The Sceptic’s Guide To Using Crystals In Your Home

Ok, so you’ve got friends or relatives that swear by the healing power of crystals. You’ve heard them talking about Chi and Chakras, negative ions and healing energy. You may even be thinking about giving crystals a go yourself. (After all, we could all do with a bit more positive energy in our lives.)

Or perhaps you’re not really buying it?

While, of course, we could suggest a crystal that may help open that mind of yours, first we’ll try another tack.

For all the doubters, and fence sitters – you know who you are – let’s take a rational, more scientific look at the power of crystals.

You may be surprised to find out that if you’re not Amish and have generally embraced the wonders of modern technology, it’s highly likely that you are already benefiting from the power of crystals.

In fact, there’s one crystal in particular that has, without exaggerating, changed the world we live in.

Quartz.

One of the most common crystals on earth, quartz is also one of the most utilised crystals in our modern world.

Hands up who’s heard of a quartz clock but never actually registered that it was actual quartz crystals they were referring to? If that’s you, you’re not alone.

The quartz clock was actually invented way back in 1927 and since then quartz has become an integral part of many modern-day devices including watches, computers and even our very own smart phones.

Quartz is one of the most utilised crystals in our modern world.

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Tougher than glass, quartz crystal scores a 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness making it one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals on earth.

It’s also a non-porous material which means that it won’t stain easily or be penetrated.

Put those qualities together and you can see why it’s a popular choice for chopping up your onions.

Add to this the inherently beautiful sparkle of quartz, and you have a truly special addition to your kitchen.

So, now that we know crystals are already front and centre in our homes and modern lives, maybe using them in other ways is a little less intimidating.

Why use crystals in your home?

Seeing as we’ve established that we’re already using crystals in our homes, perhaps the question should be, how else can crystals enhance our lives?

After all, crystals have been used for healing since ancient times. It is believed that different types of crystals can have an effect on the energy within us.

By placing crystals around your home can actually transform the energy of your home. The theory is that by having crystals in your home you will raise the vibrations and fill your home with positive energy.

So, if you are keen to give crystals a go but you don’t know your Citrine from you Hematite, we’ve put together a helpful guide to explain the healing powers of some of the most popular crystals and where you can use them in your home.

Amethyst is a great choice for reducing stress and calming the mind.

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Amethyst

This violet-coloured variety of quartz is often used in jewellery, but did you know that it is also a wonderful choice for naturally reducing stress and creating a sense of peace and relaxation. Amethyst is believed to open the crown chakra which helps to calm your mind. You can use amethyst in the lounge room to help you feel more relaxed or try some under your pillow for a great night’s sleep.

Black Tourmaline

Repelling negative energy is this opaque crystal’s super power. Keep a black tourmaline crystal above the front door or nearby in a pot plant so that only positive energy is welcomed in.

Pop a piece of black tourmaline above your front door for positive vibes.

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Although one of the lesser known crystals, citrine is considered to be one of the luckiest.

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Garnet

If you work from home, this rich, red-coloured crystal is a great one to have strategically placed around your office to help you attract more clients or business.

Hematite

Need some grounding or balancing in your life? Hematite might be just what you are looking for. In fact, this reddish-black mineral is a common iron (or ferric) oxide. You can use hematite in your bedroom or in a children’s room to help calm their excitement and provide protection.

Quartz

While quartz plays a very important role in our modern technical world, it is also a very powerful crystal in a spiritual sense. Clear quartz, also known as rock crystal, is considered to have the ability to clear negativity and open up your mind and your thinking. With that in mind, perhaps getting some quartz would be a good place to start for the non-believers.

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is the crystal of unconditional love.

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Quite appropriately, this sweet pink stone is the considered the crystal of love. While that obviously makes you think ‘romance’ this crystal is also a powerful tonic for showing love for yourself as well. You can add a dash of love to your bedroom with rose quartz or keep some in the bathroom to encourage self-love and self-care.

Selenite

This crystal has wonderful cleansing and purifying qualities. It’s ideal for the living areas of your home to give your space a feel-good vibe. Simply place it on a window sill or on the coffee table for a beautiful and powerful addition to your home.

Don’t forget to cleanse

If you’re using your crystals to absorb negative energy, you will need to clean them regularly to ensure that you benefit from their full healing power.

It’s a bit like using a sponge or a cloth to soak up dirty water. You need to rinse it and wring it out before it can be used effectively again. The same goes for crystals.

The method you use for cleansing, depends on the crystal. Generally, your options are:

• ‘Smudging’ the crystals which is the process of using the smoke of dried herbs, sage or incense to cleanse your crystals. White sage is the most potent of these options. You can buy ready-made sage smudge sticks or you can use loose sage leaf. Light the smudge stick or a bundle of leaves and hold your crystals in the smoke for a few minutes. Otherwise hold the smoking stick/leaves near to where the crystals are sitting so they are surrounded by the sage essence.
• Use another crystal, such as selenite, to counter the negative energy absorbed by your crystals. Simply lay your crystals on top of the selenite for at least six hours and you will draw out the negative energy.
• Or, if they are hard crystals like quartz, you can soak them in purified water or salt water. Before you choose this option, you need to be sure that your crystals are suited to this method. Some softer crystals like selenite or amber will dissolve in water so it’s really important that you always check first. If in doubt, it’s safest to choose one of the other methods to cleanse your crystals.

Bring a crystal for good luck

If you’re planning on visiting our latest prize home, pop a couple of crystals in your pocket for good luck. You could even start imagining how you would decorate with crystals if you do end up being the lucky winner

Find out more about the latest Endeavour Foundation Prize Home or take a virtual tour.