You may not realize that crystals are all around you. Sure, you’ve seen them in stores being sold as cool decorative objects, dotting the shelves at health food cafes, and popping up around yoga studios and meditation classes. You have even seen them in your friends’ homes and sitting on your coworkers’ desks and definitely all over Instagram. But crystals are also in your cell phone, your TV, your computer, and probably your watch. That’s because crystals are not just cool-looking chunks of rock. They are minerals with unique molecular structures, some of which have the ability to conduct electricity, and all of which have majorly high vibrations.
Using crystals for their vibrations is nothing new. Every civilization ever recorded has used crystals in some way. In ancient times, these minerals were identified for their unique energies and used in spiritual and healing rituals. They have the ability to absorb and conduct energy (all kinds, not just electricity) and have always been used as valuable spiritual conduits. In fact, certain crystals are said to have been programmed with the knowledge of previous lost civilizations, like a sort of prehistoric USB drive. Plus, you know, they look cool.
Modern interest in crystals has spiked and not just for their technological prowess. Like most things in this book, you can thank the wellness and self-care movements for the cultural re-fascination with crystals. Their power never waned, but people’s interest did. Now you can find entire Instagram accounts dedicated to them, thousands of books being sold on how to use them, and even skincare products claiming to harness their power.
What does this mean for you? Well, it means that understanding crystals and how to use them could take your self-care practice to the next level. They’re so powerful that this entire book could be about crystals, but in practice it’s really pretty simple. Here’s how to get started.
The first step in using crystals is starting to understand the thousands of varieties and what each does. These are some of the most common and easiest to use.
Quartz is the MVP of the crystal world, particularly the clear variety. It’s probably what pops into your mind when you think “crystal” anyway: a translucent pointy thing that looks like glass. Any exploration of crystals has to begin with clear quartz because it’s the most versatile. It’s like a blank sheet of paper and is able to be programmed to whatever intention you want. If you’re not sure what kind of crystal you need to use for something, grab a quartz. It can also amplify the vibrations of other crystals, like a subwoofer on your stereo.
You can tell rose quartz by its pink color, which also gives a clue to what it’s used for: love. It’s good at inviting new relationships, making existing ones stronger, and even creating a more loving and supportive relationship with yourself (self-love is important too). It also has a calming and soothing effect. Rose quartz wants to harmonize situations and bring them into balance.
You’ve seen this crystal used a lot in jewelry and decorative objects because of its beautiful deep purple color, but it’s more than just cool to look at. It’s a protective stone, which helps dispel negative energy like a force field. It’s also said to have spiritual properties and can help you reach a higher state of consciousness and increase psychic abilities.
Unlike most crystals, selenite is so delicate that it can’t get wet. It’s made up almost entirely of salt, which is why it’s ideal for cleansing a space. Selenite kept in your house or your office will soak up negative vibes like a sponge and keep your energy fields clear and positive. It’s also self-cleansing, meaning it gets rid of negative energy by itself instead of storing it.
Citrine’s golden orange or yellow color is like a ray of sunshine, which is why it’s always been associated with the power of the sun. It invites positivity, creativity, and happiness. Think of it as the “Most Likely to Succeed” of the crystal world; citrine is always excited and ambitious. It’s good for manifesting hopes and dreams and inviting prosperity. Keep it in the sunlight for extra power.
Dark crystals are like little factories; they absorb negative energy and convert it into positivity. Keep a chunk of black tourmaline with you and it will help absorb negativity you encounter on a daily basis. Keep some at your desk to stay chill in the face of a mean boss, or grab some right after a fight with your significant other. Keep in mind that any negative energy–sucking crystal like this needs to be cleansed regularly to help get rid of built-up badness.
You may know it as “fool’s gold” because it looks like gold, but isn’t. However, it is still a powerful wealth manifester, especially if you have your own business. Keeping it near a cash register or in your wallet will help attract wealth. It’s also grounding and heart-opening, which can be helpful for entrepreneurs.
Once you figure out what crystal you need, the next thing to do is actually use it. Here’s how:
Before using your crystal, especially the first time, you want to cleanse it to get rid of any energetic leftovers (like from other people who have touched it). First, sprinkle it with salt water (unless it’s selenite) and make sure you cover the whole thing. Next, light up some sage or other smudging herb and pass the crystal through the smoke a few times. Make sure to turn it so the smoke covers the entire crystal.
You’ve chosen a certain crystal for a specific reason, but it’s still dormant until you activate it. Think about why you’ve chosen it and what you hope to accomplish. Hold the crystal in your hands and send the mental picture you have into the crystal like you’re uploading a file. You could say what you want out loud in words or simply visualize your desired result. If it helps, picture dragging a file (your intention) into a USB drive (the crystal).
Programming your crystal is the hard part. Harnessing it is easy. Once it’s been linked to your intention, you can use it in a variety of ways. You could meditate with the crystal in your hands or on the ground in front of you. You could put it in the water while you’re taking a bath (water can amplify vibrations). You could keep it on your desk at work or in your bag. You can put it in a special place, like next to your bed or on the fireplace mantel, where you can see it regularly. No matter how you use it, make sure you come in contact with it regularly.
Depending on your intention, and how often the crystal comes in contact with other energies, you need to reprogram it regularly. Always re-cleanse it before setting a new intention as a way to start with a clean slate each time and make sure there isn’t a buildup of energy. You could use the same intention each time you program or switch it up depending on how you’re feeling.