Embark on a transformative journey with Caroline Harding, a former farmer turned crystal therapist, as she shares the unexpected awakening that led her into the realm of crystal therapy. Join MysticMag and discover the profound impact of crystals on our chakras and well-being, unraveling the intricate dance between energy, crystals, and holistic healing.
What is your personal story and how did you get involved in Crystal Therapy?
Well, crystal therapy was not on my agenda at all until it decided to give me a wake-up call. My background is farming and alongside that, I had been working for a charity for a number of years in a very holistic way and supporting people in rural communities. One day I was given a string of moonstone beads which I thought were pretty but not really something I was into, so I put them in my bag and forgot about them. Some time later I was on a phone call looking for a pen and was rooting around in the bottom of my bag and came across the moonstones again. As I picked them up I became aware of the energy coming off them.
I kept picking them up and putting them down for the rest of the day but they kept ‘talking’ to me so I went into a local crystal shop, sidled up to the lady behind the counter, and whispered to her that I could feel something in these crystals. She looked at me and said ‘Of course you can’ and gave me a copy of Judy Hall’s Crystal Bible to read. I was hooked so I decided that I needed to learn more and went in search of an accredited course, and that is where my learning journey really started.
How does Crystal Therapy actually work?
Crystals basically act like a tuning fork for our chakras because their crystalline structures hold a constant energy vibration. By using crystals we can restore the flow of energy through our bodies to help improve our overall wellbeing. There are many different ways to use crystals in crystal healing, but in most cases, I start with a chakra balance and then progress from there. Crystals never cease to amaze me with their accuracy.
Is there a difference between the 7 chakras in our body and what’s the role of each of them?
We have 7 main chakras in our body that all have different functions. They are split into the lower chakras being the root, sacral and solar plexus, and the upper chakras being the throat, brow (or third eye), and crown. The heart chakra is like a bridge between the upper and lower chakras.
The base or root chakra is the chakra that helps to ground us, it helps keep our focus and sense of perspective. It is linked to the earth element and being outside, taking regular exercise, eating healthy food, and practising a daily grounding exercise with crystals can help to maintain a healthy root chakra. Crystals that support this chakra can include Haematite, Red Jasper, Tigers Eye, and Garnet.
The sacral chakra is linked to the water element and is located below the navel. This chakra is associated with our creativity and is where our feeling of self-worth resides. Crystals such as Sunstone, Carnelian, and Orange Calcite support the sacral chakra as well as taking time to do creative projects or taking part in activities such as belly dancing or swimming.
The solar plexus chakra, linked with the fire element, is found in the centre of the body between the navel and the diaphragm. This is where our confidence and power reside and can be supported with crystals such as Citrine, Pyrite or Honey Calcite. Keeping a journal and adopting a positive mindset about yourself can also support this chakra.
The heart chakra links the lower and higher chakras. It is where our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional balance is and governs our loving relationships including our love for ourselves. This chakra is typically shown as green however and green or pink crystals are good to support the heart chakra such as Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Jade, or Pink Opal. Giving loved ones a hug or looking for the best in yourself or others can support this chakra too.
The throat chakra is all about communication – hearing and speaking your truth and recognising it in others. When this chakra is balanced we tend to feel calmer because we are able to express what we feel. Good crystals to support this chakra include Blue Lace Agate, Larimar, and Aquamarine, and singing also supports the throat chakra too (don’t worry if you can’t hold a tune, it doesn’t matter!).
The brow chakra is also known as the third-eye and is located above and between our eyes. It is the chakra that helps us to see that which is not always noticeable with our two eyes. This chakra, when balanced, helps us to access our intuition and by accessing our memories and it helps us to understand situations from a higher viewpoint. Favourite crystals to support the brow chakra include Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, and Labradorite as well as activities such as creative writing.
The crown chakra, situated above the crown of the head, is where the flow of Universal energy enters our body and passes down through the other chakras. Feeling at peace and in tune with life is usually a sign of a healthily functioning crown chakra and taking time to meditate or be grateful for all you have in life is a good way to support the crown chakra. Crystals such as Amethyst, Charoite, and Apophyllite also support this chakra.
Whilst all these 7 major chakras have different functions, they are all equally important and when they are working in harmony with each other our feelings of wellbeing are improved.
You offer a wide variety of different therapies/approaches within a typical 1 hour Crystal Therapy session. How do you combine those to get the best results for your clients?
I think the first and most important thing to do is to listen to what the client is saying when they first attend a session, and more importantly, the language that they use as this often gives added insight as to how to best support them. Most clients will start with a chakra balance and aura cleanse and from there we will discuss what other treatments may be suitable for their particular needs. It really is so varied but each session is bespoke for the client according to his, her or their needs.
The best part for me is seeing clients visibly relax during a session. One client recently looked like a completely different person at the end of the treatment because they had let go of the stress and anxiety they were carrying in their face. I also think it is important to know what other therapists and support organisations locally can offer, as it is good to recognise that other factors may be required to support a client’s healing and wellbeing. For example, if a client is an unpaid carer, to signpost them to a local carers support group – it can greatly improve the effectiveness of the treatments provided as it takes into account an all-around holistic approach.
Can you share a memorable success story?
Each and every client whose wellbeing improves from crystal therapy is a success story to me. However, one particular equine event rider who didn’t think they could continue with competitive sport does stand out for me as they went on to become a national champion!
To learn more about Caroline and her work, you can visit www.carolinehardingcrystaltherapist.com
