Crystals For Beginners – Discover the Magic of Crystals and 4 Tips To Get You Started

Crystals for beginners; Crystals have drifted in and out of my life for as long as I can remember. Yet, I only started this journey 5 years ago. Upon entering this beautiful, mystic world as a beginner myself, I remember feeling unsure of how to proceed, unsure of what to do, what to expect and whether it would be a passing phase like many interests before. Looking back over the above mentioned drifts, I didn’t know it then, but they had been calling out to me, back then I admired their beauty, their uniqueness and the mysticism of what potentially lay within them.

Now, if its even possible, I admire their beauty and uniqueness even more, put me in a crystal shop and it turns into a movie scene where I am spinning around in slow motion with my hands outstretched on my sides and looking up to the sky in pure bliss. I have experienced their magic, their energy, and the true healing powers of crystals. And while I don’t claim to be an expert in the field, I do have a lot of personal experience to share. So if you have just answered the call of the crystal world, welcome to ‘Crystals for Beginners,’ think of me as your very own crystal guide, here to make your journey fun, informative but above all else, magical.

How Are Crystals Formed?

Most of the crystals we use are stones that have formed naturally in the earths surface over millions of years. This process is called crystallisation. Magma (a hot liquid and semi-liquid rock flowing under the earths surface) contains mineral particles, these mineral particles need to join together in order for this formation to occur.

This happens when the magma gets extremely hot and starts to melt, this allows the mineral particles to come together causing the mixture to become dense with minerals. When the solution starts to cool, evaporation of the water present will cause crystallisation. If the magma cools down too quickly there is not enough time for crystals to form, so we will have smaller crystals. If the magma cools down more gradually, the crystals have enough time to get BIGGER.

What Crystals Should You Start With

There are 3 parts to this section, and you can pick which one resonates with you. The below are reference points only. There is no right of wrong answer, it’s truly an intuition lead system, the more you use your intuition the better and stronger it will become, don’t be afraid to trust it and go with it.

You don’t own any crystals yet

If you don’t yet own a crystal and not sure of what to start your collection with, this section is for you. It’s beneficial to start with a few, but its most important that you start. I would suggest either a Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz or an Amethyst, if possible and your situation allows for it, I suggest you get both an amethyst and one of the quartz’s. Having more than one will get you used to the different energies being transmitted and how your energy receives them.

When packing to commence my travels in May, I could only take one crystal with me due to limited space and fear of losing them, my clear quartz screamed out at me, and for good reason. Known as the healing crystal, Clear Quartz can channel all kinds of energy and will help in all healing situations. While there may be a more targeted crystal for a specific purpose, quartz is similar to a master key, or the master crystal, it can help with everything.

Rose Quartz, famously has the healing properties of love, while many rush to purchase this stone in hopes bringing romance and new relationships, and it does. For me, Rose quartz is the bridge I use to loving myself. Once I am able to fill my cup so to speak, it can overflow to the people in my life and the ones who are yet to make an appearance. Rose Quartz is a powerful crystal, but its delivery is gentle, like a fluffy pink blanket draped gently over your sleeping body to keep you feeling warm and safe on a cold winters night.

I got my first purple amethyst about a year ago, and I wish I had gotten it sooner, not only are they exquisite in colour, but they pack a punch. I call it my ‘mentor stone’. Amethysts provide mental, emotional and physical balance, as well as increasing the energy of surrounding crystals. Amethysts are wonderful for the ‘life side of life’, the decision making, moving on after being stuck, dealing with responsibility, negotiation skills, business, wealth and success.

You Already have a crystal or two, or have been gifted Crystals

If you already have a one or a few crystals, I would start by knowing their types and properties. if you know this then this section is complete for you.

If you have been gifted a Crystal, or randomly found one, then you are truly lucky, have you paused to think about all the energy involved in making every instant align to make it happen? Its remarkable. If you know what it is and its properties, great, if not, there are various sites around the web that can help you identify it, hopefully I’ll get around to writing an identification post quite soon and will link it here.

You Want Your Intuition To Choose Your Crystal

Oooooh girl, look at you. Yay. This is my favourite way of choosing my crystals, or being chosen by my crystals, I should rather say. There is no right or wrong way to do this, whether you decided to physically visit your local crystal or metaphysical store, or find one online. If you are physically visiting a store, it may at first feel overwhelming, you may feel anxious about wanting to pick the right one, but there is never the ‘wrong’ one.

Crystal shops are heaving with energy and those sensitive to it can feel the pressure of making a decision, especially when its your first time. Either step outside, or silently ask the crystals to guide you to a safe spot in the store, you will know which one is calling, then close your eyes, breathe in and out a few times while telling yourself you are safe, feel the floor beneath your feet, and tell yourself you are grounded. When you feel more relaxed and excited, lets go shopping.

Crystals have a habit of choosing you, often I have gone shopping with the intention of getting a specific one but walk out with something completely different. This method is as simple as allowing the space for the crystal meant for you to either catch your eye, pull you in or make you want to touch it. When browsing online, I know a crystal is speaking when it ‘jumps out’ at me, it pulls all my focus and makes me want to read more about it. it may be different for you, this isn’t a one size fits all exercise and with practice and patience you will begin to hear or feel and understand your crystal communication style.

How To Cleanse Your Crystals

Crystals need to be cleansed, not only when you first buy or receive them, but frequently after you start working with them as well. As they absorb our energies they can become heavily overcharged and all the negative energy they have absorbed from us and around them will be transmitted back to us while working with them.

Here are a few of my favourite ways to cleanse crystals

1. Using the Full Moon
2. Running Water
3. Visualisation Cleansing

The full Moon is probably one of the most powerful ways to cleanse and restore your crystals healing powers. Simply lay your crystals on the ground outside, preferably on grass or soil, a windowsill or ledge is also an option as long as they are sure to get moonlight. Leave them overnight, if you feel your crystals wont be safe outside or where you have chosen, leave them for as long as you can to absorb as much moonlight as possible. side note here: Some people are really Sensitive to the Moon’s phases, especially a full Moon. The energy can sometimes be erratic and quite strong, if you normally have negative responses to a full Moon I would skip full Moon cleansing and use the New Moon instead, but go with your intuition, again.

One of my quickest and most effective ways of cleansing my crystals is using mother natures water supply, be it a stream, a river, the ocean, sometimes even a fountain I find particularly beautiful. if you are heading to a waterfall be sure to take your crystals along for the ultimate cleanse. Holding your crystal loosely (but securely) let the natural flow of the water run over your crystal for a few minutes. If these options aren’t accessible, water from your household tap will work just fine, let the water gently run over your crystals for a minute or two. Place them out in the sun and let them dry for a few hours. Stones like amethyst, rose quartz and clear quartz can fade or crack in the sun so be sure to minimise the time, they dry quickly so 30 minutes should be more than enough.

Visualization cleansing is my ultimate cleanser, it allows me to practice my visualization skills as well as form a deeper connection with my crystal. while holding your stone or looking at it, close your eyes and see it in your minds eye, imagine a cascading white light falling onto the crystal and flowing all around it, this one takes practice, but start by visualizing that for as along as you can.

How To Program Your Crystals

This is the fun part, now that you know what your crystals main healing properties are, you can program it with your intention. The reason we need to know the general healing properties of stones is so when we program it for our own use, we are doing so in alignment with what the stone is capable of. For example, you wouldn’t use an amethyst for grounding work, grounding it not in alignment with the amethysts healing capabilities.

Be in a comfortable position, while having the crystal sit on the palm of your left hand your receiving hand (if you are right handed) or right hand (if you are left handed), declare “with love and light and all that is right, let this crystal be used for ____” insert your desired use.

Once you are comfortable and trusting your connection to your crystals, you can try my method of allowing the crystal to communicate its use to you instead of you deciding. I love this method, I find the stone has significantly more energy when I allow it to provide for my highest good instead of me choosing what it should be. I do this by once again holding the stone on my left palm, I will sit in a meditative position with my eyes closes and my mind still, feel the weight of the stone, then I will try and feel its energy, either tingles on my palm, or on a few occasions a warm sensation up my arm, across my chest and through my body. Once I have felt the connection, I will then silently and ask the energy to to show me how it wishes to be used, the answers for me come in thoughts, or feelings, I may feel incredibly happy and uplifted, then I know it will be an uplifting stone and I can use it when I’m need a mood booster, I once had a Pyrite solve a problem I was facing at the time, and that stone, became my go-to for problem solving.

There are many articles you can read on programming your crystals, in the beginning read as much as you can, but make sure you are also creating your own ‘rules’ and developing your own connections. This is the best way to get the most out of your healing stones.

How To Use Your Crystals

Again, this will eventually become an intuitive process for you. But to start, you could carry your crystal around with you for a few days, if you’ve programmed your crystal with developing a stronger sense of self and self confidence for example, each time you across your crystal using these few days, whether its in your bag or on your person, it will remind you of its programming, feel that intention and give thanks to the stone as you go on with your day. You will deepen your connection and develop a powerful exchange with your crystals.

Sit with your stone, hold it or look at it, whichever feels comfortable for you, and think about the area that you have programmed the stone for, be it solutions to problems, love etc. Feel the guidance or support from your crystal. This may take some practice, keep going.

Meditate with your crystals, meditation is not the art of clearing your mind and thinking about nothing for 30 minutes. Its the art of being mindful and the ability to ‘see’ those thoughts but not attach to them, just let the thoughts pass by. Your crystal may bring up some thoughts that deserve a deeper look or a journalling session after.

If you are using crystals for physical (or emotional) pain, hold your crystal to the location that needs healing, while allowing yourself to receive its healing powers.

Crystals for Beginners – 4 Tips to Get You Started

Tip No 1 : I suggest you always be in a mindful state when working with your crystals, you need to be able to feel/hear/sense their message. If you are in a distracted state you are likely to miss it.

Tip No 2: Give thanks after a session, – I do this by my moving my stone over to my right palm (left for lefties) and say a prayer of thanks. Always remember, we receive with our left and give with our right (the opposite for lefties)

Tip No 3: Respect your crystals, the magic that lives inside of them and your connection. If the first few time of trying to connect doesnt work, keep trying, try different methods, don’t yell “this doesn’t work”, “what a load of rubbish”. Don’t give up on yourself, your intuition is there, give it a safe space to work alongside you.

Tip No 4: Excuse the pun, but crystal healing does not come with rules set in stone. It takes time to figure out what works for you, your connection type and your preferred methods for working with them. Be patient and trust the process

Conclusion

In closing, the most important thing i would like you to walk away with is to feel comfortable in trusting your intuition as you embark on this magical energy infused journey, all the tips and guidance on the internet will not help you if you are doubting your Higher Selfs guidance. Pick up your crystal and create your connection, Be open and trust your connection, what will come to you may come through you. Thank you for being here, please leave any comments or feedback below.

With healing love and light

Lia xx