Crystals are naturally occurring minerals that have a repeating geometric pattern. They are believed to have energetic properties that can be harnessed for healing, manifestation, and spiritual purposes. Crystals work by emitting and absorbing energy, and it is believed that by working with crystals, we can shift our own energy to align with our intentions.

Crystal healing is a holistic therapy that uses crystals to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. It is based on the belief that crystals have a vibrational frequency that can be used to balance and align the body's energy centers. People often share experiences feeling a sense of relaxation, clarity, and emotional release when working with crystals.

Yes, crystals have been used in various forms of African spirituality for thousands of years. Different African cultures have their own unique beliefs and practices, but many share the belief that crystals and other natural elements have spiritual and healing properties. For example, in traditional Yoruba religion, crystals and other stones are used in divination rituals to communicate with ancestors and spirit guides. In Zulu culture, the sangoma (traditional healer) may use crystals, bones, or other tools to communicate with the spirit world and diagnose illnesses. In some African cultures, crystals are also believed to have protective and grounding properties, and may be worn as talismans or carried for good luck. Overall, the use of crystals in African spirituality is deeply rooted in tradition and is still widely practiced in many parts of the continent today.

To use crystals for meditation, you can hold a crystal in your hand or place it on your body while you meditate. Focus on the energy of the crystal and allow it to enhance your meditation experience. You can also place crystals around your meditation space or create a crystal grid to amplify the energy.

While crystals are generally considered safe to use, there are a few potential risks to be aware of. Some crystals may contain toxic materials, so it's important to research the properties of a crystal before using it. Also, some people may have an allergic reaction to certain crystals. Additionally, some people may experience a healing crisis when working with crystals, which can cause temporary discomfort or emotional release.

Clearing is another word for cleansing the energy that does not belong to it from your crystal. This is the most important action you can take with your crystals as it restores it back to its natural frequency. When a crystal is knocked out of tune from its own natural frequency, it's energy doesn't flow properly, therefore it cannot do its healing work effectively. When this happens, the crystal needs to be cleared.

Other times it needs to be cleared:

- When other people have handled them

- Before and after they have been used for healing

- After you purchase them

- After they have been in the presence of negative energies (arguments, chaos, heavy emotions, etc.)

- On a regular basis as maintenance

There are many ways to cleanse your crystals and some methods are better than others depending on the crystal. Some of the safest ways to cleanse crystals include:

Smoke (Smudging) - Just hold your crystal over the smoke until you feel it has had enough. This is considered to be “basic” crystal care.

Sound (Tibetan bowls, tuning forks, binary sounds, bells, vocal tuning) - This method is awesome because it allows you to cleanse all of your crystals at once. Just place all of them in the room where you’ll have a sound ceremony and you can enjoy a healing sound bath together with your crystals. 

Water (make sure you know which crystals can be placed in water) - Crystals that can go under water can be placed in a ceramic bowl, or a plastic container for anywhere between an hour to 24 hours. You can even pour ocean water over them and leave them be. 

Reiki - If you are a Reiki Master, simply holding your crystal and giving it Reiki can cleanse it.

Intent - Believe it or not, our intentions are one of the most potent powers we have. This is because everything is energy and the energy of our thoughts are vibrations, just like crystals are. Simply intending that your crystals cleanse themselves can do the trick if your belief is strong enough.

Programming is ideal when you need to be very specific about using a particular crystal.

To do this, hold the crystal in your hand and quiet your mind.

Dedicate its energies and your intentions to the highest good, and then state your goals, desires, and intentions clearly and specifically so that your crystals will know exactly what to do for you!

When you program your crystal, you’re sharing your thoughts and emotions about anything that you need help with.

It gives your crystals a laser-like focus that will support you whenever, wherever, and however they can.

Charging your crystals are not required, they are already operating on an energetic wavelength in its natural state. Charging gives a crystal additional energy, allowing your crystal to work with more vibrancy and for a longer duration before it needs to be cleansed again. Charging can also increase the intensity of any intention placed into the stone.

Here are a few common ways to charge your crystals:

Crystal Charging Station – A super simple but stylish way to energize your crystals, is to create a crystal charging station. Use a glass terrarium, designed for plants from Amazon, with a bag of pink Himalayan salt. Meditate and visualize light energy filling the box while holding your hands over it for just a couple of minutes. Ground your crystals into the salt, let it sit overnight by a window for the moon to hit it. You can also place selenite in the charging station which will cleanse and charge all of your crystals. 

Use Sunshine – Using the natural resources of the earth to charge crystals is extremely powerful, so let your crystals be charged by sunlight every now and again.  Just place them apart enough so they don’t cast a shadow over one another and are fully exposed to the sun's rays. Be mindful of leaving sun sensitive crystals in direct sunlight for too long. 

Use Moonlight – It does not matter if the sky is cloudy or not, whether they need to be directly under the moon, whether they need to be outside or just placed on a windowsill. Allow them to sit overnight and notice that the crystals feel lighter, an indicator of being cleansed and charged.

Use Soil – Allow your crystals to reform their connection with the earth by burying them in soil overnight. If you don’t have a garden, use an indoor plant with soil as it will be just as powerful.

Yes, some crystals can be damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun. Some types of crystals may fade, discolor, or become brittle if they are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. This is because the UV rays in sunlight can break down the chemical structure of some crystals, causing them to lose their color or become more fragile. Some examples of crystals that may be damaged by the sun include amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, and smoky quartz. To protect your crystals from sun damage, it's recommended to store them in a cool, dark place when not in use, and to avoid leaving them in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. If you do need to use your crystals in the sun, it's best to limit the exposure to a few minutes at a time, and to place them in a shaded area when not in use.

Yes, some crystals can be damaged by exposure to water. Water can cause some types of crystals to become dull, discolored, or even dissolve over time. Some examples of crystals that may be damaged by water include selenite, halite, calcite, and azurite. Additionally, some crystals may be porous and absorb water, which can cause them to break down over time. To protect your crystals from water damage, it's recommended to avoid exposing them to water for extended periods of time, such as wearing them while swimming or bathing. If you need to cleanse your crystals with water, use a gentle stream of cool water for a short period of time, or consider using other cleansing methods such as smudging or placing them in sunlight or moonlight. It's also important to dry your crystals thoroughly after any exposure to water to prevent damage.

Yes and no, other people can and probably will touch your crystals. However, it's important to keep in mind that crystals can absorb and hold onto energy, so if you're using them for healing or spiritual purposes, it's recommended to cleanse them after someone else has handled them. Additionally, if you're using your crystals in a shared space or for group meditation, it's a good idea to set some ground rules and ask others to handle them respectfully. Some people may also have allergies or sensitivities to certain types of crystals, so it's always a good idea to be mindful of other people's needs and preferences. Overall, while other people can touch your crystals, it's important to be mindful of their energy and take steps to keep them cleansed and charged for optimal use.

Crystals can be fragile and may chip or crack if dropped or mishandled, so it's important to handle them gently and store them carefully. Handling crystals with care is important to prevent damage or breakage. Here are some tips for handling crystals:

1. Wash your hands: Before handling your crystals, wash your hands to remove any dirt, oil or debris that could damage them.
2. Handle gently: Crystals can be fragile and may chip or break if mishandled, so it's important to handle them gently.
3. Use a soft cloth: If you need to wipe your crystals clean, use a soft, lint-free cloth to avoid scratching them.

There are many crystals that are safe to use in water. Here are some examples:

1. Clear Quartz: This crystal is safe to use in water and is often used to enhance the properties of other crystals that are being charged in water.
2. Amethyst: This crystal is safe to use in water and is often used for emotional healing and relaxation.
3. Rose Quartz: This crystal is safe to use in water and is often used for love and emotional healing.
4. Citrine: This crystal is safe to use in water and is often used to attract abundance and wealth.
5. Black Tourmaline: This crystal is safe to use in water and is often used for protection against negative energy.

Other popular crystals are Agate, Aventurine, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Red Jasper, Smokey Quartz and Tiger's Eye.

Herbs are used in various forms of African spirituality for healing, protection, and spiritual purposes. Different African cultures have their own unique beliefs and practices, but many share the belief that herbs have energetic properties that can be harnessed for spiritual and physical healing. Here are some examples of how herbs are used in African spirituality:

1. Smudging: Burning herbs such as sage, palo santo, or incense to cleanse and purify a space or person.
2. Tea: Drinking herbal tea made from herbs such as hibiscus, ginger, or peppermint for physical and emotional healing.
3. Spiritual Baths: Adding herbs such as eucalyptus, lavender, or rose petals to a bath for relaxation, purification, and spiritual cleansing.
4. Ointments and Salves: Applying herbal ointments or salves made from herbs such as aloe vera or shea butter for physical healing and protection.
5. Offerings: Offering herbs such as basil, sage, or rosemary to ancestors and spirit guides as a form of prayer or gratitude.

You can pray over your herbs or use a specific psalm that correlates with the purpose you intend to use it for. You may also program them with your own energy. To set them with your intentions, hold the herbs in your hand and visualize your intentions manifested. As you visualize your intentions manifested, try to feel the emotion of the manifestation as well. Sit for as long as you feel you need to, no set time is needed, trust your intuition. They are now ready for use. Give thanks to the herb and the Divine for its assistance.

Yes and no. Fresh herbs are beneficial as the life force of the plant is still prominent when in use. Dried herbs, while still carrying the energetic properties, will not carry that life force. However, since the most powerful force will be your own intentions, you can still have a very powerful ritual. Also, keep in mind, that African people are natual alchemists, able to turn any aspect of nature into a greater power.

Your herbs will be safe in the tin that they came in as long as you keep the lid closed. Store your herbs in a cool, dark place. Try to keep them from getting wet.

Dried herbs lose potency over time and the time it takes will vary by the drying process as well as the herb itself. To keep it simple, it is best to use your herbs within 1 year from the time of purchase.

There are several herbs that can be smoked for various purposes, including relaxation, spiritual connection, and healing. Here are some examples of smokeable herbs:

1. Cannabis: Cannabis is a well-known smokeable herb that is often used for relaxation, pain relief, and spiritual connection.
2. Mugwort: Mugwort is a smokeable herb that is often used for lucid dreaming, divination, and spiritual connection.
3. Damiana: Damiana is a smokeable herb that is often used as an aphrodisiac and mood enhancer.
4. Lavender: Lavender is a smokeable herb that is often used for relaxation and stress relief.
5. Sage: Sage is a smokeable herb that is often used for spiritual cleansing and purification.

While strict rules are often frowned upon in rituals, the fundamentals always prove useful. Magick favors odd numbers outside of the 4 elements. Using 3, 7 or 9 herbs are most common but using even up to 13 herbs in a bath is also a popular method. Trust your intuition as always when combining herbs. 

Add them to your candle magick by selecting the herbs that are aligned with your intentions. 

Add them to your bath by making a tea and pouring the tea into your bath or by adding them to a satchel to place in the bath with you. 

Add your herbs to a bag along with other items like charms, crystals, etc to create intentional mojo bags and talisman to carry with you or place in specific areas. 

Herbs can be consumed for medicinal purposes through teas and by smoking them. However, please keep in mind that due diligence in the safety of herb consumption is crucial as some can be deadly or cause serious illness.