Interacting with gemstones is one way we can intentionally slow down and reflect on our physical and emotional needs

I don’t deem myself a religious person, but the part of spirituality I do relate to is the concept of energy. And how to define that? In physics, energy is the capacity to perform an activity. As overworked parents, we complain of low energy while marveling at the boundless energy that seems to seep out of our kids’ pores. This is energy of the day-to-day variety.

When we dip our toes into the waters of spiritual meaning, the word energy is more about a feeling — something we sense inside and around us. I can physically and emotionally understand the power of this kind of energy best when I take a walk in the forest. With the trees towering above me, their needles whispering in the wind, I feel both large and miniscule. A pinpoint in a sprawling universe while also a human whose everyday choices matter. More often than not, a walk in the woods brings me to tears.

Spiritual moments can be inspired by a person, place or thing that deeply resonates with you, and if you have experienced this for yourself, you are likely open to the idea that crystals (gemstones) — minerals made by Mother Earth — can impact your physical and emotional energy. And as modern life gets faster and more furious with every passing year, more of us are looking for ways to hit the brakes in order to enjoy the time we have with our significant others, closest friends and children. If you’re in need of a new strategy to help your kids be introspective stewards of their own lives and the world around them, take them to a crystal shop and see what happens.

“Children nowadays are magical little beings,” says Madison Young, owner of Open Eye, a crystal shop in Mid-City. “They’re very intentional. And they are willing to come into the shop and follow their intuition.”

Young opened Open Eye in February 2018, and she loves nothing more than to welcome the “crystal curious” into her shop. She can talk about energy all day — she basically does. If you are feeling the need to balance something in your life, Young will help guide you to the right gem.

“Every crystal carries its own vibrational frequency,” she says. “If you’re going to go into a meeting, let’s say, and you need your energy all fluffed up, you might grab a pyrite or a sunstone. Or if you need to wind down for the night, you might grab a lepidolite, amethyst or lithium quartz. Each one works in its own way to regulate your emotional and spiritual body. I love to cultivate a delicious crystal cocktail for a person, for the moment they’re in.”

You can easily discover crystal properties through a Google search. Open Eye’s website is helpful as well, listing the qualities of each stone in its description. For example, rose quartz is described as a “stone for love, for one’s self and others,” and is said to be helpful in releasing tension, stress, anger and resentment. If you are seeking abundance, say in money or personal power, you might gravitate toward citrine, believed to be a strong manifesting crystal. Once you’ve selected that just-right crystal for your needs, Young will happily explain how to incorporate them into your life.

“Your personal energy field is about nine feet wide. Think about how, once someone gets close to you, you can sense their energy or frequency,” she says. “Crystals work similarly. If it is near you, its frequency is working with yours. The more you have it on you or near you, and the more intention you put into it, the stronger it engages with your field.”

And if you’re looking to explore your spirituality, think of crystals as a terrific gateway. Intentionally using crystals often leads to a growing interest in other metaphysical practices, from meditation and sound baths to hypnosis, Young says. When it comes to our own wellness and expansiveness, there’s no better time to dig in than now. 

“Crystals can pave your spiritual path,” she says.

Local shops to get your shine on

Eat. Love. Read.

Studio City, eatreadlove.me

This Ventura Boulevard shop is the brainchild of YouTuber Sal Biadora, whose big online following — currently at 750,000 YouTube subscribers — inspired him to open this “one-stop metaphysical shop.” Guests can peruse crystals, hand-poured candles, tarot cards, astrology tools and more, all with the whimsical sounds of running fountains and calming music in the background. Director of Operations Ryan Vanderhei says it’s common for people to come in and linger, thanks to the relaxing atmosphere.

Also common is parents shopping with kids of all ages, teaching the younger generation about this “alternative medicine,” or different ways of relief, Vanderhei says. Crystal bracelets, which are an affordable way to wear and experiment with crystals, are one of the shop’s top-selling items.

House of Intuition

Echo Park, Highland Park, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Costa Mesa, houseofintuitionla.com

Opened by LGBTQ+ Latinx business owners Alex Naranjo and Marlene Vargas, House of Intuition is a spiritual oasis designed to “help others feel hope when they feel hopeless, to feel powerful when they feel defeated and to bring intention within.” Crystal jewelry attracts the teen crowd, who often come having already read up on what crystals might help them through a challenging time. And there are loose crystals in the shop, too, all energy tools with their own potential and metaphysical properties.

But House of Intuition’s best-selling product is the “magic candle.” Individually labeled with intentional words or phrases (think “creativity,” “gratitude,” “abundance”), these candles are “ritual tools” that invite users to manifest and meditate on what they are seeking while burning the candle, thereby gathering powerful support from the universe as they proceed. Related crystals reveal themselves at the bottom of the candle.

Liberate Yourself

Sherman Oaks, Los Feliz, liberateyourself.com

Head to Los Feliz’s Liberate Emporium to shop for crystals and other metaphysical tools. You can also peruse crystals at the newer location in Sherman Oaks — Liberate Yourself — but this shop stands out for its versatile outdoor space. There’s a calendar full of events held here, from mommy-and-me yoga classes to kid-friendly sound baths. And there’s an occasional crystal-mining class, held in partnership with Because I Rock. Perfect for kids who want to dig for treasure, this event lets students mine crystals from the original mud and rock they grow in.

Additionally, the colorful patio can be booked for kids’ birthday parties. Stop by or call the shop to get further details about this option.

Open Eye

Mid-City, openeyecrystals.com

Owner Madison Young says her shop is organized like a “crystal candy store,” with tables and gems arranged by color. Come in and go with your intuition: What crystal is calling to you? Why might that be? Young will help you navigate the shop and its many offerings. Additionally, if you’re really down to learn more about crystals and their properties, tune in every Friday to what Young calls “Crystal QVC,” a live crystal discussion that she leads on Instagram: @openeyecrystals.

During these shows, large crystal specimens you might only see in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History or other natural history museums are on digital display, and Young expounds upon their properties for your enjoyment (and education).

Chelsee Lowe, a writer and mom in L.A., writes about food, culture and travel.