The benefit of crystals – Introduction

The benefit of crystals – Introduction

LWTM - the benefit of crystals

This blog series has come out of a survey I did last year. I asked my lovely subscribers what topics they were interested in and ‘THE BENEFITS OF CRYSTALS’ scored top marks.

I always liked this topic as it is steeped in history plus I do like to wear semi-precious stones that have benefits attached. So here is an introduction to this vast subject.

Part 1 starts here and looks into the formation, use and history of crystals.
Part 2 will describe the various colour groups and how they connect to the chakras in our bodies. I hope you find this series interesting and useful.

If you want to find out more about LWTM please download our free introduction e-book An Introduction to LWTM. 

How crystals were formed 

Not all crystals form alike, but all contain stored natural powers and energies which have often evolved over thousands if not millions of years. Some are cooled lava, others like the black obsidian are in fact similar to natural glass. There are organic crystals (pearls would be one of them) and hardened tree resins still containing fossils (amber). Some even contain materials from outer space.

But what is the difference between an ordinary stone and a crystal?
Both contain atoms, but the crystal’s atoms and molecules are attached in a regular pattern. When one or more minerals are fused in this way – we call it atomic bonding and the result is the formation of a crystal.

Most crystals form from mineral substances that occur in abundance in the earth’s mantle. But others are made from minerals that are very rare and these are therefore more expensive. In fact, eight elements make up over 99% of the earth’s crust. They are oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Other elements that are found in crystals are titanium, boron, carbon, fluorine, chromium, manganese, and various more elusive substances.

Most crystals are a culmination of the elements mentioned above. Sometimes they can come from the same element, but the structure of the atoms or molecules is very different. This results in vastly different appearances and properties.  Take for example the graphite and the diamond. Both are made of carbon, but the arrangements of the atoms are vastly different. So graphite is soft and grey and the diamond is hard and shiny.

The majority of crystals are in fact silicates which means that they contain oxygen and silicon. There are currently around 3700 mineral species that we know of, but only a few of these have the structure to be cut into gemstones.

Some are plain, others are very vibrant and used in jewelry and embroidery. Traditionally earrings protect the brain and mind from psychological attacks and keep the mind focused.  Necklaces and pendants shield the heart from manipulation and bring love. Belts empower the solar plexus and boost confidence. Rings symbolize love, friendship, a certain belonging (a king may have given a nobleman a ring so he can wear it for everyone to see that he has a bond with the king).

Next time we look into how crystals were used throughout history. Please click to HERE continue to part 2 of this series 

To find out more about LWTM and holistic lifestyle planning please  download our freebies 

The benefit of crystals – the history

The benefit of crystals – the history

Last time I described the structure of crystals. In this post, I want to dig deeper into the historical use of crystals. It is fair to say that these precious and semi-precious stones have been around as jewelry, protection and form of healing for a long time. The oldest crystal so far discovered has been dated to 4.4 billion years ago. But it would take humans a long time before they discovered this resource and even longer to use it as jewelry and for healing practices.

Crystal use throughout history 

The first known recorded human use of crystals was in the Stone age. Initially, flint attached to wooden sticks was the number one hunting tool. But as soon as Obsidian, a black, glass-like gemstone formed from volcanic lava, was discovered, it quickly replaced flint as the preferred cutting tool. The Mayans in particular used it to give their spears and knives a sharp, pointed tip. Another use was that of  ‘magical mirrors’.  Mayan priests used mirrors made out of Obsidian to ‘look into the future’.

Another early known crystal was amber, a hardened tree resin often still containing plant life and insects. The earliest amber beads/jewelry dates back to 30,000 B.C. The Vikings saw amber as the tears of their goddess Freya and used it as a good luck talisman for lasting love and protection. Viking women embroidered battle garments of their husbands and sons with amber to give them courage and protection during battle.

In Egypt, one crystal stood out from all of the rest – Lapis lazuli, a deep blue gemstone. Its protector was Nut, the sky goddess and it was considered good for the eyesight and to protect its wearer from the ‘evil eye’ and disaster. It promoted confidence and good luck. People today still use this powerful stone to give them ‘good luck and charisma’, especially when going to interviews, auditions, and for any public speaking appearance.

Meanwhile on the other side of the world in Ancient China, crystals were paired up with astrological signs and observations of the moon and the stars. The Chinese were also the first nation to align crystals to chakras and to use needles with crystal tips for acupuncture.

The first person (who we know of) who properly compiled and described a collection of gemstones was the Greek pharmacist Dioscorides. Between 70 and 50 B.C. his book  Materia Medica volume 5 describes the healing property of over 200 crystals. This work informed many of the subsequent works on crystal healing and is probably still influencing us today.

The connection between healing, protection and crystals has continued ever since. During the Middle Ages, the garments and swords of fighting knights were heavily decorated with gemstones. Additional rings, belts, and amulets provided further protection.

We all can see the beauty of crystals, but how do they actually transmit their described qualities? It is through electromagnetism. All solid particles vibrate at certain frequencies and some objects have the ability to even alter the frequency of other bodies or objects nearby. So crystals have the ability to change our own frequencies. Here is a link to an article written by Stephanie Lucas which explains a bit more.

Next time we look into how to use crystals for maximum benefit. Please click to HERE continue to part 3 of this series 

Or you can watch this video on YouTube

GET YOUR LWTM FREEBIES NOW AND
SIGN UP BELOW!

Additionally, you will receive our monthly newsletter The Month Ahead at the beginning of each calendar month with more information.

You have Successfully Subscribed!