Crystals, like everything in the world, hold energy.  Strong energy that is ideal for assisting and amplifying such things as healing or magick, or simply bringing the energy of their beauty into the home.

But like anything, crystals need cleansed.  It could be because they crystals were sitting around as decor, adding beauty to the home but not being used energetically.  Or the crystals could have been used in ritual or healing work, so hold energies specific to those uses.  Or maybe with crystals such as Smokey Quartz, often used for protection, the stone has absorbed so much that it needs cleansed to work to its highest power.

Regardless of the reason, regular crystal cleansing helps us get the most from our crystals.

Here are some simple ways to use the elements to cleanse your crystals:

💫 Cleanse with Smoke

Choose your favorite cleansing incense, herb bundle or even simple herbs from the pantry.

Light the herbs in a heat-proof dish (even if using a herb bundle or herb stick, have a heat-proof container underneath to catch any fiery ash) and hold the crystal in the stream of smoke, letting the powerful haze of smoke cover every inch of the stone, clearing and cleansing away all but the crystal’s own core energy.

💫 Cleanse with Earth

Return your crystals to the earth (temporarily, of course).  Set crystals atop, or bury them in dirt.  The ground is best but a flowerpot or bowl works fine, too.  Let them sit in the rich earth, allowing it to absorb all that isn’t intrinsic to the stone.  Leave them for at least a few hours, overnight is best.

💫 Cleanse with Water

Hold your crystals under running water.  A stream or river is idea, but the kitchen faucet will work as well.  Feel the water cleanse and wash away any stagnant energy, then carefully dry the crystals.  Alternatively, crystals can be cleansed with charged Moon Water. Whichever method, if using water, take care and research your stones prior to using this method, as some crystals such as Selenite can’t be water-cleansed.

💫 Cleanse with Fire

Set your crystals before a lit ritually charged cleansing candle and let the firelight energy seep into the stone.  Hold the stone as close to the flame (with some stones—do your research first—you can pass the crystal quickly through the flame) as you see it burn away any unwanted, stagnant energy.

💫 Cleanse with Crystals

Just as Quartz naturally charges other stones, crystals such as Selenite are natural cleansers.  Set your crystals on a Selenite plate or bowl overnight to give them a light cleanse. As Selenite is a gentle stone, this method isn’t as intense as some of the others. I think of it is a surface cleanse, like weekly housework, as opposed to a deep cleanse, like spring cleaning.