CLEANSING STONES

When you first acquire a new stone, you may feel a need to clean and energize
it, depending on where it's been, how much it's been handled and what you plan
to do with it. Referring to to this, Cunningham states:

"This is a simple process which removes any past influences from the stone,
readying it for our uses. It is advisable to do this for each stone. The only
exceptions are those which you yourself have collected unless youfound them
near a military institution, a highway or polluted ground."

There are probably as many different rituals for this processess as there are
people...and which method you choose is up to you.

Some methods recommended in Cunningham's Encyclopedia are:

1. Place the stone in sunlight for any amount of time from 1 day to 1 week. He
recommends direct sunlight (not an indoor windowsill), and to bring them in
when the sun goes down.

2. Place the stones in running water (a brook or stream) for a day or two. He
recommends putting the stones in a net bag or such so that they aren't washed
away downstream.

3. A ritual purification that he recommends is:

    "Fill a basin with pure water and place this to the West on the table or
    altar.

    Next, light a red candle and set this to the South. Light some incense and
    place this to the East.

    Finally, place a dish or flowerpot filled with freshly dug earth in the
    North on the altar. In between all these objects set the stone to be 
    purified.

    When all is readied, still your mind and pick up the stone in your
    projective hand. Turn your attention toward the bowl of earth. 
    Place the stone on it and cover with fresh earth. Say something 
    to the effect of: "I purify you with Earth!"

    Leave the stone there for a few minutes, all the while visualizing the
    earth absorbing the stone's impurities.

    Then remove it, dust it clean, and hold it in the incense smoke. Pass it
    nine times through the smoke, from the right to the left, saying words like
    these: "I purify you with Air!"

    See the smoke wafting away the disturbing energies.

    Next, quickly pass the stone through the candle's flame several times,
    saying: "I purify you with Fire!"

    The fire burns away all negativity.

    Now place the stone in the water and say this or your own words: "I purify
    you with Water!"

    Visualize the water washing it clean.

    Leave the stone in the water for a time, then dry it with a clean cloth and
    hold it in your receptive hand.

    Is the stone 'clean'? If not, repeat this simple ritual as many times as
    necessary, until you are sure it has done its work.

    Afterward, store the stone in a special place. It is ready for use in
    magic."

4. Another method, recommended in "Crystal Visioning" is to bury the stone in
the earth for 3 days.

5. This same book also suggest leaving your stone in a solution of salt- or
sea-water for up to 3 days.

6. A more unusual technique is also mentioned in this book for balancing the
energy in a Quartz Crystal:

    "When crystals become unbalanced, one of the things that happens is, their
electromagnetic field gets confused and somewhat deformed, and their molecular
structure gets knocked out of alignment. Magnets will help to realign this
energy field.

    Take two magnets, place your crystal on a cloth of a natural material, such
as silk or cotton, in a consecrated spot. Then arrange the two magnets at each
end: positive at one end, negative at the other. Leave the crystal and the
magnets in place for three days so that they can accomplish their task. Use the
same magnets each time, and when not in use, keep them wrapped in the cloth."

7. The following suggestions are from "The Crystal Handbook" by Kevin Sullivan:

    "Cleansing your crystals doesn't have to be a complicated procedure. The
most common forms of cleansing involve putting the crystal or gemstone under
cold tap water for one minute or more, soaking the crystal in a solution of
water and sea salt for a twenty-four-hour period, or leaving the crystal in
sunlight during the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm for one afternoon. Perhaps the
easiest way to cleanse your crystals is to buy dried sage (either in bundles at
a gem shop or by the ounce at your local health food store). Clarify your
crystals by burning the sage and allowing the smoke to surround all facets of
the crystal. Different experts have different means of cleansing crystals; the
important thing is for you to find a method with which you feel comfortable."

8. Finally, I've also seen mention of leaving your stone in the light of the
Full Moon.

I generally use the same procedure for all the stones that end up in the HuMat
or other ceremonies. When I first bring home a stone, I wash it under tapwater,
using the same soap that I wash my dishes with. It doesn't matter if I "found"
the stone, or if it is one that I purchased. (If the stone is small, or "cut"
or expensive, I put the PLUG IN THE SINK!)

Then I air dry the stone, if it is "rough", or hand dry and polish cut stones
with a piece of cotton flannel that I use ONLY for stones.

On my altar, I keep a dish of seasalt and a dish of cut sage. Most stones are
put into the dish of seasalt. I "bury" them, with only a tiny bit showing (so
that I remember they are in there.) If the stone has a high water content, such
as opal or selenite I put it on the sage instead. Salt will draw moisture out
of the stone. Both dishes have a piece of Clear Quartz Crystal and an Obsidian
that "live" in them. The Quartz is to "charge" the new stone and the salt. The
Obsidian is to absorb any "negativity". (I remove them and wash them
occasionally, when I feel a need to do so.)

The stones stay there until I am ready to work with them. This may be anywhere
from an hour to several days...and occasionally up to a month. When I take them
out, if they are bright and lively, I'm finished cleansing them. If they appear
dull...I give them a "sunbath" and then rewash them.

Whenever I'm finished cleansing a stone, it is put away with my medicine
bundle, normally in it's own special pouch. I treat my stones with "respect",
and normally don't allow other people to handle the ones that I use for healing
and ritual. (Unless I am prepared to do another cleansing.)

I feel that it is important to take out the stones on a regular basis, use
them, admire them, "talk to them" and expose them to light. I've found (for
myself, anyway) that if I don't have regular contact with my stones, they seem
to loose their luster and energy.


