Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.
—ANAÏS NIN
WE OFTEN HEAR CRYSTALS REFERRED TO AS “NEW AGE,” but in truth, crystal healing is an ancient, age-old form of medicine. Crystal healing is woven into the threads of some of our most historic civilizations. The Mayas, Incas, ancient Egyptians, Australian Aborigines, Native Americans, Celtic Druids, and more all traditionally used crystals in their healing practices. Shamans refer to the practice of placing crystals on someone’s body for healing purposes as “the laying on of stones.”
Crystal healing is a holistic, noninvasive, vibrationally based system of energetic healing. Sparkly crystals, river rocks, polished stones, or faceted gems are laid at precise locations on and/or around a person’s body to facilitate healing. Crystal healers believe that this practice treats the physical body as well as the LEF (Luminous Energy Field) around the body (also known as the Auric Body, the Auric Field, or the Energy Field). As crystals interact with people and the physical and energetic space surrounding us, they can absorb, defuse, direct, detoxify, focus, and shift our energy.
WHAT IS BEING “HEALED,” EXACTLY?
In this context, “healing” means bringing balance to the mind, body, spirit, and physical space. Shamans believe that everything starts on an energetic level and then manifests mentally, physically, or emotionally. Negative energy, or “dis-ease,” can show itself through physical illnesses and behavioral issues, which are the final manifestation of ancestral, emotional, environmental, karmic, mental, physiological, psychological, or spiritual imbalances. Crystal healing helps restore the body to its natural equilibrium, but keep in mind that it’s meant to be an accoutrement to other health treatments. Always consult a healthcare professional on what your personal path should be, and how you can combine Eastern and Western medicine for best results.
WHAT DO PEOPLE EXPERIENCE DURING CRYSTAL HEALING?
Most commonly I hear clients say, “I feel better, even if I can’t pinpoint why.” The process is very therapeutic and relaxing, and it creates a safe space to release unwanted energy; people may laugh, cry, or fall asleep. They can feel very energized, euphoric, or extremely tired after a session. Some people may sense “a presence in the room,” or feel something touch their arm. People sometimes get visions or bursts of creative ideas. Some experience a sensation of floating or leaving their body, which in the biz is called “astral projection.” There are also muscle jerks or tingling sensations. Documented experiences are different from person to person, and from session to session. One comment that I hear across the board from all my clients is that they are always very hungry or thirsty post–healing sesh!
WHO BENEFITS FROM CRYSTAL HEALING?
Anyone can benefit, as long as they come into a session with a positive attitude and an open heart and mind. No agenda, no expectations, no cynicism. These can be the biggest barriers to crystal healing having a lasting effect. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all recipe, and the treatment is always a bespoke experience.
What gets affected or recalibrated in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual body during a crystal healing session?
- Emotional: Stabilize moods, enhance self-esteem
- Mental: Enhanced clarity and creativity; increased focus and awareness; lessening of unhealthy behaviors; relief from addictions and thought patterns like negative self-talk and limiting beliefs
- Physical: Relief from stress, sleep problems, panic attacks, chronic fatigue, anxiety, infertility, migraines, joint pain, digestive disorders, chronic or severe illnesses
- Spiritual: Feeling centered, peaceful, and harmonious; greater acceptance of others
FINDING YOUR “POWER STONES”
Our ancestors had to gather stones and crystals from riverbanks, beaches, forests, caves, and mountain trails. We can still do this today, but we also have a more convenient option: journeying to our friendly neighborhood metaphysical store to pick out the right crystal for what ails us. Choosing the right crystals—your “Power Stones,” the ones that you feel the greatest connection with—is actually really easy and intuitive. You don’t have to be a shaman or a Reiki master to do it. A stone is the right stone if it speaks to you. If you walk into a metaphysical store and find yourself drawn to a particular stone, if that stone is screaming, “Pick me, pick me,” then you should be open to considering it one of your Power Stones. Your Power Stones might also come to you through healing practitioners and friends, or you might find one on a hike or after an extensive Google search. Power Stones can be used in a multitude of ways, and the reason you are initially drawn to a particular stone may change over time.
Different crystal types carry different vibrations and have different uses, which is why they each have an individualized purpose when we work with them. However, there are certain stones, referred to as master healing stones, that are must-haves. And these are the ideal stones to start your crystal collection with if you are a beginner. Clear Quartz is the primary Master Healer. It’s a multipurpose healing stone, and it has the ability to amplify the energy of just about any situation. Because of its versatility, it is the single most beneficial stone you can introduce into your life. Clear Quartz is like the neutral that goes with any outfit—I call it the “black skinny jean” of the crystal kingdom! The other master healing stones mentioned have a diverse range of properties and uses. These stones cover all the basics:
The Master Healing Stones
Amethyst
Black Obsidian
Carnelian
Citrine
Clear Quartz
Rose Quartz
A Lesson in Crystal Basics with Joy the Gemologist
I’D LIKE TO INTRODUCE STYLE RITUALS’ HOUSE GEMOLOGIST, Joyanne “Joy” Prebyl, a gem expert and graduate of the Gemological Institute of America. Read on for the nitty-gritty facts from Joy on the most commonly asked crystal questions.
How do crystals form?
Crystals are formed from chemical elements inside the earth’s crust, usually over the course of thousands, millions, or billions of years. Crystals all form in the same way: atoms come together to form a uniform cluster with a distinctive way of locking new atoms into a three-dimensional pattern called a crystal structure, which repeats again and again. A crystal’s unique characteristics (shape, size, color, clarity) are determined by its atomic structure.
Where do crystals form?
Every country on Earth has a selection of minerals under the ground, although some places are hotbeds for various types of stones. Crystals need very specific conditions, and space, to grow. A crystal starts out microscopically small and expands from there. Crystals can grow in tightly packed earth, spacious rock caves, or pools of mineral rich water. Crystals can also grow on rock walls, on other crystals, and on dust particles. The length of time it takes crystals to form varies depending on the chemical composition and temperature changes.
What’s the difference between a rock and a stone?
Nothing, really! This is a “you say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to” sort of situation. Rocks and stones are composed of minerals (natural, inorganic substances with a chemical composition). Rocks and stones are both aggregates (a group of tightly packed crystals). Lapis lazuli, for example, is a beautiful “rock” that is commonly turned into jewelry. It is an aggregate of several minerals, including but not limited to calcite, lazurite, and pyrite.
What is the difference between a crystal and a gemstone?
To be considered a gemstone, a mineral must be considered rare, beautiful, and long-lasting. Most minerals form as crystals (solid matter with atoms arranged in a regular, repeating, three-dimensional pattern called a crystal structure). One fun fact an educator taught me is that crystal composition is the only difference between graphite (what’s used in pencils) and a diamond. Many crystals, like Rose Quartz, are beautiful, but not necessarily valuable.
What’s the deal with igneous, metamorphous, and sedimentary rocks?
All natural gemstones can be found in one of these three basic categories (which you may vaguely remember learning about in high school science class). Igneous rocks (ex., tourmaline, aquamarine, moonstone) are produced by the cooling of magma, or molten rock, from volcanoes. Sedimentary rocks (ex., turquoise, opal, malachite) are typically formed when water erosion breaks down minerals and redeposits them into compact layers, which grow with the earth as it shifts and moves to create new rock. Metamorphic rocks (ex., emerald, ruby, sapphire) form when pressure and heat causes preexisting igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks to change and become cemented together during the earth’s shifting.
Can you explain the differences between natural and man-made gemstones?
Natural gemstones are those created by our magnificent Mother Earth without any human help. Man-made gemstones fall under two categories: synthetic and imitation. Synthetic stones are created in a lab to have primarily the same properties, crystal structure, and crystal composition as natural stones. So these gems are totally real, but they are not naturally grown from Mother Earth. Lab-grown diamonds are an example of synthetic gemstones. Imitation stones are made from a variety of materials to look almost identical to a natural gem, but they do not have the same chemical composition. Fun fact: Rubies are the most synthesized gem on the market, so be careful when purchasing!
What are organic and inorganic gems?
Organic gems are those formed by or of living things (plants or animals). Examples of organic gems are amber, coral, pearl, and ivory. Inorganic gems, those made up of minerals, are everything else: topaz, emerald, diamond, ruby, etc.
MY SIGNATURE SAUCE: THE STYLE RITUALS INTUITIVE CRYSTAL READING METHOD
My crystal practice is a bit of a pupu platter of spiritual modalities, based on what I have learned from my spiritual teachers, my own experiences, and by observing what resonates most with my clients, who I always say are my greatest teachers. In my past life in fashion, I was doing something quite different from my present-day occupation, but in an oddly similar way. As a stylist, I would present visual information to my clients around coming trends, with the idea of anticipating what was coming in the next season, or in the future. I would build a fashion-friendly vision board filled with magazine tearsheets and strewn with trinkets from my overseas trending-travel trips in order to bring a style story to life. Now, instead of building trend boards for fashion and beauty brands, I combine my style sense with my spiritual intuition to construct visual narratives of a client’s past, present, and future using tarot cards and crystals.
I’m a “go big or go home” type of girl, so I never use just one tarot deck or one crystal in a reading. On any given day, I’ll have dozens of different decks and crystals mixed into a spread that I individually create for a client, and none of it’s random. I choose each crystal deliberately to speak to the potential subjects we’ll be discussing. My reading style is untraditional, but it’s very effective—according to my clients!
Within my tarot stack, you’ll find cards that represent goddesses and oracles, mantras and positive affirmations, numerology and astrology, past lives and spirit animals, along with cards from traditional Rider-Waite tarot decks. The crystals I choose for a reading cover all the typical subjects that you might discuss over cocktails with a close friend: love, money, family, emotions, manifestation, life changes, fashion choices, moving, and job security. Once my tarot cards have been laid out in a spread, I then blow on the crystals with my breath and ask my clients to blow with their breath on the chosen crystals in my hands. I shake them a bit and then toss them over the top of the cards like throwing dice in Vegas. This is my modern-day version of geomancy, or “stone throwing.” I like to keep my bag of tricks interesting, and to have a dynamic palette of images and objects in front of me. No two readings are ever alike! The framework of my reading style is unusual, out-of-the-box, and definitely unorthodox, but I’ve found my divination methods to be very effective. And I always send my clients home with some Mystical Homework and a crystal gift bag (obviously!).
WHAT’S IN MY MEDICINE BAG?
A medicine bag is not always a “bag” in the traditional sense. Native American shamans use a purse or necklace-like bag, while South American shamans and shamans from other lineages around the world use a container that is relevant to or reflective of their cultural traditions. Regardless of the type of vessel or design, a medicine bag is filled with healing items, spiritual tools, and sacred talismans, and the practice of carrying one has been embraced by shamans around the world for centuries. The contents of a medicine bag will vary from one shaman to the next, but within the Peruvian shamanic tradition, a full medicine bag, or mesa (which means “table” or “high plateau” in Spanish), contains thirteen stones known as khuyas. A shaman uses the contents of his or her bag to perform hands-on healings and ceremonial rites, and to teach and provide council to others. A shaman may lay the khuya over the afflicted chakras on a client’s body to allow an energetic healing to take place, with the participation of the client, the shaman, and the Spirit Guides. This is a team effort, so the client must be open and willing to participate in the healing to see change happen.
Many of the khuyas in my medicine bag come from energetic hotspots that I’ve visited around the world. And each of my thirteen stones has a unique story behind it. I also carry other small talismans that inspire me.
CHOOSING YOUR CRYSTALS
“You don’t choose the crystal. The crystal chooses you!”
Crystals all have different capabilities and powers. Certain stones are ideal for healing the body, some are best for tapping into your intuition, others are suited for working on emotional issues. The crystal you need will speak to you! When you first come into contact with your crystal, you may experience any of the following sensations: the stone may get hot in your hand, you may feel tingles into your arm, or you may feel a third-eye buzz. You may also “just know,” or feel, that a crystal you encounter is a good fit. Trust your intuition. If a crystal doesn’t feel quite right in your hand, then go with your gut—it’s not meant for you.
GETTING STARTED
Before you begin to amass your crystal collection, do a personal inventory of what’s up for you, and ask yourself these simple questions:
- What mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical issues would you like to address right now? Once you’ve pinpointed these topics, refer to “A Lesson in Color Psychology” and “The Top 20 Stones Every Girl Needs in Her Arsenal” for advice on the right crystal types and colors for what ails you.
- What’s your budget? Be aware of how much you want to spend on your crystals, and shop with intention. Pick what you can afford and start out small before buying bigger or more expensive pieces.
MEET ’N’ GREET: ADVICE ON PERUSING YOUR LOCAL METAPHYSICAL SHOP
In my travels, I meet crystal vendors from all over the world, and I source my stones from crystal experts I trust. It’s not practical for everyone to journey to a gem mine and hand-pick their own stones, but your local metaphysical shop is the next best thing. Take the time to meet and talk to the store owners, and ask them about where they source their stones and if they can fill you in on the history of a stone you are interested in. This is what I do. You want ethically sourced stones, and those with the most positive, clean, clear energies possible. Knowing the lineage of a crystal is a lot like knowing where your meat or your eggs come from. Free-range and farm-to-table, right?
Interview with John Murphy
LET’S MEET ANOTHER FASHION STYLIST TURNED SHAMAN, John Murphy, and see how he incorporates crystals into his career. Although we didn’t get into his personal closet, we did visit where he keeps all the sparkle: his Nashville-based agency, Corazon Creative.
Who have you styled?
My clients have included Britney Spears, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Runaway June, Chase Bryant, Dustin Lynch, Parmalee, Easton Corbin, John Hardy, and Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany.
How did you get into the fashion biz?
My first fashion assistant job was in Nashville in 1997 on a Garth Brooks video. I assisted for a year and then moved to LA. My business grew bigger after I moved to LA because I became a West Coast fashion representative for the country music community. I ended up moving back to Nashville to build a closer relationship with my clients. I have anywhere from twenty-five to thirty clients at a time. I toured with Rascal Flatts for five years, and you can always find me backstage at the Academy of Country Music awards and the CMT awards or the Grammys. With my clients, I would work with a creative team to build album packages and shoot music videos, photoshoots, commercials, and ad campaigns.
How did you get into crystals?
As a child, I would find rocks in nature. I had girl cousins who had crystal necklaces, but growing up in a small Midwestern town, it wasn’t masculine to have crystals, so I hid them under my bed. I would also sketch perfume bottles (which looked like crystals) as a kid. I decorated my whole room in high school in Santa Fe style (which felt very shamanic). As I got into my country music career, which at the time was still a very “straight” and traditionally masculine industry, I embodied my love of crystals by living vicariously through my clients on the red carpet. I got to add rhinestones to an ensemble or fancy pocket squares. Until I started studying shamanism, I had no idea how shamanic what I was doing was—the rhinestones and sacred-geometry patterns that are laid in on country music shirts, the embroidery of shamanic archetypes.
When did you go “full crystal”?
Three years ago, I started seeing my first energy healer in Nashville. After several sessions with her, I met you, started reading books on shamanism, and started hanging out at Cosmic Connections (Nashville’s go-to crystal store). I also went on a soul-searching vacation, which gave me the space and clarity to “see” myself again. I was ready to become the full expression of myself, not just a shell or version of myself. I also started my crystal collection. I have a neatly labeled collection of stones and am learning all the meanings as well as what I am vibing off with my experiences and those of my clients.
What’s Corazon Creative?
It’s a full-service referral agency. It’s a one-stop shop for industry people who aren’t familiar with the Nashville market and need to tap into the resources. Instead of flying teams in from New York or LA, we can find talent here for their projects. I’ve been a stylist for twenty years, and I was ready to become more of a mentor and guide to the younger generation of people working in the entertainment industry. It was time for my career to evolve, so I blended my shamanic training with my stylist skills, and now my clients come over and get a suit fitting and a chakra cleanse, or a dress fitting with a curated set of crystals. Besides traditional agency services, we also offer mindfulness resources for our clients. We build a safe place where they can voice their interests or needs, whether it be about a campaign or a crystal. An industry Jiffy-Lube for your inside and outside!
How do you fuse together styling and shamanism?
I didn’t know it early on in my career, but I was working with all these shamanic elements! I am now conscious of how shaman-y the decoration within country music is; stones like hematite and turquoise to decorate shirts, and southwestern motifs and floral prints that echo sacred symbolisms. When doing a clothing pull for a client’s event or shoot, I choose way less clothing, because I use my intuition and divination skills to pick three great dresses I know are all front-runners instead of fifty for a fitting.
How do religion and shamanism work together for you?
My faith in the Catholic church had been diminished due to their beliefs around homosexuality. As much as I love the foundational principles of Catholicism, I didn’t want to go to church and be told I was going to go to hell for who I loved. Exploring shamanism and other belief systems restored my faith in the founding principles of Christianity as opposed to diminishing them. A common misconception is that shamanism is correlated with witchcraft. It’s all about honoring oneself, nature, and everyone around you—basically, it’s echoing the first two commandments, “Do unto others as you would like done to you” and “Love you neighbor as yourself.” I’m not trying to get all political, but unfortunately, the origins of what Christianity was meant to be got manipulated by people in power. If Christianity returned to its purest form, I believe it would have a resurgence. In its current state, we see a decline. If people acknowledged change and acknowledged that things are going on outside of the little boxes they live in, we would all be better off. Acknowledge it, even if you don’t understand it—“I see you, I may not like it, but I see you.” We can really start to look at each other with love in our hearts instead of looking at people as being black, white, gay, straight, etc.
If you were a crystal, which crystal would you be?
Aqua Aura Quartz, because of the color. Its everything I want to be: bright, sparkly, rainbow, iridescent, and misshapen, but perfect.
Respect Your Crystals: Interview with Brian, Kendra, and Quendi Cook
BRIAN IS A GEOLOGIST BY TRADE and has been in the gem business his entire adult life. He consults with major names in the fashion and gem industry, including Harry Winston, Cartier, Tiffany, and Swarovski. He consults on all things with his company, including ethical gem sourcing, selling stones to designers and design houses, cutting gems, and even mining them. Brian works all over the world but mostly in Brazil. He is known for his work with exotic and rare gemstones and is one of the pioneers in his industry striving to build a sustainable business model.
What is your opinion on taking the stones out of the ground?
Some people think taking minerals out of the earth is doing something wrong to the earth. My first response is, they aren’t going anywhere. They’re just interacting on another energy level, with humans. More crystals are being formed as we speak, and through tectonic processes they will eventually get pushed to the surface. Technically speaking, heat, pressure, and temperature move volatiles through the earth, which form the veins, so to say, of the earth. The earth’s crust is constantly going through a distillation process from the buildup of heat and pressure. Eventually “the veins” migrate off in different directions into pockets and bubbles, and crystals form. When removing the crystals from the ground, we look at it like a distilling process. Our company motto at Nature’s Geometry is “We are bringing the light to the surface,” in an ethical way.
What happens when you find a crystal (especially large or rare ones)?
Everyone, from miner to dealer, partners on and benefits from the process; everyone receives a cut of the profits and recognition.
Does mining crystals energetically disrupt the harmonious nature of the earth?
We are not removing them from our global matrix; we are just moving them. It’s a natural evolutionary process to work with stones. They are tools for spiritual development. Changing which layer of the earth they are on is a natural evolutionary process. If you look at the animal kingdom, which we are a part of, we are made up of minerals just like crystals are. We are just giant crystals. It’s a bigger question of running out of all resources—metal, wood, etc.
What about ethical and responsible gem sourcing?
It’s a big subject in our industry. The jewelry business is coming to this late in the game compared to the coffee, food, chocolate, and textile industries. I speak all around the world on this subject. Our industry needs to deal with this, but it’s complicated, because it is global, made of all kinds of different cultural mores, and one of the oldest industries in the world. It is also based on cloak-and-dagger policies and secrecy, which is the opposite of transparency. Traceability and transparency of gem sources are needed and wanted, as people want to know what they are putting their money into. Stones actually help support people all over the world. If we can improve what people are receiving when they buy stones, we can change the game. We especially want to empower women by teaching them lapidary skills.
What made you get into the ethical side of the stone industry?
It’s my personal passion.
Why are people so drawn to gems?
Crystals have always been a source of magic and power with shamans and energy workers, as well as symbols of wealth, and they’re known to have healing properties. Power and magic exist within these crystals. The more power you have, the more precious gems you are going to have!
What gems do you specialize in?
Paraíba tourmaline, golden rutilated quartz (also known in the Chinese tradition as “golden needle”), spessartine garnet, pegmatite, and emeralds. I am known as “the Rutile King.” I supplemented my income in college by importing stones from South America. I also mine epitaxial crystals, which are the same crystals that are used in technology. (Epitaxial means the crystals of one substance grow on the crystal face of another substance.)
Gem Legacy
The family that gems together, ha-ha . . . I have uncles and great-uncles who came out west as gold prospectors. My brother is one of the top geologists in the world. I diverted from regular geology and into the magical realms of crystals and gems because I am an artist. I am an expert in gemstones. Kendra, my wife, is a Brazilian intuitive-healer who has published several books on gems. Quendi, my daughter, is the bridge between people in our business. She helps run our family business on all levels, from mining logistics to our lines of jewelry, Wheel of Light and Aromajewels.
Are there ethical standards in gems as in the clothing industry?
Environmental pollution, child labor, fair pay, and safe working conditions are being accounted for already. One of the biggest barriers is transparency, because there is such a long chain of custody with a gem. You could find a gem in Brazil that will get sent to China for cutting and processing and then be sold a few times through trade shows and private buyers, before finally moving on to a designer or design house and then to the consumer. (On average, a gem will be sold two or three times before it even gets to a designer.) The levels of standard and conditions are variable. The biggest cutting centers are in China, India, and Bangkok. The majority of people buying stones from the mine are Chinese.
What are the challenges and issues with ethical gem-sourcing initiatives?
Funding is the number one issue, but we are very close to the time of things turning over because the industry needs to change. Michael Kowalski, the former head of Tiffany, is looking to spearhead this initiative. We spend billions of dollars on advertising, so why not promote this, too? It’s a story the whole industry can share.
What do people want to know about their gemstones?
“Is there child labor, where do things come from, what are the conditions, what am I paying for?” Awareness around stones blew up with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blood Diamond movie. Gems are sprinkled all over the planet, and they are mostly found in remote areas and mined by poor people in those areas. That is considered “artisanal” mining. Like their meat, eggs, or clothing, people now want to know where their gems are coming from and that they are ethically harvested under fair labor practices. I am a member of the Geneva Coalition and sit alongside other members like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier to discuss, educate, and initiate how we get the aforementioned ideas into practice.
Tell us about your amazing initiative in Brazil.
Most big companies are working from the top down with CSR initiatives. I am working from the bottom up with my project in Bahia, Brazil. We are bringing value through product by opening a lapidary school to create skilled laborers and biodynamic organic farming for the community so that food is sustainable. By investing in sustainable activity, we are creating a responsible ecosystem and traceability. In 1983, I was the first foreigner they had ever seen. We lived within the community and in 1987 the village elder and shaman said to me, “Are you ready to buy the pyramid?” The land remained as a preserve for many years. The mine didn’t become legal until a year and a half ago. It took thirteen years to get the permits. There are three thousand miners who have been working the land for hundreds of years. We now have electricity, and everyone has a cell phone. When we first went, there was no electricity. The mine is under a giant pyramid covered in greenery that had been struck by lightning at one point and the tip was blown off. We are located in the remote town of Remédios, which means “medicine.” My legacy would be to get this initiative set up and to use this as an example of a sustainable investment model around the world for abandoned and new mines.
Did you know Marcel Vogel (former IBM research scientist and founder of Psychic Research Inc.)?
Yes. Kendra started making models of the Seven Crystal Systems in the 1980s and came up with a collection called “Star Gems.” Kendra knew she needed to go to a scientist to help her with what she was creating. When we moved back to the states in 1989, we got in touch with Marcel. We went to his lab and shared our idea. Marcel said, “Oh, you’ve got something here, but you must put the design in line with your own axis . . . your own spinal column.” He helped us create pendants taking into account what he had told us.
If you were a crystal, which crystal will you be?
BRIAN: Paraíba Tourmaline
KENDRA: Quartz Crystal, because it is full spectrum, reflects the light, and is versatile
QUENDI: Emerald
FINDING YOUR CRYSTALS
I SEE YOU!
As you are perusing the shelves, let your eyes do the work. You may stumble upon a crystal that you just can’t pass up. You may keep coming back to one particular stone, holding it, and rereading what Google has to say about its powers. It may not be the biggest, prettiest, or most sparkly, or the stone you thought you came in to buy. But none of that matters—that crystal is meant for you! This is a moment of trust.
I FEEL YOU!
Close your eyes and take one big clearing breath. Let your hand hover about one inch over each potential crystal you are looking to purchase. Your hand may get hot, or you may feel tingles in your arm. This is a YES! Compare it to the chemistry you may have felt on a good first date . . . there were fireworks! Another approach is running your hand through a pile, basket, or tray of crystals. One will inevitably find its way into your hand, and you won’t be able to let go. In order to confirm that a crystal is a yes, you may get that body tingle or sensation. The way I perform this practice is by always putting the crystal in my left hand, because when we talk about the flow of energy channels, this is the feminine or receiving side of the body. Then I wait for the tingle!
Finger Dowsing
Finger dowsing is another technique used for choosing crystals, based on the idea that your body has a particular energy field that reacts with external fields of energy. Through finger dowsing, your intuition is going to communicate with your fingers:
- Loop your thumb and pointer finger together as shown.
- Slip your other thumb and pointer finger together through the loop and close them tightly, like you are making two “OK” hand signals. Hold your hands over the crystal in question and ask yourself, Is this crystal for me?
- If your loop holds, the answer is yes. If you feel it pulling apart, the answer is no.
Invoke the Power of a Pendulum
You can also use a pendulum to find your crystal. Pendulums can be made of crystal, wood, or metal, and they typically hang from a metal chain or a string. The most common combination is a single-terminated crystal point on a six- to eight-inch metal chain (like the drawing shown below). If you are a beginner, I recommend buying a pendulum in person at a metaphysical shop, asking the shop owner for help, and taking your pendulum for a test drive before you buy it.
Once you have your pendulum, here are instructions for using it to choose a crystal:
- Begin by taking a few deep breaths to ground yourself. Sit comfortably somewhere and make sure your arms and legs are uncrossed. You can rest your elbow on a table in front of you, allowing the pendulum to swing freely, or you can hold your arm in a horizontal position, again allowing your pendulum to swing freely. Continue to breathe with intention to keep your energy channel open.
- Establish “yes” and “no” with your pendulum: Hold the pendulum loosely in your nondominant hand between your fingers and thumb. Allow the pendulum to hang and ask a yes-or-no question, like, “Is my name _________?” and give your real name. Pay attention to the way the pendulum swings—this is your “yes” answer. The pendulum may swing clockwise, counterclockwise, or elliptically, or it may even shake slightly and pull down toward the ground. You must interpret as best you can. Next, ask, “Is my name _______?” and give an incorrect answer. Watch how the pendulum swings, and this direction is your “no” answer.
- Now that you’ve established “yes” and “no,” hold your pendulum over the crystal in question and ask, “Is this the crystal for me?” Watch the way the pendulum moves, and you have your answer!
Become a Human Pendulum!
Forgot your pendulum at home? No problem. You can use your body to find your magic rock by using the kinesthetic “Sway Test”:
- Stand up and relax your shoulders and your knees. Take a few deep yoga breaths.
- Figure out which way your body sways when an answer is “yes” versus “no” by asking yourself the name question again. When you ask, “Is my name _________?” saying your real name, you should feel your body sway slightly forward or backward. This is your “yes” direction. Now repeat the question with an incorrect name. Your body will again sway forward or backward—this is your “no.”
- Practice until you notice a definite sway. Now you can use this technique to pick crystals, as well as beauty products, fruits at the grocery store—you name it! This will give you excellent insight into what your body wants or wants to avoid in any situation. (P.S. Don’t forget to hold the product in your nondominant hand while asking!)
CHAKRA CLEANSE: THE GREEN JUICE OF ENERGY HEALING
One of my favorite forms of crystal healing is the Chakra Cleanse, which aligns, revitalizes, and focuses the body for an overall system boost. Please note: Chakra cleansing is a very powerful method of cleansing unwanted energy from the physical and energetic body. I am going to give you the 101 on how I work in a session, followed by a starter version to try on your own at home. However, if you would like to learn how to do this for others in a professional setting, I ask that you train with an accredited healer or organization that will provide you with the right setting, tools, and education to truly understand the breadth and depth of this practice.
But first, you need to understand what a chakra is, where your various chakras are, and what color coordinates with the energy each one carries.
CHAKRAS 101
WHAT IS A CHAKRA?
Over three thousand years ago, people living in present-day Tibet and India discovered energy portal points on the body. This interconnected web of energy points has become known as the chakra system. On a macro level, our chakras are personal portals into the vast and interconnected energy system of the universe. On a micro level, they are a link between our physical and subtle energy bodies. Each chakra corresponds to a specific point on the body, and they act as gateways or energy exchange points, allowing energy in and out like a river dam. Chakras are often described as circular, wheel-like, tornado-shaped, or glowing balls of energy. And they spin! Healthy chakras spin clockwise, while unhealthy chakras spin counterclockwise, or can become broken-down or misshapen. Chakras can become blocked by negative thought patterns, emotional issues, physical toxins, etc.
Different spiritual traditions work with different versions of the chakra system, and therefore different healers work with different numbers of chakras. Many ancient Eastern healing modalities and spiritual traditions believe we have as many as 114 chakras, and an additional 72,000 nadis, or energy channels, where vital energy, or prana, moves! The twelve-chakra system (seven main chakras in the body and five outside the body in the energetic field) is most commonly embraced by contemporary healers and energy workers. I know, it’s a bit confusing, but don’t stress. To keep things simple, in this book we are only going to focus on the first seven chakras. Phew!
THE SEVEN-CHAKRA SYSTEM
Each chakra point “vibrates” to a different color frequency and has a specific connection to the way that we function on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. Crystals that “match” a chakra color carry healing properties for that particular chakra, and I place crystals on the corresponding chakra in my healing sessions.
1st Chakra—Root Chakra
Color: Red
Location: The base of the spine, genitals
Crystal Pairing: Fire Agate, Fire Opal, Garnet, Red Brecciated Jasper, Red Tiger’s Eye, Ruby
The Heals: anger, blood ailments, bravery, energy, exhilaration, grounding, health safety, improving circulation, love, money, power, primalness, primal self, protection, reproduction and fertility, sex organs, sexuality, strength, survival needs
2nd Chakra—Sacral Chakra
Color: Orange/Peach
Location: Just below the belly button
Crystal Pairing: Amber, Carnelian, Mookaite, Orange Optical Calcite, Peach Aura Quartz, Sunstone
The Heals: action, community, creativity, digestion, emotions, feelings, freshness, immune system, menopause, menstruation, ovaries, self-motivation, vitality, weight
3rd Chakra—Solar Plexus Chakra
Color: Yellow
Location: Where the rib cage meets, above the belly button and below the chest
Crystal Pairing: Iron Pyrite, Citrine, Honey Calcite, Yellow Topaz, Yellow Jasper
The Heals: attracting money, authority, awareness of tasks, caution, courage, digestion, eating disorders, energy, harmony, happiness, increased alertness, intellect, liver, lymphatic system, mental clarity, metabolism, new projects, optimism, personal identity, personal power, relationships, self-confidence, self-esteem, solidify vigor, stomach, vision, zest
4th Chakra—Heart Chakra
Color: Green or Pink
Location: The center of the chest
Green Crystal Pairing: Aventurine, Amazonite, Emerald, Fluorite, Green Calcite, Hiddenite, Jade, Malachite, Moldavite, Moss Agate, Ocean Jasper
Pink Crystal Pairing: Chrysoprase, Kunzite, Morganite, Pink Botswana Agate, Pink Manganocalcite, Pink Chalcedony, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Unakite
The Heals: addictions, compassion, female hormones and reproductive issues, friendship, heart, heart conditions, kindness, love, lungs, panic attacks, psychological issues, respiratory issues, self-love, sleep disorders, stress-induced illness, worthiness
5th Chakra—Throat Chakra
Color: Light Blue
Location: The center of the throat/clavicle bone
Crystal Pairing: Angelite, Aqua Aura Quartz, Blue Apatite, Blue Kyanite, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Onyx, Blue Tourmaline, Celestite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Sodalite, Turquoise
The Heals: ancestors, angels, blood pressure, calming, communication, creative expression fluidity, headache and eye problems, honesty, intuition, invisible helpers like Spirit Guides, issues, lower mouth/teeth/gums, meditation, peaceful, purity, soothing, stress relief, throat, thyroid, truth, transformation
6th Chakra—Third Eye Chakra
Color: Indigo
Location: The middle of the forehead between your eyes
Crystal Pairing: Amethyst, Blue Goldstone, Blue Tiger’s Eye, Blue Tourmaline, Fluorite, Iolite, Lapis Lazuli
The Heals: amplification of senses, devotion, evolutionary gain, foresight, future-seeing, higher schools of thought, honor, inner-knowing, insightful, insight, intuition jaw, mouth, perception, potential, psychic gifts, spiritual wisdom, telepathy, tongue
7th Chakra—Crown Chakra
Color: Violet or Gold
Location: The top of the head
Crystal Pairing: Amethyst, Ametrine, Charoite, Fluorite, Iron Pyrite, Jade, Lepidolite, Smoky Elestial Quartz, Sugilite, Super Seven
The Heals: addiction, astral projection, bridging between two places, connection to “God,” consciousness, headaches, hyperactivity, keeping away physical toxicity (people or environments), leadership, nervous disorders, phobias and psychological disorders, royalty, sinuses, wisdom
WHAT ABOUT OTHER CRYSTAL COLORS AND THE CHAKRAS?
Black, brown, and gray/silver crystals all work with the Root Chakra and the 10th chakra, or Earth Star Chakra, which is below the feet.
Black Crystal Pairing: Apache Tears, Black Agate, Black Jade, Black Kyanite, Black Moonstone, Black Obsidian, Black Tourmaline, Chinese Writing Rock, Hypersthene, Jet, Onyx, Shungite, Snowflake Obsidian, Tektite
The Heals: being introverted, control, cyclic endings, fears of physical harm, going inwards, grief and depression, grounding, invisibility, knowledge, masculinity, pain relief, panic attacks, protection, protector when doing spiritual work, self-doubt, shield from EMFs, shields from mental/physical/emotional and energetic traumas, silence, stillness, well-being, X-rays and chemotherapy, yang energy
Brown Crystal Pairing: Aragonite, Banded Agate, Boulder Opal, Brown Stripe Jasper, Desert Rose, Fossils, Lionskin, Montana Agate, Petrified Wood, Smoky Quartz, Stromatolite, Tiger’s Eye
The Heals: authenticity, bowels and large intestines, dedication, easing stress, honesty, one day at a time, sensible, slow and steady, stability, strength for the emotional body, strong yet subtle, vitality
Gray/Silver Crystal Pairing: Botswana Agate, Gibeon Meteorite, Hematite, Platinum Quartz
The Heals: compliant, conservative, cools intensity, detachment, efficiency, escape, isolation, lone wolves, maturity, mental illness, narrow-mindedness, neutrality, non-invasive, practicality, retreat, security, temper avoidance
White/clear crystals work with the 8th, 9th, 11th, and 12th chakras, which reside over the top of the head.
White crystal pairing: Angel Aura Quartz, Clear Quartz, Dream Quartz, Girasol, Herkimer Diamond, Howlite, Milky Quartz, Moonstone, Opal, Opalite, Scolecite, Selenite, Snow Quartz
The Heals: a “bridge” between points A and B, amplification, balance, breast and womb problems, cleanliness, expectant mothers, general health, goddess energy, innocence, mental clarity, purification, radiance, spiritual connection, unity, yin energy
THE STYLE RITUALS SIGNATURE CHAKRA CLEANSE
- As I begin a Chakra Cleanse, the very first thing I do is to open a “sacred space,” creating a safe and strong energetic “container” for my client’s healing. I open what shamans call “The Four Directions,” and I also call all my helping Spirit Guides into the room, as well as my client’s Spirit Guides. Once I feel the space is ready, we can get started. Every healer does this space-opening process differently, but it is one of the most important steps in the process.
- Next I like to start a dialogue with my client about their lifestyle and their needs, to get a full picture of where they are currently. I ask questions like: What are you trying to achieve from our work together today? What does an average day look like for you? What do you do for a living? How have your health, diet, sleep, and exercise patterns been? Do you have any preexisting conditions? What other healing modalities are you working with? Do you have any opposition to sage smoke or allergies to topical oils? Are there any crystal energies you are overly sensitive to? When was the last time you had an energy healing? And the most important question: Do I have permission to work with you today?
- Then I choose my crystals and stones. Different crystal colors, shapes, and textures have special meanings, and these can play into my decision about what to work with. I use my right brain and flex my intuitive muscle by going with the crystals I feel most drawn to. Next I check in with my left brain and do a cross-check of the crystals I’ve picked against my training in crystals according to what each stone traditionally represents. If you do this yourself, you will find that, in most cases, you will have intuitively picked a crystal that works for what ails you without even meaning to. The main stones that I work with in a Chakra Cleanse come from my medicine bag, and I add other crystals as I see fit.
- My client lies on their back on a flat surface: a yoga mat, blanket, massage table, bed, etc. I ask if they need a pillow for under the head, knees, or back, and if they need any extra floor padding. The space should be quiet, comfortable, and temperate.
- The stones may be used alone or accompanied by other healing instruments. I am a big fan of accessories, so I always have my entire shamanic arsenal at my side: sacred herbs, oils, rattles, drums, feathers, and a crystal bowl. I work completely intuitively, so I won’t know until I am in the moment what accompanying healing “ally” I will need during the session. I am also a Reiki master, so I like to infuse hands-on healing into my sessions as well.
- I place the crystals on my client’s body, working either from feet to head or from head to feet, depending on which way I want the energy to move. If I want energy to move from “sky to earth” (head to feet), I’ll arrange my crystal points toward the client’s “south,” or Root Chakra. This moves energy from crown to feet for grounding and increased energy. If I want to move energy from “earth to sky” (feet to head), all my crystal points will face the client’s “north,” or Crown Chakra. This moves the client’s energy toward higher knowledge or spiritual experience. A trained healer will intuitively know in which direction to move energy.
- Stones may be placed on one or many chakra points, and peppered around the perimeter of the client’s body. I use my intuitive sight (I can see energy), my hands (I can feel energy), my feelings (I am empathic), and my intuition (I am claircognizant, which means I just know, without being able to explain how or why) to place the stones, or I’ll use a pendulum to determine which chakras I will be working with in a session.
- After the energy exchange has happened between the client and the stones, it is time to remove the stones. I use my shaman’s rattle around the person’s body to break up any dense energies and I brush off the client’s body and aura with my feather fan and burn some sage. Then I ask the client to take a few very deep breaths to ground their energy, shake off any excess “energetic dust,” and become present in the space again.
- In order to close the “sacred space,” I thank my Spirit Guides and my client’s Spirit Guides for being present while facilitating the healing, and I close the Four Directions.
- I help my client to sit up, give them some water, ask them how they are feeling, and invite them to share anything from the experience. I tell them to drink plenty of water after the session and to eat a salty or protein-based snack to help ground them. I also ask them to avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and 24 hours after a healing session.
- When I am finished, I clean my crystals of any physical or energetic “dirt” and return my khuyas to my medicine bag or mesa.
Hot Tips
- The stone will let you know! A stone that is not needed for the session or is inappropriate for the client’s energy will roll off their body or roll to another place where it is better utilized.
- If the receiver feels uncomfortable with a particular stone, remove it—its energy is not right for their needs.
- As a client’s chakras and aura absorb the stone medicine and are balanced by the crystal energies, the stones may roll off. If a crystal does this during the healing, I do not put it back on the client’s body.
- Crystals may be laid in geometric grids on and around the client. The body is the central point of the grid.
- This type of healing can be intense, and major energy shifts can happen. After a session, there may also be a physical detoxification process that can continue for up to a week. Journaling is a good way for the client to document the changes taking place.
- Smaller tumbled stones work best for stone healings. You can put them either directly on the skin or on top of fabric or clothing.
GET STONED ALONE: MY GREEN JUICE CHAKRA CLEANSE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR!
Below is a simple version of my Chakra Cleanse that you can do on your own at home once a week.
- Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Put your phone on airplane mode. This is a DO NOT DISTURB moment.
- Open a “sacred space” around yourself. Think about creating a container of protection to hold your energy while you work.
- Take a few deep breaths to get yourself into the “me time” zone. If you like candles, music, or diffused oils, add those to set the mood!
- Ask yourself, What do I need assistance with at the present moment? and check in with your body. You may actually feel the answer in your body, in the form of a heaviness in your chest or a queasiness in your stomach. This is your body pointing to the chakra where you are holding on to an issue physically and energetically. If this feels too advanced or you don’t trust yourself to figure out which chakra to focus on, refer to the explanation of the chakras in “Chakras 101” to home in on which chakra is affected by your particular issue.
- Once you have located the chakra you are working with, you are ready to place a corresponding crystal on that specific area. As a general rule of thumb, remember that the colors of crystals correspond to the chakra colors, so have an assortment of crystals to choose from before you begin.
- Take deep, full, slow ocean breaths for 10 minutes. (I recommend setting a timer.) Ocean breaths are inspired by the sound and rhythm a wave has rolling gently up and back down a beach. It is a breath created when a person constricts the base of their throat, controlling the movement of breath in and out of the body. Imagine that you are expelling whatever is bothering you from your body and into the stone. Next visualize light that is the color of the crystal resting on your body, or sparkly, diamond-quality white light entering the chakra.
- End by closing your “sacred space.” Basically, you are taking the lid off the container you created.
- Burn sage with the door or window open to clear the area. Clean your crystal in any of the ways recommended in chapter 6.
- Drink one full glass of water post-session.
WHAT’S MY CRYSTAL RX?
I do a lot of custom prescriptions for my clients, and in this section, I’d like to share my top nine most requested formulas, so that you, too, can have them in your arsenal. If one of these prescriptions speaks to you, head over to StyleRituals.com to order one of my pre-cleansed and pre-charged Crystal Rx bags.
- The “Love It All” Bag: To address all aspects of love, from calling in new relationships to dealing with heartbreak to working on loving yourself a little bit more.
- Pink Botswana Agate
- Rhodonite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby Fuchsite
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- The “I Mean Business” Bag: Want to attract more money with a side dose of self-respect? This is your bag.
- Bismuth
- Black Obsidian
- Citrine
- Green Aventurine
- Sardonyx
- Sunstone
- The “Cosmic Cleaning Lady” Bag: The A-game crystal gang for creating energetically clean spaces.
- Amethyst
- Black Kyanite
- Selenite
- Shungite
- Smoky Quartz
- The “Chill the F*** Out” Bag: Need to get off the hamster wheel? Here’s your go-to.
- Black Tourmaline
- Dalmatian Stone
- Lepidolite
- The “Speak Your Truth” Bag: Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Speak your personal truth with clarity, confidence, and continuity, while letting go of those outdated “cat got your tongue” traumas and dramas with this collection.
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Onyx
- Lapis Lazuli
- Sodalite
- The “Jet Setter” Bag: This grouping helps you travel safe by staying “grounded,” fighting jet lag, and sleeping through the baby crying three rows back.
- Black Tourmaline
- Hematite
- Lepidolite
- Tiger’s Eye
- The “Go Big or Go Home” Bag: A bag to help you manifest while honoring, living in the present, and being open to divine timing.
- Charoite
- Iron Pyrite
- Titanium Quartz
- The “Study Buddy” Bag: Need some extra clarity and insight while hitting the books? This grouping is your best study aid.
- Blue Apatite
- Danburite
- Fluorite
- Icelandic Spar (Optical Calcite)
- The “High Vibe” Bag: Ready to level-up in the mystical realm? These are key crystals in any mystical girl’s arsenal.
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Astrophyllite
- Blue Kyanite
- Fairy Stone
- Larvikite
- Peacock Ore
A LESSON IN COLOR PSYCHOLOGY
You may find you are repeatedly attracted to a certain crystal color, and that this crystal color may correspond to the colors you are naturally drawn to elsewhere in your life. For example, you walk into a crystal shop and notice that every stone you pick up, whether big, small, jagged, or smooth, is pink, the official color of bubble gum, cotton candy, and Barbie. What does this mean? Let’s consult color psychology and our basic knowledge of the chakras for some insight into why we’re attracted to certain colors.
CRYSTAL COLOR ENERGY GUIDE
The image above, known as the Great Color Wheel of Life and Crystals, aligns each color with its meaning, as well as with a particular time of day and season. In contrast to astrological signs and other birthstone lists, the Great Color Wheel shows us the color that corresponds to our birth time and season, and it may explain why we are drawn to particular hues.
Who Taught Me About Stone Healing?
I AM TRULY BLESSED to have had many wise teachers on my crystal journey. Kirby Seid, a crystal expert based in the Bay Area, has been one of my key mentors. Kirby graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in humanistic psychology, and then went on to start his gem and mineral business, Seid Crystals. He has been doing crystal consultations and light and sound healing with the help of crystals for thirty years, and he is a master stone carver who makes custom shamanic tools for teaching and healing practices. Kirby is truly a healer’s healer, and a teacher’s teacher.
Interview with Kirby Seid, Founder of Seid Crystals
How did you get into the crystal biz?
When I was a child, my dad worked for Shell oil. He would go to construction sites all over the world and bring me back fossils and crystals. Later in life, I wanted to start my own business. I looked at my crystal collection and thought it would allow me to travel the world. I started cutting crystals and became aware that certain things were happening around these crystals. There was an awakening in me; there was a quickening, if you will, as thought to manifestation was happening faster; I noticed the positive affect of them on myself and other people as I worked closer with them. I was wondering if I was doing damage to these life-forms by cutting them (into skulls, pyramids, faceted points, etc.), and who am I to decide what shape they should be? I was returning from my first trip getting crystals in Madagascar and stopped in Washington, D.C. That Monday morning, I sat on top of a huge quartz boulder at the Smithsonian and the crystals “let me know” that it was okay to cut them, and how to do it. They communicated to me that I just needed to get them into people’s hands and that they wanted to work with the human kingdom. I got permission from the crystal and mineral kingdom to do this work. I also realized you don’t just cut them willy-nilly—you look where the most power is coming from and cut accordingly.
Who taught you how to cut crystals?
Glen Spencer, a lapidary artist in Indianapolis, and Glen Laher, a famous carver, taught me how to cut crystals. Glen Laher taught me to be very precise with faceting.
Blow our minds and tell us something we don’t know!
Let’s talk about ways to clear a crystal that you may not know. Diamantina, or “Singing Crystals,” will clear another crystal of any unwanted energy through sound. You can ping them like a tuning fork with a tiny metal mallet and its vibration will clear other crystals. Also, Marcel Vogel had a demagnetizer cleaner, and he would demagnetize crystals to make their energy “neutral, clear, or clean.”
If you were a crystal, which crystal would you be?
Smoky Citrine Quartz
