Why and How I use Crystals and Minerals

There has been a steady rise in the popularity and use of crystals, minerals and stones for the last few decades, with good reason! I’ve been drawn to them since I was a kid, with my huge box of “pretty rocks” I’d collected from various places we’d visit. But they’re so much more than just something pretty to look at. Let’s take a look at some history, science and ways to use them.

History of the Use of Crystals:

Crystals, minerals and stones have a long history of use in nearly all cultures and civilizations, dating back thousands of years to ancient Atlantis and Lemuria. Crystals have been traditionally used in rituals and for healing and protection. Atlantis is thought to have been a highly advanced society and crystals were a very important part of their culture and technologies. In ancient China jade was nearly priceless and was a symbol of status, spirituality and health. Ancient Romans wore crystal amulets for protection in battle, to attract luck and good health. Interestingly, similar crystals were used for similar purposes throughout the globe and in every culture, although there was no contact between the societies that used them.  

In Europe in the early 1600’s during the times of witch hunts and superstitions, people became fearful of crystals and associated it with dark magic so their popularity diminished, although Aboriginal cultures and others continued to use them in healing and rituals. The New Age movement in the 1970s and ‘80s spurred a renewed interest in crystals and their healing and metaphysical uses. Advances in science and a growing desire for alternative therapies prompted additional research and interest. Although there are still many skeptics, the popularity of crystals is still rapidly climbing.

A Little Science about Frequency:

Crystals and stones are part of the mineral kingdom. Each type of crystal has specific and very precise molecular structure, vibrational frequencies and properties.

Quantum physics has proven that everything in the Universe is made up of energy that vibrates at different frequencies. The frequency of the Earth is around 7.83 Hz, called the Schumann resonance, but there have been a growing number of spikes and fluctuations that can greatly increase those frequencies. Science is beginning to understand how affected we are by these frequencies, and for many of us these spikes and fluctuations create a dissonance, or disharmony, with our own frequencies.

In fact, there is a direct correlation to the shifts in our planet’s geomagnetic activity and solar flares with all kinds of physical, mental and emotional issues. These frequencies are thought to impact our consciousness, brain, cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems.

Crystals have a very precise atomic structure and geometric molecular patterns, which makes them extremely stable and gives them high amplitudes of frequency. Did you know that there are similarities of the structure of crystals and our own DNA? Although we do have some crystalline structure, we are not nearly as geometrically perfect as crystals.

Using Crystals to Balance Chakras:

Chakras are energy centers in our body. There are seven main chakras and many minor ones throughout our body. Each of the seven main chakras is associated with a certain vibrational frequency, which has a symbol, element, color and sound frequency. They govern specific organs and systems in the body and have specific emotional connections.

As humans, we are very susceptible to lower vibrational energy around us that can create a dissonance in our own energy. Stress, emotional baggage, negativity, junk food and much more can cause our chakras to get out of balance, which not only cause us to feel out of sorts but can eventually cause physical pain and illness.

In physics, there is a universal, firmly established and well researched principle of entrainment that states that energy of a higher amplitude or frequency dominates and influences a similar but lower frequency, which moves it into resonance with the higher one. We actually entrain to energy frequencies and rhythms around us all the time. From light and sound waves to every cell in our body, these resonating particles communicate and influence each other. Entrainment affects every part of the natural world as a way to conserve energy. It’s easier for systems to work in harmony (resonance) than in opposition (dissonance).

Because of the perfect molecular structure and stability of crystals and minerals, they carry a much higher vibrational frequency than we do that influences and dominates the similar but lower frequency of our chakras, bringing them into resonance and balance.  

So let’s say I have a chakra out of balance. For me, my throat chakra tends to get a little sluggish at times (self-expression, using my voice, being heard. Yep, that’s been a recurring pattern for me since I was a youngster). The throat chakra is blue, so I would use a blue stone or crystal to balance it because it has a similar frequency: blue kyanite, blue apatite, celestite, amazonite, etc. And of course, the perfect placement for it is at the throat. Blue is not necessarily my favorite color, nor do I wear it often, but I tend to be drawn to blue crystal pendants that I wear as a necklace near my throat.

There are lots of ways to use crystals. I wear them in jewelry, carry some in my purse, pocket and in my car, I add them to my bath and around the tub (some should not be submerged in water), and have them strategically placed around my house. I use them during my daily meditation and during Reiki sessions with my clients. Using crystals with Reiki amplifies the effects of both as the Reiki energy passes through the crystals and into the recipient. In addition to being a certified Usui Reiki Master, I’ve also been trained and attuned to Crystal Reiki.

BioMat: Loaded with crystal goodness!

I also use a BioMat with my Reiki sessions which have additional therapeutic properties. The BioMat is an FDA licensed medical device that combines state of the art far-infrared rays and negative ion technology. It serves as a warmer for my body table and is filled with crushed amethysts, about 28 lbs. worth! Talk about feeling some good vibes!! But it doesn’t stop there.

As the heat passes through the crystals it creates far infra-red rays that penetrate deep into the tissues. Far infra-red has incredible detoxifying and pain relieving ability, reduces inflammation, increases circulation and has other health benefits. And the crystals, especially when heated, put out an incredible amount of negative ions which act as nature’s air purifiers. It helps offset all the positive ions we’re constantly bombarded with in today’s world of electronics and high EMF exposure that’s so damaging to us in so many ways!  It helps our energy feel more balanced and grounded, improves sleep and overall health.

The BioMat is an FDA licensed medical device that combines state of the art far-infrared rays and negative ion technology.

Choosing Crystals for Healing:

A good rule of thumb when choosing crystals for healing is to use a similar color of the chakra you want to balance. Chakras entrain with the frequency of its color. There are exceptions to this as there are a lot of additional properties to crystals that can help with other things. There are several great books out there that go into the attributes, physical and emotional healing properties and positions to place or wear them. And I always suggest using your intuition and experimenting. Use them, meditate with them and see how it feels. I’m often drawn to the ones that I later realize was exactly what I needed.

Here is a way to get started choosing crystals that are right for you. Hold the intention in mind for choosing the perfect ones for your healing. If choosing crystals for someone else, hold the intention for them instead. Create some friction by rubbing your hands together to get the energy moving. Hover your hands over the crystals, one by one, and see if you can feel a very subtle difference in the way the energy feels, maybe a little more vibrant or a slight tingly sensation in your hands. Sometimes it feels like a gentle pushing against your hands, or it could be just a gut feeling or the ones you’re most drawn to. Now hold it in your hand close to your body and see if you notice any body sensations. No worries if you can’t tell a difference. It takes practice to tune into the subtleties of energy. Just go with your first instinct.

When I walk into a shop with lots of crystals I sometimes get a little spacey and it can feel a bit overwhelming if I’m there too long, sometimes even getting a slight headache. But it took me a few years to figure out that it was because these little beauties are loaded with energy! Some people are more sensitive to energy than others. It’s subtle and often we don’t tune into our bodies enough to be aware of it. Or we feel something but don’t recognize it for what it is.  

Final Thought:

Although crystals have a very stable energy, they’re still susceptible to absorbing negative vibes that can interfere with their natural high frequencies. You should always clear your crystals when you first receive it. If you use them for healing or if other people are handling them it’s a good idea to clear them frequently. You can read my post here how to clear, charge, program and care for your crystals.