Lubna Salah: Jewelry with a purpose

The healing properties of gems and crystals have been known since ancient times. Incidentally, Thomas Edison thought that his success was due to a pocketful of quartz crystals he always carried with him. He felt that the stones enhanced his energy and creativity. Closer to us, celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Robert Downey Jr., David and Victoria Beckham, Heidi Klum, and even the late Princess Diana, believe in the power of crystal and gemstone therapy. “I am delighted to have seen a rising interest in the healing arts such as crystal healing and Reiki in the Arab world,” said Lubna Salah who set up “House of Shakti,” a brand of jewelry that promotes healing of the mind, body and spirit. Salah discovered the healing powers of crystals when she spotted gemstones in jewelry in a booth while shopping. “The owner had studied crystals, so she selected suitable stones for me. I bought a necklace that came with some information, explaining the healing properties of those stones. I wore that necklace everyday, sometimes even at night. I found myself changing during that time, changing in a way that seemed oddly coincidental, based on what little I had learned from the stones. From this, I decided to learn more about crystals and enhance my understanding of the healing powers of gemstones, both through research and intuition. After I got feedback from early clients of mine telling me they sensed a difference and were in love with my work, I felt I found my calling. To be able to make something beautiful that helps others as well, is a dream come true,” explained Salah. The first necklace Salah bought was made of amazonite and amethyst. In those days, she was going through a difficult time expressing her anger and sadness. Amethyst is one of the most powerful protective stones because it helps neutralize negative emotions and the amazonite is said to help you express yourself with love. “With the combination of these two, I found my self-expression flowing, and I was led to creative pursuits. Through these creative pursuits, I was better able to channel my energy and express myself. My research in natural healing showed me how our physical ailments can have emotional roots. The belief carrying these negative emotions drains the body and can lead in the long term to cancer and many other illnesses,” she said. Everything that comes from the earth, including food, has healing powers and “prana,” or life energy. Each food has its nutritional value and life-giving energy and so do crystals. The higher quality the food, the higher the “prana.” The same happens with crystals. Crystals have many healing properties, which help deal with psychological and emotional problems. Salah has a very special connection and concern for women in the Middle East. Although she was born in the U.S., she moved to the Middle East at the age of 14 and lived there for 10 years. She recently went back to visit family and says that she wants to help as many women as possible by allowing them to use their creative self-expression as a way of healing. “Ideally, crystals should be worn as close to the body and skin as possible. It is not necessary to wear them at night, but placing them next to your bedside while you sleep is also helpful. If you have a special crystal that is in rock form, carry it in a pouch close to you to benefit from its healing powers,” she explained. Salah makes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and prayer beads and also specializes in custom designs for which she interacts one on one with the customers to learn about their healing needs. After she made her first pieces of jewelry in 2008, she established her online store (www.houseofshakti.com) two years later in March 2010. “I have received lovely feedback from clients who have felt positive changes since wearing my jewelry. Some clients report itching when they wear the jewelry, which is known to be a sign of a wound healing. I have also experienced vivid dreams when working with crystals and some clients even reported their dreams to me. Crystals are catalysts for change and the healing process is a very personal and subjective thing,” she added. From: Arab News