Stones, Crystals, and Sacred Jewelry

[Pathwalker]

While searching the web for some crystals and semi-precious stones I wanted for Christmas this year, I found some wonderful websites offering crystals, semi-precious stones, and Sacred Jewelry, including Ascension jewelry. Many gave the sacred meanings for each stone, with a picture of the stone.

I fell in love with a few of the sites, and wanted to share them with all of you. The first is MoonCave Crystals, a one person company, that is loaded with not just stones, but a LOT of information I found very interesting.
http://www.mooncavecrystals.com/store/agora.cgi

Another one I enjoyed was The Crystal Caravan

http://www.crystalcaravan.com

I would love to hear from all of you - what are your experiences using stones and crystals? Do they work for you? Do any of you have Chakra Pendants? I am very interested in what works for you, and what doesn't, what you use them for, as well as advice on cleaning, or recharging, or re-intentioning, etc.

Happy Holidays!

[Cleita]

1. I used to work in a tourist attraction that sold crystals in its

gift and souvenir shop. There were all sizes and they were beautiful, but a warning, with crystals. They can also emit negative energy. The owners of the business were recovering alcoholics and drug addicts and I do believe they weren't that recovering. There was an negative atmosphere of unhappiness and malfeasance about the place and I'm sure the crystals absorbed and emitted this negative energy in kind.

To tell the truth, I couldn't get out of there fast enough once my three month commitment to work was up.

[Pathwalker]

2. I agree with you on that. In fact, I have two crystals,

very beautiful ones, that were given to me, but the person who gave them to me was like the people you describe, only worse. His energy is all over these crystals, and I was hoping to find a way to diffuse that energy and re-intention it with my energy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. :-)

PS: I love your Avatar so much, I tried to change mine to it, but I can't seem to do it.

[Cleita]

3. The avatar is available alongside other DU avatars.

That's how I have it. I'm no whiz with the tech stuff so I use what DU has available. Also, I don't know how to change the energy on crystals, maybe someone else will tell you.

[Astarho]

24. Smudging works too

sage usually although sometimes I prefer cedar. Also its a good idea to cleanse crystals every few months or so anyway.

Also Kyanite and Citrine are the two stimes that do not accumulate negative energy.

[LibertyLover]

4. Cleansing crystals

I have found that using Reiki to clear my crystals works very nicely. Whenever I find or buy one I clean it with spring water that I've charged with intentional energy for cleansing and purifying. Then I use Reiki to complete the cleansing and purifying process and to charge the crystal with my intent. On particularly "dirty" crystals, it can take 2 or three Reiki sessions before I am happy with the results.

[LibertyLover]

5. Cleansing

I should have also explained that you don't need to use Reiki energy to clear your crystals. Another way I was taught, before I got my Reiki attunements, was to hold the crystal my hands, ground and center. Then once grounded and centered, to find the white or purple light from the transpersonal chakra (the one located about 18 inches above the crown of the head) and channel it into the crystal for cleaning. Once it was clean, you can, re-charge or re-program the crystal.

If you want, you can supplement the energy cleansing by leaving the crystal in the light of a full moon, bury them in earth (a somewhat dicey proposition as more than one person has forgotten where they buried a crystal) or salt (this can damage crystals) for several days, place them on top of a large already charged crystal matrix (this tends to be expensive - large chunks of crystal tend to be pricey) or submerge them in clean running water (again somewhat difficult to do these days, although the bathroom or kitchen sink will do nicely). Some people add blessed salt to the water, but again, salt can damage some crystals so I don't recommend it.

I hope that helps.

[NMDemDist2]

6. cleansing crystals

running water then two days in full sunshine seems to work :)

kinda "bleaches" the negative energy out of them...

we have an amethyst crystal hubby has poured so much energy through using it for healing (colds and such) that he has cracked the poor thing

we called is "SAS" which stood for "Swiss Army Stone" since he did so many kinds of energy work with it.....

[Pathwalker]

7. Wow - thanks for all the information everyone!

although two days of sunshine are a little hard to come by in Michigan this time of year. Can I spread the two days apart?

[NMDemDist2]

9. give it a full day then and see how it "feels"

sunshine is nature's disinfectant :)

edit to add once it is "cleared" don't let anyone else handle it

once we had SAS cleared and cleansed, I never touched it, only hubby would handle it :)

[Pathwalker]

8. Thank you for your advice. My memory is too bad

to bury them. :-) I like the light of a full moon, though. I've read that, is it okay to use more than one cleansing technique?

[davsand]

10. I've had good luck putting them in the rain.

I put any new ones out in the rain and sun and moonlight for a bit. Rather than bury them, I just lay them out in my yard or in a pot of earth on the porch and then let them sit. I find they are divested of any residual energies from where ever they came from, and recharged after a few days.

Word of warning on any colored crystals: Sunlight can fade any of the colored crystals so do be kind to your colored stones and protect them from prolonged sunlight!


Laura

[dbt]

11. Wrapping quartz crystals in copper wire is reputed to increase power.

Assume that the "cloudy" end of a double-terminated crystal is the feminine energy. Hold it pointed away from you and wrap the wire counterclockwise coming toward you. This way, it will be clockwise "going up," which is said to be the direction that is most efficacious for amplifying the crystal's energy.

I clear my crystals by immersing them in a glass bowl which contains a quart of water (Mountain Valley Spring Water if you can get it) into which a cup of sea salt has been dissolved. It is said that the water should be the same temperature as the crystals. I leave them outside for 24 hours and then rinse them under running water. The next day, one can often see where the salt has settled around the crystals in some real interesting patterns--much like iron filings on cardboard under which a magnet is held.

After this cleansing is done, they are ready to receive intent ("programming") for whatever task is to be done. One method I have been told about is to hold the crystal (feminine end down) in the left hand (provided one is right-handed) and hold the right hand over the point while giving intent for the task. And that would be a lot like Reiki, wouldn't it?

I use quartz crystals, anywhere from six to fourteen at a time, in CloudBusters to counteract chemtrails and in other Orgonite devices which are really soothing/healing/focusing to be around.

Sweet Surrender Crystal Mine near Mount Ida, Arkansas, has some of the finest quartz you ever saw and they sell by mail order at reasonable prices IMO. Check them out here.

Other Orgonite devices can be found at this site.

Peace Around,
dbt

[Delphinus]

12. Hello!

I use crystals and gemstones in my meditations, on myself, and in my healing practice of Reiki and other energy work.

I started using them in the early '90s and can only tell from my own experience: they work to help you heal.

Good luck on your journey!

Blessings,

[G_j]

13. please keep in mind

that crystals have become a huge business and that 'sacred' items are traditionally taken with prayer, gratitude, offerings, 'permission' etc.

Crystals are often torn out of Mother Earth.

I always suggest to friends that they not 'collect' a bunch of exotic crystals, but keep just a few if they feel the need. I have a few which were gifts. I treasure them and if I am gifted another one I gift one that I have.

[Pathwalker]

14. I understand what you are saying.

I posted this thread because I have felt led BACK into this particular interest. Taking in mind what you said, I was happiest with my order from a one person company, who seemed very in tune with the purpose behind my search. That was the aforementioned MoonCave Crystals. I spoke personally with the owner, and she was overwhelmingly helpful.
She sent a few extras with my order, including a stone called Angelite, which I LOVE.

One question; I thought each stone was only to be used by its owner, thus allowing only their vibrations to influence the stone. When you gift your stones to others, do you remove your energy, or pass that along?
And, is it wrong to purchase stones for their particular sacred meanings, which is what I did because I wanted stones with SPECIFIC meanings? I wanted to use them for healing and meditation, not 'collecting'? I have never worn jewlry for simple fashion's sake - I wanted pieces, mostly tumbled stone and no exotic crystals, and I chose stones for specific needs. How do I balance the desire for the stones with the need to keep from harming Mother Earth? Now, I feel bad, because I love Mother Earth, and my intention was only to come closer to Her, not harm Her... :cry:

[G_j]

15. by all means

don't feel bad, I'm sure Mother Earth knows of your love and care for her! I simply like to try to be aware of where things come from. If you felt right about the person you purchased the crystals from that is good.
There is a very large store here where they sell gems and minerals of all kinds. They have some huge amethyst geodes which obviously took some effort to obtain. I get a sad feeling when I walk by them, as they were taken from the earth solely for profit.
I think it is this sort of enterprise that is the most troublesome.

As for passing on a crystal or receiving one, I like to put them in a running stream for a little while if possible, or run them under cold water and smudge them with sage or cedar smoke to cleanse them of accumulated energies.

In my way of thinking maybe the most important thing one can do is 'talk' to a crystal or stone, thank it and tell it of your intention. I know that would sound crazy to some, but many of our indigenous relatives do/did this also.
Another thing one can do is make a small offering (tobacco, a bead or any simple gesture) to the earth and thank it for sharing.
If the stone had been taken in a 'non-sacred' manner this would be especially meaningfull.

Please don't take my comments as trying to discourage you from working with stones. Like so many things in nature they can be of help to us two leggeds. I don't believe there is anything wrong with getting a stone for a specific meaning. Stones in general are often thought of as the record keepers for they have been 'around' through various ages here on earth and can be teachers. The secret it seems is 'slowing down' and learning to hear them. Their sense of time is much different than ours.
Like the Ents of Tolkien's story, we probably seem quite "hastey" to them. :-)

blessings, G_j

[dbt]

16. Much wisdom here, G_j!

I especially resonate with the part about talking to crystals and making an offering to Mother. I have also been taught that it's OK to make a gift of a crystal to somone else, but said crystal will need to be cleansed by the recipient to remove the energy (good, bad or otherwise) of the giver.

:hi:
dbt

[G_j]

17. one thing that our Native American

relatives noticed about us in the 'dominant culture' is our tendency to never say "thank you" for all we take.

I've often thought about this in terms of the trees who have always provided for us. In their selfless service they gave us heat and shelter. Humans would probably not have survived without them. We take so much for granted. :-(
It is not that hard to take a moment to say thank you!

thanks for your post dbt! :hi:

[dbt]

20. Don't get me started about Trees!

We'll be here all night.

Oaks are my Special Friends. If you have grown up around one, she will remember everything about you. The good news is that she will not hold it against you!

;-)
dbt

[Pathwalker]

22. Oh, I love trees! I name mine after loved ones,

when I plant them in their honor. Hugging a tree will make anyone's day, planting one will make the Earth smile. Why do so many people want to cut them down? :-(
I spent part of my childhood in a Eucalyptus tree. Normally, they're a very open tree, but my Grampa's method of pruning - just level it at the top THIRD of the tree - turned it into a dense sweet- smelling lollipop, perfect for hiding from angry relatives. I hear from my cousin that it's still standing, and reacting well to not being pruned within an inch of its life. MUCH bigger.

[Pathwalker]

18. Thank you so much for your response.

Did I forget to mention they were my Holiday gift? I know that helps!
I totally love your idea of making an offering to Mother Earth for these stones. I WILL DO THAT! Thank you for that advice!
I know just what you mean though about choosing the right place, there's a feeling you get when you go to some places. It just screams: We're here for the money, and we don't care who gets hurt in the process! I've been to those places - and you can feel the pain. But my experience with MoonCave Crystals was just so positive. My order came today, each stone in its own bag, clearly marked - and more than one extra stone, and not just the cheap ones either. And dealing with her personally left me feeling very positive toward her. :-)

My love of stones comes from growing up in Arizona, amidst all those glorious red and purple stones, older than this and other civilizations. Every summer day, my Grama would hand me a quarter(big money that long ago) and send me off to the Public swimming pool. Some days, I would stop instead at the nearby "Rock Shop". Run by a very old man, he would sell me fist-sized raw turqouise for that quarter, if I would stay and visit. If I had those stones now, I could afford to retire - LOL!

The rocks spoke to him, he said, telling him many, many secrets of times long past. He wouldn't sell you just any rock either. If "the stone objected" he wouldn't sell it to you, no matter how much the person objected. He taught me that all stones are sacred because they come from Mother Earth. I learned a lot from him about stones, most of it forgotten, but lately...I can hear him and those stones calling me again.

Thank you again for responding to me...I take your message to heart, and will indeed make every effort to gather the stones I need responsibly. And I will make an Offering to Mother for the gift!

:hug:
Anj

[G_j]

19. such a nice story

children it seems often have an afinity with 'rocks'.
I collected them and would spend hours just looking at them and handling them.

The old man in your story was certainly a good teacher.
You have honored him today in your warm remeberance.

thanks for sharing that
:hug: G_j

on edit: btw I'm glad you didn't take my post the wrong way. It's really nice that you recieved your stones today. I can tell you love them! :-)

[Pathwalker]

21. That old man made me a Star Trek fan!

Long before Star Trek, this man told me stories that sound straight out of a sci-fi series never seen on TV. He insisted more than one civilization had visited Earth, and more than one Earth civilization had travelled the stars. He told me about Atlantis and Lemuria - I learned about more than rocks. He was one of many teachers I've been honored to know. Thank you for your kind words about him.

I HOPE I took your post correctly; you wanted to make certain I understand that there are certain responsibilities to honor when one takes something from our Mother. And that I should offer her something in return - I got goose-bumpy when I read that, so I knew that is what she wants. :-)
Also that one should always buy from merchants whose intentions when selling those stones is spiritual and not just monetary. We do not honor the Earth when we take from it in a spirit of plunder, only when we take only what we need, in a manner that honors it. Similar to thanking plants for their food, shelter and beauty.

Was that the right meaning?

I DO love my stones, too!

Here's the legend for Angelite( a light blue, roundish stone), my free gift: Regenerates and rejuvenates ill areas of the body. Enhances creativity, communication and self-expression. An excellent stone for spiritual guidance! Enhances one's connection to their own inner Guidance and celestial influences. Helps convert fear/anxiety/urgency into faith and tranquility, knowing that "all is well".Cools and slows down overactive Kundalini. Helps one to be grounded and present in the here and now. Assists one in connecting their head with the heart bringing more wisdom to over-emotional conditions and more love/compassion to overly mental/analytical conditions.

Sounds like Mother Earth's version of Prozac, but without the hideous side effects! Just touching it makes me feel calmer, and believe me, thinking about the next four years, I need THAT!

Happy holidays! I'm really enjoying talking to you about this with you. :-) I have so much to re-learn, and I need advice on doing this correctly.

[G_j]

23. how cool!

something has come up, so please return to this thread & I'll try to get back to reply tomorrow. Until then peace & love to you! G_j

[G_j]

25. there are people in this thread

who have a lot more specific knowledge of stones and crystals than I would.
I apply a general philosophy I picked up from my 'elders'.
That is that the universe is full of helpers and teachers and that there are simple 'attitudes' that make the 'exchange' healthy and positive.
You obviously have that 'attitude of gratitude'. :-)

But I have done some nice things with crystals. Periodically some friends and myself get together for ritual/ceremony around our activism. We have taken crystals in which we have put our prayers and intentions and 'planted' them in the earth in certain places: a couple at our local court house and county plaza and one in NYC for the RNC (among other places). This is one of the ways I have passed a few crystals on.

A former (very wise) partner of mine would pick stones with colors that made her feel uncomfortable and worked with them.
That is a whole other 'medicine' and very compelling I think.
She would sometimes find herbs and plants of similar color to also 'contemplate'. Looking to those places of discomfort or perhaps fear, another path to growth.

Anyway, those are just a few other thoughts I had about this.

Peace & Love :-) G_j