Cleansing Crystals with the Full Moon

All you want to know about cleansing and re-tuning your crystals with Full Moon energy.

One of my absolute favorite ways of energetically cleansing crystals is with the lunar energy of the Full Moon. (My other favorite is with sound.) I often get asked a lot of questions when it comes to cleansing or re-tuning crystals in the moonlight, so I’m going to answer them all right here in 1 place for you!

For starters, here is a lunar calendar so you can see all of the upcoming Full Moons for your location. — https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/

• Why do you need to cleanse the crystals?
When I use the word “cleanse” it means an energetic cleansing, not a physical one. Another way to look at it is a re-tuning of the crystal’s energy. When we work with a crystal it can absorb some of the negative energy and change its vibrational frequency. It is much like playing a guitar. After you have played it for a while you need to re-tune it to get it back into perfect playing order. The same goes for the crystals. After you have worked with them you want to help them get their energy and vibrational frequency back to its original perfect state.

• How often do you need to cleanse crystals?
This is something you use your intuition on and what feels right to you. If it is a crystal you work with often, then put it out at every Full Moon. On the flip side of that, if you have crystals that typically are not worked with then once or twice a year should be sufficient. If you feel your crystal needs cleansing between the full moons then there are other cleansing methods available that you can do anytime.

• Are there any crystals that shouldn’t go in the moonlight?
No. This is the one method that is safe for ALL crystals. That is why it is my favorite cleansing method. The only thing you need to watch out for is if it is going to rain or not. Some crystals, such as Selenite, are not safe to be out in the rain. They are the same crystals that should avoid water.

• What if I forget to put them out on the full moon?
Don’t worry if you can’t put them out on the day of the full moon or if you forget that day. The lunar energy is at its strongest for 3 days. The day before, the day of the full moon, and the day after. You can put them out any of those 3 days. You do not have to put them out for all 3 days. One night is plenty. However, if you feel your crystals need more cleansing or simply because you feel they are loving the moonlight, then go ahead and put them out all 3 nights. This is totally up to you.

• What time do I need to put them outside?
Anytime after it gets dark is the perfect time. Dusk, when the sun is setting is ok too. This way the crystals that should avoid sunlight, such as Amethyst, are not put out until the sun has gone down.

• When do I bring the crystals inside and do I need to do anything special with them?
Bring them inside in the morning. You do not have to have them outside for any set length of time. There are some crystals that can eventually fade if left in direct sunlight. You do not need to do anything special to handle them while bringing them inside. Just bring them on in and put them in their normal homes around your house.

• What if I can’t put them outside? Will they still get cleansed if I put them on my window ledge?
That is ok if you can’t put them outside. You can put them in front of your window. I usually do this with some of my jewelry or crystals like Selenite that I do not like to leave outside. If you have a window that moonlight can come into, I feel that is the best. However, if you can’t do that, don’t worry, any window will do. The energy is all around us. It won’t be as strong as it would be outside, but you work with what you have.

• It is cloudy or raining. I can’t see the moon. Will my crystals still be cleansed? Does this effect the moon’s energy?
Regardless if we can see the moon or not, the energy is still there and is still affecting us and the planet. Clouds do not affect the moon’s energy. It is still there and still shining, even though the clouds are in the way of us seeing it. If it is raining, just make sure that you put out crystals that are ok to get wet. For example, keep Selenite and Malachite inside because the rain will damage them. Crystals like the Quartz family (Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Citrine, Smoky Quartz) are all safe to be outside in the rain. You might want to give them a little quick rinse under running tap water when they come in, though, to cleanse them of anything the rain might have left on them.

• It’s very cold outside. Does extreme cold weather hurt crystals?
No it will not. Remember, crystals are born from our Mother Earth and have been around long before there was heating or air conditioning. They will be just fine, especially since it is a gradual cool down. I have large Rose Quartz and Quartz clusters outside that have been in snow, ice, negative degree temperatures without any complications.

• Do I need to put them on or in anything special?
No. You can put them on a tray, in a box, or just carry them outside. Whatever way works best for you. I have done it all! I often just carry my plastic bead boxes I use to hold my crystals and put those outside. You can leave them closed or open them. I personally prefer to open the boxes. I have put them out in small wooden trays or even a larger “breakfast in bed” tray. I also have used a small mirror before. This one I love for my favorite pieces because I feel it helps to amplify the energies. It is by no means necessary, though.

• Can I put my crystal jewelry outside to be cleansed?
Yes, you sure can. In fact, I recommend it. The crystals I cleanse and charge by the moonlight the most are my pendants and bracelets that I wear all of the time. Make sure they are in something that will keep them safe like a bowl, a tray with sides, or even keep them inside on your window ledge.

• Do I need to put all of my crystals out at every full moon?
No you do not. Follow your intuition on this one. I personally place out the crystals I work with the most — like my crystal jewelry — every full moon. Otherwise, crystals that I have not worked with I typically only put them out once, maybe twice a year. You do not have to put all of your crystals out at every full moon. For those of us with large collections and even quite a few large crystals, this would be quite a task! However, if you have a few crystals you work with on a very regular basis, those are the ones you would want to put out every time… if you remember. You can also do any of the other cleansing methods in-between the full moons or if you forget to put them out.