If you are like me, you have had a fascination with gemstones, crystals and the Earth for years but don’t/didn’t understand the connection. I would go into a store and just stare or admire the geodes, clusters, and specimens, always wanting to buy them and bring them home not knowing why. The attraction to gemstones and minerals became so strong that I began my collection without really knowing much about them or really understanding them

Now some people simply collect them for their coloring, their natural looks, their chemical properties, or their monetary value but I collected them because they made me feel good. Little did I know at that time about their metaphysical properties! I was soon to learn however, that these little pieces of Earth had their own energy and ideas about what our relationship was going to be!

The many cultures, especially the Native American people, believe that all things have a soul or energy. Though they seem to be dead or unfeeling, gemstones and crystals have energy and vibrations. Don’t believe me - think this is all just a bunch of malarkey? Then how do you explain that watches, computers, and many modern day appliances run on quartz or crystal energy. What is quartz but a gemstone!

Still not convinced? Where do are bodies come from, what are we all made up of? Mother Earth or minerals! What is the old saying, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If we are living, breathing energy forms made from the Earth, then it is only natural to believe we are interconnected to animals, plants and stones.

Okay, so you have decided to collect a few gemstones or minerals and see what it is all about. I recommend finding a good book on crystals and gemstones then reading which stones may be right for you. One author I highly recommend is Judy Hall. Her books are easy to understand and great for beginners. Start slowly and choose stones such as clear/smoky/rose quartz, calcite, petrified wood, moss agate or carnelian. As you advance you will find that books by authors such as Naisha Ahsian, Robert Simmons and Melody will give you more information and background.

Once you have chosen your new friend(s) and have brought it/them home, it is time for cleaning. Even though it may look clean to the eye, you do not know what trauma your friend has been through since being unearthed. (Even if you do not believe in a living energy in the stone, it is still a good idea to clean it because of all the people who may have handled it before you.)

            Depending upon what kind of stone you have, as well as your own personal style and preference, there are many ways to clean it. Smudging, running water, dry sea salt, water/sea salt solution, sound, breath, or energy (reiki) are the most popular ways of cleaning. I will address each one briefly.

            Smudging: This is a way of cleaning your stone without harming it - especially if you have a very fragile stone such as a cluster. This technique is preferred by collectors and healers who wish to purify the stone with the four elements by using an abalone shell, sage, a feather, and matches. Some people use a simple candle flame and briefly hold the gemstone high over it so you won't be burned but close enough for the heat and smoke to touch the stone.

            Running water: If you are fortunate enough to live near a natural spring or river, you can cleanse the stones by putting them into a netted bag or nylon hosiery that will allow the running water to cleanse them without washing the stones away. You can use tap water but with all the chemical and mineral contents in today's water, it is not the recommended method. Some stones that should not be exposed to water cleansing are azurite, calcite, fluorite, halite, pyrite, rhodochrosite, turquoise and fragile clusters, because of their water solubility and frailty.

            Dry sea salt: I employ the dry sea salt method for most of my stones. I get a shallow container, pour a generous amount of sea salt into it, and then place the stones gently into the salt. Next, I pour more salt over the stones until they are completely covered, and then let them sit overnight. The next morning I simply brush or blow off the salt and they shine beautifully. Stones that will scratch easily or may lose their water content such as malachite, moldavite, and opal should not be cleansed by the dry salt method. When opal is left in dry salt for too long it can actually change into chalcedony.

            Water/Sea Salt Solution: This method combines spring water with sea salt (the average solution is 2 Tbl salt to 1 pint water). Soak the stones for one to 24 hours, then remove, and rinse with clean spring water. Just remember that not all stones like water or salt. Or if you live near the ocean, you can put your friends in a mesh bag and gently cleanse them in the sea by holding the bag securely while the waves wash over it.

            Sound: Using tuning forks, singing bowls, and bells are ways to evoke vibrational cleaning. The stones react to the pitch or vibration and release any negative energy it may have stored.

            Breath/energy: If you do not have any way of using any of the above methods and want to cleanse your stone immediately, you may employ either the breath or energy cleaning method. Clear your mind, hold the stone lightly in your fingers and blow gently on it, thinking of removing any negative energy and sending it into the earth where it will be changed into positive energy. Similarly, when doing energy cleansing, clear your mind, place the stone in your palm, and envision a light field surrounding the stone and removing any dark or negative energy.

            This last method is also how to program and charge your crystal for personal use. Hold the crystal loosely in your upraised palm and imagine a white light shining upon it, cleansing and charging it. In your mind, have a conversation with the stone about what you’d like the stone to do for you. Accept its gentle vibration and thank it for its healing energy.

Now that your gemstone or mineral collection has been cleansed and energized it is time to work with them. Relax and try sitting quietly for 5-10 minutes with a crystal in your palm Shut your eyes and just let your mind contemplate the crystal/gemstone you are holding. You will be surprised at the thoughts and feelings you experience during that time. If you experience nausea, a headache or feel too much pressure in your head, stop this meditation immediately. This crystal may be too powerful for you at this time. Try working with a less intense crystal.

Good luck and enjoy your adventures with crystals and gemstones.