Imagine the feeling you might get holding a sparkling, luminescent piece of shimmering labradorite in your hand, or how you feel beholding the beauty and shine of a jagged but enchanting chunk of clear quartz, shining like a diamond.
There’s a good chance that you’ve heard of the many healing benefits of working with crystals – that is unless you’ve been living under a rock! Crystals are magical, mystical tools that work to heal emotions, clear mental fog, physical ailments, and so much more.
These mesmerizing crystals and gemstones are given to us by nature, dazzling in their inherently healing qualities and natural beauty.
Whether you’re working with a bright, yellow chunk of citrine to attract prosperity and abundance, or you’re carrying a healing piece of pink rose quartz in your left pocket to promote unconditional self-love, crystals and gemstones are the ultimate tools to add to your esoteric routine.
While crystals are known for cleansing and balancing energy, it’s important to remember that many crystals also absorb energy – and therefore need to be cleansed of any negativity they may have soaked up from the environment around them. If you want your healing crystals to be at their most powerful and potent, it’s crucial that you cleanse them regularly.
Crystals need your special care and attention for them to work most effectively.
There are myriad ways to cleanse your crystals, and the method you choose is really up to you! Clearing your crystals by the light of the Moon is one popular method, allowing the crystals to take in the healing light of our lunar guide.
You place the crystals you’d like to cleanse in a glass or a jar of purified water. (Some crystals dissolve in water, so do your research beforehand to make sure you don’t accidentally damage your stones.) Leave the crystal somewhere where it will rest directly under the light of the Moon and leave them there overnight. Voila! Your crystals are now cleansed and more powerful than ever.
Let’s dive in to learn more about what crystal cleansing is, when and why you should cleanse them, and how!
What is Crystal Cleansing?
Crystal cleansing is the activity of removing stagnant or negative energy from your crystals. It can be done in many ways – from cleaning with purified water to the Moon’s light and many ways in between.
One of the most popular crystal cleansing methods is bathing your crystals in purified water; however, it’s important to note that some crystals are damaged by water and should be cleansed in another way.
Crystals to avoid exposure to liquids include:
- Amber
- Turquoise
- Red coral
- Fire opal
- Moonstone
- Calcite
- Kyanite
- Angelite
- Azurite
- Lepidolite
- Selenite
It may be easier to remember that crystals ending with “ite” should not be exposed to water. You can also do a quick internet search before cleansing your stones with water to make sure those stones are safe.
Check out this article next: 8 Crystals to Strength & Cleanse Your Aura
Why Should You Cleanse Your Crystals?
One of the ways that crystals work to send healing energy surging throughout our body is by absorbing negativity into their own being. Certain stones, like jet or black obsidian, absorb more energy than others, meaning that they can become muddied with negativity over time.
Crystal cleansing is the process of clearing this energy from your stones, leaving them cleansed, refreshed, and more effective at healing. Further, the more you work with and cleanse your crystals, the deeper and more harmonious your relationship with your stones becomes.
Clearing the energy from your crystals allows them to heal your own energy more efficiently.
When Should You Cleanse Your Crystals?
This question is a bit more subjective, as you can really create your own schedule for cleansing your stones. One factor is how often you use them, as the more you work with your crystals, the more frequently they’ll need to be cleared of negative energy.
If you’re making sure to cleanse your stones at least once a month, that will make sure that they’re working efficiently. This is also a perfect rule of thumb if you plan on cleansing your crystals with moonlight, as setting them out under the Full Moon each month infuses them with the wisdom and healing energy of the Moon.
On the other hand, you can also cleanse your stones anytime you feel they aren’t as bright and healing as they usually are. If you pick up a stone and it feels heavier or duller than usual, try giving it a rinse or running it through the smoke of burning sage or Palo Santo.
And if you’re short on time, there are plenty of ways to quickly cleanse your crystals in a pinch. Here are seven ways to cleanse your stones in less than 10 minutes!
7 Ways to Cleanse Your Stones in Less Than 10 Minutes
Fire
Fire is another natural element with cleansing properties, although you won’t be touching your stones to the flame. This method simply involves lighting your favorite candle and waving the stones that need to be cleared over the flickering flame’s heat.
Most stones are rather resilient, and passing them over a lit candle will not harm them.
This method infuses your stones with positive or neutral energy, just as they should be. However, like water cleansing, this method is not the best for fragile stones like cerussite.
A Quick Rinse
Water is a remarkably effective cleansing agent for stones, as it washes away any negative energy that they have acquired during your work with them. As long as you’re paying attention to which stones should not be cleansed with water, a quick rinse is efficient and easy to do.
If you happen to live near a natural body of water, you can run your crystals through the healing waters. Or, you can simply pour purified water over your crystals or allow them to soak in a bowl of it. Each crystal should be cleansed for approximately one minute.
Smudging the Stones
Have you ever allowed the smoke of burning sage or Palo Santo to cleanse the negative energy from your body? If so, did you know that this method can also cleanse stagnant or gloomy energy from your crystals as well?
Both sage and Palo Santo are ancient, mysterious cleansing tools that just happen to smell delightful. Try lighting your favorite smudging tool, letting the smoke rise, and passing your stones through that healing smoke the next time you need a quick crystal to cleanse!
Sea Salt Soaks
Sea salt, especially the Pink Himalayan variety, is a wonderful medium for cleansing your stones, and it can be done in as little as 10 minutes. Simply fill a jar or a glass with a bit of your sea salt, place your crystals over the salt, and then add another layer on top of them. Allow them to soak in the healing energy for 10 minutes, take them out, and sweep off any residual salt.
You can also place sea salt on a plate or a display case for your crystals and set them on top. Not only does this look like beautiful, original décor for your home, but it will work to keep your crystals cleansed at all times.
Don’t forget to take the crystal quiz: Which Crystal is the Key to Your Success?
Sunshine
If it’s a rather sunny day outside, you can utilize the restorative powers of the Sun to clarify your favorite stones. Place your stones on a mat or a tray where they have enough space to breathe and keep their energies separated.
Then, take your tray outside and place it directly under the sunlight. Wait 10 minutes and remove them for purified crystals that will work stronger than ever before! This is also an excellent time for you to soak up some sunshine for yourself.
Crystal Chanting
Sound is another great way to cleanse certain energies and raise vibrations. You could try using a singing bowl to quickly cleanse and heal your crystals with sound, or you could even use your own voice as a restorative tool.
Sacred chanting can help you program your crystals and set your intentions for healing within them.
Om is a chant that is often referred to as the hymn of the Universe and is considered the “ultimate vibration,” as it is said to contain every vibration that has existed or will ever exist in the future. Try holding the crystal you need to cleanse in your right hand (which is the energetically giving side of your body) and chanting “om” for at least one minute to infuse your crystals with healing energy and raise their vibrations.
Crystals Healing Crystals
There are certain crystals that are so powerful that they never need to be cleansed, and they can even work to cleanse other crystals around them. Among these super-charged crystals are citrine, selenite, quartz, carnelian, kyanite, and amethyst.
Simply place the crystal that needs to be cleansed on a tray with one of the stones mentioned above for 10 minutes to refresh and recharge them!
It’s Time to Cleanse Your Crystals!
As you can see, there are not only many reasons why you should be cleansing your beautiful, healing crystals regularly, but also many quick and effective methods for restoring their original vibrations. When you create a routine for clearing your crystals of any negative energy they’ve absorbed, your stones can begin to work even harder for you, providing you with the healing energy you need each and every day.
It’s crucial that you work on and maintain your relationship with your stones, which includes caring for them and tending to them. And over time, your own energy and the energy of your crystals will combine to create a magical, symbiotic connection that will never fade.
Take care of your mystical crystals now so that they can take care of you for life, allowing your own energy to shine like the glittering speckles of a piece of glowing labradorite!
Related article: The Most Magical Crystals for Autumn
