How Crystals Can Improve Your Life

CRYSTAL SWING

Need some harmony in a hurry? Annmarie O’Connor suggests getting into the swing of crystals.

Balance – if only it were so easy. Finding time to combine the school run with a daily run and running a company without running out of patience/time/milk (delete as appropriate) isn’t an exact science. If it were, we’d be ruling the world in yoga leggings: fully-hydrated and perfectly rested. So when life does throw you a speed wobble, a shortcut to inner poise is clearly needed – crystal clear, in fact.

That’s right. Just when you thought crystals were the mainstay of New Age wookie, history and science combine to provide some solid evidence of their healing powers. From documented practices of Ancient Egyptian and Native American cultures to the inner machinations of watches, radios and medical devices, these translucent rock formations are reputed energy conduits thanks to their ability to pick up vibrations and convert sunlight into electricity.

Put them in contact with the human body and it is believed crystals can help unblock the aura’s seven chakras that can become clogged by stress and anxiety; spiritual plumbing if you will.

Still think it’s hippie hokum? Hold a crystal in your hand and feel its palpable pulse-like sensation. Better yet, sleep with a Rose Quartz under your pillow for interrupted Zs. Got a big presentation to deliver? Carry Tiger’s Eye in your front pocket for improved communication or add Carnelian for a confidence boost. ?For a full-bodied stress relief session, end a chaotic day with a crystal bath; simply combine sea salt, lavender oil and soothing stones like Aquamarine and Amethyst. Bliss.

Granted, crystals won’t prevent you from getting stuck in Friday gridlock traffic; they won’t grant you an extension on that deadline you’ve already missed (by three days); and they most certainly won’t manifest Michael Fassbender wearing nothing but a smile (shame).? But they can keep you from cringing when life does its silly dance. Now those are some good vibrations we could all use.

Got some issues in your tissues? Try one of these touchstones.

IMPROVE

Concentration: Carnelian, Fluorite, Hematite

Confidence: Aventurine, Carnelian, Citrine, Rhodonite or Ruby

Energy: Amber, Jasper, Peridot

Motivation: Citrine, Carnelian, Ruby, Red Tiger’s Eye

REDUCE

Anxiety: Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, Smoky Quartz

Computer Emissions: Green Fluorite, Aventurine, Jasper, Clear Quartz

Overwhelm:? Amethyst, Aquamarine

Stress: Azurite, Malachite, Turquoise

CARE

Clean: Purify crystals by cleaning them in sea salt (buy in a health food store and add to water)(buy in a health food store and add to water) or in a natural water source (ocean, pond or stream).? Recharge them by leaving them to dry in the sunlight or moonlight.

Carry: Use as a touchstone in your pocket, beside your computer or bedside; carry in a pouch on the body (a Native American tradition) or as jewellery.

Ann Marie O’Connor