The subject of cleansing crystals is a common one and in this article I hope to explain to you why it’s important. I will also provide you with quick and easy methods on how to do this.
With each new crystal you purchase or acquire, whether it be a tumblestone or a piece of jewellery, you should ensure that you go through the process of cleaning it.
This is important because, over time, these crystals will absorb emotions and energies from the environment that they have been exposed to. This in turn can affect its quality, making your crystal appear dull or feel different. Over time you may lose your faith in it working as its energy weakens.
Regular cleansing of your crystal will keep it in tip top condition and fully energised to provide crystal healing.
Crystal or gemstone healing can be in the form of a treatment, wearing jewellery, or simply placing a crystal on your person or within a room. If performing an actual crystal healing session, crystals should be cleaned before and after the treatment.
How to Clean a Crystal Gemstone
My favourite method for cleaning crystals, tarot cards, and my healing space is to use sound. For this, you can use a singing bowl or Tibetan chimes.
Smudging Crystals
Smudging is the process of covering your crystal in the smoke of burning sage or an incense stick. I only use Goloka or Tulisa incense sticks due to them being free from toxic materials. Our shop, Gemstone and Tarot, based in Liverpool’s, St John’s Market stocks these brands of incense sticks in various scents.
Both of these companies put their profits back into their local communities. Goloka Seva Trust provide meals for school children and support for widows. Tulasi set up the Sarathi’s Charitable Trust in 1980 to create scholarships for children to further their education.
Use Frankincense, Myrrh, or Sandalwood due to their purifying properties.
It’s also beneficial to note here that I cleanse my room with three drops of Frankincense essential oil in a 250ml spray bottle of water. I spray the corners of the room as negativity can build up there, and I ask my guides that the room be cleansed of all negative energy and emotions. I don’t like to use this direct on crystals as it may damage them.
Cleansing crystals in sunlight and moonlight
Crystals can be cleansed of negative energies either under the sun or moon depending on the crystals characteristics.
Solar crystals
Crystals that can be cleansed in the morning sunlight have vibrant colours, are opaque and sparkle like the sun. These are usually red, orange, yellow, gold or clear and have a strong masculine feel to them. Examples include Carnelian, Red Agate, Lemon Jade, Citrine, Lemon Quartz, and yellow, and red calcite.
Lunar crystals
Crystals that can be cleansed under the moonlight are delicate, and transparent, with some looking cloudy. They are in a wide range of colours such as blues, greens, purple, grey, silver, pink, black (the absence of colour), and white. These crystals have a feminine feel about them and some examples include, Moonstone, Labradorite, Amethyst, Green Aventurine, Pink Opal, Rhodochrosite, and Amazonite.
Obviously, some crystals do cross over, such as clear quartz, Labradorite, and Lapis Lazuli that can make it difficult sometimes to work out if it’s moonlight or sunlight. The examples above are not definitive and are just a guide to help you.
Using Reiki to cleanse crystals
I also use Reiki to cleanse my crystal gemstones as I’ve received my second-degree attunement.
Bury your crystal in the Earth
If you have a garden or potted plants, you can bury your crystal gemstone in the Earth for at least an hour. Leaving it for a longer period is better.
Hold under cold running water
I don’t recommend this method of cleansing crystals as you could damage your stone. Some crystals don’t like water. If in doubt, don’t do it. It’s always best to use a natural source of water such as a slow-running stream with no chemicals.
Re-energising crystal gemstones
I believe that the methods above, except tap water, also re-energises your crystal.
I go with my intuition and what feels right to me. However, on rare occasions, I have felt the need to quickly pass a crystal through the smoke. This can be above the flame of a candle or through incense to re-energise it. Of course, it goes without saying that if you’re going to try this method, ensure you don’t burn your fingers. The most important thing here is that you use your intuition, and listen to what the gemstone is telling you.
Programming crystal gemstones
Programming crystal gemstones is important and you can do this with visualising your intentions.
Let’s say that I want assistance with managing my anxiety throughout the day. I will take hold of my gemstone healing bracelet and perform the following steps: –
- Feet flat on the floor to feel grounded
- Settle my breathing and the chatter of my mind
- I hold the bracelet in my hands and ask that the bracelet please help me today with my anxieties, and guide my intuition
- I need to stress that I don’t demand the gemstones to do anything for me. I ask politely and finish off with a thank you
- Trust your intuition