Living with Crystals

Most of us find Geological time quite incomprehensible. Some of the more mature amongst us can relate to 50 or 60 years because it's a 'memory thing'. 10 years becomes history, 2000 or 3000 years becomes 'living history' because of TV re-enactments. Latest scientific theories suggest that a 'big bang' occurred somewhere out in space some....wait for it....20,000,000,000 years ago - the DAWN of creation.

The initial expansion of the universe from its original point released clouds of Hydrogen, matter in its simplest form. As the Hydrogen continued to fuse and burn it formed Helium and as the enormous thermal energy bubbled and boiled, other elements were created. Eventually these early stars died and exploded sending new elements barrelling through space where gravity took over and started to form clouds of gas and matter eventually creating new stars and planets...and thus our solar system was born.

The Earth settled on an orbit around the Sun, at a distance that allowed the light and heavy elements to combine. The heavier elements sank down into the middle, what we call the core, the lighter ones surrounding the core like a molten jacket, the mantle.

Two paragraphs describe the formation of our Solar system, 15,000 million years in the blink of an eye, and then the outer surface of our Earth started to cool.

Imagine an enormous Christmas pudding, the alcohol flaming on the surface, the ingredients still combining together to form the whole glutinous mass and we have a wonderful analogy for our own Earth, at that time. As we know, often to our cost and a burnt mouth, the cooler outer skin belies what a raging furnace is beneath.

This raging ferment continues in the depths occasionally showing its true self in volcanic and earthquake activity but creating an illusion of a safe heaven on the cooler surface, the outer crust. Within the mantle the most amazing combination of elements takes place forming and reforming minerals. Once the ideal conditions are met for atomic formation and the constituent 'parts' are in place, lattice structures start to be created in their own unique form dependant on their own mineral composition and - CRYSTALS are born.

Early mankind, a mere million years or so ago, found these strange coloured stones things of immense beauty, shapes to be worn not only as decoration but, primarily as symbols of status. Only tribal elders, high priests and people of great significance would wear crystals conveying power, a badge of office, and they came to be talismans, protective and dispensing powers that were inexplicable but nevertheless prominent.

The attraction for Crystals with their sparkle, colour and visual complexity is sufficient in itself, but coupled with long tradition of being used for their healing properties and we have an amazing phenomena. The harnessing of their natural energy in conjunction with one's own energy can create a powerful flexible tool.

Certain crystals are used for energy concentration, channelling, amplification, mentally directing that energy through the stone to diagnose and remove blockages or any inherent problem. Let us liken crystals to people, no two the same, totally individual with their own characteristics, foibles and ability. As we would select a particular expert (in a specialised field) to resolve a problem for us, so we can use a crystal to resolve and help with a more personal problem. As our individual response to a specific situation will be different, so our individual response to the power of a particular crystal will also differ.

So, we have another rule, use books, charts, advice from other people are merely guides, they reflect only experiences that other people have had at a different time, a different place and under different conditions. Just because Amethyst, as an example, is known as the calming stone, the de-stressing stone, doesn't meant that it is only to be used for 'chilling out'.

It's said that crystals always choose you and this is perfectly true, we may be drawn to a particular colour or texture, (eyes again perhaps), but the attraction is working on a completely different plane.

When you are in need of help or assistance from crystals take a leisurely look at the choice, take your time, see if you can relate to a particular piece, does it buzz, is it cold or hot, does it sing, does it reach out to you in any way different to the others? Give it a chance to work, when we visit the Doctor for a course of treatment it doesn't work straight away.

Of course you may not be the first person to touch the stone you relate to and because the energy of other people obviously differs to our own we need to ensure that we remove any trace of disparate energy, negativity or ill-balance from the stone, we call this cleansing.

Cleansing is a very personal thing, we use flower petals, herbs, brown rice, anything totally natural and untreated in anyway. Cover the stone for a few hours with your chosen cleanser then let it disperse outside.

We are reluctant to use water, for a variety of reasons, although many crystal users and workers only use water. We are concerned about the level of impurities and added minerals in our tap water, and the practicality of using liquids, of any sort, on stones that are likely to dissolve.

If your crystal still feels lifeless or dull after cleansing it may require cleaning with a stronger energy cleanser such as smudge smoke or incense. If you get into the habit of cleansing your crystal before and after use you will always be sure that it is relating to you and to no other.

Your stone is now cleansed, free of any external influence other than its own residual energy and your own. Sit quietly with it for a short time, get to know it and focus your attention on it, identify with it and explore it physically, mentally and spiritually, become one with it.

There are many, many books on crystals, some better than others but you must remember that they are all a reflection of their author's experiences. We need to develop our own guidelines and the only way we can do this is to work with these wonderful gifts and come to realise, for ourselves, just what crystals can do for us and the rest of the human race.