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As a kid, I grew up attending church pretty regularly. I remember going to Sunday school before service, BEGGING to go to Vacation Bible School so I could kick it with the cool kids LOL, and attending all the church picnics every summer. As a teenager, I would even read the “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul” books (y'all remember those!?!) along with the “Left Behind” series, so it’s safe to say that as a kid, I definitely and most confidently considered myself a proud Christian.
Once I went to college, however, things started to shift and certainly by my mid-to-late 20’s, things had shifted pretty dramatically with regard to my spirituality. As I interacted with more and more people from around the world, I learned about a variety of different religions & spiritual practices, a lot of which I actually really identified with.
At a time when I needed it most, I began to learn more about meditation, intention setting, the Lunar Calendar and how the elements played a role in physical and mental health. I became mesmerized by the wealth of knowledge I was obtaining, so I could no longer subscribe to only one religion; rather, I'd become someone who came to believe in the power of energy & vibrations 😏, the cosmic powers of the elements, crystals, cleansing herbs and the existence of different vibrational patterns. In search of a "label" or some type of classification for my belief system, I found out about animism and became a self-proclaimed animist.
Animism: The belief that objects, places and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Potentially, animism perceives all things—animals,
plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork and perhaps even words—as animated and alive.
Along my spiritual journey, I kept encountering more and more information about crystals. I'd known a bit about them and had seen them in people's homes as what I thought were simply decorative pieces until I learned that they each have a unique and distinct power. I began collecting them and then a few years ago, I started wearing crystal bracelets with to be able to carry their energy with me wherever I went!
There are so many powerful crystals out there that can aid and assist in healing a variety of different needs but for the intention of this post, I’ll only focus on the top 5 crystals that (in my humble opinion) everyone MUST have.
Let’s get started!
Amethyst
Often referred to as “nature’s tranquilizer”, Amethyst is used to calm the mind and enhance a meditative state.
It is known for being a stone of spirituality with high vibrational frequencies known to purify energy and create a protective shield around the body.
It's common to see large geode chunks at the entrance of people's homes as a protective force from negative energy that may enter.
It enhances one’s creativity, strengthens the imagination and aids in transitioning ideas into action.
Commonly known to be the stone of focus and success.
It can also be used to cure insomnia and invoke pleasant dreams if placed under the pillow at night.
Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye is the stone most commonly used to strengthen will and intention in order to manifest at the highest level.
Definitely have this stone present while setting intentions!
Like Amethyst, it inspires creativity and the invokes the use of one’s talents and abilities.
Since Tiger’s Eye is considered a stone of luck & good fortune, it is ideal for entrepreneurs or for those building up skills and a knowledge base for major career changes in the future [Eason, 107].
It is a stone that encourages non-conforming thoughts & ideas, making room for one’s artistic and creative talents to come to fruition.
It’s encouraged to use it as a support stone for determination and overcoming fear of competitions, public performances, presentations, etc.
It should also be carried for protection in unfamiliar places and for protection from the negative intentions of others [Hall, 290][Eason, 107][Lembo, 334-335] [Megemont, 177].
Black Tourmaline
I carry this stone with me in my purse EVERYWHERE I go.
This stone is highly revered as "the protection stone". You wear/carry this stone for protection from ALL negative energies, particularly those that reside in people around you (friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, etc.)
If you are an empath (self-declared or not) or simply someone who has a tendency to absorb others’ negative energy when they unload on you, this is the stone that protects you from taking on their negativity (while still lending an ear or a shoulder, of course 😉).
It guards against radiation and environmental pollutants, and is highly useful in purifying and neutralizing one’s own negative thoughts and internal conflicts, and turning them into positive, usable energy [Eason, 204][Raphaell, 132][Ahsian, 407].
Clear Quartz
It is said that quartz crystals, the most powerful healing stones, are the most common and most abundant in the world.
This is THE best stone to set intentions with because it is programmed by whatever energy or intention it is used with.
It too protects from negativity, allowing you to get in touch with your higher self and allows for the fulfillment of prayers and intentions.
It enhances healing or spiritual growth when used during meditation or setting intentions and can hold energy for long periods of time.
Rose Quartz
This stone carries a soft feminine energy of compassion and peace, tenderness and healing, nourishment and comfort.
It speaks directly to the Heart Chakra, dissolving emotional wounds, fears and resentments, and circulates a Divine loving energy throughout the entire aura.
It can be used at night as it invokes peaceful dreams and prevents nightmares/night terrors.
Rose Quartz is a calming crystal, excellent for use in trauma or crisis.
It strengthens empathy, sensitivity, and aids in the acceptance of necessary change.
It is also an excellent stone for comforting grief [Hall, 236].
Fun facts about crystals in general:
They can be “charged” under the sun/moonlight. Lay them out during a Full/New Moon and carry them with you daily to take advantage of their healing powers!
They should be cleansed upon purchasing or receiving a new one. (Warm water + a light soap will do just fine).
Some stones are known to open specific chakras.
“Birthstones” are also naturally occurring crystals, so everyone has at least one that’s assigned to their birth month. Hayyyy November babies!
It is said that when you lose a crystal, it is because it has served its purpose and is no longer of any use to you.
Crystals are also known to literally vibrate and/or become more opaque in color depending on the energy it’s around.
Purchase Options
Want to buy your own crystals or crystal jewelry?
Check out these Black-owned companies to get yours!
- SoulfulVibesCo (for crystals)
- Divine Intentions (for bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry items)
- NellzJewlz (for bracelets!!!)
References
Books:
[Ahsian, pp.] Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007).
[Eason, pp. ]Cassandra Eason, The New Crystal Bible (London: Carlton Books Ltd., 2010).
[Hall, pp.] Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible (Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2003).
[Megemont, pp.] Florence Megemont, The Metaphysical Book of Gems and Crystals (Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2008).
[Raphaell, pp.] Katrina Raphaell, Crystal Enlightenment (Santa Fe, NM: Aurora Press, 1985)
Sites:
"Healing Crystals" www.healingcrystals.com
"Crystal Vaults" www.crystalvaults.com