Have you noticed that crystals are everywhere these days? The stress and upset caused by covid has brought the humble crystal from something hippies and fortune tellers used, into something that all of us are embracing & celebrities (such as Victoria Beckham, Fearne Cotton & Adele) are endorsing. And what’s not to like? Whether you love them for their beauty, their colour or their healing properties, they definitely deserve a place in our lives. And of course, you can display them as home accessories (see our Crystal Clear collection), wear them in jewellery (see our Rainbow Brights collection) or keep them in your pocket / bra / handbag as suits!
Crystals are certainly one of the most popular trends in alternative medicine right now, and advocates know that holding crystals or positioning them on various areas of the body can give physical and mental benefits. They interact with the body’s energy fields, creating balance and alignment. They can reduce stress (even if you think it’s a placebo thing, it’s worth a try!) and believers say that they can banish physical illnesses too.
So let’s do a crystal 101. What are Crystals?
Very simply, they’re beautiful, semi-precious stones. They come in a variety of formats, from raw geodes to polished pieces in a myriad of shapes (such as hearts or angels) and appear in every colour under the sun.
They’ve been used for thousands of years for their qualities. In Ancient Egypt they were used for medicinal and ritual purposes; lapis lazuli was in Tutankhamun’s mask, and the Romans used to set amethyst into their goblets as they believed it prevented them getting too drunk. Leonardo da Vinci kept an amethyst on his desk, as he felt it sped up his thinking and creativity.
Crystals are used to this day to treat medical conditions. It’s believed that they interact with the body’s energy fields, known as vibrational energy. The idea is that crystals can redirect energy flow with their unique vibrations, helping to unblock areas of the body that have become blocked somehow, and leaving the user feeling focused, relaxed and clear.
There is of course limited scientific evidence about the power of crystals (where would be the fun in that?!). There is a tale of how researchers Pierre & Jack Curie studied crystals in 1880, and found that by tweaking the temperature of crystals, they could create electricity. This is now called the piezoelectric effect, and is used in tech in places such as microphones, printers & medical implants. The work of the Curies suggests that holding crystals may have a minor effect on the body’s energy levels – how and to what degree, is – of course – unproven.
So how can crystals help you? And how do you use them?
Many crystals are excellent for easing emotional instability, nervousness & anxiety. There are those good for concentration & creativity. Those which bring good fortune. Or those that encourage love and harmony. Do some research to discover which crystal can provide what you’re seeking at that time. It might be that you see a selection of crystals in a shop – that’s a great opportunity to select what you’re drawn to – as that will answer the question of what your body needs. It might not necessarily be a favourite colour, but simply responding to the fact that the crystal seems to be calling you.
Then sit with the crystal and have some quiet time, holding it in your left hand (that’s so it can flow into your body) and let the energy in. You may want to repeat a mantra or intention, so that the crystal can help manifest that wish in your life. It’s OK – nobody is watching!
Finally, look after your crystals. They need cleansing regularly (simply rinsing under a tap), and benefit from being recharged, which you can do by placing them on a windowsill during a full moon.
If all of this sounds like mumbojumbo, then that’s OK – continue to enjoy crystals for their beauty or in jewellery. But whether it works or not, there is no questioning that in this busy world, taking five minutes of quiet time for yourself is never a bad idea. Crystals or not.
