Crystal healing is an alternative medicine technique (considered pseudoscience by the medical community), that employs stones and crystals to treat people. People who use this technique claim that these stones and crystals have healing powers. Even though scientific investigations have not validated the claims about chakras or energy grids, most practitioners believe and can feel the flow of energy, and there are many claims to their many healing qualities.
Crystals have been used in healing since ancient times. The Egyptians believed that the lapis lazuli inspired wisdom and brought about peace and calm. Reiki practitioners sometimes integrate crystal healing techniques to enhance the energy flowing through the person being healed. They believe that crystals can channel the energy in the right direction and thus enhance healing.
Crystals are usually categorized in three ways – according to their shape, kind and colour.
Shapes
Crystals can be round, pointed, square, rectangular, spheres and shaped like a pyramid.
Round crystals give out all round flowing energy and are good for all purposes.
Pointed crystals are useful for drawing into or directing more powerful energies.
The square and rectangular ones are said to bring about stability to the place it is kept in and also absorb harmful energies.
Spheres energize and purify the place and attracts health, happiness and transforms negative energies into positive energies.
Pyramids are natural transmitters of healing and can bring about peaceful sleep, calmness and harmony at home and at work.
Kinds of Crystals
There are various kinds of crystals found on earth. Some of them are quartz, jaspers, agates, fossils, volcanic stones like obsidian and geodes. Quartz is the most common mineral found on earth. Geodes are rocks in which tiny crystals are embedded. When split, they reveal two halves of matching crystals which heal all negative energies.
Colours
Colour has had an influence upon human minds since ancient times. Natural crystals and minerals colours range from the the colours of the rainbow to gold, silver, black and white. The crystals could be clear and sparkling or of a cloudier hue. Red, orange and yellow are dynamic colours. Greens, blues and purples are softer and calmer. Given below are the prominent qualities of different coloured crystals.
The healing properties for every colour are different and can be used to heal various problems in the body. The crystals are used to balance the chakras and channel energy to the appropriate part of the body. Colours and gems are believed to help bring the chakras into balance.
What are Chakras
Chakras are energy centres in the body or energy field. The Sanskrit word chakra literally means a ‘wheel’ or a ‘disk’. These are wheels of energy throughout the body. There are seven of them that are important. These seven chakras are believed to align the spine, starting from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. The energy called ‘Prana’ is considered the vital life force, which keeps us alive and healthy. It is important that to keep the seven main chakras stay open and aligned. If there is a blockage, energy cannot flow.
There are many ways to keep the chakras open and aligned. Colours and crystal healing is one such method.
The root chakra, called Mooladhara is the first chakra and is at the bottom of the spine. The colour is red and the gemstones related to it is garnet, red jasper, black tourmaline and bloodstone. When the root chakra is balanced, you feel grounded and safe, in both aspects – material and emotional.
The second is the Svadhisthana, also called the sacral chakra. The related colour is orange, and the gemstones are amber, calcite, orange carnelian or hematite. This chakra is located about two inches below the navel. When it is balanced and open, there is a feeling of wellness, joy and abundance.
The third chakra is Manipura or the solar plexus. The colour is yellow, and the gemstones are topaz, golden yellow labradorite, and tiger eye stones. This chakra is located around the area of the solar plexus, as the name suggests. When this chakra is healthy, you feel confident, have good self esteem and are self-motivated. It is the source of personal power.
The fourth chakra is the heart chakra, also called Anahata. The colour related to this chakra is emerald green and the healing gemstones for it are emerald, malachite, jade and rose quartz. When the heart chakra is open, it generates compassion, love, forgiveness and acceptance. It is at the centre and this is where the physical and the spiritual meet.
The throat chakra or Vishudhi is the fifth chakra. The healing colour is blue and the related gemstones are sapphire, blue topaz, lapis lazuli, aquamarine and turquoise. This chakra when open, helps you to be truthful to yourself and to others. It helps you verbalize and communicate.
The colour of the third eye chakra – Ajna is indigo. The gemstones used for this chakra is amethyst, lapis lazuli and azurite. This chakra lies between your eyebrows. It is the centre of your intuition. It helps you to know yourself.
The seventh energy centre is the crown chakra or the sahasrara, whose colour is violet or white. The gemstones for this chakra is amethyst, selenite and sugilite. This chakra helps towards enlightenment and connects to you to your higher self.
The proponents of crystal healing believe that human beings are receptive to the vibrations of the crystals. When crystals come into direct contact with the body, they have a powerful vibratory effect on it, and hence one of the ways to use these crystals is to wear them as jewelry. Crystals have been used for healing the body and spirit, developing intuition, protecting from negative vibrations, and balancing the chakras since ancient times. Despite the scientific community calling it a myth, as there is lack of evidence about its ability to heal, most practitioners insist that it has helped them in their spiritual growth.
Cassandra Eason, in her book ‘An Introduction To Crystal Healing’, recommends 12 stones that are a must, whether for healing, attracting good fortune, love, prosperity or for protecction. These are Clear Crystal Quartz, Moonstone, Red Jasper, Orange Carnelian, Yellow Citrine, Green Aventurine, Blue Sodalite, Purple Amethyst, Brown Tiger’s Eye, Pink Rose Quartz, Hematite and Black Onyx.
To know about the healing properties of these stones, please watch this Video.