They’re beautiful, mysterious and, word has it, they have healing powers. Carol-Ann Davids takes a closer look at crystals.

As far back as ancient Egypt, humans have had an insatiable love for precious stones and many things that glitter. But if the only place you believe precious stones belong is on jewellery, you may be surprised to know that humans have also revered gems for their properties and, according to many ancient cultures, their ability to heal.

Crystal therapy
For the best explanation of why and how crystal therapy is said to work, check the time. Does your watch say ‘quartz’? Quartz crystal is the most abundant mineral found on earth and it is used in watches, computer chips and other instruments, essentially, to order energy. Catherine Bowman explains in her book, Crystal Awareness, (R62, Llewellyn) that certain quartz crystals are piezoelectric -­ they have the ability to emit energy when subjected to some kind of stress. The way your watch works is that an energy source (from a battery or another mechanism) is applied to the quartz in your watch, the quartz absorbs this energy and releases it at such a precise rate that your watch keeps perfect time.

Crystal healing is based on the principle that the body is surrounded and permeated by electromagnetic fields, better known as auras. And what all of that means, is that the knowledge of how crystals emit and direct energy, forms the basis of crystal healing.

Feel the force
Crystal healing is not a new approach to health, it’s a return to therapies employed by ancient cultures including the Indians, Egyptians, Aztecs and Chinese. What these and other cultures believed, was that crystals could be used to affect the energy fields of the body by absorbing negative energy and readjusting or reordering the flow, returning the body to its natural rhythm. While scientific research does not confirm this, crystal therapy has many followers and is practised by reiki healers, masseurs, reflexologists and other therapists who believe that the body is a system that needs to be approached holistically. So, crystals are tools used by some healers to unblock energy or to ward off illness, depression and other common maladies.

The colour of magic
Not all stones were created equal. Different crystals are thought to have different purposes depending on their shape, mineral content, colour and vibration. Crystals with warm, rich colours (red, orange and yellow) are thought to promote energy flow, while light-coloured crystals (clear, white and green) are used to achieve a calmer or more focused state.

Health and reiki therapist Usha, of the Soft Healing Centre, suggests that the best way to use crystals is to place one or more on the body’s charkas (the seven centres of energy of the human body). Usha says, ‘The crystals link the energy fields of our aura with our emotions, body and organs. They enhance and stimulate the dormant side of the chakra. That is why wearing a certain crystal or holding it in your hand can have positive effects –­ for instance, citrine may energise, while rose quartz ­ which deals with love and the emotions ­ may help to ease heartache.’ Each chakra is associated with a different colour, and stones of a corresponding colour are used in that area. In the case of the heart chakra, pink is also used.

Take me to your healer
What you can expect when you visit a crystal therapist is that she may place crystals on your body to correspond with your chakras, or may surround you with stones to create a positive energy field. Usha uses a range of crystals during a session and applies various coloured stones to the chakras. ‘The crystals will focus, enhance and direct the energies coming in and going out of the body.’ But that doesn’t mean that the only way to get a good dose of crystal therapy is through a healer -­ do try this at home folks. According to Usha, crystal therapy can be performed at home with success. ‘Find a comfortable, quiet place. Lie down, placing the appropriate crystals on your chakra areas. Focus on healing yourself and allow the crystals to do the rest. But there are other ways to use crystals. Wear them, keep them in your home ­particularly rose quartz beside the computer to draw out negative energies.’

Dressed for success
Crystals can fulfil a number of purposes and come in a range of shapes and forms. From chakra bracelets and gem pouches, to rose-quartz necklaces and palm-sized clear crystals, a plethora of objects can be found in holistic stores, at street markets or on the Internet.

Crystals are said to assist with an endless number of ailments: from sore throats, to liver complaints to protection from negative energies, with each stone fulfilling a different purpose. Some healers suggest keeping the relevant crystals in a pocket, or wearing them in a necklace of different lengths -­ so as to be close to the relevant chakra -­ while others say how you decide to wear them is merely a matter of style. Follow these useful hints for the best results.

Choosing crystals: therapists advise that the best way to choose crystals is to follow your intuition. Choose the crystals to which you are most drawn.

Cleansing: crystal healers suggest that crystals should be cleansed to rid them of negative energies. However, be careful when cleaning your crystals ­some gems and the metals in which they are set, can be sensitive to the cleansing methods. Crystals can be cleansed by leaving them in salt water for a few hours, energising them in sunlight, or washing them in cold water.

Get to know your crystals: to hone your knowledge of which crystals assist with which strengths and ailments, consult a book or a therapist.

Crystals and the stars
Birthstones were traditionally believed to be bearers of luck and a source of protection. Crystal birthstones are said to have significance, because of the compatible vibration between specific stones and signs of the zodiac.

Aquarius -­ garnet, amethyst

Pisces -­ amethyst, jade, bloodstone (jasper)

Aries -­ bloodstone (jasper), diamond

Taurus ­- rose quartz, amber

Gemini -­ agate, citrine

Cancer -­ moonstone

Leo -­ golden quartz, onyx

Virgo -­ carnelian, jade

Libra -­ lapis lazuli, peridot

Scorpio -­ obsidian, coral

Sagittarius -­ amethyst, turquoise

Capricorn -­ onyx, agate, garnet

If you have to choose just one...
Everyone needs some extra shine now and again. Karen Ryan, in an excerpt from A Guide to Gem and Crystal Therapy, from Astrology Zine (www.astrologyzine.com) offers the top 10 crystals most suited to the specific needsand imbalances of women, men, children and pets respectively. The crystals play a role in healing, guiding or protecting. Wear them in a necklace or in a pouch beneath your clothing:

Women: amber; amethyst; obsidian; red coral; garnet; jade; jasper; rose quartz; smoky quartz; sodalite

Men: amethyst; garnet; jade; rose quartz; smoky quartz; diamond; hematite; lapis lazuli; malachite; moonstone

Children: amethyst; obsidian; aventurine; carnelian; clear quartz; rose quartz; lapis lazuli; jade; tiger eye; pyrite

Pets: amethyst; black onyx; calcite; carnelian; clear quartz; coral; fluorite; garnet; hematite

Stress: amethyst; citrine; clear quartz; fluorite; garnet; hematite; malachite; rose quartz; smoky quartz; turquoise

Crystal guide

Contacts

Contact Usha at the Soft Healing ­ Healing and Training Centre, Port Elizabeth, at ushar@webmail.co.za.

For more information on qualities of stones, consult Crystal Enchantments: A complete guide to stones and their magical properties by DJ Conway, or www.earthbow.com.

Crystal therapists in your area

Crystal therapy is not meant to replace medical treatment, but rather to enhance your overall health. If you are ill and need to see a doctor, do so! To try crystal therapy, contact the following practitioners:

Durban
Shalini Govindasamy, 031 312-1271, 072-428-3431

Johannesburg
Trish at the Glenvista Holistic Health Institute, 011 432-2225, 082 859-3486
Edna at Terra Stones, 082-361-9261, www.divalights.com

Cape Town
Amanda van Heeden, 021 551-0144, 082-437-7710
Dyan Belonje, 021 462-0467, 082-771-6070, dyan@mweb.co.za

Pietermaritzburg
Ingrid Richert, ingrid@crystalbound.com

Port Elizabeth
Soft Healing –­ Healing and Training Centre, 041 360-2221