Healing with crystals means more than just holding one in your hand and wishing for something to happen. Choosing the right stones, setting the correct intention, and even using the crystals in a correct way all play a huge part in what sort of results you can expect to obtain. Below, I'll go over five ways that I know of how to use crystals in various ways to help you achieve the best results possible.

Step #1: Use the correct crystal.
Although most crystals already have a list of conditions they are useful in treating, the crystal that is going to help you the most is the one that you are drawn to at the moment. Everyone will feel a crystal's energy at varying levels. Sometimes, even though you may not know exactly which crystal will help you in the moment, simply holding a few (one at a time) for a minute or so will help you hone in on which one you need. The body and soul knows what it needs to thrive, and if you take a moment to listen, the right crystal will speak to you.

Step #2: Charge your crystals before using them.
Unless you know exactly where or from whom your crystals came, it is very important that you take the time to charge them. Crystals not only project energy, they also absorb it. Before working with a crystal, cleanse it on a multi-vibrational level by running it under clean water to clear away any dirt or grime, then place it outside for a few hours to 'charge'. Many people place their crystals in the sunlight in order to charge them. I prefer the moon. This is plenty enough to cleanse and charge a crystal, but if you want, light up a smudging stick and pass the crystal through the smoke a few times, just to make sure you're getting rid of any residual negative energy.

Step #3: Set a clear intention
Setting an intention means you have a clear idea in your mind of what you want to accomplish from your crystal healing. To do this, sit quietly with your crystal of choice in your hands, and clear your mind of any 'clutter'. Once you have cleared your mind, focus solely on what you would like the crystal to help you accomplish. Hold it in your mind, and then speak your intentions out loud. Words hold power, and physically speaking your intentions help give them a boost.

Step #4: Make sure to work with your crystal every day
Just like meditation, exercise, or any other form of self-healing modality, you must perform it every day in order to get a consistent result. It does not matter what time of day you work with your crystal, as long as you can do it in a quiet environment and give yourself plenty of time to dedicate to the practice.

Step #5: Decide how to use your crystal
There are many different ways to use a crystal for healing purposes. The most popular method is to simply hold the crystal in your hands while meditating on your intention. Another method is to place the crystal directly on the body part that needs healing. You may also place the crystal under your pillow while you sleep, or even fill a glass with clean water, place a clean crystal in it, and let it infuse over night. Remove the crystal the next morning, and drink the water. Wearing a crystal in a piece of jewelry is another popular option.

Seeing as how this is the very first post in my Crystal Healing series, I thought I would begin with the first crystal I ever truly studied: amethyst. It has always been my favorite not only because of its varying shades of purple (my favorite color), but also because of how versatile it is. Below, I'll try to tell you everything I know about this crystal, and how you can incorporate it into your alternative healing lifestyle.

Aside from crystals, I also have a passion for Greek myths and legends. There are several involving Amethyst, and this one is my favorite, although it is not a true Greek myth as it was written by the French poet Remy Belleau in 1576. In this abridged version of Belleau's tale, there was a young and pure maiden named Amethyst who was on her way to worship at the Temple of Diana (the Goddess of the Hunt, who also had the ability to control wild animals). She just so happened to travel past Dionysus (the god of Wine, whose Roman name is Bacchus), who was angry because he had just been betrayed by someone. Dionysus was so angry because of this betrayal, he declared to take vengeance on the next person he saw. When Dionysus saw Amethyst, he summoned his two guardian tigers, and ordered them to kill her.

Amethyst cried out for Diana to help her, and she did, by turning Amethyst into a hard, brilliant clear stone. The hardness of the stone was to deter the tigers from killing her, and the clearness was to represent her purity. When he realized that his anger had just destroyed an Innocent, Dionysus vowed to never drink again, and poured his last bit of wine over the stone in atonement. The wine stained the stone a deep purple, and ever since, purple quartz has been called 'Amethyst'.

The Healing Properties of Amethyst
Amethyst is a variety of quartz, which is held in high esteem by Crystal Healers as an all-purpose healing stone. It is used to:

• Guard against psychic attack
• Protect the wearer from harm
• Relieve stress
• Balance mood swings
• Dispel anger, fear, anxiety, and rage
• Alleviate sadness and grief
• Enhance psychic abilities, increase intuition, and activate spiritual awareness
• Encourage sobriety
• Relieve insomnia
• Boost hormone production
• Encourage spiritual wisdom
• Strengthen the immune system
• Aid in tissue regeneration
• Destroy malignant tumors
• Cleanse the blood
• Relieve emotional and physical pain
• Ease headaches
• Reduce swelling and bruising
• Heal skin conditions

This, of course, is not the entire list of uses for amethyst; however, these are the most popular uses.

To learn how to use gemstones in a healing manner, click HERE.