CLEANSING, CHARGING and PROGRAMING CRYSTALS

 

Cleansing

 

Crystals are energetic sources that absorb the energy in their surrounding environment.  It’s important to cleanse and clear your crystals periodically.

If you purchase new crystals or if you’ve been using them for some time, or even if they have been left sitting around somewhere, they will have absorbed a range of different energies that they will have been exposed to.

Therefore, it’s crucial to your energy and environment to cleanse and program your crystals as soon as you get them.  It’s also important to get in the habit of cleansing your crystals on a regular basis (daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, depending on use).

This cleansing process isn’t a ‘physical’ cleaning with soap and water, but intended to cleanse the stone of its stored energies, both good and bad, which can be released again by the stone at any time and once it becomes loaded with energy.  Crystals used specifically for healing should be cleansed before and after use.

 

Several cleansing methods are recommended, they are:

1) Salt Water

Many people leave them in salt water overnight but a crystal that needs a much deeper and more thorough cleansing can be left for up to 1 week.  You should thoroughly rinse your crystals in cool running water after spending time in salt water to remove any remaining salt.  After use, the salt water must be flushed away and never re-used because it will have absorbed negative and unwanted energies.

Salt water cleansing is considered one of the best and most thorough ways to cleanse crystals, but please be aware that this method must be avoided for certain crystals as it can have an adverse effect on them and even change their appearance and properties!

PLEASE NOTE:  Stones that should not be soaked in salt water include crystals that are porous, contain metal or have a water content, include: amber, turquoise, red coral, fire opal, moonstone, calcite, kyanite, kunzite, angelite, azurite, selenite. A good rule of thumb: Many stones that end in “ite” are not water-friendly.

2) Dirt

Another method is to bury them in dirt for a week. Returning your crystals and stones to the earth allows them to cleanse and recharge with the vibration of the earth.

3) Moon

Leave the crystals out in the moonlight for three days prior and three days after the full moon (or for at least 24 hours). Lunar energy helps cleanse and charge the stones, and the moon’s light is brightest and energetically strongest during the full moon.

4) Water & Direct Sunlight 

Water is said to neutralize any negative energy stored inside the stone and return it back to the earth.  Cleansing your crystals with water works best with polished stones, never rough or natural stones or geodes. Use methods below like moonlight or smoke for rough or delicate crystals.  Although natural running water — like a stream — is best, you can also rinse your stone under a faucet.

Make sure that your crystals are completely submerged for at least one minute. Pat dry when complete and place them in direct sunlight for 3 days.

5) Smudging

Another popular method of cleansing crystals is by ‘Smudging’.  This involves burning Sage, Palo Santo, or Incense Sticks and holding the crystals in the smoke to cleanse the stored energies. Fan the smoke across the crystals and this only needs to be done for a short amount of time. 20 to 30 seconds should be long enough.

 

Programming Your Crystals

 

Before starting, you may want to clear the room and yourself of extra or unwanted energies by using a cleansing Smudging Stick or Incense.

To program a crystal for specific use or with specific energies, sit quietly away from distractions or strong electrical devices and external energies, then hold the crystal in front of you, clear your mind and focus on the stone.

Concentrate on the specific energy that you wish to program the crystal with, and ‘transmit’ the energies and thoughts from your mind directly to the stone. Be clear and direct when doing this and don’t try to confuse or overload the crystal with different thoughts and energies.

Do this until you feel happy that the required thoughts and energies have been transmitted to the stone.