How do you cleanse your crystals, and what is the best way to do it? Different crystals have different ways they need to be cleansed as some can not be in contact with water. Find out below which is the best way to clean your particular crystal or crystals and why we need to cleanse our crystals.
Why is cleansing important?
People use crystals to help towards their mind, body, and soul. It is said that crystals transmit energy, sending natural vibrations out into the world.
Sometimes Crystals can travel long distances and pick up different energies along the way. This is usually from the journey of source to seller before a purchase is made. It is important that these certain energies are cleansed from the crystal as they may not align with your own energies.
Crystal are used to store and redirect certain energies that you may need and may not need and want to get rid of, so it is always best to start with a cleansed crystal. Regularly cleansing and recharging your stones is the only way to restore your crystal to its natural state.
Keep reading to learn about some of the most popular and common clearing methods.
1. Running Water
Water is said to neutralize any negative energy stored inside the stone and return it back to the earth. Although natural running water like a stream is best, we personally do not advice using tap water as this can have a lot of added chemicals and is not pure. You could even use rain water!
Ensure that your stone is completely submerged. Pat dry when complete.
Approximate duration: 1 minute per stone
Use this for: hard stones, such as quartz
Don’t use this for: stones that are brittle or soft, such as selenite, kyanite, and halite
2. Salt water
Salt has been used for many years through history to absorb unwanted energy and banish negativity.
If you live near the ocean, you could collect a bowl of fresh salt water. If you can not get to a source of natural salt water, mix a tablespoon of sea, rock, or table salt into a bowl of water.
Make sure that your stone is completely submerged, and allow it to soak for a few hours to a few days’ time. Rinse and pat dry when complete.
Approximate duration: up to 48 hours
Use this for: hard stones, such as quartz and amethyst
Don’t use this for: stones that are soft, porous, or contain trace metals, such as malachite, selenite, halite, calcite, lepidolite, and angelite
3. Sage
Sage is a sacred plant with many healing properties. Smudging your stone is said to clear inharmonious vibrations and restore its natural energy.
To do this you’ll need:
- a firesafe bowl
- a lighter or matches
- loose or bundled sage
If you’re unable to smudge outdoors, make sure you’re near an open window. This will allow the smoke and negative energy to disperse.
When you’re ready, light the tip of the sage with the flame. Transfer the sage to your non-dominant hand and firmly grasp your stone and move it through the smoke.
Allow the smoke to envelop the stone for about 30 seconds. If it’s been a while since your last cleansing or you feel the stone is holding onto a lot consider smudging for an additional 30 seconds.
Approximate duration: about 30 to 60 seconds per stone
Use this for: any stone
4. Using a larger stone
Large quartz clusters, amethyst geodes, and selenite slabs can be great tools for clearing smaller stones.
Place your stone directly inside or on top of any of these stones. It’s thought that the larger stone’s vibrations remove the inharmonious energies found in the resting stone.
Approximate duration: 24 hours
Use this for: any stone
5. Using smaller stones
Carnelian, clear quartz, and hematite are also said to have an overall clearing effect.
Because these stones are typically smaller, you may need to have more than one on hand to successfully clear other stones.
Place the clearing stones into a small bowl, and set the stone you want restore on top.
Approximate duration: 24 hours
Use this for: any stone
6. Moonlight/ Sunlight
Moonlight will cleanse and charge your crystals. You can also use the sunlight to cleanse and charge your crystals, however the sunlight can be a bit harsh on your crystals, so best not to leave them out for too long.
You can also cleanse your crystals during a solar or lunar cycle for ritual cleansing, when you can set your intentions and benefit from the most powerful energies.
Place your crystals directly on the earth, if it is wet you can also place them near a window under the moonlight.
Approximate duration: 10 to 12 hours
Use this for: most tumbled stones
Don’t use this for: vibrant stones, such as amethyst, in sunlight; soft stones, such as celestite, halite, and selenite, that may be damaged by inclement weather