Pretty and practical - crystals are becoming increasingly popular in the world of alternative healing

The field of alternative healing is very extensive, and the practice known as crystal healing is quite complex as well. Luckily, we are here to explain to you exactly what it entails, in a language we mere mortals can understand. In a nutshell, crystal healing is a therapeutic technique that utilizes stones and crystals as healing tools.

Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, people have had an unquenchable love for all that glitters. According to many ancient cultures (such as the Hopi Indians, the Hawaiian islanders and the Chinese) crystals and gems have the power to heal. People who believe in crystal healing say that it can act as a remedial (healing) force and that it can bring about positive changes in one’s life.

The Pro

We went to see Susan a crystal healer to find out exactly what this practice involves. She starts off by saying “crystals, effectively, are rocks, but they are the basis of our foundation in life, and everything we have in life has a frequency or vibration to something. Some are slow and some are fast.” She mentions that she (amongst others) believes that there is potential of working with crystals because they allow energy to flow – just think of the quartz in your watch – they have the ability to emit energy.

Susan says “when crystals connect with a person and they are used together in a healing session, they will resonate or vibrate a frequency, and what that actually does is it amplifies any intention.” She mentions that the crystals assist her and she emphasises that she is not a healer, but a “facilitator”. The stones/crystals will “entrain vibrations across to you [the client]. Whatever I place as an intention will turn around and embroider and grow.”

Chakras explained

One often hears of ‘chakras’ in the body, but the complicated explanation that follows usually just leaves us even more confused. Chakras are important in the world of crystal healing, because they correspond with specific parts of our body. Susan states that a very simple way of understanding chakras is to see your body as a house. “If one looks at the bones and blood – that is the bricks and water of the house, so the meridians (pathways through which energy flows) are the internal wires of the house, and chakras – the power points,” she says.

There are seven primary chakras and we in fact have to “plug into them to help us process our emotions,” she states. “The signal will travel all along the meridians to get it around the body, for the body to function.” Sometimes there are blockages in the meridian lines and then “an emotional issue will come out and it won’t get resolved – and it blocks the chakras.” People then often start to feel out of sorts and they can’t understand why. Susan “helps to open those energetic channels to make sure that they are free flowing so that you have got the full potential of your universal and spiritual self and the working of your physical and emotional self.”

But my religion might be compromised!

Susan says she did not just start practising crystal healing, she was drawn to the almost magical stones – it was almost as if they chose her. She says she “just became fascinated with them” and she “gradually started to sense something”, but she “couldn’t say what it was” - she felt an “energy”. This might sound very strange and people will most probably step back and say “Whoa! This weird practise is against my religion!” But Susan herself was brought up in a Methodist family, and she professes that she still believes.

“I have had these [people] that I have discussed [crystal healing] with and talked to beforehand, and often people say ‘Oh, I’m a Christian!’ and I would say ‘Well, what do you think I am?’” she explains. “If you look, there is a common denominator between all types of holistic healing, just like there is in religion,” she adds.

Why would anyone go for crystal healing?

We asked Susan who would benefit from crystal healing and she answered “anyone can benefit from it. If you can tell me that there is somebody out there who is running on 100% mind, body and soul –happy in everything that’s going on in their lives – then they wouldn’t need it.”

“Majority of people [that come to me] have recognised that there is something wrong and they don’t know what it is. They feel out of sorts and their energy is low, they’re short-tempered, they feel heavy, their limbs don’t move the way they want them to and they can’t put their finger on it.”

 “Life is an emotional journey”

Many emotional issues that a person might have will manifest themselves in the physical body. For example, if you are feeling depressed after the death of a family member or the break-up of a romantic relationship, you might eat a lot more or less than usual, and this will affect your physical health. No matter the magnitude of the emotional trauma, it is sure to set into your physical self at some point.

Susan tells us “an emotional issue will take about two years to set into the physicality, and the reason why it does that is because the body’s only way of telling you that your mind needs to address something is to communicate through pain – [it is] the only way we pay attention. Each part of the body will turn around and tell you ‘look at this’, that is what happens.”

 How it is done

Usually a raised, adjustable bed with borders is used to practise crystal healing and the crystals are placed around the borders, but Susan prefers to make the client more comfortable. “You kind of come in for your own pyjama party,” she jokes. She assesses the situation before starting, she has a very intuitive personality, and then she considers what needs to be looked at.

She chooses her crystals accordingly, but mentions that she does not necessarily choose them, they choose her. “Most people have recognised that there is a property for a crystal, for example Amethyst is for protection, but to me, any crystal can be used for anything,” she explains.

So she will lie you down and make you comfortable – usually she will have a short session before the treatment where she explains everything and asks questions. The crystals are placed around the client to draw out negative energy, be it imbalance, disharmony etc. These crystals are usually facing away from the body, to draw the energy ‘out’ (that is the therapist’s intention and the crystals magnify the intention).

During this process you will go into a pre-meditative state. Susan mentions that some people would want to open their eyes and talk to her, but afterwards said that they couldn’t. “You lie there, you sleep, but you are not asleep, because you hear what’s going on around you,” she adds. You will suddenly wake up and “that is when you know the crystals have done what they intended to do”.

The crystals are then removed and another set of crystals will be placed around you, depending on what you want to fill the “hole” that the previous crystals created with. You can choose a zestful life, happiness, peace, anything you want. This time, the points of the crystals are facing inwards, towards you.

The second time you lie down (for the session that ‘fills the hole’) you will find that it is much quicker, and you don’t go into such a deep pre-meditative state. You are essentially more relaxed. When the session is completely over, different people react differently. “It depends on the personal journey each time. I’ve always had people come out afterwards and say ‘I feel so different, I feel light’ and walk away. Afterwards they would say ‘Oh wow, it stayed with me, I enjoyed it and I must come and do it again,’” Susan states.

Risks or contra-indications

Although there are no medications and physical procedures involved, there are still some risks involved with crystal healing. Susan has a very specific criterion before she starts treating someone. She first asks them to fill in a form – she wants to know about medications, allergies, family history etc. She ‘asks general questions’ and gives us examples by saying that “if somebody is going for anaesthetics, I do not give them [treatment], and if they have just come out of anaesthetics I will not give them [treatment] for at least three days.”

Why? “Because it [the treatment] will magnify whatever is in their body – that’s why we need to know what medication they are on.” Clients are also advised not to drink [alcohol] before the treatment or for a few days after – if they are going to drink after the treatment they must do so in moderation. “You always have to be aware – I place my intention without harm – and there are some things I can’t see, so I ask them to check, just to ensure that they go away without harm.”

 All’s well that ends well

There is no scientific evidence that proves that crystal healing has any effect on humans, or even animals. It has been said that the feelings of change that anyone experiences could be attributed to the placebo effect – if you believe something to be true or to be working, it is or it will be so. Susan also thinks that faith and belief plays a big part in the workings of crystal healing. Still, people in need of spiritual and emotional help often turn to holistic healers, and there is no reason not to. “We [just] want to give balance and peace of mind” Susan says.

Popular Stones and Crystals

• Emerald: This beautiful green stone is said to be helpful for any afflictions involving the mind. Also said to be a ‘love’ stone, the emerald can promote love and harmony.

• Moonstone: Known as the ‘women’s health stone’, the moonstone protects during pregnancy and controls things such as hormonal balance and menstrual cycles.

• Rose quartz: This lovely pink stone is said to be the protector during child birth. Rumour has it; it can increase sexual function and slow down the ageing process.

• Aquamarine: Those who are experiencing grief could benefit from this stone and it could also help you understand difficult situations.

• Diamond: The most famous stone is the diamond, it is very beautiful and it could also increase personal clarity.

• Mother of pearl: The name almost says it all. This stone is a protective stone and it imitates the love of a mother.

• Opal: The opal is said to make you see more possibilities and discover a broader view. When you feel trapped in a situation - this stone is said to have a freeing effect.

• Ruby: Just as the colour signifies, the ruby is the stone of love. It is rumoured to open the heart and help a person overcome fear.

• Sapphire: If you are carrying around a lot of mental baggage and you do not have mental clarity, you could use this lovely blue stone, maybe as a necklace.

• Tanzanite: When you are facing many changes and challenges in your life you might need to bring tanzanite into your life, it is said to uplift and open the heart.

“You can choose a zestful life, happiness, peace, anything you want.”

For more information on crystal healing  and Products please visit Markus van der Westhuizen at Healthy choice

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