Wellbeing

Crystal Healing: Good vibrations to cleanse your life

Want to get the low down on crystal healing? Follow Judy Hall’s step-by-step guide to choosing, cleansing and activating your precious stones

Want to get the low down on crystal healing? Follow Judy Hall’s step-by-step guide to choosing, cleansing and activating your precious stones.
Most people think of sparkling gemstones when they hear the word ‘crystal’, but strictly speaking, a crystal is defined as having an orderly, indefinable repeating lattice or internal structure. For the purposes of crystal healing, all kinds of stones – including flint, meteorites and solidified resins such as amber – are referred to as crystals, regardless of whether they are gemstones, semi-precious stones, pieces of rock or amorphous substances.

Good vibrations

You may be wondering how crystals work, and the blunt answer to this question is that no one knows exactly! People talk about colour resonances between crystals and the chakras, about the effects of light and energy on our bodies and the fact that our bodies contain a huge volume of water through which vibrations can pass. But quite sure why they work as they do is something that we may have to leave to quantum science to explain – which suggests that waves and particles are the same and can be in two places at once. What we do know, however, is that although they may look calm on the outside, internally crystals form a seething mass of energy as their tiny particles vibrate around atomic cores. Whatever else crystals do, they most certainly emit and absorb energies and this energy can be measured – and experienced.

Crystal selection

There are three main ways to choose a crystal: rationally, intuitively and by dowsing. All three selection methods work with any crystal. Crystal energy is subtle but once you are attuned to it and focused, you will quickly be able to recognise the right crystal for you:

1. The dowsing method

Finger dowsing is an excellent way to choose a crystal. It works by harnessing your body’s unique and innate ability to tell you what is good for you and what is not.
Begin by looping your thumb and finger together. (Use whichever hand instinctively feels right to you.)
Slip your other thumb and finger through the loop and close them. Hold the loop over a crystal and ask if this one is beneficial for you.
Pull steadily. If the loop breaks, the answer is no. If the loop holds, the answer is yes.

2. The intuitive way

Allowing a crystal to ‘speak’ to you involves opening your inner eyes and ears and seeking with your heart rather than your head to find out which crystal would like to be worked with. You can do this at home using your own collection or whenever you’re in a crystal shop. First, relax and quieten your mind, then choose the crystal that your eyes first alight on, the one that seems to stick to your fingers or the one you suddenly realise you’ve been carrying around the shop. When you connect with the crystal’s vibration you may feel your energy jump or tingle – like getting an electric shock – or slow and deepen. It may pulse in your hand or you may actually hear the crystal’s note.

3. The rational approach

The rational way to choose a crystal is to look up the property you are seeking, then go into a shop or online and buy the appropriate crystal. However, once you have bought a range of crystals you still need to choose exactly which one to work with on any occasion. To do this it is useful to open your intuition and listen for the crystal that is calling you, or you could try dowsing.

Cleansing crystals

You can cleanse and recharge most crystals by holding them under running water for a few minutes and then placing them in the sun for a few hours. Natural water, such as a stream or the sea, is best (put small crystals in a bag to prevent them from being washed away)although you can use tap water.If there is no sun available, visualise bright white light radiating down onto the crystals. It is best to cleanse fragile, layered or friable crystals by placing them in brown rice overnight. They can also be laid on a large quartz cluster or a carnelian. White stones enjoy recharging in moonlight. Always cleanse your crystals before and after you use them for healing.

Tuning in

Many people ask why crystals don’t work for them and why they feel dragged down rather than uplifted when they handle a crystal. Frequently this is because the crystal hasn’t yet been asked to work or been attuned to the user’s unique energy frequency. An even more likely answer is that it hasn’t been cleansed before use. Crystals pick up vibrations from everyone who handles them, and they also absorb negative energies. So, if you don’t cleanse your crystals you’ll pick up bad vibes and won’t feel any of the benefits that a purified crystal can bring you.

Storing crystals

A cloth bag is a good place to store tumbled stones, but more delicate stones can be kept wrapped in a cloth or displayed on a shelf. Be aware that crystals that are worn or kept in your environment absorb negative energies and need regular cleansing.

Activating crystals

Close your eyes and concentrate on the crystals. See them surrounded by bright white light. Ask that they be attuned to your own unique frequency and that they be activated to act for your highest good. Ask for the crystals to be blessed by the highest energies in the universe and for them to be dedicated to your own self-healing and the healing of the environment around you.

Extracted from The Crystal Experience by Judy Hall (£12.99, Godsfield).

Take your pick: Crystal healer Andie Hudson lists her favourite crystals

Amethyst The purple power stone of the earth, amethyst allows us to relax our minds, enabling us to meditate at a deep level. It protects us from others’ thought forms and any negative energies that could intrude on our own private space.
Amber Amber has important healing properties and is a stone of purification. Amber cleanses the mind, body and spirit as well as the aura and one’s environment. It helps to combat disease, healing and renewing the nervous system.
Rose quartz The gentle, pink translucent form of quartz, this is an important stone for the heart chakra, and for giving and receiving love, which is most important when we work with others. It helps to dissolve all burdens and traumas.
Smokey quartz This stone, which is the colour of frozen smoke, is an excellent grounding device which is often used at the end of a healing session. It helps to relieve stress and anxiety, disperses fear and lifts depression and negativity, encouraging positive thoughts and actions.
Sugilite This is an important crystal for sensitive souls who feel out of kilter with their surroundings. It allows people to value their lives and it gives a nurturing energy that helps us to confront unpleasant situations and fears. It also has the power to enhance the intuition andencourage the development of psychic abilities.
Clear quartz This is known as the master healer and can be used to stabilise any chakra and to bring clarity to meditation and dreams. It increases our energy fields because of its powerful vibrational ability. Clear quartz is particularly beneficial in healing headaches and drawing out pain from other parts of the body. Andie Hudson teaches courses in crystal healing at The College of Psychic Studies. She can be contacted through her website: andieatthecrystalcave.com or by calling 07939 587 328.

More info

If this has sparked your interest then why not try one of these resources to find out more about crystal healing?

KSC Crystals sells crystals for healing, including over 250 tumbled stones and several rare and high vibrational crystals. They also stock books by crystal experts such as Judy Hall and Simon Lilly. Call 01625 250 345 or visit ksccrystals.com
The Rose School, based in Northamptonshire, offers crystal therapy diploma courses, higher dimensional healing courses plus crystal energy release therapy. Call 01536 330 259 or visit crystaltherapycourses.com
Another way of harnessing crystal power of is through vibrational essences, which contain the energy blueprint of aparticular crystal or mineral. For details call 01379 642 374 or visit crystalherbs.com