We are told everywhere what crystals can do for you; however, if you do not know how to utilize crystals, you won’t reap the benefits.
They are advertised to help us daily, but how do they help us?
Is it simply enough to wear or display them in our homes?
This article is about utilizing crystals to their most extraordinary capability. Don’t miss out on this complete beginner-friendly guide!
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Knowledge is Power
What are Crystals?
Crystals are more than just magical stones that will bring love, or whatever traits the stone possesses, into your life. Crystals are molecular structures made of atoms (or ions) arranged in a particular pattern. Science 101 taught us that atoms vibrate with energy.
Crystals contain specific energy depending upon their molecular makeup. Some crystals closely relate to others and harness similar energies. That is how we have various crystals that look different but can carry the same traits. The foundation to learning to utilize crystals is understanding that they are the molecular structure that makes and consumes energy.
All in all, crystals are sources of energy that we can use.
Pocahontas seemed to be onto something when she told John Smith that “every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name.”
Pocahontas, Walt Disney Movie
The Significance of Knowing How to Utilize Crystals
When crystals are utilized correctly, we can utilize their energy to benefit us. We can absorb its output and use it to fuel or inspire us to do things we may have found challenging to do before. Other crystals, such as labradorite and onyx, are marvelous protectors. They help to protect our energy from others and our environment.
When I go to an event where I meet many people, I wear my labradorite sphere necklace. I found it to make a remarkable difference in how I feel at the end of the day. Goodbye to feeling drained and haggard!
Protect your energy.
Crystals are excellent little tools that can hugely impact our lives. However, it is essential to understand how to utilize crystals. Not every crystal operates or behaves the same way.
Just like how we sleep to recoup our energy, crystals need to be able to recoup theirs as well.
Getting Ready to Utilize Crystals
Did you know that to effectively utilize our crystals, we have to maintain them?
Yes, maintain them. Knowing how to utilize crystals is knowing how to support them and keep them energized.
Earlier I mentioned that crystals are comprised of energy. Energy is not an infinite source; therefore, things must be done to replenish it.
This is done in 2 steps. The first step is to cleanse, and then the second is to charge them. You shouldn’t charge your crystal without cleansing them first. Crystals absorb negative energies around us and replace them with their own positive energies.
Before we apply face moisturizer, we first cleanse our face, right? We don’t want to put moisturizer on when our face has dirt on it, so we won’t be able to receive any of its benefits. This is the same concept to apply to crystals.
Some crystals, such as citrine, carnelian, kyanite, and azeztulite, are self-cleaning. Generally, they do not need to be cleansed ever.
Cleansing Crystals
To be able to utilize your crystals, you must first cleanse them. This is especially important when they are newly obtained. Cleanse away any residual energies.
There are multiple methods for cleansing crystals. I will review some of the more straightforward approaches. Crystals need to be cleansed, especially when you first buy them. Other times they need to be cleansed are consistently worn or used for any type of healing.
Running Water
Simply hold the crystal under running water for about 1 minute while rubbing your fingers over the crystal. If you choose this method for cleansing crystals, make sure the crystal you are cleansing can be in the water. Some crystals, such as those that end with -ite, can melt or disintegrate in water.
Example -ite crystals are Selenite, Calcite, and Fluorite.
Sage
This is my go-to method for cleansing crystals. I regularly have sage on hand in my house. Sage is excellent for cleansing things and areas. Light your sage to get it to start smoking- like incense. Once your sage is ready, allow the smoke to touch your crystals. You can do this by holding your crystal in one hand and the sage in the other.
If you have more than one piece, simply place the crystals on a flat surface. While holding your sage in one hand, you can fan the smoke onto the crystals with the other.
Palo Santo
Can’t stand the smell of sage? This is another great alternative and another favorite of mine. I love the way Palo Santo smells! You can get a small bag of these from Five Below in the incense aisle. This is my favorite because it is an alternative for those that live in an apartment. No worries if it does not get much sun or moonlight.
Other Crystals
Crystals such as clear quartz, carnelian, and selenite are great for cleansing crystals. This is exceptionally great for cleansing delicate and friable stones. However, following the cleansing, these crystals may need to be cleaned. Due to selenite being a delicate crystal, you must be a little more creative. I use it to cleanse other crystals and then use my carnelian to cleanse the selenite. Although carnelian is considered self-cleaning, I recommend cleansing it after using it to cleanse other crystals.
Charging Crystals
There are many ways to charge crystals. I will go over two effortless tactics. Be mindful that some crystals prefer some methods over others.
Dirt or Soil
Yup, you read that right! Using the regular dirt or soil from the earth (or bought from the store) is a budget-friendly method of charging crystals. This method is excellent for those on a budget. Simply bury it within the dirt or soil and let it sit for 24 hours.
Check out my Soil Crystal Charging Station DIY here. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest charging stations you can make!
Moonlight
There is just something special about moonlight that assists with charging crystals.
This method does not have to sit out directly under the moon. Preferably, you want to do this on the night of a full moon. Do not worry about clouds in the sky, for it will not matter. It’s just something about the moon that changes everything around it through the night.
Place your crystals on the window sill or your patio/balcony, and let the magic occur.
Sunlight
This is a powerful method for charging crystals. On a nice sunny day, you can leave your crystal on a window sill or a balcony/patio that gets direct sunlight or go outside with your crystals when possible.
I live in a highly shaded area with many trees, so I make time to go on a walk with my crystals exposed to sunlight.
Be careful leaving your gemstones in the sun. Over time the color will begin to fade on some crystals.
How to Utilize Crystals
Now that you understand how to prepare your crystals to be used, we can move on to the main event: How to Utilize Crystals!
Crystals can be used for all sorts of purposes. Some examples:
- Area protection
- Personal Protection
- Improving focus
- Creating balance and alignment of your energy
- Assist the body’s natural healing
- Increasing personal energy levels
- And so many more
The area of expertise is determined by the core properties of your crystals. There is no one shoe that fits all. The most crucial factor to consider is the type of crystals you want to use. If you are looking for something particular to be achieved by your crystal(s), then make sure you are looking into what they specialize in.
If you are using a smaller stone, don’t worry! The little spitfire has plenty of energy. Some assume the larger the crystal, the more energy or powers it has, but that is not the case. The size of your crystal does not matter. It really depends on your preference and the use.
What really matters is the intention you established with your crystal. The more committed your intention, the more powered the crystal will be to help you. That is the most critical aspect you should take away from this.
How often you use your crystals dictates how often the cleansing and charging ritual needs to be conducted. A rule of thumb I use is to do this ritual once a month with those used frequently.
These concepts are vital in being able to utilize crystals. Make sure you have a clear understanding before proceeding.
Starting With The Basics
Using your crystals can be pretty straightforward, but some more complicated rituals are also. While you are charging your crystals, it is beneficial to speak your intentions to them. Your intentions are simply what you want to get from them.
For instance, Rose Quartz is a popular crystal sought after to enhance love in your life. This is one of its many properties. The person seeking love will set their intentions for that as they are charging their crystal.
Your intention can be set through speaking to the crystal or focusing on love within yourself.
What could that possibly mean?!
This is easier said than done for beginners to this technique. The laws of attraction state that potential energies attract. Whatever you put into the atmosphere, the universe will strive to give you as well.
Back to our Rose Quartz example, try thinking and feeling the emotions of love. This can be done by thinking of a cherished person, pet, hobby, etc. The feelings invoked focus them on your crystal.
This technique can apply to any type of intention you seek with your crystals.
Now that your crystals are charged with your intentions let us move on to different ways to apply your crystals!
Protection
Some crystals are protective in nature. These crystals can either absorb or negate negative energy to keep it away from you. The crystal you choose will determine the type of protection you can use.
While I will not focus on specific crystals in this article, I will give some examples of a few popular ones and explain how they operate.
- Clear Quartz can negate negativity while attracting positivity
- Labradorite helps to repel negative people and energy
- Black tourmaline is powerful and can ground a space
- This one can be placed within a room to promote a protective space
- Black Obsidian attracts positivity and shoos away negative energies
Take a look at the crystals listed above. Each can be used for protective purposes yet function slightly differently from one another. Some crystals are best placed in rooms to create protective barriers and safe places. While others, best work being with you to provide immediate protection.
There are quite a few for those interested in protection crystals that can protect your space. Be sure to research where they should be placed within that space.
Meditation
Meditating with crystals can further improve your experience. The crystal(s) you meditate with should align with your meditation purpose. That means if you meditate to find inner peace, then meditate with a crystal that promotes it.
There are all sorts of crystals that assist with various energies! Anything you can think of, there is a crystal out there ready to assist you. Ocean Jasper is an excellent stone that can be used in meditation and counseling, for it helps with emotional barriers.
During meditation, there are a few things you can do with them. You can either hold your crystals or place them near you. People sometimes seek out particular shapes to benefit their style.
Like a palm stone, tumbled or sphere can all fit within your hand comfortably for those who prefer to hold their crystals. Crystal wands and points would typically be pointed in the direction you want the energy to flow, so it may work better to have them near you.
Wearing Crystals
This is the most popular way crystals used. Wearing crystals daily will need frequent cleansing and charging due to all the energies they come into contact with. I recommend not to exceed 30 days between cleansing and charging.
Make sure you do your research about the crystal you are purchasing. Some are not meant to be in constant contact with you.
For instance, the Herkimer diamond is one of them. Other crystals, like selenite, are sensitive to fluids and thus can slowly break down over time and exposure.
Then there is also making sure you know what crystals to combine. Some crystals simply do not work well together and can conflict. You must understand and keep that in mind. I will further expand on this subject in the future!
Where you wear your crystals also makes an impact.
Necklaces
Wearing them as a necklace can have varying outcomes based on the length. If you want to enhance the heart chakra, invoking emotions, love, and gratitude, then wear the necklace over your heart.
Wearing a choker is ideal for those looking to impact their throat chakra, promoting communication and self-expression. A very long necklace can place the crystal over your solar plexus invoking inner strength and personal power.
Bracelets and Rings
There are two vital factors to know when determining what hand to use for your crystals.
Your dominant hand influences the crystals’ energy to flow outward. Think of it in the capacity that your dominant hand is the one you use when working and coming into contact with others. It puts out energy.
Your non-dominant hand, receiving hand, brings things to you. If you want to attract energy, wear the crystal on this hand instead.
This same concept is applied when wearing bracelets. Choose and wear your crystals according to what you are trying to achieve.
Earrings
If you are seeking some form of guidance, then I recommend wearing earrings of the crystals that will aid you. These earrings will help you to receive some type of signs, messages, and intuitive guidance.
Anklets
Wearing any type of wisdom or guidance stone on your ankle and feet will help to guide you on your desired path or direction in life.
Go Forth and Utilize Crystals!
Now let’s take a deep breath and revel in this information.
If you found that you have not been using your crystals correctly, well, that is quite alright! Life is all about learning and growing. Don’t feel overwhelmed.
Although this was a lot of information, you will quickly find this is not hard to do. Knowing how to utilize crystals is vital information.
In a sense, it is really therapeutic. My days of cleansing and charging my crystals I look forward. It is calming.
Remember, all crystals need to be cleansed and recharged. How often depends upon how frequently you use and wear them. I typically do it roughly once per 30 days.
When you are charging them instill your intentions by either whispering to them or using your own energy and emotions.
Every step is fundamental! The biggest one is setting your intentions. Be clear and know what you want. Like animals can pick up on your emotions or tone, so can your crystals.
It may even help to set expectations for what you want and how you plan to receive it. Using crystals can be a component of practicing living holistically. Check out these articles if this interests you!
References
Hall, J. (2003). The Crystal Bible. Godsfield.
Mabelle, E., & Ajay, A. (2020). Crystals for witches: Rituals, spells, and practices for stone-spirit magic. Rockridge Press.
