I recently came across the book "Ancient Echoes: The Anasazi Book of Chants" by Mary Summer Rain and I became suspicious immediatly, just from the cover illustration, that it was Newage/ plastic shaman. I then looked through the "chants" and discovered a few things: first that there was no language (not even ONE WORD) that wasnt english; next that she claimed the Anasazi went on "star journeys" (a classic NewAge theme). But perhaps the most revealing to my knowledge was the supposed large role "crystals" played in Anasazi religion.
I have only heard of one native american tribe who attach any significance to quartz crystals - that they are extremely dangerous! (Sorry, dont remember the tribe, but I do remember it is in northern california)
Ignoring the topic of New Age in general, (unless you feel compelled) my question is this - what spiritual/religious significance, if any, do traditional natives give to quartz, etc.? Firsthand knowledge is greatly appreciated! (If specific knowledge among your people is closed to outsiders, a simple yes or no is fine.)