Whether or not you believe in manifestation, spellcasting, the power of crystals or anything else that falls under this topic, at some point, this realm must have sparked some curiosity in you. Crystals, although a part of many different cultures for many centuries, have boomed as of recently, especially on the ‘WitchTok’ side of TikTok. And though the effects of crystals are heavily argued, there’s an understandable fascination with the sometimes rare, sometimes man-made rocks of the earth. Today, I’ll go through the very basic of crystals, from quartz to tiger’s eye, and cover everything you need to know before your next crystal shopping spree.
There are hundreds of different crystals on our planet, but most can agree that there are a select few that are best for beginners.
All Things Quartz
Quartz is one of the most common and cheapest crystals you can find today. Clear quartz is most associated with harmony and balance. It helps in enhancing spiritual growth, wisdom and clarity. The simplest way to think of clear quartz is that it helps in clearing your mind and enhancing your intentions. Quartz with a pink hue, rose quartz, is most known for its properties of love. It’s a stone that opens the heart, invites love and enhances positive affirmations. The love that this crystal attracts not only romantic love but also, as I have personally used it, self-love. It aids in self-acceptance and forgiveness. Lastly, amethyst is a tranquillizing crystal. It relieves stress, soothes fear and anxiety, balances moods and dissolves negativity. The way I see it, amethyst is the melatonin of the crystal world. Personally, I use quartz most often in my daily life. I keep clear quartz around when studying or trying to focus on one thing, rose quartz on me when I struggle with personal guilt or just need to open myself up to more love and amethyst on my bedside table to help me rest easier. Any type of quartz is a must when starting your collection.
Tiger’s Eye
When thinking of tiger’s eye, think of a tiger. Its golden-orange hue and dark stripes make for an accurately named crystal. Tigers are like the CEOs of the jungle – attentive, strong-willed and fiercely protective. It’s your personal power amulet. It’s like a motivational speaker for your soul, reminding you to stand tall, embrace your strength and guard your territory (your personal space). This stone helps in grounding yourself and is also associated with good luck and prosperity. It’s a stone of protection, used to help energize the user and inspire confidence. For me, tiger’s eye is a vibe curator and grounds me into the best, most confident version of myself. It truly channels my inner tiger.
Selenite
Selenite is a true cosmic cleanser, like an energy eraser. The gentle and soothing energy of this crystal makes it an ideal companion for meditation, helping to quiet the mind and promote spiritual clarity. Beyond its visual appeal, selenite acts as a protective force, creating a shield around your aura to ward off negativity. It’s a crystal known for its purifying properties, leaving behind a clean slate energetically. It can help you navigate the complexities of your spiritual journeys and is the perfect stone to help in cleansing yourself or an area.
Labradorite
Last but certainly not least, my personal favourite: labradorite. Labradorite is like carrying a pocket-sized aurora everywhere you go, like holding a piece of the Northern Lights in the palm of your hand. Like its look, labradorite is meant to stand out. It’s meant to enhance your inner spirit and help in self-discovery. Labradorite is the guardian of your spiritual well-being. It doesn’t just ward off negativity; it creates a shield from the chaos of the world, like a metaphysical bodyguard. I carry a big chunk of labradorite with me almost everywhere I go; it’s a great conversation starter. And besides the spiritual properties of the stone, looking at the bands of light reflected from it helps with distracting from anxiety or thoughts that just won’t go away.
These barely begin to cover the world of crystals, but I think it’s a good start. If all you’ve taken from this article is that rocks can be sparkly and come in many different colours, I consider it a success. I personally use crystals for their spiritual properties and, even if there aren’t really any actual properties to them, it doesn’t really change their use for me. One tip that I always give those who are looking to start their path with crystals it to buy your first crystals in person. I think it’s so important to pick up each crystal and connect with it first before bringing it home. In a bucket of aventurine, there might only be a couple that you really resonate with. This might sound a bit redundant but when I go out to buy crystals, I hold them in my palm and just wait to feel something, literally anything. At the end of the day, crystals help with my mental wellbeing and that’s all I really need them to do. Whether your journey with them is similar or completely the opposite, I hope you can find some joy in the sparkling world of crystals.