An eclectic way of welcoming the Wood Dragon this Chinese New Year is through working with essential crystals, and these experts provide guidance to start the process.
2024 has just started but there is another chance for us to start anew: the Chinese New Year which welcomes the Year of the Wood Dragon. One of the reasons why the Philippines celebrates the occasion is to reflect the centuries-long ties between us and China. And while we’re all about to join in on the traditions and festivities, here’s an eclectic yet refreshing way to welcome our good luck and fortune: focusing on our healing energies through essential crystals.
Lifestyle Asia conversed with three crystal shop owners and experts on which crystals are perfect companions in welcoming the auspicious holiday.
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Crystals 101
“Crystals are our powerful bridge with nature,” Jimmy Chung of Chakras PH, an online crystal shop, said. Jimmy is also a reiki practitioner apart from a business owner, and also teaches and sings when he has performing gigs.
For multifaceted businesswoman, reiki practitioner, and owner of Sirene Dela Lune, Martha Jante-Eusebio, traversing the path to crystal healing was a personal journey due to the pandemic. Her mental wellbeing improved when she explored and experienced the magic of crystals. “I believe that crystals exist to help us, to aid us in our journeys,” she said, explaining that everything that God created has a purpose, even the tiny, shiny rocks.
5d Healing Crystals owner Daryll Barte commented that crystals are modalities that have metaphysical properties poised to aid us spiritually and mentally. Meditating and yoga are some activities where one can incorporate the gems as a start. Daryll spent more than eight years in the crystal business.
All three experts agreed that the first thing to remember before owning crystals is to be educated on what crystals go together, how to cleanse them, how to charge them, and where and when to use them.
Daryll exemplified that one should charge a crystal when it’s “not working” anymore. “You’ll know when it needs to charge, and that is if the intention you programmed it to is not fulfilled,” he added.
Essential crystals for abundance
Martha, Jimmy, and Daryll agree that abundance and happiness are part of the central themes of the upcoming lunar new year. Their common recommended crystals for happiness and a bountiful year are citrine and aventurine. They agreed too that carnelian unlocks one’s creativity and affects one’s mindset, manifestations, and passion.
Jimmy recommended pyrite or Fool’s Gold as it is believed to enhance luck as well as inspire motivation in careers. “Pyrite enhances strength of mind and willpower,” he remarked.
Daryll added gold sheen obsidian to the list. Obsidian is considered a protective stone by those who are familiar with it, but the gold sheen present in this variant symbolizes attraction of wealth.
Martha added that green-hued crystals symbolized success. “I recommend emerald as well as green is the lucky color of the year,” she explained. “It symbolizes growth, nourishment, and vibrance.” Apart from that, she, Jimmy, and Daryll denoted aventurine as a popular pick for a stone of abundance.
Crystals for the rest of the Chinese New Year
Selenite is a good blind buy especially for first-time buyers of crystals. All three experts concurred that It is the master cleanser of the stones and is the safest way to charge them.
“You have to do your research on which crystals are appropriate to be cleansed in water, sunlight, moonlight, smoke, or saltwater,” Daryll said.
Apart from cleansing, protection is a must when one decides to use essential crystals as a healing modality. Protective stones clear out bad energies and neutralize negativity. Examples of these are onyx, obsidian, black tourmaline, and spinel.
Martha included amethyst on the list even if it is not normally regarded as a protective stone. “Amethysts are calming in nature and are considered intuition stones,” she said. Amethysts have color variants which include black, so this could be an alternative gem for repelling negativity.
Daryll, Martha, and Jimmy all approved of clear quartz as one of the most essential crystals in the market. They remarked it amplifies of intentions, so it goes with any stone, depending on one’s needs.
Crystals are a good way to augment one’s self belief and confidence. Additionally, it helps improve one’s mindset for the auspicious holiday. However, regardless of the Chinese New Year, every day is a chance to be your best self. The crystals may aid as a guide or as a tool to amplify energies, but the ultimate power lies in one’s intentions.
Tips for first time crystal users
Aside from cleansing and charging, the three experts attested that it is important for first-time users to do their research.
“There are just some crystals that cancel out each other’s purpose,” Daryll said. He explained that intentions won’t work if the stones override each other’s purpose.
Martha advised first-time crystal parents to not neglect the gems as their power requires an energetic exchange. She said if one can engage with the crystals the better, as interactions would intensify their power.
Jimmy emphasized that not all crystals would resonate with a person, so it is important to direct focus to those you feel connected with.
Crystals require trust and belief. Take in their message and let it be an inspiration to embrace mindful living and spiritual wellness.
Banner photo from Lilartsy via Unsplash.
