How to Work with Alchemy Crystals for Transformation

AbundanceEmotional HealingHealthLoveRitualsSpirituality

Dec 3

Written By Krista N. Mitchell

First, what is alchemy?

alchemy
noun

al·che·my | \ ˈal-kə-mē \

Definition of alchemy

1: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life (Source: Merriam Webster.com)

Alchemy was the ancient predecessor of our modern science of chemistry, and was practiced in secret for thousands of years in ancient China, Egypt and Greece, right up to medieval France and England.

In crystal healing the approach to alchemy is figurative, meaning turning lead (our wounds, shadow selves, illness) to gold (light, consciousness, health).

When we do energy clearings with crystals, we are transmuting lower, harmful frequencies into higher frequencies of light and harmony.

It’s a form of energy alchemy – as we heal and grow, we transform. Whether or not life is prolonged can be debated, but it is certainly enriched.

If you’re looking to create significant change in your life, yourself, or your world, you can work with alchemy stones to help initiate or effect powerful inner and outer transformation.

What Are Alchemy Stones?

Due to their healing and transmutative properties, one could say that all crystals are alchemy stones. But if we’re taking a spiritual approach to the work in terms of ascension and expansion of consciousness, and our living experience, I narrow the field to fire and storm element crystals.

Storm crystals emit transformative frequencies and embody the storm element. The storm element is composed of more than one of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water).

The fire element has always been associated with alchemical transformation through the application of heat and the effects of flame. A classic example is the alchemy of cooking, where base ingredients, exposed to heat, transform into a delicious dish. Or the glass tube of liquid being heated in a lab. There are even crystals, like topaz and amethyst for instance, that change color when exposed to high temperatures.

While some may view storm and fire energy as destructive, I see it as transformative: it churns things up, gets things moving, clears through blocks and old baggage, energizes, reveals what’s been hidden underneath, brings light to the darkness.

Through the alchemical combination of more than one element, storm stones transform and transmute – oftentimes quickly, and very powerfully.

So needless to say, when we’re working with these stones for transformation, we must do so with clarity of purpose and intention.

At the same time, if you’re feeling stuck, stalled, blocked, or are ready for big change, these are the crystals you want to be working with regularly.

Favorite Alchemy Stones:

While is this is not an exhaustive list, here are a few of my fave alchemy stones:

Labradorite (fire, water, storm)

Clear Quartz (storm)

Moldavite (storm)

Clear Topaz (fire)

Eudialyte (fire, earth)

a natural, pink, white, and black eudialyte specimen

Covellite (storm)

a trio of polished silver covellite stones

Merlinite (storm)

a polished merlinite sphere on top of a reddish brown stand

Nuummite (storm)

a polished nuummite palm stone with starburst lines if gold, blue and some orange

Phenacite (storm)

a natural phenacite chunk with an opaque appearance and what appears to be orange iron on the surface

Pietersite (storm)

How to Work With Alchemy Stones

The best way I’ve found to work with alchemy stones is either in meditation or ritual. The reason for this is that in both cases we are in heightened states of awareness, intention, and purpose.

For ritual:

Hold or wear the crystal while in your ritual working, or place it in the center of your working or on your altar.

For meditation:

Hold the stone in your receptive (non-dominant) hand and sit or lie down for a minimum of 20 minutes. Set your intention or define your purpose. Center your breathing and awareness. Open up to the energy of the crystal, and invite it to join with your own energy. Let the vibes flow in, and pay attention to how you feel and what you experience.

Important Notes:

Note that working with alchemy stones doesn’t always create an immediate effect, sometimes you have to allow for the process. But it’s been my experience that once you start working with them, change for the better is inevitable.

I often advise not to wear alchemy crystals on a daily basis as this can sometimes have an adverse effect. Pietersite, for instance, can effect powerful psychic transformation and opening, but it can also make you feel emotionally volatile or moody. And Moldavite can create change so quickly that it triggers feelings of anxiety and insecurity.

The bottom line: work with them mindfully, and be the master of your own process and path.

If you loved this bit of crystal magic and would like to go deeper, here are a few suggestions: