Lighting is when the stone is lain on the body near the organ or essential origin, and light from the sun, a full spectrum bulb, or fire is allowed to pass through or around the stone and into the body.

Faceted stones or those with unrounded corners can be used for lighting or wearing.  Rounded crystals can also be used for lighting, but take care that if the back isn't flat, you may need to use a band or some other frame to prevent them from rolling off.  Smaller faceted stones should be similarly braced.

Various studies have shown that using holding techniques, glass, natural, and lab crystals have the same psychological effect, when they look the same, so long as the patron trusts the healer and the therapy.  Don't sigh with relief at your medicine bag being less costly though, because first of all, many of the features of natural crystals cannot be accurately recreated in a lab or with glass art.  Second, the types of glass and lab crystals that do look and feel similar to the natural, are often just as or more expensive.

Let's say for instance, you wish to have a tool made that will have a similar effect to ruby, only you want it larger; perhaps the size of a paperweight.  To create a glass crystal with similar features to a ruby, red glass must be drawn into a layered, hexagonal spiral to produce some level of asterism.  In the end, this work of art will cost you at least a third to a half of what a natural ruby of the same size would, if it existed in nature.

Then there is the matter of the artist's influence.  Some labs are obviously more creative than others.  While some play it safe, others especially in Russia, like to produce things that are interesting, even if their retail value would be relatively low.  I like to buy lab gems from companies who make or acquire fun shapes and colors even if I'm not shopping for something particularly unusual.  I just like the positive mood.

So, glass and lab crystals must be chosen with the same care as natural ones.

If you will be using relatively small facted crystals, round crystals that might roll off, or small roughs, you may wish to craft a lighting tool from natural air drying clay or craft dough, or oven hardenning polymer clay.  Please be sure only to put stones in the oven that will not be ruined or badly altered by heat.

Opals should never be exposed to too much heat.  Strong sunlight and direct lighting with bulbs can take the fire out of, or fade opals.  Sweat and the mild heat from skin is good for them though.  Simply use a quartz donut bead or a copper wire spiral to brace them.

Rubies, sapphire, zircon, rainbow opals, and topaz are usually heated shortly after mining to "improve" their color.  If you can't find unheated stones, then you must examine them to see whether or not their natural properties have been completely ruined.  Use a strong magnifying glass to make sure your rubies and sapphires still have natural silk, if you don't see readily visible inclusions.  The heat used to bake polymer clay isn't high enough to damage most stones though.

Lighting should be done either on a bright day, or with a full spectrum lightbulb above the working area.  The seeker should be comfortably situated, so that they are not stressed during the session.  Crystals corresponding to the chakras or essences should be placed in the best position for light to pass from the source to them, and then therapeutic stones or minerals should be placed where needed.

Be mindful that some stones may induce pain when the chakra, organ, or essence is reached by the light filtered through the stone.  Rubies are especially known for this.  It has been described as something akin to an electrical shock, or "cold heat".  Like love's alcohol though, this is a good thing.  It means that it is working.

Lapis and amber may however cause a feeling of heaviness, as if a large boulder is sitting in the area.  This is an indication that it is enough.  Overexposure can lead to unwanted sensitivity and visions.  Only shamans should cross that line because they are psychologically equipped to handle loss of control of the body while organizing the visions into coherent messages.

In the next article, we'll go into which stones should go where.