Ways to Cleanse your Crystals with Incense (Guide)

Crystals, a powerful medium for spiritual purposes, have no self-cleansing properties. If you use it consistently, then you must cleanse it regularly to raise and maintain their natural vibrations.

Read on to learn about some of the most common crystal cleansing methods and their importance.

The Importance of Crystal Cleansing

Crystals are natural amplifiers of energy. They can attract and store certain specific energy frequencies based on their composition and formation. Over time, these energies, especially negative ones, can compile on the surface of the crystal, blocking its natural energy flow and reducing its effectiveness. This is exactly why it is important to clean the crystals regularly, especially if you use the crystals for healing or spiritual work. You need to remove the compiled energies to reset its vibrations.

Apart from resetting its vibrations, here are the benefits it offers:

It helps to maintain its energy balance and ensures that it functions at its optimal level.
It enhances the crystal's clarity, making its purpose more effective.
It can also enhance your intuition, as a cleansed crystal is more in tune with your energy and provides more accurate guidance.
It will contribute to your overall well-being.
It will create a more positive and balanced environment.

How to Cleanse Your Crystals?

As mentioned before, cleansing crystals is important. So, now, let’s see how you can cleanse your crystals:

Running Water: First, hold your crystal under the tap, making sure it is covered in water. Imagine the water clearing away any old energy. After that, just dry it off gently. Remember, this works well for tough stones like quartz, but avoid it for delicate ones like selenite, kyanite, and halite.
Saltwater: Put a tablespoon of sea, rock, or table salt in a bowl of water. Make sure your stone is fully covered in water. Let it soak for a few hours to a few days. Then, rinse and dry the stone. Remember, this works well for tough stones like quartz and amethyst, but not for softer ones like malachite, selenite, halite, calcite, lepidolite, and angelite.
Brown Rice: To cleanse your stone of negative energy, start by filling a bowl with dry brown rice. Then, bury your stone beneath the grains and leave it like that for 24 hours. Afterwards, dispose of the rice immediately, as it is believed to have absorbed the unwanted energy from the stone. This simple method is thought to refresh your stone and restore its positive vibrations. You can use this method for any stone.
Natural Light: To charge your crystals, place them on the ground at sunrise or sunset, letting them soak up the sunlight. Leave them there for at least an hour before collecting them again. Only use this method for tumbled stones, as the others might get damaged by the weather.
Sage: Sage is known for its healing properties and can be used to cleanse stones of negative energy through smudging. Simply light sage in a fire-safe bowl, then pass your stone through the smoke for about 30 seconds to a minute, ensuring its revitalisation. This method is suitable for any type of stone and can be done near an open window if outdoors isn’t possible.
Sound: Sound healing involves using a single pitch or tone to create a harmonious atmosphere in a particular space. This technique can be achieved through various means, such as chanting, using singing bowls, tuning forks, or ringing a bell. The key aspect is that the sound produced should be sufficiently loud to envelop the area with its vibration. This approach is particularly useful for crystal collectors dealing with a sizable collection that is challenging to organise or relocate. Typically, this method takes around 5 to 10 minutes to complete and can be applied to any type of stone.
Stone: To get the most out of your crystal, try teaming it up with either a selenite or quartz crystal. Simply place your crystals and tumbled stones on a clear quartz or selenite charging plate for at least six hours. This helps recharge and amplify their energy, so they are ready to work their magic for you!
Breath: Hold your crystal in your hand and take some deep breaths. As you breathe out, picture any negative energy slipping away. Then, as you breathe in, imagine positive energy flowing into the crystal, filling it up and making it even more powerful.
Visualisation: Hold your crystal and imagine a bright light around it. Picture that light getting rid of any negative vibes and filling the crystal with good energy. Continue to do this until you feel an energy shift. You can use this method to cleanse any stone.

The Science Behind Incense Cleansing

The methods mentioned above are based on traditional practices and currently, there is no scientific evidence to support it. However, there is a way to cleanse crystals with a method that is scientifically proven. It involves cleansing crystals with incense sticks. Continue reading to see how it works.

Incense cleansing is a practice where aromatic plant materials are burned, producing fragrant smoke. This smoke is believed to have positive effects on both the body and mind. One fascinating aspect of this practice is how it interacts with the energy of crystals. Crystals are thought to emit vibrations that can align with our own energy, and the smoke from incense sticks is believed to cleanse and recharge them, creating a positive energy field.

Certain ingredients used in incense, like cinnamon and clove, have been found to have antimicrobial properties. When these ingredients are burned, they release compounds that can help kill harmful bacteria and viruses in the air. Additionally, some incense ingredients also exhibit antioxidant activity, which can further contribute to a healthier environment.

Burning incense isn’t just about physical effects; it also has psychological benefits. The fragrant smoke can promote relaxation, stress relief, and enhance focus and creativity. It is often used during meditation or yoga practices to aid concentration and mindfulness. Moreover, the act of burning incense can be a ritualistic way to set intentions for personal growth, healing, or manifesting desires, which can have a placebo-like effect, amplifying its psychological benefits.

If you want to go in detail about the science behind incense sticks, read our blog Science Behind Incense Sticks: How Agarbatti Affects Mood & Well-Being.

Cleansing Crystals with Incense: A Deep Dive

Here are the steps you can take to cleanse your crystals with incense sticks:

Clean Your Crystals: First, gently wipe your crystals with a soft cloth to make sure they are physically clean.
Set Your Intention: Hold your crystals in your less dominant hand and think about why you're cleansing them. You might want to get rid of bad vibes, boost their energy, or get them ready for a new purpose.
Light the Incense: Light your favourite incense stick and put it in a safe holder.
Pass Your Crystals Through the Smoke: Hold each crystal near the smoke for about 15 to 30 seconds. Imagine any negativity leaving the crystal and going into the smoke.
Repeat if Needed: Depending on how big your crystal is and how much energy it has soaked up, you might need to do this more than once.
Finish the Ritual: When you feel your crystals are clean enough, say thanks to them and the incense for helping out.

Now, the question arises: which incense sticks should you use to cleanse your crystals?

Here’s a list of HelpUsGreen’s 100% organic incense sticks that will be the best for cleansing your crystals:

Sandalwood incense sticks: Apart from its mind blowing aroma, Sandalwood is known for its spiritual, grounding, and calming properties. It has been used for thousands of years to gain spiritual benefits. It is known to cleanse everything it touches. It works well with dark-colored stones like black obsidian or Amethyst.

Nagchampa incense sticks: Known for its ability to purify the atmosphere and uplift the spirit, Nagchampa is widely used not only in yoga but also cleansing crystals. There are no strict rules about which crystal should be cleansed with nagchampa.

Lavender incense sticks: This floral incense stick is known to purify and cleanse the air. It is often used for cleansing crystals to clear negative energy. Same as nagchampa, you can use a lavender incense stick to cleanse any crystal.

Patchouli incense sticks: Patchouli is a fragrant, floral, yet subtly earthy scent, with underlining sweet notes. It’s energising and soothing scent makes it a powerful fragrance for crystal cleansing. Again, there are no hard and fast rules about which crystal can be cleansed with this incense stick.

Here are some practical tips for using incense sticks to cleanse crystals:

Safety First: Always ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when burning incense to avoid inhaling too much smoke.
Respect the Elements: Fire can be dangerous, so always handle lit incense with care and never leave it unattended.
Trust Your Intuition: You will know when your crystals are cleansed by the way they feel. Trust your intuition during this process.

Incorporating Incense Cleansing into Your Routine

Adding incense cleansing to your regular crystal care practices can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Do so with consistency, set a clear intention, create a ritual and a safe space, and you are good to go. Additionally, feel free to experiment with different incense rituals to find what resonates best with your personal preferences and intentions. Remember, the most important part is your intention. You will see good results by approaching the process with a clear mind and positive intent.

Conclusion:

Using incense for crystal cleansing is a practice rooted in tradition, believed to purify and recharge the energy of crystals. The smoke from the incense sticks carries away the negative energies with it.

If you are looking for different incense sticks suitable for crystal cleansing, visit HelpUsGreen’s website. Their 100% organic incense sticks, hand-rolled with care, provide a rich and long-lasting fragrance. Click here to browse our collection of incense sticks!