Your Guide to Crystals

YOUR GUIDE TO

words_kathryn ford. design_lauren maingot. photo_teagan polizzi.

While scientifically unproven, amethyst is thought to be a crystal of power. The violet-hued stone doubles as a meditation enhancer, a window to our third eye and may even be used to combat addiction. In their raw form, crystals are believed to harness and transfer energy that balance one’s mind, body and soul. They are also advertised for their healing powers and energy, according to a Stanford News article written by Alex Shashkevich. Spanning across cultures, religions and walks of life, crystals have been used as a tool to absorb, focus and direct energy for centuries. Early Greeks and Romans utilized crystal armor for protection and health. Mayans charged crystals to diagnose and treat illnesses. It is believed that the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids in a crystalline structure topped with a giant crystal to ground cosmic forces. All according to Katrina Raphaell, at least. Raphaell is a trailblazer in contemporary crystal use and author of “Crystal Enlightenment: The Transforming Properties of Crystals and Healing Stones.” The book is meant to be a guide for first-time crystal users—it outlines everything from crystal history to their myriad types and uses. In the book, Raphaell said that the most common forms of crystal usage include jewelry, gifts, personal stones, programming (a form of projecting your thoughts into crystals) and group healing meditations.

Every crystal has its own purpose, so choosing one really depends on what the

user is looking for. “If a crystal is yours, then it will speak to you. The stone may get hot in your hand, it can send tingles into your arm or you might feel a third-eye buzz,” said Colleen McCann, a certified shamanic energy medicine practitioner in an article for Goop, Gwenyth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand. “Trust your intuition when a stone is yours. If it doesn’t feel quite right, then go with your gut—it’s not meant for you.”

Although there is no verifiable medical or scientific evidence behind their transformative powers, crystal users like University of Miami senior Camila Munera claim that just being in the presence of crystals is enough to feel their energies and healing powers. “I feel closer to nature through it,” said Munera, who has a large collection of crystals that she said she uses for meditation, anxiety relief and jewelry. Munera said that she is naturally gravitated toward aquamarine, her birthstone, for its “intuition and communication properties.” For her, the crystals can be very therapeutic. “Almost all of them help deal with stress and harvest good energy,” she said, “something every college student could surely use help with.” Many individuals swear by their powers, so keep and open mind and see what crystals can offer your mind, body and soul.

MIAMI

Five

Sisters 8805 SW 132 St Miami, FL 33176

Five Sisters carries all types of metaphysical supplies as well as services such as spiritual readings and energy healing via phone and Zoom calls. STORES

The Golden

Triangle 2308 Galiano St Coral Gables, FL 33134

This boutique offers a variety of products including incense, oils, furniture, singing bowls and jewelry intended for peace, love, health and prosperity.

The Harmony

Store 7572 SW 117th Ave Miami, FL 33183

The Harmony Store is a small shop that carries a wide assortment of crystals, stones and beads to satisfy all your metaphysical needs.

Celestial

Treasures 3444 Main Hwy Unit 3 Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Products found at Celestial Treasures include crystals, incense, candles, tarot cards and more that can help you along your spiritual journey.

Opal: intensifies emotions and releases inhibitions. It may also act as an emotional stabilizer. Wearing opal is said to bring about loyalty and faithfulness. protection stone that absorbs negative energies and pollutants, picking them up from the atmosphere and from the body.

Selenite: provides clarity of the mind and helps expand one’s awareness of self. It is a calming stone that instils deep peace and is excellent for meditation or spiritual work. psychic abilities, aids concentration and unlocks memories. Known to bring the body into balance. Amethyst: a stone of spiritual protection and purification. It can cleanse one’s energy field of negative influences act as a barrier against lower energies, psychic attack, geopathic stress and

Malachite: an important

Clear Quartz: enhances unhealthy environments. Citrine: helps strengthen selfesteem and provides a positive, vibrant flow of energy in and around one’s body.

Rose Quartz: a universal love stone that guides your heart chakra to open up to love—self love, romantic connections and family.