How To Use This Book

This book is meant to be a practical handbook on how to work with crystals, as well as a reference book for more seasoned users. If you are new to crystals, I encourage you to read the whole “Basics” section before diving in, as this can help you approach the work in the most safe, effective, and practical way. All suggestions in this book are user-friendly and tested by experience. I’ve learned that if things aren’t practical, people won’t try them, and if they’re not effective, they won’t try them again! All this work is based on my years of working with crystals both personally and as a full-time professional spiritual healer, teacher, and consultant in New York City. All case studies and anecdotes have had names and details altered to protect my clients’ privacy, but all crystal suggestions and their results are consistent.

There are six different methods I share for working with crystals: as combinations (a group of two crystals or more) to be worn on your body, as crystal tonics (water that you imbue with crystal energy and then imbibe), as combinations to be used in the bath, pairings to hold while relaxing or meditating, as combinations whose energy is to be absorbed while sleeping, and as crystal healing layouts (the placement of crystals on the body in specific patterns to promote healing). The “Healing Crystals for Your Life” section provides crystal combinations that can be worn on a daily basis, used while you sleep, while you’re meditating, or as otherwise indicated. How you work with crystals is limited only by your imagination, but I have found these six methods to be the most practical and effective. The “Do-It-Yourself Crystal Healing” section teaches you safe techniques for crystal bath, layout, and tonic work, as they have specific requirements.

An important note: There are nearly one hundred crystals and stones mentioned in this book, which are identified by image and description in the Crystal Appendix. To date, there are hundreds of known or identified crystals, rocks, and stones on this Earth. I have chosen the ones in this book for their versatility, potency, capability, availability, and affordability. However, if you feel drawn to substitute one for another not mentioned in this book, honor your intuition and go for it! I make one exception to this rule: When making crystal tonics, or placing crystals in your bathwater, thoroughly research any substitutes you plan to make in advance, as many crystals can be toxic. If you’re in doubt, do without.