Crystals were created within the earth through the exposure to high amounts of pressure. They carry ingrained memories of the powerful forces that made and shaped them, and their crystalline structures are believed to be able to absorb, focus, conserve and emit energy.
Minerals, crystals and gems have been used for millennia to enhance the emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of people and animals across many ancient civilisations. The Ancient Sumerians where one of the first cultures to reference the use of crystals within magick formulations, and the Ancient Egyptians used various different crystals in their jewellery, including Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Carnelian, Emerald and Clear Quartz. For the Ancient Egyptians, they saw crystals as aids for protection and health.
The word "crystal" actually comes from the Greek word for ice. The Ancient Greeks believed that Clear Quartz was water that had frozen so deeply within the earth that it would always remain in solid form. They attributed properties to crystals and many of the names that we use for crystals today are of Greek origin. For example, Hematite was often crushed and placed on a Greek soldier’s body as this was believed to make them invincible in battle.
The Romans also used crystal talismans and amulets as they believed that crystals would enhance their health and enable them to attract all that their hearts desired. Since ancient times, the Chinese have always highly valued Jade and have used crystals within their own healing and energy balancing therapies. An example of this would be using crystal tipped needles in acupuncture therapies. The Aryuvedic practices in India also consider crystals as being valuable in the healing of emotional and metaphysical imbalances and conditions.
In Europe in the 11th century right through to the Renaissance period, various semi-precious stones were used in the treatment of certain ailments. The stones would typically be used alongside herbal remedies and again many of these stones were believed to have particular qualities of strength or protection. Using crystals to heal was at this time still quite widely accepted.
In the 1980s crystals saw a resurgence as the New Age Culture began once again to use them as an aid to healing. Due to the advances in science and our greater understanding of frequency and energy vibration, we now understand that all things are a form of energy. Each energy has its own frequency and vibration, including crystals. We have now begun to gain scientific evidence through the breakthroughs in quantum science and the concepts of electromagnetism that support what the ancients already knew - Certain forms of energy can affect other forms of energy when the two are within the same space. This is why crystal healing is now becoming more readily accepted in modern day society.
Those who now practice Crystal Therapy believe that a crystal vibrates at its own frequency and that when it is placed within our own energy field it is able to connect to our own vibrational frequency and can stimulate biochemical responses that can affect our physical health in a positive manner.