Crystal Healing: Pseudoscience or Buried Truth?
As featured in Enchanted Morning Magazine, April 23 2023
Long before crystals were considered static pieces of home decor or fashion accessories, people used them for healing and protection. In fact, the practice of using crystals for somatic and spiritual enhancement spans almost universally across all ancient cultures. Sumerians used crystals in their magical formulas, Greek warriors would rub themselves with ground crystals prior to battle, Egyptians were the original pioneers of jewelry and amulets, Chinese used gemstone needles for rebalancing Prana during acupuncture, Maori would use crystals to protect themselves from psychic attacks. The list goes on.
There are also a myriad of legends about crystals that appear to be capable of more sinister influence. Tales of legendary stones, usually with mysterious origins, that are allegedly cursed. The Hope Diamond, the Black Orlov, and the Dehli Sapphire (which is actually an amethyst) are examples of famous ‘cursed’ crystals, with sometimes century-long trails of misfortune befalling their owners. Many of these surviving specimens have been retired from private ownership and are now housed in museums around the world.
Why is crystal lore a universal truth throughout the history of mankind? Is it just primitive rubbish or has the answer to this question been somehow lost in time, buried under layers of modern history and generations of hubris?
Let us broach this topic with three main questions. The first: Do crystals have electromagnetic properties? The second: Do humans have electromagnetic properties? And, knowing that the answer to both of the preceding questions is yes: Is it really that far-fetched to theorize that humans and crystals have the ability to influence one another via some form of energy exchange? To think that humans (as electromagnetic beings) and crystals (as natural substances that can alter electromagnetic energy) cannot interact whatsoever might be a modern day scientific blind spot. I’m just saying.
The real question then becomes: how does crystal healing work?
What is Crystal Healing
Crystal healing is a form of energy work in which crystals are used as vibrational aid for our own energy field. Healing crystals can be used for enhancement of lifestyle, environment, spirituality, physicality, and so on. The professional practice of crystal healing usually involves a combination of: the reading of your natal chart, chakras or aura, holistic consultation, and physical examination. Things like lunar cycle, planetary alignments and numerology are also sometimes taken into consideration.
But what’s so special about crystals? Well, crystals are some of the oldest materials ever found on this planet and there is also a growing body of research around crystals of extraterrestrial origin. Yes, you read that correctly. Science is currently identifying and analyzing crystals from other parts of the universe too!
Crystals have unique elemental constitutions, conditions of formation, and crystalline structures; and each specimen, its own individuality- much like human fingerprints. They are also some of the strongest materials on this planet. This is because the atoms of most crystals are held together by covalent bonds- the strongest atomic bonds in nature.
The atoms of a crystal are arranged in orderly, repeating patterns called crystal lattices, of which there are seven distinct systems. This is the key to their magic. And not all crystalline materials are shiny rocks! Sugar, salt, metal, and snowflakes are also crystals in their own right.
The Special Properties of Crystals
Crystals are miraculous because they are endowed with the ability to transmute energy. We use them industrially in lasers, watches, and cell phones for that reason. Let’s take a look at a few of the electromagnetic properties that we know crystals have.
Pyroelectricity is the ability of certain crystals to generate electricity when exposed to temperature fluctuations. (i.e. tourmaline, quartz)
Piezoelectricity is the ability of certain crystals to generate electricity when placed under mechanical stress. (i.e. quartz, topaz, bone)
Triboluminescence is the ability of certain crystals to generate light when placed under mechanical stress. (i.e. quartz, calcite, fluorite)
Fluorescence is the ability of certain crystals to glow when exposed to UV light. Phosphorescence is prolonged fluorescence that remains even after the source of illumination has been switched off. (i.e. diamond, ruby, opal)
Photochromism is the ability of certain crystals to change colors in different types of light. (i.e. alexandrite, garnet, sapphire)
Pleochroism is the ability of certain crystals to appear as two or more colors when viewed from different angles. (i.e. iolite, tanzanite, andalusite)
Crystals are also variably conductive and insulative- electrically and thermally. Meaning, they can block and conduct electricity and heat.
These properties of crystals are uncontested in the scientific community, but can they really affect and influence our own energy? The debate seems to lie more so in the electromagnetic properties of the human body.
Humans emit electromagnetic energy- powered by our hearts, running through our blood. The energy emitted from our bodies, called black body radiation, is in the infrared range. This is another scientific fact, though there is still fierce debate around the relationship between electromagnetism and consciousness. What’s up for debate: Is consciousness the electromagnetism in our bodies? Does the brain influence an individual’s electromagnetic energy field? Are emotions and thoughts chemical, electrical, or both?
Intention and Placebo Effect- One in the Same?
Without taking a deep dive into complex theories of quantum mechanics and consciousness, I would simply like to propose that the secret ingredients to crystal healing are intention and practice. With those, one may be able to use crystals to influence their energy and the energy in their environment.
Intention can be a powerful force when used correctly. This notion is surprisingly corroborated by peer-reviewed scientific research. Even modern day scientists are now exploring the ways that direct intention affects reality on physical and atomic levels. But… How does one use intention correctly?
It can be easy to mistake intention setting as goal setting, but there is a distinct difference. Of course you need to set clear goals, but goals are about doing and intentions are about being. Goals are set in the future, while intentions are set in the here and now. Goals are about taking action, and intention is about surrendering to the process.
There are many ways to practice intention setting. Meditation, breath work, microdosing, and prioritizing healthy lifestyle choices are all ways that we can work on this skill. To learn crystal healing, this means practicing those techniques physically with your crystals.
A Quick How-To For Beginners
Doing a little research beforehand can’t hurt, but there are no wrong answers about what stone can help with what. The number one rule in crystal healing is to use your intuition when selecting crystals to work with. The same goes for all aspects of your personal practice- Do whatever feels right for you.
Once you’ve selected a crystal, it’s time to cleanse and recharge it. These simple rituals are said to clear and program any energies within the stone. Popular cleansing rituals include soaking crystals in salt water, giving them a sound bath, and leaving them in natural light. Popular charging rituals include breath work, leaving your crystals under the full moon, and smudging them with herbs and incense. Try to clear and charge your crystals at least once a lunar cycle.
Once your crystal has been refreshed, physically hold it and set your intention. That is- decide and designate what it is you’d like the crystal to help with. Crystals can’t directly cure a disease you have or guarantee you a winning lottery ticket but if you put good energy into them, they will promote the flow of good energy around you too. Just having them around your home, on your desk at work, or in your pocket are easy ways to start incorporating these energies into your daily life.
Today, there is so much electromagnetic static around us that perhaps it is clouding up the message from Mother Earth. We are innately connected to this planet and the things that come from it. Crystals are revered for their beauty and provenance but we so easily overlook their metaphysical gifts. They are some of the most magical materials on our planet! Perhaps our planetary ancestors, living under the stars and not being constantly bombarded by electromagnetic frequencies from electronics, had a much better grip on the abilities of these natural substances. Isn’t that the irony of it all.