Crystals absorb and store energy from many sources-they are mined, then packed and distributed several times before reaching you. To cleanse crystals, the most popular method is to hold under cold running water until the negativity dissipates. Then charge the crystals by placing in the sun and moonlight for one full cycle (24 hrs).
Moonlight is another way of clearing your gemstones. Simply place outside from the Full to the New Moon. Waning Moons are good times to clear crystals, to dispel old energies, but any time works. The amount of time used varies with the sensitivity of the healer and the amount of material from which the stone needs cleansing. Sunlight is sometimes used as a cleansing method, and certainly, the energy from the sun is beneficial. However, many stones tend to fade their colors in the sun. Also internal fractures may cause your stone to crack or break if placed in the sun. It is best to use your own judgment here.
Burying your crystal in a cupful of dried herbs will also clear it. Suggested herbs for this are rose petals, sage, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood. This is a gentle way to clear crystals, and a pleasant way, but it does take longer than sea salt.
Crystals may also be buried in earth. This is especially helpful when you feel deep clearing is needed. Outdoors, simply dig a hole the size of your crystal in the Earth, place your crystal again point down, and cover with soil. The amount of time needed is personal choice. Be sure to place a Popsicle stick or some other marker so that you find your stone again! For apartment dwellers, use a flower pot filled with organic soil to bury your stone in.
A quick way to clear your healing stones is to smudge them with burning cedar or sage. Smudging is an excellent way to make sure your stones are purified. Simply hold the crystal passing through the smoke. Do this a couple times to ensure cleansing. It is also a good idea to cleanse stones by smudging after every healing.
Quick Clearing Methods:
Hold your crystal or stone under cold running water for 60 seconds, visualize bright white Light going through your crystal.
Or, you can hold in both hands and take in a slow, deep breath. Hold this breath for a few seconds and focus on your crystal. Exhale quickly in a burst while visualizing and feeling all the static energy being released. Do this several times.
Once your crystal has been cleared you need to cleanse away any remaining "loose" static energies. After using one or more of the above methods place your crystal in running water for 30-60 seconds. As this is done, visualize white Light surrounding and penetrating your crystal. Now it is ready to use.
Without clearing and cleansing crystals tend to become more and more dulled and ineffective.
