Whether you’re a veteran crystal collector or a beginner crystal collector, cleansing your crystals is an integral part of the process. There are a few different ways to go about this, depending largely on your personal preferences and what resources you have at your disposal.
Crystals act as ‘energetic sponges’ – absorbing and purifying trapped negative energy. While these miraculous little gemstones can be extraordinarily powerful, they have their limits just like you. Cleansing your crystals helps disperse whatever undesirable energy might be lingering within them and revitalizes their capacity for healing.
If you don’t know how to cleanse crystals, try one of the following methods and you will feel the difference for yourself.
Full Moon Light
Nature provides us with several powerful sources of cleansing energy – the light of the full moon counted among the most potent. The cyclical nature of the moon’s presence in our skies reflects the natural cycles of death and rebirth, ebb and flow, wax and wane.
The full moon is the culmination of a sacred lunar cycle, and the raw power of this event cannot be overstated. It affects much within the natural world – the tides, the behaviour of animals, our moods, and more.
On a clear night with a full moon, place your crystals somewhere safe where they can bathe in the unfiltered moonlight. This can be anywhere from your bedroom windowsill to a peaceful spot in your garden.
Wherever they are, make sure they won’t be damaged or interfered with by environmental hazards. Leave them out overnight so they can fully recharge and recycle any surplus negative energy. Be sure to bring them back inside first thing in the morning.
Water
Water is the essence of life – the most precious resource we have. It sustains us, nurtures us, and cleanses us. In the same way that water revitalizes life, so does it revive the healing power of crystals. There are a few ways to use water for crystal cleansing depending on where you live.
Ideally, you will want to use a natural body of water to cleanse your crystals. This is because they are free of chemical additives and have natural origins – just like your crystals. Flowing waters from rivers, streams, waterfalls or the ocean are perfectly suited to the task of cleansing crystals. Just make sure you secure your crystals in a permeable container that is anchored to land before placing them in flowing water, you don’t want to lose them after all.
If you don’t live anywhere near natural bodies of water, never fear. Normal water will do the trick, just purify it if possible, using any filter you may have at your disposal. Adding salt to the water is also a good move. Leave your crystals fully submerged for at least 2-3 hours – no longer than 12 hours. After they’ve had a decent soak, remove them from the water and gently dry them with a fresh towel.
Before using water to cleanse your crystals, make sure that the stones you are working with are compatible with water. Some softer, more porous crystals don’t react well to water and/or salt and should be cleansed using a different method. Crystals that contain metal or score less than 5 on the Mohs hardness scale are vulnerable to rust or structural damage when introduced to water.
Smudging
Smudging is a popular method for cleansing crystals and other buildups of negative energy. Traditional healers all over the world harness the power of healing herbs to dispel harmful frequencies. If you are unfamiliar with the practice of smudging, it involves using the smoke from smouldering medicinal herbs to neutralize energy.
Commonly used herbs include sage, cedar, frankincense, lavender, and many more. These can be harvested and dried at home or purchased. If you’re going the DIY route, make sure the herbs are properly dried and bound using thin strips of twine.
Remember, fire is a powerful force and should never be used without respect or foresight. Make sure that your surroundings are appropriately prepared for the smudging process. Remove any flammable materials from the area, open your windows if you are indoors, and have a bucket of water on standby in case of errant embers.
Use a bowl or plate of your choosing to catch any embers or ash from the smouldering herbs. Take a few deep breaths to centre yourself, light a small portion of the herbs using a lighter or a candle, then blow out any active flames after a few seconds. Hold each crystal in the path of the herbal smoke for a few minutes, using your will and intention to drive any negative energy out of the stone. You can also cleanse yourself or your environment this way.
Quartz and Selenite
Did you know that you can cleanse crystals with other crystals? Clear quartz and selenite are widely used in the process of crystal cleansing as they themselves are self-regulating and require no manual cleansing.
Place the crystals you want to cleanse on a surface and surround them with the largest clear quartz and/or selenite crystals you own. Leave them to draw out and purify any excess negative energy for a few hours, then return them to their respective homes.
Why Should You Cleanse Your Crystals?
Crystals are powerful tools for healing, but they are not without limitations. Generally speaking, crystals detect, absorb, and purify negative energy. Depending on the size and potency of the crystal, it will eventually reach its capacity for doing so.
After extensive use, traces of negative energy will remain within the crystal and its healing power will be diminished. Cleansing crystals ensures that no negative energy will escape from them to reinhabit your environment or interfere with your good vibes. The cleansing process harnesses the healing powers of nature and intention to draw out surplus negative energy and recycle it.
When Should You Cleanse Your Crystals?
Always cleanse new crystals – whether they’ve been bought from a market or gifted from a friend, you want to make sure that any lingering energy from previous owners or other environments is gone before you use it.
Thereafter, cleansing crystals at least once a month is advisable. This can be done more regularly if you’re going through a period of intense change, emotional hardship, or stress.
If anyone else handles or uses your crystals, or if you use them during a particularly intense healing session, they should be cleansed as soon as possible afterwards.
The decision to cleanse your crystals can be largely intuitive. You are the one using them, so if you feel like the time is right for a cleansing, trust that instinct. Caring for your crystals is a rewarding and healing process, so don’t worry about overdoing it.
How Do I Clean My Crystals for the First Time?
First things first – make sure you know which methods of crystal cleansing are not suited to your crystals. Remember, water and salt can be damaging to soft or metallic crystals.
Listen to your gut – working with crystals is largely based on forming an intuitive connection with them. Reflect on the various methods you have at your disposal and try to discern which one feels right. If you’re still unsure how to cleanse crystals after this, speak to a friend or professional that you trust for guidance.