Crystals - what they are, how to clean them energetically and how to use them

Hello everyone!

I decided to write this post because I realize that many people don't usually clean the crystals they buy or are given. Esotericism is in fashion (fortunately, I'm happy that people are seeking knowledge) and, consequently, giving crystals as a gift to someone or to yourself, whether in necklaces, rings or even for decoration, has become something super common. However, did you know that you should energetically cleanse crystals before using them? Why? Come with me and I'll explain!

Crystals - enlightened mineral beings

Crystals are the masters of the mineral kingdom; they are beings of light and the crystallized manifestation of the Spirit. They donate their light, strength, love and wisdom. Just like the great spiritual masters, people who have achieved self-illumination, the same thing happened with crystals, which have conquered their own light. We can even note similarities between the names Christ , Krishna and Crystal - all great masters of humanity. The Christic energy is the same energy as the crystal; it is the very light of the spirit materialized in a mineral being.

All great spiritual masters are usually portrayed with a great light radiating from their body, especially from their hands, heart and head (that halo we see on the heads of saints, for example). Crystals, in turn, also radiate divine light. Their manifestations, in the form of spiritual light, can occur in three distinct segments: strength , which is the vital, material and sexual energy; love , which is the energy of union with life and other beings; and wisdom , which is the intellectual manifestation of the Spirit in the mind, with the energy of thought and self-awareness.

Crystals are representatives of the Spiritual Plane and their mission is also to help humanity evolve (see how important they are? I bet you will never again look at your crystals as just decorative objects!). They also act on the physical, emotional and mental planes, helping us in many ways. Some crystals work like real energy pills, which means that just having certain crystals around is enough to literally recharge your batteries. They heal holistically, rebalancing subtle energies through vibration.

Purchasing a crystal

Know that when you buy a crystal, it is not you who chooses it; it is the crystal that chooses you. Have you ever felt that, before buying, a particular crystal caught your attention? Well, it was calling you! Therefore, it is preferable to buy crystals in stores where you can touch them and feel their vibration. Some people feel their fingers tingling during this process.

Take your time with this. We can't always tell right away when a crystal is calling us. You can also ask (even if it's just in your mind, so people in the store don't think you're crazy LOL) which crystal wants to leave with you, and wait a bit. One of them will certainly catch your attention.

How to clean crystal

When we acquire or receive a crystal, we do not know its energetic charge, that is, the places it has been, the people who have touched it, etc., and that is why it is EXTREMELY important to clean them before using them.

Set aside a glass bowl (avoid plastic) and put coarse salt and water inside (to make it salt water, which is great for cleaning crystals). Place the crystal in this container (if you have more than one crystal to clean, put them all together). Leave the bowl with the crystals and water preferably in an open place that has direct contact with the weather. You can leave the bowl exposed to the sun, rain, or moonlight. The crystals should remain in this preparation for three days and three nights.

After this time, remove them from the bowl and wash them. Keep your mind focused and imagine that the crystals are now taking a refreshing bath. Wash them in running water, visualizing a golden light over them. You can wash them one by one, or take several with your hands and wash them all together. Remember, they are beings charged with light, so treat them as such, concentrate, talk to them, do everything calmly.

When you have finished this "invigorating bath" with the crystals, leave them, preferably in an open space, to dry for a day and a night. If it rains, that's okay. After that, you can start using the crystals, as they are already clean!

Some crystals come in pendants or materials that can rust or oxidize when in contact with water, for example. In these cases, I just place them in coarse salt and leave them for the same period of three days and three nights. After that, I give them a "refreshing bath" and let them dry in time, for a day and a night.

ATTENTION: As a general rule (and it also makes it easier to remember), crystals that end in 'ite', such as selenite, pyrite, calcite, etc., should not be placed in water, as they may release some compounds or even rust. To clean them, choose to place them in a jar with coarse salt or bury them in the ground in a plant pot, for example.

How to use crystals

Here's an important tip: YOU DON'T NEED TO BUY A CRYSTAL FOR YOUR SIGN!! Why? When we buy a crystal for your sign (in my case, amethyst, which is for the Pisces sign), we are expanding everything we already are! If I get all amethyst on me, I'll be completely spaced out and head in the clouds. The best option is to have a personal crystal that grounds me and has characteristics that I need/want to acquire. It's not wrong to buy a crystal for your sign, but be careful. Many people don't know this. The ideal is to choose the crystal according to its function and according to the type of energy you want to work with.

If you have crystals in your home as decoration, leave them out in the open. Crystals like to be treated well and do not like to be hidden (except for the crystals that will be worked with, which can be kept in velvet bags). Remember that they are beings of light and should be treated with respect. Choose a place for them carefully, and pay attention to direct sunlight, as some crystals do not work well with this energy.

Crystals need programming. What does that mean? When you use a crystal, you must program it for a specific purpose. For example: I have a necklace, which is my favorite, with a beautiful pendant, which I bought at a Witches' Convention in Paranapiacaba, made of quartz crystal. I use it to protect myself against negative energy, so I programmed it for that purpose. There is no point in using a certain stone that can even serve as an energy repellent, protector, etc., if you do not program it for that purpose. I usually only program my personal crystals (the ones I carry with me on a necklace and ring); the decorative ones that I keep in my room are not programmed, because I do not use them for a specific purpose. However, from the moment I decide to use one (whether to protect the room, to help me with oracle consultations, etc.), then I must program it. I believe that this varies from person to person; each person has their own understanding and programs them accordingly.

I usually do a small ritual to program them, but you can do any other that you feel more comfortable with. What I do is light a white candle (a neutral and generic color), a violet candle (which works with the energies of transmutation, the Violet Flame and Saint Germain) or a light blue candle (balancing and calming energy) and an incense stick (I have no preference). I ask permission from my spiritual guides and the great force of the Universe to begin this small ritualistic work and I talk to the crystal. I thank it for helping me in my evolution and in the planetary evolution and I explain where I want it to work in my life (protection, money, love, prosperity, health, etc.). Then I pass it through the candle flame and the smoke of the incense and thank it. I leave it next to the candle and incense until they finish burning, and that's it. If you want to do this same ritual and have more than one crystal that you want to program, put them all together, but program them one by one.

Another important tip: NEVER LET OTHER PEOPLE TOUCH YOUR PERSONAL CRYSTAL!!!! Unfortunately, people have that annoying habit of saying: "ahh, what a beautiful crystal", and then sticking their hands in it without your permission. Everything happens so fast that you barely have time to tell them that they can't touch the crystal. I think that people who do this do it because they really don't know (yes, many people think that crystals are just pretty little stones to decorate). I know it's annoying to reprimand someone who is about to touch your personal crystal (in my case, necklaces), but it's necessary. Explain why; if the person doesn't understand, it's not your problem. Respect your crystal and its use.

And why shouldn't people touch your personal crystal? First, because it's there, if you programmed it to do so, to protect you. All people, including ourselves, have different types of energy and we carry energy from the places we go to, the people we talk to, the thoughts we have and the words we say. Subjecting your personal crystal to this means having all these energies impregnated in it, and then you will have to clean it immediately (I mean, don't reuse it again without cleaning it). Of course, crystals need to be cleaned and recharged from time to time, but when someone else touches it, we should do it more quickly (and now that you know this, don't let anyone touch your personal crystal and don't touch other people's either).

Doing regular cleansing and discharging/recharging the energy

One of the functions of crystals is to absorb and purify negative energies. If they perform this function for a long time without being cleaned occasionally, they end up absorbing too much energy, failing to transmute it. Ideally, you should clean them at least once a month, in the case of decorative crystals, but in the case of personal crystals, I consider 15 days to be a good time frame. You may notice that the crystal has become dull and dull. It is time to clean them again. I usually do the same ritual with water and coarse salt, but I only leave them to prepare for one day and one night, give them a "refreshing bath" and let them dry for one day and one night. If they are crystals from charged places (offices, work desks and places where a lot of people pass by), I prefer to leave them to prepare for three days and three nights.

If you have contact with seawater or waterfalls, you should know that these places are wonderful for cleansing crystals. Whenever I go to the beach or somewhere with a spring or waterfall, I try to dip my personal crystals in these waters. They become incredibly shiny and much more beautiful. Do this whenever you have the opportunity.

The earth is a great place to discharge and recharge crystals. If you have been through a strong emotion and had your personal crystal with you, for example, or if you have used some crystals for oracle readings, energizing or chakra therapy, it is important to discharge the energies and recharge them, and the earth is a perfect element because it transmutes these energies. You can even use a plant pot. Leave it there for a day and a night, and that's it!

Crystals that do not need to be cleaned

Some crystals do not need to be cleansed when purchased or during regular cleaning, nor do they need to be discharged/recharged, such as blue kyanite, selenite and citrine. One tip I give is to keep a piece of selenite inside your jewelry box where you keep necklaces and rings with crystals; this way, these crystals will be automatically cleansed by the selenite.

My crystal broke, what now?

Sometimes we experience situations where our crystals chip or break. This can happen for no apparent reason or when we fall. I remember that once I was doing a full moon meditation and I brought a beautiful quartz crystal druse. When I finished the meditation, which was outdoors, I went back to my room with the crystal in my hand and other things I had brought. I don't know what happened, but the druse simply slipped and fell, breaking in half. I understood this as a sign of the protection that the crystal gave me.

Usually, when this happens, it means that the crystal has absorbed negative energy that was supposed to fall on you. That's why they break. I know it's sad, because some crystals are very dear, but it happens. What you should do in these cases is return it to nature; it could be a square, a park, at the foot of a tree, in the sea, a river, a waterfall or a spring. Do this with great respect and thank the crystal for absorbing whatever might have affected you. Say goodbye and leave it there to rest. It has fulfilled its purpose and is now back in nature.

Book recommendations and bibliography consulted

I recommend two books that I really like and that I used as a basis for writing this text, which are "The Crystal Bible - The Definitive Guide to Crystals" , by Judy Hall and "How to Use Crystals - The Magical and Therapeutic Relationship Between Crystals and Tarot" , by Aiyan Zahck. Both books are very good for those who are starting to study crystals and would like to learn more about these mineral beings and also for quick references. They are a little difficult to find, but the search is worth it. If you are looking for a guide to consult each crystal, I highly recommend "The Crystal Bible" , as it contains a very useful list of crystals that I always consult.