At the time we choose to meet or work with them, our experience of crystals will be influenced by our personal energetic structure, needs and intentions at that particular time. For this reason, it would be misleading to talk about crystal healing in absolute terms, just as it would be misleading to guarantee specific outcomes for medical, psychological, or any other type of healing assistance. 

The answers to the following questions reflect Deborah's own experiences with crystals and her work with her own clients. She encourages you to trust your own inner wisdom and guidance, as you explore the healing gifts of crystals and the roles they may play in your own life. 

Q: What is the difference between a mineral, a gemstone, a crystal and a plain old rock?

A: All refer to members of the mineral kingdom and likewise share energetic gifts of this nature kingdom.  In the traditional sense, the differences between these are:

• A mineral is a naturally-formed substance made up of one or more chemical elements.
• A rock is made up of a number of minerals.                
• A gemstone is a mineral or a combination of minerals considered to be precious because of certain distinctive qualities such as clarity, color, durability and rarity.
• A crystal is the term originally given to quartz crystal.  It is now popularly used to refer to stones in general and is the term we use most frequently here at The Crystal Bee.

Q: Do crystals benefit everyone?

A:  We are far more interrelated with the mineral kingdom than most of us realize. Our physical bodies are made up of minerals, just as the Earth is. We rely on the Earth’s minerals to provide essential nourishment and physical support for us, just as they support all living beings on this planet. Their energetic vibrations broadcast frequencies that may affect us on other levels of our being from the emotional to the spiritual, also contributing positively to our greater health, balance and well-being.

In homes, offices and other spaces, their energetic presence can contribute to the healthy, nourishing qualities of the space, benefiting all those who come into contact with them—regardless of whether these individuals are consciously aware that crystals are present.

People can receive even greater, direct support from the mineral kingdom when they make the conscious decision to work with crystals intentionally. 

Not all people, however, gravitate to working with crystals intentionally or find working with them helpful or enjoyable at a particular time. For some, crystals may become a life-long interest and partnership, while others may choose to work with them at a particular time, or not all. Working with the living energies of crystals is but one of many healing partnerships available to us.

Q: How do I know if a crystal may be able to help me?

A: People tend to recognize that a crystal may be helpful at a particular time by using this simple stone-check: Do you feel a flow of energy coming from the crystal or a heightened sense of well-being when you hold it?  If the answer to either of these is yes, it’s likely that you’ve been drawn to a helpful stone.

Q: I am healing a serious illness and have heard that a particular stone may be helpful. How do I know if this crystal is the right one for me?

A: First of all, let me emphasize that it is important to remember that working with crystals is not a substitute for medical or other treatments for  physical illness or psychological conditions. If you are already engaged in the appropriate traditional treatment for your condition, crystals may be helpful to you in a variety of ways:

• Supporting your overall vitality or energy for the healing process.
• Providing comfort and emotional support by sharing the energies of unconditional love, peace, well-being and other positive vibrations.
• Helping you to address the underlying energies associated with the condition that are present in your energy field.

While many crystal books do suggest specific stones for specific healing tasks, it is important to recognize that like all broad generalizations, these suggestions are guidelines and it is important to discern whether a particular stone is a good “match” for your own particular needs or circumstances at a given time.

An Example

A woman who was healing breast cancer asked me to help her select a stone that could best support her in her healing work. I was aware of a crystal that was popularly recognized as a having the potential to provide assistance for people with this illness. Yet, when I assessed her energy field, this stone's energy did not seem to be a good match to help her at that particular time.

While she felt ready on a conscious level to do the healing work, energetically she was not in the particular place where this stone could assist her with its energy. What proved most helpful for her at that time was another stone that could help her replenish her vital core of emotional energy. While not recognized in the crystal literature specifically for her illness, this stone more appropriately matched her energetic needs for her own healing process at the time.

Important to Remember

• Your best guide to whether a particular stone may be helpful to you is the basic stone-check: Do you feel a flow of energy from it or a heightened sense of well-being when you hold it?
• When reading crystal literature, it is always helpful to remember that there are hundreds of stones in the mineral kingdom available to assist us.  Many share similar gifts. The suggestion of a particular crystal for a specific task is an opportunity to recognize that this type of assistance may be available to you and to also consider the other stones that may be helpful and accessible to you. 

Q: Do I need to take care of my crystals in any particular way?

A: There are no absolute rules about crystal care, but I believe that honoring the mineral kingdom through respectful care is very important for these reasons:

• It is our way of respecting them as living energies.
• It honors the reciprocal, co-creative relationship we have with them.
• It is our way of expressing gratitude for their generosity.
• It supports their own greater well-being and service by helping them to be in their most refined state.

Like all living energies, crystals do respond positively to the energy of our intentions and actions.

• Respectful care can be as simple as maintaining a respectful intention in the ways that we store and work with them, or as extensive as periodically engaging in activities to clean, nourish, or "charge" (energize) them when we sense their energy becoming less vibrant or “juicy”.   
• Depending upon their specific qualities and care needs, crystals  respond positively to the nourishment of other healing energies of nature: sun and moonlight, water, plants, Earth, etc.
• Considering a stone’s particular needs is important because all do not respond to similar care in the same way.  Some stones may fade if placed in direct sun light, crack if placed outdoors in cold weather, disintegrate if placed in water, or scratch if cleaned with salt. Because stones vary in hardness, softer ones respond best to delicate treatment.  Crystal care is reviewed in The Bee’s Beginning with Crystals class.

My experience here at The Crystal Bee has convinced me of the importance of honoring, respecting, and nourishing these healing energies of nature.

May 2011   Deborah Bookin/The Crystal Bee