Cleaning vs. cleansing, and why there's no right way to cleanse your metaphysical tools.
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When I first got into witchcraft I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options available for cleansing. Not to mention all the "rules" that apparently existed when cleansing certain items...
I'm here to clear up those misconceptions and give you the knowledge you need to choose what works best for you! Cleansing is a highly personal ritual and no one should be telling you the right way to do it. What works for one practitioner will not always work for another. The only thing to keep in mind is exposing certain materials to water, sunlight, and/or salt. Some will dissolve (see the Water section below) or lose saturation when exposed to certain things. I'll explain more below, but the bottom line is: Follow your intuition, that is the core of witchcraft.
Cleaning vs. Cleansing
The first thing to understand is the difference between cleaning and cleansing. Cleaning generally refers to the mundane, the physical. Cleansing on the other hand, is the more spiritual of the two.
Generally when you want to clean a tool you will use some combination of soap & water or disinfectant in order to physically remove bacteria, dirt, or germs. Take caution, especially when cleaning certain crystals and jewelry pieces. Not all metals & minerals can handle heavy-duty cleaners. In general, a mild soap and lukewarm water is safe, however it is best to do some quick research first. There are a few minerals that can be adversely affected when mixed with water or other chemicals.
With cleansing, you have a lot more options! You will be be removing negative or unwanted energies, and therefore anything that feels right to you will work. Running water, earth, sunlight, moonlight, salt, smoke, sound, meditation, & other crystals are all ways to cleanse an item or crystal. I will talk about each one in more detail below.
Cleansing with Water 🌊
Water is the very necessity of life. It has a receptive energy, bending to our will and reacting to the most subtle waves in life. It supports our health and washes away dirt & grime (both physical and spiritual). Water purifies and strengthens, being as gentle as morning dew on a leaf, or as powerful as a tsunami, crashing into the shore.
To cleanse with water there are a few different options. Hold your items under a natural waterway or running faucet. The current will carry away any negativity. You can also let the item soak in a bowl of water, even mixing in some salt to absorb that negativity. Either way, be sure to state your intention (internally or externally), and continue until it feels right.
Be careful with this method. Some minerals are soluble in liquids or become toxic when wet. That being said, a majority of crystals that you have heard will dissolve in water will be okay for a periodic quick cleansing. They would need to spend days or even weeks/months before any sort of noticeable changes were to appear (the exception being halite). As far as toxins, if you plan to consume any liquid that has had a crystal in it, please do in depth research! Many crystals release toxins when wet and could have some potentially harmful affects on your body. Even if the mineral itself is safe, there could be tiny inclusions you don't know about. Please be careful.
Cleansing with Earth 🌎
The element of Earth is at the heart of all life on the planet. It represents knowledge, growth, prosperity, and strength. It is the embodiment of stability and grounding, the foundation of life.
When Earth is used in cleansing, it is common to burry the item you are looking to cleanse. You can leave it for a few hours or a few days, and pair it with a strong moon phase to give some extra oomph! Just be sure to mark where you buried the items, and block off any access critters might have to finding and stealing your precious tools.
Cleansing with Sunlight 🌞
When you think of the sun, think of positivity, confidence, purpose, vitality, and health. It is a masculine symbol that represents power. Sunlight is one of my favorite ways to cleanse. There's nothing like a sunny day that makes you feel the power radiating down onto your skin, making you feel like you're capable of anything.
To cleanse with sunlight you simply need to leave your crystals or other tools out during the day. You can leave them out for a few hours, or even a few days. It's setting your intention that matters most. Direct sunlight is not necessary (though it is my preference). There is nothing wrong with setting your items on a window sill or in the shade, they will still be cleansed wherever light is shining.
Sunlight is another element to be careful cleansing with. While it won't dissolve your crystals, there are some that will fade over time if exposed to the sun. Again, this isn't something that will likely happen over night, but it is something to be aware of. Most crystals that are affected by sunlight are translucent (i.e. citrine, amethyst, aquamarine). Don't freak out if you forget about them once or twice for a few hours, they will likely be fine! It's the repeated/prolonged exposure that you want to avoid.
Cleansing with Moonlight 🌕
In general, the moon represents the renewal and rebirth of the soul. It is a feminine energy symbolizing the natural cycles of life, enlightenment, and the subconscious mind. It is a great representation that what we see on the surface is often very different from what goes on behind the scenes.
Contrary to popular belief, any phase of the moon can be used for cleansing. Generally, the full moon or new moon are seen as the most beneficial, however any can be used. Each phase of the moon represents a different energy, and in another article I will go over each of them.
Another belief is that when using moonlight, if you let the item sit until after the sun comes up then it will undo any moon cleansing that has happened. In my opinion this is false. First of all, cleansing is cleansing. It may absorb some energies from the sun, but (especially if it wasn't for long) the moon energies will still dominate. Second, the moon gets it's light from the sun, and they are both always in the sky somewhere. Again, do what feels right to you, but don't believe something just because you heard it from another practitioner.
Cleansing with Salt 🧂
Salt (halite) has been used for cleansing and purification for centuries. It absorbs negative energies and can create wards for negative entities. It is also important in releasing attachments, balancing energies, and manifesting abundance.
In cleansing, you can put salt into a bowl or a plate and place the item to be cleansed within or lay it on top. Mixing the salt with some water will also increase the cleansing power.
Certain crystals should not be placed in salt or saltwater for extended periods. The salt can dry them out, causing polished pieces to appear less shiny. This mainly applies to porous crystals such as turquoise, selenite, and chrysocolla.
Cleansing with Smoke 🔥
The energy of smoke cleansing (not to be confused with the practice of smudging) is highly dependent upon the origins of the smoke. All smoke is cleansing, however burning sage vs lavender will provide different underlying energies to your ritual. Not sure what to burn? Ethically sourced sage or Palo Santo, or dragons blood incense/resin are always good choices.
The very act of burning a wood, resin, incense, or a botanical is considered smoke cleansing. To cleanse a crystal or other items, hold it above the smoke. Allow the smoke to envelop it, using your intentions to rid the negative energy. Continue this until it feels right, often until the smoke is gently engulfing the item you're cleansing.
It's important of course to be careful; where there's smoke, there's often spark or flame. Use proper ventilation and cautions around pets and young persons. Also keep in mind that materials such as white sage and Palo Santo are sacred, and should only be bought from ethical sources, especially that of Native American tribes.
Cleansing with Sound 🔔
Just like with smoke cleansing, different sounds can have different effects. Not only are there different instruments of sound, but different frequencies and styles as well. Overall, sound has a very clearing energy, pushing out unwanted energies with it's different vibrations.
To cleanse with sound you can use singing bowls, voice, recorded music, bells, drums, and so much more! Some people prefer hard, percussive sounds (drums & clapping), while others prefer sustained sounds (singing bowls & voice). There are also high frequencies vs. low frequencies. Again, this is all up to the practitioner and what feels best for them. In my own practice, I like to use a higher pitched singing bowl!
Cleansing with Meditation 🧘♂️
Meditation and visualization are often forgotten about when it comes to cleansing, but they're one of the only styles that doesn't require anything but yourself! Sit in a comfortable, quiet area where you can concentrate. Think about your intention and hold the item you intend to cleanse close to your heart or third eye. Meditate on cleaning out the negative energy and visualize all the blackness draining from your item. You can do this literally or metaphorically, but the important part is that you know what it means and you're clear with the universe.
Cleansing with Other Crystals 💎
Crystals are powerful in their own right. Some absorb negativity, some transmute it, and some just suck up anything in their path. If you're looking to use a crystal to cleanse something here are a few of my favorites.
Selenite - will transmute negativity to positivity (no need to cleanse this crystal, it transmutes everything itself)
Obsidian - a powerful black hole; prioritizes negativity, but will suck up all energy if left alone too long (needs to be cleansed afterwards)
Black Tourmaline (schorl) - will absorb & transmute negativity; absorbs small amounts of radiation (needs to be cleansed afterwards)
Smokey Quartz - will absorb negativity (needs to be cleansed afterwards)
Moonstone - aura cleansing (needs to be cleansed afterwards)
Other Ideas for Cleansing
Rice
Wind
Breath
Dancing
Mantras
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, how you cleanse your crystals and other metaphysical tools is up to you. There is no set time or rule for any of these methods. Use your imagination, experiment, and mix & match to find what feels best for you in your own practice!
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🖤 Please check out my other articles to find information on crystal care, geological terms, and other metaphysical guides.