HOW TO CHARGE CRYSTALS: A 9 Method Guide

When crystals are used often or over long periods of time, they can become drained and depleted of energy. But don't toss them in the garbage bin! All they need is a little energetic R&R to be good as new; you need to learn how to charge crystals.

Charging crystals gives them an energetic boost and adds positive energy and intensity to your intention-setting and manifesting practice. If you complete an intention and would like to set a new one using the same stone, charging will reset it to create a blank canvas for your new intention. When you do this there's no muddling of the two intentions which can lead to unclear results.

Crystals also tend to absorb and hold onto the energy around them, which isn't always a good thing. Sometimes crystals will soak up negative energy which can stain your intentions and your own energy. Charging your crystals will rid them of any bad vibes they may have come in contact with on their journey to your home or from their environment. This is why some people refer to charging crystals as "clearing" or cleansing crystals.  

To get the best results from your crystals, you have to charge them ever so often and there are many cleansing techniques to choose from. When deciding which method is best for you and your stones, be sure to check if your preferred method is compatible with your crystals. Some minerals do not react well when exposed to water, salt, or sunlight, which I'll explain more about below.

Even if you've never worked with crystals directly or charged them before, you've probably heard of this method. It's a popular method for charging crystals and combines crystal and celestial energies.

To charge your crystals under the moon, all you need to do is place your stone(s) in a spot where they are exposed to the full moon's light. If you feel comfortable leaving them outside, place them on a porch or a safe spot in your yard. If you don't have a private space outside your home, place them on a windowsill under the moon's light.

If you want to store up some lunar energy that you can use any time, make some moon water. Moon water cleanses and charges crystals by harnessing the moon's energy, believed to purify and amplify the crystal's natural vibrations and healing properties.

Fill a container of your choice with water and place it under the full moon's light. (I like to use a glass container with a lid, like a mason jar, to keep my water clean and free of leaves or other bits of nature.) If you feel called, you can say an affirmation or prayer that matches your intention for the coming month's cycle.

To use your moon water for charging and cleansing crystals, begin by pouring some into a bowl. (This will prevent contamination of your entire batch.) Then submerge your rock(s) in the full moon water.* You can leave them for a few hours or overnight. Store your leftover water away from sunlight and dispose of it if you notice any new odors or changes in appearance.

*Porous stones or crystals that are water-soluble should never be charged with water. Softer stones like Selenite, Celestite, and Fluorite will dissolve when left to soak in water. I do not recommend submerging any crystals with a hardness of 5 or less on the Mohs hardness scale. A good rule of thumb is to avoid putting crystals that end in "-ite" in water. Likewise, stones in the Quartz family, such as Rose Quartz, Amethyst geodes, and Carnelian are fine in water.

Your healing crystals were originally formed in the earth and charged with its energies. Burying crystals will charge them and return them to their natural state. This will allow the soil to absorb negative energy from your stones and reset their vibrational frequency. Dig a hole in the ground that's large enough to accommodate all of your rocks (you're welcome to charge multiple crystals simultaneously), place them in the hole, then cover with the dirt you dug up.

If you're worried about your crystals getting dirty, you can put them in a container before you place them in the ground. They will still be able to soak up Mother Nature's healing energy. Leave them buried for atleast a week.

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Certain crystals have the ability to charge and amplify the energy of other crystals. Selenite and Clear Quartz are two of my favorites for cleansing and charging other stones. They are great for cleansing any space or object of negative energy. You can find these common stones at just about any crystal shop and neither are very expensive.

Selenite is often cut and shaped to create charging plates or bowls. If you have one of these handy, you can place your rocks on top of the charge plate or in your bowl. Clear Quartz varieties of these tools are less common but equally as useful.

If you're working with individual stones of Clear Quartz or Selenite, you can place them around the stone(s) you want to charge, usually in a circular shape. This will create a simple crystal grid that will help recharge crystals! You can leave them for a few hours or as long as you'd like.

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A sound bath is a meditative experience created with resonant sounds. Singing bowls are commonly used to create continuous soothing tones, but other instruments are sometimes used, such as tuning forks. Sound waves charge or cleanse crystals by creating vibrations that can disrupt and release stagnant energy, restoring the crystal's natural frequency and energetic balance.

To give your crystals an energetic bath and cleanse them of negative energy, simply place them near a tuning fork or singing bowl. To play a singing bowl, take the mallet provided with the bowl and begin to slowly and gently trace the rim of the bowl with the side of the stick. Rubbing the mallet on the rim should produce a consistent "singing" tone. Smaller bowls will produce a higher pitch and can accommodate smaller crystals. Larger bowls will have a deeper tone and can be used for larger stones.

You can play the bowl for as little or as long as you'd like. Most sound bath sessions last between five minutes to an hour. Though it varies greatly from person to person. Let your intuition tell you how long is right for you and your crystals.

Salt works to cleanse crystals by absorbing and neutralizing negative energy, purifying the crystal and restoring its natural vibrational state. To charge and cleanse crystals using salt, you can use either the dry or the wet method. The dry method involves burying your crystal in salt (preferably sea salt) and letting it sit overnight. Softer stones can be scratched by the course salt crystals so you'll want to avoid using this method with stones like Turquoise, Selenite, and Amber.

Or you can opt to use the wet method. Make salt water; while rainwater and sea salt is preferred, tap or filtered water is fine. Like the moon water method above, submerge your crystals* in the water and allow them to sit for a few hours or overnight.

*Not all crystals should be charged with salt. Crystals that are reactive to salt or are water-soluble should never be charged with salt water.Softer stones will dissolve when left to soak in water. Some stones that contain copper, like Malachite, or iron ore, like Hematite, will react when placed in salt water. This reaction can create dangerous fumes and damage the stone(s).

Easily the most accessible methods of cleansing your crystals and imbuing them with positive energy, visualization doesn't require any tools or ingredients other than you, your stone(s), and a quiet space. Visualization cleanses crystals by focusing intention and directing positive, purifying energy toward the crystal, effectively removing any accumulated stagnant or negative energy. 

To cleanse your crystals using visualization techniques, first find a comfortable position and take a deep cleansing breath. While holding your crystal, close your eyes and imagine a bright, healing light washing over your crystal. Watch as this light flows through your crystal, filling it up, and washing away any old or negative energy. You can say an affirmation or set an intention that the stone is cleared of any negative energy. You can end the visualization when you intuitively feel like the stone has been cleansed and charged.

Some people find that direct sunlight gives crystals a boost of fiery energy. Sunlight cleanses crystals by infusing them with vibrant, natural energy that dispels negativity and revitalizes their inherent properties.

Orange stones like Carnelian and Sunstone are aligned with the masculine energy of the sun and can benefit from charging under the sun instead of the moon. To charge your stone in direct sunlight, wait for a bright day and place your crystals outside in the light. Again, you can place them on your windowsill if you do not want to leave them unattended outside. Leave them in the sunshine for no more than 1-2 hours.*

*Unlike moonlight, sunlight can fade stones. Stones such as Rose Quartz, Amethyst, and Fluorite, among others, should not be left out for long periods of time in sunlight or they might lose their beautiful colors. Orange stones, white, and clear stones are generally safe. Some dark stones like Obsidian or Black Onyx are colorfast and will not fade when placed in the sun for short periods of time. But generally, most crystals can fade even if they're only exposed to sunlight for short periods of time.

Cleansing crystals with smoke, especially from sage or palo santo, is a traditional method that relies on the purifying properties of these sacred plants. Sage, particularly white sage, has been used for centuries in various cultures for spiritual cleansing and healing. When burned, sage produces a thick, aromatic smoke that is believed to clear away negative energy, not only from spaces and people but also from objects like crystals.

To cleanse with sage, simply hold the crystal in the smoke, allowing it to envelop the stone while focusing on the intention of clearing away any stagnant or unwanted energies.

Palo santo, known as "holy wood," is another powerful tool for smoke cleansing. Its fragrant, sweet-smelling smoke is believed to invite positive energy and enhance spiritual purification. Similar to using sage, passing a crystal through the smoke of burning palo santo can help to cleanse it of any absorbed negativity and restore its natural vibrations. This practice is especially favored for its calming effect, adding a layer of peace and tranquility to the cleansing process. 

Both sage and palo santo work to cleanse stones and to create a sacred space, enhancing the overall energetic atmosphere.

There is no one size fits all method for charging your crystals. Working with crystals and nature invites you to practice using your intuition to guide you and your choices. If you're new to crystal charging, try several of the different methods above and find the one (or a few that) you like best. You don't have to use the same method for every crystal in your rock collection or every time you cleanse.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a charging method is accessibility. Work with what you have on hand or what is easiest to acquire first. Investing in a singing bowl right away may not make sense for you or your budget at this moment. You can always add new rituals to your cleansing and charging method later on. 

Charging crystals doesn't have to be complicated. Keep these tips in mind and you'll likely find success with any method you choose:

Look up the stone you plan to charge and make sure that your method of choice won't damage the stone. This is especially important for salt, sun, and water charging.

Research the aligned energies of your stone. For example, stones that align with the sun or moon can benefit from charging in the light of either. The energy of a stone associated with the moon will be amplified in its light. Placing that same stone under the sun will infuse it with the opposite energy to create a greater balance.

Cleanse any new crystals as soon as you get home. Lots of people touch a crystal as it makes its way from the earth to your home. You don't know what energy they may have absorbed on their way to their final destination. After an initial cleanse, charge and cleanse them as often as you'd like. 

One common question among crystal enthusiasts is, "How often should crystals be charged?" We'll explore the factors that influence the charging frequency of crystals and provide practical insights on keeping your crystals energetically vibrant.

The frequency of charging crystals can vary depending on several factors:

Crystal Type

Different crystals have distinct energy profiles and may require different charging frequencies. Some crystals are naturally more resilient and may hold their energy for longer periods.

Usage

Crystals used frequently, such as those in daily meditation or healing rituals, may need more frequent charging compared to those used sparingly.

Environmental Factors

The energy of your living space, exposure to sunlight, and proximity to other crystals can all impact how often a crystal needs charging.

Intuition

Your intuition plays a significant role in determining when a crystal requires charging. You may develop a sense of when a crystal's energy feels diminished. One common question among crystal enthusiasts is, "How often should crystals be charged?" We'll explore the factors that influence the charging frequency of crystals and provide practical insights on keeping your crystals energetically vibrant.

Feeling Heavy or Drained

If your crystal feels heavy or lacks the usual vibrancy, it may be time for a recharge.

Reduced Effectiveness

Crystals that once provided powerful healing properties or energy-enhancing effects may become less effective when their energy is depleted.

Intuitive Insights

Trust your intuition. If you feel a crystal needs charging, it's likely because your energy connection with it has weakened.

Crystals are remarkable allies on our journey to balance and well-being. To harness their full potential, it's essential to maintain their energetic vitality through regular charging. The frequency of charging varies depending on factors like crystal type, usage, and environment. By tuning into your intuition and using various charging methods, you can ensure that your crystals continue to support your spiritual and emotional growth.

Check out these resources to help you grow your crystal knowledge:

• 7 Ways To Use Crystals In Everyday Life
• How To Use A Scrying Mirror
• Crystals For Seasonal Living
• Free Ebook: 7 Must-Have Crystals + Their Properties