Sometimes a stone or crystal you are strongly drawn to doesn't feel good, or a stone that felt good previously doesn't feel good now.  The stone or crystal may need to be cleared. Clearing is necessary before using any stone for healing. The clearer the energy of a healing stone, the more powerful it is. Crystals and healing gemstones need to be cleared as soon as they are purchased as well as clearing after every healing. A cleared, ready crystal feels positive and bright, tingly and cold to the touch. A crystal that needs clearing may feel hot, heavy or drained. There are a number of ways to effectively clear crystals and gemstones.

1.   SMUDGING- A quick way to cleanse your healing stones is to smudge them with burning cedar or sage.  Smudging is an excellent way to make sure your stones are purified.  Simply hold the burning sage or cedar stick while passing your stone through the smoke.  I usually do this a couple times to ensure cleansing.  I also like to cleanse my stones by smudging after every healing.

2.   MOONLIGHT-  Moonlight is another way of clearing your gemstones.  Simply place outside from the Full to the New Moon.  Waning Moons are good times to clear crystals, to dispel old energies, but any time works.  The amount of time used varies with the sensitivity of the healer and the amount of material from which the stone needs cleansing.  Try hanging your gemstone necklaces in a tree where the moonlight can cleanse them.

(I personally do not recommend ever placing your crystals and gemstones in the sunlight, many stones tend to fade their colors in the sun.  Also internal fractures may cause your stone to crack or break if placed in the sun.)

3. OTHER METHODS THAT WORK WELL-  Burying your crystal in a cupful of dried herbs will also clear it.  Suggested herbs for this are rose petals, sage, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood.  You can usually find these at low cost at many co-ops or herb stores.  This is a gentle way to clear crystals, and a pleasant way, but it does take longer than sea salt.

Crystals may also be buried into the Earth.  This is especially helpful when you feel deep cleansing is needed.  Outdoors, simply dig a hole the size of your crystal into the Earth, place your crystal again point down, and cover with soil.  The amount of time needed is personal choice.  Be sure to place a Popsicle stick or some other marker to insure you fine your stone again!!! For apartment dwellers, use a flower pot to bury your stone in.

The Sacred Breath- Some like to use this method of 'blowing away' any negativity from the stone, simply hold the stone in your hand and blow on it, while blowing ask your higher self to cleanse the crystal.

Finally, if you are in a hurry and feel that your crystal needs to be cleared, you can easily run them under cool tap water.  Make sure the points are facing down the drain to run the negative energy right down the sink!!! NEVER USE WARM OR HOT WATER, THIS WILL FRACTURE OR BREAK YOUR CRYSTALS.  Visualize the crystal as sparkly, tingly, cold, and belonging to the healer