Avid intentional users of healing crystals give their tips on collecting stones to enlighten your holistic journey
Our home is an extension and reflection of our way of living,” shares Jen Bautista, founder of Clear Space Manila. “It is where authenticity is expressed the most—desires, rest and even our unbecoming. To every space in our homes, we designate a purpose, and including crystals in your home is a wonderful way to do so.”
See also: Why You Should Start Using Stones as Part Your Skincare Routine
Once the domain of the “alternative lifestyle practitioners”, crystals have become more mainstream due to the rising trend of embracing mental health and self-care practices in the every day. Decorative and beautiful, these natural stones are said to have healing properties and provide an accessible way to start exploring a more holistic way of life.
“Our assumption would be that everything is energy,” relates avid intuitive and intentional user Kimi Liu. “One can believe that crystals emit some kind of energy just by being present in a space. This can help calm, relax, or make you feel good even just by its mere presence. When you are relaxed, the nerves and cells in your body become relaxed too.”
Belief in the power of gems, such as healing crystals, date as far back as 7000 years ago and are linked to ancient civilisations from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. Even indigenous populations and shamanistic cultures from the Americas believed in the energetic properties of stones as shown from traditional practices and historical texts. Moreover, in the Indian subcontinent, the concept of chakra or energy centres found in one’s body is explained in ancient religious texts called Vedas. It is believed that crystals hold vibrational energy that can be transmitted to a person and balance their energies. They can choose which kind of crystals to align to their “root chakra” or “sacral chakra” among other energy centres to improve their wellbeing.
Naturally, scientists were quick to debunk the power of crystals, stating that the power lies in the human mind instead of the stones themselves. However, Ted Kaptchuk, professor of medicine, at Harvard Medical School, states that these practises may produce placebo outcomes that can have a “dramatic” effect on patients. People may even combine meditation with crystals. In fact, a study in 2021 shows how mindfulness meditation is an effective way to lower anxiety.
