This guide focuses on Chakra Crystals. If you want to learn more about chakras, be sure to check out other guides.
What are Chakras?
Within your body you have a circulatory, a respiratory, a skeletal, a hormonal, a lymphatic, and a muscular system. You also have a system of meridians, or channels, along which energy flows. This energy has several names, depending on which tradition you are looking at.
The Chinese term is “Chi”. In the Indian Ayurvedic healing tradition it is known as “prana”. Other healing systems call it Universal Healing Energy or Life Force Energy.
The chakras are best described as spinning vortices, located along the spine, or central channel of the body. Their job is to keep the energy flowing freely both up and down the spine and also out into the rest of the body. This energy carries healing vibrations to every cell, including the cells of the brain, and, in meditation, the mind.
When one or more of the chakras is blocked or restricted the healing energy cannot move as freely as we would like it to. The consequences of blocked chakras can manifest on both a physical and an emotional level. In order to keep your chakras in top condition you can perform a chakra balance. Using crystals on each of the chakras is an excellent way of amplifying the energy within them and of clearing out stagnant or stuck chi.
How to Use Crystals to Balance and Heal the Chakras
You may have seen sets of chakra stones for sale in crystal shops and online. These usually consist of seven crystals, one for each of the main chakras, but as there many options to choose from when balancing chakras, you might want to use crystals and gemstones that you already have in your collection, or you may have distinct personal preferences.
As a general rule, the crystals most useful for each chakra will be within a certain color spectrum, ranging from the lightest, or clear specimens for the Crown down to the darkest red and black stones for the Base.
One of the easiest ways to harness the powers of the chakra crystals you have chosen is to lie on your back and place the relevant stone over each of the chakras. However, some crystals can be used on all of the chakras to cleanse and realign the entire system. Topaz is one such stone, as are Clear Quartz and Kyanite.
If you want to use just one crystal hold a piece of the stone in each hand and take some time to “tune in” to the vibration of the crystal. As you work your way up or down the chakra system visualize the energies flowing through your palms and into your body. Breathe the energies down into each chakra and see each one as a flower opening and closing on the in and out breaths.
Draw in healing energy on the inhale and see the petals of the flower of that chakra opening as you do so. When you exhale, imagine the petals closing and expelling stuck or stagnant energy as light grey mist.
Crown Chakra
The Crown chakra is our gateway to the energies of the cosmos and the Divine. It also governs our intellect and logic. When it is out of balance, or blocked, we can experience uncertainty and a lack of trust in our own intuition and discernment. We can become doubtful and cynical about our connection to spirit.
To balance this chakra, and to ensure that it is clear and open, use clear or white crystals in your chakra cleaning routine. Diamond is wonderful – but not many of us own Diamonds of any size!
Nevertheless, you can call upon the powers of the Diamonds in your jewelry connection, and you can also use Clear Quartz, Selenite, White Calcite or White Topaz. Place the crystal on or near to the crown of your head, breathe in its vibrations and visualize the chakra letting go of old or stagnant energies and drawing in the vibrant energies of the Universe.
Click here to learn more about the Crown chankra
Third Eye Chakra
This chakra sits between the eyes and governs our connection to our psychic abilities and our spiritual self. It sends out vibrations into the world to clear our spiritual path and to show us the steps we need to take next on our soul’s journey in this world. When it is blocked, we can feel as if life has lost its purpose.
To clear away unwanted energies from this chakra, choose blue stones of a dark hue, such as Sodalite, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli, and Apatite.
Lapis Lazuli enhances dream work and stimulates spiritual enlightenment. It possesses great serenity and quickly releases stress, bringing a sense of deep peace. Apatite is attuned to the future and has inspirational properties.
Click here to learn more about the Third Eye chakra
Throat Chakra
Located in the center of the throat, this chakra governs communication on all levels. This includes the messages we send to ourselves, and any thought forms we may have absorbed from others, who have projected their insecurities onto us. To enhance your verbal communication skills try placing Blue Lace Agate on the Throat chakra or wearing a necklace of this crystal combined with Celestite.
When this chakra is out of balance, we can find ourselves keeping silent, through fear of the judgment and reactions of others. We repress our truths and the negativity this produces turns inward, harming us in both an emotional and a physical way. Keep this chakra open and activated by cleansing with blue stones such as Chrysocolla and blue Chalcedony.
Click here to learn more about the Throat chakra
Heart Chakra
The Heart chakra, located in the center of the chest, just to the right of our physical heart, governs our ability to give and receive love on all levels. It has a gentle, nurturing energy that is sustained by stones and crystals of delicate pink, forest green and deeper, strawberry colors.
Rose Quartz in the best crystal to use when working on your Heart chakra as it brings in a soothing, maternal energy that nourishes and protects. Supplement the effects of this delicate pink with the healing vibration of crystals that work on the emerald ray of healing, such as Green Aventurine, Malachite, and Green Jade.
During chakra balancing, it is usual to close down each of the chakras at the end of the practice, with the exception of the Heart. Allow this chakra to remain open and clear. This will help you to experience love, compassion and understanding. It will also draw like-minded souls to you as your loving vibrations tune in to each other.
Click here to learn more about the Heart chakra
Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus chakra is located just below the breastbone in the center of your torso. It is the root and seat of your personal power and governs confidence, self-acceptance, and self-worth. It is also the source of your personal protection, instilling bravery, and courage.
The Solar Plexus holds joy and bliss, but it also holds fear.
As these two emotions cannot exist side by side, keep your solar Plexus chakra in good condition by cleansing and clearing with the sunny vibrations of bright yellow stones.
Citrine is a wonderful crystal for use on the Solar Plexus. It brings warmth and happiness, restores enthusiasm for life and imparts self-confidence.
Click here to learn more about the Solar Plexus chakra
Sacral Chakra
Your Sacral chakra, located just above the pubic bone, governs aspects of your sexuality and also your creativity and imagination. It is responsible for your ability to feel pleasure in the use of all your physical senses and stimulates your natural curiosity in the world, enabling you to see with the eyes of a child all the beauty that is always around you.
Physically, this chakra governs the organs of the bladder, kidneys, and the reproductive system. Keep your Sacral chakra in harmony and balance by working with orange-colored crystals.
Carnelian will support this chakra beautifully by grounding and anchoring you in your present reality. It imparts stability on both a physical and emotional level, disperses doubts and fears and revitalizes jaded spirits.
Orange Calcite is excellent for dissolving anxiety and depression. Its vibrant energy imparts a sense of unlimited potential and enhances your ability to solve any problems that come your way.
Click here to learn more about the Sacral chakra
Base or Root Chakra
Dark red crystals such as Garnet, and black stones, like Hematite and Black Tourmaline have a revitalizing effect on the Base chakra. This chakra is located at the base of the spine. When it is in balance we feel firmly connected to the earth, and to the world and people a round us. We have a sense of safety and security regarding our material existence and are able to deal with life’s challenges effortlessly and with grace.
When this chakra is blocked or restricted, we can feel out of sync with everyone and everything. We might feel lost, lacking in confidence and unable to connect with people.
To keep this chakra in balance and harmony try placing a piece of Black Obsidian between your feet.
You can do this lying down or standing.
Breathe in deeply and visualize the stabilizing qualities of the energies of the Earth traveling up through your feet and into your pelvic region.
Imagine holding a smooth, heavy pebble of Black Obsidian in your pelvis and gently move it around in a circular motion.
As you increase thew rotations see the stone growing in size and resting comfortably in the base of your body. You can draw upon the stabilizing energies of this crystal throughout the day, ensuring that you stay grounded and stable at all times.
