Maximize Your Crystal Benefits
Cleansing - Charging - Programing
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Why Cleansing Crystals is Important
Whether you just have one special crystal that sings to your soul or if you have a different gemstone for every chakra or intention, caring for your precious stones is essential if you want to get the best out of them. Crystals have the power to help us make sense of the chaos, they bring us into balance, they keep us safe from bad vibes and toxic energy, and they are forever humming with high vibrations to keep us strong and serene. In short, they are busy!
Knowing how to cleanse crystals can help make sure that your gems are fully charged and forever ready to keep those healing vibes on high. Not only will a good crystal cleanse keep your gem shiny and bright, but it also helps you to strengthen your connection and to forge that unbreakable bond with your beautiful nurturing friends.
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The Top Methods to Remove Negative Energy
Cleaning your crystals and giving them a full recharge isn’t tricky business but it is important. Those emotional stones that you keep close by and use on a regular basis will need to be cleansed more than those gems that sit on the shelf. The more you use a stone, the more it should be cleansed. Especially the ones your wear. As crystals are so good at mopping up spaces, all that energy has to go somewhere and it isn’t fair to leave your beloved gem full to the brim with negative gunk. Check out these easy-breezy methods for keeping your stones basking in radiant light and wring out those weird vibes for a fresh, full, and fabulous healing experience every time.
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1) Moonlight
Place your crystals on your windowsill just before going to bed and leave them there overnight. This gives ample time for your gem to soak up all that lush light. Even if you can’t do it for the whole night, a few hours will also work wonders. This method of cleansing is excellent for all stones, especially those that don’t fare well with water.
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2) Water
As anyone who has ever taken a cleansing dip in any body of water will know, water is an instant healer. Using water to clean your crystals helps to soak up unwanted energy and kick out all shades of negativity. Water is the perfect way of getting your gems into a gentle flow and harnessing that tidal power of trust and change. If you don't have instant access to a river, lake or ocean... just simple running tap water will do!
Simply hold the intention in your heart and ask the water to cleanse your crystals. Hold them under running water for just a few moments or as long as you believe is needed. Thank the water and let your crystals dry.
OR this is the perfect job for Aura Spray! (also available in CDA shop)
Be aware that not all crystals are in love with water. Some need much quicker cleanses, softer and more porous stones like Selenite, Lepidolite, Malachite, and Angelite shouldn’t get wet for long.
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3) Smudging
Anyone who has ever smudged a space to dispel bad energy will know how effective this simple practice is. Smudging is another age-old technique which uses sacred herbs and holy wood such as palo santo, sage, cedar or lavender and sweetgrass to name but a few. (Most effective when purchased ethically or grown from your own garden!) Sage is the most popular choice as this herb comes laced with many healing properties. It is potent and purifying, can connect us to the spirit realm, can clear out negative energy, and soothe all shades of stress. This is exactly the vibe your tired crystal needs.
When smudging your stones make sure you are near an open window or outdoors so that the old energy has a place to go. Light the tip of your chosen smudging tool in one hand and the stone in your other hand and wave the sage over the stone so the smoke can surround the stone for as long as you believe is needed. Your crystal will tell you. One of the best things about the smudging method is that you can do it with any crystal especially those like Pyrite where you don’t want to lose their glittering luster.
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4) Sunlight
While the moon is ripe with feminine energy, the sun brings a more masculine spirit and is all about vitality, energy, and life bringing potency. The sun is powerful business and as anyone who has ever washed away the woes of winter by turning their face to the sun knows, this star is potent stuff. Wait for a beautiful day or a clear sky and set your stone out to warm in the light of the sky. Instantly charging with that solar energy, there’s nothing more satisfying than holding a sunbaked stone in your hand and feeling that joy transfer to the depths of your soul.
While sunlight sparkle is a great way of turning up the dial on cleansing your gem, not all stones are summer and sunlight creatures. Some crystals will fade and lose their vibrancy if left in direct sunlight and no stone should be left sitting in sunlight too long. Darker stones like Hematite and those red and orange stones like Carnelian tend to work best in sunlight. Stones that should avoid the sun include Ametrine, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Calcite, Beryl, and Citrine (despite its sunny nature) among others as rare gems that could lose their color.
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5) Sound
Another safe way of cleansing and charging crystals is by the power of sound. Using sound frequency to wash over your crystal and bring it into a new vibration is an excellent no risk way of cleansing your gems. Fast and effective, this is also a savvy method for those who have a whole heap of crystals that would take forever to cleanse and charge individually.
Whether you use chanting, tuning forks, or the sweet pitch of a singing bowl or bells, all that matters is that the sound is able to reach a vibration that encompasses the stones. You can use this for any stone and the sound bath doesn’t need to take longer than five minutes.
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6) Other stones
Geodes and slabs can be another great way of cleansing your smaller crystals. Using large stones for charging is a pure and fuss-free way of letting your gems heal each other and share energy. Quartz and Selenite are particularly well versed when it comes to cleansing other crystals. Clear Quartz is known as the master healer and Selenite is super well versed at clearing out toxic vibes.
To use larger geodes, clusters, and slabs to clean your other crystals you can simply rest the little gems on top of the larger stones. If that balancing act seems tricky you can also just put them in a bag together or rest them on a plate together. Leave them to mingle with each other’s moods for six hours or if you have the patience, you can leave them overnight.
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8) Burial/Dirt
The earth is one of our most grounding elements and standing barefoot in soil or grass can immediately cleanse and reinvigorate the spirit. The same can be said for crystals. Burying your gemstones in the soil is an awesome way of re-grounding them and inviting any bad energy to seep away. The burial method is one of the heavier duty choices for those wanting to give their gems a good shake up and get them squeaky clean after some serious energy work.
Find a safe and sacred spot for burying your gem, maybe it’s a place that seems special to you or beneath the boughs of a favorite tree or even in your own garden or house plant. Bury them in the soil (only a few inches deep is necessary). Stones that adore earth cleansing include Tigers Eye, Citrine, Carnelian, Jasper, Calcite and Agate.
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9) Visualization/Meditation
Finally, you can also cleanse and charge up your stones by sharing your own intuitive powers. Cleansing your stones via visualization and meditation methods can be a great way of strengthening your bond with your crystals. As they give to you, you can give back to them. This is also one of the safest ways of cleansing your stones as you don’t run any risks of fading or upsetting the stones natural balance with water, soil, sun, or any other elements. However, it is important that you are feeling in a good space and that you ground and connect your energy so that your stone doesn’t have to do any of the work.
Hold your stone in your right (giving) hand and ground your energy until you feel centered. Visualize a great white light in your hands, surrounding the gem and soaking into its every pore. Focus on all the impurities and negative energies flowing out of your stone and being replaced with pure and bright light. You can do this practice with any of your gems.
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How often should I cleanse my gemstones?
This depends on how often you use your gemstones and what kind of work they do. For the crystals that are used often, on your person all the time, or that are known for emotional heavy lifting, you should cleanse these more than the stones that stay resting in your room or on a shelf. A good rule is to give your crystals a cleanse and a charge once a month or after each heavy session if you have been doing chakra or reiki work. Like with all things crystal, most of the connection is based on intuition so if you feel like your gem could benefit from a cleanse – go right ahead.
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How do I know when a stone is cleansed?
After your cleansing session, your stone should feel lighter in the hand and less weighed down. Again, intuition is always your best guide when dealing with the divine.
Crystals do the heavy lifting when it comes to energy work and as a result, they can get clogged up or energy heavy. Giving them a cleanse and recharge helps them to dump all that collected energy and clears space so they can keep up the good work.
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How To Charge & Program Crystals For Maximum Healing Power
Just like your cellphone can run out of juice, your crystals too can benefit from being spiritually plugged in and recharged to their fullest healing power. Like our own energy, sometimes the supply can become depleted especially after heavy lifting sessions. Crystals are tough little nuggets of sparky strength and seemingly endless stamina. They help cleanse spaces, they mop up bad moods, they release blockages in the chakras, and they help us to live in balance and bright harmony. They have a big job and as a result, they can use a little TLC and a recharge every now and then to kickstart their healing heart.
Crystals hum off high vibrations and as they are sponges for energy, sometimes they flow with whatever energy is in the room. This is why regular cleansing of crystals is essential, just like we take on the emotional load of others, crystals do the same and cleansing and charging these little gems is the equivalent of a spa session for unwinding our muscles and finding our bliss. Charging our crystals keeps them grounded, connected, and at full strength instead of stuttering along weighed down by negative energy. Power is never unlimited but like a long walk in the woods, a cleansing swim in a clear lake, or just a slant of sunlight on your face, we can recharge by reconnecting to the natural elements of this world. It’s the same for crystals. Keep reading to find out exactly how you can charge your crystals.
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Charging Methods
Refuel your Clear Quartz, charge up your Citrine, and soak your Selenite in brand new energy as you get ready for a charging session. Crystals love to be cleansed and charged as it helps them to stay connected to the deep power of the universe. These gems do a lot of serious work, they carry emotional weights, EMF’s, psychic fall out, and so much more. By cleansing and recharging, you can make your stone squeaky clean and as good as new.
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1) Full Moon
Grandmother moon is the queen of the tides, giver of light, and rouser of goddess energy. It’s no surprise that this orb of white light is a divine way of bringing energy back to depleted crystals. Moonlight can wash away all that built up bad energy and can fill every corner of your crystal with a healing light that strengthens its power once more. A full moon represents the turning of a page and the promise of new beginnings. As it falls in a regular sequence, it's also a good calendar benchmark for reminding you that it's time for a cleanse and recharge.
A simple technique, you can place your crystals on a windowsill in the light of the full moon or place them in a safe space outside (as long as you have clear skies). Leave your gems out overnight to fully bask in the rise and fall of the moon. All stones can benefit from a full moon cleansing, particularly those laced in feminine energy like Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Selenite, and Angelite.
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2) Direct Sunlight
Sparkling sunlight is the life-giver. As anyone who is impatiently awaiting the end of winter knows, the sun can bring a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, forever ready to chase the shadows away. Some stones flourish into their own when placed in direct sunlight. The rays of the sun are radiant and bring energy, prosperity, and the promise of brighter times.
Leave your stones on the windowsill or outside in a safe and sacred space where the sunlight can reach. Let them sit and bask in the brilliance of the sun for a couple of hours. Be aware that not all crystals are made for the magic of direct sunlight as it can cause their brilliant coloring to fade.
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3) Thoughts
The mind is a powerful tool and we can also use it to help heal, cleanse, and recharge our crystals in similar ways to how they help us. You can sit with your crystals in hand and focus on filling them with a clear white light to boost their energy or you can also use reiki practice too.
Try and cleanse your stones before charging them with reiki practice so they are ready and roomy to receive all that energy you have to bring. You should also be sure to match your crystal to the chakra that you are working with.
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4) The Earth
Born from the earth, planting your crystals like little seeds of love is one of the best ways of keeping them grounded and gorgeously charged up. Earth energy is one of our most natural sources of strength. Remember any time you have kicked your shoes off to stand barefoot on the warm grass, soil, or sand. It centers us, holds us, and reminds us that we have roots and are powerful too. The same energy can be granted to crystals.
Find yourself a small patch of earth or if you don’t have an outside space that feels safe to leave your gems in, you can carry in earth and make a small garden with a tray and some soil. If you have any plants at home you love you can also bury your crystal in a pot with it. If you don’t want your gems to get dirty you can bury them in a glass jar or a thin cloth bag. Leave in the earth for seven hours to allow complete charging and reconnection with the earth. Any stones can be buried in the earth, stone that love it include Citrine and Calcite.
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5) Fire
While fire may be seen as an element of destruction it is actually full of life-giving force. Fire warms us, it gives us energy, and it is one of the most essential connections that has helped humankind to thrive since we first stepped foot on this mortal realm. Fire can also bring that inspiration to crystals. It can strip them back of all that they have been clinging onto and it can make them pure and passionate once more.
To use fire in your crystal charging process you can use a candle flame. Simply pass your stone across the flicker of the flame or in the smoke of a small fire to instantly burn off that old energy and fill with new. Of course, be careful not to burn yourself and remember the stone only needs a fraction of a second with the smoke or flame. Stones that react well to fire include Agate, Pyrite, Bloodstone, Tigers Eye, Jasper, and Obsidian.
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How to Program Your Crystal
Now you have beautifully cleansed and charged your crystals you can set them with an intention or program them to align with your spiritual needs. Programing a crystal helps the gem to focus its energy with direction. We can guide the gem to our own specific dreams, goals, and gorgeous intentions. When they are programed they can work with us on a more intuitive level.
Programing your crystal is super easy. Simply quiet your mind and hold your stone in hand. Focus on the goal or intention that you want to achieve and let that energy radiate into the gem itself. Be as clear and specific in your mind as you can. Long term goals don’t need to be reset especially when you wear the stone everyday. Be sure to cleanse and recharge your stone in-between programs so as not to clog it up.
