For centuries crystals and minerals have been used in healing. From as far back as the Egyptian civilization, Native American cultures, and biblical times, gem stones have been used in spiritual rituals and as aids to physical and mental healing.
Choosing Your Crystals
While each crystal has its own meaning and different texts offer differing uses, sometimes choosing a crystal is all about what you're drawn to. Quite often in life what we are drawn to is what we need. Most of the time the color intrigues us and we feel comfort with that color. Inherently we know what we need to heal. You just need to listen to your inner self.
You can choose your crystal by what you've read about it. For example, amethyst can be said to increase your psychic ability and enhance your dreams while carnelian is said to bolster confidence and boost ambition with creativity.
Another way is by color of the chakra that needs balancing. Blue is the color of the Heart Chakra. If you are having troubles with accepting love or giving love or loving yourself then you probably could use some healing to your Heart Chakra. Wearing a blue gemstone, such as sodalite or lapis luzi close to your heart can help.
How to Use Your Crystal
One of the great things about crystal healing is that it can be done anywhere at any time. Wearing your crystal in a piece of jewelry is a great way to use them. Having the crystal touching your skin is the best way to get the full benefit from them. I have made some lovely bracelets and necklaces so you can get the benefits of crystal healing while looking nice at the same time.
Another way to use your gemstone is to hold it in your hand. Sitting quietly, such as in meditation is a wonderful way to use them. You can focus on what you wish to accomplish and say an affirmation with the intent of putting those good thoughts into your crystal. Some affirmations you can use are:
I am worthy of life, love and happiness. My body and mind is healthy. I believe in myself. I only attract loving people in my world. I support myself and life supports me.
Cleaning Your Crystal
Before using your stones it is a good idea to cleanse them. You wouldn't wear new clothes without washing them, so cleaning your new stone is nothing different.
Crystals can be "cleaned" by a few methods.
Sun and Water: You can hold your crystal under cool running water for a moment, then place it on a window sill to dry with the sun's light shining on it. You can also do one, or the other. Be sure your stone is not water-soluable. A harder stone such as quartz would do well under water while a softer stone such as selenite would not. Most tumbled stones are strong enough for a water cleanse while rough stones that seems to have "lines" may not be.
Salt: Being a crystal itself, salt has been used for many years as a preservative and protector from negativity. You can use this with harder crystals by covering your stone fully in dry sea salt for 24 hrs. You must, however, throw away the salt when you're finished. The salt is said to absorb the negative energy of your stone, so using the salt would certainly not be good.
Incense Smoke: Smudging has been long used to rid an area of negativity. The same concept can be used for your crystals. You can burn sage, frankincense, sandalwood or cedar and hold the stone in the smoke for a moment or two. You can also bring the smoke into the corners of a room to remove negative energy. Using Young Living Essential Oils for cleansing is possible too. If used with a room diffuser (not heating up the oil) you can do both these things easily.
Crystal Clusters: You can place an smaller stone on a clear quartz cluster over night. You can also take a stone and surround it by small points of clear quartz - with the "points" facing inward toward the crystal being cleansed.
Sound: Vibrations of pure sound such as a singing bowl, bell or tuning fork can also cleanse your crystals. This method is quick and simple and can cleanse many stones at once, while also changing the vibration of the room and you!
Visualization: If these other techniques are not possible (say while traveling) then you can sit with your stone quietly and visualize a cleanse. Imagine beautiful white healing light going into your stone. Imagine it filling up and cleaning it out. Just be still and see if the "feel" of your stone changes. The more you use your stones and cleanse them, the more you'll feel comfortable with them. You may notice that you like a certain way of cleansing over another. Do what feels best for you and your crystal.