Crystals for Beginners

The First Aid Crystals

I often get asked for crystal recommendations from people who are just starting out getting to know crystals. I have written this resource for those starting out on their crystal journey, but it isn’t exclusive. Anyone can use it.  These are my personal recommendations.  I believe if all the crystals in the world disappeared and you were only left with these seven, you’d be in a very good place!

Not only are the crystals below perfect for beginners, they’re also what I call the First Aid crystals.  I have written about my own experience.  Everyone is different and we all experience crystals differently.  If my words do not resonate with you, then that is fine.  Go with you gut and your own intuition and you’ll be fine.

For information on how to care for crystals, you can  find that here

                      
Smoky Quartz

Smoky Quartz is good for grounding and protecting. It resonates with the root chakra, often called the base chakra or the 1st chakra.
We can use Smoky Quartz to keep us grounded. If you ever feel dizzy, stressed or spaced out, Smoky Quartz can help ease that feeling.
It is also connected to the earth element, so you can understand that it works well at keeping our feet on the ground.
Smoky Quartz is an excellent crystal for recycling negative energy into positive energy. It can dispel negative energy. It has been likened to a bundle of white sage but in crystal form.

Many crystals can help relieve headaches, Smoky Quartz is one of them.
It is also an excellent crystal to use if you have any swelling. It has been known for me to walk around with a piece of Smoky Quartz taped to certain parts of my body! I find it beneficial for releasing the toxins from the body.
You can use Smoky Quartz to protect your energy and your subtle body (aura). Take a piece of Smoky and move it around your whole body, visualise the energy of the Smoky Quartz covering you in a blanket of protective energy.

Carnelian

Carnelian is like a Duracell battery! An excellent life force crystal.  Very useful for finding vitality in life. It can really get you moving. It can help give you the motivation you might need.
Carnelian is connected to the sacral chakra, the 2nd chakra. It would be no surprise to learn that Carnelian is connected to the element of Fire (colour association).
It gives us the courage to step up and move forward in life. If you’re scared to experience something new or fearful to take the next steps on an adventure, Carnelian is the crystal you need.
It can help with stressful situations by giving you the confidence you need to address the situation. Carnelian makes me feel stronger, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.

Carnelian connects with the sacral chakra, the womb space. It can help restore your sexual passion.
On the days when you need to do some housework, pop a piece of Carnelian in your pocket and watch the job get done!
Although Carnelian has fiery energy, I do find it very comforting and supportive. The sacral chakra is where we store our emotions. Although Carnelian is good at helping us release those emotions, it is also a good friend who will hold and comfort.

Citrine

There are two types of Citrine available on the market.
There is natural Citrine and what I like to call common Citrine. Natural Citrine is, as it states, 100% natural. Its colouring is a pale brownish yellow, often showing smoky veils and phantoms.  Natural Citrine is very expensive.
Common Citrine is heated Amethyst. Common Citrine is usually vibrant yellow to orange.
Crystals are heated to extreme temperatures naturally in the ground. Amethyst that is heated to obtain Citrine isn’t hurt or damaged in any way.
It makes me sad when people dismiss common Citrine because it isn’t natural. Many crystals on the market aren’t 100% natural, for example…the Aura crystals, these are stones that are loved by many but undergo a similar process. Don’t be put off by the heat process. Work with common Citrine and find out how AMAZING it is. Yes, they have different energies, but they both have amazing healing properties.

Citrine is the stone of abundance, of manifestation power, creativity, self-confidence and will power.
I have a lot of Citrine at home. I have one right next to my laptop as I type these words. It keeps my mind clear and on point, while it assists me in being creative with my writing. It helps keep my mind clear.
Placing Citrine in the furthest left corner of your home could help bring abundance to your life.
I use Citrine a lot when I’m working with the Law of Attraction. I find that Citrine is the best crystal to use when manifesting.

Citrine is connected to the solar plexus chakra, the 3rd chakra. The element is the same as Carnelian’s, Fire!
We can sometimes think that the word creative means being involved with some form of art or craft, and yes, part of that is true, but creativity can mean so much more. Your mind can be creative with its thoughts, and when those thoughts manifest, that becomes creativity. Creativity comes in all different forms.
Citrine is another crystal that is easy to attune to. Don’t be surprised if it makes you giggle. It brings in some lovely energy. It really makes me smile. It’s like having a piece of sunshine in your pocket.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is connected with the heart chakra, the 4th chakra. It is the stone of unconditional love and connected to the element of Water.  It radiates the loving pink ray. It’s a very peaceful stone.
Rose Quartz is all about Love! Love for one and all but especially for yourself.
Don’t be fooled by Rose Quartz. Rose Quartz is a serious heart healer, and to heal the heart, we often have to visit some uncomfortable feelings. It can help you move through complicated, often painful heartfelt matters. It is the crystal that can teach us to love ourselves.
One of the lessons I learnt from Rose Quartz is that we can’t truly love another unless we can love ourselves first. It has a lot to teach about love, and it will open your heart wide, so be prepared!

Rose Quartz is also an excellent crystal to work with if exploring your inner child. It is supportive and nurturing.
Maybe you want to attract love into your life. Rose Quartz is the crystal for you.
I like to give myself a Rose Quartz massage. I do this by moving a piece around my entire body, combing my auric field with the Rose Quartz. If you can get some Rose essential oil, or a Rose scented hand cream, try using them with the Rose Quartz too. It’s a lovely experience.
If you feel sad, Rose Quartz can comfort you.
Having Rose Quartz in and around your home will bring a sense of calm and contentment. I have a rather large piece of natural Rose quartz by my front and back door, allowing nothing but love through them.
Rose Quartz is the perfect crystal to give as a gift to someone you love. They will always remember it, and they’ll never forget who gave it to them.

Blue Lace Agate

Blue Lace Agate is connected to the throat chakra, the 5th chakra and its element is Water.  It can help us communicate our truth. Do you ever feel restricted or worried about finding the right words to convey a message of importance, a message that means a lot to you? Blue Lace Agate will help you with this.
Do you often say yes, when you really want to say no? Blue Lace Agate can help you find a way to say what you really want to say.
It is the best crystal to have with you when you need to speak publicly. I had to do a monthly presentation, each month for 5 mths as part of my degree. I felt very anxious and nervous about doing it, worried that I’d get all my words jumbled. Not with Blue Lace Agate! It helps to keep us calm and focused on the words we need to say.
The water element of the crystal helps to keep your words cool and calm. You could find it beneficial in any situation where your temperature starts to rise due to a challenging communicative situation. If you sense an argument is going to happen, quick, go grab your Blue Lace Agate!

And, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you have to explain your spirituality or love for crystals to a non-believer, yep, that’s right, go get your Blue Lace Agate.
I’ve learnt to trust in Blue Lace Agates ability to help me communicate what I’m feeling, needing or wanting.
Life is vibration. Everything in life is a vibration – our words carry a vibration, one that we must be aware of. Blue Lace Agate can help keep that vibration in line with love and compassion.
Blue Lace Agate is also a very beneficial crystal for helping children to calm down and relax.
Another crystal that I recommend to relieve headaches. I have two flat polished pieces that I hold to my temples. It’s instantly cooling and calming.

Blue Lace Agate is quite hard to find.  It’s becoming increasingly expensive too.  I’ve listed some other throat chakra stones below which all do a very similar job to that of Blue Lace Agate.

Amethyst

Now where to start? I could write a book on Amethyst.
Amethyst is connected to the third eye chakra, the 6th chakra and the crown chakra, the 7th chakra – I actually think it works well on all the chakras.  It is one of the most popular crystals out there. Loved by many, including myself.
Amethyst is a wonderful aid for meditation practice and an excellent ally for those struggling with addictions (of all sorts). It helps us to let go while keeping a watchful and supportive eye on us. Amethyst was the first crystal that helped me to learn how to meditate. It’s an excellent spiritual guide.
Fantastic at relieving stress, and it banishes headaches.

A long time ago, I happened to deal with an old man who had a pallet full of what he called garden Amethyst. There was a ton of it, and I had nowhere to put it except around my house. I’ve had it ever since. The intention was to pass it on, but it stayed with me. So my house is entirely surrounded by Amethyst, inside and out, and I swear by its healing properties. We are blessed with good health most of the time. I don’t remember a time I was poorly, the odd cough and sniffle, but apart from that, nothing (as I touch wood!).
Amethyst is a protector, become friends with it, and it’ll be your protector. Amethyst is connected to the element of Air and Wind.
It helps us to let go and to detach.  If you have an unhealthy relationship with drink, drugs, food, shopping, the internet, etc., Amethyst can help you release those bad habits.

Meditating with Amethyst clears the mind and opens the spiritual pathway that we often struggle to find.
Whether you want to call it instinct or physic, Amethyst gives us a ‘feeling’ of knowing. Hence it being an excellent stone for any healer, it helps us sense the area that needs healing.
I use Amethyst in the same way as Rose Quartz and Smoky Quartz by giving myself a full body massage, combing the energy through my subtle body.
I also visualise the protective energy of Amethyst blanketing my house, my family and myself, for full protection.
Oh yes, it can also keep us in line! If you’ve ever experienced an inflated ego, Amethyst will know and give you a kick up the bum!

Clear Quartz

The Master Healer. A crystal that everyone should have in their crystal took kit.
Clear Quartz is connected to all the chakras but is most commonly related to the crown chakra, the 7th chakra. It is also associated with ALL the elements.
Clear Quartz can cleanse, clear and heal. It is said to be programmable, and although I don’t work that way, I understand what it means. It can be used to amplify energy. It helps other crystals raise their vibrations too.
It absorbs and stores energy. It has a high vibration but comes into balance with your own vibration and any other vibration around.
Similar to Amethyst, I find my intuitive nature is heightened when carrying clear Quartz.
I use clear Quartz, alongside Citrine, when working with the Law of Attraction and manifesting is the job at hand. They work in perfect union, as it does with ALL other crystals.

If you have a clear intention and work with clear Quartz, you might be surprised to see how quickly you can manifest something. It’s super quick sometimes. It cuts through the crap. There’s no messing with clear Quartz.
Working with your intention is what I understand programming to be. Clear Quartz will hold your intention for as long as it is needed.
Clear Quartz brings clarity to any situation. If you ever find yourself in a muddle because of conflicting information, sit with clear Quartz for a while, and things often become clearer.
It is our connection to the heavens above. If you think of Smoky Quartz as our connection to Mother Earth, Clear Quartz links to the Universe. It brings in the pure white light of the divine, universal heavens.