Why Cleanse Crystals at the New Moon?
Energetically, the New Moon is a great time for setting intentions, for beginnings and initiating things into being.
That same energy lends itself to cleansing crystals in preparation for manifesting those intentions.
Each different type of crystal is aligned to a different energies depending on their crystalline structure and vibration. Their vibration interacts with ours, which is how they create the changes. But just as a crystal will interact and affect our energy, they also tend to collect energy. Crystals absorb and store the energy from the work they’re programmed to do, from their environment and from the people who handle them.
Which is why it’s a good idea to cleanse them, to clear that unwanted energy and to return the crystal to its natural state of energy and vibration. I prefer to cleanse my crystals after any intense working or spellwork. But I also like to do simple housekeeping cleansings on crystals on a regular basis, just to keep their energy flowing and ‘happy’.
3 Simple Crystal Cleansing Ideas
There are a multitude of ways to cleanse crystals. Some, like Reiki, require specific training. But many are simple and easy.
Smoke Cleansing
Smoke is a simple, traditional cleansing method. Burning sage, palo santo, or rosemary are great cleansing herbs. Another option is an incense made specifically for cleansing or for the timing at hand. I create a New Moon Charm incense that works for all New Moon work, including crystal cleansing.
Light the herbs and, if it’s a bundle, wave it over, around and under the crystal. If using loose incense, wave the crystal through the smoke, keeping your intention and energy one the purpose of the smoke cleansing the crystal any negative energy.
Cleanse Crystals with Water
Water is a simple, easy and convenient crystal cleansing option.
The only caveat is to make sure to do a check on the crystal before running it under —and definitely before submerging it— in water. Some are too soft to tolerate water and will essential melt or flake away. A quick Google search or flip through a crystal encyclopedia should provide the answer, but a few no-water crystals are the ones that end in some for of ‘ite’: selenite, fluorite, calcite, malachite, lepidolite, etc.
That said, once you’ve checked to make sure your crystals are water-safe, simply run them under water. The faucet works, as does a pitcher of spring water poured over the stones while chanting a cleansing wish or focusing on all of the negative or unwanted energy washing way.
An alternative to tap water or sporting water is moon water. Moon Water is my personal go-to for cleansing crystals. I’ve written before on the process of creating and storing Moon Water here as well as ideas specific to New Moon Water.
Moonlight for Crystal Cleansing
And last but not least, Moonlight is wonderful for cleansing crystals. Simply set the crystals under the first light of the New Moon, or under the full light of the Full moon, and let the Lunar energy cleanse and refresh your crystals.
I prefer setting the crystals outdoors if the weather is amenable, with a few exceptions. I never leave gypsum based crystals such as Selenite, or any other crystals that don’t react well to water, outdoors overnight. Even if we’ve moved beyond the rainy season, dew can have an effect. So if it’s damp out, or if your crystals are not water friendly (see a few listed above), I place my crystals in a window where they’ll have direct moonlight.
Whichever method you choose, enjoy and embrace that wonderful crystal energy, and the power of the New Moon!
