If you clicked on this blog, chances are you either always have a crystal on you (like me) or you’re wondering what the big deal is. Regardless of where in your crystal journey you are, this thread will provide a little insight about specific crystals and how to care for them. We’ll kick off our crystal blog with a stone suitable for Leo season as it shines the sunny shade of yellow/orange. CITRINE!!

Citrine is a popular type of quartz used to welcome abundance, prosperity, and positivity. We could all use more of that! An interesting fact about citrine is that it transmutes negative energy rather than absorb it, so it doesn’t need to be cleared as often as most crystals (if at all). Feeling powerless and a little lost? Citrine can help to activate the solar plexus chakra which drives our self-esteem and purpose.  You can also think of citrine like the light at the end of a tunnel, both physically and metaphorically. These attributes make it easier to dredge through the depths of our lives because now there is an end in sight! 

Now that you’re ready to add citrine to your collection, let’s go over how to care for them. Even though this crystal doesn’t require regular cleansing, many crystals do. The reason for this is that most crystals absorb the negative energy around you, working in harmony with your energetic field. Like a sponge can only hold so much water before it spills out, your crystals can only hold so much negativity. Here are the most commons ways you can clear your crystals according to BlissCrystals.com:

Smoke: Many people favor the smudging technique with smoke from Sage, Palo Santo, herbs or incense. You can do smudging regardless of weather or time of day. It smells wonderful and the ritual of fire sets a sacred tone in the space. Smudging requires some planning and practice so do this as a ritual when you have a little time to do it thoughtfully.

Moonlight: Moonlight is a favored and safe way to cleanse any crystal type, rough or polished since they do not come into contact with anything except soft moonlight. There is a 9-day period during the moon cycle (waxing Gibbous, Full Moon and waning Gibbous) where there is sufficient moonlight to cleanse them. However, it is possible to use any phase of the moon if you are practiced at calling in subtle energies. Place your crystals outside on a table or near a window that is bathed in moonlight for a few hours. In the morning your crystals will be ready to go back to work.

Nature: Crystals enjoy a visit into the woods, sitting on a tree branch, by a stream or waterfall, or anywhere you can find fresh air. If you enjoy venturing outdoors, your crystals will too. And sometimes your own backyard is the perfect place. Some people like to bury their crystals in the Earth for cleansing, and this is fine if they are polished. Try to avoid exposing any of your raw stones to the elements.

Most often, I cleanse my crystals with palo santo or sage. I like clearing them in this way because as I’m doing it, I can spend a little time with each one reflecting on their healing properties. Through this process I can set an intention that my crystals can remind me of as I move throughout my day.

Here is what one of our teacher’s, Tracey, favorite cleansing modality: “My favorite way is to put them in my garden under the full moon. I place them on a log from a tree that fell in the yard and extra crystals sit next to the log in an oyster shell for my faerie friends who frolic in the moonlight. I leave a small saucer with fresh berries and honey.  I usually sit there for a bit in the fresh energy with my crystals and thank the beings in the space who support me and lend me energy when I ask them. It’s a beautiful and enriching practice any time if the year. I also put some water in a glass jar, so I’ll have the full moon energy during the rest of the lunar cycle.”

So, is it hocus pocus? Maybe. But like anything, where your attention goes your energy flows, so if your crystal is simply there as a reminder that all you seek is already within you, I’m still stuffing as many as I can in my bra.

• What are your favorite crystals?
• Where is the weirdest place you put your crystals?
• What is your cleansing ritual?
• How have crystals helped you in your journey? 

With love and gratitude,

Jenna K.