Clearing and Cleansing
Crystals and Other Healing Stones

Adapted from The Crystal Workbook Vol.1

There are many methods used by crystal workers for clearing and cleansing stones. I am sure they are all quite correct, and it is really the magickal act of intention that does the job, rather than the accoutrements. However, here are several methods which appeared in The Crystal Workbook.

Running Water
Make sure the water is not too hot or too cold, otherwise any natural cracks in the stone may be exacerbated and they may crack. If you live near a river or stream, or even the sea (see my comments on salt below) all well and good, otherwise tepid tap water will be an adequate substitute. Hold your stone under the water for a few minutes, and while concentrating on its energy, ask for all negative and unharmonious vibrations and energies to leave and only that which is positive and beneficial to remain. When you intuitively feel it is ready, dry your stone with a soft cloth.

Smudging or Incense
Some stones such as calcite, selenite and dioptase will crumble or cleave on contact with much water. With these stones and other delicate ones, use smoke as a cleansing agent. Sage, cedar, sandalwood, benzoin,copal, cinnamon, frankincense, lavender and myrrh are all good, and you can combine two or more to make a nice purification incense or use a smudge stick. Surround your stone with the cleansing smoke, visualise the smoke carrying away any negative energetic vibrations as you ask for all negative and unharmonious vibrations and energies to leave and only that which is positive and beneficial to remain. When you intuitively feel it is ready, stop.

Burying in the Ground
Bury your stone a couple of inches below the soil. Remember where you put it! (Maybe put a stick next to it...) A terminated crystal such as quartz should be placed with the point down. Visualise cleansing and healing energy going into the stone. After about 24 hours or so, unearth your stone. If you feel it needs more time, bury it for another day. This is a good method for stones that haven't responded to the water or smoke cleansing. If it's raining, don't use this method for water-sensitive stones.

The Sun and Moon
Crystals and healing stones benefit from sitting in the sunlight and moonlight. They will be rejuvenated and cleansed. You might wish to place them in a window that receives a lot of sunlight or moonlight. Some stones respond better to the sun than the moon, or vice versa. you'll get to know your stones in time. Meanwhile, leave them out in both. I've read some places on the web that stones shouldn't be left in the sun as they will fade. This hasn't been my experience, unless the stone has been colour-altered (dyed, irradiated or heated). I have an amethyst that has lived on the window sill for 3 years or more and it's just as dark as ever.

Placing Stones on Crystal Clusters
One easy way of cleansing smaller stones is to place them on an amethyst or clear quartz cluster. Amethyst in particular has cleansing properties. Clear quartz clusters will assist your stone in building up its healing energy.

Why I don't recommend salt
Well, I'll qualify that. Some stones are just fine with salt as a cleansing agent - either sea salt alone or in water. However, there are a number, such as malachite or azurite, that will loose their beautiful sheen if too much salt gets to them. It's a physical rather than metaphysical thing. With quartz and the quartz family, salt is just fine. My tip is, before you use salt or salty water for cleansing your stones, check with your crystal shop. If they can't help you, err on the side of caution.

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