You Can Use Crystals to Help Heal Your Life and Be Happy

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Photo credit: Getty Images

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In this new age where the best concerts are festivals and even the cool kids dabble in witchy IG feeds, crystals have risen in popularity - fast.

In the past 4 years alone, there's been a 40% increase in Google searches for “crystal healing, while “crystal shops near me” queries jumped 35% since 2013. Dozens of crystal retailers have set up shop across New York and L.A. Even Target sells the rocks.

Crystals are far more than just pretty little objects that will add a dash of color to your nightstand. To many, there's no question that crystals are incredibly symbolic and possess sacred healing properties. Healing crystals have become such a popular aspect of New Age culture, though the roots of crystal healing are varied, deep, and ancient. It's the first step to recognizing and appreciating crystals as gifts of the Earth before using them for any kind of healing in this modern world!

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If you're a believer in crystal healing, then you understand the first law, which is that crystals embody energy of the Earth if they're retrieved naturally and left in a close-to-natural state. This energy varies from crystal to crystal, which is why one stone might be best used for healing a broken heart while another stone might be best for manifesting prosperity. The ultra smooth and glossy crystals you'll find in stores have been jolted from their natural state, so for healing purposes, it doesn't hurt to find a crystal which has a trackable source and a natural look and feel.

You'll also find all kinds of crystals in geode stores run by dealers, carrying smaller crystals in addition to much larger geodes worth thousands of dollars. These stores typically sell the geodes without noting healing properties, but some healers choose to invest in quality and large crystals, like quartz or amethyst, to place in their meditation, reading, or lightwork rooms.

You typically won't be able to find these unique pieces in a simple New Age shop, and if you do, you'll want to source them from a legit geode dealer who can provide information about how the crystal was sourced, shipped, and if it had any previous owners.

Since there's so much to understand about crystal magic, we turned to accredited astrologer and New Age shop owner Eric Lee to understand the basics.

Here are some of the most popular crystals, according to Lee, and what their meanings are:

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Fluorite inspires spirituality and thought, as well as focus and concentration, according to Lee, who says it's "also used for protection in travel, dreams, and out-of-body work." In addition to its healing properties, fluorite is a charming and underrated crystal, colorful both in natural and UV light.

Some fluorite crystals are just green, others are just purple, and plenty are a mix of the two. Green typically represents healing or luck and prosperity, while purple typically represents intuition, so as far as color healing is concerned, this is a beautiful stone to incorporate.

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Rose quartz is the crystal associated with the heart chakra. "It helps to dissolve emotional wounds as well as fears and resentments," Lee says. "It circulates a divine, loving energy throughout the entire aura."

The soft pink tones of rose quartz are pure and calming, so this crystal is a beautiful one to set on a nightstand or wear as a pendant close to your heart.

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Tourmaline promotes a sense of power and self-confidence. Lee says this stone offers protection, too. There's an intensity to tourmaline, which is what makes this stone trigger a more powerful response. Don't be surprised if a larger piece of it, like a grounding pyramid, actually interferes with your electronics. Set this crystal in a sacred space, like a corner in your bedroom, or near your doorway. Think of it as a cleaner - every time you walk past the tourmaline, you’re sort of taking the edge off, as it protects you from what your aura does not want to absorb.

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Amethyst is the crystal associated with the third eye, according to Lee, which means it enhances our perception and also intuition, as well as healing for any illness. One of the most common crystals, this is also one of the most powerful for psychic enhancement and raising intuitive vibrations. Several mediums will place amethyst around the home - especially in their reading room. This crystal also promotes restoration of balance, so even for the less spiritually attuned, it's a relevant crystal to keep around for healing purposes alone.

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Tiger's eye is a stone of prosperity and good fortune, and Lee says it "aids in protecting one’s resources and reflecting back malice or threats." With bands of gold wrapped throughout the stone, it naturally represents the flow of prosperity while emitting a seriously calming energy. If you’re seeking clarity because your life starts to feel more chaotic than fluid, use tiger's eye to meditate with and refocus your intentions.

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Citrine is the crystal associated with the solar plexus chakra, and it encourages fullness of life, fresh beginnings, and new pursuits, according to Lee. Part of the quartz family, the orange and yellow tones of citrine promote natural happiness and creative inspiration. It's the perfect crystal to keep close when you need a little push to align yourself with a more joyful life.

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Quartz is best used for the crown chakra. Lee says this crystal "contains the universal life force, transmuting negative energy into positive." Similar to amethyst, quartz is a super popular and ultra powerful crystal. When pressure is applied to quartz, a positive charge manifests at one end of the crystal and a negative charge occurs at the other.

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Onyx protects and strengthens the user. According to Lee, onyx helps the user to align with higher power. This sleek crystal has been used since ancient times, and it's always been admired for its muted qualities as well as its mystique. If you're facing fears in life, onyx can help you navigate them.

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Agate is a unique crystal, and a stabilizing and strengthening influence, says Lee. It's an old healing stone. Similar to how each layer within the crystal is supported by the layers underneath, this stone will offer general support.

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Bloodstone is the last crystal you'll want to consider obtaining for healing purposes. According to Lee, "Its energy carries the purity of blood and inherently speaks of life and birth, vitality and strength, and passion and courage." There's also a link between bloodstone and healing the connection between the heart chakra and the sacral and root chakras, so if you're dealing with feelings of shame, or lack of freedom in physical or emotional intimacy, this is a perfect stone to keep close.

After you build your collection of crystals, you'll want to take care of them and keep them in a safe space so you can use them as you like with total clarity. Some partakers in crystal healing feel it's important to cleanse and charge their little gleaming geodes from time to time.

When it comes to cleansing or charging crystals, Lee says, "some people like to wash their crystals with salted water, while others might prefer to use sage, palo santo, or sweetgrass. Some people like to place their crystals in full moonlight and some don't do anything at all! It's all up to the healer, and there's no standard for crystal cleansing or charging, so do what feels best."

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