In simple, easy to understand terms, the reason why crystals and gemstones make wonderful healing tools is because of what science calls its piezoelectric effects.  You can see this effect in modern Quartz watches. Crystals and stones respond to the electricity that is coursing through our body, if the energy is unbalanced, the constant electrical vibrations of the stones will help to harmonize, balance, and regulate the flow of these energies. 

Now that we know how crystals work to aid in our healing process,  let's learn how to choose one. 
There are many methods of selecting your crystals and gemstones, these are just a few. 

The first method is to simply close your eyes and quietly meditate for a few moments.  When you are ready, open your eyes very quickly and pick up the first stone to which your eyes become naturally drawn. 

The next method is to run your left hand, your receiving hand, over all of the stones available for purchase. (You use your left hand because the left side of the body brings energy/information in more strongly in most people.) You will soon discover that one of the stones will make the palm of your hand tingle or get warm, this is your stone! 

You may also intuitively 'know' which stone you should choose and which is right for you.  You might feel as if the stone is jumping up and down and shouting "choose me, choose me!!"  You may also sense or 
even 'see' white light radiating from the stone drawing you in like a magnet! 

If you are a competent dowser then you should be able to choose the appropriate stone with your own individual techniques. In July's newsletter there is an article on how to use a pendulum for dowsing if you would like to try this method. 

Sometimes you even feel as if the stone is choosing you!   They come to you with a particular purpose and have a special reason for wanting you to work with them.  Just accept this when it happens and count 
it as a blessing :-) 

Unfortunately many of us do not have access to retail shops that carry a good line of healing stones and crystals.  But in today's world we have the internet and mail order catalogs that offer just about any stone you could possibly need.  It is very easy to choose stones over the internet if pictures are provided on the web site.  Just look through the photos of the stones and let your intuition guide you into choosing which stones are best for you.  It is really that easy! 

I would be very interested in hearing YOUR individual methods of choosing stones, please feel free to email me with your methods and I will share it with our subscribers in our next newsletter. 
Once you have chosen your new 'stone friends' it is time to take them home and prepare them for use.  Next month we will learn how to cleanse our crystals and gemstones and why we do this. 

A.SEA SALT- Sea salt is the most traditional purifying agent in psychic work and healing. It dispels any sort of dis-ease and negativity, and is a physical and psychic disinfectant. I feel it is the most accepted and probably the most powerful method of clearing crystals and stones.  I highly recommend it for the initial cleansing of a new healing stone. **However, over use of this method may cause your stones to become dull and lifeless.  Salt can be mixed with water or used dry. To use salt water, mix a tablespoon of sea salt in a glass or ceramic cup of cold water. Do not use plastic or metal containers. Place the stones in the solution and allow to soak overnight.  To use dry salt, place the sea salt in a glass or non plastic container and bury the crystals with the points facing downward into the salt. Again, leave overnight. Sometimes a stone may take longer to clear, especially if it has been used in a deep, intense healing.  If this is the case, leave another day or two in the sea salt.  When clearing gemstone necklaces it is best to use the dry sea salt method. Be sure to use sea salt only, table salt contains aluminum and other chemicals. For those who live by the ocean, salt water can be brought from the beach in a jar, or gently wash them directly in the ocean. 

B. MOONLIGHT- Moonlight is another way of clearing your gemstones. Simply place outside from the Full to the New Moon. Waning Moons are good times to clear crystals, to dispel old energies, but any time works.  The amount of time used varies with the sensitivity of the healer and the amount of material from which the stone needs cleansing. Try hanging your gemstone necklaces in a tree where the moonlight can cleanse them.  (I personally do not recommend ever placing your crystals and gemstones in the sunlight, many stones tend to fade their colors in the sun. Also internal fractures may cause your stone to crack or break if placed in the sun.) 

OTHER METHODS THAT WORK WELL- Burying your crystal in a cupful of dried herbs will also clear it. Suggested herbs for this are rose petals, sage, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood. You can usually find these at low cost at many co-ops or herb stores. This is a gentle way to clear crystals, and a pleasant way, but it does take longer than sea salt. 

Crystals may also be buried into the Earth. This is especially helpful when you feel deep cleansing is needed. Outdoors, simply dig a hole the size of your crystal into the Earth, place your crystal again point down, and cover with soil.  The amount of time needed is personal choice.  Be sure to place a Popsicle stick or some other marker to insure you fine your stone again!!! For apartment dwellers, use a flower pot to bury your stone in. 

A quick way to cleanse your healing stones is to smudge them with burning cedar or sage. Smudging is an excellent way to make sure your stones are purified. Simply hold the burning sage or cedar stick while passing your stone through the smoke. I usually do this a couple times to ensure cleansing.  I also like to cleanse my stones by smudging after every healing. 

Finally, if you are in a hurry and feel that your crystal needs to be cleared, you can easily run them under cool tap water. Make sure the points are facing down the drain to run the negative energy right down the sink!!! NEVER USE WARM OR HOT WATER, THIS WILL FRACTURE OR BREAK YOUR CRYSTALS.  Visualize the crystal as sparkly, tingly, cold, and belonging to the healer. 

To prevent any negative energy from attaching itself to your crystal you may with to dedicate it.  To do this, simply hold the crystal or gemstone in your hand and state clearly in your mind:  "Only the most positive high-level energy may work through this healing tool".  Focus on your intent for awhile, then end your sensing (meditation) with "SO BE IT".  The stone is now dedicated. You may also choose to dedicate your gemstone or crystal to a specific healing energy, for example, to a Goddessof healing. There are many healing goddesses, including Isis, Yemaya, Diana, and White Buffalo Calf Woman.  For stones programmed for protection, Hecate or Kali are strong protection Goddesses. 

The process may be done with clear quartz crystals only, colored gemstones only, or a combination of both.  The stones may be used alone or with a hands on healing (ie;Reiki).  The stones are placed upon the receiver's body from feet to head.  The healer then begins using her hands as usual starting at the head and moving toward the feet.  (Use gemstones with colors matching each chakra's color.  The stones can be in any form—faceted, raw, tumbled, eggs, or beads.) Energy in this type of healing needs to move in one direction through the body, either Earth to sky or sky to Earth.  If the energy is Earth to sky, all the gemstones that have points are placed with the points turned towards the receiver's crown.  The effect of this direction is to move the receiver's energy to a higher vibration or more spiritual level.  If the direction is  from sky to Earth, it is the opposite, with the crystals pointing toward the feet.  This direction moves life force energy from crown to feet for grounding and rooting into Earth.  To begin, the receiver lies on her back on a padded floor or massage table, with pillows under her head and knees for comfort.  The space should be quiet, comfortable, and warm.  Use only stones that have been dedicated to positive energy and programmed for healing.  Invite spirit guides and angels into the session if you wish. 

Start by placing a clear quartz crystal above her head and below her feet.  In the right hand place another crystal and in the left hand place a rose quartz gemstone.  (my personal method).  Then go chakra by chakra, moving from the feet to crown and placing the appropriate colored gemstone for each center.  (Be sure you have your healing stones spread out where you can reach them easily.)  There may be stones that you are drawn to for a particular reason, let yourself be guided, there are no real rules.  You cannot do it wrong.  A stone that is not needed for the session or is inappropriate for the receiver's energy will roll right off or roll to another place where it is better utilized.  Allow this to occur.  If the receiver feels uncomfortable with a particular stone, remove it, the energy is not right for her needs.  In some cases you may feel the stone has rolled off too soon, if your intuition is telling you the stone's job is not complete, gently replace it.  When the stones are all in place, the healer has two options.  She (he) can go to the head and begin a hands on healing.  Be sure to cover the stones with your hands carefully in order not to scatter the gemstones.  While your hands are covering each chakra over the stone, visualize the bright color of the gemstone entering the chakra, making it appear bright, balanced, centered, and healthy.  (If you could see chakras they would appear as luminous wheels, circles, or disks.  Each chakra is brightly colored and are strung together like shiny beads all in a row from your feet to your head.) Do this visualization until you feel confident to move to the next chakra.  Be sure to flick fingers to release any negative energy before going to the next center.  End with a complete brushing of the aura. 

The other option a healer has once the stones are placed is to sit beside the receiver and simply wait, allowing the gemstones and spirit guides to do the healing.  As the receiver's chakras and aura absorb and are balanced by the crystal and gem energies, the stones begin to roll off one by one.  When all the stones are off, or the receiver feels finished with those that remain, the healing is over.   End with a complete brushing of the aura and allow the receiver to lie quietly without the stones. Ask for feedback and discuss anything that you feel should be discussed. While she is doing this, the healer can gather up the stones from the table or floor and clear them again before putting them away.  Put them into your protective box. 

A laying on of stones healing can be quite intense.  There is often a major energy shift during this type of healing.  More frequent emotional releases, past life and this life trauma openings and other transformative events.  The healers role in this is to wait for the release to end and to be entirely non-judgmental.  After a session, there may also be a physical detoxification process that 
can continue for up to a week.  Be aware of what is happening and again, allow it.  The changes are always positive and are usually gentle. 

PROTECTION STONES
 amber- A major healing and protection stone. 

Smoky Quartz- A powerful protection stone.  Use for protection in business meetings and when you fear a psychic attack. 

Black Tourmaline- Deflects negativity.  Protects against negative energies entering from the outside. 

Black Onyx- Protects while absorbing.  Transforms negativity without storing it.  Protection from accidents. 

Hematite- Protection when traveling.  Great for air travel; protects and aids jet lag. 

Garnet- Protection for astral travel and nightmares. 

Green Tourmaline- Protects the aura against negative forces. 

Aqua- Used as a protection stone in sea travel.  Protects vulnerability. 

Sapphire- All protection stone great for all water protection, sailing, kyaking, etc. 

Rutilated Quartz- Peace and protection.  Protection on water and cruises.

Amethyst- Protects homes, rooms and self. 

Other stones include- Malachite, Peridot, Turquoise, Fluorite, Tigers Eye, and Lapis Lazuli. 

Protective Circle For Your Home- 
When I am away on business trips I like to know that my home is being protected.  Protected from burglary and of course the storms of mother nature.  Here is a simple way to make a permanent protective circle around your home. Things you will need:  A sage bundle and your protection crystal.  (the sage is used to cleanse your room/home of unwanted energies and the crystal is used to add protection). You will be doing this ritual indoors. First off it is good to ground and center yourself.  Once you have done that it is time to light the sage bundle, get it smoking really good by blowing on it.  Once the sage is smoking hold it in your hand and start to walk around your room in a counter clockwise direction.  Blow smoke into each corner of your room as well as above and under doors and windows.  Your room is not cleansed of unwanted energies. 

The next step is to take your protection crystal ( I like to use a large Amethyst specimen) and program it for protection. You do this by holding it in your left hand, now take your right hand and place it over the top of the crystal.  Say out loud something like "I dedicate this stone to protect my house and home, and so it is".  Once you have programmed your protection crystal you simple hold it in your hands and walk around your room in a clockwise direction.  Concentrate on forming a seal of protection that cannot be broken. That's all there is too it!!!  Have fun with this exercise, you can also make a more elaborate ceremony if you wish, it is up to you. 

HEALING STONES FOR MEN
 Men have always been fascinated with gemstones and crystals.  In ancient times carved crystal amulets offered protection from battle wounds, evil spirits, and poisoned wine.  Polished gemstones were embedded into shields for protection during wartime and they drank out of goblets carved from Amethyst to prevent drunkenness!  So it really is no surprise that today most of the lapidary (cutter and polisher of gemstones) are still men. 

In today’s world most men prefer to use gemstones for personal adornment in jewelry, but there are more and more who are once again becoming interested as to the healing effects of their Ruby or Diamond ring they wear each day.  Of course, men as well as women have issues that need to be healed, it is just much harder for them to talk about it.  Some of these issues may be lack of self-esteem and power, stress related issues, health issues, lack of communication, and emotional issues.  I truly feel if men allow themselves to heal with the power of gemstones and crystals they will have a much fuller and happier life. 

If you are uncomfortable with wearing a crystal to work, simply hide it under your T-shirt or place it in your shirt or pants pocket wear it will go unnoticed.  I also suggest placing a large crystal specimen in your office of business; after all, they are decorative objects!  If someone asks, just tell him or her that your kid, niece or nephew is interested in geology! I will now go onto listing the gemstones that I feel will be beneficial to men for healing their issues.

Amethyst- Wonderful for transmuting all forms of negativity.  A large plate of Amethyst crystals will protect you from hostility, great for the office! An amethyst crystal placed on the body or in a pocket will make you calm when feeling stressed.  It is also helpful for headaches and arthritic pain.

Garnet- Great for strengthening physical and emotional energy.  Provides the grounding needed to help with decision-making allowing thoughts to flow.  Garnet stimulates life force by drawing energy into the body.

Hematite- Heals anger and rage, provides courage in the workplace, fosters peace and non-aggression and above all is very grounding.  It is good to have a tumbled hematite to hold when feeling angry. 

Jade- Opens and heals the heart, frees one from anger, selfishness and greed.  Encourages service to the planet, soothes the emotions, encourages giving to others.  Promotes trust in God/Goddess.  Aids movement on one’s path. 

Malachite-  Detoxifies the emotional body, releases negative/painful emotions, and promotes wealth in business relationships.  Preventive medicine for the heart and liver.  Deep healing and cleansing.

Smoky Quartz-  This crystal is used to prevent mood swings, aggressive behavior, and all types of negativity.  Great for the man who is burned out, has a fear of failure, or who smokes or drinks due to stress.  Smoky Quartz is called “The Emotional Balancer”.

I suggest at night to place your crystals on a nightstand or under your pillow.  Remember to cleanse and recharge your crystals at least once a month for best results.  You may wish to review my article on how use crystals and stones for healing.

HEALING STONES FOR CHILDREN
 In this article I will give you suggestions of healing stones that I feel are good for children.  Children are very curious by nature, and many of them start rock collections at a very early age.  I do not know if they look for rocks because they are somewhat intune to these energies or if they are just so close to the ground that they easily spot rocks.  Whatever the reason there are many stones that are wonderful to use with children. 

Rose Quartz is a good choice because it exhibits gentle positive vibrations which allow children to receive the love they may be missing.   Rose Quartz is an all around great stone for issues of love.

Carnelian Agate encourages love between parents and children.  Helps girls to appreciate their bodies while aiding creativity. 

Tigers Eye teaches them to listen to their intuition while providing self-esteem.  Promotes courage to do the right thing.  A good protection stone while traveling.

Golden Calcite is another great stone for building self-esteem and also provides courage.

Pink Tourmaline is a good choice for children recovering from abuse.   Brings deep comforting love energy.  Transforms negative behavior into positive.

Hematite is highly protective and dispels negativity.  Gives children strength and courage.  Aids the child during time of divorce, helps them to understand that it is not their fault for this divorce.   Note*
A great way for a small child to carry a healing stone with them is by tying a bead onto their shoelaces, they receive the healing energy and do not lose the stone!!