There is very little in nature that surpasses the glimmering beauty of the mineral kingdom.
If you are like me, you’re most likely enchanted by the mystical iridescence of labradorite, the violet crystalline charm of amethyst, and the ethereal translucence of quartz.
In fact, all healing crystals are stunning – topaz, tiger’s eye, garnet, sapphire, jasper, agate, amazonite, opal, carnelian, turquoise, diamond, hematite – they all have some kind of magical appeal that speaks to us on a very primal level.
But in and of themselves, do crystals bring the much-needed healing, power, protection, and resilience we seek for so often in life? It’s very common in the new age, pagan and spiritual communities to swear by the healing power of crystals, and while this might be legitimately true, it’s about time that we explore crystals in a different light.
For our own benefit, let’s take this opportunity to think outside of the proverbial box, and to explore crystals from a different angle and a different perspective.
Are healing crystals as powerful as we make them out to be? And how can we begin to welcome their gifts, properties and/or capabilities into our lives?
Crystals as Stones of Innate Power?
Crystals have been revered since the ancient times. In India, Ayurvedic medicine considers crystals to be valuable for healing a host of ills, and in ancient Egypt healing crystals were worn by pharaohs and common people to attract love, balance, and awareness. Crystals were also used in Rome and Greece to adorn the armor of soldiers and were often used as amulets and talismans to attract good fortune.
Crystals have been used for many purposes across many different cultures all throughout time. It’s undeniable that deep down something instinctively seems to draw us to crystals, but what that is exactly, is hard to pinpoint.
Perhaps it is that crystals, with their own individual vibrations, truly are powerful in their ability to heal, strengthen and expand? After all, all matter is composed of condensed, vibrating energy. As engineer and physicist Nikola Tesla, renowned for his many contributions to science, said:
If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.
To further support the idea that crystals are stones of innate power, the author of the popular “crystal bible” book Love is in the Earth, Melody observes:
Crystals exhibit the properties of both piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity.
Basically, this means that most crystals, when subjected to an AC voltage, begin to vibrate, and also that some crystals when heated or cooled, generate a temporary voltage because of the disruption in their atom structure.
But is this enough to prove that crystals are stones of innate power? Maybe not.
A study conducted by London psychologist Dr. Christopher French back in the early 2000’s seems to reveal that the effects experienced from healing crystals are all mental suggestion – or placebo.
During a meditation practice, a group of 80 volunteers were given crystals to hold to test the effects. Half of the volunteers were given genuine healing crystals, while the other half were given cheap, fake crystals. The volunteers were also put into suggestible states prior to handling the crystals, being told that they would experience any number of different benefits.
The most interesting thing to note about this study was that both groups – the group that received the genuine crystals, and the group that received the fake ones – experienced the exact same benefits, with the exception of about 6 people. The other 74 in both groups, however, shared the feelings that both types of crystals increased concentration, blood flow, energy, inner balance, and many other positive side effects.
While this might suggest that healing crystals aren’t as innately powerful as we traditionally think, placebo is not necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, it can be quite powerful.
Crystals as Conduits?
Whether the object of your faith be real or false, you will nevertheless obtain the same effects … Faith produces miracles. – Philippus Paracelsus (1493-1541), Swiss Alchemist and Physician
It is uncommon and perhaps, unpopular, to think of crystals as conduits, or mediums through which something higher is channeled.
Although we associate the placebo effect with negative judgments and snarky conclusions, the placebo effect is a perfect example of the sheer power and remarkable depth of the human mind.
While in the intellectual world of scientists, skeptics and naysayers, the placebo effect may be used as a weapon to declare “We’re right, you’re wrong – logic prevails –naya-nya-nya!” the placebo effect is actually, in my opinion, one of the most proven and revealing phenomenon’s of the power of the human psyche.
Through sheer suggestion, hope and belief we can literally calm ourselves down, invigorate ourselves with strength, stimulate greater mental clarity, open up our hearts to love and forgiveness, and tap into our higher selves. We can heal our bodies of ailments, we can make wise choices and we can even stimulate alternate states of consciousness within ourselves.
Don’t you see? We have SO much power. We have limitless potential. We just don’t realize it.
Or perhaps we don’t want to.
As Melody (same author of the book Love is in the Earth quoted above) goes on to admit:
Although each of us has the infinite power of the universe within the self, we tend to find it easier and are predisposed to accept support from that which is from outside of ourselves.
In this case, crystals.
The funny thing is that somehow – whether through tradition, belief or social conditioning – we find ourselves believing that crystals naturally have more power and potential than us. And while it is natural and healthy to seek help and guidance from things outside of ourselves, many of us tend to get caught up in the glitter and mystical glamour of jewels, gems and crystals, forgetting that the true source of power often comes from within us: from the infinite wisdom of the unconscious mind.
As renowned author Joseph Murphy comments:
Within your subconscious depths lie infinite wisdom, infinite power, and infinite supply of all that is necessary, which is waiting for development and expression.
As respected psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung goes on to famously state:
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
So while healing crystals might potentially have powers of their own, the biggest source of power comes from within us. Don’t forget that!
How to Choose Healing Crystals
For many of us, it is necessary to channel the limitless potential of our unconscious minds into something outside of us – into something palpable. Crystals can provide the perfect mediums for that. On our personal journeys of healing and growth, it can be comforting to carry around or keep in our private spaces reminders of our deep, often untapped power – which we are taught to ignore or deny.
I like to think of the use of crystals as a form of “training wheels” to get us comfortable with our disowned power; with the idea that if we believe something to be so, it is so – for us. If we desire to be something to be so, it is so, and so on.
But how do you choose a crystal that is “right” or “well-fitted” to you? After all, there are hundreds, even thousands of varieties.
Choosing a crystal should not be something done brashly, but is better approached with an open and receptive mindset. Often the very act of choosing a healing crystal reveals a much deeper unmet need within us. Paying attention to the symbolism of the crystal is very important. For instance, if I feel attracted towards tiger’s eye, I might have the underlying need to feel strong, safe and calm, which, unsurprisingly, reveals the exact qualities associated with the stone. Thus my choice and use of tiger’s eye in my daily life is both self-revealing and self-strengthening, as I have both shed light on an unmet need of mine, and have opened a doorway to healing.
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If you would like to choose the perfect healing crystal for you, I would recommend:
- Paying attention to your dreams. Dreams always express our unconscious thoughts, feelings, desires, needs and fears. Look out for keywords, phrases, symbols, or even plain and simple crystals themselves.
- Looking out for coincidences. For instance, has there been a particular crystal that has constantly appeared to you in one form or another throughout your waking life?
- Using the “first impression” method. Whether you would like to buy a crystal online or in a store, one common way of choosing the right stone for you is to close your eyes, relax for a few moments, and then open your eyes and choose the first crystal you see. This is often used by those who don’t have any particular crystal in mind.
- Paying attention to the responses in your body. For instance, does one particular crystal attract you for no logical reason? Do you feel tingling, warmth, buzzing, or a feeling that the crystal is somehow speaking to you with its own special language?
- Quietening your mind and sitting in silence. Meditation is one of the best ways to discover your much-needed answers as it bridges the gap between conscious and unconscious.
***
Crystals are like vessels of our potential, mediums of our wisdom and conduits of our power. Although they may, or may not have powers of their own, it is important to remember that we are the true harbingers of healing, transformation, energy and fortitude.
Once we own and accept this we become our own gems and beacons of beauty.
I’d love to hear your experiences with healing crystals below.
I am a big believer in crystals and minerals for healing. For years, I was drawn to working with rose quartz. I even wore it as jewelry. Recently I have been drawn to the combination of obsidian & tigers eye. I wear it every day, as an Empath I have found it incredibly helpful in not getting lost in other people’s emotions and in my own shadow work. I can definitely feel a difference when I don’t wear my obsidian/tigers eye mala beads.
I am new to this concept. However, I do know that sapphire is my birth stone, and I really like turtles for some reason I’m not sure if it carries any weight. I’d be open to suggestions you have on what I should take in to account when choosing a crystal.
Hi! I still believe stones have powers of their own. I think they carry the wisdom of the earth; have evolved into their present form after enduring harsh conditions underground for millions of years. I also think they are scarce resources and maybe must be devored only for healing purposes. I also feel different things and vibrations when I wear or come intı contact with different stones. I think maybe this is an indication that they have powers of their own. Of course; if we didn’t have powers of our own; we wouldn’t experience their power.
Wishing healing for all…
I have been member/fan of LonerWolf for only a few days, but as I explore the articles, I am amazed at the clarity & personal application in each one. I REALLY love this site & the wonderful 2 authors! http://www.compassionsolutions.com
How delightful to open Lonerwolf to find this perfectly timely piece! I just today gave my collection of crystals their first ever cleansing with an afternoon in the sun, a bath in fresh running water & an evening under the stars.
I have a collection of both purchased and found stones and minerals. I’ve collected them since I was a child and married a fellow “rock collector” who shares my love. In more recent years I’ve sought out stones with specific meaning to aid or amplify traits I felt I was lacking.
In the last few days I found an entire online crystal loving community. I’ve learned about crystal elixirs, how to cleanse and charge my crystal collection and why I should. Then, this afternoon, the little boy I used to babysit in my teen years–who is now (gulp) an adult–announced he was going to start mixing Crystal Elixirs for people and providing readings; how serendipitous he was doing what I had just learned about! And now I come here and see you’ve done a piece on crystals.
I don’t know if crystals hold any special power or if they are a conduit for our unconscious selves, but I find it fascinating they have come up so much in my life recently!
On a side note: I came here today to post on the “Find your spirit animal test” post because today while cleansing my crystals I was staring out the kitchen window into my backyard. While washing my Dalmation Jasper–which is supposed to aid in connecting with your spirit animal guide–I closed my eyes and focused, then opened them and looked into my backyard. I didn’t see any signs of wildlife for several moments, then a large rabbit hopped into view. Let me point out this is a fenced in backyard…for our DOGS…and the doors were all open. The dogs had been in and out all day. Rabbits rarely venture in our backyard, preferring my flowers in the dog-free front yard, and on top of that, I rarely see rabbits hanging around during the day, but often do at night. It made me smile because I had just thought to myself that there was no way I would see a rabbit, but here was a giant one sitting in the middle of my yard.
There seems to be a lot of serendipity going on in your life Alielle (or perhaps, synchronicity). You might have just found a spirit guide. :)
Very well written article Aletheia! As a gemmologist, I have a lot of appreciation for crystals. Such beautiful creations of mother nature; I am always amazed at her creativity. But when you understand the chemical and physical properties of crystals, the science to their structure, and the way they bend light – they really become wonderous! The mathematics behind them is intriguing to say the least!
Do they have powers? I honestly can’t say. The mythology surrounding them is unquestionable, and I have to think where there is smoke, there is fire – but I tend to fall on the skeptical side.
However, I used to know a professor of music at a large university. He told me to hold one up to my forehead during or after meditating (can’t remember which). He didn’t go into details, but told me I would be surprised. Can you believe years later I still haven’t done it!? Hmmm, I wonder why????
Anyway, here is a little tidbit that I have always found mysterious and charming. If you were to look at a quartz crystal with a loupe, and carefully look at the natural facets on the terminating end of the crystal, you will see little “etched” triangles. They are called “trigons” and are part of the crystal structure. It’s like their own little secret to be shared with only those who will look closely enough.
Thank you Marmarmish. What a secret indeed … I’ve never heard of, or seen, the etched triangles that you refer to. Isn’t that strange?
Thanks for divulging!
Textbooks on crystallography would maybe fill a small library and that’s just the science part of it. Add man’s experience and personal relationship with crystals over the millennia and there is another library. To try and understand crystals I had to study Light, sacred geometry and dna/rna. To relegate crystals to the status of placebo seems to rob them of their real substance and meaning. Of course anything can be used as a placebo and a crystal would be a great choice for one with all the myth and mysticism surrounding them. Going inside to heal and advance oneself spiritually is equally a good thing to do.
Crystals are not practice ammunition; they are real ordnance. They are frozen Light, a part of Mother’s physical body, each vibrating at its own special frequency and attractive to us as to our own personal frequency and inner yearnings for healing according to our needs. They hold energy, move energy, receive, store and transmit data. They are unit computers in and of themselves, each having its own particular aspect of the Goddess’ personality.
I see that you are a strong believer in crystals Ned, and that is fine. I simply try to provide a balanced perspective in this article regarding crystals. In other words, they could have powers of their own, but they could also serve as mediums or mirrors for the unconscious mind. Whatever they are, in my perspective they’re necessary, but limited elements of our journeys.
Well, there is a growing trend about crystals in my country. It’s phenomenal, it’s booming throughout all the cities and towns. In fact, fascination towards crystals (people in my country call it Batu Akik) has always been carried out for long long time, but recently it’s getting more and more popular and I don’t know why. The crystals are believed to have powers, or specific powers for each kind just like you mentioned. Some also believe that there are certain spirits who “live” inside the stones and they give powers to them. But in my opinion, what people in my country believe and do with the crystals are basically work like spiritual bypassing. Only a few of them understand about the nature of the crystals. They mostly use them to improve their personalities, to make anything that they do comes a lot easier, to influence people, to gain power over things, etc, or at least that’s how they believe it to be. Some people also use for healing, but here’s a slight difference, they believe that it’s the crystal gives power to the owner to heal, so the healing comes from the owner not the crystal. But I also find a few people who admit to be healed or their health have been improved by wearing certain types of crystals as jewellery.
It’s interesting how crystals appeal to people across all types of cultures isn’t it? They seem to be universally adored, and it’s easy to see why. And you make an interesting point about spiritual bypassing, namely that crystals are used to avoid problems, or to patch them up, rather than going to the root cause. I think this is spot on. Crystals are indeed used for bypassing problems, which is why I really think it’s important to become aware of this, especially while using crystals for things like “healing” and so forth. When you rely on anything outside of yourself as a crutch, you are bound to suffer.
Thanks for the thoughts Ika!
I don’t know much about crystals myself. I’ve never thought much of the meaning of crystals. For me they’ve always just been really beautiful stones but you make a very good point on recognising when you’re drawn to a stone and that it’s meaning may correlate with a particular personal need at that time. That’s fascinating and makes me very interested in crystal meanings. I will keep that in mind in future.
Often in life, I find myself drawn to amethyst, rose quartz and moonstone. I still have an amethyst pendent I bought back in my early teens and I went through high school carrying it in an inside blazer pocket, and I would reach in an squeeze it every now and then, sort of like a little good luck charm at that time.
I have learnt that all 3 stones, beside their own qualities, help to restore inner balance.
I read in a comment not so long ago that amethyst tends to be the first crystal a lot of ‘newbies’ go for because of it’s ‘ awareness’ properties. As they open themselves up to the idea of crystals, they are naturally to drawn to it.
Well Wishes =)
It’s fascinating how the crystal we are drawn to reflects something deeper within us. It’s strange isn’t it, that amethyst is the first crystal newbies are drawn to (I was, but then my favorite color is purple!). Maybe this is a new avenue to explore. :)