So, you just brought home a new crystal — and you want to get to know it, you want to know how to connect with it.
What’s the best way of going about doing that?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to start off your crystal relationship right!
When I bring home a new crystal I usually like to retune it (what many call “cleanse”) just to make sure it’s not bringing any extra baggage along with it. Know what I mean?
You can read more about how I like to do that here.
Then, the next thing I do is a crystal meditation with the specimen. I take at least 5-15 minutes to sit quietly with that crystal and see what kind of insights or messages I get from it — so I’ll know how that crystal will work best personally with me.
This is how I feel I get to know my crystals best. Once I have that info, then I determine if I want to take it deeper and really forge a close bond with this crystal. (I end up doing that with only about 6-10 crystals in my entire collection at the most. People are often surprised to hear that I don’t do that with my entire collection).
Then with those crystals that I have that really close relationship with… I’ll begin incorporating that crystal into my daily morning crystal meditations for a month or so as well as working closely with it for other personal self-help or ceremonial rituals when they come up for me (which isn’t too often, because I’m really practical and pretty lazy).
Other Methods on How to Connect with a New Crystal
I was curious to see if my method was kind of universal or totally out there, so I asked my good friend and fellow crystal-lover, Maia Toll, author of The Illustrated Crystallary, how she gets to know a new crystal.
If you follow me on Instagram you know I go on and on about what a beautiful and insightful crystal book she’s alchemized for us! After you read her stuff and if you know me and my scientific bent at all…. you’ll totally get WHY I vibe with her so much~!
I’m gonna let Maia take over from here in her own words while she shares with you the method she perfected while writing The Illustrated Crystallary:
I used a four-step method — five if you include writing and sharing what I learned — to study each new crystal I added to the book.
This process worked so well for me, that it’s still what I use to get to know a new crystal:
- Cleanse
- Intuit
- Research
- Integrate
Cleanse
First, I give a new crystal a good cleansing. This might include running water, sunlight, or a smoke bath depending on the stone. I’ve even been known to ring bells over a new crystal to break up stale vibrations! But smoke is often my go-to — I’m trained as an herbalist so always have dried herb options in the cupboard. The great thing about using smoke is I don’t have to worry about whether the stone can handle water (selenite can’t) or if its color will fade in the sun (like fluorite).
Clear quartz is my exception: I will pretty much always cleanse clear quartz with both running water and sunshine. I’m lucky enough to live on a creek, so I can submerge the quartz for a few hours then leave it to dry on a sunny rock. But if you don’t have access to natural running water, take your quartz into the shower with you! Picture the shower giving both you and your quartz an energetic rinse and sending any energies which aren’t useful down the drain.
If a crystal feels really icky, and I’ve had a few of those, I bury it.
A few days in the earth is ideal for neutralizing and transmuting any negative energy.
Intuit
After a new crystal is cleansed, I sit with it. This always starts with the crystal loosely clasped in my hand but, as I feel into it, I may end up with it pressed against my third eye or held to my heart. It’s always curious to me what I intuitively want to do with a crystal and I consider this part of learning about a new stone. Pay attention to these impulses and note them down.
This next part is where it gets a little tricky: I listen to the crystal. Bear with me for a second because I’m not necessarily saying you should listen to your crystal!
Our bodies are constantly receiving information from the outside world. Some of this information comes through the usual channels: all five senses are constantly scanning and taking in information from the world around us.
But we also take in information that lies beyond the realm of the usual senses. Most people don’t even realize that they’re receiving electrical, magnetic, and barometric information (as well as all sorts of other stuff science may not even have names for yet). All this additional info gets sent to the brain and, it’s my belief, that as the brain sorts this added information we get what we call intuitive hits: incoming information for which we can’t identify the source. Our brain kindly translates this info into a usable form.
So, for me, I will hear things. But other people see things: they get a flash of color, or see a scene, or go into a state which feels like a daydream. Still, others will just suddenly know something and they can’t say exactly where the surety comes from, but they know. Some people will feel things in their body like their heart will ache if they are touching something which soothes heartbreak.
I listen to my crystals because, especially with the stones, that’s how my intuition speaks to me. Think about how your intuition speaks to you and then use it to learn a bit more about your new crystal.
So step 1 is cleanse, step 2 is intuit, and for step 3, I research.
Research
I’ll do an online search and scan for recurring keywords, then specifically look up myths, stories, and folktales and give those a read. While still on the internet, I look up geological and scientific information. Geological information, like which part of the earth’s crust a crystal formed in, is particularly important in Chinese medicine: if a mineral is formed in the deeper layers of the earth, then it will potentiate the deepest layers of our bodies and souls.
Additionally, there’s a wealth of metaphoric information to be gleaned from how a crystal was formed: a stone compacted by pressure will feel quite different than one that was created as a lava melt cooled. Understanding the mineral mash-up that has created the crystal can also help me understand its properties: for instance, a mineral with lithium is most likely calming like lepidolite. My final research step is to consult my favorite books; I check out how the crystal is used in both a modern sense and in traditional Chinese medicine.
Integrate
This brings me to step 4, the most important step: integration.
At this stage, I have a number of puzzle pieces and it’s time to put them together. So once again I sit with the crystal, rearranging the mental puzzle pieces as I hold the crystal in my hands. My goal at this point is to see what feels true to me. And the way I do this is both easy and a bit esoteric: as I sit holding the crystal, I sort through all the impressions I’ve gotten and I see which make the crystal in my hands feel alive.
Another way of saying this is: I see which bits of the information I’ve collected help me to forge a connection with the crystal. When the crystal and I are in sync, I’ll find the words that let me share what I’ve discovered. The crystal oracles in The Illustrated Crystallary were all written this way. (Hibiscus note: she’s talking about the 36 oracle cards included in an envelope bound in the back of the book! How cool is that?)
So the four steps are:
- Cleanse
- Intuit
- Research
- Integrate
And, then, you’re ready for step 5 (if you want!): share.
OK, back to me, Hibiscus here. ♥
See what I mean about why I love her approach so much? I hope these ideas we’ve given you help you get started with a new-to-you crystal! Let me know if any of this is similar to what you do or if you have something different that you’d like to share with our Crystal Family in the comments below.
And if you want to check out Maia’s book The Illustrated Crystallary (AND the BONUS oracle cards that come with it!), you can get an author-signed copy from Maia herself here or get the best price on Amazon here.
So many Crystal Blessings to you!
I purchased Maia’s book The Illustrated Crystallary and just LOVE it……great recommendation….thanks HM!????
It’s a fabulous find, Isn’t it, Susan? 🙂
I love these tips and it makes me want to go get a new lemurian quartz. They are one of my favorites. I usually give my crystals reiki reiju using my symbols in Usui and Karuna. I love holding them and sitting quietly and observing what comes up for me. I also love to fall asleep with them in my hand so I take them with me in my out of body travels. Sometimes I nacelles seen them glowing and making a humming sound like from a crystal bowl. Totally R.A.D. yes
Absolutely love her and this book x
How can you not? Right, Marie?
Love it!
So glad you enjoyed that, Lisa!
I have all her books. Just perfect to get to know you crystals with her crystal book
Maia is a fantastic author indeed! ♥
I just purchased Maia’s book. Looking forward to adding this book to my library.
It’s a really good one, Shauna. You won’t regret it. 🙂
Can you please share with us what your 6-10 go to crystals are? And is it possible you can put them all together for a few photos? I’m just really curious!
Hey Pamela, I think this is exactly what you’re looking for right here: https://hibiscusmoon.com/10-must-have-crystals/
Hibiscus, this is JUST what I needed! I’ve been following your journey for about a year now, and I have to say: Every blog you make has enriched my knowledge in so many ways, I can’t even explain~
I recently got two new crystals (yeah I kinda went on a shopping spree-), and tried to connect with them. . . I ‘re-tuned’ them, and meditated. . . But I didn’t feel the instinctual *click*, if you know what I’m saying.
I love your blogs so much. . . You teach people so many awesome things everyday. . . (sorry if this sounds mushy hahah) Keep this up!
P.S. . .
Would there be a particular phrase to say when mediating to get the visions mentioned (e.g., colors, sounds. . .)
I know some sources say you should recite an affirmation for that particular stone. . . But I’m not sure how I would go about doing that.
OH, Sarah! you made my day. I’m so happy this has been helpful to you. I don’t use any particular phrase except for “Show me” and then I don’t expect things to always happen right away (sometimes they do). BUt I find consistency + time is key. 😉
WoW, what a great post HM, the book looks so beautifully illustrated and care taken to put it together.
I have just ordered the book which is arriving tomorrow, I can’t wait to pour myself a cup of herbal tea and pour over the book!
I;m especially excited about the oracle cards that are included !
Thank you for the recommendation x
Tracy, you’ll fully enjoy the time you spend with this book. ♥
I never really believed in crystals for a long time. I was surrounded by skeptics. They would say there was no such thing as ‘magic rocks’ (a crude term), and for a while I believed them.
But sure enough, my curiosity got the better of me, as I purchased a rough amethyst point, from my nearest metaphysical shop. I fiddled with it in my hands. . . Felt the engraved lines covering the shaft. . . And then I decided to meditate. I had no visions, or sounds (though while meditating, I did hear a car passing by as they blasted music. . .), but I had a strong, overpowering tingle, that jolted through my body. I’ve been having similar reactions with every new crystal I meet. . . Although I get slightly different reactions with my rose quartz.
I love your work, you go girl!
Same to you, Willa! Forget those naysayers. You know EXACTLY what you’re doing!
Ohhhh TY, Hibiscus Moon!
Love your work :b
Thank you so much for this! I have been so blessed by the Crystal Practitioner course and your posts!
Thank you. I have been humbly blessed by having you along for the journey, Heather. ♥
This is just what I needed, and it was so timely too! I just ordered her book!
Yay, Tamara. Fully ENJOY it. 🙂
HM, I ordered this morning will be here Saturday.
I have many crystals that I need to reconnect with.
Looking forward to this book. The Oracle cards are a bonus.
I do a couple every morning.
Thank you for all your tips. I’m learning so much in CCP course
Karen
HM, I have Maia’s book and I love it. ????
I am in the process of connecting and getting to know and gather my own personal crystal collection, and currently working with my birthstone, amethyst.
I took your Fall 2020 CCP course and I’m doing encore while I work toward my ACM.
Looking forward to Yoga with crystals.
Love this info (and loving your course!!!) And I just snagged that book right now too….looks amazing…thank you for all you do ????
WOW,
I have been going through the same thing! I have been driving out to go hiking to help with this.
I will definitely get her book looks lovely.
thank you
Have added the book to my list to get next month????
Thank you for that info & for introducing me to Maia’s beautiful works! Excited to receive & read it!
Hope you have a lovely weekend, sending loadsa Luminous Light & Laughter your way????
Thank you for introducing me to Maia’s outstanding book. I just received it and love the included cards.
After I cleanse each crystal I do the following:
I believe crystals are alive; therefore, I hold the crystal in both of my hands, then say the following:
I thank you for choosing me,
I thank you for allowing me to be your crystal caretaker,
I thank you for working with me.
???? Aloha ????
Wonderful! My Crystals will be happy to get such special attention!
Thank you for your insight! I have been acquiring crystals for years but this past sixmonths have been working with them again. On your recommendation just got The Book of Stones and now have purchased Maia’s book. Love the idea of using sound to cleanse and this blog has given me more ideas on how to get to know my crystals.
Thank you or Maia for writing about the different ways humans feel,see, or hear a crystal. When I do bodywork I hear when the bodyparts shift back into place – with crystals I usually hold them and feel where the energy goes but now I will “listen” too.
Love where my journey is taking me with crystals and you are a wonderful guide!
This is so helpful. Love it and thanks for the insight. I just purchased Maia’s book too. Love my journey of crystals and love sharing details like this.
After reading the blog I ordered the book! Thank you for turning me on to Maia. I want to practice more in getting my mind out of the way of my intuition. It’s a process. I love my stone people, they light me up. I would love to connect to them more. Thanks for this article!