The list of crystals contains general descriptions, basic properties and some magickal uses. A full description of each crystal would take up a tremendous amount of space and duplicate work already done by others. Much of the information here was gathered from multiple sources, gleaned through experience, or channeled. The best reference we have found on crystals is, Love is in the Earth, by Melody. For a full listing of this book, please visit the Pagan Reading List.
In addition to descriptions of the various crystals, information on selecting, cleansing and use are available. All sections appear on this page and you may scroll down to them. For faster access, click on the desired topic to jump right to the section.
Quartz
Description:
- Clear, similar to glass. Comes in a variety of colors.
Purpose:
- Amplifies energy and thought
- General workhouse crystal
- Promotes balances
- Protects against evil and negativy
- Purification
- Stores energy
- Transumutes energy
- Useful in healing
Uses:
- Treatment of all physical disorders, mental disorders, spiritual disorders
Return to the menu
Selecting a crystal
Crystals are living, growing entities with minds and personalities of their own. As humans do not always get along with other humans due to personality conflicts, the same thing can occur between crystal and human. When selecting a particular type of crystal, it is important to select a crystal which is right for you.
Crystal selection can be a long and difficult process or the right crystal may literally take a nip at you to get noticed. When selecting a crystal it is important to remain calm and relaxed, listen to any messages you might receive. Look at the crystals available and notice if any catches your eye. If one or more do, pick them up and set them aside. Pass your hand, palm down, over the crystals remaining and see if you feel any bumps, spikes or other sensations to draw your attention. If you do, locate the crystal calling to you. Set these crystals aside. From the crystals you have put aside, look at them again. Pick each one up and hold it, talk to it, see how it feels. Do this with each crystal you are considering. When you have found the best feeling crystal, ask if it wants to go with you. If you get a yes then purchase it. Thank the other crystals you took out and return them to the display. Of course, if you wish to purchase more than one you can do this also. It is not uncommon for people to purchase several of one type of crystal at a time.
Another method is to have another person select a crystal for you. This method requires that the other person know you very well or be an accomplished channeler. Selecting a crystal for another person simply requires that the selector relax, open to the universal consciousness and "touch" the person for whom the crystal is being selected. During the selection process, the selector will follow the same steps above while concentrating on the purchasor they are selecting for.
Once you have your crystal at home, take it around and introduce to everyone, show it your living space. Let it know that you are about to cleanse it; if it seems scared you should explain what cleansing does and that it will not hurt it. Crystals have an extremely long lifespan and mature at different rates. It is not uncommon to get a "young" crystal which does not "know" everything yet.
Always remember to treat your crystals with care and love. Crystals are not just an item to be picked up, used and discarded like a can opener. Be kind and gentle to your crystals, they will love you for it and help you in return.
Return to the menu
Clearing Crystals
Clearing a crystal removes any negativity, or any psychic residue which has built up on a crystals. As a crystal is handled or used, a psychic residue builds up on it much like magnetic garbage builds up on a VCR tape. To remove residue from crystals, they should be cleansed after you buy them and then periodically as more residue builds up. There are many methods for cleansing crystals.
Everyone has a different method of cleasning crystals. However, crystal cleansing usually involves three steps:
- Cleansing the crystal
- Charging the crystals
- Dedicating the crystal
Cleansing the crystal can take many different forms:
- Burying in the dirt under a new or full moon for three days and nights (or seven)
- Immersion under running water (stream) during a new or full moon for three days and nights (or seven)
- Immersion in salt during a new or full moon for three days and nights (or seven)
- Burying beneath the roots of an oak tree (with permission from the tree) for three days and nights (or seven)
- Leave outside during the new or full moon for three days and nights (or seven)
- Auric cleansing - hold the object, visualize it filled with pure, white light
- Place the crystal on your altar and ask the Goddess and God to cleanse the crystal. They will do this if you ask them but we generally try to ask as little as possible of them when we can do it ourselves.
Charging the crystal can take many forms. Basically, every form used for cleansing can be used for charging.
Dedicating the crystal involves nothing more than making it known that the crystal will be used only for positive workings, never for evil workings. If any evil is attempted with it, then all power from the crystal will return to the Earth and not be used for evil. Crystals (as with all magickal tools) should only be used for the betterment of all, harming none, in accordance with the laws of the light and the universe. The dedication is usually performed during a new or full moon and many people prefer to cast circle before the dedication.
PhilBear, the person creating this site, prefers to combine several of the procedures. He will first create a vessel of Holy Water (consecrated water made from rain or natural water and sea salt then blessed, although, tap water and table salt will do in a pinch), bless a small glass, put the crystal in the glass and cover it with water. He will go outside and cast a full circle asking that the elemental Guardians keep an eye on the area for the next seven days (but they are not asked to stay the full time), leave the crystal outside under a full moon (he prefers to work with that energy) for seven days. After seven days, he removes the crystal from the glass, pours the water out to the earth, gently dries off the crystal and then visualizes it in pure white light. He will dismiss the circle, thanking all the particpants for joining and lending aid. He then will take the crystal back to his temple area, cast full circle and dedicate the crystal. He will usually do all of his crystals at once (about 60) and so it takes the better part of a night.
This is only an example of a cleansing and dedication of a crystal. If time is of the essence and the need is immediate, he will use auric consecration. Watch for a page describing how he does house cleaning and protection a bit later.
Return to the menu
Uses for Crystals
Crystals have many uses: they store power, they transmuste energy, they dispell negativity, they help in healing, they channel energy, focus energy - will - intent (all the same really), protect, help with problems, offer advice when asked, aid in meditation, etc.
Crystals vibrate. Everything for that matter vibrates. A crystal acts much in the same way as a tuning fork. A tuning fork is an instrument that when struck produces a certain vibration (sound or pitch) which you can use to tune instruments. A crystal does much the same same, but in addition, it will help to adjust the energies of what it is around. For example, if a chakrah is out of alignment, a crystal with the particular energy signature of the chakrah can pull the chakrah back into alignment. The effect is similar to playing two notes which are harmonically related to each other.
For more information on crystals and their uses, please view the Pagan Reading List for books on the subject.
Return to the menu
Return to PhilBear's Book of Shadows