Getting Grounded in Yourself: Chakra Centering Visualization

 

The best way to prepare for personal ritual is to center yourself. I call this “doing a readjustment,” and I believe this is especially important in our overscheduled and busy world. Doing a readjustment helps pull you back into yourself and gets your priorities on track again. Only when you are truly centered can you do the genuine inner work of self-development that is at the core of ritual.

Centering takes many forms. Experiment on your own to find out what works best for you. My priestess pal Kat, for example, does a quick meditation that she calls “the chakra check-in.” The chakra system comprises energy points in the astral body, an energetic aura attached to your physical body that is associated with various endocrine glands in the physical body. My friend closes her eyes and sits lotus-fashion (with her legs crossed, feet on thighs—but if you are on a bus or about to attend a meeting, you can do this centering exercise just sitting down, feet on the floor—and visualizes the light and color of each chakra. She brings to mind each chakra and mentally runs energy up and down her spine, from bottom to top, pausing at each chakra point. After she does this a few times, a soothing calm surrounds her. I have seen her perform her “chakra check-in” at trade shows and in hotel lobbies, surrounded by the hubbub of many people. She is an ocean of calm at the center of a storm. By working with your chakras, you can become much more in touch with your body and soul.

The root chakra is at the base of your spine and is associated with passion, survival and security, and the color red.

Above it is the sacral chakra in the abdominal region, which corresponds to such physical urges as hunger and sex, and the color orange.

The solar plexus chakra is associated with personal power, and the color yellow.

The heart chakra is the emotional center, for all strong feelings from love and happiness to the opposite. It is also associated with spiritual development, the higher self, and the color green.

The throat chakra is considered the center of communication, and is blue in color.

The third eye chakra is located in the center of your forehead and is associated with intuition, and the color indigo.

The crown chakra at the very top of your head is your connection to the universe, and is violet in color.

Prior to performing a ritual, try this centering exercise. Take a comfortable sitting position and find your pulse. Keep your fingers on your pulse until you feel the steady rhythm of your own heart. Now begin slowly breathing, in rhythm with your heartbeat. Inhale for four beats, hold for four beats, and then exhale for five beats. Repeat this pattern for six cycles. People have reported that although it seems hard to match up with the heartbeat at first, with a little bit of practice, your breath and heartbeat will synchronize. Your entire body will relax as you are filled with calm.

Clearing the New Year: Ganesha Mudras

The elephant-headed Ganesha is the Indian god who helps overcome all obstacles. What better way to start the New Year that with this mighty deity at your side? Ganesha is beloved in India, where he is also called Vighnaharta, the “Lord and Destroyer of Obstacles.” When people seek success in work or school, they turn to this jolly elephant god. I keep a little bronze statue of a supine Ganesha on my computer.

Mudra is a type of yoga you do with your hands. It is also called “finger power points.” This is a portable yoga that you can do anywhere—on the bus, on the place, at your desk, even walking down the street. This is a marvelous way to calm yourself and handle stress. Buddha statues are usually shown with the hands in a mudra.

The very easy Ganesha mudra begins by holding your left hand in front of your chest with the palm facing outward, away from your body. Bend your fingers. Grasp your left fingers with your right fingers bent, toward your body. Move the hands to the level of your heart, right in front of your chest. Exhale vigorously and gently try to pull your hands apart without releasing the grip. This will create tensions in your upper arms and chest area, exercising those muscles.

Now relax those muscles while inhaling. Repeat these steps six times, then place both your hands on your sternum in the Ganesha clasping position. Note the energy and heat you feel in your body. Now repeat six times with your hands facing in the reversed positions.

The Ganesha mudra opens the fourth chakra and gives us “heart”—courage, confidence, and good feelings toward others. It opens us up to new encounters and new, positive experiences. Performed once a day, this is a marvelous way to strengthen your upper body. It is also believed to open the bronchial tubes and stimulate that area. 

Your Chakras

First Chakra—Patchouli Grounds Your Root Chakra

Patchouli balances the root chakra at the base of your spine. Represented by the color red and associated with the then physical element of earth, the root chakra is about grounding to the physical world and basic survival and self-preservation. Using patchouli will enable you to be grounded and have more stability, stillness, prosperity, and robust health, as well as a sense of safety and security. This essential oil also helps you overcome fatigue and feeling down.

Second Chakra—Neroli Balances Your Sacral Chakra

Neroli essential oil stabilizes the sacral chakra, which is located in the lower abdomen between the pelvis and the navel center, a few inches below the belly button. Associated with the element of water and the color orange, it represents vitality and passion and is associated with the sacral vertebra as well as the reproductive organs and the body’s circulatory system. A balanced sacral chakra carries the following characteristics: ability to enjoy pleasure, emotional intelligence, sexual satisfaction, passion, and the ability to embrace change. This essential oil brings the energy of pure love and lightness of being, driving away sorrows and bringing a peaceful, stable sense of calm. Neroli also opens you to love within yourself and the freedom of allowing love to flow freely.

Third Chakra—Pine Invigorates Your Solar Plexus Chakra

Pine essential oil is connected to the solar plexus chakra, which is located above the navel and correlates with the color yellow and the element of fire. The solar plexus chakra represents willpower, motivation, and vigor and is associated with the pancreas, liver, spleen, stomach, lower back muscles, and the metabolism and digestion. A balanced solar plexus chakra gives rise to confidence, warmth, self-discipline, steadiness, and a positive sense of self. Pine essential oil is an oil for the restoration of the heart when your emotions have become hard or jaded. This oil releases you from old wounds, letting you move forward without the baggage of the past and bringing the ability to experience your emotions in real time versus playing out echoes from the past. This oil allows you to move forward. You will feel replenished and new, which will allow you to bring growth and inner peace to your future relationships.

Fourth Chakra—Rose Oil Opens Your Heart Chakra

Rose essential oil will open and balance your heart chakra and bring self-acceptance and love into your life. This chakra center is associated with the color green and the element of air, and it is related to the lymph glands, heart, rib cage, lungs, skin, arms, hands, circulation, and the immune system. A balanced heart chakra will lead to the following characteristics in an individual: healthy self-esteem, contentment, compassion, acceptance, and peace of mind. Use rose essential oil’s scent for releasing blocked feelings stored in the chest, internalized grief, melancholy, and repressed emotions.

Fifth Chakra—Lavender Aids Your Throat Chakra

Lavender essential oil is connected to the throat chakra, which correlates to the colors blue or turquoise and the element of spirit or ether. The throat chakra is about speaking, self-expression, and communication and is associated with the thyroid, esophagus, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and the sense of hearing. A balanced throat chakra will support the following characteristics: clear communication with others and self, good listening skills, good sense of time, and a full voice. Lavender essential oil brings spiritual growth by helping you integrate your experiences, bringing an expanded awareness and perspective. This oil will help you communicate more effectively.

Sixth Chakra—Sandalwood Awakens Your Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra is located in the middle of the forehead and is represented by the color indigo and the element of light. The third eye chakra represents self-reflection and knowledge. It is also associated with the pituitary gland, left brain hemisphere, left eye, nose, ears, sinuses, conscious mind, the endocrine system, neurological system, and small muscle control. A balanced third eye chakra will yield strong intuition, good memory, ease remembering dreams, the ability to visualize, and a guiding vision for life. Sandalwood essential oil abets meditation and is used by healers and spiritual leaders worldwide as it brings an inner awareness and sense of ease in engaging with higher consciousness. Sandalwood helps break down illusions, helping you align with your most authentic self.

Seventh Chakra—Lime Energizes Your Crown Chakra

Lime essential oil is for the crown chakra at the very top of your head. Represented by violet and the element of thought, this chakra is the center of self-knowledge, self-will, and divine connection. It is associated with the pineal gland, pituitary gland, cerebral cortex, cerebrum, the right eye, the right brain hemisphere, the central nervous system, the subconscious mind, and large muscle control. A balanced crown chakra will produce wisdom, intelligence, the ability to analyze, spiritual connection, and open mindedness. Lime is a great essential oil to use for cutting and detaching energy cords that no longer serve you. This oil is useful for enhancing your perception of the truth inside any situation. It allows you to release any illusion that you may have confused with reality.

Here are a few more suggestions:

• Root Chakra: Cypress
• Sacral Chakra: Ylang-ylang
• Solar Plexus Chakra: Ginger
• Heart Chakra: Jasmine
• Throat Chakra: Roman Chamomile
• Third Eye Chakra: Rosemary
• Crown Chakra: Frankincense

Chakra Tonics: Laying on of Stones

This healing practice is distilled from the study of chakras. Here are just a few examples of how to apply stones directly upon your body or that of anyone else who needs healing. By working with your chakras, you can become much more in touch with your body and soul.

The root chakra is at the base of your spine and is associated with passion, survival, security, and the color red. Above it is the sacral chakra in the lower abdominal region, which corresponds to such physical urges as hunger and sexuality; the color is orange. The solar plexus chakra is yellow and is associated with personal power. The heart chakra is green and symbolizes harmony, creativity, health, abundance, and nature. It is the energy center where the soul color of yellow and the spiritual color of blue combine. The throat chakra is blue and is considered the center of communication. The third eye chakra is located in the center of your forehead; it is associated with intuition and the color indigo. The crown chakra at the very top of your head is your connection to the universe and is violet in color.

The first step for anyone undertaking crystal healing is to lie down, relax, and get very comfortable. Empty everything else from your mind.

Lapis lazuli and its fellow blue gemstone aquamarine can be laid upon the throat chakra to release any blockage therein. This greatly aids in self-expression and is wonderful for professional speakers as well as performers such as actors and singers. Turquoise laid on the face—cheeks, forehead, and chin—is a calming agent that significantly reduces tension. Azurite on the brow opens the third eye and deepens wisdom; this can balance the energy of the head and allow more light into the third eye.

Malachite, a green heart stone, when placed near the heart and along the center of the abdomen will create a sense of harmony and facilitate letting go of pain, suffering, and old childhood wounds.

The rainbow is a simple and effective method for total body wellness. Choose from this list of stones, making sure you have one of each color of the rainbow—violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—plus one white stone and one black stone for completion. Then, simply lay the stones on their corresponding chakra centers. I’ve included a list of crystal and body affinities in case there is any specific area you want to focus on:

Root Chakra

• jasper for the shins and for the skin
• garnet for the blood
• purple fluorite for the bone marrow
• jadeite for the knees
• chrysoprase for the prostate

Sacral Chakra

• moonstone for the womb area
• carnelian for the liver
• celestite for the intestines
• orange calcite for the bladder
• hematite for the liver and circulatory system

Solar Plexus Chakra

• chrysocolla for the pancreas
• fire agate for the stomach
• danburite for the muscles
• chalcedony for the spleen
• fire agate for the stomach

Heart Chakra

• rose quartz for the heart
• chrysolite for the appendix
• blue tourmaline for the thymus
• dioptase for the lungs
• moldavite for the hands
• moss agate for circulation and immune boosting

Throat Chakra

• amber for the thyroid
• lapis lazuli for the throat
• fluorite for the teeth
• calcite for the skeletal system

Third Eye Chakra

• benitoite for the pituitary
• beryl for the eyes
• calcite for the skeletal system
• dendrite agate for the nervous system

Crown Chakra

• citrine protects the aura
• Herkimer diamond for centered awareness
• coral calms and soothes nerves
• fluorite for coordination and balance
• amethyst for sobriety

Turquoise

Here we have one of the oldest stones known to man. The Egyptians loved turquoise amulets and gifted them to their dead. The famous tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamen was replete with turquoise, lapis, carnelian, and carved-stone talismanic figures such as scarabs. Egyptians were mining turquoise in 3200 B.C. in Sinai, and it has been held in the highest regard by many ancient peoples. The ancient Mexicans gave this stone the ultimate respect, using it only for the gods; it was never worn by mere mortals.

Turquoise is a copper-based stone, giving it the delightful blue-green coloring. the name comes from a word meaning “Turkish stone,” as it first traveled to Europe along the Silk Route from Turkey. The black-veined specimens are called Navajo turquoise and are especially beloved for the grounding they provide. This stone opens the heart chakra and also affords a heart-centered quality, a loving connection with others. Turquoise releases negative emotions and draws out unsettling vibrations. If you use turquoise as a “drawing stone,” I recommend that you place it on the ground afterward, because the earth can absorb and process the negativity that is no longer inside you.

Turquoise will help you find your deepest, truest self. It is a spirit stone that inspires and uplifts, literally offering elevation to the chakras. Turquoise tunes in to an individual’s energy and projects it into the world. The stone tunes in to an individual’s energy and projects it into the world The stone gives gratitude and generosity and is a sign of friendship. Found all around the world, turquoise is revered in Native American and Asian traditions. These ancient cultures have had a belief that survives to this day that turquoise is a representation of the earth and sky.

The properties of this stone are as practical as they are spiritual—igniting intuition and enabling the wearer to grow toward wholeness. As a healer, turquoise can be placed gently upon an area of affliction for quick pain relief. It is especially helpful for headaches. Worn as a necklace, this stone touches upon the throat chakra, enabling eloquence in speech and encouraging absolute honesty. Turquoise is regarded as a planet-loving crystal, offering protection and preservation to the environment.

Ruby

This gem is ruled by the energy of the sun and was considered to be the stone of nobility. One of the most precious of all gems, ruby is at least as valuable as diamond—and is more valuable than diamond if unflawed. The red beauty is especially revered in China and India, where it is seen as a harbinger of health and happiness. In days long past, both these countries believed that a fading of the stone warned of impending problems. Like most other stones in the pink and red shade of the spectrum, ruby is a heart stone and corresponds strongly with this chakra. Ruby heals the heart and carries the red ray of emotional wellness through the expression of love. This divine energy and as such there is a striving for the highest love vibration. Ruby brings joy into your life and gives you permission to follow your bliss.

Most commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, and North America, this jewel comes in a range of colors, from a really vivid red to a deep purplish crimson. The most valuable occurrence of this precious stone is the delicate rose color. You should be careful before selecting any ruby, as this gem is another energy amplifier. Ruby will magnify whatever energy is there to begin with, whether is positive or negative. Its energy is extremely intense. Ruby’s red color can quickly give rise to passions of a romantic and sexual nature as well as of anger and rage. You must bear this in mind when wearing ruby and remain conscious of your feelings.

People who do energy work and healing say that this gem can fill in and repair holes in the aura. Ruby affects the root chakra and is therefore connected to our most primal drives as humans—sex and survival. Ruby is a stone of loyalty, confidence and courage. It will protect you. If you are exhausted, this wonder worker will replenish your drained chi and restore you to peak levels of vitality, strength, and stamina. Ruby is also said to eliminate blockages of the reproductive system and encourage healthy energy flow. It is even good for hypoglycemia.

I love this jewel because it helps overcome and eradicate negative thought patterns and habits. Ruby holds the singular power of love for the self and for others. If set in white or yellow gold, ruby’s regenerative love power is greatly enhanced.

Rhodonite

Musicians, sound technicians, and singers love this heart- chakra crystal for its peerless capacity to help with hearing and listening. Rhodonite is sometimes confused with the rosy pink crystal rhodochrosite, but it is identifiably different in that it has white streaks or black mottling. Like many other pink stones, however, it is a love stone and a nurturing stone, and has a specialty: It is tremendous for dealing with the pain and suffering associated with grief and the loss of a loved one. This is a rock that will enable anyone to become more heart centered while stabilizing the emotions. This stone also assists by revealing both sides of an issue for clear thinking and real fairness in decision making. Rhodonite aligns the physical, emotional, and mental facets of your entire being and brings balance to them. If you are feeling ungrounded and a bit scattered, this crystal will soothe and uplift. Rhodonite can help you attain your greatest potential. This is a confidence crystal. The highest-grade gem form of rhodonite awakens the intuition.

Found in India, Japan, Spain, North America, Brazil, and Russia, this rock can also come in darker colors ranging from red to brown. As a healer, rhodonite alleviates the shock that accompanies a grievous loss. It is also used for issues involving the ears and hearing and is said to be very good for bone growth. Rhodonite helps build a healthy emotional foundation, making for a stronger personality and stronger person.

Rhodonite is a favorite carving stone in Russia; it was used for the sarcophagi of czars and emperors and is still popular as an Easter egg carving exchanged among the children of that country. I think the best and highest use of rhodonite is for healing old emotional wounds and scars, and growing from the experience. If you are feeling low-grade anxiety, this is an excellent crystal to carry in your pocket as a touchstone.

Rhodochrosite

The name simply means “rose-colored,” and the color is astounding. This stone seems as if it is lit from within. It is one of the newer crystals on the scene, coming from Russia and North America. Rhodochrosite is imminently appealing, with its stripes of pink and sometimes orange.

Rhodochrosite is a love stone that will enable anyone who believes they have never truly felt or experienced real love to find it. I heard and read about some people gleaning much good from it during the aftermath of 9/11. It functions as a heart-chakra opener that brings compassion and expands consciousness. One fascinating legend associated with rhodochrosite is that it can connect you to your soul mate if used in meditation. This is also a crystal that helps with the healing power of forgiveness. It also helps overcome irrationality and can prevent a mental breakdown. I think my favorite feature of rhodochrosite is that it overcomes a poor memory. So, this rose-colored beauty banishes forgetfulness and promotes forgiveness—what a nice combination. Healers also work with this stone for respiratory disease. It has a warm energy that is very good for the body.

This striking stone is also invaluable for overcoming fear and paranoia (mental unease). Rhodochrosite abets a more positive worldview. One of the simplest and best aspects of this crystal is that it will help you to sleep more peacefully, shoving apprehension, worry, and woe out of your mind so you can heal body and soul. Your dreams will be positive, too. This is a remarkable stone for affirming the self, allowing absolute self-acceptance and self-forgiveness. Rhodochrosite brings together the spiritual plane and the material place. The crystal is important because it permits the heart to feel hurt and pain deeply, and this processing of emotions nurtures growth.

Moonstone

This milky, bluish white feldspar gemstone cut from albite is beloved of the world over for its pleasant and somewhat mysterious smooth surface. Moonstone is quite obviously connected to the moon and is as soothing to the psyche as it is pleasing for the eye. The gem is associated with sensitivity, psychic ability, loyalty, sleep and dreams, emotional balance, and femininity. Moonstone is related to all the feminine organs and also the cleansing organs, especially the skin. This stone has a very rare ability to help with eating disorders, particularly overeating. it can calm the stomach and adjust the vibrations so you are directed to eat the proper amount in the future. Moonstone opens the heart chakra and, very importantly, helps overcome any anger or hard emotions toward the self. Pagans have seen this as a Goddess crystal for millennia and see it as a source for nurturing, wisdom, and intuition. A moonstone is a powerfully protective and loving talisman for pregnant women. In India, moonstone is sacred and very lucky, but is even more valued in the subcontinent because it helps make you more spiritual. Moonstone is at its very best on your behalf if worn in a ring with a silver setting.

Jasper

The authors of the Bible mentioned jasper quite a lot; their great city of heaven is reputed to have jasper walls. The opaque kind of chalcedony is a common stone here on Earth. In fact, it is found on every continent. It occurs in shades of brown, yellow, blue, green, and red, as well as combinations of these colors, often displayed in exquisite striations. Jasper has been ground up into powder and added to healing elixirs for thousands of years. The stone offers encouraging effects, but they tend to happen gradually over a long period of time. Patience is required. Jasper is an energy crystal and also a stone of sensuality, engendering immense ardor.

* Brown jasper can connect you to the earth and also to past lives, helping with regression memories and uncovering all patterns that have clung on from incarnation to incarnation. If you are interested in exploring previous incarnations, wear brown jasper rings or
bracelets on your left arm and pay attention to your dreams, which will be revealed!

* Yellow jasper is the spirit rock, an aid during any spiritual work. It is also a great stone to take on a trip, a traveler’s support. Yellow jasper offers vigor and touches upon the endocrine system. Wear a yellow jasper ring on your right hand on your next trip and you will enjoy lively dreams.

* Blue jasper impacts the sacral and heart chakras and makes travel in the astral plane possible. This is a powerfully mystical crystal.
Blue jasper can put you into the spirit realm yet keep you anchored to the earthly plane. It is perfect for any soul work. If you want to embark on a new spiritual practice or even deepen your meditation, this gem will set you on the proper path

* Green jasper is great for the skin and for the mind; if you are thinking too much about any one thing, green jasper will dispel the obsession. Women, including myself, also value this shade because it prevents bloating. For clear skin and an even clearer mind, wear green jasper!

* Red jasper can bring emotions that lie beneath the surface to the forefront for healing. This stone is connected strongly to the root chakra, the source of sexual energy and kundalini. If you would like to explore the sacred sexual practice of tantra, both partners could wear red jasper, the stone of passion. Red jasper can be a tool for rebirth and finding justice.

Jasper is a nurturing stone and can create a sense of wholeness through chakra alignment. I need to place jasper on my desk, as well, as it is a great organizational crystal and would help me see all my various projects through to completion. This is a stone that balances the male and female energies. Jasper will ground you, and the lovely spectrum of shades can help you care for yourself, body and soul.

Herkimer Diamond

First off, this is not a diamond. it is a clear quartz first discovered in Herkimer, New York. It was exclusively mined there until recently, when it was uncovered in Oaxaca, Mexico. The reason it is nicknamed diamond is because it is of its brilliance, sparkle, and diamond shape. It also has a lovely rainbow-like effect at its center—optimism at the very core.

This crystal releases energy blockage and is helpful to the chakras. Herkimer diamond is a stone of attunement. it is most effective if placed upon each chakra area in need of therapy. For example, if you are having difficulty speaking about something that troubles you, place a Herkimer diamond on your throat. If you are brokenhearted, place it on the heart chakra. Some crystal healers believe the greatest power of the Herkimer is the prevention of illness.

My penchant for this stone lies in its ability to tremendously meaningful, prophetic, and illuminative dreams. This crystal boosts the intuition in a big way and even engenders an ease in past-life recollection.

Chrysoprase

This apple green stone is quartz—or more specifically, a form of chalcedony—mined in Brazil, Australia, North America, and Russia. The lovely, dazzling green is derived the nickel content in its chemical makeup. The bright green makes chrysoprase perfect for abundance and prosperity. Put this in your money corner.

The color and clarity give chrysoprase its power to impart good cheer, good luck, and increased perception. Health-wise, it assists the eyes and the third eye. It gives rise to issues simmering in the unconscious and makes these concealed concerns easier to deal with once they have surfaced. It can also draw forth talents that have lain dormant. Chrysoprase is like a battery; it stores energy. For many centuries, this green crystal was used as medicine for the mentally ill. It dispels anxiety by reducing fear and also opening the mind to new patterns. Chrysoprase can be a source of calm for you during change.

The stone is especially useful for scholars. The brilliance booster is an agent of calm yet also a stimulator of intellectual curiosity, two seemingly incompatible traits. I love that it reduces egotism and increases creativity, but others no doubt prize this green crystal for the sexual protection it offers—increased fertility and a guard against contact-transmitted diseases. Chrysoprase will also keep you from getting gout and from going crazy!

This is a crystal to keep in a dream bag beneath your pillow to help with relaxation, promote restful sleep, and gain new insights. Beneficial for the heart chakra, this money-colored stone will create an atmosphere of encouragement, a wonderful gift to yourself.

Chrysocolla

A green or blue opaque stone, chrysocolla is almost never heard of outside of gem circles. Many people think it is a symbol of Earth due to its blue-and-green planet- like patterning. It is a stone with a gentle energy, unlike many other stones that have intense energy, such as some quartzes, lapis, malachite, and obsidian. It occurs in Zaiare, Russia, North America, and Chile.

Tranquil chrysocolla is a heart stone that affects the heart chakra, enabling the gentle release of emotions, guilt, and fear. It is a truth stone. It can ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis and bone or skeletal issues. Ulcers, stomach pain, and intestinal problems are greatly alleviated with this healer.

The stone is associated with Gaia—our Earth Mother—and also Kwan Yin, the benevolent bringer of compassion. Chrysocolla evokes the qualities of these goddesses: nurturing, forgiveness, and tolerance. It is viewed as a lunar stone, perfect for new-moon mediations and meditations on global issues such as the environment and world peace. By merely holding this placid piece of earth in your hand, you can help send healing energy out to the planet at large.

Egyptians favored chrysocolla as an amulet for protection. This earthy stone can give confidence to the shy and empower them to speak the truth. Thus, chrysocolla would make a wonderful accessory to wear as a choker or near the throat when giving any kind of public speech. This beautifully oceanic rock can also give the wearer a better ability for listening, the all- important other component to communication. It amplifies sensitivity to aid in understanding what is spoken as well as unspoken. This generous crystal was traditionally used by musicians for its ability to ease expression and give greater beauty to the singing voice.

Chrysocolla also increases the capacity for love, one of the sweetest and most beneficial qualities any stone can offer. But my favorite feature of chrysocolla is that it tells you when to be silent and when to speak. It doesn’t get better than that!

Pain Relief Prisms

 When you feel pain somewhere in your body, it is a small voice that needs to be listened to. It could be old energy that needs to be released or a blockage or imbalance. I was in a hit-and-run auto accident where I was hit by a drunk driver who plowed through a red light and totaled my car, and very nearly me. As I hit the brake, my foot and ankle were shattered, rather like a porcelain teacup thrown with great force. The doctors wanted to amputate my leg, but I managed to talk them out of it. I had to learn to walk again, but I can walk and even dance and run again after lots of physical therapy and healing. But nowadays whenever I hit the brake too hard, I feel pain because my body remembers. The tissue and bones old the memory imprint of that awful day and the terrible trauma.

Crystals have very mild and serene ways of tranquilizing negative energy and releasing the pain. In my case, I ever so gently rub the crystal across my ankle. (Carnelian works well because it is said to be good for healing bones, but quartz can also serve the purpose.) The stone feels cool and calming as the pain dissipates. I can also visualize the pain going into the crystal, and the crystal forming a prism that contains the pain. At first, this was very frightening for me, but I found that rose quartz helped me deal with my fear. I placed the rose quartz over the heart area, the solar plexus, and as the crystal touched upon the heart chakra, I felt the fear dissolving while the pain gradually lessened. Turquoise and carnelian are also good for this.

I once had a copper bracelet set with onyx, coral, and turquoise from a Cherokee reservation that was so effective at treating wrist pain that it finally disintegrated from overuse. Copper is unmatched for dealing with edema, the swelling and inflammation that can be caused by arthritis, repetitive stress injuries, sports-related soreness, and many other issues.

Malachite has a lot of the mineral copper in it, so a pendant, ring, or bracelet with malachite can be a great agent for pain reduction. Iron-rich magnetite is another pain absorber. 

Rainbow Renewal

The rainbow is a simple and effective method for total- body wellness. Choose from this list of stones, making sure you have one of each color of the rainbow—violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—plus one white stone and one black stone for completion. Then, simply lay the stones on their corresponding chakra centers; the rainbow should travel up your body. Red for your root chakra, orange for your sacral chakra, yellow for your solar plexus chakra, green for your heart chakra, blue for your throat chakra, indigo for your third eye chakra, and violet for your crown chakra. I’ve included a list of crystal and body affinities in case there is any specific area you want to focus on:

• Amber for the thyroid

• Benitoite for the pituitary

• Beryl for the eyes

• Bloodstone for the kidneys

• Blue tourmaline for the thymus

• Brown jasper for the shins and for the skin

• Calcite for the skeletal system 

• Carnelian for the liver

• Celestite for the intestines

• Chalcedony for the spleen

• Chrysocolla for the pancreas 

• Chrysolite for the appendix

• Chrysoprase for the prostate 

• Danburite for the muscles

• Dendrite agate for the nervous system 

• Dioptase for the lungs

• Fire agate for the stomach

• Fluorite for the teeth

• Garnet for the spine

• Hematite for the blood and circulatory system 

• Jadeite for the knees

• Lapis lazuli for the throat

• Magnetite for the joints

• Moldavite for the hands

• Moonstone for the womb area

• Orange calcite for the bladder

• Purple fluorite for the bone marrow 

• Rose quartz for the heart

• Smoky quartz for the feet

Healing Stones

 We have all encountered psychic vampires, whether we know it or not. Your aura will know it, because psychic vampires tear away little pieces of your chi, or life force, leaving holes in your aura. You can identify the places that need patching because they will become noticeably cold as you pass a crystal over them. Pick your favorite stone between amethyst, citrine, or any quartz and run it all around you at a distance of about three inches. Make note of the cold spots and lay the crystal on those places for about five minutes, until the spot feels warmer. You will have repaired the holes in your etheric body and should begin to feel a pleasant sense of renewed wholeness once again.

Here’s another technique: crystal combing. It sounds odd, but you will become an aficionado immediately after you have felt the wonderfully soothing results. The beautiful pink kunzite is amazing as a mental management crystal. Take the crystal and brush it in gentle, slow, downward strokes from the top of your head, the crown chakra, to the bottom of your feet. The next time you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, try this and you will feel more relaxed and in control afterward.

Kunzite is also a heart mender which touches upon the heart chakra to bring inner peace, clear away old romantic wounds, and get rid of emotional baggage. You can place a chunk of kunzite upon your chest and meditate with it to feel the healing energy flow in.

Rhodochrosite

The name simply means “rose-colored,” and the color is astounding. This stone looks as if it is lit from within. It is one of the newer crystals on the scene, coming from Russia and North America. Rhodochrosite is imminently appealing, with its stripes of pink and sometimes orange.

Rhodochrosite is a love stone that will enable anyone who believes they have never truly felt or experienced real love to find it. I heard and read about some people gleaning much good from it during the aftermath of September 11. It functions as a heart-chakra opener that brings compassion and expands consciousness. One fascinating legend associated with rhodochrosite is that it can connect you to your soul mate if used in meditation. This is a crystal that helps with the healing power of forgiveness. It also helps overcome irrationality and can prevent a mental breakdown. However, I think my favorite feature of rhodochrosite is that it overcomes a poor memory. So, this rose-colored beauty banishes forgetfulness and promotes forgiveness—what a nice combination! Healers also work with this stone for respiratory diseases. It has a warm energy that is very good for the body.

This striking stone is also invaluable for overcoming fear and paranoia (mental unease). Rhodochrosite abets a more positive worldview. One of the simplest and best aspects of this crystal is that it will help you to sleep more peacefully, shoving apprehension, worry, and woe out of your mind so you can heal body and soul. Your dreams will be positive, too. This is a remarkable stone for affirming the self, allowing absolute self-acceptance and self- forgiveness. Rhodochrosite brings together the spiritual plane and the material place. The crystal is important because it permits the heart to feel hurt and pain deeply, and this processing of emotions nurtures growth.