Alternatives to crystals/flowers

I just got the book "Opening to Channel" and pretty disappointed to find that you need crystals and flowers for your preparation. Even though I live in a desert city, flowers may be possible but crystals are out of the question. Are they really necessary or can someone suggest some alternatives?

[Ananias]

Hi Satsujin, any stones or plants can be used for this exercise. The main thing is that the objects should not be made by humans. Every stone and plant on the Earth's surface has its own energy and consciousness. Opening to Channel is a great book, but it was written in the context of North American late 80s new age culture, where crystal shops were widespread. Many native cultures value what we would call 'just rocks' and see the same powers in them that new agers saw in crystals.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
Ananias

Thanks for your reply Ananias. So you are saying I can use seashells or rocks I find in the street right? And I dont need flowers I can use leaves maybe?

[Ananias]

Hi Satsujin,
Yes, they should all work for this kind of exercise. I probably wouldn't use gravel that was broken up by machines, though-- naturally formed rocks would be better.
Blessings,
Ananias

[Nameless]

I love Opening to Channel. I never got all the way through it, and I did try the plant thing but it didn't seem to do much for me. Back then, I couldn't feel energy, so I was not on that wavelength yet. So don't be disappointed if the first few exercises don't appeal or you don't feel anything.

I think it is definitely an individual thing, some of it applies to some people and some to others. It does open you up to the idea of how it can work, and get you going in the direction of it. What happened for me was the Sky pointed me in another direction after I read through most of it, and I was able to connect in a far different way than the book suggests, but it is a jumping off place, and I love the visuals - I still use them.

so take what feels right for you and leave the rest, and the Sky will guide you where it is you are wanting to go.....it's all a journey, but it is all individual

You will probably feel drawn to the things that feel right. I used a few tools at first but after a while I didn't find a need to do so any longer. Sometimes I still use cards or flowers or crystals but only when I feel the need to.

You may order crystals online. Online world helps you irrespective of the fact that you are in the Desert.

and see the same powers in them that new agers saw in crystals.