12 Healing Crystals and Their Meanings

Crystals and stones have been used since the beginning of time to aid in healing and in everyday life. Ancient Egyptians used crushed malachite and lapis lazuli for eyeshadow and makeup. They also often buried their dead with a quartz crystal on the forehead to aid in the deceased’s transition to the afterlife. Many ancient Egyptians wore crystals over the heart to attract love or on their heads to stimulate enlightenment and awaken the third eye. Ancient Romans wore crystals as amulets and talismans to enhance health, attract desires and provide protection in battle. Ancient Chinese culture commonly incorporated crystals into their medicinal practices including acupuncture, reiki and Pranic Healing, using crystals for their healing properties in treatment methods. The ancient Greeks rubbed crushed hematite onto their bodies before battle with the belief that it made them invincible. Ancient Indian medicine utilized healing crystals to help heal emotional and spiritual issues and to bring the individual being healed into balance.

Today with the breakthroughs in the field of quantum physics we know that everything and everyone vibrates at a certain frequency. When two frequencies occupy the same space each has the ability to shift and alter the frequency of the other object or body occupying that same space. This is the physical Law of Resonance. When a crystal is within our energy field, through the law of resonance, the frequency of the crystal vibrating within our energy field can have and affect on the nervous system and the information being transmitted to the brain. Through these energetic connections crystals can contribute to harmonizing and amplifying the positive frequencies around us in order to stimulate biochemical shifts in our physical and emotional states.

There are so many different crystals and so much symbolism related to each crystal it is easy to become overwhelmed. To help you find the right crystal for you, the following are 12 popular crystals and their meanings.

Amethyst

This is one of the most common stones of the new metaphysical age. It is a beautiful purple stone that can easily be found all over the world. Amethyst provides a relaxing energy to soothe stress and open up your intuition. Amethyst works with the third eye and crown chakras to strengthen your connection to universal knowing, balance your mind and to help you see insightful solutions to problems. It is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Manifestation Stone’. Amethyst helps to connect to your dreams, desires and purpose. If you want to create the life you dream of this is the stone to work with. For physical healing this crystal works with the upper chakras and can be used to boost the sympathetic nervous system, balance hormones, relieve headaches, ease neck tension, and treating insomnia. Placing an amethyst under your pillow at night may help to improve your sleep allowing you to wake well rested and with many inspiring ideas to implement in your future.

Agate

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Agate can be found in a variety of colors with light blue being the most well-known. Agate represents our inner world, from our greatest joys to our deepest fears. This stone is useful if you are working through a fear of a pending confrontation or a fear of public speaking impacting an upcoming presentation you need to deliver. The energy of blue lace agate will help to clear any blocks in your throat chakra that are holding you back from speaking your truth or saying things that need to be said. Truth Serum Fear of public speaking and fear of confrontations usually go hand in hand. If a clog in your throat chakra is holding you back, use the comforting energy of Blue Lace Agate to speak your truth and state your case authentically and articulately. Agate raises self-awareness, transforms negative energy and helps to heal anger, emotional instability and lack of self-worth. Physically the crystal is believed to improve mental functioning and clarity. For this reason it can be helpful when preparing for an important test, writing or preparing for a difficult conversation.

Aventurine

If you are looking to Manifest Your Dreams aventurine is crystal you are looking for. This is a fun, shimmery stone that magnifies the energies of prosperity and abundance. It is sometimes referred to as the gambler’s stone. If you are facing a decision point in your life where you need to decide which road to take aventurine helps you to make the decision by increasing the heart connection and self-confidence. Aventurine also helps to promote excitement and a more optimistic outlook on life, allowing you to see the positive opportunities that are available ahead. If a life change is causing anxiety and panic, aventurine can create emotional calm and a sense of overall well-being, harmonizing the mental, physical and emotional responses and reestablishing a sense of balance. Physically aventurine is helpful in addressing issues with the heart, blood and circulation as well as speeding recovery time from an injury or illness.

Black Tourmaline

This crystal is powerful when it comes to protecting you from all types of negative energy. It is also useful in putting up an energetic barrier of protection around you so that you do not pick up unwanted energies. This stone is often used to place a protective shield around a room or structure by placing a stone in each corner of the room. This helps to balance energy and dispel any lower vibrating energies from the area. Black tourmaline is often used in jewelry as a means to craft a powerful talisman to ground and protect the wearer’s energy field. The stone’s grounding properties help to improve focus and clarity in addition to increasing feelings of stability, security and centeredness. Physical healing properties include easing joint pain and supporting the realignment of the spine. In some healing protocols black tourmaline is used to strengthen the immune system, heart and adrenal glands and to ease stress and tension in the body.

Citrine

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Citrine promotes growth of any kind, increasing centeredness, power, confidence and endurance. Citrine, unlike other stones, does not absorb negative energy but rather clears it making room for positive energies like happiness and joy. Citrine brings in and amplifies light and positive possibilities. It is often connected to money, gold, wealth, abundance and prosperity. Citrine will help to stabilize finances. Carrying a citrine crystal can positively improve banking and financial interactions. Placing a citrine stone one’s desk can amplify career success and attract financial wealth and security. Physically citrine is known to stimulate metabolism and aid in digestion and combating nausea. Citrine also strengthens nerve impulses allowing the brain to work more efficiently resulting in rapid, sharp thinking, increased intelligence and decisiveness. When creating a crystal combination for manifesting wealth Citrine is the most powerful crystal for manifestation combined with Aventurine, Green Jade and clear Quartz Crystal.

Clear Quartz

Crystal clear quartz brings illumination and clarity to any situation. It shines light on the areas where there may have been shadows in your thinking so that you may clearly consider all factors involved in a situation. Quartz brings balance and harmony to the body. It also acts as an amplifier for energy, working as a powerful magnifying compliment to the energies of other crystals. Clear quartz helps in manifesting your dreams by amplifying your prayers and desires. It also clears your thoughts enhancing your spiritual receptiveness and intuitive abilities so that you can clarify your intentions, elevate your vibration and gain a higher perspective of what is possible. Physically this stone is known as a master healer because of its ability to magnify the healing vibrations of other healing crystals it is used in conjunction with. It stimulates the immune and circulatory systems and increases energy flow and vitality in the body.

Hematite

If life is spinning out of control and your mind won’t stop replaying the past hematite will help to ground and anchor you in the present. Hematite brings us back down to earth, focusing our energy on the physical body. Hematite reduces stress, anxiety and the tendency to over analyze allowing us to just be in the present and connected to our current physical reality. Hematite deeply connects us to mother earth. By rooting us back down to earth Hematite can provide us with the grounding and focus to calmly solve our problems without escalating to excessive states of anxiety and panic. Physically hematite helps to cleanse the blood, improve circulation, manage menstrual flow and related cramping, and support a healthy heart. Hematite is effective in managing pain as its magnetic properties help to regulate the blood flow and the energetic impulses emitted by the nerve cells. This crystal is often used in relieving headaches, curing anemia, treating insomnia, healing spinal problems and mending broken bones.

Lapis Lazul

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Lapis Lazuli helps us to be our best selves and realize our spiritual potential. This crystal raises awareness, wisdom, and good judgement keeping the energy high in order to facilitate awaking, growth and transformation. Lapis Lazuli helps us to realize what is important and leave lower vibrating stressors and pettiness behind. It broadens understanding, supporting self-realization and self-expression. The beautiful deep blue color was associated in ancient times with royalty, luxury and celestial properties. Lapis Lazuli activates the throat chakra for clear communication. Lapis Lazuli is beneficial for calming worry. This stone is excellent for students to carry with them on the day of a big test to relax and focus the mind so that they are able to perform at their peak. Physically this crystal helps to heal the throat, larynx and vocal cords. It is also believed to ease Attention Deficit Disorder by helping the mind to focus, letting go of unnecessary mental chatter.

Moonstone

Moonstone gives off a deeply feminine, sensual and subtle energy that promotes grace and harmony as well as strengthens intuition. Moonstone brings one back to wholeness and can be a deeply healing stone. In ancient India it was see as regal and sacred representing the Gods and Goddesses. Moonstone helps to squelch the ego and open one up to other worlds and the great unknowns of the universe. It deflects negativity and eases emotional trauma. For those who are feeling lost and disconnected moonstone will help to reconnect to what is truly important in life and to let go of the rest, restoring emotional balance. Moonstone is also known as the ‘traveler’s stone’. Travelers often carry this stone on their journeys for protection and to avoid road rage scenarios when driving. Physically moonstone aids in healing the pituitary gland and digestive system, obesity, water retention, hormonal and menstrual problems. Moonstone helps to induce a deep, calm sleep and facility lucid dreaming. Some healers utilize moonstone in their fertility treatments.

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is the stone of universal love. Rose quartz connects to the heart chakra allowing us to view the world through the lens of loving kindness. This stone opens up the heart to all types of love – for self, for family, for friends, for foes, for humanity and for romantic love. This crystal will open up a flow of compassion, happiness and forgiveness that will flush out toxic emotions and increase feelings of peace and bliss. Rose quartz repels negative emotions and energies. Wearing rose quartz can help in realizing your intention to attract new love or reinvigorate the love relationship you are already in. Rose quartz is used by healers for deep emotional healing and release and in treating emotional trauma, especially traumas involving betrayal. Physically rose quartz supports healing of the physical heart and improves circulation. Wearing the stone is known to lower blood pressure, ease palpitations or erratic heart beat and to release tension from the body.

Selenite

This is a master of the crystal family and is one of the few crystals that can be used to cleanse and recharge other crystals. It is the most abundant crystal found in ancient evaporated salt lakes and seas. Selenite is a conductor, helping us to connect to our higher consciousness which includes our higher selves, intuition, the universe and our higher power. When meditating on a desired outcome hold this stone and it can help connect you to higher realizations and wisdom. Carry this stone with you and it can help to bring spiritual healing and inner peace. Keeping selenite crystals in your home is a very effective way to remove stagnant energy and ensure a smooth flow of positive energy through the space and all who reside there. Selenite can also help to shield you and your home from negative outside influences. Physically selenite is used to cleanse the body and remove energy blockages. It aids in accelerating healing of all kinds. Selenite is often used to combat insomnia by sleeping with the crystal under the person’s pillow. Selenite is used in holistic medicine to help treat cancer and reduce tumors. It is believed that this crystal helps to restructure, repair and regenerate the cells in the body after disease or chemotherapy treatments have altered them.

Turquoise

Healing. Native Americans have long valued turquoise as a healing stone using the stone to help interpret dreams, ward off evil, and strengthen the bonds love and friendship between two people. Wearing turquoise can increase self-confidence and enhance wisdom. Turquoise is believed by some to be the oldest stone known to man and to increase the channel of connections to ones ancestors and spiritual elders. The crystal has been coveted by kings, queens, chiefs, shamans and wizards to name just a few. It is a symbol of wisdom and known for its properties of protection across many ancient cultures. Holding a turquoise stone during meditation will deepen the experience and heighten intuitive insights. The connection of the stone with the throat chakra clears blockages in order to foster clear, open and honest communication. Physically this stone assists in healing problems of the brain, neck, ears, and throat. Turquoise helps to clear physical and psychic blockages, supporting a clear and steady flow of energy throughout the body.