Black tourmaline was the first stone gifted to me by a family member. She said she had seen it and something told her to get it for me. At first glance, it looks much like anthracite coal, which my hometown is known for. After some inspection, I was aware it was more than that. As I held it in my hands, I felt a wave of calm and sureness. Surely enough, that is exactly what black tourmaline is supposed to do. It is known to set boundaries for yourself and your energy, therefore protecting you. It is said to repel negative thoughts, energy, people, etc. This was evident to me in the safeness I felt in the presence of the stone. It is a beautiful, dark black that almost shines. I prefer rough black tourmaline, as it makes me feel more connected with the stone’s energy.

For hundreds of years black tourmaline has been used by a plethora of religions as a protective stone. In paganism and Wiccan, it is used to ward off or break hexes and curses. These religions hold black tourmaline in high regard as it is used in daily activities. Many energy healers use black tourmaline when working. Those with psychic and medium abilities usually always have black tourmaline on their person to protect their energies. The bottom line is, black tourmaline is a great protective stone with countless uses.

In addition to its many protective properties, black tourmaline is often used in meditation, as it is thought to ground oneself and one’s thoughts. Like amethyst, black tourmaline is used by many with high anxiety. Its grounding energy can clear the mind, and let you have the control back. Personally, I have had many run ins with anxiety, and using crystals, especially black tourmaline, have helped me gain control over my mind and my thoughts. Whereas you cannot really see the protective properties, I have seen a noticeable difference with my anxiety. Many religious practices also use black tourmaline’s grounding properties by deploying it in their mediations or

The combination of grounding and protective energies can have a positive effect on the individual headspace, as cleanses the negative. Black tourmaline is known to be confidence boosting, as your thoughts become more positive. It is also known to reduce stress as it can bring clarity to your thoughts and feelings.

In general, I do not think you can go wrong with black tourmaline. I have some by my bed that I keep all the time, and I absolutely love it. I use it in meditations, but the possibilities are endless.

I have always had a special relationship with amethyst. Purple has always been my favorite color, so I was immediately drawn to amethyst the first drawn to it. I have at least eight pieces of amethyst that I have collected since I was ten, and I wear a piece on a necklace most of the time. I sleep with an amethyst cathedral by my bed, and I have not had a nightmare since. It adds a sense of stability, and makes me feel safe. Each person’s individual experience is different, but amethyst is widely thought to bring clarity to rough situations and to purify negative energies.

 

As a child I remember being drawn to “pretty rocks” which were usually a gem or crystal of some kind. Throughout my adolescence I would collect sea glass, as it reminded me of crystals, all with their own story. Since I had so much time over quarantine, I was able to dive in head first to the world of crystals. Some use them for decoration, some use them for physical healing, some use them for their attributed metaphysical properties, and some use them as religious tools. Like each person who uses crystals, each crystal has its own unique “personality”. This post will explore the unique abilities of quartz and its many forms.

Quartz is arguably the most popular crystal throughout all practices. Although there are many types of quartz, clear quartz is the most popular type.  Quartz has been used for centuries in many different religious practices, and is known to be a very powerful stone. All types of quartz, especially clear, are seen as having powerful healing abilities for the mind and soul. People use quartz commonly for protection and strength. Crystals can be “used” in different ways. For this blog, I refer to “using crystals” as physical tools for meditation and growth that can be held or placed on/around the body. Although there are many kinds of quartz, they are all thought of as powerful and versatile crystals.

As aforementioned, clear quartz is the most popular type of quartz. It is transparent and almost looks like glass. Because of this, clear quartz is thought to bring clarity and calm to its possessor. It can be used with any of the seven chakras to help clear their energy. This type of quartz can be paired with any other crystal to amplify its power. Clear quartz is widely used in physical healing, as it is said to have a positive effect on muscle pain.

Another type of quartz, my personal favorite, is rose quartz. Rose quartz has a beautiful pink hue throughout the crystal and is usual a bit rougher than clear quartz. This stone is associated with all things love. Rose quartz is well known for attracting relationships and friendships. It raises your vibration and promotes a better attitude and overall happiness. Rose quartz is very connected to the heart and can be used to clear the heart chakra’s energy. It is generally associated with love and bliss, and is considered to be extremely powerful in manifestations.

No, crystals are not always used to fix ones’ energy, but this practice is becoming more popular by the day. Personally, just admiring my crystals’ beauty raises my mood. Quartz specifically is very popular in home decor and is a very common stone found in jewelry, as it can be cut to look like a diamond.

Although holding rocks may seem absolutely pointless, walk into a metaphysical shop and just take in the energy around you, its almost euphoric. If you are anything like me, you’ll get lost in the magic, and the crystals will pick you.