A chakra stone set is a small collection of gemstones, in which each stone corresponds to one of the body's subtle energy centers. You've probably seen them for sale in metaphysical shops and online.
Chakra stones are used in energy healing and meditation. Witches and Pagans may also use them for spellwork or divination. To the well-practiced crystal user, a chakra set is like a painter's palette. Handling the chakra stones allows the practitioner to focus on a particular vibration (or "color" of energy), quickly accessing it to achieve his or her aims.
Making your own chakra set is an easy and fun exercise, even for crystal beginners. It's a way to create personalized tool for healing and contemplation. As you assemble your chakra set, you'll learn lots about the various stones and their energetic properties.
In this article, we'll look at how to put together your own set of chakra gemstones. We'll also share some instructions for getting your chakra stones ready to use.
The Color Method
The concept of chakras, or psychic energy centers, originated in ancient India and is part of the discipline of Yoga. But Western magick workers have thoroughly adopted the chakra system, thanks in large part to New Age writers in the 1970s and 1980s. The most widely-read book on chakras is probably Wheels of Life, which has sold over 200,000 copies since it was published in 1987.
In New Age thought, there are usually seven chakras. Each chakra corresponds to a different color on the spectrum, with red at the base or Root Chakra, and violet (or white) at the top of the head. The colors represent different frequencies of vibration, from low to high. The idea of a "rainbow" of chakras has been so influential that it shows up in most modern writings on psychic energy.
Making Your Set
While not everyone agrees whether the colors of the chakras are literally true, the rainbow is indeed a handy metaphor for different types of energy. So we'll use the rainbow concept to help put together our bag of chakra stones. (Bonus: Choosing by color helps you remember which stone goes with which chakra.) We'll also stick with the usual seven chakra system—though you may feel free to adapt your kit to a system with more or fewer chakras.
One more note: For each chakra, I've included a list of suggested crystals or stones. Choose your favorite stone from each category, and end up with a chakra set that's truly unique.
Tumbled gemstones are the most popular for chakra kits, because they're relatively inexpensive and hold up the best to being handled. But crystals can be found in all sizes and shapes. Crystal spheres, wands, discs, pyramids, jewelry, uncut rough stones—any of these can be assembled into chakra sets.
I've tried to balance rare and expensive gemstones with ones that are readily available at most crystal shops. (A few stones appear in more than one list. Choose the attribution you feel is most appropriate.)
Root Chakra
Associated with the color Red, the Root Chakra sits at the base of the spine. It allows one to connect with Earth energy, and is strongly linked to instinct, survival, and the physical body. Many Root Chakra stones, like Red Jasper and Hematite, contain a high concentration of iron.
Just about any red or earth-colored stone can represent the Root Chakra in your kit. Black gemstones—often associated with protection—are also suitable Root Chakra stones.
Suggested stones for the Root Chakra: Red Jasper, Hematite, Garnet, Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Mahogany Obsidian, Ruby, Red Tiger's Eye.
Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra is located near the navel, lower back, and sexual organs. Its color is Orange and it governs passion, pleasure, and creative force.
Since the Sacral Chakra rules appetites, look for stones in bright, mouth-watering colors and pleasing textures. Our favorite Sacral Chakra crystal has got to be Carnelian—a vibrant red-orange gem whose name means "fleshy."
Suggested stones for the Sacral Chakra: Carnelian, Amber, Pink Moonstone, Citrine, Orange Calcite, Sunstone, Gold Sandstone.
Solar Plexus Chakra
Located in the middle of the body (just below the rib cage) the Solar Plexus Chakra is the center of personal power. Strength, charisma, confidence, and willpower are attributes that it controls. It's linked to the color Yellow. When shopping for Solar Plexus stones, look for a yellow-gold color, and/or stones with sparkles and rays.
Suggested stones for the Sacral Chakra: Tiger's Eye, Citrine, Yellow Calcite, Ametrine, Rutilated Quartz, Yellow Aventurine, Yellow Jasper, Yellow Sapphire.
Heart Chakra
The Heart Chakra allows one to experience love, generosity and empathy. Its main functions are processing emotions and connecting with others' energy.
Green is the color usually assigned to the Heart Chakra, and there are many, many green stones that are excellent for Heart Chakra work. But some stones on the list are pink or mixed colors. Not to worry. Remember: The earliest texts on pranic energy don't mention chakra colors, so it is likely that chakras of yogic and tantric traditions were colorless. Pick a stone that screams "heart energy" to you, regardless of the color.
Suggested stones for the Heart Chakra: Green Aventurine, Jade, Emerald, Rose Quartz, Pink Sapphire, Peridot, Unakite, Green Calcite, Green Fluorite, Rhodonite, Malachite, Chrysocolla.
Throat Chakra
The Throat Chakra is linked to color Blue, and it governs communication, self-expression, and truth. Situated between the head and the heart, it helps to mediate between thought and emotion. It's no big surprise that most of the stones on this list are in shades of blue.
Suggested stones for the Throat Chakra: Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Kyanite, Blue Tiger's Eye, Blue Goldstone, Amazonite, Turquoise, Blue Apatite.
Brow Chakra
Also called the "third eye," the Brow Chakra is located just above the eyes, between the eyebrows. Its color is Purple, and visualization, dreaming, and intuition are some of its functions. Working with the Brow Chakra helps to awaken psychic gifts (and perception in general).
When choosing crystals that vibrate with the Brow Chakra, deep blue or violet stones are recommended. Stones with iridescence or moving patterns are also very stimulating to the light-sensitive third eye.
Suggested gemstones for the Brow Chakra: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Purple (or Rainbow) Fluorite, Shungite, Labradorite, Moonstone, Opal, Kyanite.
Crown Chakra
Located just above the head, the Crown Chakra is the body's link with celestial and/or Divine energy. Just as White combines all the colors of the rainbow, a fully-functioning Crown Chakra blends all of body's diverse energies into a unified being.
Crown Chakra gemstones tend to be clear or white in color. They are though to be the stones with the highest and purest vibrations.
Suggested gemstones for the Crown Chakra: Clear Quartz, White Moonstone, Opalite, Selenite, Angelite, White Sapphire, Apophylite, Milky Quartz, Celestite, Moldavite.
Putting it all together
Pretty soon, you should have collected seven (or five or nine or ten) stones to go in your chakra set.
If one of the stones doesn't feel right, or doesn't appear to be playing nice with the others, then kick it to the curb. (I mean, gratefully place it somewhere to be re-purposed.) Keep shuffling rocks around until you have a set that represents the chakras to you.
Next, you'll want a home for your stones. A dedicated bag or box keeps the set from accumulating physical and psychic dust when not in use.
Depending on what stones you've picked out, some of them may need to be stored separately from the rest. Softer materials can pick up dings and scratches from their pokier neighbors. Selenite and Fluorite, for instance, are fragile divas. To avoid the problem, choose gems that are close on the Mohs scale. Or, work out a way to keep them in separate bags or compartments.
Finally, as with any magickal tool, it's a good idea to cleanse and bless your chakra stones. Use your favorite crystal cleansing method. There are several effective methods: Smudging, sunlight or moonlight, water (if it won't harm the stones you've chosen), other crystals, visualization, and breath. Set your intention that these stones will be your partner on your journey of learning and healing.
Attuning chakra stones
If you like, you can follow the cleansing process with an attunement exercise. This is definitely recommend if you've made the chakra set for your own personal practice. Basically, attuning your stones allows each one to get acquainted with the energy center it's going to represent.
To attune your chakra set, dim the lights, light some candles or incense--whatever helps you get into a meditative state. Take a few deep breaths and let go of any energy build-ups or distracting thoughts.
Starting with your Root Chakra stone, place each stone in turn over the chakra that it corresponds to. You will be adding the stones one by one, until you're "wearing" all of them. (Unless you have a lot of hands, the easiest way to do this is lying on your back.)
You can use a diagram of the chakras to help you place the stones—but remember chakras can be in slightly different places on different individuals. You will know the first stone is placed correctly by its feel. Some people experience the feeling as equilibrium, or heaviness, or a light tingling vibration. I like to describe it has a ball settling into a hole in the ground—once it's in the right place, it tends to stay comfortably settled.
Once the stone is placed on the chakra, gather some of the energy in that chakra and send a little pulse outward. This is similar to directing energy with your hands, but the energy starts in and exits directly from the chakra center. It may take the form of a beam, or a ball, or small petals of energy reaching outward.
Wait for a reply. You may feel the stone either absorbing the energy or reflecting it back to you (or a little of both, or nothing at all.) Take another breath, and try it again. Let the stone and the energy of your body "talk" until they feel as if they are in harmony. Do this until the stone can't possibly accept any more energy, or you sense that the dialogue has stopped.
Leaving the Root Chakra stone in place if possible, move on to the Sacral Chakra. Repeat the stone-charging process. Though you will be focusing on attuning only one stone at a time, you will have a gentle awareness of all the tones you have charged so far. Remove the stones in the reverse order, starting with the Crown Chakra and working down to the Root Chakra.
To check your work, put the chakra stones in a bag or on a table and gently run your receptive hand over them. Do you feel a difference in energy between the stones? Some may feel warmer or cooler than the others, or appear to vibrate faster or slower. (That's good!) If you did an exceptional job of attuning the stones to your body, you may even feel sensation in one of your chakras when holding the matching stone.
Your chakra set is now ready for energetic healing, divination, and meditating on the chakras. Chakra stones may need to be cleansed and re-attuned periodically to keep them working their best.
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