The Healing Crystal
To begin, lets explore "The Healing Crystals". Many folks want to know "where are the Healing Crystals ?" Perhaps they had seen a TV talk show or read an article in a magazine that referred to someone using crystals to do physical or emotional healing, and want to find out more about these crystalline miracle makers.

First of all, you should be aware that there isn't just ONE crystal that is the all powerful "Healer", but rather many many different crystals and minerals that can be of benefit to us just as there are many different traditional drugs. They come in all shapes and sizes, colors, and compositions.
It would be convenient if we could simply pull out "The Healing Crystal", but I'm afraid that it's not that simple.   A bit more education is in order before the best crystal or mineral can be selected for the kind of help that is being sought.

What I suspect that most people are referring to would be the clear quartz crystal that most every one has seen at one time in their lives.   To be sure, the quartz crystal has a lot going for it in terms of public recognition. Many practitioners that use crystals and minerals for healing work would agree that the quartz crystal in various shapes and sizes is truly one of the most versatile and useful crystals the earth has to offer.

Metaphysically, the quartz crystal can be easily "programmed" to help provide a positive outcome. It can clear away negative energy from the aura and re-align the chakra (energy) centers of the body. It can be useful in long distance healing through imaging and meditation.
There are many different approaches towards the use of crystals and minerals in regard to healing.   Recommendation is to simply associate the various crystals and minerals with their healing color.

Why use Color ?
Because it is relatively easy to learn the color healing system, and once it is learned you can use it to quickly identify what crystal or mineral to use for specific healing.   The use of color to create or alter certain emotions or moods has long been an excepted practice by many traditional professional mental health doctors and care givers.

We also borrow from ancient eastern culture to further associate these colors to the various chakra centers in the body. A chakra is an energy center of which there 7 major centers starting with the root located at the base of the spine and ending a the crown of the head.

Each chakra has an associated color (or colors) and each of these colors can be easily associated with the colors of the crystals or minerals which affect that area of the body.    Here is a list of the 7 major chakras and their associated colors:

1st chakra - The ROOT
Primary color is red, other colors associated with the Root Chakra are black brown, and gray.
Gemstones like Garnet or Onyx, Red Jasper

2nd chakra - The Naval
Primary color is orange, others are all various shades of orange.
Gemstones like Carnelian, orange Zincite

3rd chakra - The Solar Plexus
Primary color is yellow, others are various shades of yellow.
Gemstones like Citrine, Yellow Sapphire

4th chakra - The Heart
Primary color is green and shades of green, the secondary color is pink.
Gemstones like Rose Quartz or Green Tourmaline

5th chakra - The Throat
Primary color is light blue like aqua or turquoise, secondary colors are various shades of lighter blues.
Gemstones like Turquoise or Blue Lace Agate

6th chakra - The Third eye ( or brow)
Primary color is dark blue or various shades of dark blue.
Gemstones like Lapis Lazuli or Sodalite

7th chakra - The Crown
Primary color is purple, the secondary colors are shades of purple and colorless (clear) or white.
Gemstones like Amethyst or Clear Quartz

If you can memorize (or print-out) these associated colors with their chakra centers, you can then go anywhere and pick out a crystal or mineral that will help with the affected area.   Now having said all of that, you must remember that each kind of crystal and mineral can and does have other transformational properties that are specific to that crystal or mineral.

When you want to acquire more in depth knowledge about these properties, buy or check out one or more of the many books that cover this subject.   But in the meantime you now have enough information to make a reasonably good pick by using the associated color method.

What about the necessary size and quality of crystals/minerals ?
It has been shown through Kerlian photography that the aura or energy fields surrounding objects extend a considerable distance from its core. The bigger things usually cost more, however, the truth of the matter is even small, lesser quality crystal / mineral, in essence have the same energy fields as bigger more expensive ones.   It becomes a matter of personal taste and pocket-book after the right kind of crystal is picked.

Personally I believe that crystals can be effective if we empower them to help us.   They work on the subtle energy level at our core and out in our auras.    I'm very much of a pragmatist in these matters, if you have a screaming headache, I say take a few ADVIL.

Some folks will hold the crystal and/or slowly move it over a painful area of the body, for example a bad knee, or sore shoulder. Sometimes a steady lessening of pain can be experienced from this practice. It can be used in conjunction with conventional treatments, and can be seen as a pro- active step in-between doctor visits. There are many ways that we can help ourselves to heal and participate in our own recovery, using crystals is surely one of them.

Clearing your new crystal or mineral
Clearing a crystal or mineral is a simple enough task and it is a way to insure that there are no left over negative energies from the party that you obtained the crystal from.  It is also not a slap at those who had the crystal before you, rather a way to personalize it and create a new energy bond between you and your new partner.

There are many ways to accomplish this, this is one way:
Make sure you are not going to be disturbed (maybe like in the bathroom).   Hold your new crystal under room temperature running water, and as the water cascades over the piece, close your eyes and imagine that all negative energies are being washed away down the drain and out to the ocean to be purified.

We use a channeled prayer by Dael Walker from years ago before we do the clearing and the prayer alone seems strong enough to clear any negativity from a crystal or a whole building. This is the prayer it is know as the

"Light Invocation":

"I invoke the Light of God within. I am a clear and perfect channel. Light is my Guide."

We were told to repeat this prayer three times in a row aloud.   Then to say what it is that we wish to accomplish, as clearly as possible so that our subconscious will not be confused with the message or request.

Cleaning your Crystals
I recommend luke warm water a new tooth brush and Joy lemon scented liquid dish soap.   Please be aware, that there are a few crystals that may be sensitive to water, and you should be made aware of them at the time of purchase. Be careful of halite, hanksite, other salt related crystals, will dissolve if left in water too long.

The crystals like to be cleaned and just sparkle their little hearts out each time you do this.    Be sure to rinse well and either blow them off with your own air or pat them dry with soft towel.

Programming your crystal or mineral
Simply hold your crystal in your hand(s) and close your eyes then in your minds eye create an image of what you want to occur. That's it.

A few words about Gold or Silver settings
Gold is ruled by the Sun a masculine planet, and therefore imparts a more assertive energy to crystals & minerals that are mounted in it.   Silver is ruled by the Moon a feminine planet, and therefore imparts a softened less assertive emotional energy to crystals & minerals that are mounted in it.

You know what you need so choose accordingly.