A Beginner’s Guide to Crystals: Energy, Intention + the Power of a Talisman

Eight years ago, I found myself in one of the most disorienting chapters of my life. I had lost my job and been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and while the physical healing took its own course, the emotional weight was something harder to grasp. I craved a sense of presence, connection, and a reminder that I wasn’t alone.

That’s when I first began connecting with crystals. Not because I thought they were magic, but because something about them felt steady when everything else felt uncertain. I started carrying small stones in my pocket, each one a symbolic anchor for something I was trying to hold onto: courage, calm, trust. They became talismans. Over time, I began making jewelry out of them, stringing these stones with intention, creating pieces not just to wear, but to carry a sense of strength and meaning.

I’ve worked with crystals ever since. Not in a rigid, mystical way, but in a deeply personal one. I believe in the energetic frequencies each crystal holds (science supports that everything vibrates, including us). But more than that, I believe in what they represent. For the skeptics, think of them like physical affirmations, small, beautiful reminders of something powerful we already carry inside: joy, love, resilience, grounding, clarity.

If you’re just getting started with crystals, this guide is for you.

Why Crystals?

Crystals have been used for thousands of years across cultures as tools for healing, protection, and energy balancing. In modern practice, they’re often used to enhance ritual, intention-setting, and nervous system support. Whether you believe in their energetic properties or simply enjoy having a physical object to anchor your focus, crystals can be a supportive, grounding presence in your everyday life.

They can be:

• Tucked into a pocket for the day ahead
• Placed under your pillow for calm sleep
• Worn as jewelry to carry their energy with you
• Displayed around your home for beauty + frequency shifts
• Used in ritual to call in or clear energy

My Favorite Beginner Crystals + What They Represent

Rose Quartz

The Stone of Love

If you start with just one crystal, let it be rose quartz. It represents unconditional love- toward yourself and others. It reminds us to soften, to open, to come back to the heart. Love is the highest frequency we can operate from, and this crystal brings that energy forward.

Amethyst

The Stone of Peace + Intuition

Known for its calming and protective energy, amethyst supports sleep, clarity, and inner wisdom. I often suggest it for anyone experiencing anxiety or mental overstimulation. It pairs beautifully with rest rituals and quiet evening practices.

Citrine

The Stone of Abundance + Confidence

Bright and golden like the sun, citrine carries the energy of joy, confidence, and manifestation. It’s a powerful stone for creativity, self-worth, and trusting your voice.

Smoky Quartz

The Stone of Grounding + Release

Smoky quartz is one of my go-to crystals for clearing negative energy and grounding into the body. It’s especially helpful when you’re in transition, shedding old stories, or trying to reset after stress or emotional overload.

Clear Quartz

The Master Healer

This is a versatile stone that amplifies energy and can be programmed with any intention. Think of it as a crystal amplifier- great on its own or paired with other stones to enhance their properties.

How to Use Crystals in Daily Life

There’s no right or wrong way to use crystals, but here are a few ideas:

• As a talisman: Slip one into your pocket or bra to carry it with you through the day. Let it be a touchstone when you need to pause or reset.
• In jewelry: Wearing crystals is a beautiful way to feel their energy against your skin. Necklaces can support the throat and heart centers, while bracelets connect to the pulse of your body.
• In rituals: I pair crystals with nearly all of my rituals. Whether it’s a full moon release, a house clearing, or a simple nervous system reset, each crystal acts as both an energetic enhancer and a reminder of the intention you’re working with.
• In your home: Place crystals in spaces where you spend time, near your bed, on your altar, next to your bath, or beside your journal. Let their energy subtly shape the atmosphere.

What Matters Most

Crystals aren’t meant to replace healing, they’re meant to support it. They’re not magic wands, but meaningful companions. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need, a gentle reminder of what we’re capable of. That we’re not alone. That joy and grounding and love are not just things we chase, but frequencies we can return to.

This is why I include crystal pairings in my rituals, not to be prescriptive, but to invite you to feel what’s calling to you. To choose a stone not just for what it “means,” but for what it awakens in you.

Because healing isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet. A small stone tucked in your palm. A whisper that reminds you: you’re not alone.

To see how I use them in my rituals, you can download the free Morning Softening Ritual here.