Alchemy
Alchemy is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition practiced throughout Europe, Africa, China and throughout Asia, observable in Chinese text from around 73–49 BCE and Greco-Roman Egypt in the first few centuries CE. Alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. Common aims were chrysopoeia, the transmutation of “base metals” into “noble metals”; the creation of an elixir of immortality; the creation of panaceas able to cure any disease; and the development of an alkahest, a universal solvent. The perfection of the human body and soul was thought to permit or result from the alchemical magnum opus and, in the Hellenistic and Western mystery tradition, the achievement of gnosis. In Europe, the creation of a philosopher’s stone was variously connected with all of these projects.
Alchemy Crystals for Transformation
Alchemy was the ancient predecessor of our modern science of chemistry, and was practiced in secret for thousands of years in ancient China, Egypt and Greece, right up to medieval France and England.
In crystal healing the approach to alchemy is figurative, meaning turning lead (our wounds, shadow selves, illness) to gold (light, consciousness, health).
When we do energy clearings with crystals, we are transmuting lower, harmful frequencies into higher frequencies of light and harmony.
It’s a form of energy alchemy – as we heal and grow, we transform. Whether or not life is prolonged can be debated, but it is certainly enriched.
If you’re looking to create significant change in your life, yourself, or your world, you can work with alchemy stones to help initiate or effect powerful inner and outer transformation.
WHAT ARE ALCHEMY STONES?
Due to their healing and transmutative properties, one could say that all crystals are alchemy stones. But if we’re taking a spiritual approach to the work in terms of ascension and expansion of consciousness, and our living experience, I narrow the field to fire and storm element crystals.
Storm crystals emit transformative frequencies and embody the storm element. The storm element is composed of more than one of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water).
The fire element has always been associated with alchemical transformation through the application of heat and the effects of flame. A classic example is the alchemy of cooking, where base ingredients, exposed to heat, transform into a delicious dish. Or the glass tube of liquid being heated in a lab. There are even crystals, like topaz and amethyst for instance, that change color when exposed to high temperatures.
While some may view storm and fire energy as destructive, I see it as transformative: it churns things up, gets things moving, clears through blocks and old baggage, energizes, reveals what’s been hidden underneath, brings light to the darkness.
Through the alchemical combination of more than one element, storm stones transform and transmute – oftentimes quickly, and very powerfully.
So needless to say, when we’re working with these stones for transformation, we must do so with clarity of purpose and intention.
At the same time, if you’re feeling stuck, stalled, blocked, or are ready for big change, these are the crystals you want to be working with regularly.
Here are a few alchemy stones:
Clear Quartz (storm)
Covellite (storm)
Eudialyte (fire, earth)
Labradorite (fire, water, storm)
Merlinite (storm)
Moldavite (storm)
Nuumite (storm)
Phenacite (storm)
Pietersite (storm)
Pietersite (storm)
HOW TO WORK WITH ALCHEMY STONES
The best way I’ve found to work with alchemy stones is either in meditation or ritual. The reason for this is that in both cases we are in heightened states of awareness, intention, and purpose.
For ritual: hold or wear the crystal while in your ritual working, or place it in the center of your working or on your altar.
For meditation: hold the stone in your receptive (non-dominant) hand and sit or lie down for a minimum of 20 minutes. Set your intention or define your purpose. Center your breathing and awareness. Open up to the energy of the crystal, and invite it to join with your own energy. Let the vibes flow in, and pay attention to how you feel and what you experience.
Note that working with alchemy stones doesn’t always create an immediate effect, sometimes you have to allow for the process. But it’s been my experience that once you start working with them, change for the better is inevitable.
I often advise not to wear alchemy crystals on a daily basis as this can sometimes have an adverse effect. Pietersite, for instance, can effect powerful psychic transformation and opening, but it can also make you feel emotionally volatile or moody. And Moldavite can create change so quickly that it triggers feelings of anxiety and insecurity.
The bottom line: work with them mindfully, and be the master of your own process and path.
Crystal Healing
Crystals have been used for healing since ancient times by many different cultures It is an holistic therapy, which means that the focus is on the individual as a whole, rather than on physical symptoms alone. The aim of this therapy is to restore wholeness, balance and health on levels of emotions, mind, spirit as well as the physical body. This is why crystal healing is considered complementary to allopathic medicine and not an alternative. Crystal Healing often involves some form of change in a client’s overall way of being. It may be through a relief of stress and tensions, through revitalisation, relaxation or establishing a greater amount of peace and harmony. Crystal Healing is also helpful in complementing most forms of allopathic medical practice. Apart from promoting ‘wellness’ and helping to prevent physical illness, it can be of use in the following circumstances:
Both acute and chronic conditions
Stress related conditions
States of anxiety
Pre-operative care
Post-operative healing
Care of the terminally ill
Activate and support the natural self-healing processes within the individual client
Support the recovery of existing symptoms.
Healing vs Cure
Heal (From Old English hǣlan, of Germanic origin, ‘to make whole.’) The facilitator (therapist) assists the healer (client) to reach a state of wholeness. Healing takes the aproach of wholeness, restoring the balance and harmony to the body, mind and spirit. It can be achieved without a cure. Healing requires that the healer (client) be empowered and take responsibility for Self.
Cure (from Latin curare ‘take care of.’ In Late Middle English, ‘medical care,’ ‘successful medical treatment’ and ‘remedy.’) The healer (doctor or therapist) focuses on compensation and removal of the symptoms the patient may be experiencing. Patients are not treated as individuals, rather they are treated and categorised according to symptom. The healer takes the responsibility of ridding the patient of the symptoms and do not empower or require the the patient to take responsibility.
How does Crystal Healing work?
Crystal Healers are not permitted or trained to diagnose physical ailments. They do however assess the condition of the bio-magnetic field, of a client before choosing appropriate crystals to help bring it back into balance and harmony. Since the state of the bio-magnetic field relates to and influences the state of the physical body, this process will help activate, support and often accelerate the natural self-healing processes. It may be of interest to note that this field, also known as the electromagnetic field or aura, has been discussed and contemplated within the realm of healing and philosophy for thousands of years. It is only fairly recently that science has proven that it must exist around every physical body and organism, thereby helping, amongst other, to validate crystal healing.
Stones, minerals and crystals also possess this kind of electro magnetic field or aura. Their radiation results from the transformation of absorbed light, laying mainly in the infrared region and only to a very small degree in the visible and microwave regions of the spectrum. But despite their lesser quantity, the latter are of great importance. Infrared radiation is absorbed by the outermost layers of skin into the body, which is why we feel heat. Microwaves, however, penetrate the entire organism so, in principle, reach all tissues and organ.
The fact that we cannot normally perceive this visible portion of radiation of precious gems and minerals with the naked eye is simply due to the low intensity of this radiation. Radiation from our bodies, for example, is comparable to the glimmer of light from a candle about 20km away. During daytime it cannot, of course, be seen. However, in total darkness, we would gradually become aware of this light. This radiation is a real effect; the difficulties experienced in science with measuring this subtle radiation has little to do with the radiation itself but more with the limitations of the measuring equipment available.
Stones emit radiation and, being extremely durable and permanent, they emit the same information in a very constant way. They could be compared to radio transmitters that constantly broadcast the same programme. Every stone or crystal has its own specific light, or put another way, its specific radiation that naturally influences our organisms. If contact is made between a crystal and our bodies, the absorbed light will inevitably have an influence on the ‘light communication’ between the cells and cause certain reactions.
An effect therefore definitely exists. Whether this influence becomes a healing influence will depend upon two factors: (1) what we require at the moment, and (2) what the stone, or rather the information radiated by the stone, can offer us. This means that healing with crystals, just like homeopathy, Bach flower remedies or aromatherapy, belongs with the information therapies. It is not the chemical substance that is effective, but the information emitted.
What to expect from a Crystal Healing:
All crystals, minerals and stones used in a crystal treatment are thoroughly discharged, cleansed and cleared of any emotional or mental energy or any form of programming that does not form part of the original energy patterns of the stone. Before a treatment, the experienced practitioner, based on knowledge and experience as well as intuitive information that the practitioner received during meditation, selects stones. Upon arrival, an optional conversation can help to ascertain for yourself, as well as the practitioner, what the focus of the treatment should be. Crystal treatments are not formula-based, but are wholly centred on the needs of the client and therefore, no two treatments are exactly the same.
During the treatment, you may feel yourself easily move into a quiet meditative state, the place where deep healing occurs. The crystals used in your treatment, selected for their specific property, start their intensive work quickly. Crystals are amazing healers on their own and help with mental, emotional and physical clearing, detoxification, chakra balancing and if you are open and receptive enough, the energy may allow you to tap into some of your past lives (cell memories).
Only cell memories having a direct influence on your current situation and state of being will be revealed and these experiences will depend on how the cell memory influences the current life. You may even meet your higher self, guides or angels and as a result, gain new insight into your situation. Whatever experience your treatment evokes, the practitioner’s role is to lovingly walk you through them in order for you to understand and release any vibration that does not server you for the highest good.
After the treatment, clients may be advised on appropriate crystal/s to purchase, should they be interested in attaining a crystal to wear. Practitioners should also highlight any contra-indications to clients and inform them how to use their crystals. A practitioner may also suggest the use of a crystal elixir (essence).
Crystal Care
Discharging
Crystals become statically charged when they come into direct contact with the body. The most extreme example is Amber, which may become quite hot in a few minutes.
Static charge can be discharged again under running water.
Placing the stones in the midday sun for a few hours is another way to discharge them.
Healing stones can also be placed in a bowl of hematite. Hematite does not need any cleansing or clearing of its own.
Cleansing
Any information a crystal received will remain stored even after the stone has been discharged. In order to completely wipe stored information, a more intense action is required.
Some crystals* can be placed in coarse sea salt. Salt needs more careful handling. Direct contact with salt may produce chemical reactions with some crystals, making the stone lose its polished finish or change colour. I recommend laying the crystal in a small glass dish that is embedded in a larger glass dish full of salt. The energy cleansing process is still maintained, but the stone itself is not affected.
Another method is to place stones on an Amethyst druse. The high iron atoms and the energy of concentration of quarts give Amethyst a powerful, fiery radiation. Healing crystals “irradiated” in this way are stripped of information they have stored. Leave the healing stone on the druse for 24 hours or less, depending on the how long the stone was in use for. Leaving healing stones on the druse for longer will not cause any harm to the stone.
Placing healing crystals in a bowl of uncooked brown rice is also an effective way of removing stored information from crystals.
Healing stones can also be placed in a bowl of hematite and citrine chips. Hematite and citrine do not need any cleansing or clearing of its own. [this is my preferred method]
Reiki practitioners can use a techniques such as Jakikiri Jôka Hô to cleanse crystals, minerals and gemstones.
” Laying stones in salt water or sea water, burying healing stones in soil or cleansing it in fire are definitely to be avoided, as many crystals will be severely damaged by this: Salt water penetrate pores and cracks and make the stone cloudy, some secondary minerals will be attacked by acids in the soil and transformed and fire will obviously tend to disperse too efficiently “
Dedicating
Whenever you receive a new stone or crystal, the first thing you should do is to discharge and cleanse the gemstone’s energy. After cleansing, the next step is to dedicate your stone or crystal.
I simply hold the stone in front of my heart and allow love and compassion to pour over the stone. I then thank it for choosing to be and work with me. I then state that the stone only be used for health and healing and for the highest good of all. I visualise a violet flame above my head and infuse the flame with my intention and then blow it onto the crystal.
Charging
The intensity of radiation from a crystal is connected with the absorbed energy, so its healing effect can be increased and fortified through targeted charging. The most gentle method consist of laying the stone in sunlight at sunrise and sunset. The time during which we can dare to look almost into the sun without damage to our eyes is when the sun possesses a charging quality.
Stones may be charged immediately before using it for a treatment, by holding it in your hand or near a radiator. This too will intensify the effect. In most cases charging is not necessary as the stone will be charged, warmed up and stimulated by body contact.
Storage
It is very natural to want to display beautiful stones so you can see them most of the time. However, if you do not want regular dusting to become your main hobby, I recommend keeping them in a lockable display cabinet. I would not recommend the windowsill, with exception to agate sections and other light-insensitive crystals such as rock crystal (quartz), hematite, jasper, lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye and black tourmaline. Many stones will lose their colour in direct sunlight, like amethyst, kunzite, rose quartz, etc.
WARNING: Placing certain crystals or stones in water can make the water toxic for consumption while other stones may be damaged by water. Some stones are light sensitive and it is not advisable to place them in directly sunlight. Consult with a qualified Crystal Healer if you are unsure.
Programming Crystals
When we programme a crystal or gemstone we store a specific energy pattern in the crystal. The energy pattern programmed into the crystal can be any intention, thought, colour, emotion, sound, use, or any other vibration. These vibrations can be accessed to bring those energies into use.
There are many different ways to programme crystals, so it’s important to choose a method that suit you best. I’ll show you one technique here and you can research more.
You will need:
the crystal you would like to programme
clear intent (know what you want to programme the crystal to do)
focused action
Start by clearing the crystal with whatever method you prefer, then sit with your crystal at your personal altar or in a place that you’re not likely to be disturbed while you work.
Hold the crystal in your dominant hand (right hand if right handed) and clear your mind of unrelated thoughts. Start to focus on your intention for the programming of your crystal. Say descriptive words aloud. For instance, if you want to programme your crystal to help you remember your dreams, start repeating the words “vivid dreams and dream recall” over and over again.
While holding your attention on the focused intent, visualise a violet flame above your head and allow your intention to infuse the flame.
When the flame is completely saturated with your intention take a deep breath. As you inhale deeply, see the flame moving into your throat and lungs. Blow the flame out onto the crystal, completely infusing the crystal with the focused intention. With bigger crystals you may need to blow this flame onto each of the facets.
Thank the crystal. The crystal is now programmed.
This method can also be used with tumbled stones, spheres, polished crystals, and natural chunks of minerals, as well as natural crystals.
It is not necessary to retrieve/activate the crystal’s programme. The crystal will continue to radiate this focused message. However, if you feel that you need to “activate” the message in the crystal you can apply pressure to the stone between your index finger and thumb or you can rub the crystal with your thumb to activate/retrieve the energies.
To erase the crystal’s program, visualize a white flame above your head and infuse the flame with the intent to cleanse and clear the stone of any energies or messages that are not part of its original makeup. Blow the flame onto the crystal as you did with the violet flame. Discharge, cleanse and clear the crystal with whatever method you prefer