Many stones aren’t refined but rather found in clusters, which are powerful emitters of prosperous energy.”

What I have

Lava. This porous stone is cool to the touch, with little specks that sparkle sometimes in the light. Its texture calms me whenever I feel fidgety. As it was forged by the very fires of the earth, it symbolizes raw creativity and letting go of the past. Black obsidian. Most dark stones are good guardians against depression. Black obsidian is also formed from lava, a kind of volcanic glass. It’s the stone of truth, impenetrable by light, that brings mysteries to the surface. It emits a soft, warm pull of energy that gives me clarity. Pyrite. Pyrite shines almost like metal and is the heaviest stone in my collection so far. Many stones aren’t refined but rather found in clusters, which are powerful emitters of prosperous energy. It’s a masculine stone that relieves pressure by deflecting negative energy. Orange calcite. I love how playful this stone feels. Orange calcite is translucent but gives off a warm glow and reflects so beautifully in the sunlight. I use this when I feel my anxiety rising. It’s a happy crystal that balances emotions and, most importantly, overcomes fear. Dragon’s blood jasper. Exquisitely colored green and burnt brown by nature, this stone was believed in the ancient times to be a fossil of deceased dragons. It stands for rebirth and transformation, for giving up old and dated ways of doing and being. Amethyst. Amethyst isn’t just calming to the sight; it also rids a room of negative energy. This crystal is connected to the chakra of the third eye, so it’s a spiritual healer; good for meditation and treating addictions and insomnia. I keep it under my pillow sometimes at night. Rose quartz. The stone of love gives off a charming and affectionate energy. Its baby pink glow tells me I am worthy of love. The pendulum helps me re-center my mind; I hold it in front of me until it stops swinging.

Good stones for starters

There are hundreds of beautiful stones and crystals out there, each with unique mineral and energetic properties that align with certain aspects of your mind, body, and spirit. It all depends on your personal intentions, but there are common stones that are good for both your budget and your well-being. Amethyst and rose quartz are good for starters. Black tourmaline, one of the most powerful protective stones, transforms dense, negative energy into a lighter vibration.

Labradorite, also protective of negative energy, stimulates the imagination and enhances intuition.

Another is citrine, associated with creativity and wealth that boosts self-esteem.

Finally, clear quartz, an amplifier of energy, can enhance your stones and grant you clarity.

It’s also important to cleanse your stones; think of it as recharging their batteries. There are different methods but the most common are bathing your stones in incense smoke, sunlight, moonlight, or rainwater. I would, however, avoid the rain bath in Metro Manila, as there could be acids that will damage your stones. The simplest approach, though, is to soak the stones in a clear glass bowl filled with water and sea salt. Where to get your stones

The Mala Tree. 2F 189 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Themalatree.com

Crystal Age. 80 Maginhawa St., Teacher's Village, Quezon City. Instagram.com/crystal.age. Facebook. com/CrystalAgePH