Crystal Thrapy

Crystal Healing, Talismans, Amulets

Taken From: Exposing Spiritualistic Practices in Healing
By Edwin A. Noyes M.D., MPH

God added luster to His creation when he made thousands of different types of precious stones and gems. Even before the creation of this world the Bible tells of God’s creation of decorative stone:

…every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Ezekiel 28: 13, 14)

At the time of Exodus from Egypt and building the sanctuary in the wilderness, explicit instructions were given by God concerning the garments of the high priest Aaron and his breast plate. First, two onyx stones were to have engraved on each the names of six tribes of Israel, then set in ornaments of gold, placed on an ephod worn on the shoulders. A breast plate was crafted with twelve gemstones, four rows of three stones: Row 1. sardis, topaz, carbuncle; Row 2. emerald, sapphire, diamond; Row 3. ligure, agate, amethyst; Row 4. beryl, onyx, jasper. On each stone was engraved the name of a tribe.

The names of gemstones were often used to emphasize a description of some scene or event. Job spoke of precious stones to make scripture the emphasis between material and spiritual riches.

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made for coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it; neither shall it be valued with pure gold. (Job 28: 16-19)

The prophets Ezekiel and John were both shown scenes in heaven and the throne of God, with the names of precious stones used in their descriptions of it.

And I looked and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north… and a fire enfolding itself…as of the color of amber…The Appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the color of a beryl…and the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was …the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above…And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone… (Ez. 1)

John’s vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven to earth also described a variety of gemstones:

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;…And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth sardis; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Rev. 21)

God truly loves beauty in all His creation. His adversary, the devil, takes God’s creative beauty of gemstones and applies it to his use in deceiving mankind. Let us now turn our attention to a masterful deception in health and healing by Satan, in crystals and gemstones.

Simon Lilly, in The Complete Illustrated Guide to Crystal Healing p. 190, states that the oldest written recordings of the use of precious stones for healing comes from a variety of writings recorded in India. Their use was closely associated with beliefs and practices of astrol-ogy. Gemstones were believed to absorb and transmit energy radiating from the planets and to facilitate balancing of negative and positive energy in man. If the position of the planets were not satisfactory according to a person’s birth chart, then crystals and gems were supposed to be able to improve the relationship of energies coming from the planets to man. The teachings from India spread across the world and left its influence in most civilizations.

Even civilizations that had little contact with, or influence from India or other advanced civilizations, developed some type of use of precious stones in the practice of health and healing. This concept is clear when one reads the history of shamans, medicine men of the Americas, witch doctors of Africa, native healers of Australia, and elsewhere. Michael Harner, present day shaman and instructor of shamans, shares with us some of the history of shaman use of crystals and gemstones. In his book, The Way of the Shaman, he quotes Jerome Myer Levi:

The wide spread employment of quartz crystals in shamanism spans thousands of years. In California, for example, quartz crystals have been found in archaeological sites and prehistoric burials dating as far back as 8000 years ¹⁾ Levi, Jerome Meyer, “Wii’ipay: The Living Rocks—Ethnographic Notes on Crystal Magic Among some California Yumans.” Journal of California Anthropology 5 (1): (1978), p. 42. Reported in Harner, Michael, The Way of the Shaman, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, NY, (1990), p. 109.

Harner summarizes this history of the shaman’s use and belief in crystals with the following statement.

…Western science has obviously advanced to the point that it recognizes the quartz crystal as a power object, something the shamans have known for thousands of years. ²⁾ Harner, Michael, The Way of the Shaman, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY, (1990), p. 112.

Stone has been an integral part of man’s history—in building structures, as tools, in ornamentation, and in healing through shaman (witch doctors). Quartz crystal is the favored stone for healing by a shaman. The shaman is closely connected to the spirit world and its gods. In Australia and Southeast Asia, the supreme god is Baiame, the power believed to be behind healers and magicians who use quartz crystals. The indigenous people of Australia associate quartz crystals with the Rainbow Serpent, a fertility god.

…Here are the associations with rainbows, water, rain, clouds, and heaven that link to quartz as belonging to the upper world of the spirits and ancestors. ³⁾ Lilly, Simon, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Crystal Healing, Element Books Inc., Boston, MA, (2000), p. 184.

The quartz crystal is considered by the shaman as solidified light. To be initiated into the shaman’s domain it is necessary to be filled with solidified light of quartz. The apprentices will have quartz crystals put into their bodies by rubbing ground quartz into their skin and will drink water in which crystals have been placed, ostensibly enabling them to see spirits. The initiate is taken to a grave where the dead come and give him magical stones. Afterward, a snake appears as an ally and ushers him deep into the earth where he meets more snakes. From there he goes to the Supreme Being (Baiame) and receives crystals for his own healing.

In Malaysia shamans believe that spirits in the air cut quartz crystals out of the sky in order to use them in healing. Similar stories of crystals and spirits are common with the ancient healing practices. North American natives were closely allied with quartz crystals for healing and higher spiritual power. The crystals are kept in leather pouches and consulted frequently by the shaman in order to better understand and work with the world of spirits. Rattles used in dance and healing ceremonies to summon helpful spirits are often filled with pieces of quartz.

In the Southwestern United States, Indian tribes valued turquoise as a stone possessing power. In Central America as well, the turquoise stones were thought to connect heaven and earth, to give protection and strength via the spirit world. The various natives of the world all had their witch doctors; “shaman” is a name coming from the witch doctors of Siberia.

Crystal and gemstone healing has the longest history in the Ayurvedic system of healing. The explanation for their power and healing is tied in with astrology, as is all of Ayurveda. Health is maintained as the body remains in balance with its energies’ three divisions or doshas: pitta, vata, and kapha (similar to yin and yang). Imbalance equals illness, and powdered gemstones given in water mixed with honey or cream are prescribed to balance doshas. ⁴⁾ Ibid., pp. 184-191.

The shaman of all cultures treated their crystal with special reverence by keeping it in a special container separate from the other objects in his medicine bag. He avoided talking about it lest it lose power. The crystal was viewed as a spirit helper and a special partnership might be entered between the shaman and his crystal; it was considered as living, or a live stone.

The Yuman tribe shamans of California felt they must feed their crystals, hence placement in tobacco water. ⁵⁾ Harner, op. cit. p. 109.

In the last 35 years we have seen a public explosion of practices and beliefs that were for centuries kept in the quiet. Neopaganism/ Western occultism has ushered into our midst the nature worship of ancient paganism from the pagan societies of the East, African animism, and American Native practices under the title of holistic medicine. Harner expresses it this way:

The burgeoning field of holistic medicine shows a tremendous amount of experimentation involving the reinvention of many techniques long practiced in shamanism, such as visualization, altered state of consciousness, aspects of psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, meditation, positive attitude, stress-reduction, and mental and emotional expression of personal will for health and healing. In a sense, shamanism is being reinvented in the West precisely because it is needed. ⁶⁾ Ibid., p. 136.

Crystal work is a component of both ancient and modern shamanism. In Native American healing, the shaman will utilize the crystal as a method for both diagnosis and treatment; the crystal is believed to be a vehicle through which the healing spirits work. ⁷⁾ Ibid., pp. 108-112.

What is so special about crystal that has brought it so much attention? First let us look at its chemical and physical properties. Nearly all of the rocks on the crust of the earth are crystalline with most being formed of oxygen and silicon. Aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium combined with oxygen comprise the rest. Every crystal consists of a single chemical molecular compound; one molecule is repeated throughout, forming a geometric internal structure. A crystal is defined by its internal structure. It is made up of atoms that have bonded together creating molecules forming regular repeating patterns. These patterns, arranged in precise geometry, create a crystal’s solid form with flat faces. The internal repeating molecule forms a crystal lattice. A lattice would be similar to stacking boxes of the same size and shape in the exact same position in relationship to all other boxes, and so filling a room or warehouse.

When electricity is delivered to a crystal it expands in regular pulses. A quartz crystal when compressed will emit a measureable voltage, called the piezoelectric effect. Crystals are used in most electric instruments, for example watches are dependent on crystals for their accurate timing. A crystal’s internal geometric form determines its physical properties and its healing.

Seven geometric forms of lattices are found among crystal formations: cubic, tetragonal, hexagonal, trigonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. This would be analogous to having seven shapes of boxes, with each group of shaped boxes filling a separate room and stacked in a repetitive manner leaving no free space. It is this internal lattice formation that determines the type of crystal and its physical properties.

When a quartz crystal lattice is distorted by heat, pressure, light, or friction, electrons flow creating electricity. Electricity delivered to a quartz crystal creates expansion of the crystal in regular pulses. This physical property makes it possible with a perfect crystal to create time pieces that are exactly accurate. Thus, most watches today have a quartz crystal with a battery connected to it causing impulses in absolute regularity, enabling the watch to show time.

Crystals have many properties. One is the ability to transform and transmit light. Glass fiber optics (crystals) transmits communication by light. Small quartz crystals have the ability to possess vast amounts of memory. The first laser was formed by using a ruby gemstone. Light usually diffuse in nature, was concentrated on the ruby which then emitted a single beam of light carrying intense energy. Most electrical kitchen appliances will have a crystal involved in their functions. Solar cells are dependent upon crystals. The electronic industry also is dependent upon crystals for the function of computers and similar instruments. The understanding and ability to manufacture perfect crystal has revolutionized our electronics world.

I have mentioned only a little of the understanding of crystal formation and the physics involved; we now turn to the subject of the use of gems and crystals for healing. Shaman and similar healers did not have the knowledge of a crystal’s physical properties as we have now; however, they did believe that precious stones had the ability to transmit, transform, and amplify energy. They believed that a universal energy/life force, underlying the powers of the universe, was transmitted by the planets to earth. This life force power was accepted as that which replenished, transformed, and renewed all things in the universe. The so-called universal energy is described as being composed of a light layer, and a dense layer. The dense layer transformed itself into material substance encompassing all material things of the universe, including earth and all life on earth. The lighter forms of the universal life force formed the elements of the spirit world. ⁸⁾ Ibid., pp. 108-112. Author Henry Mason explains further:

“So, the universe is energy. That energy is the universe, and the source of everything manifested in our universe: the stars, our sun in particular, our planet, our lives, and our selves. We are part and parcel of the universe. We are dense, self-aware energy beings. We are part of the Universal Life Force, and we live on a planet that is a part of the Universal Life Force. We came from the same place. We are made of the same elements, coalesced from the same energy.” ⁹⁾ Mason, Henry M. , The Seven Secrets of Crystal Talismans, Llewellyn Worldwide, St. Paul, MN, (2008), p. 11.

You may have noticed that no mention of a Creator God is made in this description of the universe. Satan’s counterfeit story of creation is what is depicted above. God’s power of creation and of sustaining creation is hi-jacked and the personality of the Creator is taken out. The power is divided into spiritual and material, and again divided into positive and negative energy. As explained in a previous chapter, it is also divided into seven different electromagnetic frequencies. The first level, the slowest frequency, is said to be the material physical substance of the universe—planets, earth, man. The remaining six increasing levels of energy frequency comprise the spiritual division of the so-called universal energy. Richard Gerber M.D. , in his book Vibrational Medicine, makes the following comment about the proclaimed higher levels of energy:

To most individuals, the higher dimensional energies are in the realm of invisibility. To a fortunate few with clairvoyant perception, the beauty of these invisible realms can be perceived with great ease. The only thing that seems to limit human potential is its definition of itself. As technology makes visible what was previously seen only by clairvoyants, the invisible becomes visible. ¹⁰⁾ Gerber, Richard, Vibrational Medicine the Number One Hand Book Subtle Energy Therapies, Bear and Company, One Park Street, Rochester, Ver – mont, (2001), p. 325.

The false creation story continues: life force energy comes to earth from three sources, namely the sun, the moon from its reflection of the sun, and the perceived molten mass from the center of the earth. The claim is made that this is pure science and not religion. I disagree; it is religion from ancient Babylon. Author Henry Mason continues:

In a like manner, the sun projects tremendous spiritual energy to the earth. Virtually all cultures with recorded history have a sun god or goddess or the equivalent that embodied their under-standing of that spiritual strength and power. He is Tonatiuh to the Aztecs, Horus to the ancient Egyptians, Apollo the Romans, Tsohanoai to the Navaho, and Freyr to some Norse. She is Sol in Norse mythology, and Sunna to the Germans. But whatever the name and whatever the culture, we instinctively understand the sun as the source of spiritual strength….

Like the sun, the moon is also a source of spiritual strength to Earth. The moon has been worshiped, like the sun, since recorded time. While in some cultures the moon was a god, in many it takes the feminine form. For example, to the Chinese she is Shin Moo, to the Celts she is Morgana. Again, different names in different cultures, but a universal recognition that the moon is a power in the affairs of men and women, and one that should be respected and honored. ¹¹⁾ Mason, op. cit., pp. 12, 13.

The earth also absorbs the Universal Life Force from the sun and moon, uses it, and transmits it to the wind, the waves, and the life-giving atmosphere we need. In a like manner, it absorbs the spiritual energy of the Universal Life Force from the sun and moon, uses it to nourish itself, and transmits that spiritual energy through its elements and compounds into the plants and animals that absorb it to sustain life… ¹²⁾ Ibid., p. 13.

The apostle Paul discusses this subject of worshiping the created instead of the Creator:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” (Romans 1:18-23)

A Talisman is a gemstone, a crystal worn about the body in the belief that this object can aid us in our life; it is considered to act as a charm. This aid comes from the stone, supposedly, by amplifying our own powers, by focusing our feelings, thoughts, actions, and habits, thus benefiting us in reaching our goals. Secondly, it is taught that a talisman is a source of energy and power in and of itself due to its mineral nature, and its ability to amplify our own power by channeling in more universal life force from the sun, moon, and earth. The mineral crystals have seven fundamental structural arrangements in their molecular lattice and each type will have a specific type of influence on a person. Example: a triclinic crystal system produces a talisman that is believed to have barrier properties. A barrier talisman supposedly is protective against illness and injury. The monoclinic crystal system is considered to produce a talisman that is protective physically and spiritually. It then is called an amulet.

Not only the molecular structure and lattice type, but the color, and even the shape of the gem is considered to influence its effect. Talismans and amulets are used to maintain the optimum function of the physical and spiritual attributes of man.

We now turn to the use of crystals in illness and disease. The discipline of crystal healing is totally dependent upon the hypothesis of universal energy and it’s believed negative and positive characteristics. This teaching is out of astrology. Subtle energy system concepts, such as electrical polarity, meridians, pressure points, chakras, aura, and subtle bodies, are used to assess and correct what are perceived as energy imbalances.

Crystal healers view the human body in totally different ways than orthodox scientists and doctors. Completely different languages and terms are used respectively in each system. ¹³⁾ Lilly, op. cit., p. 34

A most important aspect of crystal healing is for the healer to be grounded and centered prior a healing session.

Grounding means total focus. All energy believed to be passing through the body will remain in balance, but if any excess energy flows it will go into the earth where it is safely dissipated. Grounding is accomplished by the use of gems, usually dark colored; the best place to set them is near the throat and coccyx. Grounding can be done by Hindu-type meditation, guided imagery, and visualization (using the imagination to create a view of the change desired), by tree meditation (visualizing a tree and its roots with the tree representing the healer and the roots the ground connection with mother earth).

Centering happens when all physical, mental, and emotional energies are integrated and balanced. Centering can be done by imagery and visualization such as drawing the earth energy up through your body by deep breathing focus, sight focus, or voice focus, or by sounding Om or Aum,” or by tapping in. Tapping in is done by tapping lightly with the finger tips on the chest below the clavicle on either side. It is said to bring into balance all of the meridians of the body (meridians are energy flow channels of Chinese Traditional Medicine and not recognized to exist by science). ¹⁴⁾ Ibid., pp 45-47.

When grounded and centered the healer will then proceed to the therapeutic act of using the crystals and gemstones. The following are examples of ways that the healing sessions are to be conducted. By these descriptions we recognize the absurdity of crystal therapy, and spiritually dangerous to partake of the practices.

1. 1. Place stones in positions upon or about the body, where disease or distress is felt to present, in arrangement, so as to depict the Seal of Solomon or Star of David, thus symbolizing a connection between heaven and earth.
   2. To recharge your body and spirit do the following: place a crystal over a pulse point such as the wrist; when done in the sunlight it will supposedly increase the therapeutic benefit.
   3. Healing by use of crystals and breathing techniques could be as follows: Inhale to bring energy into your aura; hold your breath several seconds as you focus your thoughts on the crystal held in your hand. With a forceful effort expel your breath out thus causing the energy within the crystal to be expelled through the top of the crystal as it is pointed toward the area of the body in need of healing. This effort must be repeated several times to be effective.
   4. One technique for self-healing is as follows: place a crystal over a chakra area of the body. While inhaling, place both hands on top of the stone being used and draw energy through it into the chakra. Hold the breath for 5-6 seconds concentrating energy in that location, then exhale forcefully while throwing your hands out to each side of your body, thus dispersing negative energy. As you inhale bring the hands back to the same location on the body, then repeat. ¹⁵⁾ Ibid., pp. 52, 53.

Different colors are believed, by crystal healers, to affect different aspects of health. Each color represents a specific wavelength of light and may be referred to as “vibration” of energy, of creativity, of balance, etc. Different colors are said to affect the body in different ways. Examples: orange is supposed to influence physical rigidity, restricted feelings, digestive disorders, lack of focus, lack of vitality, unable to let go of past memories, etc.; green is equated with abnormal growths, sense of claustrophobia, being trapped, unfulfilled, restricted, domi-nated, a need to be in control or to be controlled, invasive illness, etc.

Problems occurred in the past due to use of ground gems, as not all gems are safe. Minerals have been used since ancient times as source of colored pigments. Their colors do not fade due to sunlight but may change with extensive time due to oxidation. Some of these colored pigments are toxic and are no longer used. Red was from mercuric oxide and arsenic oxide— toxic. Orange is also from toxic minerals, yellow from arsenic and sulfur, etc. Another practice in crystal healing involves chakra balancing. The Indian Ayurveda system of healing believes that there is a network of subtle energy channels that run through the body. This network said to be composed of a central channel along the spine and which is made up of seven centers of energy called chakras.