Curious about crystals? Here’s the perfect guide to get you started.
By Leslie K. Hughes
Crystals. To some, they are just pretty rocks. But to others, they are healers. If you are someone in the former group, then buckle up because we are taking a ride on the crystal train. Guiding us on our journey is Courtney Abbiati, Co-Founder and Chief Mystic at L.A.-based The Urban and The Mystic.
The world of crystal healing may feel foreign, pretentious, and woo-woo-y. But after this read through our talk with Courtney, I’m willing to bet that all those preconceived notions of crystals will be thrown out the window.
So, let’s start with the basics and a bit of background. Crystals are simply rock formations. However, they have been treasured as something much more meaningful since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Courtney shares “I often joke that crystals are not something that was brought to notoriety by the Kardashians. Yes, the Kardashians love them, but we, as a society, have been working with crystals since the time of ancient Samaria. In fact, the Egyptians used to even grind up certain stones and use them as makeup.”
Our ancestors have, over the years, discovered the power of crystals and have incorporated their healing abilities into everyday life. “What is so incredible about the time we’re in now,” says Courtney, “is that we are finally learning from those wise people that came before us and are learning how to use crystal energy in our modern-day lives. This is no longer a woo-woo, esoteric, hippie thing, it’s becoming mainstream.”
Regardless of whether you believe that crystals can heal, there is no denying that they play an important role in modern-day life. From their use in beauty products to their place in jewelry (diamonds are forever), and even to their use in cell phones and other electronics, you likely (unknowingly) use crystals every day.
So now that we’ve established their importance, let’s dive into how you can use these beautiful little rocks to bring some healing and positive energy into your life with The Urban and The Mystic’s Chief Mystic, Courtney.
VM | How did you get into healing with crystals?
CA | I am a lifelong seeker, meaning I have a never-ending hunger to learn new and different ways to get what we’re all looking for in life: happiness, peace, abundance, etc. When you’re open to different forms of healing pretty much everything and anything will cross your path and then it’s up to me to try things on for size and see what feels good, what helps.
Enter crystals, at first they were just these really beautiful things that were around and little by little I began learning things about them and seeing, firsthand, how they benefited my life. I was never hesitant in the process simply because that is not my nature. A seeker is excited to find new things and when you do, or at least when I do and it feels good, I dive in headfirst without a crash helmet.
VM | How have crystals changed your life?
CA | I believe that everything you need is inside of you, whether you realize it or not. For instance, you might say, “I’m scared of everything.” And while, yes, that’s true in this moment, I know there is bravery inside of you that just needs more “air time” than you’re giving your fear. Which voice or energy are you giving your time and attention to? With crystals, they are a physical and visual representation of the energies you want in your life. We move so quickly these days and that causes us to miss things, to not feel what’s going on inside of you and crystals, when used as something more than a pretty decorative piece on your mantle, help you go within, to notice where your mind and heart are at.
This is a long way of saying that crystals have helped me slow down and take notice of my life and how I’m living it. I have two speeds, fast and faster and crystals keep me present, grounded, leading with my heart, and connected to my intuition. This is not hyperbolic when I say, crystals have changed my life.
VM | If someone could only get one crystal, what crystal would you tell them to get? And why?
CA | It is well known in the crystal world that you don’t choose the crystal, the crystal chooses you.
So the one crystal you or anyone should own is the one that jumped off the shelf and into your hands, the one you can’t put down or stop thinking about and I promise you, there is always one.
This right here is the perfect example of what I just mentioned, crystals help you go within so you can listen to your needs, wants, your heart and act from that place. That is very different than how most people move through their daily lives, and therein lies some of the most beautiful magic crystals have to offer you.
VM | What other crystals are must-haves?
CA | There are definitely stones that I think everyone should have which are:
- Rose quartz, the stone of unconditional love
- Black tourmaline for protection and grounding
- Malachite, the stone of transformation
- Citrine for creativity and abundance
- Selenite for peace and protection
- And last, but not least, amethyst, the People’s Choice of crystals. It offers protection, links you to your intuition, and transmutes negative energy into positive energy. Amethyst is not just another pretty face.
VM | Are there stones that help with stress, depression, anxiety, creativity, etc?
CA | I love selenite for stress as it calms me the hell down and it opens your crown chakra, which is a fancy way of saying it gets you out of your head and stops you from overthinking.
For depression, I love smoky quartz as it helps ground you and enables you to move forward without fear. However, I really love any stone connected to the throat chakra for depression as well, as I feel a lot of the time when we’re depressed it’s because we feel as though our needs are not being heard or that we don’t know how to vocalize what is going on. So lapis lazuli, sodalite, and blue kyanite are all wonderful stones to help you communicate and in turn lift the depression.
Creativity is citrine and carnelian for me, they just get me in my flow!
And for love of all kinds, healing, calling it in, and keeping it alive, it’s rose quartz.
VM | Do you have a favorite crystal? Why?
CA | I have favorite stones for certain things. I always need amethyst in a communal space as it ensures good vibes reign supreme. There is ALWAYS a piece of black tourmaline by my front door and in my car for protection. I love meditating with selenite for peace. I’m a medium and use blue kyanite and apophyllite whilst doing my readings. There’s also a stone called pink Himalayan quartz that just does something to my soul. It’s very expensive but worth every penny. It’s the stone of the divine feminine and it’s dreamy AF.
VM | Why do you think crystals are so powerful?
CA | Crystals are so powerful because anything that can help you realize and work with your own power is, to me, magic and one hell of a blessing in your life.
Crystals are these breathtaking gifts from the earth that teach us about ourselves, show us where we need healing or peace, or help us become more creative, grounded, etc, all of the things that help us become the best and fullest versions of ourselves.
Anything that can do all of that is infinitely powerful.
Shop all of the stunning crystals and other magical goodies over at theurbanandthemystic.com and be sure to follow along on their IG @theurbanandthemystic for inspiration and all the good vibes.
