Crystals - How "Magic Rocks" may change your life

Humans have been using crystals for thousands of years and they even warranted multiple mentions in the Bible. Crystals often conjure up connotations of hippies, bohemians and eccentrics, but in recent years they have found themselves in the grasps of many celebrities, including Kim Kardashian-West, Bella Hadid, Shay Mitchell, Megan Fox, Gisele Bundchen, Kylie Jenner, Naomi Campbell and Miranda Kerr. 

Simply put, the universe is made up of energy, and that doesn't exclude us. Crystals are believed to hold high vibrational energies, that can help us in various areas of our lives - from healing from trauma to improving our self-confidence - their energy and abilities are limitless. I personally love crystals and have truly felt the benefit of using crystals in my everyday life. Whether it's a Moonstone under my pillow, or a Smoky Quartz in my handbag; crystals are with me everywhere I go and I've noticed a change in my everyday life since I started using them.

So how do we use them? Well that all depends on the intention you set for them, but firstly you need to decide on the right crystal for you. Do some research before you buy any crystals, so you are aware of the benefits of some of the most popular crystals on the market, and align their properties with your needs. I would suggest writing a list of any areas in your life that you want to improve, and looking into crystals that can help you with those things.

Buying Crystals

I would recommend buying your crystals from an actual shop, rather than online. I'm lucky that there is a crystal shop near where I live, where they are really informative and have information sheets about every crystal in the store and the purposes that they can be used for. Unfortunately, there are fake crystals on the market and buying online makes it easier for you to accidentally get your hands on a counterfeit.
         I would also make a note of which crystals you have bought, as I actually ended up having to go back to the shop because I couldn't remember what one of the crystals I bought was!

When you are choosing a crystal, don't pick one based on the size. Just because a crystal is small, doesn't mean its vibrational energy is any less than a bigger stone. Don't pick a crystal based on it's appearance either - I'm attracted to pretty and sparkly crystals, but chose a Black Tourmaline based on its properties. Act on intuition when picking your crystal too; it's a bit like adopting a dog - they choose you, you don't choose them. You should go with the first one that sparks your interest the most and trust your instinct that this is the crystal for you, even if it is the smallest or the dullest stone in the shop.
 
Cleansing and Charging Crystals
This is a step that a lot of people either forget about or don't know about, but is probably the most important aspect of crystal work! Crystals need to be cleansed of energy before you use them. They often travel a long way and meet a lot of people before they fall into your hands, and you want to cleanse them of the energy of other people so that they are exclusively yours. Some crystals can be cleansed by placing them under running water, but some crystals, such as Angelite or Fire Opal, should under no circumstances be placed in any form of water. You can also cleanse crystals with smoke, such as by using incense, or you can use a cleansing sound frequency, or even candle light to cleanse them. Please do your research before cleansing your crystals, as you don't want to dull the energy of your new stone.
         Charging crystals is a lot more simple, as most crystals can be charged in the same way. As previously mentioned, crystals often travel very far before they reach your possession and much like we lose energy, so do they. After all, they contain energy and much like plants, people or animals, need certain conditions for them to regain their energy. Crystals, particularly Moonstone, draw energy from the moon and the most energy when there is a full moon. They also draw energy from sunlight, too, so pop your crystals in a nice bright spot on your window sill or in your garden (as long as rain isn't forecast) and let them draw natural energy that will later be of benefit to you.

Programming Crystals
Now crystals don't necessarily need to be programmed for you to benefit from them, as they still radiate a high vibrational energy. However, to really get the benefit of them you need to program them with intentions. Research each crystal that you have and what properties they have, and use those properties to program intentions per crystal. Rose Quartz for example, can promote self-love, harmony in your relationships and can also improve the health of the lungs, adrenals and kidneys. 

I used this amazing guide to program my crystals with the intentions that I wanted to use to help me in my everyday life.

So how much can crystals really help us?

Well, there are thousands of stories out there that suggest how magical crystals can be. People have used them to overcome addiction, to attract money, to attract a significant other and even to improve their fertility. I personally found, just a day after programming my crystals that I had so much more energy, I was more motivated, my intuition had improved and I was able to get back in touch with my creative side - hence starting this blog!

Whether or not you are convinced of the power of crystals, they have helped millions of people across the world and could find a place in your life, helping you in any areas that you may be struggling with. My main advice for anyone that is considering buying their first crystal is to keep an open mind and an open heart, and you may discover that your crystal helps you in more ways than you could ever imagine.

Also crystals do have a habit of disappearing once you match their energy, so if you do find that your favourite crystal has mysteriously disappeared, you know that it has done all it can for you. 

Whether you choose a clear quartz necklace or an Amethyst Geode, I hope this guide can help you learn how to use your crystals to improve your life. 💓