How to cleanse your Crystals / Gemstones
When you get a new crystal it's always a good idea to cleanse it. This is because when crystals have been handled by other people, their energy can become disrupted, it can take on some of the energy from those who have worked with it or handled it, so the energy no longer flows as it should. Crystals can also become visibly dusty or dirty. You can see when a crystal needs cleansing, they lose their sparkle and brightness, and sometimes their colour.
Good energy v Bad energy. Some people are worried that their crystals may be holding bad energy, but ultimately energy is just energy. Crystals just naturally pick up energy from their environment and the people who are using them, because of this, they might not work as well, which is why it is very important to cleanse them. There are many different ways to cleanse them
Running Water - by holding your crystal under running water, it helps to clear the energy. If you have been using your crystal a lot or if it has been working hard, you may need to hold it under the water for longer. (If you are going to use this method, make sure that your crystals are suitable and will not be damaged by the water)
Moonlight - this can have a wonderful cleansing effect on your crystals, it is best done during a full moon, but a day or two either side of it is good also. The sky does not need to be clear for this, even if the night is cloudy it will work. Also, crystals do not need to be placed outside for this to be effective, I place mine on an inside windowsill. This means that any of my crystals that can be damaged by water, will not be bothered by rain or morning dew.
Earth - If you bury your crystal and leave it there for a day or two. It can reset the energy. (Just a note of caution as with water some softer crystals can be damaged by this practice, so make sure you know about your crystals level of hardness).
Other Crystals - Placing your crystals or jewellery on another crystal can help to cleanse or re-energise them. Crystals that are suitable for this are geodes like amethyst or agate, a clear Quartz cluster or any piece of selenite.
My personal preference is the selenite as in the picture.
Sound - You can use bell, tingsha bells, tuning forks or a singing bowl. The vibration of the sound when the bells are rung or the sound of the singing bowl at work is enough to recalibrate and reset the energy of the crystal.
Sage - Using Californian white sage is a very effective way of clearing the energy in the crystals. Light your sage and wait until the flame goes out and it is smouldering, at that point, hold your crystal in the sample and let the smoke waft around it for 30 seconds, but like with water, if you feel that your crystal needs extra time, then leave it there for longer. This also has the added benefit of clearing the energy in the room. After you have finished with your crystal, make sure that you open any windows to ensure the smoke and unwanted energy flows out. Always make sure that you have a fire safe bowl or shell to hold under your burning sage to catch any embers that may fall.
Palo Santo - is used in rituals to cleanse and ward of negative energies and can reset the energy in your crystals.
it drives away negativity and attracts luck. To use it, light a stick, wait about thirty seconds, and blow out the flame. The end will continue to smoulder, releasing dense, white, fragrant smoke. Carry this around the area you wish to cleanse, or hold around your crystals, waving the smoke with your hand or a hand fan to make sure it gets to where you need it to be.
Salt - To cleanse your crystals with salt, fill a large bowl with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt and place your crystals on or bury your gemstones in it. You can leave them here for 24 hours and wait for the salt to work its magic.
As with water and soil, some softer crystals can be damaged by this practice so make sure you know about your crystals level of hardness.
When you are finished cleansing your crystals, make sure you dispose of the salt, do not use it for cooking or any other reason.
Brown rice - (Uncooked) is also another very safe way to cleanse the energy in your crystals.
Using brown rice is one of the most effortless ways to cleanse your crystals. Place your crystals in a bowl of rice and coat them with the rice. Allow them to sit for a few hours, then brush off the rice and rinse or rub with a soft cloth. The brown rice will help absorb any negative energy clinging to the stones.
But you must remember to discard the rice when you are finished with it, do not eat it!
Breath - This technique is a more subtle way to charge and cleanse your crystals, resembling a short meditation session. First, hold the crystals in your hands and take several deep breaths. Then, while exhaling on the crystal, visualize the negative energy being expelled.
Visualisation - This approach is an easy way to cleanse crystals from negative energy. Simply hold the crystals in your hands and visualize the negative energy being expelled. See it flowing out of the stone and away into the ether. Then, imagine the stone being completely cleared of any negativity and restored to its original state of purity.