Crystals and Healing Healing With Crystals The long thin crystal wand shakes and vibrates in the healer's hand as she holds it over the woman. The woman is lying down and already has a number of coloured stones laid out on her body; stones that are adding their energy to the woman's aura. The healer feels the barrier and is unable to move her hand any further. This is where the crystal wants to work. It quivers and vibrates over the solar plexus chakra, activating the golden yellow stones of citrine and amber already laid out on the woman's body, and adding its own powerful light energy. After a short time the woman, with stones laid out on her body, lets out a long, slow breath and the crystal wand settles down and stops vibrating. The healer's hand, holding the crystal, is again free to move onto the next chakra. The healer 'hears' a message to add two more rose quartz stones onto the woman's chest and throat, which already hold a number of small stones. She knows that the rose quartz will help the woman to safely express and release some deep issues. The crystal wand again vibrates , this time sweeping the energy up and away from the woman's body. The  above is a small section of a crystal alignment session, where the energy of crystals and coloured stones is used to align the chakras, to help clear away old issues that keep us stuck and block our growth. Crystals add light and colour to the aura and the chakras. The coloured gem stones add their own particular vibration attuning each chakra. They harmonize your physical, mental and spiritual bodies. Crystals and gem stones are tools that I use to infuse your aura with light and colour. Keeping crystals in a room adds light and rainbow energy to that room, but remember to clean them and charge them regularly. It is generally not a good idea to sleep with a lot of clear crystals as they can keep you awake. Amethysts, however, are great for sleeping, meditation and dream work. Buying Crystals Purchasing a crystal for yourself is easy. Just pick the one you feel most attracted to. When purchasing a crystal for someone else, keep an image of that person in your mind and then pick one that appeals to you. Sometimes a crystal chooses you to go home with. I have had occasions where a crystal has followed me around a shop; wherever I looked, there it was again. I got the hint and took it home. Another time I avoided buying the crystal that had chosen me. However it stayed in my mind all day, giving me no peace until I went back to buy it. It has now become a healing crystal for the inner child. On another occasion as I put my hand out to pick up my chosen crystal, the one behind it jumped into my hand instead. It has now become a powerful channeling crystal. If you are buying a crystal for a particular purpose, like meditation, past lives, physical or spiritual healing, keep that purpose in mind and again go for whatever attracts your attention. Cleaning Crystals Cleaning crystals is not about removing dirt. Cleaning crystals is about removing the negative energy that the crystals pick up when they do their healing and clearing work. Even room crystals that are not actually used in healings should be cleaned on a regular basis as they pick up energy that is in the room. If there has been drama or stress (like an argument) in the room, crystals should be cleaned afterwards. Crystals that are used in healings shoould always be cleaned before using again. For a quick-fix clean hold your crystal under running water for a few moments. For a more thorough cleaning give your crystal a salt bath. I place all mine in a large container in which I have dissolved some sea salt in warm water. I leave them overnight and rinse them thoroughly next morning. Softer stones, like malachite, should not be put into salt water as it tends to scratch them. Remember that stones don't like sudden temperature changes which can cause them to crack and break. Whenever we go to a trip to the beach, I take my crystals and give them a real sea bath. Occasionally I will give them a treat by taking them to the water, but make sure you hang on tightly. I have had a few of them find freedom in the sea. Usually I will bring back a container of sea water to the camp to bathe them in. Holding your crystal in the smoke of a smudge stick or incense is also a way of clearing out negative energy. Smoke in general is a cleanser of negative energy and used in many cultures to purify a sacred place or object. Be careful you don't breathe in too much smoke . It isn't good for you. Sometimes I will place a crystal in a pot plant. The connection with the earth is also a cleansing process, and it won't hurt the plant as they absorb and transform negative energy, like the process of changing carbon dioxide into oxygen. You could also put your crystals outside in your garden to cleanse and recharge, but I have had a few go walkabout, so I now tend to stick to pot plants. Charging Crystals Charging or re-energizing crystals is simple. After cleansing place them somewhere where they can catch the light from the moon; a full moon is obviously the most powerful energy, But I have found that it doesn't really matter which phase the moon is in. However, if you have a particular purpose in mind for your crystals, then you may want to look at the effect of the moon's cycle. Placing them to catch sunlight is also a charging method. However, remember that too much heat could crack your stones. Putting them on a window sill in full sun is not a good idea. Programming Crystals Remember that computers have a silicon chip. This is a piece of crystal (although nowadays it is specially grown for that purpose) which amplifies and holds memory.You can also program your crystals for specific purposes or to perform specific tasks. I have crystals programmed to help me reach deeper levels of meditation, to assist with my dream work (amethyst for that), for protection and also to record events that I can look back on and absorb later when I have time. My working crystals include ones programmed for dealing with past life traumas, with physical and emotional healing, channeling, while the larger ones work with group energy during ritual and ceremony. Before programming, make sure your crystal is cleaned. Then I hold it in my hand and enter into a meditative state. I ask the crystal what does it want to do. How does it want to work? Usually I already have some idea as this is often made clear when you originally purchase it, but you can always refine that initial purpose. I never progam a crystal against its will. To actually charge the crystal hold it in your right hand with your thumb on one of the facets (or virtually anywhere on a crystal ball), close your eyes and enter your program. Your program needs to be short and to the point, just a few words like "remember my dreams" or "show me images of past lifetimes that are relevant to my healing now" or "keep my mind focussed so I may reach deeper levels meditation". Work out your program before you start. To enter the program just say the words over and over again, and visualize the energy of the words moving down your arm and out of thumb into the crystal. When it feels full, say thanks and remove your thumb. You can also program the other facets of the crystal although it is best to keep to a similar theme within the one stone. To remove a program, use your left hand and pull the program out of the facet, again visualing the process. Cleansing does not necessarily remove a program, but a program can break down over time. So check your programmes every now and then. You may need to redo them occasionally. When you no longer need the program it is polite to remove it, and then give the crystal a cleansing bath. Some years ago I was backpacking around the UK and Europe, seeing and experiencing so much that it was often overwhelming. I carried two clear crystals with me which always lived in my pockets ( and had to be explained at airports). When in a place where I really wanted to remember the details, I would put my hand in my pocket, hold the stone and program the stone with my thoughts and emotions. Years later I can still access those images and feelings whenever I pick up the stones that I took. Crystals For Healing There are many books available that give specific instructions on each stone and its healing abilities. Generally the coloured stones correspond to the chakra colours, but mot always. And even different stones of the same colour can have different healing qualities. It is important to be familiar with the basic properties of your stones. But crystals also work on etheric levels so the best way of learning about your crystals as individuals is to meditate with them; communicate with them; listen to them. Over the years I have come to recognize the different personalities of my crystals and in what capacity they like to be used, and where they work best. Crystals automatically add light and harmony, so just having them around creates a healing atmosphere. One doesn't need to believe in the healing ability of crystals for them to work. A woman who came for counseling picked up a rose quartz and burst into tears. (Rose quartz is the stone for unconditional love and forgiveness.) Before we had even begun the actual session she was already releasing and healing, thanks to the influence of the rose quartz. However when they are exposed to any negativity they do need to be cleaned and recharged. Crystals are our friends who choose to come to us, heal us, and bring harmony into our lives. Crystals are rainbows of the earth. Earth  Shine The fiery stars reflect the light In caverns deep beneath the skies. Gems of light and colour send forth the rays That heal And harmonize.   Man digs deep to find this wealth. The crystal gems are glad to help. To share their joy, their love, their wisdom With Man If he would only listen.