Crystal Healing Q&A: what you need to know

Crystals Q & A:

3rd party resources included

Are crystals safe to handle?

Most crystals are generally safe to display around your space and hold while meditating, but be aware that certain crystals can be dangerous when handled improperly. For example, popular stones belonging to the Quartz family such as Amethyst , Citrine, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, and Clear Quartz contain high amounts of silica which, when inhaled over a long period of time, can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Raw Tiger's Eye can be high in both silica & Asbestos and thus should not be worn. Crystals such as Bumble Bee Jasper, Selenite, and Malachite are known to leak trace amounts of toxins and should be handled with care.

I recommend checking out your crystals on this Gemstone Toxicity Table to be aware of exactly what the risks are for each & how to properly care for them.

Can I put all of my crystals in water?

If you are looking to clean/cleanse your crystals using water, check this list of water soluble crystals first. Certain stones, such as Pink Halite or Selenite (aka Desert Rose), dissolve completely in water. As a general rule of thumb, briefly submerging your crystals with a Mohs hardness of 6 or above in water should be okay. Want to test your crystals? Learn how to do the Mohs Hardness Scale here.

Although it has become a trend in recent years to put charged crystals in water to drink or bathe in, not all crystals are fit for this purpose. Crystals such as Celestite, Moonstone, Turquoise, Pyrite, Labradorite, Opal, and Hematite should never be put into water. For a complete list of water unsafe crystals check out this resource.

How can I cleanse my crystals?

There are lots of ways to go about cleansing and charging your crystals. I prefer to set mine under a Salt Lamp overnight or on the windowsill during a Full Moon, but when I first get a new crystal I always cleanse it using a pine smoke cleansing bundle. If you are unable to use a smoking method, consider using bells, sound bowls, anointing oils, holy water, meditation, or visualization. No one method is more powerful than the next, it is all about what resonates with you the most.

Ideally, you will want to cleanse and charge your crystals immediately upon getting them and then as needed. If you allow someone else to borrow a crystal, it is probably a good idea to clear the energies before using it again on yourself. If you feel something is off with one of your crystals, it could be "dead" in a sense and in need or a good charging. Consider putting it in a selenite bowl or around other high energy crystals to bring it back to life. Other methods include burring the crystal in the ground for 3 days (just remember where), dipping it in clean running water, and incantation.

Can I gift a crystal to a child?

Yes, a crystal is an appropriate gift to give someone under the age of 18! Crystals can help with nightmares, test anxiety, social anxiety, balancing emotions and more. Children who are more susceptible to paranormal experiences may benefit greatly from having protection stones around.

If the child is under 6 years old, only purchase crystals that are too large to swallow. Young children should be well supervised during any interactions with crystals to avoid any accidents. Stones like Pyrite, if ingested, can cause a dangerous chemical reaction. If you know your child likes to taste the world, consider gifting them Pink Halite (aka Himalayan Salt) which is perfectly safe to consume in reasonable doses. It probably goes without saying that you should also pick crystals that are not easily breakable if dropped, so pick stones with a Mohs hardness of at least 7.

What are some common protection crystals?

Typically, any crystal that is black, white, or red can be very helpful for grounding and protection purposes. My favorite is golden sheen obsidian or just plain obsidian but Black Tourmaline, Jet, Smoky Quartz, Turquoise, Hematite, Blue Goldstone, and Onyx work well too! Selenite is also a great crystal to have around to clear stagnant/negative energy and it is the only self cleansing crystal.

Some believe that Amethyst & Labradorite can be used to ward off unwanted energy, however I have found that both of these stones occasionally bring in spirit activity so if you plan to use these make sure the wielder is confident in their intentions. The same goes for Clear Quartz.

Do crystals really help treat illness?

While crystals can help you overcome a sickness and maintain good health, you cannot expect them to do it alone. Daily exercise, proper water intake, and a well-rounded diet are needed as a solid base. Crystals should never be used in place of medical, mental health, or emergency care. Crystals cannot make up for the use of prescribed medication, therapy or professional surgery - they should simply be used alongside these methods.

Understand that not every crystal will have the same effect on every person. If a certain crystal isn't working for you, don't give up! Not all crystals vibrate at the same frequency, so it is important to find one that feels right for you. I have found that getting the stone I feel most drawn to typically has the best results and often is exactly what I needed rather than the ones I researched first.

If you are someone who likes to go in prepared, or you already have some crystals and would like to know their associations, Energy Muse has a fantastic alphabetized list of crystals, their associations, and healing benefits.

Can I use crystals for sex magic?

Although some websites will claim that it is safe for you to buy a giant rose quartz sex toy, experts would disagree. Many crystals are porous (meaning water, and other fluids, can seep inside) making them difficult to properly clean. This also means that harmful bacteria can grow within the cracks and crevices. A womxns body is extremely sensitive to bacteria and minor changes in pH, so it is best to leave that crystal phallus or yoni egg on your altar. If you are really dead set on using your crystals for sex magic, please consider using a condom to protect yourself. A great alternative to this would be simply laying your crystals across yourself or near you during intimate moments.

Are crystals ethical?

Unfortunately, the crystal industry is laden with ethical problems. Crystals are a nonrenewable resource, meaning once we have mined them all we will not get them back for millions or billions of years. Many crystals are byproducts of the highly destructive mining & oil industry (other nonrenewable resources) as they are searching for their target product. This means the actual people mining these beautiful natural works of art & healing could not care less how intentional or respectful their acts are. They are just concerned with making money off of their mess.

Oftentimes, the crystals are mined overseas where workers are subject to unsafe conditions & extremely low pay while the countries themselves are being exploited. There have even been cases of child labor within this industry. The worst part of all is that there is no legal requirement for these industries to disclose where the crystal came from or how destructive the process was. If you are interested in keeping your practice ethical, consider shopping for your next crystal second hand or only with reputable sellers who disclose all of their sourcing information.

With the recent surge of interest in the metaphysical, shops have been popping up all over. It only takes a few minutes to tell between the shops that really care about healing and the ones that are just after the money. If a shop owner guarantees you that their crystal will cure cancer or any chronic illness, walk out. Additionally, be very wary of stores that hide the truth from you. I actually worked for a store for a brief period that would not allow us to say how old the fossils were because it could upset those who believe in the Bible. I am all for respecting religious beliefs, but we have an ethical obligation as practitioners, healers, and guides to give people the truth when they ask no matter what. The teachings of the Bible are lovely, but the Earth is not 6,000 years old and to support this is unethical in my eyes. Covering up uncomfortable truths is exactly how we got to where we are in this world today. Be a part of the positive change.

With love,

Ashlyn Aquarius ♡

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