🔮 Why you need to charge them
Crystals tend to hold on to the energy they're exposed to—which isn't always a good thing. If you're using a crystal for protection energy, for example, that stone is absorbing the energy it's protecting you from.
That's why it's important to get rid of any negative energy your crystal has accumulated as needed. It needs to be refueled, just like our energy needs to be refueled by sleeping every night.
Part of charging your crystal is clearing its energetic slate—hence why some people refer to charging crystals as "clearing" them. From there, it's about filling your crystal back up, often with grounding energy that comes from places in nature: the moon, the soil, water, etc.
🔮 How to pick the best method
Building an intuitive relationship is really important because there's an intimacy with your crystals.
No charging method is better than another. Just be mindful of your specific crystal and whether it does OK in water or salt, as some will not take well to those. (More on that later.)
The full moon is a powerful point in the lunar cycle, and it works wonders for clearing and charging your favorite crystals, too.
All you have to do is place the crystal outside on the ground, overnight on the night of the full moon, to charge it with lunar energy. Even a windowsill inside that gets moonlight will do!
Works with all types of crystals. (Most popular)
For another moon-related crystal charging option, you can make your own moon water. You can place your crystals in this lunar-powered water for around an hour, or pour the moon water over your crystal.
Check if the crystal tolerates getting wet.
Dig a small hole where you would like to bury your stone, placing the soil you have removed into an earthenware pot or jar, bury the crystal in the soil within the pot or jar. Then, lower the pot into the hole and cover it with the remaining soil. Mark your crystal with a flag or some other marker, and leave the stone buried for at least one week. This will help charge your stone with the powerful properties of the ground it came from.
Sound can be a powerful tool when it comes to shifting frequencies. Place them in a singing bowl and ring it.
💨 5. Burn incense or herbs
To cleanse your stones by burning sacred herbs, pass your stones through the smoke (such as sage, sweetgrass, Palo Santo, or cedar) or incense (such as sandalwood, lavender, or jasmine) for approximately two to three minutes.
You can also use salt (preferably sea salt) for charging your crystals. Simply place your stone in salt and let it sit overnight.
Check the hardness of the Crystal. Softer stones like turquoise, opal, and calcite can scratch easily.
Your breath can also be used for clearing crystals. To clear a stone using your breath, you must first clear your mind of any outside thoughts, then, hold the crystal in one hand and breathe out forcefully while quickly waving your other hand over the crystal.
If you work with any spiritual guides or deities, you can connect your crystals with them. Whether through prayer or meditation, you can take a moment to ask your guides to connect to your crystals and your intention for them.
👁️ 9. Cleansing visualization
And lastly, using a visualization technique to charge your stone: Picture universal, healing light filling your crystal up until all the old energy has been dissolved.
See the light expand until it surrounds the stone and fills your hands. Intend that all negativity be removed from the stone and dissolved, when you intuitively feel that the stone has been cleared, you may stop the visualization.
Charging crystals doesn't have to be a complicated business, but if you're just getting started, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Know whether your crystals can tolerate salt or water. A few common crystals that are fine with water are varieties of quartz, amethyst, agate, moonstone, and citrine. When in doubt, opt for a different clearing technique.
Know which element the crystal is associated with. Look up the properties of each crystal and see what they are rooted in. For example, malachite is associated with Earth, so charging it in the ground by burying it makes sense.
Because crystals can pass through many hands before they wind up in yours, it's always a good idea to clear them as soon as you get them home from the shop. You never know what kind of energy they may be holding!