Crystals have been used through the ages for Crystal Healing. Each crystal has a unique vibrational resonance that can be used to restore stability and balance to the body's energy systems.
Crystals can be used in several ways. They can be placed on or around the body in a grid formation called a crystal healing net. They can be used in conjunction with the Seven Chakras for chakra balancing. They can be worn next to the skin by wearing crystal jewellery. They can used during crystal meditationand they can be incorporated into crystal massage and reflexology.
In addition crystals placed around the house, not only look beautiful, but can contribute to the health and harmony of the home.
Energising, Cleansing and programming Crystals.
Cleansing crystals
Crystals have been around for many years and it may have been handled by many different people and might have absorbed some of their negative vibrations.
If a crystal is not cleansed, the energy can be transferred onto the person receiving the crystal healing, also, it is not the true energy of a cleansed crystal and the vibration contained therein. They are a living mineral which give off an aura.
Cleansing can and should be done on a regular basis. If a crystal is looking dull it may be because it has picked up and absorbed negative energy from the surrounding environment. Although it is difficult, it is preferable not to let anyone touch your personal crystals, even though they may be full of good intentions. If a crystal has been handled by someone else then cleanse it to clear any absorbed negative energy
It is important to spend a little time cleansing crystals. There are several ways to do this:
· Bury the crystal in the ground
Putting your crystal in the ground overnight clears your crystal of any negative energy. Remember to mark the spot well or you could lose them or lose them to a pet that digs them up.
Carnelians that have exploded or appear to be cracking should be buried and given back to the earth.
· Hold your crystal under running water
Most crystals can be held under running water, preferably naturally running water, but if this is not possible a running tap will do. It is good to imagine a waterfall falling over your crystal until you feel that all the negative energies have been washed away. Always making sure that the crystal is not water-soluble before cleansing in this way.
A clue to the water solubility of a crystal can be found in its name. Most water-soluble crystals end in "ite", such as fluorite, calcite, angelite and sodalite. Lapis Lazuli is also water-soluble.
Cleansing a crystal under running water gives it a “zingy” energy.
· Use crystals that cleanse other crystals
Some crystals such as clear quartz or carnelian have the ability to cleanse other crystals. A small crystal can be placed on top of a Quartz Cluster and leave it overnight or keep a Carnelian in a bag of other crystals. It is an extremely useful method for delicate crystals but the cleansing crystals may need cleansing themselves afterwards.
The vibrations of a pure sound can be used to cleanse a stone, crystal bowl, bells, gong or turning fork are very quick and easy to do. The higher sound is a cleansing vibration.
Crystals can also be cleansed using the pure sound and vibration of Tibetan Cymbals. Holding the cymbals over a group of crystals and bringing them together to make a sound, makes it possible to cleanse several crystals at once (see the picture below).
· Moonlight
Both moonlight and sunlight can be used to cleanse crystals. However, sunlight can fade some crystals, whereas moonlight is a powerful safe cleanser.
Suitable crystals can be left to soak in sea water or water mixed with sea salt. Cooking salt can also be used if sea salt/water is not available. A glass bowl can be filled (not metal) about half to one third full and the crystals are placed so they are fully submerged in the salt water for anywhere between 1 to 24 hours. Many people leave them in salt water overnight but a crystal that needs a much deeper and more thorough cleansing can be left for up to 1 week. They should be thoroughly rinse your crystals in cool running water after spending time in salt water to remove any remaining salt. After use, the salt water must be flushed away and never re-used because it will have absorbed negative and unwanted energies.
Salt water cleansing is considered one of the best and most thorough ways to cleanse crystals, but this method must be avoided for certain crystals as it can have an adverse effect on them and even change their appearance and properties! Stones that should not be soaked in salt water include crystals that are porous, contain metal or have a water content, for example Opal. Stones and minerals that should be kept away from salt include Pyrite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Hematite, etc. The used salt should be thrown away and never re-used.
Another salt method is to half-fill a glass bowl with sea salt (or cooking salt) and place your crystals directly into the salt. Either bury them into the dry salt or leave them on the surface. They should be left in the salt for several hours, overnight or for several days. Your crystals should then be rinsed thoroughly under cool running water to remove any remaining salt. After use, the salt must be thrown away and never re-used because it will have absorbed negative and unwanted energies.
Again, take care when placing your crystals directly onto dry salt as the salt can have an adverse effect on certain crystals, as explained above.
This is considered the safest salt-cleansing method and should be used where the crystals may otherwise be damaged by direct contact with salt. This is also a good method if you are cleansing gem stones found in jewellery or gems surrounded by metal.
First, fill a glass bowl half to two thirds full with dry sea salt (or cooking salt). Then place a smaller glass container or shallow drinking glass and half-bury this glass into the salt. You can then place your crystals directly into the empty glass which is sitting half buried in the dry salt. The salt will still be able to draw out the stored energies within the stones but this method will take longer to work than direct contact with salt. You may also pour just enough water (preferably pure, distilled or mineral water) into the smaller glass container, just enough to cover the crystals.
· Rice
Plain brown uncooked rice can completely cover the crystal for 24 hours. Rice absorbs the vibration. It is good for soft crystals such as celenite and opals.
- Crystal Druse, Bed, Geode or Cluster
All crystals can be cleansed safely by placing them inside an Amethyst Geode Cave overnight or for 24-48 hours. An Amethyst Druse, Cluster, or Bed can also be used in the same way. A Clear Quartz Geode, Bed or Cluster provides a faster cleansing process than Amethyst, but both methods are equally as effective. No more than a few crystals should be placed on the crystal points and leave for anything up to 24-48 hours. These crystal cluster formations (both Amethyst and Quartz) have the ability to absorb the energies contained within crystals, neutralise the energies and then release 'good' energy from the cluster back into the crystals being cleansed, so they can effectively cleanse and energise at the same time.
Another popular method of cleansing crystals is by 'Smudging'. This involves burning either Smudge Sticks or Incense Sticks and holding the crystals in the smoke to cleanse the stored energies. Several types of incense are specifically recommended for this because, when burned, they release certain elements into the air via the smoke which can effectively remove bad and built-up energies. The following incense sticks are particularly recommended for effective smudging: Sage and Sweetgrass, Sandalwood or Cedarwood. A feather can be used to fan the smoke across the crystals and this only needs to be done for a short amount of time. 20 to 30 seconds should be long enough.
Visualisation or 'thought energy' can be used to cleanse crystals. Simply holding the crystal, focus on it, and visualise a bright white light surrounding the crystal, followed by a beam of white light coming down through the stone, passing all the way through the stone, taking away stored energy within the stone. This can be done until you feel happy that the white light has done its job and flushed away the stored energies. The 'thought energy' generated by you will be transmitted to the stone and this cleansing energy will do the job of clearing the stone of its stored energies.
Charging
Charging is like programming because you are filling the crystal with sunlight, moonlight, storm energy, prana, chi, ki, reiki, karuna or Universal White Time Healing
Crystals can be like Diva energy- angelic, elemental etc. Angelic energy healing can be used, and you can feel that instantly, the vibration of the stone is lifted.
Feminine, liquid, yin, calm, intuitive, mysterious, hidden. Good for soft crystals. Excellent for quartz. Also good for moonstone, laboradorite, snow quartz, pearl, mother of pearl. You can put the crystals outside for the 3 days of the full moon for a stronger energy.
If banishing an energy within the crystal to let go of negative habits, people, situations - place the crystal out in a dark moon for 3 days,
Vital and lively energy, personal power, ambition, intellectual activity, joy, laughter, movement, yang.
A ceremony of dedication may be given for the likes of ruby, garnet, citrine, gold, golden laboradorite, sunstone and zincite.
Is very powerful and gives the perfect balance of Yin and Yang. The crystals should be placed outside before the storm begins and left out during the storm and only taken in after the storm has finished. Some stones work well with this high giving vibration: herderite, flugurite, moldavite, Tibetan tekite, phenacite.
- The Golden Movement/ Reiki
Universal energy may also be used to cleanse and also the crystals. Personally, I use the golden movement and also Ting Shaw’s as I feel that the crystals if cleansed properly are charged and am confident that the vibration and colour that they have are the best for my crystals.
Energising
Once the crystal has been cleansed it will need to energised again so that it can continue to release its own natural vibrations and energies. There are several ways to energise crystals and the most popular methods are as follows:
1) Water Energising
Allow the crystals to sit in a drinking glass or bowl under cool running tap water for several minutes, 10-20 minutes should be long enough. If natural running river is available to you, stones can be placed in an open mesh bag and left for a short time in the natural running water. Running water can also cleanse as well as energise the stones at the same time.
It should always be check that the crystal can be emerged safely in water, since some should not be left to soak in water as this can have an adverse effect on them. Specifically, porous stones or those with high metal content.
2) Sunshine and Moonlight
The natural energies transmitted by the Sun and Moon can also energise your crystals with natural energies. Many people like to leave their newly cleansed stones under Moonlight and Sunlight for a day or two to allow them to absorb the different energies from the Moon and Sun. The Sun energy provides a stronger energy, whereas the Moon has a more gentle energy.
When leaving crystals in Sunlight, it is necessary to be aware that some coloured stones may fade over a period of time if left in strong sunlight too often. This can happen with Amethyst, for example. Therefore, these crystals should not be left in strong sun for more than an hour or so. To be on the safe side, place in sunlight during sunrise and/or sunset because the sun's rays are not as strong during these times of the day.
Programming crystals
Clear Quartz is the only crystal which can be programmed as it has the ability to be programmed and has a memory. Clear quartz is made up of silicone dioxide and has the ability to contain and hold memory, if it has a point.
The crystal healer, and indeed all healer’s intention is extremely powerful before, during and after any healing or alternative therapy session. Intention must be absoloutely clear and 100% positive each time during a healing session. If you are not in a good place, what energy will be given off during the healing to the crystals and within the room? Will the stone pick up on the negativity or will it just be the client?
After choosing and cleansing the crystal, it is a good idea to dedicate it or program it. The purpose of programming a crystal or gemstone is to focus its abilities on something you specifically need, thereby magnifying the stones intent through your own. The purpose of dedicating the stone to a high level healing energy or Goddess (God) is to protect it from negative energy. A crystal or stone that is programmed and dedicated in these ways becomes much more powerful and useful as a tool.
Hold the crystal or gemstone in your left hand (the hand that receives energy from the universe) and sense the crystal’s energy. With the stone being newly cleared, the energy will feel stronger and even more appealing that before. You can sense this energy and appreciate it, ask quietly to be connected to the deva of the crystal or gemstone. Though not animate, stones are living things and the deva of the piece is the stones life-force energy. Cover the crystal with the right hand, or the crystal termination. Ask the crystal to empty all previous programmes. You can also send pictures, or see or imagine programme's dropping from the crystal.
Once you feel you have sensed what you can from the energy, think of what you will be using the stone for, thinking of these uses, then quietly ask the gemstone if it is willing to act in the way you wish. The crystals energy may increase with a yes or seem to disappear with a no. If the stone accepts your intent, state in your mind that it be so. Once a stone is programmed, it will hold its intent until you or someone else reprograms it. To prevent any negative energy from attaching itself to your crystal you may with to dedicate it.
The crystal or gemstone in your hand preferably next to the heart chakra and state clearly in your mind: Only the most positive high-level energy, the energy of the angels, archangels and beings of the 100% pure white light may work through this healing tool. Focus on the intent for about 10 minutes, and then end the sensing (meditation) with "SO BE IT". The stone is now dedicated and the programming is complete.
Crystals can be dedicated to a specific healing energy, for example, to a Goddess of healing. There are many healing goddesses, including Isis, Yemaya, Diana, and White Buffalo Calf Woman. For stones programmed for protection, Hecate or Kali are strong protection Goddesses.
You may also ask your guides and angels and archangels and higher beings to help you cleanse the crustal and remove any negative energy, replacing it with healing energy of 100% pure white light.