As time progresses and new age spiritualism becomes more popular, the advent of crystal therapy is becoming increasingly popular. While more and more shops are starting to sell crystals that are alleged to heal a variety of issues, it’s important to be cautious and aware to make sure that you’re using these crystals properly.
There are a few things to be aware of – primarily ethics and efficacy. Some people think that crystals are much more potent than they are, or that they’ll be able to overcome long-lasting physical or mental problems just by buying a crystal and putting it in their pocket for a while.
The other thing to be aware of is where these crystals come from and how they are harvested. We’ll deal mostly with these issues in this article.
Just How Powerful Are Crystals?
When you read up on a crystal, their healing powers can sound quite alluring. For example, if you’re reading up about selenite, you’ll hear that it’s good for “purifying, removing negative emotions, and opening up the crown chakra.”
This is a pretty impressive list of benefits, and really, it’s only a few of the purported benefits of using selenite.
However, what most of these websites, books, and crystal therapists don’t mention is that the crystal won’t magically suck these problems out of you. Crystals are tools and aids that can make it easier to facilitate healing.
Just like any form of therapy, crystal therapy still requires that you do the hard, difficult shadow work on your own. Again, let’s use selenite as an example.
In regards to purification, one has to first be aware of what they’re intending to purify before working with the crystal. Then, they’ll still have to go through a conscious practice of purification. This could be through meditation, ritual, dietary cleanses, or what have you. The selenite can aid and improve the results of these practices, but on its own, it’s likely not going to transform you overnight.
The sad reality is that people are buying crystals left-right-and-center assuming that if they fill their room with enough crystals, all their energetic, traumatic, and physical problems will be magically absorbed into the crystals.
You still have to do the work, people! Crystals can be good allies, and they can help with the facilitation of this work, but you still need to look within yourself and figure out how to overcome the issues you’re working through.
Crystal Ethics
I’ll be writing another article that goes more in-depth into the ethics of crystals, but it’s still a good idea to point out the most important bits.
- Where are your crystals coming from?
- Who is actually harvesting these crystals, and are they being compensated fairly?
The crystal industry is booming, and like any other profitable industry, this can lead to questionable ethical practices. If you’re going to buy crystals, try to avoid buying them from bulk suppliers that don’t provide information about the origins, harvesting practices, and sustainability of their crystal harvesting.
Remember – crystals are like plants, but they grow a lot slower. If crystals are over-harvested, it’s going to take a lot longer for them to grow back.
