Crystals: Cleansing and Charging

Gemstones and crystals, whether pendants or pocket charms, aid us in removing deleterious emotions such as anxiety, depression, fear and stress, as well as imbue us with salubrious feelings such as joy, tranquility, courage, and perseverance. As a stone works on us endlessly, over time it will become clouded or exhausted. For this reason, stones require cleansing or charging, and which method it needs will depend upon its purpose.

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Stones that you task with removing ill feelings, such as smokey quartz or obsidian, become clouded. This means that as you wear them, they stockpile your negative energies and eventually either stop working or begin to spill over. Wearing a clouded crystal can be harmful for this reason, so a best habit is to cleanse them once a month. To avoid outside energy, you should always cleanse newly acquired or purchased stones before carrying them on your person.

Stones that promote healthy feelings, such as carnelian, turquoise or citrine, inevitably become exhausted. As you wear them, they churn out their positive attributes and eventually tire. You'll notice tired stones stop having their effect and will require charging as needed. How often you should charge a stone depends upon your own observation. The very best practice is to charge stones at sabbats, holidays or parties, so that they can absorb positive vibes that will last you through the season.

Based around the classical elements, below are some of the ways you can cleanse and charge your gemstones, crystals, amulets, or talismans. Some objects may have favored methods, such as the reverent jade preferring the element of air. Whereas other stones, like impish carnelian, may need different methods consecutively. Keep a journal and find out what works best for you.


Fire
Cleansing: Purchase a sage smudging stick or bundle online or at your nearest health foods store. Since sage burning can be time-consuming, give yourself plenty of dedicated time to do it in a relaxed mood. Before smudging, you can practice some meditation, yoga or prayer, turn on soothing music, or open windows. If you've never smudged before, first grab a large plate to catch the ashes and then proceed to light the end of the bundle with a gas lighter. Pass the bundle around your stones, or hold and move the stones through the smoke 12 or 13 times, back and forth. You can walk around your house and continue smudging, or you can carefully extinguish the bundle in the ashes or dip lightly into a cup of water. Best times are midnight to midday, on a Sunday, or before starting a new career or project.

Charging: Lightly carve a triangle into the side of a candle, light it and allow it to burn for 4-8 minutes. Carefully hold and move your stone quickly through the flame 4 times, back and forth. If you're uncomfortable with fire, or you're working with children, instead brew yourself a cup of green or white tea. Place your stone on a plate, stack the used, hot teabags over the stone, and allow to sit for 4-8 minutes. Lightly wash stone afterwards and allow to air dry. Best times are late afternoon to midnight, on a Tuesday, or before a competition, sporting event or marathon.

Earth
Cleansing: Fill a glass jar with rice or soil, a teaspoon of salt, and mix well. Place your stone inside the jar, seal, and leave outside or near a window overnight. Best times are during the New Moon, on a Saturday, or before having surgery.

Charging: Place stone in a pouch or small container and bury at the foot of a tree or landmark at dawn. Retrieve at dusk. In apartments or urban areas, substitute a flower pot on a balcony or near a window. Best times are during Equinoxes, on a Sunday, or before hosting an event or speaking publicly.

Air
Cleansing: Subject your stone to soothing sounds or upbeat music, such as bells, chimes, tuning forks, singing bowls, drums, or speakers. Best times are between dawn and early afternoon, on a Wednesday, or before flying or traveling.

Charging: Light an incense stick, cone or oil lamp. Place your stone at the base or hold and move through the incense smoke 7 times, back and forth. Best times are between dusk and midnight, on a Thursday, or during times of uncertainty.

Water
Cleansing: If the stone is smooth or polished, fill a small bowl with water and a pinch of salt. Place and leave the stone in the bowl for twelve minutes. If the stone is crude or unpolished, using a plate of mirror, create a large circle of salt. Hold the stone under cold running for 60 seconds and place in the circle for twelve minutes. After soaking or sitting in the salt circle, rinse your stone once more under cold water and allow to air dry. Best times are during the New Moon, on a Friday, or before a first date or romantic outing.

Charging: Fill a glass jar or bowl with water and carefully place your stone inside. Place the container on top of a mirror or plate and leave outside in the moonlight for twelve minutes. After soaking, allow to air dry and remain outside or near a window overnight. Best times are during the Full Moon on a Monday, or after going to a spa, sauna, or masseuse.