originally published February 2, 2008, updated
This is the first in a series of articles about the healing and
metaphysical properties about crystals and stones. I am, by no means, an expert on
this, but have increasingly found myself interested in all the rocks and
gems and natural elements that I have collected throughout my lifetime.
I have done some online research about gemstones and healing properties. I
currently am studying to become a Crystal Healer, and recently have
become interested in Reiki. I just want to take some time to share some
of what interests me, and perhaps open up a world of possibilities to
those that might not have any inclination or clue to what might be out
there to add to and improve life as we know it.
Energy
healing, which encompasses all kinds of modalities, crystal healing
included, has been used for thousands of years, if not more. The Eastern
traditions of yoga and Tai Chi, and the Hindu and Buddhist religions,
all make reference to energy healing. Theories abound about Atlantis,
(do you remember Edgar Cayce’s accounts?) where crystals were used for
everything from meditation, healing, generators, transferring energy and
weather control. Historically, Native Americans, especially Cherokee,
have used gemstones and crystals in their everyday life for guidance and
decoration, placing crystals around the home, wearing them under
clothing, decorating their ceremonial garb, consulting them for what
needs to be done with the day.
The basic tenet here is that all things on earth, and in the universe, possess energy of some form, a life force, or
prana.
The idea of energy medicine and energy healing is that the human body
is made up of energy fields and pathways, which help maintain health
through balance. If energy is out of balance or blocked, then illness
occurs. There are frameworks and systems to understand and deal with
this energy around and through us, in particular, Reiki, auras, and the
Chakras. Literature and online research can produce all kinds of
information about these subjects.
One wonderful online resource for information about Reiki and energy systems describes how
auras, which are energy fields surrounding the entire physical world, connect with the
chakras
on the human body, providing energy to the chakras. The chakras are
considered the energy processors for the body. The body has seven main
chakras, with each chakra providing energy to one particular gland in
the human body. Each gland then controls specific organs. The chakras
also influence specific emotional and psychological functions or aspects
of the person. Blocks in the aura, the chakras or the pathways (called
nadis)
have direct effects on mental, spiritual and physical health. Color
therapy, crystal therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, music therapy,
light therapy, aura cleansing, massage therapy—all of these current-day
modalities use this basic tenet of balance/imbalance of energy in the
body for healing and health.
How can crystals and gemstones be used? Crystals and stones can be
used to aid in blocks with the auras, chakras and the nadis to balance
these energy fields and meridians. In basic terms, each chakra has a
corresponding color, and the colors of the crystals and gemstones can be
matched to the color of a specific chakra to help achieve balance and
promote healing. As an example, my ex-husband, who had heart disease,
carried a smooth, tumbled, green aventurine stone in his pocket. The
Heart Chakra, which is green, controls the thymus gland, which regulates
the heart, circulation and lower lungs. During a particular health
incident, he went into congestive heart failure and went to the
emergency room for treatment. Upon returning home that day, he
discovered that his tumbled green aventurine stone had cracked on one
side, and a chip had come out of the other side. He believed that the
stone took the negative energy away enough so that he did not have a
heart attack.
Crystals
and gemstones may be held in the hands, carried on our persons
as healing jewelry or adornment, placed in a pouch, amulet or pocket. They can be
used with Reiki healing, with meditation, with massage, with any
formalized spiritual or religious ceremony, for any religion, or with no
religious intent at all. Crystals can also be used in the environment
around us, where we live,
to alter the energy of our homes, for
instance. There are many ways that crystals and gemstones can be used,
but the important thing to know is that there is no right or wrong way
to use them!
How do you know which healing crystal or healing gemstone to use? As above, you can
match the colors to the Chakras, depending on your research about which
Chakra controls what. Many sources say that instead of you picking the
crystal or gemstone, it picks you. You may be wandering through a bead
store to find components for a project and some amethyst bear charms
catch your eye. You’ve just been picked! What seems like a random
process may be energy forces at work around you, trying to balance
things out. There are many books and online resources to help you
discover different ways of choosing and using crystals and gemstones.
eHow.com has a webpage called
“How to Use Native American Crystal Healing”
which describes the importance of prayer, meditation and exercise to
develop focus and strength, which helps in “communicating” with and
choosing the right crystals. Again, doing your own research on this
subject will help you discover the best way for you.
 |
| Rainbow Fluorite Pendant |
Each
crystal or gem has its own vibrational force and energy quality. Again,
meditation is important for coming in tune with the energies around us
and within us. Including crystals and gemstones with our meditation, we
can get to know the crystal or gemstone at hand. Meditation does not need to be a complicated procedure, and could be as simple as taking three deep, cleansing breaths. With this subjective
knowledge about a particular crystal, and the knowledge from thousands
of years before us, certain patterns have become clear. The metaphysical
properties of each particular set of crystals have become somewhat
predictable. Using research to discover these properties and patterns
can also help you in choosing the right crystal for yourself or someone
else.
So, I hope I have given you here a very, general overview about the
theories and history behind the use of crystals and gemstones for their
healing powers. In my spiritual searching, I have come across many
things that I have dismissed for one reason or another. I personally
keep coming back to gemstones and crystals. It is one of the reasons for
my fascination with beads and jewelry-making, and healing jewelry.
In my next article I will talk about the different ways to cleanse
and purify crystals, because they can pick up and store negative
energies. I also plan on incorporating ideas of color therapy, or chromotherapy, with chakra healing, starting at the base chakra.
Best Wishes!
~~Mama Trep
www.intrepidsoulmate.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/MamaTrepsDesigns/
www.pinterest.com/MamaTrep/
