My first experience with crystals wasn't completely positive. It was about eight years ago during my first yoga retreat, where there was a workshop on crystals and their benefits. There was a large tray with many stones that were energised by the healer and we were to pick up one that we found attractive. My turn came last and by then there was just a lone rose quartz left on the tray. As soon as I picked up the crystal I could feel the energy, like a heartbeat in my palm. I placed it under my pillow at night as instructed by the healer, but to my great surprise, instead of soothing me, the crystal kept me awake all night. The energy from the crystals was so strong that my pillow felt alive with vibrations and by morning I had a raging headache.
That first experience taught me that these modest stones have the power to hold immense amounts of energy, so I didn't give up on them. During the next few years I used many crystals—black tourmaline to shield myself from negativity, amethyst for healing, onyx for the heart. In fact, there was a time when I had a stomach bug for months, my appetite was so low that I couldn't eat more than a few morsels of food. I tried everything and when all failed I turned to my healer who gave me a long string of citrines, which touched my solar plexus. Within a week my appetite was back, along with my strength.
Why and how do crystals work?
“Crystals are loaded with the solid, grounding energies of the earth, which are very powerful,” says reiki healer and hypnotherapist Dr Roma Singh. Delhi-based clinical hypnotherapist and crystal healer from Greenfields Health and Healing, Anita Anand says that crystals in their natural form help in charging and healing the body. “They're closely related to the chakras—we have about 1,500 chakras, including the seven major points that run along the central median in our spine.” Anand says that when the energy in our chakras gets depleted, they create a blockage in the system, which leads physical sickness. “For instance, heartbreak depletes the energy in the anahata (or heart) chakra.” Still, it's important to understand that while these might be handy tools, the effect of crystals differs depending on the personal attitudes towards health and healing.
Before we get on to everyday crystals, it's important to understand that these natural formations need maintenance, as handling by negative persons can deplete their energies faster. But even if you're the most positive person in the world, you need to energise them regularly. Dr Singh recommends charging them under the full moon at least once a month. Or you can clean them for three minutes with water and sea salt. Personally, I like to first clean them with salt water and then put them out to charge under the full moon. Anand also says that you can slide them into a bowl of raw uncooked rice and leave to charge overnight. “If they get broken or chipped then you you should bury them into the earth or place them in a flower pot,” she says.
How to pick the best crystal for your need
Healing always begins from the root chakra. “If the root is messed up, then the chances of the higher chakras developing is very rare.” She says that the lower chakras are completely blocked, especially for people who have had a neglected or abusive childhood. “The lower chakras are also the oldest, because they are the first to develop.” Signs of root chakra blockage manifests into insecurity and lack of self worth despite the achievements in adult life. “One way (among many) to work on the root is with dark coloured crystals such as tiger's eye, amber or garnet.” You can wear jewellery with these stones, place a large piece of crystal in the environment, or place a small pebble in your wallet.
“Our emotions are always felt in our stomach first, so people with IBS and other issues are those who cannot process their feelings.” The solar plexus and sacral chakra are responsible for our emotions and how we deal with them. “We needn't worry about good emotions, just the negative ones, the idea is not to suppress them but to be aware of them, and then get down to why we are feeling this particular way.” The colours of the solar plexus and sacral are yellow and orange therefore stones such as citrine and amber are good for balancing emotions. You can wear them on a long string that brushes past the solar plexus, as a bracelet, or meditate with these stones on your pelvis as you lie down.
“Two colours associated with the heart are pink and green, so both rose quartz and jade will work.” Anand recommends placing these stones under your pillow or a table beside your bed, or where you work. You can also wear a rose quartz pendant that lies against your chest. “Rose quartz is very powerful—you can either just hold it on your hand for half an hour or lie down and meditate with it on your heart for 15 minutes,” says Dr Singh.
The sixth and seventh chakras on your third eye and crown are responsible for spiritual progress and mental abilities. “The seventh chakra at the top of your head is essentially to get in touch with your higher self and increase your spiritual tendencies.” The third eye is important because it's related to your mind. “In healing, we always say that all illnesses begin in the mind.” Having said that, it is important to remember that we have to work from the root upwards and not just the higher, more spiritual chakras. The most important stone for these chakras is the amethyst, which is also a very important crystal when it comes to healing. You can keep a large piece of amethyst in your room to so that it heals the environment and gives you a sense of peace, or you can meditate for 15 minutes with an amethyst on your third eye every day. “Signs of a blocked third eye include the inability to think clearly, not being able to balance, confusion, indecision.”
“Black obsidian is a very important crystal to ward off negative energy.” Most of us are surrounded with negativity, sometimes of our own making and sometimes because of others. Often we don't know how to cope with it. “Especially when you're healing you need to be in an environment that is good.” Therefore a large sized piece of black obsidian can be placed in your environment for best results. You can also carry a crystal pebble in your wallet, briefcase or car for protection.”
“There is actually no crystal for abundance, which is essentially manifested because of the way you look at life.” However, Anand says that when in doubt, use the clear quartz, which is the most neutral crystal and can be used for anything, including abundance. “You can keep a clear quartz pyramid or ball in your environment to enhance, health, healing and prosperity.”
Vasudha Rai has been writing on beauty and wellness for more than 15 years. She's the author of Glow: Indian Foods, Recipes and Rituals for Beauty Inside and Out, and blogs regularly on Vbeauty.co
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