Crystal Care

CLEANSING YOUR CRYSTALS

New stones need to be cleaned before you use them.  Cleansing crystal removes unwanted energy and restores them to their original clarity, so it should be carried out each time your crystals are used for healing.  If you do not cleanse your stones they will become less effective and may pass on imbalances or energetic static.  You might detect this as a feeling of heaviness or unpleasantness.

WATER
Running water works well for clearing stones that are not harmed by water .  A spring or stream or the ocean waves is best though you must be careful not to lose your stones to the ocean or river. Holding crystals under the tap will do in an emergency .  Some people like to leave their stones out during rainstorms too. Many people also bathe with their crystals, which not only clears and charges the stones, it is very refreshing and healing for the bather as well.
 
SUN AND MOON
Sunlight is another popular method. Light is a key element of crystal healing, so energize a water-cleansed crystal in sunlight for 24 hours before using it. Alternatively, charge a bowl of water with sunlight for 24 hours and use this water for cleansing. Certain crystals, such as amethyst and rose quartz, fade in light, so are not suitable for sunlight cleansing.

Moonlight can be used in the same way. It is a good alternative for crystals sensitive to sunlight.

SELENITE CLEANSING
Another great cleansing method is one that uses selenite. This is probably the simplest method of cleansing because it only requires five to ten minutes to complete the cleansing process. All you need do is place the crystal you wish to cleanse beside the selenite. If you wish, you can also place the crystal directly on top of the selenite.

INCENSE OR SMUDGE STICK
Smudging is an ancient form of cleansing and is a practice found in many cultures. Use sage, cedar, sandalwood, lavender and other incenses for crystals too sensitive for water or salt cleansing methods. You'll want to allow the smoke from the incense to cloak and surround your crystals. There's no time limit for the cleansing process. Most people have a sense for when the crystals are completely cleansed

VISUALIZATION
Take a deep breath and blow over the crystal.  Imagine that you are clearing away negativities.  Repeat

SEA SALT
Salt is highly cleansing, but unsuitable for crystals that scratch easily. Sea salt is the best type to use, and can be combined with the water method by submerging the crystal in sea water. One powerful cleansing ritual involves leaving the container outside for three days before the full moon.

A word of caution about using salt for cleansing is that many crystals don't tolerate salt, so you need to know which crystals work well in saline. Another issue is that the salt residue left on your crystals, many times cannot be removed

How Often Do Crystals Need to be Cleared?

It depends on how much you use them. If they're sitting on your desk, looking pretty (and you can get a great deal of value just from having them around) once every three months is probably sufficient. Crystals you work with every day need to be cleared no less than once a month.

- If, as mentioned above, you do intense emotional work with your crystals, clear them after each session.
- If a crystal looks cloudy or has a dull feeling it probably needs to be cleared.
- It is always a good idea to clear a crystal before you program it. However, once you've programmed it don't clear it until it's done its work.
 
PROGRAMMING YOUR CRYSTALS

In metaphysical terms, programming a crystal is to store an energy pattern in a crystal. The energy pattern programmed into the crystal can be any thought, color, emotion, sound, or any other vibration. The vibrational pattern is stored in the crystal until it is purposefully cleared out.

This is one way to program a crystal so that you or someone else can benefit later from the energy pattern programmed into it. If you have a different method you prefer, use it.

NEEDED TO PROGRAM YOUR CRYSTALS
- Crystal
- Clear Intent - Know what you want to program the crystal to do.
- Focused Action - This method is one focused action.

STEP ONE – Clear / Cleanse your crystal with whatever method you prefer, and sit down with your crystal at your personal altar or in a place that you're not likely to be disturbed while you are programming your crystal.

STEP TWO - Hold the crystal in your dominant hand (right hand if right handed) and clear your mind of unrelated thoughts. Start to focus on your intention for the programming of your crystal.

STEP THREE - Focus on your intention for your crystal by saying descriptive words aloud. For instance, if you want to program your crystal to bring peace of mind, start repeating the words "peace of mind" over and over again. A whisper is fine if a normal tone of voice would attract distracting attention from others.

STEP FOUR - Repeat your intent verbally into your non-dominant hand, then place that hand over your crystal to push the vibrations into the crystal.

STEP FIVE - Continue holding the crystal and repeating your intention until it feels as though the vibrations have sunk into the crystal fully. If necessary, repeat step four.

Once your intuition tells you or you have a sense that the crystal has accepted the vibrations, open your hands and thank the crystal. The crystal is now programmed.

This method can also be used with tumbled stones, spheres, polished crystals, and natural chunks of minerals, as well as natural crystals.

To retrieve and use the programming, simply rub the crystal while asking (silently or out loud) for its programming to be released.