Cleansing your crystals

Crystals are epicentres of energy from the earth. We can utilise these energies for healing, spells, protection and so much more. Just as crystals emit energies, they also attract and absorb energies. When you first acquire a new crystal it is best to cleanse them. This will remove any past, unwanted energies the crystals has absorbed from other people it came into contact with previously. It is also a good idea to periodically cleanse your crystals, especially at times when you are cleansing yourself. Another great time to cleanse all your crystals is at the time of the Full Moon.

There are different ways to cleanse a crystal, with the most comprehensive being the seven step process outlined below. For a simpler cleanse, pick one or two of the following steps that relates to the crystal’s energy. For example cleanse moonstone under the Full Moon or aquamarine with water.
Before completing the seven step cleanse, research the crystal’s properties. Some dissolve in water, others fade under sunlight. You don’t want to loose your crystals before you start to work with it.

Now for my seven step cleanse:
1. Cleanse with earth - Bury you crystals in the earth or in salt. If you are concerned about the stone being affected, simply leave it upon the earth, preferably in nature, near a tree or sprinkle it with salt and then brush it off.
2. Cleanse with water – Providing the crystal is waterproof run the crystal through water. An ideal scenario would be to leave it at a stream for a while otherwise any other water is fine, including sea water providing it won’t damage the crystal.
3. Cleanse with air – Run your crystal through the smoke of some incense. Frankincense resin is a great choice for purification.
4. Cleanse with fire – Run the candle through the flame of a candle
5. Cleanse by moonlight - Leave your crystal out in the moonlight, ideally the Full Moon.
6. Cleanse by sunlight - Leave your crystal out in the sunlight.
7. Cleanse the crystal yourself – Finally visualise the crystal being cleansed. In your mind’s eye blast it with white light and see all the negativity vanishing, returning the crystal back to it’s pure, magical self. At this point you can also choose to charge the crystal with new energies of your current desire.

Crystals for the Crown Chakra Meditation

The crown chakra is the highest of the seven main chakras. Whereas the base chakra connects us to the physical, the crown chakra connects us to the spiritual. It is located at the very top of your head. The colour associated with the crown chakra is usually violet, thus crystals of this colour are purple are often used. You can also use white crystals. Here are some of my favourites:

Amethyst: This stone is a stone of peace and the greater good. It is also an excellent overall healing (on all levels). You can charge amethyst to be a protective stone, especially against psychic attack. It encourages sobriety, having a sobering effect on overindulgence of alcohol, drugs or other addictions. It calms and stimulates the mind, helping you become more focused, enhancing memory and improving motivation. Amethyst assists in remembering and understanding dreams. It relieves insomnia.

Sugilite: Sugilite helps in understanding negative circumstance by showing one what is happening, and how it is out of balance. This can be used to then understand the circumstance's greater good. Excellent tool for mediation exercises to bring the mind and spirit back into alignment.

Clear Quartz: Clear Quartz is known as the "master healer" and will amplify energy and thought, as well as the effect of other crystals. It can be used as a substitute for any other crystal if you don't have it. Place clear quartz crystals near electrical appliances such as TVs, computers, etc to absorb the electromagnetic and other subtle radiations. If you dedicate a clear quartz to this function, cleanse it each Full Moon. Be warned that clear quartz can have a very strong energising effect and if kept in your bedroom, you may struggle to sleep.

Crystals for the Third Eye Chakra Meditation

Often we hear about having a sixth sense, a knowing that comes from somewhere beyond our conscious knowledge. Often it is called our intuition, gut feeling or psychic ability. If this sense was to have a centre in the body, it would be the third eye chakra. It is located between and slightly above our "other" two eyes. Balancing the third eye chakra ensures we are able to link into our intuition, imagination, visualize, concentrate, have insight, enlightenment and have a finely tuned awareness. It will also help connection with spirit guides, angels and see auras.

Meditation while holding a crystal in your hand or placing it on the third eye is a great way to realign the chakra. Here are some of my recommended crystals:

Lapis Lazuli: This is the stone of the Gods. Popular in ancient Egypt, the stone helps connect with higher deities. It is also a good healing stone allowing you to release stress and replace it with a sense of eloquent peacefulness. Lapis Lazuli can be exchanged between lovers to signify loyalty.

Tourmalinated Quartz: A variety of Clear Quartz with naturally occurring needle-like inclusions of Black Tourmaline. This is the best crystal for giving you vivid and insightful dreams. Place it on your third eye chakra and relax before you drift of to sleep.

Azurite: The stone of the world/globe. This deep blue stone is often found with green malachite amongst it giving it the appearance of the Earth with land and sea. Use this stone when working to attune to your higher purpose in life or working on issues that affect the world as a whole.