Något mer än ett objekt: En antropologisk studie om kristallers relationer med människan

Abstract

Crystal use has existed throughout human history and is a phenomenon that has become more popular globally like the other phenomena that are a part of the new age movement. There is still a great deal of skepticism towards crystals by people who are not familiar with them due to its unusuality to the stuff that people deem as normal. This paper is based on an anthropological fieldwork consisting of interviews with people that are affiliated with crystals such as staff at crystal shops, crystal healers & generally people who are interested in crystals and participant observations in places were crystals can be located. The material was gathered in a period of 9 weeks in the beginning of 2024. I aim to give insight into the relationships between crystals and humans but also the effects crystals have on the users. By weaving in Anna Tsing and Donna Harroways theories on posthumanism, Bruno Latours actor-network theory and Karl Baiers theory of spirituality with the material gathered I argue that the participants in my study see the crystals as an actor that influences humans as much as humans influences them. The relationships with crystals are very individual and depends on how the user connects with the crystal, but the participants have expressed how the crystals are there as a comfort. The community shows a large togetherness and positivity which is noticeable in how the community reacts to the skepticism, by not reacting at all or by explaining why they believe as they do rather than to try and persuade them. This thesis is written in Swedish.