Basic Guide: Crystals and Their Healing Properties

Here’s a guide on how to understand crystals most effectively as well as how to use crystals for positive energy and overall happiness.

Modern medicine and science still don’t have all the answers, and oftentimes, their cure is worse than the disease. Instead of relying on prescriptions, you should give crystal healing a try.

Especially when it comes to your mental health and sense of well-being, doctors are still limited in their approach.

Crystals are naturally provided by mother nature and offer healing and purifying energies which can cleanse your body and environment. Whether or not the negative energy and thoughts are coming from your own mind and soul, there are crystals that can help you let go of those crippling afflictions.

The Origin and History of Crystals

In the early 1980s, the use of crystals and gemstones began to re-emerge as a healing method with the onset of the New Age culture, from which much of the practice being drawn from old traditions.

This method of natural healing was the therapy our ancestors used which dates back centuries.

The Ancient Sumerians, who included crystals in everyday healing, are amongst the first historical references to use crystals.

The Ancient Egyptians used stones mainly for the purpose of health and protection. They also used emerald, lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, and clear quartz in their jewelry. The Egyptians were also known for using stones or crystals to carve graves.

Egyptians also used certain crystals cosmetically. One in particular called Galena (lead ore) was ground to a powder and used as an eye shadow known as kohl.

Green stones were generally used to signify the heart of the deceased and were included in burials. The green stones were used in a similar way at a later period in Mexico in ancient times.

The Ancient Greeks attributed a number of purposes to crystals. It's no coincidence that many of the names we use today for crystals are of Greek origin. For instance, the word 'crystal' comes from the Greek word for ice, as it was believed that clear quartz was water that had frozen so deeply that it would always remain solid.

Types of Crystals and Stones

Mother nature offers us a variety of beautiful stones that have various purposes that are useful as a natural tool to enhance ones life.

They range from colorless, spotted, multicolored, to black and even metal colored.

It is rather interesting to note that there are many examples of crystals and stones meaning similar things to different cultures, even when there has been no interaction between these cultures, and no opportunity for crossover.

The early ancient Chinese, Aztec, and Mayan civilizations wore turquoise to give strength and health all over the world, and jaspers have almost always conferred both strength and calmness.

Jade is a stone that had great significant value in ancient China.

The Maoris of New Zealand wore jade pendants which represented the ancestor spirits, which were passed down many generations through the male line.

There are burials that can be seen with jade masks from around the same time period in Mexico. Jade was known as a kidney healing stone in both China as well as South America.

Musical instruments were made from jade in the form of chimes, and around 1,000 years ago Chinese emperors were often buried in jade armour.

The tradition of green stones being lucky continues throughout parts of New Zealand to this day.

The beautiful ruby stone was also highly admired and honored all over the world. It represented an inextinguishable flame, and was known to preserve both the physical and mental health of the wearer.

Crystal Maintenance: Cleansing, Charging, and Wearing

When you first obtain a crystal, whether you brought it from the store or got it from a friend, it’s always a good idea to cleanse it before use.

Crystals are great at collecting energy, which is the property used to protect you from negative influences. They can get full, though, and at that point when that happens, they must be cleansed in order to work at their maximum potential again for future use.

To cleanse your crystal, you can simply leave it overnight submerged in sea salt on a clear and empty tabletop. The salt will absorb any and all impurities stored within the crystal, leaving it refreshed and ready to protect you from negative energy.

However, as another natural option, you can pass crystals through sage or smudge stick smoke to release pent-up energy vibrations.

If you would like to recharge a crystal you also have a few options. One way is to simply leave the crystal under the moonlight or direct sun, or bury it in the ground to let it reclaim the healing powers of the earth. It takes roughly a day to recharge crystals this way. Another option for many is to meditate with your crystal, directing your thoughts, needs, and desires into it with deep breaths.

Crystals for Healing Exercises

There are two major types of exercise that use crystals to enhance the healing during the process. They are meditation, the most popular, and reiki.

Both methods are extremely powerful and give evident lasting results that can be quite life changing, to say the least.

• Meditation: During a meditation session you can use the crystal of your choice specific for the need or purpose you desire, either by placing it in your hand, in your pocket, in front of you on the ground or worn as jewelry.
• Reiki: During a reiki (energy healing) session the reiki practitioner or reiki master can use crystals for added benefit. Or, you can wear it on you (jewelry) or simply have it on you (in your pocket). A session is normally done in person or over the phone. Both produce the same response.

Key Points

After cleansing, wear your crystal as a piece of jewelry or keep it in your pocket. Know, however, that direct contact with the skin allows crystals to work the strongest for you. Placing crystals over your major chakra area points during meditation is another favored method of crystal healing.

With the ever-present influence on a vast majority of cultures around the world, it is fair to say that as long as we have existed as a species, we have had an affinity towards stones and crystals. This knowledge passed down from our ancestors that remains true til this very day is greater than anything you can receive.