Whether you’re choosing incense, oils, plants, or crystals, you’ll want to do this in person (it’s kind of hard to virtually smell and touch items, although I’m sure VR tech is on its way). 

You can usually find incense and essential oils at a store near you. For crystals and plants like palo santo and sage, you’ll want to search for specialty stores that carry those items (it may not be as obvious as “Namaste Crystal Shop” [which happens to be my favorite NYC carrier]—rather, it could be a local wellness center, jewelry store, or psychic shop). 

You might feel like you’re entering woo-woo territory and you’re right: this isn’t you searching for baby gem lettuce at the grocery store, but you shopping for “vibes.” The people who work in the stores know this, and they’re not weirded out by it (in fact, this is their jam).

Smell and touch as much as possible. Notice what you gravitate toward, which could involve re-smelling or re-touching items to confirm your preference(s). 

If you’re touching crystals, close your eyes and pass them through your dominant and non-dominant hands. This will help overpower thoughts and force you to feel into the choice. 

Most importantly, resist the urge to look up meaning. This is you practicing instinct first.

Okay, now you can research (after you’ve followed instinct). Learn about the benefits and meanings of the items you were drawn to. Some stores carry placards that contain this information, and they’ll sound something like this: “Pyrite evokes courage and strength in order to face our emotional demons and release any negative energy, particularly fear, that is caught in our emotional bodies.” Other establishments may not have these, so you can turn to the internet for this information.

It’s important to remember that whatever you’re drawn to is right for right now. Just because you’re drawn to turquoise, for example, doesn’t mean you’ll love it forever—it may just mean that right now you’re struggling with clear communication and you need a boost from a helpful tool.

Let’s say you buy five crystals. You’re keeping all five around because, by jove, you need all the help you can get (fingers crossed).

The problem with this model is that you can’t tell which crystal is doing what. You’ve lumped them together for celestial support, but you can’t tell if they’re working with or against each other (ex: pairing a calming stone with an energizing one). Additionally, you’ve lost the plot. You’re throwing out 10 wishes and a Hail Mary hoping more crystals will fulfill more wishes. 

Sorry to break it to you, but it doesn’t work that way. Staying singular is key to this work because it helps you discern what’s working and what’s not. So focus on one intention, and choose the one item that supports that one intention. Spend a few days with that one intention and one item to see how you feel. If you feel potency, great; if not, try a different item.