I never used to be that ‘into’ crystals, despite their prettiness and mystic appeal. I associated them with people who seemed so fearful of ‘negative energy’ that they armoured themselves in ornate necklaces of black onyx to prevent psychic ‘attacks’ from those around them. To have that level of suspicion of those around you to me either means you are paranoid or mixing with the wrong people. Like attracts like in my experience. If you look for trouble and negativity you will surely find it. Over time and experimentation I have come to see that crystals are like amplifiers, opening us up to different energetic frequencies that are inherent within us and in those around us. If you feel the need to cover yourself in black onyx to absorb negative energies, that will most likely be beneficial as most of that negative energy is probably coming from you. This stone will help you transform this energy into something more positive. Likewise rose quartz will open you up to more gentle love and nurture. Carnelian may help you open up to sexuality and creativity.

Don’t be fooled though, as with everything, we have responsibility for our own energies. These minerals are here to help us clear and heal areas of ourselves, but if there are deep-seated reasons for us to have closed off aspects of ourselves, more work will need to be done to get to the root of these things. Sitting in meditation with a certain crystal will potentially help us connect to these areas of shut-off. What arises within our consciousness may not be pretty. Measures may need to be taken in the form of professional therapy to unpack some of our psychology so that we can put issues down and connect to our own healing.

Crystals for me are not medicine so much as powerful guides to our own healing. If a crystal ‘doesn’t work’ there is some other work that needs to be done. The awareness of a blockage in our energy is itself the mirror that the crystal can hold up to our energy field. These magic minerals are our helpers on our journey to manage and heal ourselves.