The Sparkling World of Crystals

Remember the childhood joy you felt when you spied a unique stone half-buried in some dirt? Digging it out and holding it up to the sunlight while admiring its beauty? Filling your pockets with random pebbles and rocks? Um, well some of us never outgrew that.

While I still love finding an interesting rock on the beach shore, there is nothing like an authentic crystal. Am I a scientist, geologist, or crystallographer? Nope. Can I explain formations and molecular compositions? Also nope. But I can appreciate a good crystal when I feel one.

If you’re looking for scientific jargon, I’m not that person. I don’t get twisted up in terminology and deep explanations. If you want to call them crystals, rocks, gems, or precious stones, I won’t be offended nor feel the need to correct you. I respect and enjoy interacting with these powerful healing tools and I hope you will too.

But let’s just take a quick look at the science. The definition of a crystal is any solid material in which the component atoms are arranged in a definite pattern and whose surface regularity reflects its internal symmetry. Atom patterns repeat in symmetrical formation to create identifiable crystals. Ugh, what is that? I thought it was just a pretty bit of rock!

A little more science? Beneath the crust of the Earth is something called the mantle. The mantle is composed of magma also known as lava. This molten rock contains minerals. When magma and the Earth’s crust interact, additional elements get melted into the magma. All the shifting and activity of the crust and mantle creates nooks and crannies under the crust. These crevices provide lovely pockets for pooling magma to gather, cool, and crystallize.

Crystallization is a lengthy process with plenty of interruptions, temperature changes, and water variations. All of these things influence how a crystal grows. A crystal’s growth can stall, become dormant, and then burst into growth again based on the circumstances in its environment.

One thing that often happens involves cracks in the Earth’s crust. These cracks allow other minerals to fall onto growing crystals. Inclusions for example, occur when cavities open and minerals fall onto a growing crystal and begin to grow on the original crystal. For some reason, the original crystal also begins to grow and swallows up the second growth. This creates a crystal within a crystal. Other things may impact crystals as they grow, but enough of that science for now. Let’s get back to why we want to work with crystals.

We know that everything is composed of varying frequencies and vibrations of energy. Generally speaking, higher frequency/vibration equals greater healing potential. Crystals created by extreme pressure within the Earth, are stable high vibrational energy. This is important because energy influences other energy. Lower vibrational energy is typically drawn to and then synchronized with higher vibrational energy. Sounds, like an easy way to raise a vibration, doesn’t it?

But a crystal does more than just raise the vibration of lower energy. It acts somewhat like a filter. As a crystal draws in energy, it filters it through its own energy and imprints itself on the outbound energy. It then releases the newly filtered and imprinted energy. So, crystals not only raise vibration but also filter energy.

Do you find this exciting? Healing is supposed to be hard work but here I am telling you crystals reduce the workload for you. Can I prove this? No, but I don’t need to prove what I know works for me. There are tons of anecdotal stories online you can research. And, you likely already know someone that has benefited from working with crystals.

I know you are thinking, “where can I get some of these powerhouse healers”? Luckily, the upsurge of interest in crystals means they are more accessible than ever. There’s likely somewhere nearby that sells them. Ahem… maybe Red Sands Reiki… just a thought. Wherever you choose to purchase your crystals, make sure they are ethically and legitimately sourced. While pretty to look at, no one wants to waste time and money on colored glass.

Now that you have found a reputable crystal retailer, how do you choose a crystal to work with? Start with what you are looking to heal. Crystals have specific metaphysical healing properties associated with them. If you were looking for a crystal with calming healing properties, amethyst might be an appropriate choice. As amethyst pulls in your energy, it filters and imprints its own calming energy on it. The more you work with amethyst, the more it helps to calm your energy. So, metaphysical healing properties are a good place to start.

Crystals come in a multitude of colors so you may want to consider color implications while you are selecting a stone. Crystal colors generally coincide with chakra colors. Needing to restore energy and your vitality? Consider a red crystal for your root chakra. Wanting to express yourself clearly and confidently? Check out the blue crystals for your throat chakra.  Maybe you have an affinity to purple, so start with purple stones. It’s that easy.

Crystal shapes and sizes also influence their properties. Some shapes are naturally occurring and some shapes are created. Some crystals are massive pieces of art and some are small enough to hold in your hand. It will depend on what you plan to do with your crystal. Want to carry it in a pocket? Select a tumbled stone. Want to direct energy with your crystal? Maybe you need a generator. Don’t get too caught up in the shape and size initially. Pick a crystal that allows you easy interaction and contact.

Still having trouble narrowing it down? Select a few crystals that have the properties you are seeking and introduce your energy to them. Close your eyes and allow yourself to be drawn to where your energy wants to go. Hold each crystal in your hand and decide which one resonates best with you. That’s your crystal, start there.

Well, there you go. Your extremely non-scientific introduction to crystals is complete. We will continue to explore The Sparkling World of Crystals in future blogs. For now, go find yourself a crystal and see what happens!