This week we'll discuss the metaphysical properties of Bridge or Inner Child crystals. With all of these descriptions, it is my intention that you come away understanding how you might choose one crystal type over another to incorporate into your spell-work, meditation or rituals.

Here is the description I give about Bridge/Inner Child crystals in my book Understanding the Crystal People:

through and through penetrationPhysical description:

A Bridge or Inner Child is a smaller crystal (or crystals) penetrating and located partially in and partially out of a larger crystal. Both names, Bridge and Inner Child, are used interchangeably.

I call them Bridges when the point is fairly large and the point seems to equally bridge inner to outer. The Inner Child crystals I see as much smaller and penetrating more “in” than “out” and they have a feeling to me of going “within.”

The drawings are both examples of how a crystal may penetrate another crystal. (Either penetrating through and through or only one end protruding.) A Bridge or Inner Child may be represented in either arrangement.

one direction penetration, may be either terminating end (point) going IN or terminating end coming OUTMetaphysical description:

Bridge Crystals help to bridge between worlds. It may be the inner and outer worlds between your inner and outer Selves or between yourself and others in the physical environment in which you now live. They are helpful in any area you might imagine needing a bridge. They can help you heal and get in touch with your inner child (bridging the gap between your outer self and your inner self).

Bridge and Inner Child crystals are one of the metaphysical configurations falling into the category of crystal projections (crystals penetrating one another).

Determining whether you have a Bridge or Inner Child depends on the size of the penetrating point and the energy presented. So in other words, determining whether you technically have a Bridge or Inner Child point can be rather subjective. They both have the same general energy, which is that of bridging or connecting one thing to another. Remember that both names, Bridge and Inner Child, can be used interchangeably.

As I did with the Barnacles, in most of these pictures I have circled the area of the crystal to which I am referring.

metaphysical-configuration-bridges02.png

The above picture is an excellent example of a Bridge crystal.

Bridge crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

In the example above, the main crystal is being bridged by the crystal on the top right. The crystal on the top right is being bridged by the crystal beneath it, and the smallest crystal is bridging both of those. So as you can see, you may have layers and layers of bridging present.

 Bridge crystals in a cluster configuration - Arkansas Crystal Works

Here's an example of multiple layers of Bridging. I didn't draw on this photo because the whole picture would have been traced. Almost every crystal is bridging at least one of the other crystals. In this case, the crystal is a cluster. Most clusters have some degree of Bridging because of how closely the points are situated during growth.

 Bridge crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

This side view of a Bridge shows how the crystals may penetrate. I have circled all of the bridges, but the one to focus on is the one just below my thumb. See how it is growing into the other crystal, not just sharing a side? It has an energy of bridging or connecting.

 Bridge crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

The crystal above has many Bridges. The one at the top is an example of how the base of the bridging point may be inside of the main point, with the terminating end of the crystal coming out. In this case, you might work with this crystal to connect (or bridge) an aspect of your inner self to something outside yourself. In other words, an act of your inner self reaching OUT to something as opposed to something external reaching IN to your inner self.

Following are some crystals which have examples of what might be referred to as both Bridges and Inner Child points. Since the names are used interchangeably, I thought it might be helpful to view examples of both types, side by side in the same crystal.

 Bridge and Inner Child crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

The larger points (mostly to the left) might be considered Bridges, while the smaller, more deeply penetrating crystals (mostly the two to the very far right), might be considered Inner Child. The ones in the center might be either Bridges or Inner Child. Notice in all cases I say "might" not "would". This is because it depends on the perception of the person working with the crystal and the energy each presents.

Bridge and Inner Child crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

In this case, the very large point, upper center, would probably present as a Bridge, and probably also the largest one below that. The smaller ones to the right and left would  probably present as Inner Child. Notice the sparkly tiny crystals in this picture. You should recognize them as Barnacles.

 Bridge and Inner Child crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

This is an excellent example of a crystal with both Bridges and Inner Child points. Notice how some of them Bridge each other, not just the largest point.

 Bridge and Inner Child crystals - Arkansas Crystal Works

I love this point. This is an example where the subjectivity of the person really comes into play (and what energy they perceive from each penetrating point). They may be seen as either; 1. both Bridges, 2. both Inner Child, or 3. one of each. I tend to see the one on the left as a Bridge, and the longer thinner one on the right as an Inner Child.

Here are a few I would see as Inner Child:

Inner Child crystal - Arkansas Crystal Works

As you can see from the text on the picture, this penetrating crystal would actually be what is called a Manifestation point if the entire point were enclosed within the larger crystal. Since it protrudes, it is not. Because so much of it is WITHIN the other point, I see it as an Inner Child (rather than a Bridge). A person might work with this type of crystal to access their deepest most inner self.

Inner Child crystal - Arkansas Crystal Works

This is another crystal which I would call an Inner Child crystal, for the same reasons as above.

In all of these examples, I hope you have stretched out with your imagination to see WHY we name these crystal configurations and also HOW we might work with each crystal. Depending on what type of energy work you do (for example; meditation, healing work, spell-casting, etc), you might choose a certain type of crystal to assist you with your intention.

For example, jumping back to Barnacles, you might choose to work with a crystal with Barnacles to tap into deep wisdom to assist with new ideas (new souls attracted to old soul energy). Or you might simply ask the old soul crystal to enlighten you (seeing that it has attracted Barnacles gives you a heads up that this crystal has knowledge to impart).

You may choose to work with a Bridge crystal to bridge or connect one thing to another. For example, to strengthen a bond or connection between two people or even yourself now to a version of yourself in a parallel reality who embodies the characteristics you desire (smoker to non-smoker, unhealthy to healthy, etc.).

You might choose to work with an Inner Child crystal to gain access to your innermost self, perhaps to heal issues you might have had as a child or on the other hand, to tap into the joy or playfulness you experienced as a child.

In all of these examples, the applications are limitless.

I hope these descriptions:

    1. have helped you learn a little bit more about Bridge and Inner Child crystals and
    2. have given you ideas and sparked your imagination on how you might work with the different metaphysical properties of your crystal friends.

Next week I'll be back to discuss Channelers.