Choosing and Caring for Crystals

​Crystals are energetic beings that have been my healers, friends and wise counsels ever since I began my journey into Spirituality.  They are subtle yet so powerful that people are naturally drawn to their vibrational properties. They surround me on a day-to-day basis as I meditate, work on projects, go to the grocery store, go out with my friends...etc. Each one has many different yet distinct characteristics just like plants, animals and humans that I can't help but to be naturally drawn to their energies.  ​​​

I am one of those people who have crystals everywhere in all aspects of my life so I can be vibrationally supported throughout the day. For instance, I keep a hematite stone in my left pant pocket for grounding and protection before I leave my home.  Black tourmaline is usually found near my laptop to shield me from the Electro-Magnetic Field radiation. When I do chakra work on myself, a green calcite is place on my heart chakra for love and forgiveness work.  When more passion is needed in my life, a carnelian placed in my left hand or sacral chakra during meditation (it is also wonderful for partner relationships when you would like even more romance and excitement!). ​

What I love about crystals and stones is that they have been used by healers, spiritual teachers and scientists in the Metaphysical World for thousands of years.  Crystals have the capacity to receive, to transmute, to focus, to amplify, to send and to balance many forms of energy in this Universe. 

The first historical reference to the use of crystals were of Ancient Sumerian using crystals for their magical formulas, Ancient Egyptians using them for their protection and health as well as burial ceremonies, Ancient Greeks wore amethyst amulets to prevent them from drunkenness or hangovers and in Ancient China, the Chinese regarded jade as extremely highly valued. Crystals and stones were also referenced in the Bible, the Koran and other Hindu & Buddhist texts.

In today's society, we are living in a world powered by crystals! Silicon (quartz crystal) is used in virtually everything that is digital. The "piezoelectrical charge" of the quartz crystal powers all the laptops, computers, cell phones, satellites, transportation, alarm systems, televisions...etc.  Anything that is run by a digital chip has crystalline power. 

These vibrational beings can help you and others in extraordinary ways. Their ever-expanding intelligence are also here to help humans elevate themselves to a higher state.  
So why not use it on yourself? Why not gift it to people who might benefit from them.  Why not use it for meditation and healing? Why not use them to decorate your home for cleansing, protection and relaxation?

Here are a list of benefits that you can get from crystals:

• Helps you see the simple beauties in life
• Deepens your meditation
• Assists with healing
• More peace and joy in your home and work environment 
• Assists with balancing your energy centers (chakras)
• Making water elixirs 
• You can keep them in your pocket throughout the day so their energy is with you.

How do you know which crystal is the one for you?  

It all depends on what you want to work on. Before you go into a metaphysical or crystal shop, ask yourself “What do I want the crystal to do for me? What is it that I am in need of right now?”
 
Would you like to manifest a loving relationship?  Morganite, Rose Quartz
Do you need more joy in your life?  Titanium Quartz, Orange Calcite, Citrine
Is clarity in your career path what you need?  Natural Citrine, Amber, Ruby
Would you like more passion in your relationship with your partner?  Carnelian, Red Garnet, Red Jasper, Pink Tourmaline
Do you feel disoriented and is it grounding that you seek?  Hematite, Smoky Quartz, Black Obsidian
Do you need to protect yourself from negative energy?  Black Tourmaline, Amethyst
Are you looking to mend a broken heart?  Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Rhodonite
 
There are hundreds of resources online to guide you to which crystal will be for your highest good at the present moment.  Also the friendly salesperson at your crystal shop may also help you with their knowledge. I personally like to use The Book of Stones on my kindle app so I can do a fast search on specific stones or characteristic on a whim. (Gotta love technology. Thank you, quartz crystal!)

This is how I usually look for crystals at a shop. I first ground myself with deep breaths and make an intention on finding the perfect crystal for me by praying to my Angels and guides. "Angels and guides, please help me find the crystal to overcome procrastination. I am in much gratitude for your guidance."  Then I wander over to the section where I can find Ametrine (since I've already done my homework on which stone is the best for procrastination).  I will proceed to take a look at all the stones and see which one calls out to me. Intuitively, I will know which crystal "is the one" because it shines the brightest for me or I can hear it say "take me home!"

When it is a tough decision between two or three crystals, hold out my left hand, palm facing up and place the individual crystal on top of it.  I feel its energy.  Next, I hover the right hand over the crystal to make a circuit connection and feel how it affects my mind, body and soul. There is usually one that shouts the loudest.

Cleansing and Programming your Crystal

Once you finally make the purchase, it would be very wise cleanse and reprogram your crystal before you use it on yourself or anyone else. The reason being is energetically the crystal has been handled by so many people prior to your purchase. The crystal diggers, the shapers and polishers, wholesalers, retailers, customers...so many different energies that aren't yours are still contained in the crystal you bought. Therefore, it is vital to have your crystal cleansed so it can be programmed to your personal energy in order to establish a relationship with it. 

There are several ways to cleanse your crystal:

• Smudge with Sage or Palo Santo.
• Place them in a bowl of salt water between 1 - 24 hours.  (Not suitable for stones that are porous, have metal or have water content.  For example: Selenite, Hematite, Opal)
• Place them in sunlight! Ahh, bathing crystals in sunlight cleanses them of all the excessive energies that do not resonate anymore.  (Amethyst is said to fade in sunlight)
• Bathe them in moonlight.
• With intention, blow on the crystals with your breath to cleanse them of collected, unwanted toxins (visualize white Light from your breath)
• Visualize a grounding cord from the crystal going down into the Earth's core and transmuting the negative energies back into positive Light
• Place crystal or jewelry on an Amethyst bed (since it is a stone of cleansing and purification)
• Through prayer

After cleansing the crystals, you can program them to your liking.  I will use the Ametrine as an example again. Place the crystal on the left hand (the receiving hand) and with the right hand (giving hand), hover above the crystal, shine white/violet/gold light on it and say a prayer.  "Dear Universe, Angels and guides, please program this Ametrine to help me overcome procrastination.  Please allow it to help focus my mind on being energetic and creative so I am able to reach my goals. Please allow it to transmit only love and positive energy for the greater good of all. So be it." 

It is good to cleanse and reprogram your crystals whenever you think it is needed.  I like to use my intuition and just know that it needs a good soaking in the sunlight or if it needs to be permeated in sage smoke. After a crystal healing session on a client, I cleanse all of my crystals that I have used right away so their energies are detached from my personal space.

There is still so much information out there on crystals that I'd like to share but I will wait to post it on my future blogs.  Thanks so much for reading and I hope this helps you on your Path of Enlightenment.  Remember that we're all with you. We're cheering you on, beautiful one. No matter what rough terrain you will encounter, know that we are here in your heart and we are together in Unity with Unconditional Love.

Many Angel and Crystalline blessings, 

Angela 

Extra Resources
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The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian
Love is in the Earth by Melody
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall
 
 
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