Welcome to the world of crystals! If you’re new to the concept, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. They have been used for their healing and spiritual purposes for centuries, and for good reason. These beautiful gemstones possess unique properties that can enhance our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. But before you start channelling your inner “woo-woo” type, let me assure you that anyone can benefit from incorporating crystals into their self-care routine.
And if you’re here, we assume you’re a mama – check out our article on the most powerful healing crystals for motherhood.
Crystals and mindfulness go hand in hand. Just like how mindfulness helps us connect with our inner selves, they help us connect with the earth and its positive energy. They allow us to tap into a deeper sense of peace and balance, helping us feel more grounded and in tune with the present moment. And let’s be real, we could all use a little more of that in our lives, am I right?
In this guide, we’ll be diving into the world of crystals and how to connect with them in a meaningful way. We’ll talk about the history and science behind healing crystals, tips for choosing and caring for your stones, and ways to incorporate them into your daily routine. So sit back, relax, and let’s get crystal clear on how to enhance your mindfulness practice with the help of these beautiful gemstones.
The Power of Crystals
A Brief History
Crystals have been used for healing and spiritual purposes for centuries, with ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Chinese, and Mayans utilizing them in various ways. In the Middle Ages, crystal healing was considered part of the field of alchemy and was later adopted by spiritual traditions such as Wicca and Buddhism. Fast forward to the 1800s and crystal healing was embraced by the New Age movement, and has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
The Science Behind Crystals
While the idea of crystals having healing powers may seem mystical, there is a scientific basis for it. They have been found to be piezoelectric materials, which means that when subjected to mechanical stress, they produce an electrical charge. They can also act as dielectric materials, capable of storing and releasing electrical vibe. Despite these explanations, some people still believe in the magic of earths healing jewelery, and that’s okay too.
Common Crystals and Their Properties
Different types of gems have different properties and meanings. For example, rose quartz is often associated with love, while amethyst is said to promote relaxation. Clear quartz is a general healing crystal and can be used for multiple purposes, while different coloured stones also have their own specific properties. Some people might even have a personal favourite crystal based on its colour or shape. So whether you’re looking for love, relaxation, or just a little extra oomph, there’s sure to be a crystal out there that can help.
Choosing Your Crystals
The Personal Connection
When it comes to choosing your stones, it’s important to trust your intuition and choose the ones that resonate with you personally. Each crystal has its own unique properties and meanings, and it’s important to find the one that speaks to you on a personal level. Some people even believe that these spiritual gems “choose” them, rather than the other way around. Sometimes, people are drawn to a certain crystal because it reminds them of a certain time, place, or person. It’s all about that personal connection.
Where to Find Your Gemstones
There are various ways to find your perfect crystal, such as visiting a local crystal shop or attending a fair. Online platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Ebay also offer a wide variety of crystals. It’s also important to note the difference between natural and synthetic crystals. While some people might prefer the natural gemstones as they are grown by Mother Earth herself, others might be perfectly content with the synthetic ones.
Programming Your Crystals
Programming involves setting an intention for the crystal before using it. By doing so, it enhances its healing. It’s a simple process and can be done by holding the crystal in your hand and focusing on your intention while repeating it. Programming can make the whole experience a bit more fun, as well. Don’t be afraid to talk to to them, you might be surprised by what they have to say back.
How To Connect With Your Crystals
Meditation
Crystal meditation is a powerful tool for connecting with your healing crystals and amplifying their healing power. To start, choose a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. Select the gemstones that you feel drawn to and set your intention for the meditation. This could be something as simple as finding inner peace, or something more specific like attracting abundance.
When you’re ready, hold the crystal in your hand and focus on your intention. Close your eyes and breathe deeply, allowing yourself to relax and let go of any thoughts or distractions. Imagine the stone omitting a warm and soothing energy, and visualise yourself surrounded by that current. You might even feel like talking to your crystals, that’s totally fine too. And don’t worry if you feel silly, the stones won’t judge you, they’re there to help.
As you meditate, allow yourself to let go of any thoughts and focus on your breath and your intention. Take a few minutes to sit with the crystal and feel its energy before you open your eyes. After the meditation, you may feel a sense of calm and grounding. Repeat this process as often as you’d like, and you’ll start to notice the positive effects in your life. Remember that you’re doing something kind for yourself and it’s not just about the stones, but your own well-being. And don’t worry, no one is judging you for being a crystal enthusiast.
Carrying Your Healing Crystals
Carrying a crystal with you throughout the day can provide a sense of calm and grounding, reminding you to stay mindful and connected to your intentions. When choosing a crystal to carry, trust your intuition and choose one that resonates with your personal energy. This could be a stone that you feel a strong connection to or one that represents your specific intention.
Carrying a gemstone in your pocket, in a pouch, or as a necklace, can be a subtle reminder to stay grounded and connected to your intentions throughout the day. And if you’re feeling self-conscious about carrying a crystal around with you, remember that the crystal won’t care. It’s there to help you, not to impress anyone else. It’s like having a good luck charm but with a little more energy to it.
It’s all about what works for you and what makes you feel good. So don’t be afraid to show off your gem in public if you want to, or keep it hidden if you prefer. The most important thing is that you’re connecting with it in a way that feels meaningful to you.
Crystal Grids
A crystal grid is a powerful tool for enhancing the healing properties of these precious stones and manifesting specific intentions. Creating a grid involves arranging specific crystals in a specific pattern, with each one representing a specific intention or aspect of your life.
Creating a crystal grid
To start, choose the crystals that resonate with your intentions and the aspects of your life that you wish to focus on. Clear quartz is a great stone to use as a central stone or “master stone” as it amplifies the energy of all the other crystals around it. Once you have chosen your crystals, arrange them in a pattern that feels meaningful to you, whether it’s a simple circle, a geometric pattern, or a symbol such as a flower.
Creating a grid can be a fun and rewarding experience. It can feel like playing with legos but for grown-ups, and with a lot more energy to it. It’s a reminder that you’re in control of your life, and you’re manifesting your intentions. Attune to your higher self. And don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time, it’s all about the process, not the outcome. Just have fun with it, and trust that the crystals will work their magic.
Remember that crystals, like anything else, need to be cleansed regularly to maintain their power. So take some time to cleanse them and recharge them with your intentions every now and then. Trust that the gemstones are helping you to manifest your best self.
Crystal Cleansing
Cleansing your crystals is an important step in maintaining their healing properties and removing any unwanted energy they may have accumulated. Just like us, crystals need a little TLC every now and then. You can cleanse your gemstones using a variety of methods such as smudging with sage, using sounds like singing bowls or chimes, visualisation or sunlight.
When using smudging, you can use sage or sweetgrass, hold the crystal in the smoke, and set an intention to remove any negative energy. Using sounds like singing bowls or chimes can also be helpful in cleansing the gemstone by bathing them in vibration. Visualisation is another method you can use, by holding your stone and picturing a bright white light washing over it and removing any negative energy, you are cleansing it. The sun is also a great natural cleanser, you can place your crystals in a safe spot for a few hours to soak in the sunlight.
even tech needs a reboot…
It’s important to note that even though some people might think of crystals as “hippie stuff,” cleansing them is just as important as rebooting your computer or phone. Trust me, you’ll notice the difference when you hold them after cleansing. So don’t be afraid to give your crystals some love and care, they’ll thank you for it. And if anyone gives you a hard time, just tell them that even technology needs a reboot.
Charging Your Crystals
Crystals are said to possess natural energy and healing properties, but over time and with regular use, this energy can become depleted or muddled. Charging a crystal is a way to restore its natural energy and enhance its healing abilities. There are many ways to charge your gems, and the method you choose will depend on the type of stone and your personal preferences.
Cleansing vs Charging Your Gemstones
Cleaning and charging crystals are two separate, but related, practices. Cleaning a stone involves removing any energy impurities that may have accumulated on the crystal’s surface. This can be done by simply wiping the gem down with a damp cloth, or by using specific methods like saltwater or sage smudging.
Once your stone has been cleaned, it is ready to be charged. Charging a healing crystal is essentially recharging its natural energy so that it can be used for healing or spiritual reaons. Different gemstones have different ideal charging methods, depending on their unique properties. For example, some stones, like quartz, can be charged using sunlight, while others, like amethyst, are better charged using moonlight.
Here are a few examples of different gemstones and their ideal charging methods:
- Quartz: Sunlight, Reiki, and sound vibration
- Amethyst: Moonlight, placing in a geode
- Citrine: Placing on top of a rock of clear quartz, sunlight
- Rose Quartz: Moonlight, placing in a bed of rose petals.
It’s important to note that the ideal method for charging a crystal may be different for each person and it’s important to trust your intuition and listen to the crystal’s energy in order to find the best charging method for you. As you familiarise yourself with the different crystals, you’ll get a sense of which charging methods work best for each one.
Charging Methods
There are many ways to charge gems, and some methods are more common than others. Here are a few popular ways to charge your stones:
Sunlight: One of the most common ways to charge gems is by exposing them to sunlight. Many gemstones, such as quartz and citrine, benefit from being charged by sunlight. When charging your stones in sunlight, it’s best to place them in direct sunlight during the day, when the sun’s energy is strongest. It’s important to be careful not to leave your stones in the sun for too long, as prolonged exposure can cause discoloration or damage to some types of stones.
Moonlight: Another common way to charge healing crystals is by exposing them to moonlight. The energy of the moon is said to have a calming and soothing effect on many gemstones, especially those with purple or blue hues such as amethyst, kyanite and lapis lazuli. The best time to charge your stones by moonlight is during a full moon, when the energy of the moon is the strongest. It is also significant to place the gems under the moonlight of different lunar phase as it will have a different impact on your stone.
Earth: Burying your stones in the earth is a natural way to charge them. This method is particularly effective for grounding stones, such as black tourmaline, which help to balance and stabilize your energy. The best place to bury your stones is in a garden, a park, or a natural area. If that’s not possible, you can bury them in a pot of soil on your balcony or windowsill.
Sound: Sound vibrations can also be used to charge popular gemstones. Some people use crystal singing bowls or chimes to charge their stones. The vibrations from the sound waves can help to align and balance the energy of the stone.
Water: Some gemstones, such as selenite, can be charged by being placed in water. When charging your stones in water, it’s best to use filtered or purified water, as tap water can contain minerals and chemicals that can damage some types of stone.
Smudging: One more way to charge your crystals is by using the smoke of smudging herbs, such as sage or palo santo. The smoke is used to purify and clear the energy of the crystals, thereby charging them. This method is particularly effective for stones that have been used for a long time, or for gems that have been passed down to you from others.
Remember that the ideal method of charging a stone may be different for each person and it’s important to trust your intuition and listen to the stone’s energy in order to find the best charging method for you. Some of the methods might not be suitable for certain types of gemstones, so always be aware of the properties of the stone you are working with.
The Take Away
In this article, we’ve explored the practice of charging your stones and the many different methods that can be used to do so. We’ve looked at the difference between cleaning and charging, and provided examples of different gemstones and their ideal charging methods. Whether you’re new to crystal healing or an experienced practitioner, we hope that this guide has provided you with some helpful tips and inspiration for charging your own gems.
Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to charge your gems, and that the best method will depend on the individual crystal and your personal preferences. We encourage you to experiment with different methods to find what works best for you and your stones.
Additionally, setting an intention while charging a crystal and listening to the gemstone’s energy can help in enhancing its healing properties. It’s a good idea to also create a charging routine, this can help you to always have recharged crystals for your daily use.
Crystals can be an incredibly powerful tool for healing and personal growth, but in order for them to be effective, they need to be charged regularly. So go ahead, take your crystals out of their hiding places, give them a good cleanse and charge them up to their full potential. And don’t forget to enjoy the process, remember that crystal healing should be fun, it’s not a chore!
As always, feel free to share your own experiences and methods of charging crystals in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!