There's a Crystal For That: A Highly Specific Guide
I’m pretty sure every elementary school had the same breed of dorky kid. The awkward ones who wore Star Wars shirts and forest green sweatpants everyday and were obsessed with showing you their stone polishing kit. You know who I’m talking about.
Flash forward 20 years, and, as 30-year-old woman, I have still only seen Return of the Jedi (Sorry!), but other things have changed. I, along with many of you in the Healthyish hemisphere, have come around on stones. Yes, I’m talking about crystals. Healing crystals, which have nestled their way into the wellness world, becoming just as commonplace as kombucha. Even the Olsen twins were doling them out during fashion week.
Crystals have long seemed esoteric and accessible only to people “in-the-know”. I first got on the crystal train when my tarot teacher (yeah), Bakara Wintner, of Durham, NC’s Everyday Magic , had us select a stone from her collection to hold during each class. I often unknowingly chose stones meant for detoxifying (again, yeah).
Until meeting Bakara, I always felt crystals were off-bounds for me. But she helped me stop overthinking it. “The rules of crystals are fluid. People want a structure and rule book going into it, but you get to make your own rules. If it helps you, that’s the key stone,” she says.
Still, certain problems may call for certain stones. So here’s a short list of common “ailments,” along with a crystal prescription to try. Once you find the right stones for you, you can use them in all kinds of ways. Stash them under your pillow, in your pocket, or on your desk at work. Big or small, if they speak to you, find a way to keep them near. “And, hey, you can totally just get a crystal because you think it’s pretty,” says Bakara. Works for me.
Bakara isn't a doctor and neither are we. If you're experiencing mental health issues, we encourage you to reach out to a professional you trust.
Photo by Alex Lau1/7I’m trying to quit smoking/eating so much Halo Top/staring at my phone.
Try: Amethyst. Is it even a gift shop if there isn’t a bowl of amethyst at the checkout? Little did I know then that these ubiquitous stones aid in curing bad habits and giving up addictions. And, c’mon, we all have vices. Try switching them out for amethyst. Carry this crystal with you to manifest spiritual protection and purification.
Photo by Alex Lau2/7I’m not an intuitive person but want to be.
Try: Selenite. First of all, every human being has the capacity to be intuitive. It comes with our mapping, but we all tap into it to varying degrees. This stone will help you go deeper. Selenite is known as the true spiritual-activation stone. “It retains light on behalf of the owner and can be called upon in times of darkness when light is needed,” says Bakara. So settle into some daily meditations with this guy and it should help with a fast and effective clearing of all the mental chatter blocking your intuition. Another cool thing about selenite: It’s intensity is greater than any stone, and it enhances all other stones it’s coupled with—sort of like the flaky finishing salt of crystals.
Photo by Alex Lau3/7I feel jaded and over it and everything is blah.
Try: Milky Quartz. We get it: You’re bogged down by the daily grind of work, family, relationships. Hanging out with Milky Quartz is like hanging out with a toddler: It allows the wonders of the universe to become more easily visible. Carry this stone with you to dispel negative thoughts and allow a more positive perspective to drift in.
Photo by Alex Lau4/7I want to write my novel/paint my masterpiece/finish my dissertation but I just… can’t.
Try: Citrine. “Take the properties of caffeine and apply it to a crystal: Vitality, energy, confidence, focus, and momentum are attributed to Citrine,” explains Bakara. "I call citrine the "girl boss" stone." Instead of procrastinating on Instagram for another ten minutes, take a break with this honey-hued stone, and it will help activate contemplation and enhance mental clarity. This is the ultimate manifestation stone, kicking your desires into action and stimulating playfulness and optimism, i.e., I want it on my desk at all times.
Photo by Alex Lau5/7I’m going through a break-up and it’s bad. Real bad.
Try: Rose Quartz. Before you jump off the deep end and start googling where to find cuddle parties, give the ultimate love stone a shot. Like a salve to wounds, this trendy colored stone releases stress and resentment, clearing the way for rebirth and hope. And it’s about more than just romance; this crystal will help inspire all kinds of love and gratitude.
Photo by Alex Lau6/7I need to calm the F down in a way that I won’t regret tomorrow.
Try: Lepidolite. Who doesn’t need this stone? We are constantly inundated with stimulation: let lepidolite remind you to release that anxiety and rest. Lepidolite is a lithium-based form of Mica that is a powerful "chill pill," says Bakara. This stone also aids in facilitating deep communication: verbal, empathic, emotional, and artistic.
Photo by Alex Lau7/7What the hell am I doing with my life? I guess I’ll turn to crystals.
Try: Garnet. When you’re unsure about your future, and A Field Guide to Getting Lost just isn’t cutting it, let this deep red stone be you guide. This is the most powerful grounding stone, offering you physical and emotional support. “Garnet has a nice, heavy weight to it and can be a effective tonic for fear and panic,” explains Bakara. Like that classic Mary Oliver poem that everyone gives you on graduation, this stone gives you the strength to listen to your inner voice and move forward when you’re stuck.
