(Information compiled by Jenwytch – see references at bottom of page.)

Stones and Crystals

Crystals are one of the greatest gifts that the Gods have given us. Every crystal on Mother Earth has its own unique energy and vibration. And their uses are many. We use them for health, shamanic rituals, protection, happiness, and the list goes on.

Most people will choose the crystal which will best assist them in the situation they need it for; Clearing your mind, helping with a physical problem, meditation, charms for protection for yourself or your home, for healing, for chakra work, for stone elixirs, or for anything that seems suitable. Select the crystal which has the properties to help you.

When selecting a crystal, we in essence, let it select us. Not every crystal is right for every person. When looking for a crystal, whether in the wild or at the store, we must first pass our hand over it to see if there is a connection. If the energy of the crystal doesn’t reach out to you, then move on to another one.

Once you have connected with a crystal, you then need to clear out all of the energies that your crystal has stored up from others before you. This is recharging the crystal, and this should be done periodically with constant use of the crystal.

Cleansing and Recharging Your Crystals

As with everything that we do in the Craft, there are a number of ways to recharge crystals:

Sunlight

One way is to place the crystal into direct sunlight for one to three days in order to let the sun’s rays recharge them. Placing the stone on or near a plant often quickens the process. However, this can be a little harsh with particularly sensitive crystals. (See list below)

Moonlight

Another way is to use the energies of the moon, by placing the crystal in the moonlight overnight.

Earth or Sand

Yet another way is to bury the crystal in the Earth for a week and let Mother Earth’s energies absorb and recharge the crystal. (Make sure you mark the spot!) When all else fails or you are having a hard time cleaning something, bury it in moist sand (or soil). No wrappings. It will get gems clean but be aware that the polish is often removed when this method is used.

Water

You can also place your crystals into a small creek or stream and let the running water do the recharging. This is done from one to three days. You can also leave them in the rain.

Crystal Cluster

Place the crystal on a bed of other crystals (especially amethyst or quartz) for one to three days. The cluster should be dedicated to this purpose with a clear intent. Clean your cluster every month or two also. Amethyst geodes work well too. This is a great way to clean necklaces!

Sea Salt

Place in Sea water or make your own Sea Salt Water. One teaspoon of Sea Salt in a glass bowl in cool water. Place the crystal in the water. Make sure the crystal is covered with water. Let this bathe in the water for 24 hours. This is a wonderful way to rejuvenate the power of your crystal. It washes away the negative energy it has absorbed and recharges it with the positive healing energy again. (Note: Some crystals should NOT be washed/cleansed in salt water/sun for it changes their physical properties (not their metaphysical properties), they are listed below.

White Light

Bathe your gemstones in imaginary light and/or sound until clean. Or, imagine white light flowing in through your crown chakra then blow hard on the crystal to “blow” the light out through yourself and into the crystal to cleanse it.

Smudging & Candle Flame

Pass stones through the smoke of a scented incense such as sweetgrass, frankincense, sage, cedar or Dragon’s Blood. Pass the crystal several times through the wafting smoke. Passing them through a candle flame also works.

Homeopathic or Flower Essences

Flower Essences and some homeopathic solutions clean gemstones as well.

Flower Water

Soaking your crystal in flower water with the petals of the flowers such as rose, honeysuckle, orange blossoms for 24 hours will cleanse the crystal of all it’s negative energy.

Mirror Method

Place the gemstones on a mirror over night to clean them.

The method you use is a personal choice and dependant on the crystal and how heavy the use of it has been. When using crystals, keep in mind the responsibility this places on us. Take care of your crystals and they will take care of you.

Stones damaged by Sunlight (there may be more):

Aventurine: translucent types often lose colour
Amethyst: becomes paler
Apatite: pink variety fades
Aquamarine: becomes paler
Beryl: brown or orange types may change to pale pink
Celestite: fades in direct sunlight
Citrine: may change colour
Fluorite: green and purple types change colour
Kunzite: becomes pale or loses colour
Opal: may fade
Rose Quartz: becomes paler
Sapphire: should be cleansed in moonlight
Smokey Quartz: becomes paler
Turquoise: may fade

NOT to be cleansed in Salt Water:

Calcite
Carnelian
Labradorite (Spectrolite)
Lepidolite
Moldavite
Opal
Turquoise
Ulexite

*Use caution with the softer Mica and crystalline stones

The information on this page was provided by Jenwytch from
http://www.gems4friends.com/therapy.html
http://www.whisperingwood.homestead.com/Crystals.htm
http://www.peacefulmind.com/stones.htm
Photographs by Jenwytch