A new crystal should always be cleansed before you work with it for healing.

This is not actually to clean dirt from it, but the unwanted energy it will have gathered from other people.

There are many ways suggested for cleansing, but you should take care before you decide on which method to use. For instance, some crystals would be destroyed by water, while others would fade in sunlight

I recommend 2 methods, which are safe for any crystal, even those set in delicate jewellery.

An Amethyst bed or druze (this is a piece of amethyst with a number of natural points) makes an excellent cleansing tool. Just place your crystals gently onto the amethyst and leave them for 3 to 4 hours

Sea Salt (you can get it from the supermarket) is also a very good way of cleansing the negative energy from your crystals. Pour the dry seasalt into a clear glass bowl and sit a smaller clear glass bowl into the salt so that it is surrounded. Put your crystals into the smaller bowl (just dry, there's no water involved) they will cleanse through the glass. Again, 3 or 4 hours is plenty of time.

You should cleanse your crystals when you 'feel' that they need it. It will feel as though their energy is running down and they are no longer as effective as they were.

As you get to know them, you will be able to tell when they need cleansing - but to start with, about once a month is a good general guide.

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