Crystal healing is an ancient art, though there are many practitioners of the theory as of today. It is necessary to know some tips for cleansing the crystals before use, so as to absolve them of whatever negative energies they hold (if any).
Important Tips to Remember
~ Amethyst, clear quartz, and carnelian can be used as cleansing agents themselves. Of course, they’ll need to be cleaned later, separately.
~ Kyanite, azeztulite, citrine, and selenite do not require any cleansing.
~ Lepidolite, alabaster, turquoise, opalulexite, calcite, hematite, spectrolite, and carnelian should not be cleansed with salt water.
~ Opal, amethyst, and turquoise should not be cleansed in the sunlight.
Importance of Cleansing Crystals Before Use
The source of a crystal is not known to many. It may have already been used by someone, and may contain negative energies. For this reason, it is important to cleanse the crystals before use. Cleansing the stones with water, sage, salt, etc., will dissipate the dense energies and infuse the stone with positive energy. A common misconception is that crystals have to be cleansed only once. That’s not true, since one may leave their crystal anywhere, and it may absorb negative vibrations from the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to cleanse crystals and stones regularly.
Running Water
Water is a universal cleaning agent. Hold the stone under clean, clear, cool running water. Imagine the negativity being washed away. The stone will be cleansed in some time. Remember though, that some crystals should not be cleaned with water, including lapis lazuli, selenite, calcite, malachite, fluorite, etc.
Intention
Strong intuitions and positive intentions can help cleanse crystals. Hold the crystal in the palm of the hand, intend that the negative energy be absolved, and blow the thoughts into the stone. Visualize the stone to be surrounded by a bright, golden light. If the intention is genuine and powerful, the crystal will be cleansed and purified. A positive breath is believed to push the negative energy into a black hole and purify the crystal with positive, bright vibrations.
Smudging
Smudging requires the crystal to be cleansed with herbs like sage, cedar, sweet grass, incense sticks, etc. Use a smudging stick, incense, or a smudging feather made of any (or a combination) of the above-mentioned herbs, light it at the tip with a flame, and gently pass the billowing smoke on the crystals. The stones will be cleansed within a few seconds. Clean the residue with a wet cloth.
Selenite Slab
Selenite is powerful enough to clean other stones. Place the crystal on a selenite slab or a cluster of selenite wands. It is one of the most powerful and simplest cleaning methods. The stones will be cleansed within 15-20 minutes.
Reiki
The practice of Reiki is believed to absolve crystals of harmful energies. Reiki practitioners cleanse crystals by infusing them with pure, positive energy from the Universe. This method will be beneficial for those who are Reiki experts.
Cluster Cleansing
Cluster crystals of amethyst, citrine, and clear quartz work very well for cleansing crystals. Place the stone amidst the cluster and leave it overnight. The powerful properties of the cluster will clear the crystal of any unwanted energy.
Sunlight
Sunlight is a natural and an easy way for charging and cleansing crystals. Simply place the crystals where the sun rays are strong, and they will be charged as the evening sets in. Remember though, that some crystals cannot be charged under the sun, including citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, kunzite, topaz, sapphire, etc. And, the ones which can be charged, should not be left out for a very long period of time, as they might dry out and be drained of all energy.
Moonlight
The moon represents Yin energy, cleanse the crystals with the same. Place them under the light of the full moon for up to 24 hours. Placing them on a bedroom window sill works fine. They will be completely charged and nourished under the energizing moonbeams.
Bury Them in the Ground
Mother Earth is the most powerful source of purifying crystals. This method is based on the theory that burying the stones is equivalent to returning them to their source of existence, and this natural state helps them get recharged. Bury them a few inches in the ground for up to 24 hours or at most 72 hours. This is one of the most effective cleansing methods.
Brown Rice
Soaking crystals in brown rice has a double benefit. This method energizes the crystals by purging them of negativity, and balancing the existing energies. After the cleansing, the rice is believed to be purified as well.
Candle Flame
Cleanse the stones by passing them through a candle flame. Exercise caution so that no one gets burned, and the stones remain unharmed as well. This is not a very popular method, but is very effective nevertheless. Use this method for dark-colored stones, and make sure to use a long candle.
Sound Cleansing
Sound cleansing is a popular method, using singing bowls and cleansing stones is quite common in many parts of Asia. Place the crystal in a Tibetan singing bowl or on top of drums. Use bells, sacred incantations, devotional songs, pleasant, harmonious music, or tuning forks to invoke sounds that will heal the crystal. It must be placed in the direction where the sound is strongest.
Flower Petal Bath
Put petals of flowers like roses, honeysuckle, orange blossoms, etc., into the water, and place the crystals inside the bowl. This flower soak cleans the crystals of any negative energies and transmits positive vibrations to the stone.
Saltwater Soak
This is one of the most popular and common methods for cleansing stones. Bury the crystal directly in a bowl of salt, or dissolve 3 tablespoons of regular table salt or sea salt in water in a ceramic/glass/plastic bowl and place the crystal inside. Leave it undisturbed for 1-7 days. Do not use this method for hematite or lodestone, lest they get oxidized. After cleansing, wipe off the salt, deposit it in a trash bag, and throw it away. Never reuse the salt.
