartfelt effect on the emotions, assisting in the strengthening of the physical body. An excellent crystal for reducing pain and inflammation anywhere that it is placed on the body. Turquoise is a beloved stone of distinct blue-green color with copper flecks. A symbol of protection, healing and good luck, turquoise is also believed to help strengthen the respiratory system and ameliorate migraines and allergies.

Green stones: Jade, aventurine, malachite, bloodstone

Jade is the original ‘green stone’ and is associated with good health, good luck, prosperity, abundance, and long life. Its soothing green color conveys deep healing and rejuvenation. Worn on the body, it is believed to calm inflammation, promote clear thinking, and assist in achieving deep states of meditation. Aventurine is a celadon green stone that, like jade, is soothing and comforting to look at and touch. It is thought to increase prosperity and bring good fortune into one’s life. A wonderful stone to use in prayer and meditation, aventurine represents the beauty of nature and the cosmos. Malachite is an intense green stone, marked with distinctive rings of lighter and darker green. The swirling patterns on malachite’s surface are believed to make it helpful for treatment of vertigo, weakness or general debility. It is a protective stone which is helpful in eliminating toxins and providing strength and fortitude in tough situations. Bloodstone is an ancient stone which is a deep, dark green in color, with red streaks and spots created by its high iron content. A strengthening and fortifying stone, bloodstone is a good stone to work with in all situations where the internal organs are affected. It has a heavy, dense, grounding energy, and, as its name suggests, it has been used through the centuries for healing of blood conditions and circulatory problems.

Black stones: Tourmaline, obsidian, hematite, onyx, lava stone

Black tourmaline is a highly unusual stone that is known to shield the body from the potentially damaging effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs.) It releases negative ions into the air through piezoelectricity and helps to ground and protect the body, eliminating negative energies and balancing emotional states. Obsidian, another coal-black stone, is found in areas of volcanic activity and is in fact a form of volcanic glass. Obsidian guards against mental stress and protects the wearer from psychic attack. Strongly protective, it shields one from all external negativity and stimulates soul growth and exploration of new horizons. Hematite is a heavy, dense black stone with a high sheen that gives it a silvery appearance. Composed of 70% iron, hematite, like other black stones, dispels negativity and protects the wearer from harmful external influences. Hematite provides a stable, grounding energy and strengthens our connection with the Earth. Onyx is a black stone that offers its wearer protection, willpower, focus and strength. Governed by the root chakra, onyx assists in removing pain and inflammation from the lower extremities. On an emotional level, onyx provides motivation and encourages heightened self-esteem and accomplishment. Lava stone is a form of porous grayish-black rock from volcanic sites that easily absorbs and retains oils and liquids. Lava stone beads are often included in crystal jewelry where they are designed to absorb droplets of essential oil, providing a natural diffuser effect that enables the wearer to experience the benefits of their favorite aromas all day long.

Once you have started to work with your chosen crystals, it’s important to regularly cleanse them to release any heavy negative energy. Like hard drives filled up with data, crystals often need a CTR-ALT-DELETE! In clear stones, a build up of energy can be physically seen as a milky, opaque, or grayish tone. Cleansing them regularly ensures that they vibrate a pure frequency to assist in the healing process. The most traditional cleansing method is simply to hold the crystals under running clear water or leave them overnight in a bowl outside in moonlight (lunar cleansing) or for up to two hours in the morning or late afternoon in sunlight (solar cleansing.) (Check beforehand that your crystal is one that is not negatively affected by water cleansing.) Other purification methods include passing the crystal through smoke created by burning incense, resins, white sage or sacred herbs, or submerging the stones in a bowl of white rice or fresh earth overnight. Regular cleansing will ensure that your crystals are optimally cleared and ready to assist in your healing.

There are many ways to integrate crystals into your life for positive benefits. Once you have selected the crystals you like and learned about their properties, you can begin to experiment to see what methods work best for you. If there are crystal energy healers available in your area, you might want to try out a session to see how it affects you. Having crystals featured in the different rooms in your home, or at your place of work, will give you a greater sense of how they work, in addition to being visually beautiful and decorative. When you place crystals in your home, it is also helpful to research some basic rules of feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice that assists with correct placement of objects (‘geomancy’) to harmonize with the home’s occupants and the environment. In addition to bringing more harmony into your home or office, crystals perform a useful function in counterbalancing the harmful effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) from televisions, cell phones and Wi-Fi. Living rooms are places to display warm-toned crystals that assist in bringing in happiness, abundance and good times, while dark-colored stones near an entrance area are believed to ground the energy of a space, absorb ‘bad vibes’ and prevent negative energies from entering. The bedroom is an ideal place to place a purple, blue or green crystal on a bedside table or under a pillow to assist with restful sleep and pleasant dreams. Many people like to make crystal grids utilizing varied smooth crystal pebbles on boards etched with flower of life or other sacred geometry designs. These crystal grids, when set with intention, amplify the positive energies in a space and are beautiful artworks in themselves.

When treating specific areas of pain or inflammation, it is common practice to select a medium-sized crystal and rest it on the affected body part for a period of time, while affirming that the crystal energy is going to work to assist with healing. This is a good practice for the evening time, particularly when TV and other distractions are turned off and soothing music, healing aromas and other relaxing methods are integrated instead. You might feel inspired to create a small altar in your home, where you can meditate, pray, stretch, journal or create new crystal rituals. Your altar is unique and personal, and you can recreate it with different crystals as the seasons and inspiration dictate. After setting your intention for the altar, include your sacred objects, deities, candles, flowers, found objects, and images of loved ones and crystals – don’t forget to keep it dust-free and cleanse your crystals regularly. Altars are instrumental in activating crystal energies and in bridging the mundane world and the spiritual realms.

Jewelry is another way to utilize crystal energy. Necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings all carry the energy of the respective crystals they are made of. You’ll notice that you are drawn to wearing different crystals on different days (much like the colors or styles of your clothing) depending on your state of health and mental outlook. In this way, we can learn more about ourselves and our world when choosing which crystals to interact with. It often helps to keep certain stones with you throughout the day as visual reminders of your purpose in choosing them. Palm stones or heart-shaped stones are great to have on hand when you need to mitigate daily stress or take a break to relax, meditate or turn inward for introspection and inspiration. Smaller smooth stones (purse stones or pocket stones) are just that - colorful crystals to be kept in a purse or pocket to carry the good energy with us everywhere. You may find that you change out certain crystals for others as your health changes, and you will enjoy finding new ones on your crystal journeys. Take your favorite crystals or jewelry pieces along when traveling as well. Crystals can alleviate the anxiety and stress of air travel, protect your energy field when in crowded situations, help you adjust to different time zones, brighten up a sterile hotel room and bring balance, flow, and harmony to your travels.

Working with crystals can be an exhilarating and illuminating experience that provides a constant stream of positive benefits to body, mind, and spirit. Many resources exist to learn more about the myriad of possibilities that crystals hold for renewal and restoration of health and vitality. Crystals are the energetic tools originating in the deepest part of our Earth – our planetary home – and they can aid and assist us through all phases of life, bringing messages of joy, hope and love. Wishing you all the best on your crystal journey!