Crystals and gemstones absorb energy. This is what makes them such a good tool for a healer. It is also in my opinion what makes them one of those tools that the universe gives to us that everyone has the ability to use. You do not have to be a healer or psychic or anything except attracted to the stones that you use. They absorb the negative energies that we hold in our bodies when we are sick or when our organs are not working properly. Also they will balance your chakras when used in the proper ways. They also absorb the energy of anyone that touches them and sometimes this can be undesirable. Stones should be "cleared" before using or wearing as this will return them to a clean, clear state. This also applies to the people who have big rose quartz, agate or amethyst chunks in their living rooms. I was busy clearing my small jewelry stones and had forgotten about the large stones that I keep in my livingroom. These are maybe the most important to do because they draw the energy of every person entering the room, arguments that have been had there, sadness that has been felt, etc. Be sure to cleanse these stones. There are a few ways of doing this and I have listed the methods that I know of below. I also would like to point out that from experience their are a few methods that work better than others on certain items.
Never use Method 1 or 3 as a way of cleansing jewelry. It will most likely eat through strings on necklaces, badly tarnish metals and ruin the finish on metals that are not precious ( not gold or silver, etc.) Instead use it for plain stones that have nothing attached to them. Using any of the salt methods will tarnish the metals, but the precious metals may be polished afterwards and still be safe, providing there are no strings that will deteriorate.
*note* always hold your stone before and after you cleanse it. As a novice, this gives me the feel of what that particular stone feels like when it is clear and when it is not. You may also notice a visual clarity to the stone when it is cleared.
Method 1: If you live near the ocean, I am under the impression that the best way to do this is to go down to the water and let the waves cleanse them (holding them fairly tight of course or the waves will "take" them and this is not the desired affect). I however, live very north and that is not an option.
Method 2: Although it is noted in most research material that I have used on this subject that it may not be as effective as other methods, you may also hold your stone under cold running tap water. (Hot will crack your stone) Personally, I don't even drink the tap water where I live! *smile* So I am definitely not letting it cleanse my stones.
Method 3: Mix a tablespoon of sea salt with one cup of cold water. Make sure that the glass, cup or bowl that you are using is made of glass, ceramic. Again do not use metals or plastic for cleansing. Put the stones into the solution and allow to soak for several hours. Again time depends on the size of the stone. You can purchase sea salt at any health food store quite inexpensively. You can also usually get it from stores that sell mainly crystals, gemstones and rocks.
Method 4: Experts feel that perhaps one of the best ways to clear a stone is to submerge it in plain sea salt. Again make sure that the bowl that you are using is not plastic or metal. The time submerged depends upon the size of the stone. For a stone about the size of your thumbnail, no longer than four hours. You will be able to "feel" the energy change. Do not stress if one or two of your crystals break, I have lost quite a few due to untimely events straying my mind. Start out with small inexpensive ones and that way you will get the timing right. This will do the least damage to strings and necklaces, etc. But if you are just clearing a stone on its own you can use pretty much any of the methods listed.
*a word of warning*Crystals contain a certain amount of moisture. Sea salt will pull moisture from your crystal if left together too long. Thus causing cracking and eventually chipping and breaking. So pay close attention to time frame.
Method 5: You may use the rain to clear your stones by simply placing them outside. But do be careful where they are left, as the feathered friends around us also love the beautiful colors of the stones. You can also hang them from a string in a tree and let the rain gently cleanse them for you. They should be left for a full day or night in this way.
Method 6: Placing your stones in sunlight will clear them but it is too harsh for some stones so it is not one of my chosen methods. Stones such as amethyst (which I love and use a lot) fade quickly and the sun harms them. Also rose quartz and Fluorite, which I also use. So if you choose this method be sure that you are prepared for the results as they can sometimes not be desirable.
Method 7: Burying your stones in the earth is another way of cleansing. Although I am what would be considered a very earth based person I find that burying my stones in the earth is a calculated task. First, you should really bury them directly in the earth, not in a pot or planter as I sometimes do. However, make sure you do not have little doggies who find it amusing to dig up anything that you have buried and also mark the area you have buried it in. One quick rain can mask the location of you stone quite easily. Again these things come to you from my little learning sessions! *smile* If you do decide to put them into a planter, make sure that the planter does not hold a plant. Energies released during a cleansing can sometimes kill a plant, and at the very least harm it immensely. This method is usually used for stones that have absorbed serious negative energy. Such as stones used on cancer patients, people who have suffered severe trauma, you get the idea. This method takes a lot longer than the others for that very reason. The stone needs to be left in the earth for a full moon cycle. Preferably the dark moon to next dark moon, but if the timing is not right I believe you could just do from cycle to cycle. If you choose this method , please do more research on it as I have only used it once and am not very familiar with the consequences of not burying on the dark moon.
Method 8: Herbs can be used to clear stones as well, although this is not a method I have as yet used. You may bury them in the herbs similar to the use of dry sea salt, or you may 'smudge' them with the burning of the herbs. As for combinations of which herbs to use, of that I am not sure. I have read though that if you use rose petals in the dry state that they will leave your stone with a 'soft' energy. This is very nice for healing stones.
- Method 9: Pyramids are considered "the most powerful" way to cleanse a stone. Pyramids come in all sizes and price ranges. I have not yet used this method, only because I am in the process of finding a pyramid that I truly feel is 'the right one'. Pyramids are usually one of a kind, made that way especially by the individuals that design them. They may be a little harder to come by than the other methods I have mentioned as well. If you live in a larger city, you should be able to find them at a gemstone or rock store, or they may know of where to find one. A metaphysical store will sometimes have them, and if not can usually order them for you. In this particular method, the idea is to place your stone beneath the pyramid for a set amount of time. The amount of time is longer than that of the sea salt method but do nothing to harm the stone or jewelry if forgotten for awhile. I have read that most stones should clear overnight. This does not include pendulums, of which I have no experience with and am not sure of the timing.
After you have cleansed the stone in whatever fashion you have chosen, it is usually a good idea to "program" it. Some people call this 'dedicating the stone' while others believe that only Wiccans dedicate stones. Different people of course have different views on this subject. For this writing I have chosen to use the term 'program', simply because I find that it is easy to understand for the novice. (This is how it was explained to me). Compare it to programming a computer, although certain computers and programs are better suited for specific uses, they still must be instructed on what their use will be ......by programming them.
There are so many different ways to do this that I have decided to simply explain how I personally do this. Although this works for me, everyone is different and I encourage all individuals to be exactly that....."individual", what ever your beliefs or feelings, do not stray from them simply because someone does something different. Make it your own! I take my stone in both hands, and feel its energy radiate through my body. I then thank God for allowing this precious gift to come to me and ask for his guidance in using the stone as a connector to his incredible life giving energy. All that is, comes from him and I give thanks. I then picture the stone using the color of energy that is attributed to what that particular stone is known for doing. Healing, etc. Sometimes a stone does not feel right or feels abnormal, and I will simply put it down, use it for decoration till another day. Sometimes never programming a stone. I truly find that if a stone is not meant to be with you, it simply is gone one day and you have no idea where it went. I accept this and move right along!
When I am finished with my little prayer , I give thanks and that is it! As I said, please do not take this as anything but the comments of a novice. This works for me and as I said, I believe that every person should do what feels right inside.