There are several ways to interact with minerals and crystals. One way is to see the stones with powers that can effect change within you. Putting Amethyst around the neck for a headache. Another way is to understand them as chemicals and grind them up and take them like cell salts. The Eastern approach is to use them as energy modulators and lay them on the body at certain energy points like charka. Still another way is see them as part of the color spectrum and use them as color therapy. Green or pink is good for the heart so green or pink stones could be used with heart issues.

There is another approach that is more metaphysical and sees crystals as a link between earth and the cosmos. Crystals have the ability to transmit and receive energy. They can align our intentions with our greater purpose. Crystals are then given psychic and health properties. Rose Quartz is good for creating loving and gentle energy. It can be used for stress and heart problems. Not everyone is in agreement on what each mineral or crystal does. Some books can have completely different ideas for the same stone. It is up to you what you want to believe.

We used The Crystal Deva Cards by Cindy Watlington as our reference. This has very nice picture cards on each of the stones discussed and a book with the stones' meanings.

It is very important to keep your stones clean. They get dusty but more than that they seem to collect energy so the stones become energetically dirty. There are many ways to clean stones. Putting them under running water can clear them of dust and energy. Care must be taken that the mineral is not water soluble as sandstone or halite (salt) is. Taking them to the beach and allowing the ocean water to wave over them can also clean them. The sun can purify and remove negative energy from the stones. Sitting them in a sunny window with the idea that they will be clean and happy can do the job. Putting minerals in salt or sea salt can clear them. You can also use your mind and focus on the stone bringing your attention to the base of the stone and allowing your mind to move through the stone with the intention of cleaning it. You can also imagine a waterfall falling onto the crystal and taking any unwanted or negative energy away. Large crystal clusters can act as a cleaning chamber if you place smaller stones on them; they can take away unwanted energy.

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