How to Cleanse your Crystals
There are quite a few ways to cleanse your crystals, here I will talk about the most popular methods of how to cleanse crystals for beginners and enthusiasts.
Crystals work best when they are cleansed and programmed on a regular basis.
As a general guideline, I recommended that you cleanse and program your crystal(s)
- Whenever you acquire a new one or
- Whenever you want to set a new intention.
- After you have been been working a lot with one
- If you feel the crystal is low in energy
- At least once a month.
This is to cleanse your crystal of any unwanted or excess energies they might have picked up along the way.
My top 6 crystal cleansing methods
SUN
The sun burns off old energy and refills your crystal with vibrancy and light.
Place your crystal outside in the sun for 4 hours or more. Personally I like to put them on the soft grass on ground for added benefits. You can also put them on a tray, or in a dish, or a cloth, and if you don't have access to outdoor space you can put them on a verandah or even a windowsill.
* Some crystals fade in the sunlight, the most sensitive to sunlight are:
Amethyst, Ametrine, Apatite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Calcite, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Fluorite, Kunzite, Opal, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Smoky Quartz, Topaz, & Turquoise.
MOON
Crystals and moonlight go hand in hand. There’s just something about the goddess energy of a fat full moon and the deep breath of a brand new moon too.
When the moon is at its brightest, bathing your crystals under it restores them to their brightest form.
Place your crystals outside under the full moon for a few hours or more, I like to leave mine out overnight.
The moon can cleanse crystals on a deep energetic level and this has been a practice for centuries. Moonlight also helps your gems to soak up loving feminine energy. The full moon will bring an energy of release whereas a new moon offers an energy of growth.
For moon work I usually keep my crystals on a tray on my verandah, that way I know they are safe for the night. You choose the best place inside or outside of your home for you and your crystals. Again if you don't have access to outdoors or a verandah you can always put them on a window ledge.
SMOKE
The smoke from Sage, Frankincense or Palo Santo etc. carries away any low vibrational energy stored in the crystal. You can use, smudge sticks, incense, sacreds woods, and natural herbs and plants.
Immerse your crystal in the smoke for at least 30 seconds or until you feel they are cleansed.
When smudging your crystals do make sure you are near an open window or outdoors so that unwanted energy has a place to go. Use bundled sage sticks for the best and cleanest results. For more information on cleansing with sage or palo santo, please read our blog on Sage Advice, and or How to work with Palo Santo.
SOUND
Sound breaks up any stuck or stored energy and restores harmony due to the frequency of the music.
You can work with Tibetan bowls, Crystals bowls, Tuning forks, Drums, Chimes, Flutes or if you don't have you own instruments you can download and play the music of Tibetan singing bowls or the OM Mantra.
You can also chant and use your own voice to clear your crystals.
WATER
Water washes away all unwanted energies, restoring the crystal’s original frequency.
You can hold your crystals under running water, (a tap, a stream, a river) Or you can submerge your crystals in water for a few hours.
I love to work with natural water ~ rain, rivers, streams, or the ocean.
If you do opt for natural water cleansing make sure you hold on tight to your crystals, we would want them being washed away.
I find sometimes it easiest to collect rainwater, or ocean water in a glass bowl and then let my crystals soak in the bowl for a few hours or over night.
* If you cleanse your crystals in saltwater, best to rinse them in fresh water afterwards as the salt can be corrosive and damage your crystals.
* Some crystals must never be used with water, the most water sensitive crystals incluse: Selenite, Lepidolite, Unicorn Stone, Azurite, Malachite, Bumblebee Jasper, Calcite, Angelite, Celestite, Fluorite, Rhodochrosite, Ammolite, Black Tourmaline
SELENITE
Selenite is a powerful crystal for cleansing and purifying energy. It also magnifies the energy of any crystal placed upon it. Negative energy is automatically transmuted by selenite. Therefore it doesn't need to be cleansed. This is why it is so effective at cleansing and charging the body.
Selene is the name of The Moon Goddess, who inspired the crystal Selenite.
Therefore, it is closely connected with the moon, the cycles of divine feminine and the moon
Using a Selenite bowl or disc to cleanse your gemstones and crystal jewelry:
- For a few hours, place your stones in/on the Selenite bowl or disc.
- You can leave your crystals on Selenite for as long as you want; crystals enjoy the energy of Selenite. I usually put mine in overnight.
- For continued cleansing, I suggest keeping the crystals you use on a daily basis in your Selenite bowl.
The magnificent Selenite bowls and discs are a beautiful addition to any decor. You can use them to store your crystal jewelry or other little tumbled crystals.
Common Questions About Cleansing Crystals
Should I cleanse my new crystals?
In my opinion ~ Yes absolutely! As soon as a crystal comes into your possession it makes perfect sense to cleanse it, charge it, and program it to meet your personal needs. Great crystal healing is all about connection and building a beautiful relationship with your crystal. After cleansing a new crystal a lovely practice is to hold your crystal in meditation and envision all the things you would like from it along with gratitude for its presence in your life.
How often should I cleanse my gemstones?
This really depends on how often you work with your crystals. For the crystals that you work with on a regular basis, (e.g. jewelry that is on your all the time) you should cleanse these more than the stones that stay sitting on your bedside table. I personally like to give my crystals a cleanse and a charge at least once a month or after each heavy session. Like with all things crystal, most of the connection is based on intuition so if you feel like your crystal could benefit from a cleanse – go right ahead.
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 some of 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.
