“The only reason they don’t seem alive is because they are moving at a pace that we can’t perceive.”

Are Crystals Alive? Exploring the Hidden Consciousness of Stones

Crystals—mere rocks, or living beings in their own right? It’s a question that’s as provocative as it is ancient, weaving together science, spirituality, and our deepest sense of wonder. On the surface, they don’t breathe, move, or think the way humans do. So why do so many people—witches, shamans, earth medicine practitioners, and even scientists—insist there’s something mysterious and vital within these stones? Let’s delve into what’s really going on beneath their glimmering surfaces.

Crystals: Where Science Meets Spirit

I actually trained with the Gemological Institute of America, so I kind of love that place where science and spirit meet. This meeting point is where the magick often begins: the crystalline structures, geological marvels, and the metaphysical properties attributed to stones are not as separate as they seem.

What Does It Mean to Be Alive?

Biology usually defines life using a set of straightforward rules: complexity, the need for energy, growth, reproduction, and adaptation. Let’s walk through these criteria and see how crystals measure up:

1. Complexity

Crystals are formed from beautifully intricate geometric structures—think perfect lattices and repeating patterns. Their order seemingly emerges straight from chaos, and their ability to generate energy is fascinating. Some, like quartz, can create an electric charge when heated (pyroelectricity) or even spark in the dark (triboluminescence). That’s far from simple; it’s a demonstration of ordered, complex behaviour.

2. The Need for Energy

While crystals don’t “eat” as we do, they definitely absorb energy—from heat, pressure, and environmental elements. Grow a crystal in a jar and you’ll see it feed on the surrounding solution, taking form over time. They are, in their own way, energy processors.

3. Growth

Crystals are anything but static. Over millions of years, they can become breathtaking structures—octahedrons, points, or entire caves of amethyst. Growth is at the heart of crystal formation.

4. Reproduction

While they don’t pair off romantically, crystals can multiply: a single stone can fracture and give rise to new growth, eventually forming clusters and even geode caverns lined with countless points.

5. Adaptation

Crystals adapt to their environment in surprising ways. Obsidian, for example, absorbs negative energy, sometimes to the point of breaking if overloaded. In laboratory settings, stones have been observed clarifying themselves when submerged in different solutions, seemingly adapting to their surroundings.

When viewed through these scientific lenses, crystals truly do tick more boxes on the “life” checklist than most would expect.

Beyond Science: The Stone People and Earth’s Memory

Let’s step off the purely scientific path for a moment and into the realm of shamanic and indigenous wisdom. In these traditions, crystals aren’t just pretty minerals; they are the “stone people,” ancient elders of the Earth. They are regarded as memory keepers, holding the stories and evolution of the planet within their very bodies.

Consider zircon, one of the oldest gemstones, formed when the Earth itself began to spin. Or apatite, which contains phosphorus—the same mineral found in our teeth and in the bones of dinosaurs. By holding such a stone, you could quite literally be touching the minerals that once were part of ancient living beings. Imagine a single crystal enveloping the memory and matter of creatures from millions of years past—a living archive spanning aeons.

Connecting With Crystal Consciousness

You don’t need a museum’s worth of rare gems to form a relationship with crystal consciousness. Even a humble river pebble can be a teacher, but crystals, with their repeating geometric lattices, actively store, amplify, and transmit energy—hence their pivotal role in everything from clocks to satellites.

Simple Ways to Connect

Meditation: Hold a crystal and simply observe; notice any sensations, images, or emotions that arise.

Body Placement: Rest a crystal on your heart, third eye, or another spot—note how your energy responds.

Dream Work: Place a crystal like amethyst or labradorite under your pillow, keep a dream journal, and see what unfolds.

Shamanic Journeying: Use drumming tracks or guided meditations to meet the spirit of your crystal and let its story reveal itself to you.

The Woven Web: Earth Medicine in Practice

Crystals don’t exist in isolation. Their potency is strongest when intertwined with other earth allies like plants and elements. For example:

Quartz (for clarity) + Mugwort (for vision) + Air (for inspiration): Combined, they create a powerful current for insight and communication.

Hematite (for protection) + Nettle (for resilience) + Fire (for energy): Together, they forge a shield of grounded, fiery strength.

This is Earth medicine—more than just the sum of its parts, it’s a practice of weaving threads of stone, plant, and element into living magick.

If this exploration has sparked something in your heart, the journey has only just begun. Watch the full video on the YouTube channel, The Wild and Untamed Way, for the full story, practical tips, and a deeper understanding of the mysterious life within crystals.