One of the first things you will need to do with a new crystal is to ‘cleanse it’. Crystals and gemstones (especially quartz) can readily attract the positive or negative vibrations of it’s surroundings. The stones are always ‘impressionable’, and they receive both mental and physical vibrations from people and things around them. Because of this, we must ‘cleanse’ them, and start with a ‘clean slate’. This is especially true of a newly-acquired crystal, which has possibly been in many places before it found you! It is very important to cleanse the stone to clear it of any negative vibrations or impressions that it may have. You will want only the very positive, and the purest, most natural energy to remain in the stone for your use.
Cleansing can be done in many different ways, and you may eventually come up with a particular method or ritual that you prefer. It is a personal thing, and you should use the one that seems most compatible with you. You can begin by using a basic method, such as one of the following:
1. Command the Stone To ‘Cleanse’ Itself
Hold your stone in the hand you normally use most (right or left), and say something like:
“I command this stone to be self-cleansing” or “I am calling upon this stone to cleanse itself”. As you repeat these words, either mentally or aloud, you must visualize the negative energies falling away and dispersing, leaving only the ‘positive and naturally pure energies’ within the heart of the stone.
2. Use The Earth’s Magnetic Energy To ‘Cleanse’ Your Stone
Our planet is about 1/3 quartz, and very magnetic, with an energy field that is powerful indeed! Bury your stone in the earth in a flowerbed or garden. Leave it here for the time period that seems appropriate to you and your needs. (I would suggest at least 24 hours, or perhaps longer.) This is a very effective way to cleanse the stone of all negativity within it.
3. Use Flowing Water For ‘Cleansing’
I would prefer to use the naturally flowing water of a stream or river. Hold the stone in the flow of the water. Make sure that you have a good grip on it, or place it in a mesh bag or cheesecloth that has openings small enough to prevent the loss of the stone you are cleansing, while allowing the water to flow over it. Water currents can be very strong, so be careful not to lose the stone if the water is flowing swiftly! If the stone is in a ring mounting, or with a bail (loop) for wearing it on a chain, etc., pass a chain or cord through it, and hang onto the chain/cord with one hand, while cradling the stone in your other hand. Immerse the stone in the flowing water, and visualize all negativity flowing away with the water, leaving only the positive energy and ‘vibrations’ within the stone.
• If you don’t have a natural watercourse to use, tap water can be used. Turn on cold to luke-warm water, and let it flow over the stone as you visualize it being cleansed of all negativity.
• Never use hot water.
•If you wish, you may place your cryatal in salt water for a few hours. Ocean water is the best, or, next best is tap water with sea salt added, or as a last resort, use ordinary table salt in tap water.
• ALWAYS allow the stone to either air dry, or place it in the sun to dry. Don’t wipe it with a cloth, paper towels, kleenex, etc.
