Cleanse Yo' Self, Before You Wreck Yo' Self | Cleansing 101

Last week, we covered how to cleanse your crystals using specifically sage or palo santo (read it here); this week, we’re running through our other favourite ways to get rid of those heavy vibes.

 

Like us, our crystals collect energy (good and bad) and need a good cleanse every now and then.  While your personal cleansing method of choice might be to put on The NoteBook and have a good cry, your crystal collection needs a little outside intervention to dispel the bad juju and reset and recharge its healing energies.

  

We always cleanse our space and our crystals regularly in store; although we take measures to ensure we know where and how our items are mined, they could be exposed to some dubious energy being passed through airlines + customs etc.

Because we all want a fresh start for our new journey with our crystals, it’s crucial for us to cleanse them once they arrive to us, however you are free to do this again once they get to you if you feel the need! Your cleansing method of choice will depend on the properties of each crystal, as well as your own intuition and preference.  But before we even get started on choosing a method, it’s key to set an intention for the cleansing.  This is almost as important as the process of cleansing itself.

 

Before you begin your chosen cleansing method, think about the intention for cleansing, what you are doing and why. As you cleanse your crystals allow your focus to be on the intention.

 

 

 

Tequila slammers aren’t the only use for salt, use a tablespoon in a bowl of water and soak your crystals. This is effective, but this can be quite harsh and difficult to remove the salt build-up in the crevices.  If you’re averse to cleaning, try dry salt on a plate piled around a stone and left for a day – this won’t damage your stone** and can be a powerful alternative cleansing system. Discard the salt after use – no need to add bad juju to your margaritas.

** note that this method is not recommended for crystals that don't like to get wet. It's not a hard rule but this means most things ending in "ite".

 

Don’t feel like dealing with salt? Allowing your crystals to sit in a drinking glass or bowl under cool running tap water for several minutes is also A-OK. If you are near to a natural running river, stones can be placed in an open mesh bag and left for a short time in the natural running water - running water also cleanses as well as energizes the stones at the same time.  

Please check that your crystal can be emerged safely in water, since some should not be left to soak in water as this can have an adverse effect on them. Specifically, porous stones or those with high metal content. Any type is quartz is fine – anything ending in ‘ite’ is generally a NO GO zone eg – Kyanite, Selenite etc.

 

 

 

Sound breaks up any stuck energy and restores harmony.  Using a tuning fork, Tibetan singing bowl, crystal bowls, bells, chanting, drumming or cymbals, place your stones near the instrument and hold your intention in mind. For singing bowls, place the stones in the bowl and circle the stick around the rim. For chanting, hold the stones in your hands while chanting.  We promise it’s even more therapeutic than belting out Single Ladies after a bad breakup.

 

 

Using incense, cones, resins, herbs, palo or sage sticks that make sufficient smoke will cleanse and clear crystals.  Sandalwood, juniper, frankincense and sage are known for their strong purifying properties.  Light some palo, incense, resin etc and carefully pass your stone through the smoke or place incense near the stones for constant access to smoke.  Don’t get distracted and keep your intention in mind, or your cleansing could end up like an angry ex – left unattended, it might burn your house down.

 

 

Place your crystals on a Kyanite, Selenite or Quartz bed, or inside a geode and allow the crystalline energies to cleanse and clear – simpler than an Ikea wireless charger.  Allow your intuition to guide you as to how long to leave them.  As you become more attuned to crystal energy you may begin to notice the subtle energetic qualities of the crystals and the messages they have for you. Let these messages be your guide. 

 

 

Like a tropical holiday after a shitty month at work, placing your crystals in the sun can restore and rejuvenate energy.  With clear intention or after cleaning the crystal with water you can leave the crystal in the sun to dry and recharge with solar energy.  Be mindful doing this with fluorite, amethyst + rose quartz (too long and they may lose their stunning colour!) and clear quartz as it can focus the sun’s rays and be a fire risk, unless you’re looking to attract hot firefighters – but this might not be the safest option…

 

 

The moon is crazy powerful, pushing and pulling the biggest things on the planet (the five deep oceans) and pushing and pulling you and your moods.  If depth is what you seek, a new moon is always a perfect time to set intentions.  Look up, feel up and be up - hold your crystals with a clear intention and leave crystals in the direct light of a full or new moon overnight to cleanse. This is the safest and most suitable option for ALL stone types, we understand it can sometimes be a mission lugging all your beauties outside, a window sill is suitable!

 

 

X marks the spot for buried treasure and a freshly cleansed and re-energised crystal is a treasure to behold.  On a full moon bury your crystal in the earth or clay (and mark the spot), setting clear intentions, and unearth it on the new moon.  

 

Native American belief holds that it's not always necessary to energise crystals with any of the above methods because they will naturally energise themselves from our body's own energy field when they are picked up and handled, or rubbed between the palms of the hands. In this case, just set your intentions and give your rocks a squeeze.