Okay, I am about to make a confession: I love crystals.
Yes, I’m talking about those pretty rocks that so many of my close friends tell me I’m wasting my money on. They come in all shapes and sizes and are purported to have specific energy properties that can boost certain areas of your life or mood. Placing a crystal with an energy that resonates with you in your office or cam room can help relieve anxiety or stress. I know a woman who work-travels with a large crystal that helps “balance her business energy” (her words), and another who keeps a collection of three small crystals in pouch in her purse at all times.
Whether or not stress relief or mood boosting via crystals is scientifically probable is not the point. We don’t need science to tell us whether a rock is magical. Crystals are gorgeous, and if they happen to maybe have an effect on other aspects of life, why not give it a try?
With that in mind, I give you the beginner’s guide to crystals coupled with crystals I think are best for boosting income, lowering anxiety and manifesting larger dreams.
Crystal care
First, you need to know how to cleanse your crystals after buying them. Most shops I go to say “smudging” them is more than enough. To smudge a crystal essentially means to run it through sage smoke, or even smoke from palo santo sticks. These plants are believed to clear negative energy and ignite the “reset” button on each stone. If you don’t want to burn sage in your home, you can also run your crystals under running water or give them a salt bath (one tablespoon of salt to each cup of water). Others prefer to simply cleanse their crystals by letting them sit overnight under the moon or during the day in the sun.
Once your crystals are cleansed and/or recharged, you can place them in areas of the home you feel are symbolically important — for instance, by your nightstand for manifesting dreams or preventing literal nightmares. I keep crystals near the front door of my home to symbolically say that I do not want negative energy entering my life. There is also a lot of power in simply holding your crystals, meditating with them and keeping them close to you.
Crystal Types
Which crystals are the best for a beginner? Let me tell you.
Quartz: A clear quartz crystal is the most popular kind for good reason. It is referred to by many as the “master crystal” or “universal crystal.” It’s thought to be a powerful absorbing crystal and is good to have near other crystals. The quartz crystal is good for protection as well as enhancing thoughts and creativity. Others believe its transparency lends it as a sort of “mirror” to the soul — erfect for self-reflection and inner peace.
Rose quartz: My personal favorite of the stones, rose quartz is not only a gorgeous pink but also is strongly associated with love. Many believe rose quartz is primarily for obtaining love from others, but it’s also strongly associated with enhancing self-love. Keeping this stone around while you work can do wonders for boosting confidence.
Black tourmaline: It’s important to have at least one stone for protection, and black tourmaline is perfect for just this. It deflects negativity and protects you from absorbing other people’s negative energy. This is the perfect crystal to leave by the front door of your home, or keep with you when going out. When it comes to camming, it could be perfect for preventing hyper-critical or insulting viewers from entering your private space.
Amethyst: Another favorite of mine, amethyst can be anywhere from a very light purple to a deep, piercing purple. A gorgeous crystal, it is also the most recommended crystal when it comes to reducing anxiety and manifesting dreams. Keep amethyst by the bed, and see what magic in can create in your life. It’s the number-one calming crystal.
Citrine: Another great stone for boosting self-confidence, citrine also is thought to be an amazing stone for boosting creativity. If you’re in a creative rut, get yourself a citrine and keep it near your work area. Citrines also are associated with abundance. If you’re lacking something in your life, especially in terms of money, citrine can help provide you with the proper energetic fuel to bring more money in your life. It won’t be overnight, obviously, but it is thought to bring forth the opportunities associated with higher financial income.
A note about cost/benefit
There’s no need to break the bank and spend your life savings on crystals thinking they will make a world of difference in your life. It’s the energetic property of a crystal, as well as how it impacts you specifically, that matters. Even the simple act of believing in something can have a positive impact on your life, you know, as long as you don’t take the obsession too far.
I set a limit when it comes to my crystal habit. I won’t spend more than $30 on one, and even that is a rare treat. Most of the crystals I buy are in the $5 to $15 range. Of course, these tend to be smaller but are still absolutely gorgeous. Regardless of metaphysical properties, crystals make your home look prettier.
At the end of the day, life is what you make of it. You don’t necessarily need these items to boost your self-confidence or reduce stress; however, having them around can serve as beautiful reminders of those things. Overall, striving to maintain a positive attitude and staying focused on the goals you have set for yourself is the real magic cure for any roadblocks you face. And who knows? Maybe having your crystals in front of the camera will boost some discussion with your viewers. If I’ve learned anything from crystals, it’s that people love talking about them.
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Sonia Stevens is a writer-comedian who picks apart the absurdities women face daily. Email her at Sonia.Stevens@ynotcam.com.
Annie Tarasova has a lot to say about crystal types and properties. Give her a listen.
