How To Cleanse Crystals

Crystals, tools, amulets, talismans, and jewelry need to be cleansed when acquired and also periodically throughout ownership to remove any negative energy debris. It is especially recommended to cleanse items used for healing and in divination often.

Required Tools:

A number of items can be used to cleanse crystals.

They can be cleansed in water, using smoke, a singing bowl or earth.

Directions:

Crystals can be cleansed using a variety of methods and any of these methods can be combined for a more thorough cleansing. The method you choose will vary by your tradition, the physical properties of the crystal and your personal situation and availability of materials.

One very common method is smudging or suffumigation, which involves passing the crystal through smoke formed by the smoldering of specific herbs or incense. The smoke removes any heavy energies and energies that are not innate to the crystal. This is a very useful method when you are working with a crystal or mineral that is soft or porous and can be damaged by other methods. Frankincense, sandalwood or sage are often used for this purpose.

Crystals may also be cleansed through exposure to other minerals.

Salt (see halite) is known to absorb energy, so a crystal may be exposed to salt to varying degrees to absorb and remove any energies and some like to use it to cleanse crystals. The crystal may be simply sprinkled with salt, or it may be buried in it, or salt may be added to water that is used to cleanse the crystal for added cleansing power. Salt is corrosive, however, and can damage many minerals and so I do not recommend the use of salt for cleansing any minerals, not by itself and especially not mixed with water.

Selenite and quartz are both said to be able to cleanse any crystal they comes in contact with.

Another method for cleansing crystals involves burying them in the earth for a period of time to cleanse as well as recharge their energies. This helps the crystal to "remember" and regain its natural state. It is advisable to put a marker of some sort over the spot to find the crystal again. Or the earth can be brought indoors in a pot and the crystal buried within.

Water can be used to cleanse many crystals, though some will dissolve in water. Running water is often preferred and a mineral can be held in a steam of water to cleanse it or placed overnight in rain water or moon water, although longer submersion increases the chance of damage to your mineral. Any calcium-based mineral, anything rough or flakey and anything with a hardness below 7 should not be cleansed in water. Using water to cleanse metals runs the risk of tarnish and rust.

Light can also be used to cleanse crystals. Some crystals, such as clear quartz can be placed in the sunshine for cleansing and recharging, but colored quartz, such as amethyst and rose quartz will fade in the sun. Some crystals, like moonstone are placed in the light of the moon.

Smooth stones that aren’t likely to be chipped can also be placed in a singing bowl while the bowl is “sung.” The vibrations will help cleanse and recharge the crystal.

Additional Comments:

Cleansings are traditionally done on Saturdays in the waning phase of the Moon, but can be done anytime as needed.

For More Information:

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