How to Read the Energy of Crystals

Often when we buy a crystal it comes with a description of its properties; however, wouldn’t it be great if you developed the ability to read a crystal’s gifts at sight?

Once you understand a few key principles of magical philosophy, you will be able to deduce the energy of a crystal by reading the hints in its shape, angles, facets, size, diaphaneity, color and other traits. 

Synchronistic Magic

As crystals are exposed to wind, rain, sunlight, and mining equipment, they break off from the earth, sometimes into recognizable shapes and more often into apparently random pieces.

While these formations may seem like “accidental” products of chance, they are in fact meaningful indicators of the energy that the crystal holds. No matter what physical circumstance led to a crystal taking the shape of a heart, a square, a lightning flash, or an abstract shape, on the energetic plane, it was the crystal that deliberately attracted and manifested itself into this shape.

This is the principle of synchronicity which lies at the heart of shamanistic or animistic magic. The appearance of the crystal is in some way resonant with the “soul” or energy of the crystal. This is true even of those crystals which human hands have fashioned into certain shapes, but it is especially significant when these forms appear organically in nature of their own accord.

There is a reason that a particular crystal has entered your life, so familiarize yourself with the qualities listed below so that you might gain insight into what it wants to tell you. As you search for answers, leave no stone unturned!

Faces

Crystals are formed out of seven geometric forms: triangles, rectangles, squares, hexagons, rhomboids, parallelograms, and trapeziums.

These geometric forms lock together into a number of potential crystal shapes. The outer structure of a crystal subtly affects how energy flows through.

Let’s explore some of the crystal shapes:

• Amorphous: These crystals lack a coherent structure, as they were formed so quickly that no crystal structure had a chance to develop. Amorphous crystals allow energy to pass through freely and act rapidly as they have no rigid internal organization. They are strong-acting and instantaneous in their effect. Example: Obsidian
• Hexagonal: Formed out of interlocking hexagons, these crystals are highly energetic and particularly useful for energy balancing. Example: Rhodochrosite
• Isometric or Cubic: Formed out of squares, Cubic crystals stabilize and ground, providing excellent structure and reorganization support. This is the only crystal form that does not bend light rays as they pass through it. Example: Fluorite
• Monoclinic: Formed out of parallelograms, monoclinic crystals enhance perception and provide protection. Example: Azurite
• Orthorhombic: Formed from rhomboids, Othorhombic crystals cleanse, clear, and remove blockages. Example: Peridot
• Tetragonal: Formed from rectangles, Tetragonal crystals resolve and absolve energy. Example: Idocrase
• Triclinic: Formed from trapeziums, Triclinic crystals are helpful for exploring dimensions beyond our time/space continuum. Example: Astrophyllite
• Trigonal: Formed from triangles, Trigonal crystals are invigorating, stimulating, and rebalancing. Example: Quartz

Diaphaneity

• Transparent crystals affect the spiritual and intellectual faculties. These stones aid us in illumination, meditation, opening awareness, inner sight, and widening the gates of perception. They are boundary-dissolvers, helping us feel at one with everyone and everything around us. Examples of these include: Diamond, Topaz, or Amethyst.
• Opaque stones, which appear solid and let no light pass through, affect the physical body and material conditions of our lives. The effects of these stones are blunt, solid, practical, and earthly, often having to do with our physical routine, behavior, habits, schedule, or day-to-day activities. Examples of these include: Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli or Red Jasper.
• Translucent crystals, which let light partially pass through, act upon our emotions. These stones help boost our mood and keep our emotions constructive. Examples of these include: Rose Quartz or Moonstone.
• The Art of Crystal Gazing: A Beginner’s Guide to Scrying with Crystal Balls

Shapes

Points

A crystal point has a single tip or termination point at one end and a flat base at the other, which either occurs naturally or has been cut so that the crystal may stand and point up. These freestanding crystals are also sometimes called Towers, especially when they are larger.

Crystal points are naturally projective, directing and focusing energies out the termination point. Crystal points focus and beam energy upwards, making them ideal Focus Stones in Crystal Grids.

Directing the terminated end of a crystal point away from the body will draw off energy while facing the point inward will draw energy into the body,…