What do crystals do?
Crystals are naturally occurring forms of sediment that have settled over time. Crystals are formed when atoms come together and become a uniformed cluster, called a lattice. The science around crystal formation is solid, and there is no question the minerals each crystals intricate lattice is made up of, however questions still remain over the application of crystals energies.
Although there is no scientific research that specifically examines the energy in crystals, we know that all matter (things) are made up of vibrating atoms, or energy. For something to be made up of energy and therefore hold energy, can it transfer or emit energy in exchange?
The intention we place on anything, being an object, thought, person or food, has a overriding effect on the benefit (or lack there of) that can be achieved.
Now for the science. The Reticular Activating System or RAS, is a part of our brain stem that receives almost all information entering the brain. The RAS acts like a sieve to filter out the constant bombardment of information our brains are exposed to. If not for this sieve, our brains would very quickly become over loaded and we would not be functional. The purpose of the RAS it to determine what is important for the conscious brain to be aware of and what is deemed unimportant. The more focus we place on a certain concept or thing, the more information on that subject our brain will determine to be useful and we will become aware of it. If our intention is that the energy held within crystals will be beneficial to us, in certain situations, this is the evidence that our brains will bring to the forefront of our conscious minds. If we believe that crystals hold no energy, this is the information that our brain will find evidence for and bring into our conscious mind.
Put simply, if we believe there is value in something, value is usually what we will find. So how hard is it to set a positive intention toward a crystal and benefit from this?
Cleansing your Crystal Collections
When you first receive your crystals, it important to establish a good connection and bond. Its like making a good first impression! Your crystal has been around the energy and in the hands of different people throughout its lifetime, so it is important to cleanse the energy of your new stone to ensure its energy is clear for your use, and to ensure your crystals energy is not harbouring any negativity or is out of alignment with its true field.
Another important consideration is that crystals can absorb and store energies, this means both positive and negative. If your crystals are in an environment where they may have been exposed to negative energy it is important to rid this energy as soon as possible. Simple instances where this may be experienced include, an angry workmate or client in your work space, a negative person visiting your home, a hostile interaction with a door knocker, getting that ‘funny’ feeling about someone you may have come into contact with while wearing or having a crystal on you. It is important to be mindful of these instances and cleanse your crystals if they are exposed to negative energies. This is also where routine cleansing holds great power, to ensure your crystals and their energies are kept shiny at all times.
There are a number of different ways to cleanse your crystals, below are a few of our favourites. Try and cleanse your crystals monthly, and earlier whenever the intuitive feeling strikes.
Think of the 5 elements of nature, earth, water, fire, air and space and you will be well on the way to creating a balanced and harmonious energy for you and your crystals through cleansing.
Earth – Bury
You can use the earth to help rejuvenate your crystal. Bury your crystal in the soil of a growing plant for 24 hours. This technique is particularly effective if placed beneath a lavender, rose, rosemary or sage plant. You may choose to use a potted plant, indoors or outdoors to fully bury your crystal. Once you retrieve your crystal, brush any remaining dirt off and wipe with a cloth if needed.
This is a great way to cleanse harder crystals, particularly if you are using other cleansing techniques and the crystal still looks or feels tired and dull. Unpolished natural stones respond well to the earthing technique, place more delicate or absorptive stones in an open ceramic dish on top of the soil.
Another way to cleanse your crystals is to use another crystal! Amethyst geodes (clusters of tiny amethysts embedded in a piece of rock) can be used to cleanse your crystals by placing individual crystals on the surface of the geode. You may also choose to place a circle of crystals around your amethyst for their cleanse. Leave your crystals for 24 hours to complete the cleanse in both instances.
Kyanite, citrine and apophyllite can be placed with your other crystals to keep them charged between more thorougher cleanses.
Water – Running or Salt Water
Bathe your crystals under running water for an energising cleanse. Particular favourites are in a running river or stream, under a waterfall, outside in the falling rain, or in the soft waves of the ocean.
This can be very therapeutic for both you and your crystals, and brings about a certain calm to the environment.
Be very aware that water and salt are not for all crystals. Do not submerge metallic or fragile crystals for prolonged periods. Of particular note is selenite, lapis lazuli and turquoise.
Fire – Smudge
Burning sage, frankincense or palo santo around your crystals will not only help to deeply cleanse them, but will purify your environment and make your environment (and you!) smell amazing! Wave your hand or a feather to fan the smoke over your crystals. This can be a very soothing ritual, and is great for crystals that need a little extra help to pick up their energies.
Lighting a natural beeswax candle can also be used to imitate sunlight cleansing for your crystals especially in winter months or cloudy. Encircle the candle with your crystals and leave the candle burning (if safe to do so) until the flame burns out naturally.
Air – Sound Vibration
We understand that crystals are tightly packed matter filled with vibrating atoms. We can use external vibrations to help recalibrate the resonance within our crystals. Over a collection of your crystals, ring a hand bell or Tibetan bell nine times, or strike a tuning fork or small singing bowl over your crystals for a minute until the sound ceases. Repeat this process 3 times.
Space – Moonlight and Sunlight
The moon is particularly effective at cleansing most of our crystals. The lunar energies peak at the full moon and if possible this night should be your target (although a night either side provides great advantages too). Place your crystals in the moonlight for a minimum of 4 hours. I leave mine overnight, but of you do this be sure only crystals that can come into contact with water are left out incase of rain or moisture.
Rose quartz (in fact all quartz), moonstone, amethyst, selenite and crystals in transparent and translucent soft shades tend to excel with lunar energy.
Sunlight is a very effective cleanser as well, especially for vibrant, deeply coloured or sparkling crystals and gems like diamond or topaz. Leave your crystals in sunlight from dawn to midday.
Amethyst, aventurine, aquamarine, citrine, fluorite, beryl, kunzite, sapphires, rose quartz and smoky quartz do not respond well to sunlight.
Setting Intentions
Setting an intention for your crystal is an additional benefit to the cleansing process and also the future use of your crystal. Setting an intention for your energy give you both a common goal to work towards and creates synergy in your energies and your environment. As you prepare your crystal for its cleanse set a positive intention for the future of your stone, and the energy you would like it to convey. I love this technique especially when I have something I am priming my crystal for, or to help me with. My favourite example is during exams when I would hold my rose quarts stone, my intention was clear thoughts and steady mind and hands. Set intentions for your crystals intended purpose, an upcoming event like a work presentation, family gathering, travel or meeting or simply express some good vibes to your crystal before your cleanse and then reiterate these once the cleanse is complete.
Gratitude
Hold gratitude in your mindset when working with your crystal collections. There are a number of studies illustrating the benefits of gratitude, so implement a grateful attitude when working with your crystal. Caring for them and cleansing them through some if the above techniques is a great way to show gratitude formal they bring into your environment. Thanking them for their energy and beauty in your environment is also a simple step in include in your cleansing ritual.
Whichever technique you choose, remember cleansing is as individual an experience as making your crystal selections, so always use your intuition and do what resonates with you at any given time.