My go-to crystals for creating a protective boundary around both myself and my space are black tourmaline, obsidian and selenite. The first two are good for connecting with the centre of the earth, creating a feeling of safety and security, while also protecting your auric field. Amethyst connects to your highest and best mind, helping you to own your space.

Here’s a little more about each one.
 

A powerful healer and protector

A powerful healer and protector. Specifically used for blocking psychic attacks and unhelpful thought patterns, it grounds negative energy and leaves neutrality in its place. (Because of this, it is even said to protect against harmful electromagnetic waves caused by modern electronics such as cell phones and computers.) I carry a piece of black tourmaline in my pocket any time I’m going into a situation that makes me scared or nervous.

A great truth-teller

Also known as volcanic glass, obsidian is made from molten lava that cooled very quickly. By nature, it works fast as a protective shield from negativity. It soaks up bad vibes like a sponge and should therefore be cleansed often. An awesome ceremony for setting an intention for protection could take the form of cleansing your obsidian under running water and visualizing all that negative energy going down the drain and out of your space. Obsidian is a great truth-teller, so it can help you get to the bottom of what’s bringing negativity into your home. 
 

For serenity of the mind

Mystics in the medieval ages used amethyst to treat everything from spider bites to acne. This purple sparkler is widely known and easily available in many different forms. Known for emotional and spiritual protection, amethyst can break anxious or addictive thought patterns and help you move into your higher consciousness. Its high vibration blocks negative, stressful energies and stimulates serenity of the mind. Placing an amethyst on your nightstand or under your pillow will protect you from nightmares. 

For connecting the dots

This stone is sometimes referred to as the ‘aurora stone’, because when held in light, its blue-green shimmer is reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis, the northern lights. Placing labradorite on your third eye (see page 190) will help you to connect the dots and recognize synchronicities in your life, which will bring you into flow and alignment with the universe. This alignment will help you find your truest path and is crucial for manifesting your dreams into reality.

For organisation and pragmatism

This stone’s grounding properties help to bring your desires out of the ethereal plane and into the material world. Once your dreams or ideas are made conscious, smoky quartz can assist in organisation and pragmatism. It is also a very protective crystal, so once you’ve manifested your intentions, smoky quartz will block any negative energies or influences that may try to get in the way.

For a spark of confidence

I call pyrite the ‘get stuff done’ stone. It’s my all-time favourite because of its manifesting powers. Also known as fool’s gold, pyrite forms in perfect cubes of all sizes and its name comes from pyr, the Greek word for ‘fire’. Think of pyrite as a spark of confidence that connects to your willpower, ambition and persistence. After all, when you’re manifesting you can’t leave all the heavy lifting up to the universe. Pyrite will help you to show up for your higher self and create your own reality. 

In the context of comfort, crystals are the perfect way to connect supportive earth energy to our sixth sense of intuition. The crystals I rely on to hold a warm, soothing, positive vibration in my home are carnelian, citrine and tree agate. 

For feeling grounded

A wise, young witch once told me I could use carnelian as a candle substitute in spell work, because there is so much fire in this reddish-orange beauty. Which is precisely why I like it for warming up a space energetically. With its swirls of red, orange and brown, carnelian can wake you up like a spark, yet keep you feeling grounded and safe at the same time. It’s going to help you feel comfortable without being lazy or complacent. 

For welcoming abundance

My go-to rock for good vibes in general. A yellowish-orange type of quartz, citrine sparks creativity and increases your ability to welcome abundance into your life. Like a ray of sunshine, citrine is like a crystal cheerleader, reminding you that you have everything you need. Mix citrine essence in a potion with orange, clove and cinnamon essential oils to make a room spray that will feel like a sunbeam.

For stabilising

To balance all that fire and sunshine, throw tree agate into the mix. The key words with this swirly green stone are 'grounding' and 'stabilising'. It's like kicking off your shoes so as to feel rooted to the earth under your feet, helping you to feel completely supported. For this reason, this one is great for using in an all-natural floor wash too.