If this is your first time dabbling in the business of crystals, this is how to get started! Here is #legend’s simple guide to caring for your crystals and how to benefit from their powers by wellness expert Sonia Samtani
Crystals have captivated our fascination for centuries and never more so than in recent years with the rise of spirituality and self care.
These gems are more than just a pretty ornament for your table or cute aesthetic for your IG stories, when used correctly, they have lots of deeper benefits. Understanding how to get the most out of your crystals requires a closer look at their nature, how they differ from rocks, and how to care for and cleanse your crystals.
What are crystals and how do they differ from rocks?
Crystals have an ordered, repeating internal structure and their atoms and ions are in a precise geometric pattern, giving rise to the unique properties and symmetry that make each crystal distinct. But what makes a crystal anything more than a good-looking rock? According to experts, crystals focus consciousness in a specific direction. So, for example, a rose quartz would focus your energies and attention on love.
How to look after your crystals
So, you’ve been to the crystal store and picked up some gems that felt right. Now what? First, it’s vitally important to know how to care for your crystals. If you want your crystals to bring benefits beyond looking pleasant, it’s essential to care for them. This helps keep their energy and vibrancy.
1. Handle with care
Crystals can be delicate, and rough handling may lead to scratches or fractures. When moving or cleaning your crystals, do so with a gentle touch to avoid unnecessary damage. Also, if you’re in Hong Kong and you have someone else at home that takes care of the cleaning, be sure to remind them not to clean the crystals as this removes some of their energy. Keep cleaning to a minimum and do it in a controlled way (see how to cleanse your crystals below).
2. Avoid direct sunlight
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can fade the colors of certain crystals. Place them in indirect sunlight or moonlight to “charge” (energise) them, but be mindful of their specific needs. Each crystal is unique and should be cared for according to its individual “needs”.
3. Protect from harsh chemicals
Many crystals are sensitive to chemicals, so avoid exposing them to household cleaning agents, perfumes, or cosmetics. These substances can dull the crystal’s surface and interfere with its energy.
Also see: #legendchats: Recalibrating mental health to achieve peace, self-acceptance
How to cleanse your crystals
Cleansing your crystals is crucial to remove any accumulated negative energy and restore their vibrational frequency. Here are some popular methods for cleansing crystals:
1. Running water
Hold your crystals under running water, preferably natural sources like rivers or streams. Visualise the impurities being washed away, and allow the water to cleanse the crystal’s energy.
2. Salt bath
Submerge your crystals in a bowl of sea salt or Himalayan salt for a few hours. The salt will draw out negative energy, leaving your crystals energetically renewed.
3. Selenite charging
Place your crystals on a selenite charging plate or near a piece of selenite. Selenite is believed to have purifying properties that can cleanse and recharge other crystals.
4. Moonlight or sunlight
Leave your crystals under the light of the full moon or sunlight for a few hours to recharge them. Moonlight is particularly effective for crystals associated with intuition and emotions.
5. Invest in a crystal cave
This is the best way to cleanse and charge your crystals.
Your crystal starter kit for 2024
A typical starter kit of crystals should include a clear quartz (clarity, light, reflection, manifestation), a rose quartz (love, relationships, attraction, beauty, circulation), selenite (peace, serenity,clears blocked energy, connection), and black tourmaline (powerful protective energies, grounding and stabilising).
Don’t forget that it’s best to choose your own crystals but if someone gifts you a crystal – that’s okay too, just take the time to connect with it. So this February, perhaps give the gift of crystals to your loved one.
Photos: Stock images
