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Guide to Crystals and Their Meanings According to Culture and Science
Herbs and natural remedies aren’t the only things that can help you on the road to holistic freedom. Crystals, depending on which ones you use, can actually help boost the effects of herbs and other natural remedies. Crystals and their meanings are very powerful in many cultures and belief systems around the world. Gemstones have long been symbols of astrological signs and birth months. So today, we’re talking about crystals and their meanings to shed some light on these awesome beauties.
Significance of Crystals and Their Meanings Around the World
As I said, crystals are significant to many cultures and belief systems, their uses may differ but their meanings will stand true in every corner of the world.
Even in an older generation, people like Nikola Tesla said that crystals and stones are keys to understanding the universe. Tesla proved that certain forms of energy can shift the vibrational resonance of other forms of energy. This is why healing crystals and stones are presently used in aligning, healing, and altering the vibrations of chakras, bodily cells, and the subtle bodies of holistic healers.
While the ancient civilizations didn’t have access to the scientific instruments of that time, they did have the instincts to use the power of gems, stones, and crystals. They also seemed to have an in-depth knowledge of their value and meanings In terms of their place in the universe.
The Romans used talismans and amulets filled with crystals for enhancing health, attracted desired things, and protection during battles.
Ancient Egyptians are one of the biggest historical civilizations to have used healing crystals. They would even bury quartz in the foreheads of their dead because it was believed to guide them to the afterlife safely. Pharaoh had cylinders of quartz to balance the Ba and Ka energies. Ladies of royalty wore crushed up Lapis Lazuli stone, which is associated with the Sky Goddess Isis, to promote awareness and enlightenment. Dancers wore rubies for sex appeal, others wore crystals over their hearts for love or upon their foreheads to awaken their third eye and reach enlightenment.
In the Chinese culture, they incorporated crystals into medicine, using crystal-tipped acupuncture needles and Pranic sessions. These traditions have been in practice for over 5,000 years.
The Ancient Greeks used to crush hematite to rub over the bodies of soldiers before battle because it was thought to make them invincible. The Greek word for crystal can be translated to “ice” in English since they thought that clear quartz was eternal ice sent from the Heavens. The mythology of Amethyst played a vital role in the tales of Dionysus and Diana.
In India, aryuvedic medicine values crystals for emotional healing and metaphysical imbalances. The Hindu Vedas tells us of the various uses of healing crystals, referencing each stone’s specific healing abilities. We’re going to talk about all that next.
In Japan, scrying was a common practice in the early culture; it’s similar to looking into a crystal ball as we do today. You might notice that several dragon statues and sculptures are adorned with crystal quartz spheres because they’re considered to represent the heart of the dragon as well as signify its wisdom and power.
The Science Behind Crystals
This is for everyone who might say that crystals and gems are just pretty rocks and doubts their power. Now, James Clerk Maxwell proved the concept of electromagnetism and their independent nature. Through the various breakthroughs in quantum theory, it has given us scientific evidence that what our ancestors believed about crystals and gems to be true.
Everything vibrates in a certain way and at different frequencies. Crystals have the ability to alter and shift the frequencies of objects or bodies that occupy the same space. Crystals vibrate at its own frequency oscillations. They vibrate within our energy field through the law of physical resonance. They create a larger vibrational field that affect the nervous system and transmitting information to the brain. So, in essence, connecting the vibrations or using crystals, can harmonize the frequencies and stimulate biochemical shifts in a positive, healing way.
It’s not just from a cultural or belief system standpoint but a scientific one as well.
What Can Crystals Help With?
If you’re experiencing a problem, I can guarantee that there is a crystal that help you. Crystals are made to heal and help the user. Crystals aid in balancing and aligning chakras, which is why you can still see people of different cultures and practices use them.
Where Can I Get Crystals?
You can get crystals from magic shops, holistic pharmacies, online, and even in candles. Yes, I said candles. There are crystal dedicated shops all over the web where you can get different crystals in candles, bath bombs, etc. It’s a fun way to get crystals but there is no harm in looking around shops while your walking around your town. This is especially helpful when you’ve collected many crystals already and are looking for something more unique.
How Do I Use Crystals?
Well, it‘s very easy to use crystals. You can wear them as jewelry. You can keep one in your pocket or purse. You can use crystals in needles like in Chinese acupuncture, or make a pen with crystal details. Look online, you can find a lot of cool crystal stuff to use and integrate into your life. Just being surrounded by crystals in your room can help change your biochemical frequencies.
How Can I Cleanse My Crystals?
First things first, you absolutely should cleanse your crystals or they will not work as effectively or they can have adverse effects. You should definitely cleanse them after you receive them because they have traveled around and you aren’t sure what energies they have already absorbed. You should also cleanse them after you use them for healing or practice. Regularly cleansing and recharging your crystals is the only way to restore them to their natural state. This can also help you with gaining a sense of purpose.
As far as how you cleanse and recharge your crystals, there are various ways to do it. Let’s discuss.
Method 1: Running Water
Water is a natural neutralizer and can get rid of any negative energy in your crystals and restore them to their natural state. Natural running water like in a stream is the best, you can do it under a faucet.
However you decide to do it, make sure the crystals are completely submerged then patted dry.
Approximate Duration: 1 minute per stone
Use this for: Hard stones like quartz
Don’t use this for: Soft or brittle stones like selenite, kyanite, and halite
Method 2: Salt Water
Throughout history, salt has been used to absorb unwanted energy and banish negativity. If you live near the ocean, then consider collecting a bowl of fresh salt water. If not, you can use 1 tablespoon of sea, rock, or table salt and a bowl of water.
Like with method 1, completely submerge the stones and pat the dry after a quick rinse once the process is complete.
Approximate Duration: Up to 48 hours
Use this for: Hard stone like quartz and amethyst
Don’t use this for: Stones that have traces of metal, are porous, or soft like malachite, selenite, halite, calcite, lepidolite, and angelite
Method 3: Brown Rice
This can be used to draw out negativity safely while in a contained setting. It can be especially beneficial for protective stones like black tourmaline.
Just fill a bowl with dry brown rice Nd bury your stones in the grains. Make sure to dispose of the rice right after cleansing because it absorbs the energies you wish to get rid of.
Approximate Duration: 24 hours
Use this for: Any stone
Method 4: Natural Light
While ritual cleansing falls on specific points during the lunar and solar cycles, you can set out your stones at any time to cleanse and recharge.
Put out your stones before nightfall and plan on bringing it in before 11am. This allows the stones to bask in the light of both the sun and the moon. If you can, put your stones directly on the ground for further cleansing. But, wherever they are, make sure you have them where wildlife and pets can’t disrupt the cleansing. Afterwards, give them a quick rinse and pat dry.
Approximate Duration: 10 to 12 hours
Use this for: Most tumbled stones
Don’t use this for: Vibrant stones like amethyst, in sunlight; soft stones like Celestine, halite, and selenite, it may become damaged due to inclement weather
Method 5: Sage
I’ve said this in my herb post, sage is a sacred plant with many healing properties. Smudging or the act of lighting sage on fire and moving its smoke around, your stones can clear in harmonious vibrations while restoring natural energies.
You need:
A fire safe bowl
A lighter or matches
Loose or bundled sage leaves
If you can’t do this outside, make sure you have ventilation so the smoke can carry out the negativity. When you’re ready, light the tip of the sage and transfer it to your non dominant hand. Firmly grasp your stones and move them through the smoke.
You want you to envelop the stones in smoke. If it’s been a while since your last cleansing, do it for longer.
Approximate Duration: 30 to 60 seconds per stone
Use this for: Any stone
Method 6: Sound
Sound healing can allow a single pitch or tone to wash over an area to bring it to the same vibration as the tone. You can do this by chanting, singing, bowls, using a nice bell, or a tuning fork. The key doesn’t matter so long as it is loud enough to encompass the stones. This is ideal for collectors who have a lot of crystals that aren’t easily inventoried.
Approximate Duration: 5 to 10 minutes
Use this for: Any stone
Hopefully, after this article, you have a better understanding of crystals and their meanings as well as how to use and cleanse them. Next time, I’ll give you a guide to all the different crystals and how they can help you in different ways. But keep in mind, this method of crystal healing has not only been a tradition for many cultures and beliefs but has also been proven by scientist as early as Nikola Tesla. Use this knowledge wisely, I have every faith in you guys.
Guide To Crystals and their Meanings According to Culture and Science was written, researched, and edited by Emmalie Roberts. For more articles, check out our blog page, here, and don't forget to follow us on social media, here, for daily tips, tricks, and reminders for your path to holistic health.