Now, this is a very popular form of crystal. I’m sure you have come across this beautiful crystal before, with its many faceted and oblique cuts. Quartz is what people think of when they think “crystal”. In fact, you can easily find these crystals in your own backyard. They can almost be found anywhere on earth as they are silicone dioxide formed through varying temperatures. Basically, they are a form of “hardened” silicone. Another thing to know is that you can also “grow” quartz crystals on your own – as the silicone dioxide crystallizes through a very simple process which is more or less easy to replicate. That said, despite their simplicity and accessibility, they are extremely powerful and beautiful psychic tools.

There exist varying kinds of quartz crystals, which give the crystals their varying colors and names (citrine, smoked, amethyst, clear, rose). I have always loved amethyst quartz crystal, which is purple. I was happy to learn that amethyst in Greek means “not drunk”. The ancients often would drink wine from cups made of amethyst in order to control the amount of their intoxication. I bring this up, as this anecdote speaks directly to how quartz behaves in a healing or psychic hygiene regime: quartz neutralizes, cleans, and balances. So, amethyst quartz is an excellent crystal to work with as you re-balance, cleanse and heal your chakras. Simply hold the crystal in front of each energy center (or chakra) and you will feel a recalibration take place – a “sobering” up from the psychic clutter of everyday life.

Serpentine is named after the serpent for two reasons: because its lustrous, yellow, brown and green color resembles that of a snake, and because the stone is very powerful and useful with raising energies from the sacral chakra up to the other energy centers in order to create a more balanced and charged expression of one’s body. This energy at the base of the spine is often associated with a coiled serpent, or Kundalini.

Serpentine has been well noted to help with libido issues and to raise one’s sexual energy into other areas of the body, in order to achieve a more holistic and open experience of the energies of the sacral chakra. If you do not feel within your body, and require a bit more “oomph” in your life, work with Serpentine – it is a very powerful gem and it has a wondrous influence. Its power is equally very healing.

I absolutely love Selenite! I cannot get enough of this very simple gem, which is essentially salt formed into striated crystals. Selenite is great because it immediately “cleans” your energy – it works very fast. After coming back from a hectic day, once you step in the door, you may find that it takes you hours to ultimately wind down and regain your energy in order to concentrate again – but if you brush with Selenite, you will regain your spirit much faster.

Selenite is also wonderful in that it can clean and clear other gems and stones. Place Selenite next to more charged gems – such as Opals, Carnelian and Serpentine – and the Selenite will again neutralize their energy. If you find you are an anxious individual or experiencing bouts of anxiety, holding Selenite close or in your purse will neutralize the hectic energy to which you may be susceptible.