FROM
the
EARTH
Crystal healing is an ancient practice that uses natural
energies to facilitate holistic health, and remains
ever-popular in modern spas.
BY ASHLEY PROBST
T
36
MONARCHBEACHRESORT.COM
take home, there are myriad ways to incorporate
crystals into your spa day and beyond.
A CRASH COURSE ON CRYSTALS
The first step toward working with crystals is to
open your mind; believing in the power of man-
ifestation is imperative. Each type of crystal (of
which there are hundreds) has different properties
and can be used for a plethora of purposes. For
example, some of the most common gemstones
are clear quartz, the master healer; amethyst, a
natural sedative that activates intuition; and rose
quartz, the love stone.
“We truly love and work with all crystals, but
some of our favorites that we think everyone should
have are selenite, amethyst and rose quartz,” says
Heather Askinosie, co-founder of Energy Muse, a
leading metaphysical outlet that has a partnership
with the resort. “Selenite is a very high vibrational
stone (in fact, it’s the highest vibrational crystal on
the planet). This means that it has the ability to
raise the vibrational energy of everything that sur-
rounds it. It is an uplifting crystal that cleanses your
energy of anything bringing you down.”
The type of crystal you are drawn to is part
of your personal experience: Some people solely
select light or dark stones, while others resonate
with a mixture of both. But most people who
work with crystals have a favorite, whether it’s of
all time or just of the moment.
“I have always loved crystals and have many of
Crystal healing
at Miraval Life
in Balance Spa
them in my home and office,” Berry says. “… My
favorite crystal right now is a rainbow moonstone
that I found. … I was on vacation, at the beach
with my son, and it caught my eye from afar. It
felt good to hold as soon as I picked it up, and
now it reminds me of a perfect day.”
Once you have selected a crystal, the first thing
you must do is cleanse it. Not only do gemstones
amplify certain energies, they also absorb them.
This means that anyone who previously handled
the specimen likely transferred a bit of their
energy into the stone, and it must be cleared out.
This can be done by charging your gemstone in
sunlight, moonlight or a combination of both.
Other techniques include holding them under
running water or smudging them with ethically
ake a look back through time and
you’ll discover that humans have uti-
lized crystal healing for thousands of
years, and many ancient civilizations
incorporated them into their daily routines. The
earliest evidence of people working with crystals
is linked to the Sumerians: They included gem-
stones in magic formulas, thus creating the first
historical references to this practice.
Other notable groups include the Chinese, who
still prize jade for its medicinal and cultural uses.
Egyptians are known for their opulent jewelry
and ritual items adorned with the likes of lapis
lazuli, turquoise, emerald and more, used primar-
ily for protection and health, as well as others for
cosmetic purposes. And the Greeks helped coin
many of the names and properties for the crystals
that are known today, such as hematite, which is
derived from the Greek word for blood and was
rubbed on soldiers’ bodies before battle to ren-
der them invulnerable; the stone is still used for
defense, but against negativity.
In modern times, crystal healing takes various
forms and has been one of the biggest wellness
trends as of late. “Crystals hold an energy that
many people feel right away, and natural elements
have an appeal with healing,” says Jacqueline
Berry, general manager at Miraval Life in Balance
Spa. From vibrational therapy, such as sound
healing, or energy work like reiki and chakra bal-
ancing, to jewel-infused treatments and pieces to