Your stones have often endured a long process that includes, mining & shipping and handling by many people across the globe. Though having stones in your hands that have this history makes them filled with multiple energies, it also makes them a bit dirty and susceptible to negative energy.

The first step in maintaining good energy and effective healing with your stones, is cleaning. When you buy new stones, a simple wash with soapy water or detergent works just fine to remove dust and debris. We recommend doing this in a plastic strainer to avoid loosing stones or damaging them.

Once you have cleaned your stones off you can either towel dry them or lay them out in the sunlight to dry depending on your location and time limits. This step will ensure that your stones are ready to be used by you and that your personal energy will be transferred to each one. Keep in mind also that simply handling your crystals helps to create a bond.

Now that you have cleaned your stones, and probably spent a little time looking over their features, it's time to create an even stronger bond to assist you in healing. This is sometimes called "blessing" your crystals. This is the most important step in releasing the powers that come from each individual stone type. If you have never done this before, rest assured-it's simple and fun!

Find a quiet spot in your home or preferably outdoors where you can still your mind and focus your energy. Any distractions should be removed from your environment. If you wish to play meditative music during this process, by all means, go for it. The calming effect of music is an incredible tool for channeling specific energy!

Once you have stilled your mind, choose the crystal (s) you wish to energize and place them either close in front of you, in the palms of your hands, or directly on your body as in chakra healing. Close your eyes and focus on the desired effect you would like to achieve with your stones. You may also use this method if trying to help others, simply focus your thoughts on the person and the desired outcome.

For example, let's say that you have felt an overwhelming sense of negativity at work and it has left you feeling weak and stressed. You desire that the negativity not only diminish, but that it be focused away from you so that you may not feel the draining effects. In this case, you would want to pull out stones such as Hematite and Smoky Quartz to absorb the negativity and focus on their ability to repel negativity. You may then finish off with some stones to relieve stress such as Blue Lace Agate, Aquamarine & Rose Quartz to calm your mind and even calm others around you. This exercise will help your body to restore it's energy and guard you from others who drain your energy.

Now that you have cleaned your crystals & blessed them with your energy, you will need to store them properly and keep them ready for use in the future. To do so, keep a velvet pouch handy at all times or store your favorite stones in a small bowl. We recommend always handling your stones over soft surfaces to avoid breaking. They slip from your hands so easily!

A great way to keep them energized is to clean them on a regular basis and if possible, set your stones on a natural quartz cluster for a day or two.  Don't forget to hold your stones often and roll them in between your fingers. Keep them near key spaces in your life, like a desk, bedside table or sacred space. And most of all, share your joy for crystals with your friends and family! Together we can all spread joy and peace!

For an extra special treat, leave them outside on a Full Moon to recharge the energy naturally. Please see the chart below for full moon dates based on the Old Farmers Almanac.

These dates are based on Eastern Standard Time Zone, actual full moon times may vary slightly depending on where you live.  You can also click on the banner below to see an up-to-date status of the pie in the sky from Llewellyn!

Full Moon Dates & Times:

(based on Mountain Standard Time)