Crystals have been used as a form of alternative medicine dating back to as far as 400 B.C. Originating in the western world and not being completely accepted as a viable healing practice in the modern era, the idea of crystals being beneficial in the physical realm is a concept that remains heavily questioned by the common individual. What do they do? Do they really work? These are only two of the commonly asked questions surrounding the mystic rumors of healing crystals and their place in spirituality and medicine. I understand the confusion and skepticism, seeing as their properties are stereotypically valued by a group of the whimsical type. So, this is my attempt in outlining some of the important facts about crystals, in hopes of clearing up the global cloud of confusion around them.

How do crystals work?

In general, crystals are believed to channel or counteract certain vibrational energies that induce specific emotions, thoughts, and feelings.

“Everything in life is a vibration,” is a quote from Albert Einstein that beautifully depicts the science behind the beliefs of using crystals for energy healing. Every object we can see in the physical form possesses a vibrational presence in the universe. In fact, it’s believed that vibrations occurring in the natural environment played a large role in the evolution of life on earth. These vibrational frequencies vary from object to object; however, each and every thing has this characteristic in common due to the atomic motions that correspond to physical existence. [1]

Spiritual practices, such as Reiki, apply the science of vibrational quantum physics to energy healing. Crystals are used as a form of this alternative medicine, because they possess unique vibrational frequencies that are believed to manipulate the energetic aura— the surrounding energy of an object— for beneficial effects. The theory is that frequencies tend to behave by matching the wavelengths that are strongly present nearby. Because crystals vibrate at a stronger vibrational frequency (about 32,000 Hz) than the human body (about 7.5 Hz), they are believed to embody this natural phenomenon in a medicinal way. [2, 3]

To sum all of that science up and put it more simply, crystals are believed to influence the energy of the human body and/or space in which they’re used. The variety of crystals in the natural world, each possessing unique energetic auras of their own, are used to induce/reduce certain energies that are desired/undesired for improved spiritual health and well-being.

Do crystals work?

The research on crystal healing and its legitimacy as an alternative medicine is limited. Personally, I’d say the best way to describe the effectiveness of crystals for spiritual healing lie in the mind of the beholder. Like most aspects of spirituality, reality is created by the mind. If you’re able to open your mind, body, and spirit to the possibilities of their energies, you’re a likely candidate to reap the benefits that they’re believed to offer.

Final note: best practices.

Finding the right crystals for your intended purpose and reading up on all of the properties they have and their recommended practices is the first step. Once you’ve learned the magical science pertaining to your new spiritual allies, practice mindfulness through meditating on the state of your aura. Release any thoughts, emotions, and/or feelings that are clogging your energy sources to make room for absorbing the frequencies of the crystals. Through cleansing your energy and remaining mindful of the aura you wish to manifest, you’re on the right track to matching your crystals’ vibrations.

For a more detailed guide on the basics of how to use crystals, see this article by Ohana Yoga, https://ohanayoga.com/how-to-use-crystals/ .

Sources:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7308885/

[2] https://www.myimperfectlife.com/features/do-crystals-work

[3] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/js/2018/7140610/

[4] https://www.reiki.org/articles/auras-and-chakras

[5] https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1283&context=honorstheses