We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Alcala and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Erika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The Crystal Madre was born as a way for one to honor themselves with daily intention. When we honor ourselves by creating a positive and grateful start to our day, we vibrate on a higher energetic level. This clarity in turn helps you heal spiritually, mentally and sometimes it shows in a physical form as well.
The Crystal Madre is a small business which curates crystals from jewelry to decorative house pieces, offers healing services, and provides intentional workshops and ceremonies honoring the elements and seasonal cycles which we can all relate to. The vibration is inspired and dedicated to the gentle love and energy of the Mother Divine in everyone and everything, especially crystal magic.
What should our readers know about your business?
I connected to minerals as a young grade school child, however It wasn’t until I experienced extreme grief that I felt drawn to crystals on a healing level. I must also note that I have a meditation background going back to an adolescent age and love for the Divine which has allowed me to explore and honor multiple religions. Finding peace within breathwork, prayer, and meditation plus connection to my spiritual path has always come easy, until one day after grief, postpartum, and a breakup, it simply didn’t. Some people call this “The Dark Night of The Soul.” My grief portal was intense. Most people seeking a spiritual path come to a point where they shed and grow. It’s usually a lonely journey full of archetypes which help shape and mold us. I found myself going to church several times a week rebuilding my devotion, and also opening myself up to energetic healing techniques such as various forms of Reiki, Sound Healing and connecting to crystals for their healing modalities instead of just their beauty. Although all of this sounds like a lot of “Woo Woo” there is an ancient science behind it all which modern science is catching up to.
After building a personal collection of healing allies via my crystal collection I was able to use daily intention to program my crystals based on meaning. During this vulnerable time I felt they held space for me when I simply could not. After seeing the miraculous progress I made, I took a few courses with some of my most coveted crystal mentors and learned about the science and frequency behind crystals. Finally it all made sense and I became a multiple certified crystal practitioner. I was able to combine everything I love from meditation, breathwork, and nature to help others and that was truly the humbling part; to see my gifts and knowledge be of service to others.
I have such a fascination for crystal formations and how in turn with they work with us based on structure and mineral composition. Many people have been attracted to minerals in some way or another and there is a reason for that. Crystals carry a vibration that can be felt and change the energetic frequency of the environment around you. Next time you give someone a gift, consider gifting them a crystal that has a living frequency verses a home decor piece or jewelry which well just doesn’t have a vibe.
The Crystal Madre minerals are hand selected, support small fair trade businesses and are energetically cleansed and programmed to the highest vibrations of love. You can find jewelry, gems, pocket crystals and big statement pieces. I love taking my clients on a journey to gem shows via live and story sales on instagram. My favorite thing to do is personal shop so the client gets exactly what they are looking for. I love helping clients customize their heirloom jewels as well as find energetic decorative focal crystals for their home. If I can’t find that special piece or shape I have master carvers which can make your dreams come true. On an intentional and healing level I love hosting workshops for children and adults, we craft items intentionally using minerals and natural elements. Many times the workshops or circles are based on seasons or astrological events and also include breathwork and meditation. As a Crystal Practioner I include many healing modalities and services using specific crystal placement, Unitarian Reiki, and crystal divination. What I love about my position is that I get to connect to minerals on all levels and use my creativity towards product development all while raising the vibration for the collective one mineral and client at a time.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Los Angeles, it’s dubbed the City of Angels for a reason. Sure you hit traffic but I use that time to zen out and practice even-mindedness. When people come visit me I love taking them to energetic portals which help us feel grounded and grateful. The first spot I love taking loved ones to is Lake Shrine which was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda was one of the first Yogis to bring meditation from the east to the west. He made tapping and connecting to God and Divine Mother from conceptual to experiential through yoga meditation. The meditation gardens are so peaceful and a real jewel. I also love visiting Malibu and learning about the Tongva land and people. The Adamson home is a nice land mark and it’s free to visit the grounds. I also love Topanga Canyon, please be sure to visit their small shops as many have been affected by the closure off PCH. I love dining at the “Inn of the Seventh Ray” in Topanga because it feels like a fairy portal. I also love walking down Abbott Kinney. It has definitely changed a lot however people watching is inspiring. When in LA you must check out a wellness class of some sort, as you know Los Angeles is full of healers of all types of modalities. I love seeing what Riverbank Los Angeles has to offer and The Well Lived Woman in Topanga. You could also find community at these locations.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I love the idea of a Shoutout and I would love to dedicate my Shoutout to Jennifer Dickens. Jennifer has studied Heart Math and does a great job of guiding others to find their center and peace through heart coherence coaching she calls ” Awakening heart wisdom. jenn@jenndickens.com
Website: https://www.thecrystalmadre.com
Instagram: @thecrystalmadre
Other: The-crystalmadre@outlook.com
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
