Since the dawn of civilisation crystals and minerals have been regarded as gifts from the earth. Where ancient man wore amulets of amber, jet and rock crystal to ward off hostile forces, his modern descendants are still drawn to the beauty and wonderful variety of rocks and crystals today and use them for a multitude of purposes from healing to personal adornment to the running of sophisticated computer technology.
THE NATURE OF CRYSTALS
There are three types of rocks in which crystals form. These are:
§ Igneous – Literally ‘formed by fire' – usually volcanic eruptions.
§ Sedimentary – Mineral deposits which have been washed to the bottom of the sea and eventually turned to rock.
§ Metamorphic – Igneous or sedimentary rocks which have been subjected to extremes of heat or pressure by movements of the earths crust, causing an alteration of their composition.
Harder minerals, such as diamonds and rubies form at high temperatures in areas of volcanic activity. Crystals that form in sedimentary rock are usually much softer e.g. gypsum (Selenite).
All minerals will form crystals, although the conditions for their growth vary from mineral to mineral. Crystals begin to grow when the right amount of their constituent atoms are present, usually in the form of liquid or gas. Heat and pressure ensure that the atoms have the maximum movement and energy to come together.
Once the basic pattern has been taken up by a few atoms, called the ‘unit cell' of a crystal, other atoms quickly repeat the arrangement and build up the crystal lattice, the characteristic patterns of atoms, which is unique to each mineral. Once formed, crystals are the most stable and original forms of matter in the universe. A crystal's physical form is the expression of its interior atomic arrangement. Due to different growing circumstances, no two crystals will be identical, but they will all show features characteristic to their mineral type.
COLOURS OF CRYSTALS
Crystals usually get their colour from the presence of minute amounts of other minerals which become incorporated into the structure of the crystals as they form. Amethyst, for example, is the result of quartz forming in the presence of iron, whilst rose quartz is given it's characteristic pink colour by the presence of titanium or manganese. Smokey quartz is quartz which has been subjected to natural radiation, for example from uranium, whilst citrine is amethyst that has been exposed to particularly high temperatures.
Even in clear quartz, small imperfections are often present within the lattice structure of a crystal which create patterns and rainbows within the crystal and result in wonderful displays of colour and light.
Many crystal healers believe that the colour of the crystal that you choose will have an effect on you, for example orange stones such as carnelian or amber are thought to have an uplifting effect and aid low energy levels, green stones such as dioptase and green fluorite are good for healing and purifying, whilst black stones such as obsidian or tourmaline are used for grounding and protection.
THE POWER OF CRYSTALS
Crystals are objects of beauty and mystery, and it has long been thought that they have the power to protect, to enhance, to strengthen and to uplift. From the dawn of history people have used amulets and charms of various kinds of crystal or stone to access their healing properties and to ward off harm from negative forces.
Crystal healing can be traced back as far as Egyptian times, although some believe that there is a link to the ancient mythical lost city of Atlantis. Countless numbers of civilisations have valued the use of crystals for their therapeutic benefits, often incorporating them into their religious and power rituals in order to harness the power of the crystal.
HOW DO CRYSTALS WORK?
Although there has been a growth in the interest of crystals and their therapeutic properties during the New Age, there are differing ideas of how they work on our subtle energy systems (aura and chakras) as an electromagnetic field or vibration.
Working with crystals usually induces a state of deep relaxation. People report an increased sense of well-being and are sometimes aware of the crystals connecting energetically with their bio-magnetic field, which surrounds their body – otherwise known as the aura.
It is believed that the foundations for physical illness are laid within this energy field. Whenever there is an imbalance in our aura, over a long period of time, the inability to release or resolve negative thought patterns, or from the impact of shock or trauma may well be sufficient to result in dis-ease, with in the physical body.
CHOOSING CRYSTALS
Beginning to work with and choose crystals may at first appear to be quite a daunting task, but be assured that even without any knowledge or experience of crystals, you will find yourself intuitively drawn to the crystal which you need at the time. It is often said that the crystal will choose you, not you that chooses the crystal.
Try to see if you can feel any heat, or even a tingling sensation – this will indicate that that the particular crystal is resonating with your body and is the one you may need at this time. You may even feel as you hold a particular crystal, that you are unable to put it down, again this is the crystal indicating that you may benefit from its use.
CLEANSING CRYSTALS
Crystals need to be regularly cleansed, particularly if they are regularly worn or used for healing, as they can store up a lot of negative energy. Here are just a few methods for cleaning your crystals:
§ Hold the crystal under running water (or better still find a cool clear pure spring or stream). Imagine all the negative energy being washed out of the crystal as you do this.
§ Use a smudge stick either sage or lavender and again waft the incense over your crystal using either your hand or a feather fan.
§ Bury your crystal in the earth for a short period of time, taking care to mark the spot where it is buried, so that you can find it again.
§ Place your crystal on an amethyst bed, or in an amethyst geode, but don't leave it for longer than 24 hours as the crystal will absorb the properties of the amethyst.
§ Use angel or gem spray.
§ Use sound such as chanting, a Tibetan singing bowl, or Ting Shaws over the crystal.
§ Place your crystal in a bowl of rice; taking care to throw the rice away afterwards as it will have absorbed the negative energy from the crystal.
§ Expose the crystal to the light and energy of a full moon.
Some words of warning on cleansing:
§ Some crystals such as opal or selenite should not be placed in water, as they will dissolve, whilst haematite and magnetite will rust in water as they contain iron.
§ Do not use salt or salt water for cleansing your crystal, as salt is itself a crystal and will harm the other crystals.
§ Amethyst or fluorite will fade if placed in bright sunlight.
DEDICATING YOUR CRYSTAL
After cleansing your crystal needs to be dedicated to work for the highest good and for positive purposes. Just hold your crystal in your left hand and say to yourself – I dedicate this crystal to the highest good.
PROGRAMMING CRYSTALS
Again, hold your crystal in your left hand and tell your crystal what work you want it to do, e.g. healing, distant healing, meditation or auric cleansing for example. Only quartz crystals can be programmed.
TOXIC CRYSTALS
Some crystals contain high amounts of toxic minerals such as copper (malachite), sulphur, asbestos (tiger's eye) or lead (vanadanite). These crystals should not be made into gem essences by the direct method and taken internally or worn as jewellery for long periods of time against the skin in their unpolished form.
FINALLY
Most of all, enjoy your crystal, treat it well and give it love and attention and it will reward you with the gift of love and healing that it carries.
