Crystal Cleansing 101
If you are a lover of crystals then you have probably heard about the importance of cleansing them. Crystals absorb energy from both you and their surroundings, and over time these frequencies can build up and interfere with the efficiency of your crystals. Just like human beings need to ‘clear the clutter’ from time to time or ‘hit the refresh button’, crystals need the same to be at their best for the people and the spaces they work with.
At Embrace we frequently get asked a similar set of questions from clients who want to cleanse their crystals, so, we thought it fitting to list those questions, answer them and also list a number of ways that you can cleanse your gorgeous Gemsters.
Do I need to wait for a full moon?
The answer is a very simple no. While cleansing under a full moon is one process you can use, it does not mean that you have to wait if you feel you have a stone that needs to be cleared. If you have recently been unwell, or given a healing to someone using your crystals for example, then waiting for a full moon isn’t ideal at all.
Can I leave them out in the sun?
Hmmmm … probably not. Some may disagree with us on this one but here’s some food for thought. Crystals are born from deep within our earth, they grow in the damp and dark.
While sunlight is said to charge your crystals, it can also cause certain stones to fade in sunlight. So, while a little sunlight is good for all living things, we do not recommend using this as a method of cleansing.
How often should I cleanse?
The short answer is, whenever you feel they need it. You may want to pay attentions to what’s goes on within and around you from time to time to monitor this. If things have been particularly negative in one way or many then you may want to cleanse more often then you would when sailing is smooth.
What Crystals do not require cleansing?
While crystals such as Selenite, Citrine and Kyanite are noted in some references as not needing to be cleansed, we recommend that you cleanse all crystals. I mean everyone needs a wash right? The only thing I will add to this is that there are some crystals that don’t work well when doused in water for a long period of time. Selenite and Kyanite are two of these stones, so before using water for clearing, check those finer details out first.
When will I know my Crystal needs a clean?
If you have a strong connection with your crystals then, you will know. There is no set time on clearing stones but if the vibrancy of colour has shifted or the stone is feeling heavy or lifeless then it’s definitely time.
Now that we have covered the questions, we would like to share with you a few simple ways that you can make sure your crystals are clear, charged and working at their best for you and yours.
Full Moon - Even though you needn't wait till this lunar phase, a full moon is one of the more popular and simpler methods. You do this by placing your crystals in the moonlight, outside if possible as opposed to a windowsill, and you let the full moon do the rest. Just be sure to place your crystals somewhere safe in case you have any mischief makers lurking nearby that may fancy starting their own crystal collection.
Sage - Another easy and very popular method is sage. Sage smudging sticks can be purchased here online or instore and are easy to find no matter where you are located. The smoke from burning sage is an excellent cleanser not only for your crystals but also for auras and homes as well. ( Stay tuned for that upcoming blog!). To cleanse your crystals this way you can either hold the burning sage near the crystals so that the smoke fills the air around them or place the sage in a fire-proof bowl and hover your crystals over the rising smoke.
Salt Water - A very simple way we swear by is using salt to cleanse your crystals. You can do this by taking a trip to the ocean (just be sure that they don’t get carried away by the waves) or you can get yourself some sea salt or pink Himalayan salt and leave them in some salty water at home for about an hour. Please note that we do not recommend leaving them much longer than that though guys.
Running Water - Holding your gemstones under clear, clean water will clean and recharge them. Use bottled water instead of tap water. Some stones should not be immersed in water, so if you are unsure, use a different cleansing method.
Earth - You can cleanse your crystals by burying them in the earth. This is a little more time consuming then other methods but it’s also a good method, so we wanted to quickly touch on this one. As stated before, crystals come from the earth this makes sense. We would like to take a minute here to note also that if you find yourself with a broken or cracked crystal, then burying them in the earth , or even a pot plant, is what we always suggest to clients. Please do not throw damaged stones away!
Singing Bowl - If the stones are small enough, they can be placed in the singing bowl. Set your intentions and play the bowl for a few minutes after placing larger stones close to it.
Risotto - Your stones can be placed in a bowl of brown rice. Make sure to properly dispose of the rice afterwards.
We have by no means noted all the ways to cleanse your crystals but we hope that one or two of the above methods resonate with you and helps you find a process or processes that you enjoy. However, we cannot stress enough the importance of setting intention before you begin. Cleansing your crystals with a presence as to what you are doing will make all the difference!
Which Crystals Are Safe in Water?
Some crystals are perfectly safe to cleanse in water, while others are not. Soft crystals tend to scratch or flake easily, whereas others contain metals and/or toxins that cause them to rust or become toxic. The following are more common crystals that can be cleansed in water:
Agate, Amethyst, Aventurine, Clear Quartz, Citrine, Red Jasper, Rose Quartz, Smokey Quartz, Snow Quartz, and Tiger Eye are all examples of gemstones.
Crystals and Gemstones Programming
While programming your gemstones is not required to benefit from their healing properties, you can do so if you want to focus the stones' energy on something specific. I recommend that you take the following steps to accomplish this.
Step 1: Consider what you want from your stone and craft your intention carefully.
Step 2: Select a stone that resonates with the intention you want to achieve. Choose a calming stone to help you let go of stress, or an energising stone to help you get things done. You can use the gemstone healing properties listed on this website as a guide, or your own intuition to determine which stone would be best suited to the purpose you have in mind.
Step 3: Cleanse your chosen stone (or stones) using your prefered method. While cleansing the stone, I also recommend that you clear it of any previous programming.
Step 4: Sit quietly, hold your crystal, and clear your mind of all distracting thoughts. Begin to concentrate on your intention. You may state your intention aloud or visualise the words of your intention, whichever is more comfortable for you. Repeat your intention several times until you feel the vibrations have been completely absorbed by your stone. When you have a gut feeling that the process is finished, it is.
Making Use of Your Intention
Concentrate your mental energies on your crystals and ask the Universe or your Angels to cleanse them of all negative energies and re-energise them to their full potential. After doing this, always thank the Universe and/or your Angels.
Crystals from Other Sources
Placing your stones on a large quartz cluster will help to clear negative energies and re-energize them. However, you must remember to cleanse and re-energise the quartz cluster on a regular basis to ensure that it retains its cleansing and re-energising properties.
Happy cleansing peeps! 😊
The Embrace Girls
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