The Magick of Crystals

Crystals are compelling little things.  The other day I was looking through a box I have of various tumbled crystals and stones.  They reminded of that old William Blake ditty:

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And Heaven in a wildflower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour

But what is their practical use really?  I find holding them and gazing into them quite evocative.  They obviously inspire appreciation of beauty.  I know stones of the corresponding colors are good for pathworking.  But what else?

To answer that I read the book The Magick of Crystals: A Guide to Mastering Astral Projection by Lillian Bradley.

I will not give away all the secrets in this little 50-page book, but here I note the most interesting tidbit of information from this book was the method for programming a crystal;  It is quite simple.  First one must formulate a visualization and affirmation to program the crystal with.  Then, after clearing the crystal with salt water or some other method, hold the crystal in the left hand, and run through the visualization and affirmation.  Then do the same while holding crystal in the right hand, then while holding it up to the forehead.  That's it.

The hard part of her method of inducing astral projection is that it also involves running through the visualization at the "point of crossing" when just about to fall asleep.  I am not sure I know what that point feels like.  In any case, she emphasizes not trying to forcefully, just make the suggestion at that point, and not at any other time.