| Crystal healing has been popular in many cultures | | | | thumbstones) around with them, to benefit from the |
| around the world throughout history, and remains so | | | | stone's properties throughout the day. |
| today. The power of healing crystals and gemstones | | | | When using healing stones and crystals regularly, it's |
| is a fascinating one, and remains to be fully explained. | | | | necessary to cleanse and recharge the stones. This |
| However, there's nothing to stop you from trying | | | | can be accomplished by holding them under running |
| crystals for yourself, and experiencing their effects | | | | water for a bit, then placing them in a sunny spot. |
| firsthand. Let's take a brief look at what's involved | | | | Which Stones Are Best? |
| with using crystals for healing and other | | | | Different gemstones have different properties, and |
| life-improvement purposes. | | | | so particular stones may be suited to specific |
| What Is Crystal Healing? | | | | purposes. Rose quartz for example, has a very |
| The use of crystals for healing is based on the | | | | soothing, calming energy, which makes it good for |
| concept of the body as an energetic system. | | | | dealing with emotional upsets, whereas carnelian is |
| Blockages can occur in the system, ultimately leading | | | | especially prized for dealing with issues in the lower |
| to physical disease or other problems. Crystals have | | | | abdomen (such as digestive or reproductive |
| their own characteristic energies, which may be used | | | | problems). |
| to help dissolve blockages in the energy body, or to | | | | Clear quartz (rock crystal) on the other hand, is |
| enhance its functioning. | | | | considered the 'universal healer', as this powerful |
| In particular, crystals are often used in conjunction | | | | stone can be useful in a wide range of circumstances. |
| with the chakra system. Chakras are energy vortices | | | | If you're interested in crystal work, there are many |
| that are found in many places in the subtle body, | | | | good guides available that provide detailed lists of the |
| although most healers focus on the seven main | | | | properties of various stones - 'The Crystal Healing |
| primary chakras, which are located in a rough line | | | | Bible' by Judy Hall is a good place to start. |
| between the crown of the head and the base of the | | | | Does Crystal Healing Really Work? |
| spine. Chakra imbalances can lead to physical and | | | | Many people have had good results from the use of |
| psychological problems, and crystals may be used to | | | | crystals, which is why it continues to be a very |
| help 'tune' the chakras and restore them to normal | | | | popular branch of complementary medicine. |
| functioning. | | | | Mainstream science is less convinced, and attributes |
| How Is It Done? | | | | many of the successes to the placebo effect or |
| It is common to place crystals directly on the | | | | wishful thinking on the part of the patient. As with |
| affected areas of the body during a healing session. | | | | other 'alternative' pursuits where controversy exists, |
| In the case of using crystals for chakra work, they're | | | | it's usually worth experimenting for yourself and |
| normally placed in the area of the chakra(s) in | | | | coming to your own conclusions, rather than simply |
| question. A healer might also use tools such as a | | | | taking the word of others, as biases exist on both |
| crystal wand to direct the energy in a more specific | | | | sides. |
| way, or use a crystal pendulum to gain more | | | | If you have a physical or mental issue and are hoping |
| information about the location of energy blockages or | | | | that crystals can help, your best course of action is |
| other issues. | | | | to visit a reputable crystal healer for advice, but to |
| Some people also like to wear crystal jewellery, or | | | | continue with whatever course of treatment your |
| carry small stones (such as tumblestones or | | | | doctor has prescribed in the meantime. |