Crystals for Psychic Protection & Grounding
by Donna Thomson
Through my explorations of crystals and gemstones I've come to discover several which help with psychic protection. Interestingly, almost all of the stones I'm about to mention also work to ground your energy. They also all contain come level of iron in their composition.
My theory is that it is the grounding action of these stones that help with psychic protection because you remain more 'physically' grounded and are therefore less susceptible to interference by spirits. When you are asleep or undergoing psychic activity you are working at higher states and more open to spirit interference as your 'spiritual body' is open and accessible.
I've included some examples of how I've actually used crystals for protection, many cases of which do involve dealing with earthbound spirits. Another reason someone may need psychic protection is if they find they are sensitive to negative energy put out by other people and/or the environment. Many of the crystals mentioned below help to create a protective barrier around your energy field and/or absorb negative energy.
Bloodstone (Heliotrope)
Bloodstone is an opaque quartz-based stone, consisting of dark green jasper with red jasper spots which can resemble blood, hence its name.
My very first experience of needing psychic protection was when I had a negative entity (spirit) disturb my sleep. At the beginning of the experience my dream was interrupted by seeing and feeling a bloodstone crystal roll across my stomach or solar plexus*. Then I was aware of a spirit trying to scare me and access my body. Eventually I was able to wake myself up enough to call on my guides for help. I feel that my guides were already aware of the spirit before I was and helped to protect me with the bloodstone, as the spirit had not been able to enter my body. Once I woke properly I was able to place extra protection around myself and have my guides help keep the spirit away. I have since learned to place a bubble of white light around myself each night for protection because the energy of someone with strong psychic ability acts like a beacon to earthbound spirits while asleep.
I realised that when the bloodstone was rolled across my solar plexus* in my sleep, it was working to protecting my personal 'power' and therefore also bring courage. I've also found myself drawn to place bloodstone over my solar plexus* at other times, confirming that these crystals protect one's power and certainly against 'spirit protection' or outside influences. I feel that it protects by strengthening the aura.
* To learn more about the solar plexus and other chakras click here.
Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz is also a variety of quartz, which is transparent and ranges from light brown to almost black in colour.
I became aware of the protective properties of smoky quartz in a very similar manner as above. After waking from an encounter with a negative spirit (I'd forgotten my white light protection before sleep), I was scared to fall asleep again when 'smoky quartz' popped into my head and I saw an image of my large tumbled stone. I knew straight away that it would ground me but also protect me. I held it in my right hand, with my left hand guarding my solar plexus (instinctively) while I worked on visualising protection around myself. I hung onto the crystal and fell asleep without further problem.
After that experience I often felt drawn to place smoky quartz at the foot-end of my bed for regular protection and grounding while sleeping. It helped me feel calm, comfortable and protected whenever I used it.
In a similar manner, smoky quartz can be used for grounding and protection during meditation, psychic work, or general daily activities. Sometimes when using psychic abilities you can feel 'away with the fairies' and find it hard to concentrate. Using a grounding crystal such as smoky quartz helps to bring you back down to earth with a clearer mind while still using your psychic abilities.
Turquoise
Turquoise is formed from hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate. Its colours can range from bright blues to greenish grey colours.
My first experience of the protective properties of turquoise again relates to an experience with spirits. I'd woken after one of the aforementioned spirits had returned to harass me (allowed by my guides, to help me learn how to deal with spirits). My Native American guide, Red Eagle, indicated for me to use turquoise for protection. At the time I could feel the connection between Native Americans and turquoise, later finding out that turquoise is a very sacred stone to them. Anyway, I held that turquoise all night and was kept safe from the spirit.
Interestingly, lore has it that turquoise will change colour to warn when the owner is in danger. My original turquoise is a very dark tumbled stone but after I used it for protection I suddenly noticed the small green flecks were now dominating and the stone appeared much brighter and vibrant - greener.
It has also been said that turquoise also protects from accidents. I personally feel inclined to place a stone in my car for protection when driving.
Tourmaline (black)
There are different types and colours of tourmaline, however I refer here to the black tourmaline which contains high amounts of iron.
I've found tourmaline excellent for drawing away negativity, either from myself if negative energy has built up, or by placing it on my computer to stop as much radiation affecting me.
This has been my recent favourite and I used it when I inadvertently invited a spirit to me (while awake this time). After I'd done a protection and clearing as effectively as possible, I immediately (instinctively) got my tourmaline crystal and held it to my solar plexus for about half an hour. It worked very effectively to draw off of negative energy I was feeling and made me feel very secure and protected after only a short time.
I've also used tourmaline as a protective crystal while sleeping, especially when I was aware there was a spirit around before going to sleep.
Tourmalinated Quartz
This type of crystal consists of thin shards of black tourmaline which have been surrounded in clear quartz in the formation process. It therefore combines the effects of both the tourmaline and clear quartz.
I haven't found this crystal (a tumbled stone) as strong as my solid tourmaline crystal but it's still effective as a general protective stone. I wore my tourmalinated quartz crystal in my pocket the day after my experience with the spirit mentioned above. Even though the spirit had been harmless I was worrying about my protection against other energies in general. I felt good with it in my pocket, especially when I went out grocery shopping. I found that I didn't feel the usual negative vibes while around so many other people.
Chiastolite
In browsing my crystals for protective stones I was also drawn to chiastolite which is a brown crystal with a naturally occurring black cross (carbon).
Chiastolite has a very spiritual feel, as in relating strongly to spirit and promoting connections with that aspect of ourselves. I've personally used chiastolite while meditating to access past life information too. In terms of protection, chiastolite seems to have a similar quality to bloodstone in its ability to ward off negative energy and protect one's spirit self.
Amethyst
So many of the mentioned crystals are varieties of quartz and amethyst is no exception. Like smoky quartz, amethyst is a transparent quartz crystal but this time in shades of violet or purple, the darker the better in my opinion. Iron oxide is what transforms clear quartz into amethyst, giving it its colour and unique properties.
Clearly a favourite for many people for so many reasons, amethyst is a gorgeous crystal which just happens to also provide psychic protection. I mostly use amethyst as my psychic and meditation crystal but I do keep a small cluster on my bedside table as a general protective stone while I sleep.
I also own a natural amethyst point pendant to wear when doing psychic readings to protect my energy from outside influences. In this regard it is useful for all situations where you wish to protect your energy, whether against spirits or negative energy in general. Amethyst, for its lovely aesthetics, is one of the best crystals to place in any room of your house for promoting positive energy and providing protection.
Summary of Uses
1. Holding or wearing the crystal during the day will bring protection from negative energy coming from others, the environment, or spirits if you find they are drawn to you.
2. Placing the crystal under your pillow, at the foot of your bed, or near you while sleep, will aid with protection and grounding while asleep if you are prone to visits by spirits or perhaps have been experiencing bad dreams.
3. You may wish to protect yourself from the radiation (negative energy) of electrical appliances such as computers and microwaves. In this case place the crystal on top of the appliance or between it and your body, such as on your desk at work.
4. Place a crystal in your car or take it with you on other journeys for general protection.
5. When specifically using crystals for grounding, it's a good idea to place the crystal at your feet to draw the energy downward. This can be done while lying down, whether awake or asleep.
6. Placing a larger display piece in a room, e.g. an amethyst or smoky quartz cluster, can aid to absorb or repel negative energy, especially in rooms you spend the most time in such as the loungeroom and bedrooms.
Conclusion
So as you can see, there are many crystals which help with negative energy, protection and grounding. There will be more than the few I've mentioned here and generally the darker crystals, i.e. black and browns, have grounding/protective qualities. It is personal taste as to which protective crystals you may make use of yourself. Those mentioned above have proven themselves to work very effectively for me.
I highly recommend either smoky quartz or tourmaline for those looking for protection and/or grounding and who are only just starting to explore crystals. They are wonderful basics!