Are we abusing the Earth when we take crystals from Her for our own use? Can unsavory entities take over and inhabit our crystals? Are crystals a crutch used by dependent and under-confident healers? I asked myself these questions while reading The Downside of Using Crystals by Ashwita Goel. I found the article to be very thought provoking and I carefully went over the points it made.
Reiki Master Ashwita Goel suggests that the mining for our pretty little friends is harmful and painful to the Earth. How can something hold positive vibrations and healing potential when it was obtained by "mutilating" the Earth? I had to give this some serious thought. I do believe that people tend to get greedy and over-use the resources that the Earth has to share with us, but I still believe the resources were meant to be shared. I believe that Spirit led me to crystal healing and I've never gotten any kind of message or sign that on am on the wrong path. I really don't think I would have been led to something for healing that would cause our world more pain. We do need to respect the Earth and the resources She shares with us. We need to remember to show gratitude and to always share our own gifts and resources in return.
Crystal Grid
The article also suggested that there is a danger of entities housing themselves inside crystals. I believe that entities are just as likely to house themselves in a crystal as in anything else. I'm sure it can happen. I'm also sure they can attach themselves to people and places. I don't think crystals are going to attract entities. They have their own energy and spirit and I feel that most of them are strong enough to resist being taken over. That being said, I also believe that they can be mucked up by negative energy in the same way people and places can and need to be cleared and cared for properly, especially when used for healing work. I use sage smoke to purify my crystals after working with them or after they've sat unused for very long.
The final thought Master Goel brings up in the article was that if a healer is confident in their own ability they will not need to depend on a tool to do the healing for them. They will be their own tool. I agree that a Reiki practitioner can heal without the aid of any tools. I also believe, however, that tools can help us to tap into our own potential and enhance our power with their own and the more positive energy we can generate in this world, the better. As someone who identifies as a co-dependent personality and who has struggled with self esteem issues in my life, I had to ask myself though, is my large crystal collection a symptom of a dependence problem? After some introspective thought, I believe the answer is, no. I can live and heal without my crystals. There are days that the only contact I have with crystals are the ones in the ring I wear everyday. I don’t always use them with Reiki healing, only when I feel moved to do so or it is what the client has requested. I don’t feel dependent on them, but I believe my life is better with them. They lend me strength when I need it and enhance my own power. They fill my home with a wonderful energy and with beauty. They keep me and my family connected to nature and reminded of our connectedness to the world.
While I ultimately didn't agree with the points made by Master Goel in The Downside of Using Crystals, I highly respect her and her position and I enjoyed the article and the internal conversation it provoked within me. I think the points she made are well worth thinking about and examining your own response to.