Which hand should I hold my crystals in? Which hand is dominant?

"I have been asked a number of questions lately about the use of the hands in energy and crystal work. Which hand do I use? Is one hand better than the other? Do I go with my dominate hand? or brain opposite? There are quite a few theories and opinions out there as to what is "Right" and what is not.

First off, I must repeat my "mantra" because it is vitally important when discussing a topic such as this. "I believe there is no ONE right way. I believe there is no wrong way. When it comes to working with your crystals there is YOUR way. Do what feels best for you. This is your intuition/higher self guiding you. Become self-empowered! Do not be dissuaded by others who say there is only one way — there simply is not."

The most important lesson to be learned here is that there is no one right way. Sure, someone may tell you that their way is the only way, or that what they learned in a class is THE right way and for them, it may be. But for you or others? It simply may not be true. Let me cite a couple of examples.

When I first began working with crystals, I was told that I should work with my crystals in my dominant hand. I happen to be right handed. So I did as I was told. Nothing happened for me. I could hold a crystal in my hand all day and nothing. I found out quite by accident that my left hand was the hand I should be using. You see, I was holding a crystal in my right hand and getting quite frustrated that I felt nothing. I had been "practicing" every day for quite a while. Folks who had been working with crystals longer than I said I should be feeling something, the crystal was, after all, in my dominant hand. So I sat, holding this crystal, looking at my hand when the phone rang. I quickly switched the crystal to my left hand so that I could answer the phone with my right (remember, right hand is my dominant hand). At some point in the conversation, I simply stopped talking. I was feeling only what can be described as a surge of energy in my LEFT hand. A tingling, a warmth, a definite surge........

When I hung up the phone, I decided to test this again just to make sure it was not a fluke. I put another crystal in my left hand. A totally different crystal. And there it was again! This time, the feeling was more gentle, like a hum, but it was there! To continue my testing, I decided to switch hands. I put the exact same crystal I had been holding in my left hand, into my right hand. Nothing. After doing this a number of times with a number of crystals, at least for me, I had to call this "Dominant Hand Theory", BUSTED.

I did a little reading and found something that resonated for me and in the process explained my left hand issues. When meeting new people, the right hand is extended in greeting, hence, it can be thought of as the giving hand (reaching out to give the greeting, extending energy) while the left hand is the receiving hand (bringing energy into the self). After my little experiments, this tended to make more sense to me.

Another thought dawned on me. When meditating, many, including myself, put one hand on top of the other, palms up. Depending on the practice (Buddhism, Hinduism, etc), one may lay their right hand on top of the left or vice versa. Either way, this is an effective way to complete the circuit of energy.

In Reiki, or any energy work, BOTH hands are in the mode of giving. The energy flows, using the hands as a way to channel that energy. So why must there be only ONE hand to channel or feel the energy of a crystal?

I read other information (it was long ago and I apologize for not knowing exactly where I read it) that went into great details about right brain controlling left side and left brain controlling right side. I had a friend that thought so deeply into this she often wondered if she was standing on the clients right side, should she use her left hand to accomodate for the opposite brain/side theory. Should she stand facing the client, or in another direction. I told her to let me off at the next stop. TOO complex!!

A thought came to me yesterday as I was writing an article for my blog, Rainbows and Crystals. The thought was, "Intuition is the GPS of the soul." And I have to admit, that quote works here just as well as it did yesterday. Let me lay it out for you here. When you do healing work, when you work with crystals, when you meditate, when you live from your authentic self, you are connected to Source (God, the Divine, whatever you choose to call that which is consciousness/unconditional love/higher self). You simply listen ~ you listen to that higher self (intuition) that is you and act accordingly (guidance system). You do what you feel is best at that paticular time for that particular experience (or client, or event, or......). There is no wrong way. Nor is there just ONE way.

My best advice is to try a few different options. Work with your left hand, then try the right. Put the crystal on a table and hold your hand over it, first the right, then the left. Tune in and monitor any changes in the body. If you are someone who does not feel energy? it is OK!! Not everyone does. However, you have the tool of intuition, so just listen to your intuition instead. Go with your gut! Do what feels best for you. Go where you are led. And above all, never allow someone else to tell you that you are doing it "wrong". You are Divine, coming from Divine Source. And there is nothing wrong about that. "