Crystalized Magic

TOPIC: Magic

SOURCE: My experience with using stone’s, crystal’s and rock’s energy to get particular outcomes: i.e., luck, strength, love, health, warmth, anxiety relief, etc.This is defined as magic because there is no practical relationship between the energy of crystals and luck or  love.

RELATION: In my observation I have seen magic, as defined in lecture: “[A] practice meant to affect an outcome.” Also I have seen “magic appear where human action alone is ineffective” and “facilitate[es] human control over those dimensions that are otherwise outside of control”(from lecture).
My beliefs about crystal energy have to do with, what was defined in lecture as, “witch craft”: “[A] belief in a life force (essence or energy)”. 



DESCRIPTION: When thinking about how I began using the energy from stones and crystals to get a particular outcome, I could not think of a particular instant. The combination of growing up in a Waldorf (*) private school that encouraged spiritual growth, and having a “hippy” mom may have lead to these beliefs. I always adored being in nature and I collected crystals and stones, along with sticks, leaves and bird’s nest, as a child.  Most of my knowledge about the energy in crystals comes from books that I have collected through out my life. Some were gifts, some bought, some found.  Also, my experience with certain crystals has encouraged the development of my favoritism to certain crystals.  I have met many people in my life that believe in the energy in crystals, and I also know that each individual’s belief varied in some way. In my belief, each crystal has certain energy that brings different outcomes to the individual (similar to the different medicines used in society).  In addition to the crystal having energy, the person also has energy.  This energy can be put into crystals. I always try to put energy into my crystals when I am feeling extremely happy and full of positive energy.  I have a friend that has certain crystals that only she can touch, because she has put all her positive energy into them.  In her belief, another person’s energy would disrupt the energy in the crystal.  To me, as long as people are adding positive energy to my crystals, they are more them welcome to hold them. 

Me, meditating with blue lace agate on my third eye.
It is supposed to open your third eye chakra***. 

COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS:
There is no practical reason or proof that a crystal’s energy can change the outcome of something in “real life”, so it is classified as magic. The crystals hold the potential to change things out of human control, so it is "magical".  If everyone in our society used crystals to get the outcomes they wanted, we would function differently.  Imagine if you went to the doctor's for anxiety and instead of prescribing you xanax he gave you lithium quarts** to destress and calm you with its energy. Imagine the changes in society that could come from these beliefs. From what we have learned throughout this semester, I feel that a society's beliefs can influence everything from language to rituals and values. A belief in magical powers of energy crystals could alter the functions of a society.  This would in turn change how humans intersct in that society.  Other societies that we read about use "magical potions" or drugs to get intouch with spirit energy. This belief shaped partsof that society.

quartz. 

* http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/grades1_8.asp

**http://www.healingcrystals.com/Quartz__Lithium_Articles_79.html
***http://howtoopenchakras.com/third-eye-chakra/