How Do People Use Crystals?

The term "crystal" refers to stones formed with specific atomic patterns, which contain equal positive and negative charges. While the word may make you think of formations with flat, reflective surfaces, they can also form in clusters, or as a combination of both.

History

• Throughout human history crystals have symbolized concepts of light and healing. The ancient Mayans practiced crystal healing, and the stones appear at archaeological sites throughout the U.S., valued by American Indian tribes from the Paipai around California to the eastern Cherokee.

Functions

• Crystal healing is employed by modern-day New Age practitioners to treat both physical and spiritual ailments. The stones exist in spiritual practice and as scrying tools. Often one crystal serves functions in many of these areas. Amethyst, for example, is said to heal the nervous and lymphatic systems and promote positive self-esteem, while also being useful for goddess meditations.

Methods

• Crystal healers fist cleanse the stones of negative energy with a saltwater soak, or by coating the crystal in dry sea salt and burying it for several hours. Sunlight, moonlight and rain can also cleanse stones. The healer asks the patient to lie on her back and places the prepared stones on each of her chakras and in each hand. In "The Women's Book of Healing," Diane Stein describes this process and explains that the healer moves her hands from the head to the feet of the patient, using visualization to clear the chakras.