One Crystal to Rule Them All

Quartz. The most famous of the crystal world. Appearing in different colors, coming in different forms, quartz is the go-to choice for beginner users and experts alike.

Quartz is commonly bought in a clear/white state, but many are familiar with rose quartz (pink), smokey quartz (opaque brown), tourmalinated quartz (clear with black tourmaline), and snow quartz (really white). All have unique properties and all are beautiful to look at.

Leslie Gera, owner of Mother Earth Gallery in New Milford, CT, fondly calls it the "grandparent of all crystals."

This incredible stone, the head honcho of its kind, holds more tools for meditation and healing than I ever expected. For protection while meditating, place quartz points over three chakras: the crown (the top of the head), the solar plexus (close to the stomach), and the root (at the base of the spine) to cleanse the aura, or (as with any crystal) hold a quartz crystal in each hand to balance the left and right sides of the body.

For any of you who may have watched the drama hit series Charmed (1998-2006, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158552/), you may have noticed the multiple occasions that called for the sisters to capture an adversary in a shield. Take a guess which crystals they used. It would've been terrible if the actual answer was obsidian. The quartz crystals the Charmed Ones used were much larger than the tumble-stones many people possess, but they are not rare (will most likely cost more than $5), and somewhat-accurately portrayed the shielding ability; I'm sorry, a large encompassing bubble will not appear in real life.

One of the most interesting qualities is the amplification that quartz can provide to another crystal. Quartz is one of the strongest crystals known, and when cleansed and placed around another crystal (amethyst, for example), the amethyst's energies and abilities are amplified. Keep in mind that the size does offer a little leeway in strength; for example, if you are using small tumble-stones, the crystal you are energizing will not be as greatly affected as it would if you use larger, palm-sized quartz.

Mediating with quartz is easier than you may think. Clear a space, find a soft spot on the floor so you'll be comfortable, and place a white sheet (if you own one) down. Sit with your crystal (or crystals, if you possess two or more), and allow yourself to focus on finding peace and centering yourself. The quartz will aid you in the process. Enjoy your peacefulness!