Quartz crystals are currently enormously popular. Their use in healing, altering consciousness and magic have linked them to the spirit of the New Age. Long neglected by people in most of the world, save for their industrial applications, quartz crystals are today a huge commercial business.
Though general directions for cleansing stones were given in Chapter Seven of Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic, there are a few herbs specifically used in conjunction with quartz in this capacity.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) and Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), two North American healing and purificatory herbs, are both associated with quartz crystals and, in shamanism, are herbal counterparts to the stone. Make an infusion (tea) of either or both of these herbs by adding two tablespoons to nearly boiling water. Let it sit until cold, then add the newly acquired or negatively charged (i.e., a stone used in removing disease) crystals to the infusion. Let them sit for at least a day in the infusion, then dry and hold in your receptive hand. If the stone feels 'cleared', it is ready for magic. If not, return to the infusion until it has done its work.
Clear or "white" quartz crystal is perhaps best known to the general public for stimulating psychism. Though most crystal spheres sold today are plastic or glass, true quartz crystal spheres are also available, at fantastically expensive prices. Though well worth the cost to those who can afford them, crystals need not be worked by human hands to be magically effective, nor must they be pure, or free of inclusions.
In fact, many crystal scryers or gazers utilize the inclusions, veils and tiny prisms within crystals to entrance themselves. And simply gazing into any crystal point, i.e., a natural crystal, can produce psychism.
In the Renaissance most 'skrying stones', or crystal balls, were fashioned of beryl, not clear quartz crystal. However, crystal was used in magical operations. It was sometimes half-covered with pure gold and set on a base of ivory or ebony wood. This was used as an instrument of contemplation to awaken the psychic mind.
In 19th-century European magic, the crystal sphere was placed beneath the pillow to create a rapport with the scryer, enhancing its effectiveness.
A crystal sphere can be exposed to the light of the Full Moon to strengthen its powers. Before scrying, a tea of mugwort or chicory is sometimes drunk, and fresh mugwort rubbed on the crystal.
Attach a quartz crystal to a silver chain with its point downward, and you've fashioned a fine pendulum. This is a tool which links the arm holding it with the intuitive, or psychic, mind. Though there are many different systems of determining the pendulum's answers through its swing, here are two common ones:
Circling, either clockwise or counterclockwise: yes, or favorable conditions.
Side to side: no, or unfavorable.
Or
Circling clockwise: yes, or favorable.
Circling counterclockwise: no, or unfavorable.
Side to side: no answer.
Ask the crystal how it will respond to questions and work with it. It is a powerful tool of the subconscious mind.
