Crystals can be powerful tools for a variety of spiritual purposes. But like any tool, they must be properly selected, diligently cared for, and expertly deployed. Just as you wouldn't use a screwdriver to pound in a nail, you have to know which crystal to select for a specific use.

Conscientious care of tools is important. My father taught me to never abuse tools, never leave them out in the rain, and never loan them to anyone. We had a lazy neighbour who always left his tools out in the rain, and of course they rusted. My father held this man in contempt. In my father's opinion, you could judge a man's character by how he cared for his house, his yard, and his tools. Maybe he had a point.

It's not enough to purchase a handful of crystals, or a crystal ball, display them on your altar, and expect powerful magicks. These are working tools, and like any tool, require skill to use.

Selecting your Crystals
When you first begin studying crystal lore, you find you want to own them all! They are fascinating, pretty things possessing a vast spectrum of colors and vibrational harmonies. But I suggest you limit yourself to a few, easily-maintained crystals that are simple to use and can be deployed for many conditions. You can't go wrong starting with a good piece of Quartz, a rich Amethyst, Tiger's Eye, Red Jasper, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Sodalite, Aventurine, Rose Quartz, and Malachite, for example.

You might want to invest in a set of chakra stones, for balancing and attuning the seven chakras. My point is to decide what tools you need before you go on a crystal-buying binge. This can save you lots of money in the long run.

Caring for your Crystals
One you've built your crystal toolkit, you have to learn how to maintain it. The most important technique to learn is how to charge and discharge crystals. Most crystals are charged with your own psychic energy, or with natural energies from the Earth, Sun, or Moon. Many practitioners charge crystals with sacred energies from angelic, extraterrestrial, or other supernatural realms for healing purposes.

Discharging (or "cleansing") crystals is another important process. When a crystal is deployed for healing purposes, it can absorb a load of negative energy. This energy must be released from the crystal before it can be used again. Many crystals, such as citrine and kyanite, never need discharging. Others have very specific ways of discharging. Some crystals can be discharged under running water, but some are water-soluble and will melt away to nothing. Others are discharged by exposure to sunlight or moonlight. There are crystals that can be discharged by placing them in a bowl of dried rice, or salt. You can discharge crystals by "uncrossing" them in incense or with Hoyt's cologne.

Using Crystals as Tools
The practical applications for crystals can fill many books. In fact, I wrote one. But in brief, crystals can be used to:

• Align and balance chakras. Every crystal resonates to one or more chakra and can be used for this purpose.
• Absorb negative emotional and spiritual energy. Black Obsidian, Heliodor, Ruby in Kyanite, and Agate are good for this.
• Grounding. Red Jasper, Petrified Wood, Ruby.
• Assisting recovery from emotional, spiritual and sometimes physical trauma. Peridot, Smoky Quartz, Amethyst, Howlite, Lepidolite.
• Divination and scrying. Obsidian, Isis Calcite, Nebula Stone.
• Silent Influence. Clear Quartz, Red Crystal Ball.
• Attracting prosperity, love, luck and other desirable conditions. Malachite, Sunstone, Rose Quartz, Lodestone, Pyrite, Watermelon Tourmaline.
• Repelling hostile or negative conditions. Kunzite, Picture Jasper.
• Hex breaking. Black Tourmaline, Rutilated Quartz, Green Tourmaline.
• Enhancing meditation, astral projection, dream yoga. Purple Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Angelite.
• Assisting with necromancy, spiritualism, remote viewing, psychism, clairvoyance, spellwork. Nuumite, Jet, Celestine.
• Forging closer bonds between couples/friends. Blue Lace Agate, Rose Quartz, Citrine.
• Banishing nightmares, phobias, obsessive thoughts. Amethyst, Iolite, Unakite.
• Help promote weight loss. Apatite, Muscovite.
• Help with addictive behaviors. Iolite, Unakite.
• Help stabilize moods: Ocean Jasper, Tiger's Eye, Black Onyx.