Crystals are ‘sentient beings’ and can assist with healing and answers to questions you may have. Think of them like plants some people are very connected to trees and plants because of their energy and are considered sentient beings as well. Crystals are in a realm of their own and can be very powerful allies. Once you connect with a crystal you will open a whole new world of discovery.
After purchasing your new crystal friend, it is highly recommended that you cleanse it. This will clear out all negative energy it may have picked up from the trauma of removing it from its original resting place right through to any negative thoughts or situations it may have been in prior to being chosen and brought home by you.
A ready and cleared crystal feels positive and bright, tingly, and cold to the touch. A crystal that needs clearing may feel hot, heavy or drained. There are a number of ways to effectively clear crystals and gemstones, from purifiers to helpers.
SEA SALT AS A CRYSTAL PURIFIER
Sea salt is the most traditional purifying agent in psychic work and healing. It dispels any sort of disease and negativity and is a physical and psychic disinfectant. Typically, it is an accepted and powerful method of clearing crystals and stones. Many highly recommend sea salt for the initial cleansing of a new healing stone and for any time a stone is overloaded with negative energy.
Salt can be mixed with water or used dry. To use salt water, do the following:
- Mix a tablespoon of sea salt in a glass or ceramic cup of cold water.
- Do not use plastic or metal containers.
- Place the stones in the solution and allow to soak overnight.
To use dry salt, place the sea salt in a glass or non-plastic container and bury the crystals with the points facing downward into the salt. Leave overnight. Sometimes a stone may take longer to clear, especially if it has been used in a deep, intense healing. If this is the case, leave it another day or two in the sea salt.
When clearing gemstone necklaces it is best to use the dry sea salt method. Be sure to use sea salt only, as table salt contains aluminum and other chemicals. For those who live by the ocean, salt water can be brought from the beach in a jar, or gently and directly washed in the ocean.
Soft stones, flaky stones, and cracked stones don’t work well with the salt. Additionally metallic stones don’t do well with salt either. To make sure that you are taking care of your crystals as well possible you should avoid putting the following stones in salt: Carnelian, Alabaster, Calcite, Carnelian, Hematite, Jet, Labradorite, Lepidolite, Moldivate, Opal, Tigers Eye, Turquoise, Ulexite
Selenite, Citrine, Kyanite and Azeztulite are self-cleaning. Selenite has the ability to cleanse and re-charge itself and other stones. Clear Quartz and Carnelian can cleanse other stones as well but will likely need to be cleansed when done.
MOONLIGHT AS A CLEARING HELPER
Moonlight is another method of clearing gemstones. Simply place them outside from the full moon to the new moon. Waning moons are good times to clear crystals and dispel old energies, but anytime works. The amount of time used varies with the sensitivity of the healer and the amount of material from which the stone needs cleansing. It is suggested to hang gemstone necklaces in a tree where the moonlight can cleanse them.
OTHER CRYSTAL CLEARING METHODS THAT WORK WELL:
Sunlight:
Place your crystals in the garden (or windowsill if you don’t have access to a garden). Leave them out for a few hours to cleanse and recharge from the suns energy. Note that more vibrant colored crystals can fade with this method.
Brown Rice:
Submerge your crystals in a glass bowl with brown rice overnight. They need to be completely covered. Afterwards, they can be dusted off with fine paint brush or you can rinse the dust off by running them under water for a moment. It should be noted that the rice should always be thrown away. The negative energies that were in the crystals is now in your rice and you wouldn’t want to eat them.
Crystals:
Place crystals on top of selenite, amethyst or crystal quartz for a minimum of 2-4 hours.
Dried Herbs:
Burying crystals in a cupful of dried herbs will also clear them. Suggested herbs for this are rose petals, sage, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood. This is a gentle and pleasant way to clear crystals, but it does take longer than the sea salt method.
Dirt:
Crystals may also be buried into the earth. This is especially helpful when feeling that deep cleansing is needed. Outdoors, simply dig a hole the size of the crystal into the earth, place the crystal point down, and cover with soil. The amount of time needed is a personal choice. Be sure to place a popsicle stick or other marker to ensure the stone may be found again. Apartment dwellers may use a flower pot to bury stones in.
Smudging:
A quick way to cleanse healing stones is to smudge them with burning cedar, sage or palo santo. Smudging is an excellent way to make sure stones are purified. This can be accomplished by holding the burning sage, cedar or palo santo stick while passing the stone through the smoke. Do this a couple times to ensure cleansing and cleanse stones by smudging after every use.
Cold Water:
Finally, if in a hurry, easily run crystals under cool tap water. Make sure the points are facing down the drain to run the negative energy right down the sink. It is recommended to avoid warm and hot water as this tends to fracture or break crystals. During this process, visualize the crystal as sparkly, tingly, cold, and belonging to you.
