Crystal Q&A - Ask a Question about crystals & get an Answer!

[Admin]

This topic is moderated by Kristi Huggins, an author and project manager for HealingCrystals.com. Kristi recently published a second edition of her book The Gemstone Healing Guide, A Healing Apothecary http://www.crystalmoonsanctuary.com/GemstoneHealingGuide/GemstoneHealingGuide.htm and is quite knowledgeable about crystals

Do you have a question about crystals? Post it here and Kristi will post a reply.

We at Healing Crystals are delighted to be able to provide a forum for questions and answers about crystals. If you are thinking of a question, you can be sure that many others are thinking of the same question.

Read the questions too. If you have more ideas on some of the questions, feel free to post your opinions as well.

Thank you for participating in our crystal community!

The Healing Crystals Team

[Crystal]

Hi Kristi,

How hard is it to drill a hole in a stone? Does drilling the hole affect the metaphysical properties of the stone?

Thanks,
Crystal

[Crystal]

Hi Kristi,

What's so special about the shiva lingam? Is it the shape? What does it mean? How do I use it metaphysically?

Thanks,
Crystal

[Crystal]

Hi Kristi,

I frequently feel "spacey" when I work with lots of clear quartz points. Why is this? How can I work with them without feeling "spacey".

Thanks,
Crystal

[Subtle1023]

Hi Kristi,

What is a vogel and how do I use it? Why does it have so many sides? Which end of the vogel puts energy in and which end takes energy out?

Thanks for your help,
Mimi

[Kristi]

Hi Kristi,
How hard is it to drill a hole in a stone? Does drilling the hole affect the metaphysical properties of the stone?
Thanks,
Crystal

Hi Crystal,
There are a few things you will need in order to drill a hole in a stone successfully.

First is the right stone. You will need a hard stone such as ruby, garnet, quartz -- by "hard" I mean something that is 7 or higher on the Moh's hardness scale--anything less may break or chip apart. You will want a stone that does not already have any pits or internal cracks.

Secondly, you will need a carbide drill and drill bit. The bit should be about 1/16 of an inch less in diameter than the size of the stone you are going to drill.

Most importantly, patience. To be precise, the work may be a bit slow going, so take your time and do not rush the drilling process.

eHow.com is a wonderful reference on how to do just about anything, so I am sharing their information on the drilling process. http://www.ehow.com/how_4397046_drill-hole-cabochon-jewelry.html These instructions are for drilling a jewelry cabochon, but they would work equally well for a tumbled stone.

Step1--Fill a medium sized bowl with water. Make sure the bowl is large enough for you to hold the stone under water. Set the bowl on a level, water resistant work surface.
Step2--Identify where you would like the hole to be on your cabochon and mark with a fine point permanent marker. Make sure you do not drill too close to the edge of the stone.
Step3--Hold the cabochon under the water in the bowl. Using the carbide drill, slowly drill the hole in the identified spot.
Step4--Once the hole is drilled through the stone, you can flip it to drill through the same hole on the other side.
Step5--Rinse the cabochon in clear water and dry with a soft towel.

To answer the second part of your question--Will drilling affect the metaphysical properties of the stone? For me personally, I do not think it altars the properties of the stone at all. As humans, we poke holes in our ears, noses, tongues, eyebrows, etc and while cosmetically we may look different, we are still part and parcel of the divine/god/goddess

with love and crystal blessings,
Kristi

[Kristi]

Hi Kristi,
What's so special about the shiva lingam? Is it the shape? What does it mean? How do I use it metaphysically?
Thanks,
Crystal

Hi Crystal

The Shiva Lingam is one of the most sacred icons of the ancient as well as modern world. These Lingams come only from the Narmada River in the Central Western part of India. Accessible only during the dry season, these stones are collected from the riverbed by only a few families who have been trained in the way to identify only the most special pieces. Once collected, these incredible artisans finally shape and polish the stones to bring out the natural markings, which are inherent in their composition, much like a diamond cutter who cuts the rough material to bring out the best in the diamond.

The Lingam is symbolic of the Divine Creative Manifestation. The Lingam shape is representative of the power of Shiva, the Lord of Creation, the masculine creative energy. The markings, also known as the yoni, symbolize the feminine energy, the seed which is fertilized to manifest the creative power in the dance of the cosmos. Geologist theorize that the iron oxide of which the yoni is composed, was impregnated in the river bed millions of years ago by a meteorite.

The Lingam also represents the harmony or balance of the soul that is maintained within the hearts of all of us, the Light that shines within. It is actually the shape of the soul and the consummate balance of the Universe. this Sacred Stone relates to the fourth chakra, the heart chakra, and is the manifestation of the love energy that resides in all of us. It seems by destiny everyone has a lingam that has an energy that relates intimately to them.

The quartz composition (along with basalt and agate), and the shape make them powerful energy generators appropriate for healing and unique tools for meditation and cleansing.

The Crystalline Communion 2000 states, "...any mineral can be used for linga; however, at one locality on the Narmada River in central India, red and brown chalcedony with iron oxide and goethite is worked through shaping and polishing to form a more balanced ritual object which combines masculine and feminine attributes, providing a unified vibration."

In reference to Kundalini energies, it also says, "...In India, the lingam stands in the middle of the yoni, or the center of the root (muladhara) chakra where it represents a light-lingam around which Kundalini energy spirals up to the crown chakra and beyond."

The linga to many represents the center axis of life, connecting earth with universe.

Upon further research, I found the following in Melody's Love is in the Earth Supplement Z. In it, she gives a lot of information concerning Kundalini and the Lingam.

"...this formation is a "Stone of Kundalini". It serves to activate the movement of the sacred energy, which is slumbering within the self, so that one may comprehend the profound mysteries of enlightenment which lead one to spiritual consciousness and to the actualization of perfection. The Lingam stimulates the conduction of the energies of the body into a subtle channel, which traverses the interior of the spine, awakening each of the major energy centers on the path to the crown chakra. As each major energy center is awakened, the energy flow emanates through the body, additionally activating the minor chakras.

Utilization of the formation provides for the upward movement of a concentration of energy, which stimulates and opens each chakra during the successive progression. One will become aware of the location of placement for the Lingam via recognition of the following indications:

**Movement of the first three chakras: awareness to properly regulate and to direct ones experience upon the physical plane.

**Movement through the heart chakra: awareness of the world divinity.

** Movement through the throat chakra: recognition of a oneness with the ethereal body, conveying purification and renewal of the physical body.

**Movement through the third eye: freedom from the limitations of the senses, understanding of the Higher Self, and maintenance of distinction between the Conscious Self and the Higher Self.

**Movement into and through the crown chakra: transcendence of the action and knowledge of duality, merging with 'All that Is' and with the fulfillment and dissolution of the worlds of sound, form and the mind.

Each application of the Lingam will provide for the progression of the movement of the Kundalini through the chakras such that ultimately one may feel the movement form the base to the crown."

with love and crystal blessings,
Kristi

[Kristi]

Hi Kristi,
I frequently feel "spacey" when I work with lots of clear quartz points. Why is this? How can I work with them without feeling "spacey".
Thanks,
Crystal

Hi Crystal,
Great question!!

Crystals are energy, just as you are energy. When working with a crystal, its energy is in your energy field, merging and dancing together. The energy of quartz, for example, amplifies the energy of that which is around it, which in this case, is you. It raises your own energy vibration. Many times, especially if you are sensitive to energy, this will make you feel spacey or like you are floating.

What I would suggest, when working with high vibration crystals, is to include a grounding crystal in the mix as well. Something like Obsidian, Black Tourmaline, Red Jasper, etc will keep your "feet" on the ground while still being able to access the energy of the higher vibrational piece you are working with. Think of the grounding stone as a tether of sorts. It simply keeps you present and grounded while you use the quartz to raise your vibration.

Hope this helps!
with love and crystal blessings,
Kristi

[Kristi]

Hi Kristi,
What is a vogel and how do I use it? Why does it have so many sides? Which end of the vogel puts energy in and which end takes energy out?
Thanks for your help,
Mimi

Hi Mimi,
My personal knowledge is limited when it comes to Vogel crystals, so I went reached out to the internet to find out what I could to assist with your question. I did find out some interesting information about the two "points" which may be of help.

"The large, female end of each of these wands is cut precisely to the interior angle of 51 degrees, 51 minutes and 51 seconds, the same angle as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Universal Life Force Energy (also called prana or chi) enters the female end of the wand, spirals down the body of the wand, and is amplified every time it encounters a facet. The super-charged energy stream coalesces at the male end of the wand, and is emitted as a highly coherent laser-like beam for use in meditation, vibrational healing and subtle communications."

The rest of the article is just as fascinating! http://www.satyacenter.com/library-curtis_lang_archive-vogel-crystals
It shares information on what a Vogel crystal is, a little on Marcel Vogel (the creator of the Vogel) and lots more!

I am sure there are others here that may add/share to this Vogel discussion. Has anyone worked with Vogel's? What have been your experiences? I cannot wait to learn more!

with love and crystal blessings,
Kristi

[Kathy1423]

I would like to know if there is one specific crystal that would help open the third eye to angels, guides, akashic records?? Thank You