Working with Earth Allies: Crystals & Stones as a Wellness Practice
/When I began my practice of connecting to nature I didn’t expect to be drawn so deeply to stones, crystals, and the power they had to support me. So I took my time, privately to understand my attraction and if it really was something I can use for my own healing.
Little did I know that I had (1) an ancestral connection to using crystals and stones and (2) I needed them everyday, in my way. So I want to share with you pieces of my own personal collection as well as offer some reasons why you might consider working with the element of Earth in the form of crystals. These tools are a profound way to exercise your intuition and learn more about yourself.
Chrysocolla, quarts, garnet, & Apophyllite
As someone who is very sensitive to energy in the room and from people, I knew that PROTECTION was going to be standard. That’s where I found my Obsidian palm stone. Then from there I just started experimenting with different stones, learning about their properties, and taking on some of these Earth allies into my toolkit to support me during coaching sessions and especially on healing hikes.
Below is a vlog where I’m really divulging how I use my intuition and special Earth connection to work with each of these pieces. And as a teaser, I also share about my ancestral lineage of healing and its connection to working with crystals!
The Health Benefits of Working with Crystals
If you’re curios about other crystals and what properties they hold for healing, below is a quick list of reasons why you might start tapping into these gems. Generally, there’s a correlation between the color of the stones and the color of certain chakra points. But that’s only one way of relating to crystals and it can be different for you. Because your body is unique to you and your attraction to particular stones may give you insights into what needs healing at the moment. I encourage you to connect with each in your own way. And if even if the properties don’t align with you, then that’s okay! Keep testing, experimenting, learning, and connecting to what collection you’ll have for yourself!
1. Emotional Balance and Stress Relief
Crystals like amethyst, rose quartz, and clear quartz are known for their calming properties. By incorporating these stones into your routine, you can reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional tension, bringing a greater sense of peace and harmony.
2. Mental Clarity and Focus
Crystals such as fluorite and clear quartz are believed to enhance focus and clarity. They may help clear mental clutter and improve decision-making, especially when you’re facing challenging tasks.
3. Physical Healing Support
Though not a substitute for medical care, crystals like citrine, turquoise, and bloodstone are thought to support physical healing. For example, turquoise is believed to boost the immune system, while bloodstone is said to enhance circulation.
4. Improved Sleep
Struggling with sleep? Crystals such as amethyst and lepidolite are often used to reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality. Placing them near your bed can help calm the mind for a more restful night.
5. Energy and Vitality
If you need a boost in energy or motivation, carnelian and red jasper are believed to enhance vitality and creativity. These stones can inspire passion and help you stay connected to your purpose.
6. Chakra Alignment
Crystals are commonly used in energy healing to balance and align the body’s chakras. Placing stones like rose quartz over the heart can promote feelings of love and emotional healing during meditation.
7. Spiritual Growth and Intuition
Stones such as labradorite, selenite, and moonstone are thought to enhance spiritual awareness and intuition. Meditating with these crystals can deepen your connection to your inner self and the world around you.
8. Grounding and Protection
Crystals like black tourmaline, hematite, and obsidian are known for their grounding and protective properties. These stones can shield you from negative energy and help you feel more stable and rooted.
Traditional Insights to Help Guide Your Self-Discovery
As I mentioned earlier, I discovered that working with crystals was actually something my Great Grandfather practiced. Through researching my maternal line, some relatives shared with me that my Great Grandfather, Thomas was an Espiritista (Spiritualist) in the Philippines. And in their beliefs they knew that all things on Earth had a spirit, even stones. When I heard this I felt this embodied sense of relief and overwhelm. It was like the puzzle piece to that question, that void that left me wondering why I was attracted to crystals. I believe I received my answer then!
And looking further into my cultural lineage, I found specific stones that have been used by traditional healers in the Philippines. In one of the most influential books to my journey, author and practitioner, Virgil Apostol writes,
““Kalinga healers placed carnelian beads besides the sick and recited incantations over them.10 If an individual is afflicted with sagom, a form of hysteria, the ailment is usually attributed to the eating of meat from the water buffalo, deer, and a certain fish, to which the spirit companion is allergic. In such cases, an aruba (small spherical carnelian bead) is tied around the wrist of the person to indicate that he or she is not allowed to eat the foods causing the attacks.”
”
Continuing my exploration of crystals I also came to understand that one of the most helpful ways to use crystals when healing and soul searching is to look for the crystals that are found on your own ancestral lands. Even if you’ve never physically been there before, your lineage has deep connection and relationship to those lands. You just so happen to be a descendant that has traveled away from there. But deep in your DNA are components of that land when your ancestors lived in harmony with it. So, do some research about what natural stones are found in those areas and if they’ve traditionally been used for healing, ritual, or belief systems. These gems are probably more attuned to your body than other stones found elsewhere.
I hope this information helps you in your quest to connect to the elements of Earth. If you’re into crystals, please share your relationship to your crystals, stones, and sentimental objects from Earth! I’d love to hear how you use them and what they’ve done for your health and wellness!