How Often Should You Cleanse and Charge Crystals?

Most crystals travel long distances and may change hands many times before they reach their permanent owner. Throughout their journey to you, the stone may absorb a lot of energy, and in order to restore it to its natural state, they must be cleaned. Additionally, as you use your crystals, you may find that they need to be charged in order to continue working in the way you intend.

Do Crystals Need to be Cleansed?

Yes, crystals need to be cleansed. Cleaning and recharging your crystals is necessary for returning them to their natural state so that they can continue to benefit you. Generally, you should plan to clean your crystals once per month; however, if you feel that they are being influenced by negative energy, you may consider cleaning them more often. It should also be noted that if you plan to use your crystals for healing, they should be cleansed before and after every healing session.

How Do I Clean My Crystals?

There are many different ways to clean your crystals. When choosing a method for cleansing your crystals, it is important to consider their individual properties and how long each method takes.

Start by determining your stone’s Hardness Value from the Mohs’ Hardness Scale. Anything from 1-6 on the Moh’s scale is considered soft, and anything from 7-10 is considered hard. Softer stones will need to stay dry and should not touch hard stones, as this may scratch them. If you are new to the wonderful world of crystals, and for more information on the Mohs’ Hardness Scale, check out our Guide to Getting Started with Geodes & Crystals [link to The Dos and Don’ts of Getting Started with Geodes & Crystals].

Cleansing Crystals with Light

Most tumbled stones may be cleansed using light. Set the stone outside before nightfall, preferably directly on the earth, and then retrieve it again before 11 a.m. so that the stone may bathe in the light of the moon and the sun. When you collect the crystal again, rinse and dry it off to remove any dirt or debris.

It should be noted that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can weather the surface of a stone, so it is important that you remember to retrieve it in the morning. This method of cleansing is not suitable for vibrant or soft stones, such as Calcite, Celestite, Halite, and Gypsum Selenite.

Cleansing Crystals with Water

Water is known for neutralizing negative energies stored inside stones, making it an excellent tool for cleaning your hard crystals, like Quartz or Amethyst. Do not use water to cleanse soft or porous stones or those that contain trace metals.

Natural running water, like that from a stream, is an excellent tool for cleansing. Submerge your stone(s) in the water for approximately 1 minute, and then dry when finished. If you do not have access to natural running water, a faucet will suffice.

Saltwater may also be used to absorb unwanted and/or negative energy from your crystals. If you are near the ocean, it is best to collect fresh saltwater from there. However, if you do not have access to the ocean, you may mix a tablespoon of sea, rock, or table salt into a bowl of water to use for cleansing your crystals. Submerge your stones in the water and leave them to soak for up to 1 hour. If you do want to cleanse a soft stone with water, dip it for a few minutes and add an intention. When done, remove the stones from the water, rinse, and dry.

Cleansing Crystals with Breath

Cleansing crystals with your breath can be an effective method, especially for small stones. To do so, place the stone in your dominant hand and then focus on your intention. Inhale through your nostrils, bring the stone close to your face, and exhale quick, powerful breaths through your mouth and onto the stone using your Hah breath.

Cleansing Crystals with Sound

When cleansing with sound, a single pitch or tone washes over the stone and brings it into the same vibration as that sound. To create the sound, you may use a bell, tuning fork, singing bowls, or chanting. The key that the sound is in does not matter, as long as the sound is loud enough for the vibration to encompass the stone. I personally love using metal bowls from friends and family of mine at Serenity Tibet.

This method of cleaning only takes 5 to 10 minutes, works for any stone, and is perfect for those who have a large number of crystals that are not easily moved.

Cleansing Crystals with Visualization

The safest way to cleanse your stones is through visualization; however, this method requires you to be highly in tune with your sense of self so that you can effectively redirect your energy to your stone.

Begin by grounding and centering your energy. Then, pick up your stone and picture your hands filling with radiant white light. Visualize this light surrounding the stone and growing bigger within your hands, and the impurities leaving the stone, causing it to shine brighter in its revived purpose. This process should be continued until you feel a shift in the stone’s energy. This is personally not my favorite method for beginners.

Cleansing Crystals with Sage

Smudging your stones is an excellent method for restoring your stone’s natural energy. To use this method of cleansing, you will need a fire-safe bowl, a lighter or matches, and loose or bundled sage.

To begin, light the tip of the sage and then transfer it to your non-dominant hand, if it is not there already. Hold your stone in your dominant hand and move it through the smoke for about 30 seconds. However, if you feel that the stone is holding onto a lot of negative energy, you can continue smudging for 30 more seconds.

Cleansing Crystals with Brown Rice

Remove negativity from your stones in a safe setting with brown rice. To do so, fill a bowl with dry brown rice and then bury your stones within. Leave it for 24 hours. When finished, dispose of the rice, as it has absorbed all of the negative energy from your stones.

This method is safe for any stone, however, it is extremely helpful for protective stones, such as Black Obsidian, Blue Kyanite, Fluorite, Black Tourmaline, Jet, and Labradorite.

Cleansing Crystals with Other Stones

Finally, you may use other stones to clean your crystals. This method is safe for any stone. Smaller stones like Carnelian, Clear Quartz, and Hematite are known for their overall clearing effect; however, you may need to use more than one to clear your other stones. Simply place the small clearing stones into a bowl and then set the stone you want to cleanse on top. Leave them be for 24 hours.

You may also use large stones for your cleansing needs, as well. Large Amethyst geodes, slabs of Selenite, or big Quartz Clusters are useful for cleansing your smaller stones. Place the stones you would like to cleanse on top or inside the larger stones and leave be for 24 hours. The larger stone’s vibrations will remove the negative energy from the smaller stone. To use crystals as a tool for healing, Selenite and Amethyst are preferred for clearing. Make sure you clear the plate often because it will fill with energy.

Do Crystals Need to be Charged?

Yes, crystals need to be charged if their natural frequency gets out of tune. If a crystal is not in tune with its natural frequency, it will not be able to heal its user effectively. Charging your crystals will intensify the energy within the crystal, which will restore them to their natural frequency, increase the intensity of the intention placed into the stone, and allow the crystal to work for a longer period of time between cleanings.

How Do I Charge My Crystals?

There are several methods you may use to charge your crystals, including light, sound, intention, and water; however, the most popular way is to lay them out in the light of the moon or sun. No matter the method you choose, it is important to remember that your crystals are only as beneficial as the time and attention that you invest in them.

Charging Crystals in Moonlight vs. Sunlight

As we discussed above, crystals can be cleansed with light. But did you know that they can be charged with moonlight and sunlight as well? Harnessing the power of the light from the sun or the moon is a powerful, yet surprisingly easy, way to charge your stones with healthy, positive energy from the heavens. Simply lay your crystals out in a location that receives direct sunlight or moonlight. To allow your crystals to absorb the most energy, leave them out for 24 hours. Also, consider leaving them out on a night of a full moon, as full moons are excellent sources of energy for your stones. Bringing in the full moon energy or spirituality and creating your manifestation and the new moon for creating intentions for the month.

Benefits of Charging Your Crystals with Sunlight

If you would like to charge your crystals with abundance, love, and vitality, then charging them in the sunlight may be the perfect option for you. The strong morning and afternoon rays will work best, but make sure that you keep the crystal out in direct sunlight for at least 12 hours for optimal results.

Different phases of the solar cycle offer specific energy that can be used to charge your stones:

● The winter solstice reduces anxiety and expands the meditative space.

● The spring equinox enhances growth in all areas of life and fosters the development of inner spirituality.

It is important to note that some crystals will fade if left in the sun for extended periods of time, so consider this when deciding how to charge your crystal. Crystals that will fade include Amethyst, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Fluorite, Kunzite, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, and All soft stones and minerals.

Benefits of Charging Your Crystals with Moonlight

The power of the moon is amazing for charging your crystals. However, to do so properly and in a way that is beneficial to you, you must be familiar with the process and the moon, including its phases.

● The ascending moon offers new beginnings, optimism, and hope.

● The full moon offers love and abundance.

● The descending moon will abolish debts, negativity, and illness.

Charging Crystals with Sound

You may also use sound to charge your crystals. With this method, you can use any sound, including music or singing. Also consider using a tuning fork, singing bowl, drums, or gongs. Regardless of what you choose, the sound must be loud so that the amplitude (and energy) is high.

Charging Crystals with Intention

To charge your stone with intention, sit with it in your hands and fall into a meditative state. Then, focus on the intention you want to embed within that crystal. Imagine surrounding and infiltrating that crystal with the intention.

Charging Crystals with Water

Submerge your stones in a bowl of natural spring water to charge them. You may also consider adding a tablespoon of salt.

Charging Crystals with the Earth

Bury your crystals under the ground and allow Mother Nature to charge your crystals and revert them to their natural state.

Can You Charge Crystals Through a Window?

Yes! Your crystals do not need to sit directly in the sun or moonlight to charge properly. In fact, they don’t need to be underneath the light at all to benefit from the energy of the Moon or Sun.

How Do I Program My Crystals?

Crystals naturally contain healing properties, however, programming your stone to your intention may help you to connect with the crystal’s energy and reaffirm your purpose. Simply hold your stone or place it on your Third Eye (on your forehead) as you meditate, or consider laying down and placing the stone on the Chakra that corresponds to the intention you have in mind. Then, imagine the crystal’s energy becoming one with your own. Speak to your crystal and ask for its support in your current venture. Remember to thank the stone for its assistance.

How Do I Activate My Crystals?

If you notice that your crystals suddenly feel heavier than usual or like they have lost their shine, they may need energetic activation. Offer the stone some of your own energy through your breath, conversation or song. You may also consider bringing the stone outside with you—providing the crystal time to soak up energy at a park or beach is especially powerful.

Another method for activating your crystals is by creating an activation grid. This is done by surrounding your stone with energetic counterparts. We suggest using Apophyllite, Carnelian, Clear Quartz, Kyanite, Ruby, Rose Quartz, Sodalite, Aventurine, and Selenite.

Cleansing and charging your stones is an important part of owning and benefiting from the power of crystals. After all, when you care for your crystals, you are ultimately caring for your own self, your life, and your intentions.

If you’re ready to begin or enhance your journey with geodes and crystals, our exclusive Energy Positioning Blueprint can help you create a more productive workspace, home, or business environment to boost your personal health, well-being, love, positive energy, and more. Get started now.

About Michal Mael:
Michal’s worldly background made her the perfect ambassador for nature’s gems. She was born in Israel to parents of Iraqi, Yemenite, and European origins moved to America at a young age and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. As a pre-teenager, she mastered sales in her mom’s retail store, and by the age of 19, Michal opened “Jewels of the Nile,” a traveling business selling beads, statues, antiques, and crystals.

Through decades of traveling the world to handpick and sell gems, Michal became a leading expert on rocks and minerals. Transforming any environment with Nature’s Art Decor™ is her specialty. Michal believes that each crystal has a specific purpose and place in life, business, and the home. Tranquility and abundance can be achieved through the right placement of Nature’s Art.

From international businessmen and women to Beverly Hills celebrities, and everyone in between, Michal uses her expertise to place the exact crystals needed, giving clients the alignment they desire in both home and work environments. She has developed her own technique and system of Energy Positioning Placement™ and teaches audiences about stones and energy all over the world.

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