By Chloe Barth
You might have missed your chance to be a hippie, but counterculturalists of the 70s and 80s actually left a full-fledged spiritual movement for us to enjoy: the New Age movement. The New Age movement is a spiritual and religious practice in Western society that borrows holistic practices from a multitude of cultures. When used appropriately, these practices can greatly elevate your well-being. By far, the most popular healing method of the New Age movement is the use of crystals. Crystal users suggest that the unsung solution of many personal issues may just be buried in our backyard – literally.
Crystals are best used in accordance with the Hindu belief in chakras. The chakras are seven energy centers within the human body that run along the spine. From top to bottom, the chakras run in reverse rainbow order, and each is associated with a different aspect of one’s life. To align the chakras, you can meditate with one or all of the associated crystals. Below is a simplified guide.
Crown chakra – Amethyst
At the top of the head, the crown chakra both literally and figuratively lifts you up. By far the most spiritual of all chakras, the crown is best paired with the transformative amethyst stone. Amethyst has many benefits, including stress relief, mood balancing, and spiritual awareness.
Third eye chakra – Purple fluorite
The third eye, sometimes known as a sixth sense, is incredibly intuitive. As such, it pairs well with purple fluorite, a stone that brings stability to its user.
Throat chakra – Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the stone for courage. The stone has a gentle, calm vibration that brings peace and clarity to its user. The throat chakra is the center of communication, so when it is blocked, aquamarine’s vibrations pair perfectly to elevate communication skills.
Heart chakra – Malachite
Malachite is a powerful energy protector, which is important when it comes to matters of the heart. As the name suggests, the heart chakra is responsible for compassion, empathy, and love for others. Malachite’s protective properties help to focus the energy of this chakra, so that matters of the heart are in tune with the rest of the body.
Solar plexus chakra – Citrine
Another powerful chakra, the solar plexus chakra is responsible for self-worth. The perfect match for this is citrine. As well as promoting positive energy, the stone is also good for manifesting.
Sacral chakra – Carnelian
The sacral chakra governs creativity and sexuality. Carnelian aids with these properties, but is more notable for its prominence in ancient cultures. In ancient Egypt, carnelian was often used to represent Isis, goddess of fertility, and was also used in burials and jewelry-making. The Prophet Muhammad in Islam is also said to have worn a carnelian ring on his right hand. Using this stone, whether in modern or ancient rituals, is a powerful way to raise your vibration.
Root chakra – Red jasper
The root chakra grounds us. Red jasper, then, is fittingly known for its grounding and healing powers.
The safest way to cleanse your crystals before using them is through smudging. Simply light a bundle of sage and allow the smoke to envelop the crystal for a maximum of 30 seconds. This method is effective and works on every type of stone. Some prefer to cleanse with water. That being said, it is best to cleanse each crystal with further research. Not every stone can survive the typical means of cleansing such as prolonged water or sunlight exposure. A general rule of thumb is not to submerge any crystal ending in “ite.” From this list, the only crystals that are not to be submerged are malachite and purple fluorite.
Once cleansed, crystals can either be charged with intentions or used straight away. Crystals have a multitude of uses. If you feel lost, getting one crystal for each chakra is a great jumping-off point, but try to follow your intuition. If a specific crystal from this list or anywhere else speaks to you, then go with it! You are more psychic than you realize, and your gut may very well know which crystals you need before you do. Happy crystal hunting!