It’s Time We Talk About The Crystal Girl Aesthetic
Graphic by Anika Dua
Walking through Syracuse you’ll notice all kinds of different people from very different backgrounds. Whether in the dating scene or just socializing, one person you may have already noticed is the hip Crystal Girl that has become oh-so popular thanks to TikTok and other social media.
If you don’t know what a Crystal Girl is (it’s pretty self-explanatory TBH), it’s someone who really likes crystals and wears them/talks about them all the time. The way I see it, there are two categories for these:
Those who actually use crystals intentionally.
Those who like it for the aesthetic.
Being a witch myself, I’m sure people are anticipating I’ll write a big hateful piece about religious/cultural appropriation– which is definitely an important issue to keep in mind when exploring aethetics and spirituality– but in this case, I’m very sorry to disappoint. While I do have issues with the Crystal Girl aesthetic– and I will talk about those shortly– all in all, me and most witches at SU (join SPIRAL!) are actually not super passionate about this specific topic. In fact, a lot of us are for the Crystal Girl aesthetic.
“Crystals were my gateway to paganism. I started with crystal books first because it was like, ‘Mom, it’s not witchcraft, it’s alternative healing.’” - Ren, Labyrinth Witch
Here’s the thing: I started as a Crystal Girl, and other witches that I know started as ones too! Since crystals and a lot of spiritual practices are so closely linked, it’s not surprising that someone can start as a Crystal Girl and end up being a witch.
Quick note, though: just because the aesthetic is called “Crystal Girl,” doesn’t mean that only girls can like crystals, or be witches! In fact, the term “witch,” is not associated with any gender.
Anyway, I’d say most aesthetics such as this one help normalize non-denominational religions. The only time I would be against this idea is if you’re pursuing a Crystal Girl aesthetic to mock it.
With that out of the way, the real issues with the Crystal Girl aesthetic concerns ethically sourcing crystals and materializing spirituality.
Crystals are believed to harness energies in a very unique way, which is why many people use them for manifestation and/or for spells. But these crystals are mined directly from the Earth, which means that there are real people doing this and there are only so many crystals available. So when shopping for crystals, you need to know if they’re ethically sourced so you’re supporting good business practices (crystals being removed respectfully and responsibly from the Earth while keeping sustainability in mind, and paying their workers good wages). Oftentimes at crystal/occult shops I’ll hear the comment: “they’re so expensive!” I’ve been there, and will be there for a long time (I’m a writer), but they’re supposed to be expensive! They’re rare stones, taken from the Earth that made their way to you in some random shop in Upstate New York. If you don’t want to pay a lot for them, then you probably shouldn’t have them.
That leads me to my next point; while this doesn’t have anything to do with the people who like the aesthetic, it is a commentary on the aesthetic itself. I believe that the Crystal Girl aesthetic materializes spirituality: i.e., “oh, you need to buy ___ to practice ___.” This idea is wrong, and it’s produced by the people who profit off of it. The reason I and so many others were drawn to our practices in the first place is because you don’t need anything materialistic to be spiritual. The Crystal Girl aesthetic makes it seem like you need XYZ, but you don’t– all you need is your intention. Witchcraft has been done with sticks and stones for centuries, so why would it change now?
“...I feel there is also a gatekeeping vibe for these aesthetics, especially crystals…I just like pretty things okay!” - Kialey, Green Witch
So, is the Crystal Girl aesthetic problematic? Mostly… no.
Crystals are for everyone regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or spiritual beliefs. A lot of times, crystals are the beginning of long spiritual journeys, so “dabbling” cannot hurt. The only time this aesthetic (and others like it) is problematic is when it’s used to mock spiritual beliefs, or the aesthetic is pursued with no regard for the mining process.
The most important thing when dabbling with spirituality: be respectful, and know that the only thing you need to be spiritual is yourself. If anyone says otherwise, they’re after your money!
Happy exploring, you beautiful crystal hippies, and blessed be!