Many new Reiki practitioners want to start working with crystals and are not sure how. The truth is, there are a lot of approaches that are effective, and it will largely depend on your own intuition and spirit guidance in this matters. The more you work with Reiki, the more you will learn to become attuned to this inner guidance that is always present. With this in mind, we offer a general beginners guide to crystals, with the caveat that all of this is merely a suggestion. If your guidance directs you differently, by all means listen to it!
One of the most popular crystals in healing work is quartz. This is due to the remarkable ability of quartz crystals to store and amplify the vibratory energy that is put into it. The quartz itself is a neutral structure, a tabula rasa ready to be imprinted, and in fact quartz tends to be receptive to all the energy and impressions in its immediate area. The natural quality of quartz also makes it possible for the Reiki practitioner to have their healing focused and amplified by the crystal. Think of it as your healing magic wand!
In order to prepare your crystal before working with it, you will first need to cleanse it and prepare it to receive your subtle energetic vibrations. This process can be used for quartz, as well as any other crystal or stone you would like to work with in your Reiki sessions.
To cleanse and prepare your crystal, you will need a small cup of fresh water, some salt, incense, and a candle. Its best if you have a quiet place where you can do this work, such as a regular meditation spot. Lay your items out before you. Light the candle and incense, take in a few deep relaxing breaths.
Take a few grains of the salt and add them to the water. Water is a purifying, cleansing element with a vibratory effect that helps to cleanse and attune whatever it comes into contact with. This is why water is used in traditional blessing work, for example (“holy water”). Water is also well known as an accumulator of subtle, psychic vibrations. Often during spiritual meditation or other work, it is recommended to have a cup of fresh water nearby to help focus and store the energy. The salt is of the earth, and again has a lower density vibration that is very grounding and peaceful. Combined, you now have a true cup of purification.
Image by Brett_Hondow
Now hold your hands over the cup and see a bright river of blue light streaming out from your hands, into the cup, in a cool flowing beam of liquid light. For an added effect, you can also trace with your finger Cho Ku Rei over the cup. The water is now ready to cleanse the vibrations of your crystals, stones, and anything else you work with that may need cleansing.
Now pick up your crystal with your left hand. The left hand is used because it is receptive and is best for providing an inner quiet and protective field for the crystal to rest in. With your right, active hand, dip a few fingers in the cup and sprinkle the water onto the crystal. This is effectively washing clear any previous impressions that were on the crystal, giving it a clean slate. Again see streams of blue light wash over the crystal while you do this.
Now hold your crystal over the candle flame (not too close! Getting burnt is not going to help charge your crystal), letting it feel the warmth of the flame. While water is purifying and cleansing, fire is invigorating and stimulating. This is priming the molecular structure so that it will soak up your energy imprint. Visualize warm, invigorating red light while you gently move it over the candle flame. You can trace Cho Ku Rei to seal the current of healing energy into the structure.
Finally, hold your crystal in the smoke from the incense. This is associated with the air element, and incense carries more vibrational waves of intent. In ancient times it was thought that incense would carry prayers up to the gods. Allow your crystal to become infused with the incense smoke, as the healing intentions are gently, yet firmly and powerfully, imprinted.
Now set the crystal down, and with both hands extended over the crystal allow the Reiki energy to flow freely into it, just as you would during a regular Reiki session. Hold for at least one minute to let the crystal soak up and amplify the energy. You can end with Raku or the Master symbol Dai Ko Myo. Some people like to use Dumo as well, as it is effective for activating the Kundalini fire and projecting it.
Your crystals are now imprinted and empowered with Reiki energy and ready to use. Have them nearby when you do a Reiki session, and they will amplify the effect of the healing process. You can also hold them either before or during a session to help direct and focus energy in particular areas that may require a stronger effect.
By using the Reiki symbols with your crystal, you should not need to cleanse and consecrate them very often, as they will project out healing energy, but not absorb the ambient atmosphere as they have been sealed with the symbols. Repeat this process once or twice a year for all your crystals, and you will find that you have a great adjunct to your Reiki sessions.
Article by Gregory Peters
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Gregory Peters is an Usui Ryoho Reiki Master and Teacher, Esoteric author and traveler. He has over 20 years of experience in Western and Eastern metaphysical systems, and enjoys traveling to sacred sites around the world, exploring spiritual practices from many cultures and traditions.
You can connect with him on Twitter @gpeters418 and Instagram www.instagram.com/ophidianvibrations
Thank you for the wonderful article. Very informative, will try this out.
Is this method more effective than just using Reiki to cleanse and then charge the crystals?
Very interesting method, will do this! Thank you! Salt, natural salt is my favourite but this feels better……thank you!
Reiki and Crystals are awesome tools together but selenite in water will turn it to mush. I IMHO use selenite bed to cleanse and make ready for reiki charge.
Thanks