How many crystals do we really need? About a year ago, I purged my crystal collection and gave the lion’s share of the crystals I owned to a friend who is a fellow Crystal Reiki healer and avid collector of crystals. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with owning many crystals as long as they are ethically sourced. My reason for purging my collection was not environmental or ethical. I purged because I had an RTS (Religious Trauma Syndrome) relapse and was trying to get rid of as many ‘New Age’ items as possible. Ironic since crystals are millions of years old and have been used by Christian saints such as Hildegard of Bingen, among others, through the ages.
Thankfully, I didn’t descend far enough into madness to start considering crystals as ‘idols’ or portals for demons to wander through. (Yes, I’m looking at you, Doreen.) However, I became afraid to use crystals in even remotely magical or mystical ways. The few I kept, I kept for merely decorative purposes.
As I began to heal from RTS, I didn’t start buying lots of crystals again. Instead, I took inventory of the crystals I own and realised that I had more than enough. One of the few items I reacquired was an amethyst crystal pendulum since I had given my old one away. A witch needs her pendulum.
No More Hoarding
The silver lining to my RTS relapse turned out to be less of a need to hoard magical items. I only keep what I use these days. This goes for my Tarot deck collection too. I realised that having too many becomes a source of frustration. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get around to working with all of them.
But back to crystals. At the moment, I own about 50. Some are duplicates of favourite minerals. Some are gifts. I won’t be getting rid of my duplicates since some of them have jobs to do around the house. However, I want to know which of these crystals are essential to my practice. I also wanted to know how many I would need.
Connecting with my Higher Self and answering this question, I received an answer from within. 13. One master crystal, resonating with my personal vibration/the ray I came in on and 12 crystals to use for healing/manifesting. I also intuited that it is good to have one crystal to represent each of the seven colours of the rainbow/chakras. Whether you are a healer or not, these are the seven main rays you work with here on Earth.
Interestingly, Hildegard of Bingen a Catholic Saint and Wise Woman (but only because she wouldn’t have liked the term ‘witch’) lists 25 stones in her Physica, her classic work on health and healing.
13 Crystals for Healing and Manifesting
If you feel like slimming your collection of crystals down, please trust your inner guidance on which pieces to keep. It’s important to trust your intuition, both for choosing and working with the stones.
When I went through this process, a few pieces that I could never see myself parting with instantly popped into my mind: turquoise, amethyst and purple and green fluorite. From there, it was quite easy to decide which crystals to keep for healing and manifesting to make up the rainbow of colours I needed.
Below is the list of the 13 main crystals I have decided to work with, together with their chakra and Tarot correspondences. If you click on the link for each crystal it scrolls down to the benefits of that particular crystal.
This almost goes without saying but you should also consider adding a clear quartz to your collection. This is the universal/master healing crystal that you can use to amplify the effect of all other crystals or of any intentions you have.
***DISCLAIMER: None of the information contained in this article can replace guidance from a medical professional, nor should you use it to replace any ongoing treatment or therapy.
My 13 Crystals
- Amethyst (master crystal/crown chakra/Judgement)
- Turquoise (throat chakra/The Hierophant)
- Celestite (throat chakra/The Hierophant and The World)
- Selenite (soul star chakra/The Star & The High Priestess)
- Red Jasper (root chakra/The Emperor)
- Carnelian (sacral chakra/The Empress)
- Yellow Calcite (solar plexus chakra/The Sun)
- Green Aventurine (heart chakra/Justice & The Empress)
- Lapis Lazuli (third eye chakra/The High Priestess)
- Fluorite (third eye chakra/The Magician)
- Labradorite (throat, third eye and crown/Hierophant, HP & Judgement)
- Black Tourmaline (earth star chakra/The World)
- Rose Quartz (the heart chakra/Strength)
Granted I do have a few other pieces in jewellery that I do not wish to get rid of. I may also keep two or three other crystals for sentimental reasons. However, I will not be adding any more unless one of the ones above asks to be retired.
If you could choose only 13 crystals to keep, what would your list look like? Please share in the comments!
Amethyst
Mentally, amethyst is a stress reliever. It dissolves negativity and promotes serene mental clarity. Physically, it has benefits such as balancing hormone levels, fortifying the immune system, and even easing headaches. For the spirit, amethyst is a beacon of spiritual growth, opening the crown chakra to elevate one’s sense of consciousness and encourage intuition and psychic abilities. This harmonious trifecta makes amethyst a versatile mineral ally for holistic well-being and spiritual enlightenment. It is to crystals what lavender is to essential oils.
Turquoise
Turquoise enhances communication and self-expression, making it a powerful stone for the throat chakra. Symbolically linked to The Hierophant tarot card, it represents wisdom and spiritual guidance. The healing virtues of turquoise include protection, calming effects, and the promotion of emotional balance. By aligning the spiritual and physical planes, turquoise aids in problem-solving and soothes the mind, making it a valued stone in both physical and metaphysical wellness.
Celestite
Celestite enhances serenity and lifts the spirit, much like the presence of Mother Mary, Queen of Angels. It resonates with the throat chakra, promoting a clear connection with the angelic realm and the Queen of Angels herself. It helps us attune to higher vibrations, making it easier to access divine wisdom and guidance. Celestite encourages purity of heart, peace of mind, and the unfaltering compassion reminiscent of the Queen of Angels.
Selenite
Selenite clears negative energy and promotes calmness. It is associated with the soul star chakra and linked to The Star and High Priestess Tarot cards, symbolising hope and spiritual insight. As a stone of mental clarity, selenite aids in accessing higher realms of consciousness, making it perfect for meditation and spiritual work. It enhances our connection with the divine, fosters peace, improves memory, and protects us from negative influences.
Red Jasper
Red Jasper is a stone of grounding and revitalisation. This red stone associated with the root chakra, is known for promoting physical strength and vitality, boosting stamina, and supporting the circulatory system. As a stone of stability, Red Jasper encourages a harmonious balance between the emotional and physical aspects of one’s being. It enhances our connection to Earth’s energy and offers support during times of stress by instilling a sense of tranquillity and wholeness.
Carnelian
Carnelian, a vibrant stone associated with the sacral chakra, is known for its empowering and energising benefits. It stokes the inner fires of creativity and motivation, enhancing our courage and promoting positive life choices. Carnelian can improve sexual vitality and increase our confidence. Its warm, revitalising energy stimulates the metabolism, boosts fertility, and dispels apathy, making it a dynamic companion for both mind and body.
Yellow Calcite
Yellow Calcite is a bright and energising stone associated with the solar plexus chakra. It is known to boost our general energy level and increase personal power and hope. Its properties include enhancing self-confidence and self-worth, stimulating the intellect, and helping to overcome mental challenges. This makes it an excellent ally for learning and developing new skills, as well as for clearing out old energy patterns. Yellow Calcite also encourages a positive outlook, and its supportive energy helps facilitate a deeper connection to our inner wisdom.
Green Aventurine
Green Aventurine is widely appreciated for its ability to attract luck, abundance, and prosperity. This “Stone of Opportunity” can boost our chances in any situation, from job interviews to games of chance. Its soothing energy balances the emotional body, providing a sense of calm. Green Aventurine also supports heart chakra healing, encouraging compassion and empathy, helping to resolve unresolved emotional issues, and promoting harmonious relationships. For those engaged in creative endeavours, it stimulates perception and enhances creativity, making it an invaluable gemstone for artists and writers.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli, esteemed for its deep blue hue, flecked with golden pyrite, is traditionally associated with the third eye chakra. It can enhance intuitive insight. Lapis also enhances intellectual ability, fosters truth-seeking and communication, and promotes self-awareness/self-expression. Furthermore, Lapis Lazuli provides protection and shields its wearer from negative influences.
Fluorite
Green Fluorite, the “Gardeners Stone,” resonates vibrantly with the heart chakra. It encourages healing on an emotional level, aligning the heart and the mind for discernment and clear thinking. Its energy smoothes out chaotic mental noise, promoting mental clarity, decision-making, and a sense of harmony with one’s environment. This is a stone of growth and rejuvenation, akin to witnessing fresh leaves unfurl in spring. Green Fluorite’s essence is about bringing clarity to your current life path, clearing away obsolete habits and ushering in new ways of thinking that serve our highest good.
Purple Fluorite has a lovely, tranquil presence that connects to the upper chakras. It’s a stone that nurtures our spiritual expansion and enhances psychic abilities. This stone assists in purifying the mind and clearing it of cluttered thoughts. It provides spiritual elevation that encourages a calm state for meditation. It also promotes sanguine dreams and assists in deciphering their meanings.
When Green and Purple Fluorite occur together in a single stone, they converge to form an incredible synergy. The combined stone embodies the heart-centred awareness facilitated by Green Fluorite with the contemplative, higher consciousness aspects of Purple Fluorite, forming a holistic tool that engages the heart, mind, and spirit in a unified journey towards self-realization and enlightenment.
Labradorite
Labradorite enhances intuition, psychic abilities, and access to the subconscious mind. It is particularly useful in navigating change and facilitating spiritual growth. Labradorite also acts as a shield against negativity while promoting strength and perseverance. It resonates with the throat, third eye, and crown chakras, encouraging the integration of wisdom and the articulation of insights garnered from higher planes of existence. This versatile crystal is a favourite among those of us seeking to deepen our mystical experiences and embrace our inner magic.
Black Tourmaline
Black Tourmaline has strong protective qualities and grounding power. It acts as a psychic shield deflecting negative energies and environmental pollutants, promoting emotional stability and physical well-being. This powerful stone also aids in balancing and cleansing all the chakras, including the Earth Star Chakra. This, in turn, helps to enhance one’s physical vitality. Its supportive energy can help to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance our ability to make practical decisions.
Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz, the “Stone of Love,” emits a soft, nurturing energy that resonates deeply with the heart chakra. Its soothing vibrations open the heart to love in various forms: romantic love, self-love, family love, and platonic love. By promoting forgiveness and compassion, Rose Quartz helps to dissolve anger, fear, and resentment. This crystal lowers stress and tension in the heart. It clears out anger, jealousy, and resentment of others, and aids in the healing of heart issues and diseases associated with holding on to such negative emotions. In essence, working with Rose Quartz nurtures emotional healing, invites love into our lives, and supports inner peace and self-worth.
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