Written by: Jack Hoye | Photo Illustration by: Jack Hoye | Additional Photos by: Annabel Kiley

Illustrated by Jack Hoye & Sophia Giatzis | Images shot by Annabel Kiley

There is a gem for a Gemini, a crystal for a Capricorn, and a stone for a Scorpio. Become a realistic mystic and pair the power of crystal healing and the energy of your astrology to promote an extraordinary experience of personalized wellness.

Humans before us looked to the nighttime sky to find meaning, guidance, and purpose in life, arranging constellations from images they saw within celestial patterns. These images became representative of what would become the zodiac. While the names of these celestial bodies come from myth and legend, the images of the ram, the bull, the twins, the crab, the woman, the scales, the scorpion, the centaur archer, the sea-goat, the water-bearer, and fishes all held practical value for our ancestors. The star maps we see today have been used for thousands of years, whether by ancient farmers to recognize the seasons and when to tend to crops or by explorers navigating our lands and oceans. The constellations have allowed humanity to gain awareness of our surroundings and better acclimate to a world in perpetual transformation. And though it may seem abstract or nonsensical, cultivating a life of inner harmony isn’t as distant as it may seem. Even today, we can be pragmatic with astrology — primarily when used in tandem with other new-age disciplines.

We exist in a time muddled by harsh realities — ever-spiraling through a void of human disconnection the further we integrate ourselves with artificial technologies. We must remind ourselves of our humanity and our connections with the universe.

We can become realistic mystics and use the wisdom of astrology and crystal healing to promote mindfulness effectively and easily encourage a sense of collective consciousness.

Harness the benefits of the zodiac and crystals to promote wellness. We can consciously evaluate our own emotional preferences, communication styles, love languages, and more by learning the ideal crystals to match our astrological profiles. Those engaged with the energetic union of crystal healing and the zodiac use these tools to develop further the practices of setting intentions, manifesting abundance, positive self-affirmation, and self-care. Today, the zodiac and crystals offer opportunities to reflect on self-discovery, personal maturity, and emotional growth. These tools hone our receptivity and improve our lives by providing objective insight towards our true character and understanding of our habits and behaviors.

These new-age means of self-care take time and effort to master. Attuning ourselves to our inner thoughts, feelings, and outward behaviors, while deliberately shifting our modes of operation can be a feat. And having our inner selves reflect our outer selves and vice versa can be even more challenging. Astrology and crystal healing are special tools for making us aware of the link between our thoughts and actions. Astrology provides insight into our inner personal world, and crystals inspire us to act on this insight by manifesting our intentions in the material world.

To expose yourself to the wellness offered by the crystal zodiac, look no further than your star sign or the sign determined by your date of birth. As one may imagine, our birthstones are no coincidence.

Each of these stones plays to our astrological integrity and symbolizes our birth seasons.

And like birthstones, there are several crystals that, based on their unique properties, do well in honoring our star signs. These crystals can guide us towards leading mindful lives and allow us to access our inner powers. Metaphysically, these gems are known to heal and protect — benefiting the body and mind.

To discover which crystals will mesh the best with your astrology, use the below guide. Each hand-selected stone encourages you to open yourself to the extraordinary energies and wisdom of your sign. Doing so can bring awareness and insight into your personality, personal triumphs and struggles, and relationships and provide affirming practical guidance towards the best you.

To reap crystal’s benefits, place them around the home as a form of decor. They can be carried with you wherever you may go in either a bag, a pocket, or in the form of jewelry. Or can be placed on your desk, the bedside table, or any favorite place. They are an excellent companion for morning meditation. And they are also exceptional tools for feng shui practices, as well as Reiki.

Feng shui is a traditional practice originating from ancient China that uses energy forces to harmonize individuals with their environment — placing a particular crystal in an environment yields the influence to aid in the balance of energetic forces. Reiki is a form of Japanese alternative medicine through which ordained practitioners use hands-on healing to channel universal energy. Healing energy is transferred to the patient through the practitioner’s palms. Reiki practitioners use crystals to determine areas of the patient’s body that needs healing.

To understand how the energies of crystals can heal the body directly, it is worth exploring chakra alignment and energy work. Chakras refer to points of energy located within the body. Roughly translating to the word wheel in Sanskrit, chakras are understood as spinning disks of energy that should remain open and aligned as they correspond to major organ systems and areas of our energetic being that affect our physical and emotional wellness. As crystals visually and physically correspond to the seven chakras, a yellow-hued crystal, such as citrine, can heal the yellow chakra or the solar plexus using methods like Reiki.

While these suggestions provide a baseline for introducing stones attuned with your astrology, understanding your natal chart informs a more individualized approach to honoring your energy. A natal chart is an index that keeps the record of constellation alignments from the moment of one’s birth. Charts are expressed either as a written listed chart or as a circular map that displays the positioning of stars. A realistic mystic will need to acquire their birth date, birth time, and birth location to ensure accuracy.

Applying natal chart data towards your choices of crystals will make for a much more conscious well-rounded experience. If you find that you have an abundance of one sign or one element, the energies associated with those signs will be much more present than that of your sun sign alone. Thus, exploring crystals that honor those alternative signs may be the most beneficial. Learning more about your unique astrological chart has become quite accessible; there are many digital applications and resources freely available that delineate all astrological details.

Whether you believe and apply this wisdom, or take it as a grain of salt, ancient knowledge of spiritual healing has withstood the test of time, maintaining its relevance today. There has been, is, and will be, much more to learn and discover. We can reinterpret these fantastic age-old concepts to promote self-care in the present. As far-fetched as this intelligence may seem, the realistic mystic cannot deny that the zodiac is of the stars, and crystals are of the earth – and they get to experience it all, live, and evolve.