A Quick Guide to Using Healing Crystals and Gemstones

Crystal healing has been popular in many cultures around the world throughout history, and remains so today. The power of healing crystals and gemstones is a fascinating one, and remains to be fully explained. However, there's nothing to stop you from trying crystals for yourself, and experiencing their effects firsthand. Let's take a brief look at what's involved with using crystals for healing and other life-improvement purposes.

What Is Crystal Healing?

The use of crystals for healing is based on the concept of the body as an energetic system. Blockages can occur in the system, ultimately leading to physical disease or other problems. Crystals have their own characteristic energies, which may be used to help dissolve blockages in the energy body, or to enhance its functioning.

In particular, crystals are often used in conjunction with the chakra system. Chakras are energy vortices that are found in many places in the subtle body, although most healers focus on the seven main primary chakras, which are located in a rough line between the crown of the head and the base of the spine. Chakra imbalances can lead to physical and psychological problems, and crystals may be used to help 'tune' the chakras and restore them to normal functioning.

How Is It Done?

It is common to place crystals directly on the affected areas of the body during a healing session. In the case of using crystals for chakra work, they're normally placed in the area of the chakra(s) in question. A healer might also use tools such as a crystal wand to direct the energy in a more specific way, or use a crystal pendulum to gain more information about the location of energy blockages or other issues.

Some people also like to wear crystal jewellery, or carry small stones (such as tumblestones or thumbstones) around with them, to benefit from the stone's properties throughout the day.

When using healing stones and crystals regularly, it's necessary to cleanse and recharge the stones. This can be accomplished by holding them under running water for a bit, then placing them in a sunny spot.

Which Stones Are Best?

Different gemstones have different properties, and so particular stones may be suited to specific purposes. Rose quartz for example, has a very soothing, calming energy, which makes it good for dealing with emotional upsets, whereas carnelian is especially prized for dealing with issues in the lower abdomen (such as digestive or reproductive problems).

Clear quartz (rock crystal) on the other hand, is considered the 'universal healer', as this powerful stone can be useful in a wide range of circumstances.

If you're interested in crystal work, there are many good guides available that provide detailed lists of the properties of various stones - 'The Crystal Healing Bible' by Judy Hall is a good place to start.

Does Crystal Healing Really Work?

Many people have had good results from the use of crystals, which is why it continues to be a very popular branch of complementary medicine. Mainstream science is less convinced, and attributes many of the successes to the placebo effect or wishful thinking on the part of the patient. As with other 'alternative' pursuits where controversy exists, it's usually worth experimenting for yourself and coming to your own conclusions, rather than simply taking the word of others, as biases exist on both sides.

If you have a physical or mental issue and are hoping that crystals can help, your best course of action is to visit a reputable crystal healer for advice, but to continue with whatever course of treatment your doctor has prescribed in the meantime.