Once you have cleansed your chosen crystal, the next step is to get to know the stone, making a connection with it that would allow both it and you to work together most effectively. This process is called attunement and is an essential step in preparing a new crystal for healing work. I would suggest the implementation of a journal in which a record of observations, notes and impressions can be kept, as these can be very helpful to refer back to at a later date.

Find a comfortable spot in which to relax, taking the crystal with you. It is preferable to have a light source nearby, whether it be a soft reading lamp positioned behind you in such a manner that the light should shine upon the stone, or a candle that you can hold the crystal up to and thus illuminate it's interior. For solid and very opaque stones, those that light cannot penetrate, the reading lamp is the preferable course of action. But for the clear and slightly opaque stones such as quartzes and fluorites, I prefer the candle method and it allows one to see deep into the crystal. Playing a soft background music can be of immense assistance as well, with shamanic drumming being by far the most helpful.

Once you are settled, begin to examine your stone. Turn it over in your hands and allow yourself to notice every detail, crack and line both on the surface and deep within. Allowing yourself to enter a light meditative state, look for images on or within the stone. Let your imagination play with whatever images do present themselves, making note or even drawing them into the journal. Often a stone can reveal it's purpose in this manner.

After a time, when it feels right to you, dim or extinguish the light and refresh the music if need be. Recline comfortably and place the stone upon your third eye chakra, between and slightly above the browns, and close your eyes. Taking a few deep, cleansing breaths and allow yourself to drift into a deeper meditative trance. Once you feel as though you are comfortably floating, ask the crystal to tell you of itself.

In the beginning, you may not receive much ... an impression here or there ... an image or two ... but as your skill with meditation and the stones improve, it is most likely that you will find this can generate some rather vivid visualizations. Among some of the most common images to be recorded during an attunement meditation are scenes depicting locations ... often being the place where the crystal grew and was mined from ... geometric patterns, or beings of light, often called angels or higher vibrational beings. Other information that can be imparted could pertain to the person from whom you received the stone, you may hear a voice speaking in your head ... be attentive to the words as it may be important. You may see a vision of a departed loved one, or a bright tunnel relax and go with it as you are perfectly safe and may learn much.

You may even have the great fortune of meeting with the spirit of the stone, the Deva. This is the crystalline intelligence that guides the stones vibrational frequency. Often such a meeting will result in your obtaining the crystal's name and you will find that stone becomes thrice more capable and efficient at the work you undertake with it ... be it Healing or Magickal. The stone and yourself have now become active partners in whatever endeavour you choose.

After a time, when you feel you have made a connection, remove the stone from your forehead and write down in the journal every image, impression, sound that you experienced as well as any thoughts you have on them. Rest for a while and let your senses return to normal, avoid getting up immediately afterwards as you may find yourself a touch lightheaded. Now that you have attuned yourself to the crystal, and made the acquaintance of it's Deva, you will have but to ask for it's assistance in your endeavour. It will act in your best interest and that of those people you work with it on.

NOTE
There exists a current and popular trend towards «programming» a crystal to fulfill a specific purpose. To attempt this is a mistake and can actually have an adverse effect on the crystal, yourself and anyone upon whom you use the stone. In programming a crystal, you attempt to exert your will upon the Deva ... a situation that can only described as a form of slavery upon the crystal's free spirit, forcing it to perform as you wish it to. Stop for a moment and consider if you would wish to be treated in such a manner and how you would react if someone tried to impose their will upon you. Though the crystal may perform as you wish it to for a time, it will eventually lose it's spirit ... either shattering or disappearing completely from your possession upon the death of the Deva. There is no way to determine ahead of time what kind of negative effect the stone would generate if used for healing or magickal purposes, but there is no doubt that ... in acting contrary to the rule of Harm None, there would be one.