“Lapis lazuli or Tiger Eye eggs should not be used internally. Prioritize using them for meditation and on crystal grids. Follow the directions for caring for your eggs. To clear their energy you can use the full moon and water, indirect sunlight exposure or use your favorite smudge.”  - Jhenneviev 

EXTERNAL USE

Cleansing

The first step in caring for your crystals is to clean them energetically. We thus wish to "reset" them and clean up the negative they might have absorbed from their past experiences.

There are different methods: it is up to you to determine which is best suited to the crystal you want to clean, but also to your immediate environment and your state of mind.

Common methods:

• Water: a simple and effective method is to clean them with water. Put them quickly in a flow of clean cold water (under a tap or in a stream), or leave them for a while in a bowl of clean water. Be mindful, however, of water-soluble crystals (such as selenite) which must be cleaned differently.
• Indirect salt: place sea salt in a large bowl, then put the crystals in a transparent bowl on top. Leave them at least overnight.
• Fumigation: Pass each crystal through sacred smoke: incense, White Sage, Palo Santo, resin ...
• Intention: For quick cleaning or when you have no equipment available, simply holding them in your hands with a benevolent cleaning intention may suffice. Try it!

Activation

Once your crystals are clean, you need to recharge them to activate their full energy potential. There are different methods to do this. It is up to you to determine your preferred method.

Activation methods:

• The earth: bury your crystals in healthy soil, in direct contact, for a good 24-48 hours (watch out for fragile and / or water-soluble crystals).
• Clear quartz: if you have a large “druzy” clear quartz crystal (like a piece of geode) the crystals recharge very well by placing them a few hours above (remember to clean it before and after).
• Light from the Moon / Sun: using the light from the Sun or the Moon is a very powerful way to regenerate the energy of a crystal. Just leave it in direct contact with the light. You’ll want to use a Full Moon, and will be careful with sunlight which tends to discolor very quickly translucent crystals (amethyst, rose quartz, citrine ...).
• Sounds: sound waves quickly regenerate crystals. Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, mantras, chimes, tuning forks….

Other considerations:

How often Should I clean-recharge my crystals?

Crystals must be cleaned / recharged when they are received and, at a minimum, after carrying out heavy "work" with them. Cleaning is also necessary when they seem "heavier", "warmer", less "welcoming" when touched. Trust your feelings and test! 

What about programming?

Once your crystals are cleaned and recharged you can use them immediately or program them for a specific use. The simplest programming consists in programming a positive intention in a crystal by meditating on this intention with your crystal in your left hand, in order to infuse it.

How to store them?

If your crystals have no place on your current practice altar or in an activated grid, it is always better to store them away from dust and light and to separate them from one other with, at least, a cloth. You also have to decide who can handle your crystals once they are cleaned.

Trust your intuition, and take the time to discover the subtle energy of each of your mineral companions!