Kate Mantello - Rock On: The Crystal Healing Handbook for Spiritual Rebels

CONTENTS

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO
ROB, SOL AND EDIE
FOR TAMING THIS REBEL HEART.

CRYSTALS ARE LIVING BEINGS AT
THE BEGINNING OF CREATION.

NIKOLA TESLA

CRYSTALS AND COMBAT
BOOTS THE BEGINNING

2007

I listened with half-interest to the middle-aged woman seated before me. She had long, wild red hair and was nattering on about the mystical powers of a blue crystal in her hand. Yawn. I wasnt sure how much longer I could keep my eyeballs from rolling back in my head, so I busied myself wondering what hair dye she used.

I felt a little out of place, sitting among this small group of eager (and slightly weird) healing students. I was here because I wanted to learn about energy healing after recently recovering from a traumatic spinal injury. This vibrational healing course had jumped out at me during a bleary-eyed, midnight internet search and, two months later, here I was.

As I looked around at all the purple tie-dye sitting in the room, I became aware of my black combat boots and jeans. I wondered if I really belonged here. I had never even held a crystal, let alone used it for healing. As far as I was concerned, it was just fluffy, spiritual woo-woo, generously sprinkled with fairy dust and unicorn farts.

So, when the course teacher began talking in reverent whispers about crystal devas and angel guides, I started looking for an escape route.

Seriously, get it together, people.

Dont get me wrong. Its not that I was a sceptic. I considered myself to be a deeply spiritual and open-minded person. Its just that going gaga over a handful of sparkly rocks really wasnt my thing.

I drew the line at rock-worshipping.

Of all the subjects included in the healing course, crystal healing was the one I would happily have skipped. Oh well , I thought, Im here now .

Fifteen minutes later and I was lying face-up on a massage table, a dozen or so colourful rocks placed strategically along the length of my body.

At least I could enjoy a few minutes of shut-eye.

I wasnt expecting much, so I was surprised when strange things began to happen. First, I was cold. Then I was suddenly and uncomfortably hot. Flashing lights and colours began swirling before my closed eyes and I felt my mind slipping into what I can only describe as a kind of freefall.

Within a couple of minutes, I was in a deep state of visionary meditation. I felt as though a world of feeling, energy and heightened consciousness had been cracked open inside me, like a portal into my own core.

It was an acid trip without the acid.

When I finally sat up again after 20 (30? 60?) minutes, the first words out of my mouth were profound.

Holy shit. Ive never experienced anything like that before!

2021

That was 14 years ago. Not long after, I went on to study advanced crystal healing, transpersonal psychology, art therapy, Reiki, pranic energy healing and past life regression.

Despite my broad modality base, crystal healing has remained the mainstay of my practice. Crystals and I just get each other, and I find that my healing work is immeasurably more powerful when crystals are involved. Many people consider me something of a crystal healing expert, despite the fact I never sought this title, nor do I adorn myself in crystal jewellery (and, yes, I still wear black combat boots).

Now, with over a decade of professional experience and a global healing practitioner training institute under my belt, one thing has become crystal clear: I may not have sought them out, but crystals sure chose me to be their spokesperson! I have taught crystal healing on stage at some of Australias largest healing events and expos. My crystal healing courses are delivered across six continents and have been downloaded by over 20,000 people around the world. Ive written extensively about crystal healing and have built social media platforms and online communities dedicated to this wonderful healing modality.

I am not here to tell you that meditating with a specific crystal will solve all your financial problems. Nor will keeping a Rose Quartz in your pocket magically manifest true love. True crystal healing requires more than the wave of a crystal wand. Its about much more than New Age buzzwords like Aura Quartz and Tantric Twin. Crystal healing is about penetrating a persons deepest energetic layers to find the medicine they hold within. Its about real-world healing scenarios, like calming an anxious mind, supporting a mother through miscarriage or helping a partner overcome addiction. Crystal healing is about nurturing someone through emotional and psychological trauma like heartbreak and insecurity. Its about feeling all the feels, crying all the tears and being supported through your most raw and real human experiences, towards your ultimate healing.

A Spiritual Rebel understands this.

A Spiritual Rebel is a survivor and a soul searcher. She is a person who doesnt run from her pain, and who stands strong in her spirituality and dedication to her own personal evolution. A Spiritual Rebel does things her own way and is an active participant in her own healing journey. She might honour herself by meditating with an Amethyst crystal (while wearing angel wings) or by boxing bare-knuckled in a sparring ring.

Personally, I never resonated with the gentle approach. I dont speak in breathless whispers and I am drawn to crystals that are rough and raw and more closely resemble dangerous weapons than pretty healing tools.

In the healing room, I like to take my clients deep, as quickly as possible. The crystal body layouts that youll find in Part 3 of this book are a result of this work. When using the layouts, it is important to journey deeply, but respectfully. True healing can sometimes be an uncomfortable or emotional experience, so be gentle with yourself and those you are working with.

This book is the product of my 13 years on the front line, as a participant in and witness to the human healing journey. My experience with counselling, energy healing and transpersonal psychology has added a unique and specialised depth to my crystal healing work. I have held space for women who have lost babies, men who have been sexually abused and hopelessly lost souls who feel they have nothing left to live for. I have had my heart melted a hundred times by the raw force of love and heartbreak and I have witnessed transformations that no one thought possible.