Witchcraft 101: An Introduction to Crystals

Everyone is attracted to gemstones in some way, be it an appreciation for their beauty or a more spiritual draw.

In this segment of Witchcraft 101, we will be addressing crystals. More specifically, what they are, how to use them, some basic crystals and their properties, and some recommended readings. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

What exactly are crystals?

In the simplest of terms, crystals are precious stones whose power is often coveted for many different purposes; as a symbol of power, purely for their beauty, or, in a witch’s case, for their magickal and spiritual properties.

They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, cut and uncut, and are equally as effective no matter the form they take.

Cut gems may be more aesthetically pleasing, but uncut crystals are just as effective for magickal purposes, and often come at a fraction of the price!

So, how do you use them?

Crystals can be used in a wide range of ways, but let’s start with a classic: meditating.

You can meditate with a crystal in your receiving (non-dominant) hand to channel that crystal’s energy and properties into your meditation. (If you need help with meditation and grounding, don’t worry, because that’s coming up next in our series!)

An easy way to use most crystals is to just keep them around. Place them in your room, wear them as jewelry, or keep them in your bag or on your person at all times.

Keeping crystals in your environment can fill it with different energies, depending on the crystals you use. Sleeping with a crystal under your pillow can be especially helpful.

While crystals can be useful in aiding intentions, and alleviating and encouraging the healing process, please do not use any magickal methods of healing in lieu of professional medical advice.

Another common use for crystals is drinking charged water. You do this in a couple of steps:

First, you must pick out your crystals. Think about what you want to gain from this, and that will help you choose.

Second, you should cleanse your crystals. This can be done with selenite (see below), by rinsing them with water or leaving them out in the sun or moonlight for a couple of hours’ time to charge them if you’d like.

Next, you hold the crystals in your hand and think of your intention. You can imagine that it is pouring into your crystals if it helps.

Finally, you charge the water by placing the crystals around it and waiting a few hours. When you’re done, you have water with charged your intentions, as well as the properties of your crystals!

(A fun thing to note is some people charge rainwater or moon-water instead of standard tap water, so if you want to feel a little more witchy that’s a fun avenue to explore.)

Remember: Some crystals and gemstones are not water-safe, we’ve included in our list which ones are/are not, but don’t forget to check.

Follow your intuition, some specific crystals might draw you in or repel you, the properties of a crystal are generalized below, but really how the individual stone comes across to you is just as important.

Here are some specific crystals and (some of) their properties:

Agate

• Sacred to Hermes and Artemis.
• Good for balancing extremes.
• Fosters the ability to look inward and create balanced awareness in yourself.
• Water safe.

Amethyst

• Gives a sense of peace and tranquility.
• Develops intuition and spiritual awareness.
• Associated with gender-variant peoples.
• Named for Artemis’ beloved nymph, killed by Dionysus’ tigers, transformed into a beautiful gem.
• Water Safe.

Aventurine

• Resonates with the energies of the heart.
• Helps to cleanse, open and heal.
• Water Safe.

Carnelian

• Used to align mind and instincts.
• Can aid in exploring past-life experiences.
• Aids in the ability to trust yourself and others.
• Ignites passion and spark, enhances creativity.
• Helps with anger, sorrow, envy, and fear.
• Saltwater can cause fractures in the stone, but otherwise Water Safe.

Citrine

• Manifests wealth, prosperity, and abundance.
• Aids with self-image, self-esteem, and fear.
• Shines the light of truth in all areas, clears the mind, and uplifts attitudes.
• Water Safe.

Clear Quartz

• “Programmable”, meaning can be infused with any intention.
• Directs and Amplifies energies of other stones.
• A stone of healing generally.
• Water safe.

Emerald

• Powerful both in love and prosperity.
• Opens to self-love, loving relationships, and worthiness.
• Balances and harmonizes emotions.
• Eases stress and tension.
• Water Safe.

Jade

• Symbolizes balance between yin and yang.
• Inspires ambition; working towards an objective with focus.
• Good for longevity.
• Used in dream work, to remember dreams and interpret their meaning.
• Aids in meditation and shamanism.
• Water Safe.

Lapis Lazuli

• Power and prosperity.
• Aids in all expression and manifestation, a release from melancholy.
• Can bring good luck in business and home, or turn inward to bring spiritual awareness.
• Can contain sulfur and pyrite, so not water safe.

Malachite

• Cleanses, clears, and grounds.
• Releases stored emotions to allow for looking inward.
• Grounds wisdom in practical terms, helping to illuminate the path forward.
• Can Break in hot water, and may contain many toxic substances, not water safe.

Moonstone

• Enhances your intuition, wisdom, and patience.
• Helps with self-knowledge, AKA journeying inward to find hidden truths.
• Stimulates non-linear thinking.
• Water safe.

Rose Quartz

• Supports love and healing in relationships.
• Soothing effect on the environment – releases stress, anxiety, and frustration.
• Unconditional love, of all forms.
• Nurturing and comforting, and dissipates anger.
• Stimulates creative talents and repressed feelings.
• Water safe.

Selenite

• Used for cleansing and purification.
• Does not need to be cleansed or charged.
• Amplifies other stones.
• Not water safe.

Recommended Readings

Below are a few book recommendations for anyone who wishes to delve further into the wondrous world of magickal rocks!

Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham

A comprehensive guidebook of the secrets of over 100 gems and metals. It teaches you how to identify and cleanse stones and metals and how to apply them to your own magic.

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

This is actually a pretty detailed series. The first two volumes are crystal reference guides and a crystal directory to help you learn how to identify crystals just from the sight of them; the third book of the volume is a little different and discusses all sorts of topics from Madagascan stones, chakras, and how to use crystals in conjunction with your chakras.

Practical Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Crystals, Horoscopes, Psychics & Spells by Nikki Van De Car

This book is a must-have for any beginner witch – if you buy any, buy this. The book focuses on the three areas healing, fortunetelling, and magic. It’s a pretty easy guide to understand and covers far more than just crystals so it’s certainly useful for those of you who don’t know where to start.

The Crystal Directory by Sarah Barlett

Its content is in the title: it’s a crystal directory. A great guide that doubles as a handbook and a great source-book for understanding and discovering crystals.