Why Do I Need To Cleanse & Charge My Crystals?
We know crystals produce energy (like quartz, which is used in watches to power them), but they also absorb & hold energies they come into contact with. This is why it’s important to cleanse your new crystals, so they can be purified of any old energy they may be hanging on to. But how do you cleanse & charge crystals? Let's get into it!
How Do You Cleanse Crystals?
First, let's talk cleansing. There are many methods you can use to clear or cleanse your crystals of any energies they may be hanging on to. You'll need to look at the physical qualities of your stones and determine for yourself which method will be right for you.
• Running water: First, check that your crystals and minerals are safe to be used in water! Crystals like Selenite, Angelite, Desert Rose & some others are NOT SAFE in water as they can degrade or even dissolve. For stones that are water safe, simply hold them under the faucet, pour bottled water over it, or place it in the ocean or stream (carefully please!) to draw off negativity. Alternately, place your crystals in a bowl of water with a handful of sea salt for one hour. IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not recommend soaking Funky Birdie jewelry for longer periods than one hour as water can damage the thread and findings. Be sure to thoroughly dry your jewelry & crystals afterward.
• Salt or rice: Place your crystal in a bowl of salt or rice overnight & negative energy will be absorbed. If cleansing jewelry in salt, be sure to remove all salt from between beads or crevices, as it may draw and hold water there causing damage to your piece, the stones & the findings themselves.
• Cleansing with smoke: Burning bundles of sustainable herbs like mugwort or rosemary is effective to remove negativity from your crystals. Research herbs used from your lineage to connect even more to the cleansing effect! Simply hold your crystal in the plume of smoke from your herb bundle. I love this gentle method as it’s very safe for crystals & jewelry!
• Visualization: Hold your crystal in your non-dominant hand & visualize a pure, bright beam of light coming down, streaming through it. See the light flushing any energies your crystal is holding & release them back down to the earth to be absorbed & transmuted. This method is also very gentle for cleansing jewelry.
• New moon: The new moon is a time of release & new beginnings, which makes it an excellent time to cleanse your crystals. Leave them out under the new moon (on your windowsill, car dashboard, or somewhere safe outside) to clear them of stagnant energy.
• Full moon: The full moon is also an excellent time to both clear AND charge your stones. Follow the same steps as with the New Moon, with the added bonus of setting intentions & charging with powerful full moon energy.
• Other crystals: If you own a crystal specimen of Selenite, Carnelian, Citrine, Crystal Quartz, or Kyanite you can place your jewelry atop the stone overnight & these powerful cleansing stones will remove any energies your other crystals have absorbed. This is another wonderfully gentle method for jewelry.
Now that you have purified your crystal of the energies it has come into contact with, it’s time to charge it! This is basically programming the stones with intention. This way, they have their energies focused on healing & your specific intentions for that piece.
What is the Best Way to Recharge Crystals?
Just like with clearing, there are several options you can choose to imbue your crystal with the healing energy you want to support your particular needs. I recommend choosing what feels best & most connected for you! No one way is better or more effective than any other. And the more you can focus on your purpose, instead of worrying if you’re doing this whole thing “right”, the more benefit you will see from your crystals & crystal jewelry!
Some methods do lend themselves better to the type of stones & purpose of the crystal, but all of the different methods will work for all types of stones.
• Sunlight: The sun's rays are excellent for energizing & programming your gems. I love sun-charging for crystals that are intended to uplift mood, aid with energy, or combat mental fog and depression. A good way to know sunshine is right for your crystal is if it is predominantly red, orange, yellow, or pink. Simply place the crystal in the sunlight for a couple of hours. As you lay it out, hold your intentions for this stone in your mind; see the goals you are working toward. Be sure to choose a safe spot where it won’t get lost, picked up, or damaged by any creatures or people. Outside is our favorite, but when that’s not possible, a sunny window ledge, or even the das of your car can work. Important note: Some crystals will fade in color if left in bright sunlight for extended periods, so keep your eye on these sun babies!
• Moonlight: Moonbeams are wonderful for programming intent into your crystals, too! I use the moon for stones purposed for calming & focus, restfulness & sleep, mothers’ pieces & anxiety. Cool-toned crystals in blues & purples as well as white & pale-colored specimens love moonlight. Any moonlit night will do, but the full moon is fantastic for the best charge! Just like sun-charging, place your crystal in the best spot to be directly in the moon’s light for as long as possible overnight. Be sure to consider the safety of your chosen location; you don’t want your jewelry to get stepped on or whisked away by any backyard critters! You can also place your crystal on the dashboard of your car. As you lay out your crystals for moon programming, think about what you want from them & visualize that energy working toward the best possible outcome for you.
• Earth: The earth is great for programming stones that are focused on grounding, mellowing, fertility, protection, or growth. These tend to be crystals & minerals that are green, black, brown & grey. Lay your crystals so they are in contact with the ground, but not embedded in it. You don't want to lose them, after all! As always, be sure to think about choosing a safe spot & leave your piece in contact with the earth for several hours to overnight. Hold a picture in your mind of your desires for the stone & how you want it to help you.
• Visualization: Visualization is effective for charging & programming your crystals as well as clearing them. This method works well for all types of stones. Don’t worry - you don’t have to be an expert to try it! Just hold your crystal in your dominant hand & picture a clear, vibrant light coming down, flooding it with the energy needed to attain your goals. State very clearly what you need, whether it’s healing a particular symptom or aiding with certain feelings or moods. Repeat the intention several times to anchor it into your crystal or piece of jewelry. It may sound too easy, but when you try this, you might be surprised how connected to your crystals you can feel!
When Should You Charge Your Crystals?
There are lots of opinions out there on when & how often to cleanse & charge gemstones. I like to keep it simple:
1. When you first receive it: While I do work to imbue purpose into each piece as I make it, I still recommend clearing & charging your new jewelry when you get it in the mail. That goes for crystals, too. Think how many hands it may have passed through just to get to you & what chaotic energy it may have picked up during shipping. Wipe the energetic slate clean & reprogram it with its intended purpose to get the most out of your specimen.
2. After any major issues: If you are wearing your crystal jewelry or using stones to support you during an illness, accident, or any type of strong emotional event (like a natural disaster or even just a fight with your family member), it will pick up the stress-energy from the event. You want to clear that from your crystal so that it's not carrying that negative energy with you. After you clear your piece of the energy associated with the issue you have just experienced, you will want to refocus the purpose of your crystal by recharging it with one of the methods we just talked about.
3. At the full moon: It’s not required to clear and charge your crystals at every full moon, but it sure is a great periodic reminder! And the full moon is a wonderful provider of energy.
4. When you feel you need a boost: If you know you have a particularly challenging time ahead of you or if you feel that your piece could use refreshing, go ahead -- clear & recharge your stone! The new energy may help calm you for what is ahead. Or if you feel the piece isn’t functioning as you hoped, reconnecting with it while you clear & recharge it may help you feel that support you are needing.
Now you know how to cleanse your crystals & how to charge your crystals for healing! Got questions? Join my Facebook group The Nest!