Care and Programming of Crystals
Crystals carry energy. That energy can become infused with matter, emotional and mental thoughtforms, and other energy “leftovers”. With the exceptions of citrine and kyanite, which are self-clearing,
Many people begin their relationship with a new crystal by cleansing it first. Cleansing can also be performed at any time to refresh the crystal, clear it of any residual unwanted energies, and “re-charge” it.
it is a good practice to clear or cleanse crystals of the physical, emotional, mental and psychic debris it can accumulate.
Some means of clearing crystals include:
• Water is a universal cleanser. If you have access to the ocean, ocean water is wonderful. If not, spring water, lake water, and filtered water can also work well, as long as the water is either directly from nature or clean (filtered properly.) Some people also add salt to their water, because of its electric properties.
You can simply rinse the crystal in water, or you can follow up by placing the crystal in a clear glass filled with water. Place the glass on your windowsill, ideally facing the south, to charge in the sun.
• Setting the crystal in the path of the sun (clouds will not deter the rays) for up to one week to let the Father Energy clear it.
• Setting the crystal in the light of a full moon phase to let the Mother Energy clear it.
The Moon can also be used for cleansing and charging. Some people make a ritual of burying their crystal under a full moon, to take advantage of the magnetic forces of the moon in combination with the earth. You may also place your crystal in the direct light of the moon.
• Another method is smudging the crystal with sage, incense, or sweet grass.
• Cleanse and charge your crystal with other crystals. A crystal can be placed on a large crystal cluster or generator (single large quartz crystal.) Citrine in particular is excellent for cleansing the other crystals in your collection. It is one of only two crystals that is automatically self-cleansing, and will cleanse other crystals. The other is Kyanite, which is also extremely helpful in chakra alignment.
To program a crystal place the crystal in your dominant hand, the one you write with. Quietly hold the clear intention you wish the crystal to focus upon or utilize. Send this intention of what qualities you wish it to use, and what situation you may wish to use it for. Allow in your intention that the outcome be set to the highest good for all involved, and that you will gladly accept a greater outcome than you can immediately envision. This allows the Universal Energy to provide not only your wildest dreams, but to go beyond them, if it is in the greatest good.
Hold the crystal, sending your intention, until you feel the programming is clearly passed to the crystal. Let the crystal rest and assimilate for a few minutes. If you have programmed an energy that is directed to yourself, perhaps a healing quality you are seeking, pick up the crystal with your non-dominant hand and, giving this a few moments, sense if you feel the energy flow in the programmed manner. If after a few minutes, you feel nothing at all, let the crystal and yourself rest and assimilate at least an hour before trying the programming again. Try not to underestimate the power of your programming. Sometimes the receiving process needs to be built or rebuilt before the full effect of the crystal’s energy is recognized.
If you are comfortable working from the heart, try programming a crystal while it rests at your heart chakra area. Send your intentions through your heart, rather than your hands. The results may surprise or even shock you, for the heart will not lie. It will redirect false intentions to true intentions, and you will feel the difference, even if uncomfortably.
MEDITATION
Perhaps the most common usage of stones and crystals are in meditation. Choosing to sit quietly with a crystal form is a means of tapping the qualities of that crystal to guide a meditation and the information or healing it has to offer. It is also the best way to “get to know” the crystal. The crystal does not cause the information or healing, but offers the means or pathway to find that information or healing within one’s self.
Consider placing the crystal in the palm of the hand through which you feel you receive energy. For most people, that will be the hand they do not write with. Explore this practice with both palms. Learn how it works best for you. In the process of meditation, there may come the point where you no longer feel the crystal in your hand. At that point, you may find you have bridged the separation between yourself and the crystal. See what you find there.
The crystals may also be worn during meditation as pendants or necklaces placed at a chosen chakra point, as a bracelet on a receiving or giving wrist, or as earrings balancing the mind energy of the major and minor chakras of the head.
MANIFESTATION
I n the book, Love is in the Earth, Melody points out that “In manifestation there is a thin line between ‘helping the universe provide that which is necessary’ and ‘ attempting to force the universe to provide that which is desired’.” There are stones/crystals which are given attributes of assistance with manifestation. Use wisdom. Know your heart so that you will see the differences between needs and wants. Most needs are not material in nature, but material goods are given symbolism to grant the nonmaterial need.
No wish of the heart is unheard or ungranted. Knowing your heart will help you see the manifestations you have achieved. The adage of “be careful what you wish for, you might get it” applies here. Stones/crystals can help you see the truth of the manifestation, if you will listen and watch.
PROTECTION
Stones/crystals attributed with abilities to offer protection do so from energy embedded within them from lighter sources, earlier lifetimes. A stone/crystal utilizes the universal mode of offering protection, only if asked or if life is threatened at a time when life is not intended to be taken. Programming a stone for protection is important, but so is asking for that protection when needed. Overuse of protection can result in necessary lessons being hidden from the user. It is important to feel the results of our actions. Remaining behind a shield beyond the immediate need for protection can result in one remaining “stuck” in place on the chosen path. Use protection attributes wisely. Look also to attributes of strength to keep from hiding behind the shield of protection.
