Cleansing and Charging Your Mala
Most crystals and gemstones will pick up negative or unwanted energies over time. They are a bit like sponges absorbing and reacting to the environment's energies. Some that don't absorb energies and thus do not need clearing are citrine or kyanite. When you create mala with me, before you even get the beads, I have done at least one cleansing from previous energies.
Crystals and stones that are used for crystal healing or energy work should be cleared and cleansed of negative energy prior to any the work. You will also find that clearing stones makes them more cheerful and positive to have around.
Here are a number of methods that are commonly used to clear crystals and stones to restore their bright, happy, vibrant energy. Use whichever suits you and your crystals best.
Whichever method you choose, focus on using it with intention of clearing negative and unwanted energies from the crystal.
Smudging: Smudging is one of my favorite methods of clearing crystals and stones of unwanted energy. It's a quick way to clear gemstones. To smudge them, pass you stones, several times through the smoke of burning cedar, sage, sweetgrass, or incense. I place my mala or all of the stones in a bowl and step into the moon light and sweep the sage just above the stones several times. You can also let the sage burn in the general area of the stones.
Salt Bowl: While this is a popular way to clear crystals, I recommend using salt very carefully, if at all. You need to know about your crystals to be sure that they are not porous or soft, so they won't be damaged by salt. People use this method because the salt absorbs the negativity.
Fresh Water: Rainwater, filtered or in great need even tap water: For a quick clearing, you can wipe a damp towel over your mala. Focusing on just the stones not the tread. If you tassel gets dirty, you can gently wash it with cool water. Hot, very cold, or warm water can fracture some crystals and stones. Be sure that your crystals are not prone to water damage, before putting them with water.
Reiki: Reiki or other healing energy work is another of my favorite methods of cleansing crystals. In a sense, it's channeling the universal life force energy to heal the crystal of negativity and unwanted energies.
Stone Clearing: Some stones will clear the negative or unwanted energies from other stones. Some stones that work well for this are quartz crystal clusters, amethyst clusters, carnelian, kyanite, and selenite. Place the stone to be cleared on a "clearing" stone, and leave for 24-48 hours.
Ask the Divine or Pray: This a simple ritual, but it can work wonderfully. Simply ask the Divine (God/Goddess/Universe/etc.) to clear and energetically cleanse your crystal for you. Form your request with specific intent and ask in a meditative or prayerful frame of mind. Something like "O Great Divine, please clear all unwanted or negative energies from this crystal for the best and highest good of all concerned. Thank you. Amen." would be a good specific request. The details should be changed to fit your own beliefs and needs.
Sound: Use a melodic gong, Tibetan prayer bells, a bell, chanting OM to clear unwanted energies from your stones. Hold the crystal and sound the gong, etc next to it, passing the mala through the sound waves to clear it. This will also charge your mala in the most amazing way!!
Sunlight or Moonlight: The rays of the sun and moon are energetically very clearing and energetically charging, as well as energizing. Placing your stones outside preferably or in a window where they can soak up the sunlight or moonlight for a day/night to receive benefit. Do be careful though, as some the colors of some stones may fade in the sun. A few of the stones that will fade in the sun are amethyst, celestite, opal, and turquoise. If you have any doubts at all, be sure to use only moonlight cleansing. Personally, I just use moonlight cleaning.
Whichever method you choose, the exact length of time needed for clearing and charging varies according to personal intuition and the state of the crystal. Trust your intuition and higher self to lead you to the best methods and lengths of time for you and the stone.
Many Blessings on your journey with Mala!
