Crystals are energy amplifiers, and just as they can magnify the sense of peace, harmony and happiness in the environment, so also they can occasionally amplify the opposite qualities, although this has not happened in my experience yet. For in the times when I am hurt and angry or dispirited, I simply fail to notice all the crystals in my home, ‘as though they have been turn to stone’! Until, one fine moment a while later, the spirit moves, and the crystal energies come to life once again, charging me with their gentle or surging energies.

Yet a friend reported, how a crystal mala she wore through a nasty argument between a group of neighbours in a meeting, had made her feel almost nauseous later on, its having absorbed all the negativity to saturation point. All was fine once she had taken off the mala. You don’t have to throw away the beads or stones because of that. It is important to instead appreciate the demonstration of their potency in energy storage and transmission. Thus crystals exposed to strong negativity need to be specially cleansed and readied for use once again. In fact such crystals perform a valued protective function, by drawing to themselves the toxic emotional and psychic charge that might have otherwise harmed the person exposed to it.

Some crystals are a powerhouse of energy, especially the large clusters, and it is best to keep them at a distance away from the sleeping area, or out of the bedroom. Crystal owners must experiment with their crystals in terms of best placement for healing or other metaphysical potential.

Crystals have a powerful effect on kundalini energies and chakras, mostly to beneficial effect. But in the course of healing, if strong pressure causing discomfort is sensed in a particular area of the body, it is best to move the crystal away to a more comfortable distance.

Cleaning your crystals
The traditional method of cleansing crystal malas and smaller stones is by immersing them overnight in raw milk (not boiled), then washing them thoroughly in the morning in readiness for their protective function once again!

Traditionally in India, when crystals are to be used for the first time, they are cleansed by sprinkling a few drops of the pre-packed sacred water of the River Ganga (Gangajal). Then the crystal mantra according to its astrological affinity is chanted over it in a ritualistic manner. Such rituals can be improvised following the temple ‘bathing rituals’ for idols, especially for Shivalingams: Thus crystals can be lovingly anointed with a mixture of raw milk, ghee, yoghurt, honey and sugar, followed by a cleansing with water. Application of sandalwood paste is common. Sandalwood is known to facilitate a speeding up of the vibrations, as also other ritual colours or powders, incense, and other fragrances to a lesser extent. Offerings of akshata (unbroken rice grains symbolising wholeness and eternity), also of flowers, fruit, and sweets made from milk and dried fruit are not uncommon in such crystal rituals.

I lovingly apply small amounts of precious oil to my crystals at home on rare occasions, admire their appearance, and then submit them to a thorough wash so that they are restored to their original state of pristine purity without artifice. I can tell how much they have loved all the attention, by my own state of serenity at the end of the whole exercise!

An effective method of routine cleansing is through immersion of crystals in bowls, buckets or tubs containing sea water or in water to which fistfuls of sea salt has been added. They can thus be left to soak for up to a couple of days and nights. Immersion or even just washing in a freshwater spring, stream or river is also the preferred method of cleansing crystals, whenever possible.

I have read that apophyllite crystals must not be cleansed with sea salt, which may cause damage. In that case it may suffice to immerse them in plain water. Sometimes, delicate crystals and the matrices on which they are borne are too sensitive to heat, and can crumble in hot water, so it is best to avoid using hot water for cleansing.

Direct sunlight and moonlight -- especially on nights close to the Full Moon -- also have a strong cleansing effect on crystals, and it helps when possible to leave the crystals to soak in buckets containing sea water or plain water out in the garden or balcony to benefit from this powerful natural radiation.

Strong chemicals or cleaners are not needed for washing crystals, just plain water suffices. If you must, then using soft toothbrush with liquid soap is good enough on occasion. Working intuitively with crystals is fun when you can explore and experiment in unique untried ways, and the response is in proportion to the amount of care and sensitivity you bring to the task. So have fun developing your own rituals with your crystals. There are no set rules or proscriptions, and it is the wide open universe that speaks to you through these little sparkling friends.