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Crystals ~ Where to Begin?

They’re all so beautiful, but where do you begin?? There is so much information out there when it comes to crystals, that knowing which ones to get and how to use them can be overwhelming. Crystals and stones aren’t mandatory. It's all about where you want to take your craft. Some people don't want to have to deal with all the charging, grounding, cleansing, and recharging that comes with crystals, so they decide to opt out. Others might love the idea of pretty rocks that are also functional, so they hoard hundreds upon hundreds of the same stone.
The important thing to remember is that you are the only one who can decide what you want to do with your craft; after all, it is yours!
So, you want to bring some crystals into your craft, but you're lost in the many lists of meanings and just want something simple. Many witches are the same way! Lets begin with the correspondences of five of the most "essential" stones for an aspiring crystal witch. This list is MY list- the ones I’ve found to be the most helpful in my practice, and the one I use the most. As you grow, you will find other stones and start working with those. Crystals for Rituals, Grounding, and Power
1. Clear quartz is versatile and good for protection, healing, and clarity.
2. Rose quartz can be used to promote love and romance, and it also helps with anxiety and depression.
3. Amethyst is a protective stone and is also reputed to have sobering effects.
4. Selenite provides clarity and can help prevent bad dreams.
5. Hematite is used for grounding, protection, and scrying.
Clear Quartz
Second only to feldspar, clear quartz is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust. It is found on nearly every continent on Earth. Because of how common it is, clear quartz is most likely the least expensive crystal on your shopping list.
Etymology: The name "quartz" comes from the Greek derivative krustallos, meaning "ice," as it was thought that quartz was actually ice formed by the Gods. Since the Middle Ages, spheres made of rock crystal have been used to predict the future (crystal balls, anyone?).
Almost every witch who works with crystals will have at least one piece of clear quartz in their collection, just for the sheer versatility it offers as a crystal. Quartz comes in endless varieties, and clear quartz is also referred to as "pure quartz" because of its colorless and transparent nature. However, many other crystals are actually quartz as well. Variations, such as amethyst, onyx, and bloodstone, occur when small amounts of the crystal's silicon dioxide atoms are replaced with other elements.
When to Use Clear Quartz
Essentially, clear quartz is universally handy; if you don't have a particular stone for a spell, you can bet clear quartz will do the job! Even modern scientists tout the impressive chemical and physical properties of quartz due to its ability to send, receive, and store energy physically and metaphysically.
In addition to its amplification properties, it's unusually good for protection and healing spells, as well as providing clarity. If you're having trouble studying or focusing at work, meditating with some clear quartz might help you out.
Clear quartz is the first essential crystal in any witch or collection, as it is versatile and can be used for dream work, meditation, divination, or healing purposes.
Rose Quartz
As you might guess, rose quartz is a variety of quartz that gets its name from the rosy pink hue of the stone. The color is caused by small amounts of titanium in the crystal. The color of rose quartz ranges from pale shades of pink to rose-pink to rose-red. Occasionally, it has a faint purplish or lavender cast.
Rose quartz is considered the stone of universal, unconditional love. The stones are often carved and tumbled into heart shapes to further reinforce this idea. Witches whose craft is focused around love and/or self-love often have several of these stones, and use them in rituals and spells to strengthen love.

Rose quartz is used to purify and open the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. It can be used to help bring comfort in times of grief. It is known to repel feelings of heartbreak and anxiety.

Rose quartz dispels negativity and protects against emotional pollution, replacing it with loving vibes. It encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance, invoking self-trust and self-worth to those who use it.

When to Use Rose Quartz

Those with mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression can find rose quartz helpful on their road to recovery; although, of course, crystals are not a replacement for therapy and medication. Always consult with a doctor before supplementing with crystals.

Amethyst
Yet another quartz variant, amethysts get their color from small amounts of iron deposited during the formation of the crystal that become irradiated by exposure to gamma rays. While the word "amethyst" makes most people think of a dark purple gem with red undertones, amethyst actually occurs in many shades of purple. The purple color can be so light that it is barely perceptible or so dark that it is nearly opaque.

Etymology: The word "amethyst" comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning "not," and methysko or methyo, meaning "intoxicate." This stems from the ancient belief that amethyst could prevent its holder from drunkenness

Amethysts are the most common gemstone gifted for sixth-year anniversaries (usually marriage)

When to Use Amethyst

Amethyst is a powerful and protective stone. Amethyst can be used as a natural tranquilizer, as it relieves stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear, and anxiety. Amethyst activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and enhances psychic abilities. It possesses strong healing and cleansing powers. Psychics often uses the crystal due to its soothing energy, which bolsters their intuitive senses

Amethyst can have a sobering effect on the overindulgence of alcohol, drugs, or other addictions. It calms and stimulates the mind, helping you become more focused, enhancing memory and improving motivation. In fact, it is often referred to as the "sobriety stone" due to the ancients' use of the crystal to make goblets to drink wine from, which they believed would prevent them from getting drunk

During the Middle Ages, the Catholic church believed that in addition to helping people stay sober, amethyst could also assist priests in remaining celibate. To this day, some bishops still wear amethyst rings
Amethyst assists in remembering and understanding dreams. It helps relieve insomnia and encourages selflessness and spiritual wisdom. It is also known to help repel nightmares and anger

Selenite

Selenite is a crystalline variety of the mineral gypsum. If placed in water, selenite will revert to gypsum. Selenite is most often transparent and colorless

Etymology: Selenite is named after Greek σεληνη, meaning "the moon." It can also be referred to as satin spar, gypsum flower, or desert rose

Selenite can come in several colors, including grey, green, orange, and brown.

Tumbled selenite is most usually found in the form of points and sticks, which are points without the point

When to Use Selenite

Selenite helps provide clarity of the mind, expanding one's awareness of the self and of one's surroundings. It helps open the crown and higher-crown chakras and accesses higher guidance from spirit guides

As selenite was named after the Greek goddess of the moon, practitioners of witchcraft often use it to help them deal with issues that come and go, as the moon ebbs and flows over the course of a month. It's also used for women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or raising children.

The crystal can be used to access past lives as well as future lives. Selenite is a calming stone that instills deep peace and is excellent for meditation or spiritual work. It assists judgment and insight. It clears confusion and aids in seeing the deeper picture.

I often use selenite to help with dream and spirit work. Used in tandem with amethyst, selenite provides good dreams or at least freedom from bad ones. Since selenite is a good stone for psychic connections, I often use it when I am lucid dreaming and/or astral projecting.
Hematite

Hematite, also spelled haematite, is one of several mineral forms of iron oxide. It is the oldest-known iron oxide mineral and is widespread in rocks and soils. Hematite is colored black to steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish brown, or red

Etymology: The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood, αἷμα haima, due to the red coloration found in some varieties of hematite. The English name of the stone is derived from Middle French: Hématite Pierre, which was imported from Latin: Lapis Hæmatites around the 15th century, which originated from Ancient Greek: αἱματίτης λίθος (haimatitēs lithos, "blood-red stone")

When to Use Hematite

Hematite is used for grounding and protection. It helps strengthen our connection with the earth, making us feel safe and secure. It endows us with courage, strength, endurance, and vitality. A so-called "stone for the mind," hematite stimulates concentration and focus, enhancing memory and original thought.

In ancient times, the crystal was believed to bring good luck. The Ancient Romans smeared hematite on their bodies, believing it would make them invisible in battle. Today, people use it to bring themselves luck during difficult legal situations.

Hematite utilizes the magnetic qualities of our energies to balance the ethereal nervous system and the physical nervous system. It assists with focusing energy and emotions for balance between the body, mind, and spirit. It dissolves negativity and helps prevent you from absorbing the negativity of others.

Hematite is strong, boosting self-esteem and survivability, enhancing willpower and reliability, and imparting confidence. It helps to overcome compulsions and addictions, treating overeating, smoking and other forms of overindulgence. It is also used to repel stress.

Hematite's reflective glimmer make it ideal for scrying, wherein people gaze into a reflective surface to divine the future. People trying to break habits (such as smoking, drinking, chewing their fingernails, or eating when they get bored) would benefit from regular meditation with this stone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crystals
How Do I Use Crystals?

Crystals can be used for meditation, divination, astral travel, magic, sleep and lucid dreaming, and healing. Using crystals for these purposes involves educating yourself on individual crystals and their purposes and properties.

Where Can I Buy Crystals?

Check online or ask around to find local specialty stores such as those that focus on healing or market themselves as metaphysical or spiritual boutiques. Employees at these stores should be able to help you find the crystals you need and supplies to set up an altar or other means of using and displaying your crystals. Online shops such as Amazon are also great resources.

How Should Crystals Be Stored?

It's important to keep your crystals close to you, whether you wear them in the form of a ring, pendant, or other jewelry, or display them in your home, you don't want to hide them away in a box where they'll be forgotten. Your storage options will depend on how you plan on using your crystals. For example, healing crystals might be stored in a medicine bag (sacred to some Native American cultures) or mojo bag (used by hoodoo practitioners).

Most people choose to display crystals strategically throughout their homes to help circulate energy through the residence. Be careful about storing crystals in windowsills, as some are prone to fading or changing color in direct sunlight.

How Do I Cleanse or Charge My Crystals?

If your crystals are dirty when they come into your possession, you can clean them with lukewarm water and a gentle detergent, if necessary. Crystals must also be cleansed metaphysically, and it is generally recommend you do this whenever you obtain a new crystal. Some even suggest cleansing after anyone else comes into contact with your crystals

There are several ways to cleanse your crystals, including:

* breathing gently on the crystal while focusing your intention on cleansing it;

* using salt water to soak your crystal (only if it has no cracks). This is NOT recommended for Selenite.

* lighting candles (generally a white candle, which represents purity) and using their magic;

*placing under the light of a full moon or in direct sunlight, depending upon the crystal;

*some will even bury their crystals for a period of time to cleanse;

* and prayer, chanting, or blessings.

Charging your crystals can be accomplished by:

* soaking them in sunlight,

* bathing them in moonlight,

* or nestling them in potted plants to absorb their companionable energy.

Other Crystals Used in Witchcraft

* Celestite is believed to help those who wish to astral travel.

* Some believe diamonds have the ability to amplify the properties of other crystals.

* Galaxite is sometimes referred to as the "aura stone" because it can be used to protect or balance the aura.

* Lepidolite is a stone that contains lithium (often prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder) and is therefore used to help balance moods or calm negative emotions.

* Use meteorites to connect with the universe's energy.

* Pink manganocalcite is also referred to as the "Reiki stone" due to its fascinating ability to seemingly increase healers' powers.

There are literally thousands of stones and crystals out there, and you will find you are called to specific ones as you begin working with them. Do your research and learn about them and their uses. I recommend grabbing a copy of The Encyclopedia of Crystals by Judy Hall. It’s in depth descriptions helped me so much!

Over time, you may find that you begin working with the same few stones over and over again due to their familiarity to you.

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