how to work with crystals
What are crystals?
Crystals are minerals or combinations of minerals that carry a specific energy. Because everything is energy, crystals can help align you to the specific vibration that they hold. In combination with your belief and mindset, they can help you to manifest your desires into your life. Each crystal has specific energies and metaphysical properties, so if you're looking to manifest with them or use them for healing it is important to choose one with the properties that match your desires.
What is manifestation and how does it work?
Manifestation is the act of bringing your desires into your reality. We are constantly manifesting without even knowing it. You don't have to do anything to manifest, you just always are. However, our mind is typically on auto pilot and just bringing about more of the same. We use past events to assume what the future will be like. Our assumptions and beliefs create the reality we experience. We can use this naturally occurring process to intentionally manifest and create things we actually want to happen.
Crystals are an amazing tool for manifestation because they naturally carry such a high vibration and being around them can align us to that frequency, therefore aligning us to what we want to experience.
Selecting a crystal
When shopping for crystals, you can look specifically for crystals that align to your intentions and goals. A quick Google search of crystals and their properties will show you a variety of crystals that can meet your needs. You can also choose crystals just by browsing and seeing what speaks to you! You may not know what you're looking for or what you need right now, and just allow the crystal to pick you.
If you have a very specific desire, you can take your manifestation a step farther and choose a crystal in a shape that can help boost your intention. Every shape has a different meaning and purpose. For example, a heart shaped crystal would be excellent for love.
How to work with your crystal:
Now that you've chosen crystals to match your intention, how do you actually incorporate them into your life? There are so many ways to use crystals! There is no right or wrong way to use crystals (as long as it's safe!). Even if you are a beginner, you can choose any crystal to work with. In my belief, there is no such thing as a beginner crystals and advanced crystals. So don't feel limited to just the basics to start out with, go with whatever you feel called to. It is okay to even buy crystals because you like the way they look, with no intention to use them for their metaphysical properties. You do not need to utilize every method to see results with your crystals, so choose which methods resonate with you the most.
Step 1. Cleanse your crystal
Cleansing your new crystal is always a good idea! Crystals hold and store energy, so they may have picked up energies along their way to you that you do not want to align yourself with. However, if you feel extremely drawn to a crystal you've purchased, you might want to hold off on cleansing it because its current energy may be speaking to you. Cleanse your crystals whenever you feel called to, especially after working with them for extended periods of time and when you can tell they are working hard for you!
You can cleanse your crystals in many ways, my personal favorite is using selenite because it is simple, accessible, and works for every single crystal. Selenite (or satin spar) has the ability to cleanse energy, so just placing another crystal on top of it will reset its energy. Selenite conveniently can be found in charging plate form, which is perfect for this purpose.
Another common way to cleanse crystals is by smoke cleansing. You can use herbs with cleansing properties or incense. Simply running the crystal through the smoke will cleanse it, and this technique also works for any crystal! You can also place the crystals in a bowl of herbs without burning them, if the herbs have cleansing properties.
Crystals can also be cleansed with water or salt, but be careful with these methods because they won't work for every crystal. It is important to research each specific crystal to see if it's water or salt safe. Metals can be dangerous when exposed to water, and many crystals can be damaged if exposed to water for extended periods of time. Similarly, crystals can be cleansed by being buried in the earth or put in nature. Many people worry about putting their crystals outside in the sun because some crystals can fade when exposed to sunlight. Examples of crystals that can fade in the sun are amethyst, rose quartz and fluorite. Personally, I haven't had any crystals fade in the sun and I really enjoy bringing my crystals into nature. Most crystals would have to be left outside for a significant amount of time before being affected.
The last method to cleanse your crystals is by sound. You can play healing music/binaural beats around your crystals which is a great way to bring positive energy and intention into your entire space.
It is especially important to cleanse your crystals regularly if you are bringing them out in the world with you, or using them for protection. Protection crystals can absorb a ton of energy while doing their work, and need to be cleansed often.
Step 2. Set the intention/ charge
A very important step in using crystals for healing purposes is setting the intention. You have to tell the crystal what you want it to do so it can get to work! Each crystal has a variety of things it can help you with, so you have to be specific and set the intention for what you want to bring into your life. Speaking your intentions out loud is a powerful way to announce to the universe what you are trying to manifest, but just thinking your intention while holding your crystal will do the trick as well. When setting intentions, it is important to be in a good headspace and truly believe in what you are doing.
Charging crystals is the same as cleansing them. Charging your crystals is all about resetting their energy and restoring it after using them. Charging your crystals will give them a boost in their powers and clear away any old energy that they've accumulated.
The most common way to charge up your crystals is to leave them out under a full moon. Full moons have very powerful energy that can energize your stones. But be careful, not every full moon has the most optimal energy that you want to be infusing into your crystals! For example, eclipse energy is not optimal for charging crystals. This energy can be chaotic and unpredictable, and that is not the energy you want in your crystals. Other astrological events can also cause chaotic energy, so be sure to look up the specific full moon date to be sure it is a good one to leave your crystals out during.
Wearing crystal jewelry
Wearing crystal jewelry is a great way to carry good energy with you throughout your day. When it comes to bracelets, the left hand is the receiving hand and the right is the giving hand, so place your bracelets accordingly. Jewelry may need to be cleansed more often than other crystals because you are taking them out into the world with you, where they can accumulate energy within them very quickly.
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Keeping them under your pillow
Right before bed and during sleep is a fantastic time for manifesting! Set your intentions or practice manifestation techniques right before falling asleep to let the universe work its magic all night. Be sure to pay attention to your dreams when you wake up, you may have received messages. Keeping a dream journal is a great idea for keeping track of messages you have received, and what kind of dreams you experience with different types of crystals.
Meditation
There are many different ways to meditate, so you may need to experiment with what works best for you and your needs. If you are manifesting a specific thing, you can try a guided meditation with your crystals. You may prefer silent meditation or listening to healing music. Do whatever feels right to you, and place your crystals on or around you as you feel called to do so. If you aren't sure where to start, crystals such as clear quartz, amethyst, labradorite, smoky quartz, selenite, and rose quartz are always great meditation partners.
Crystal grids
Crystal grids are the intentional arrangement of crystals to produce a very specific energy. The types of crystals and arrangement of them can create different energies that can align you to your desires. Crystal grids are a beautiful way to display your crystals as well! More about crystal grids coming soon :)
Carrying it in your pocket
Tumbles and worry stones are the perfect kind of crystals to keep in your pocket or purse throughout the day. Worry stones are intentionally created to be held when you feel like you need a boost of good energy. These stones are perfect because they are so small, so you can easily carry an assortment of them with you at all times.
Photos & vision board
Placing crystals next to a photo or your vision board is a great way to boost your manifestations. Having photos of your desires that you look at frequently is a powerful way to remind yourself of your goals and continuously contribute energy to your desires. Intentionally placing crystals that match these intentions just boosts this energy even further.
Place around the house
Placing crystals intentionally in your home (or even your car or office!) can really raise the vibration in your space. Some of my favorite crystals to keep as statement pieces in my home are black tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, and selenite. Keeping crystals by your door, by your bed, and in the corners of your home is great for protecting your energy.
Affirmations & scripting
Using affirmations while holding and working with your crystals is such a powerful way to align yourself with what you desire! Affirmations are statements, typically in present tense (I am, I have, etc.), that inspire you and positively affect your subconscious mind and mindset. When you are stating and repeating something as if it is true, you are telling your mind that it is your reality. Using present tense for your affirmations puts you in the mindset of already living your dreams, which is optimal for manifesting your desired reality. For example, holding a citrine crystal while stating "I am successful, I am wealthy, I am financially free". These statement really boost your intention and bring you closer to your desires. Scripting is the process of writing affirmations or writing about a specific desire as if it is currently happening. Scripting is so powerful for manifestation because it really draws you into your desired reality and activates your imagination. Scripting can allow you to really visualize your desires, which speeds up manifestations. When you add crystals to this mix, it can be really powerful!
Crystal water & crystal smoking pipes?
You may see products such as crystal water bottles and crystal smoking pipes and be tempted to buy them, but these are absolutely not safe! While some crystals may be water safe, there are chemicals involved in the polishing process, mineral inclusions, and just tons of germs that you don't want to drink! You never want to consume anything that has had crystals soaking in it, even supposedly water safe crystals. However, water bottles that hold the crystals separate from the water inside are safe to use. Crystal pipes are NEVER safe to use. Using these can cause you to inhale chemicals and crystal particles that can be extremely dangerous.
A safe way to infuse your water with crystal energy is to simply place the crystals around a glass of water and intend for the energy to infuse into the water. Holding a glass of water and speaking affirmations or intentions into it is a very powerful way to bring that energy into yourself, without having to consume dangerous particles and chemicals.
Altars & spellwork
Displaying crystals in your sacred spaces and using them in spellwork is a powerful way to utilize their energy! Since I do not use these practices personally, I won't go into much detail about how to use crystals in spells but there is tons of amazing information out there from experienced practicing witches!
Why isn't my crystal "working"?
A question I see often regarding crystals is "why hasn't my crystal worked?" While crystals can be amazing tools to help you manifest and change your life, you will still have to do some work. There can be many reasons why you aren't seeing any progress when working with your crystals. Manifestation can be as easy as putting a crystal on your shelf and it does all the work, but most of the time there is much more to manifestation than that.
Make sure you have selected the proper crystals that align with your desires. Make sure you state a clear intention for what you want to bring into your life. Make sure your crystal is cleansed. Manifestation works through your belief and expectation that the thing you want can be yours. If you don't truly believe in what you are doing, you are going to have a difficult time seeing any movement. If you don't truly believe that crystals can help you, you will not be receiving their full healing potential. Be sure to identify any limiting beliefs or doubts you have regarding your desires. Do you believe you can really achieve what you want? Do you believe you deserve what you want? Even if you are doing all the manifestation work and using your crystals in every way possible, these limiting beliefs in the back of your mind could be causing you resistance.
The thoughts you think throughout the day are extremely important in changing your life. Make sure your thoughts are aligning with what you want your life to be like!
You also may not be seeing progress because you are actually doing too much! You do not need to incorporate every crystal healing method every single day. Practice these methods as you feel called to. If you are constantly obsessing over your desires and constantly doing manifestation techniques, this puts out a vibration of lack and desperation which is not aligned with your desire. Have fun with manifesting and working with crystals. Once you use your crystals, trust the process and know that everything is unfolding for you. You have put out your intention, now it is time to receive! Focus on living your best life in the meantime and live as if your desires have already unfolded.
More about manifestation coming soon! :)
Mixing & matching crystals
Another common belief I see when it comes to crystals is that there is a right and wrong way to use crystals. For example, some will say that certain crystals can not be placed next to each other. When it comes to spirituality and crystal work, it is extremely personal. Do whatever you feel called to and what feels right for you. Nothing bad will happen to you if you place crystals with differing energies next to each other! There is no "wrong" combination of crystals. However, if two crystals have extremely opposing energies, they may not be the most powerful when placed together. For example, orange calcite and blue lace agate. Orange calcite is energizing, whereas blue lace agate is calming. If you use these two together, you just might not be receiving their healing energies to the fullest potential. But who knows, if you feel drawn to a strange combination of crystals, it might just be the perfect combination for you! There is no harm in experimenting and trying things out to see what works.
