If you're reading this blog then you already know what it’s like to be entranced by the sweet song of crystals, and the intense need to take them home once you have. Whether you put your crystals on display somewhere to admire their beauty or use the energy within them to transform yourself, you may be wondering the best way to care for or use your crystals. This guide will explain how to do just that while also pointing out the ways in which working with crystals will have a positive effect on your life. As with anything, this is just a guide and you should always do what feels best to you.
If you want to work with crystals and experience their positive effects the first thing you need to do is start spending as much time with them as possible. Hold them, carry them in your pocket, purse or bra lol. Set them on your desk, or place them near your bathtub or on your nightstand. The more time you spend with your crystals the more you will connect with them. In this way, they can help you emotionally, mentally, physically or even spiritually.
WHY YOU SHOULD CLEANSE YOUR CRYSTALS
It’s important to note that crystals give off positive energy but at the same time absorb negative energy. If a crystal becomes overworked or full of negative energy it no longer can give off good energy and can even begin to release the bad it has absorbed. Think of them like air filters that absorb all the bad stuff and put out clean air, but over time even they need to be changed in order to work properly.
Taking the time to cleanse your crystals will help you develop other meaningful practices like smudging your space, getting outdoors or taking small moments to meditate. Each way that you cleanse your crystals can be another step towards becoming the divine being you are.
You may intuitively know when your crystals are full and need to be cleansed, but if not, it's good to try and cleanse them once a month or more frequently depending on your usage.
It’s also a good idea to cleanse your crystals when you first get them, during times of stress or illness, and after any major life-altering event.
HOW TO CLEANSE YOUR CRYSTALS
The following are recommended methods that are safe for all crystals.
VISUALIZATION
This is the easiest method there is since anyone can do it and it doesn't require anything except your imagination. Sit and hold your crystals while envisioning a white or golden light in and around the crystal until you feel it has been cleansed.
MOONLIGHT
This is a powerful and purifying way to cleanse your crystals. You can put them on a windowsill or directly outside on the night of a full or new moon.
EARTH
One of the simplest and most natural ways to cleanse your crystals is to put them back where they came from by burying them in the earth or just placing them on the ground. Go with your gut and leave them there as long as you think it is necessary. Be sure its a place free from pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals.
SMOKE
You can use your favorite incense or form of smudging to cleanse your crystals. Simply run the crystals back and forth through the smoke. This is also one of the best ways to cleanse your most delicate pieces of healing jewelry.
CLEANSING SPRAYS
Sprays are a great way to quickly cleanse your crystals and even your home. I use sprays often since my kids don’t like the smoke that accompanies smudging, and for use in public when I can't set a smudge stick or bundle on fire.
SOUND
You can use singing bowls, tuning forks, bells, chanting, or my personal favorite, wind chimes to cleanse your crystals. You can even use drumming.
CRYSTALS THAT CLEANSE OTHER CRYSTALS
It is said that some crystals like selenite, quartz, amethyst, citrine, and carnelian are self-cleansing and can even cleanse other stones. I use quartz and selenite to cleanse crystals and jewelry, but I still believe all crystals need a good cleansing every now and then.
ASK YOUR ANGELS OR SPIRIT GUIDES
The Archangel Ariel or Epona are great guides to ask for help when working with crystals. You can also ask Archangel Michael to cleanse them with divine light.
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THE FOLLOWING CLEANSING METHODS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL CRYSTALS
WATER
The best types of water for this are moon water, river, ocean or even stream water. You can place them in a mesh bag and safely hold them in a stream or the waves of the ocean or just dip them in a bowl of moon water.
*Crystals not suitable for water- angelite, aragonite, azurite, barite, calcite, celestite, desert rose, dolomite, hemimorphite, kyanite, selenite, scolecite, turquoise, and vanadinite.
SUNLIGHT
Place your crystal on a window sill in direct sunlight for 12-24 hours.
*Crystals that will fade in sunlight- amethyst, ametrine, Australian opal, celestite, citrine, kunzite, morganite, rose quartz, smokey quartz, super seven and turquoise.
SNOW
Snow is a great way to cleanse your crystals. Crystals that are not safe for water should avoid snow.
SALT
Add salt to a bowl of water and add your crystals, or bury the crystal in salt and then rinse after 10 minutes. Crystal not safe for water should also avoid using water with this method.
*Additional crystals that should not be cleansed with salt are malachite, and lapis lazuli.
CANDLE FLAME
Hold the crystal in the heat of the flame but not directly in the flame as this can damage the crystal. Take precautions to not burn yourself in the process.
CHARGING YOUR CRYSTALS
Another great way to work with crystals that has positive effects is to use any of the following charging methods to set intentions with your crystals. This helps you realize exactly what it is that you are trying to accomplish or change and that is the first step towards manifesting anything in your life.
MOONLIGHT OR SUNLIGHT
Place crystals in the sunlight, full moonlight, or new moonlight for 12-24 hours.
*Refer to the cleansing with sunlight guide above or contact me if you are unsure whether or not your crystal is safe for sunlight exposure.
OTHER CRYSTALS
You can place crystals you want to charge on top of or near other crystals like quartz or selenite, or in the center of a crystal grid in order to charge them with a specific purpose or intention.
PROGRAMMING
Another way to charge your crystals is to program them with your specific intentions. Crystals will still do their job without this extra step but programming them gives them a helpful boost to do exactly what it is you want them to. You can choose to program any crystal you like with any intention but it’s good to know that certain crystals are better suited for certain purposes. Always go with your gut and do what feels right to you and just have fun with it.
Once you have chosen a cleansed crystal that you think will suit your needs, hold it to your heart, the third eye, in both hands or wherever you feel is best. Imagine your energy intertwining with the energy of the crystal and then slowly becoming one. Envision your crystal doing the task you have asked of it.
Remember, positive thoughts or intentions attract positive things just as negative thoughts or intentions attract negative things. Never try to program a crystal with negative intentions or it will just bounce that negative energy back to you. This is another positive way that crystals can affect your way of thinking. The positive thought pattern you have, the better!
Try to visualize yourself in a state of happiness, successfully accomplishing your goals or in a perfect state of health. Remain still and focused on your intention or meditate until you feel the process is complete. Thank your crystal for helping you, and that's it! You have successfully cleansed and charged your crystal while at the same time developing an awesome new self-care practice.
May the force be with you!
