How to Charge Crystals with Intentions

Co-authored by Emily Christensen and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 References

People have long turned to crystals as sources of energy that can positively impact their lives. One popular way to use a crystal is to charge it with an intention—in essence, inscribing it with the goal you want to achieve so its energy can support you.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.} This article provides helpful advice on preparing a crystal and formulating an intention, then finishes with a section on charging ceremony options—you can choose to follow one of them or develop one of your own that suits your individuality.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Prepping a Crystal

1
Trust your intuition when selecting a crystal. There are many crystal options out there—different types, shapes, sizes, colors, etc.—and nearly as many different opinions on which kind of crystal is best for which kind of intention. It’s helpful to consider these opinions, but trust your own feelings first. After all, you’re looking to establish a deep connection with the specific crystal you choose—or, you might say, with the crystal that chooses you.^{[2]
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- If you’re checking out a display table of crystals in a specialty store, take a moment to calm and compose yourself. Look carefully at each stone, observing its unique features and experiencing its presence. If the shop owner permits it, hold each crystal in your hand to deepen your experience of it.
- Like humans, crystals are all unique and will "speak" when you listen. A crystal may vibrate, pulse, or change temperature when it can be of use.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.}
2
Pick a crystal type that aligns with your intentions, if desired. If you do need some extra help choosing the right crystal, ask a knowledgeable staff member at a shop that sells them.There’s no universal guide out there that pairs crystals and intentions, but guidelines like the following may make it easier to pick out the crystal that’s meant for you:^{[4]
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- Rose quartz is often used for romantic love intentions.
- Amethyst may be helpful for spiritual love intentions.
- Black tourmaline might be used for intentions focused on releasing darkness in your life (like fear, sadness, shame, and regret).
- Carnelian is frequently used for intentions regarding creativity and passion.
- Citrine is often connected to the sun’s energy and may add vitality to your intentions.
- Clear quartz may benefit intentions related to clarity and focus.
3
Cleanse the crystal by soaking, rinsing, or smudging it. Crystals are believed to absorb negative energy once they release the positive energy of an intention. Therefore, you can’t fill the crystal with a new intention until you cleanse it of its negativity first. Soak the crystal overnight in a mixture of clean water and sea salt in order to purify it and draw out the negative energy. Or try one of the following:^{[5]
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- Hold the crystal in both hands, rinse it under clean running water, and repeat to yourself a saying such as, “Purify this crystal and release its negative energy.”^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.}
- Set your crystal in the middle of a salt circle directly beneath rays of moonlight.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.}
- Place your crystals on the windowsill in direct sunlight.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.}
- Light a smudge stick made of palo santo or sage, hold your crystal in the smoke for about 20-30 seconds, then extinguish the smudge stick. (Look for smudge sticks at retailers that sell crystals.)
- Lay the crystal overnight on a larger crystal made of selenite, which is known for its cleansing capabilities.^{[9]
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4
Put your crystal in the full moon’s light (overnight if you can) to charge it. Once your crystal is cleansed of its negativity, it needs an energy recharge before you add your intentions.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.} Moonlight—especially from a full moon—is often associated with renewal and beginnings, so it’s a perfect energy source here. Simply place your crystal in a spot where it will receive as much of the full moon’s light as possible.^{[11]
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- There’s no hard-and-fast rule here on how much moonlight your crystal needs for a recharge. Focus on what you believe and feel when you experience a connection with the crystal.
- While a full moon is ideal, it’s also possible to use a waxing (increasing) or waning (decreasing) moon’s light. Waxing moonlight might be better for intentions focused on adding something, while waning moonlight may work best for intentions focused on removing something.^{[12]
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Charge your crystal under full sunlight if you prefer. Sunlight is literally more energetic and powerful than moonlight, so it’s reasonable to assume that charging your crystal in full sunlight may give it a more powerful and energetic boost. Keep in mind that some crystals may be damaged by long exposure to direct sunlight, so you may want to check with a crystal expert first. Here are some additional charging options:^{[13]
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- Charging your crystal during a lunar or solar eclipse may give it an extreme boost of energy.
- Putting your crystal in a box and burying it for a week, a month, or even a year may rejuvenate it with the energy of the earth itself.
- Laying your crystal on top of a larger selenite crystal may both cleanse and charge it.^{[14]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Setting Your Intentions

1
Write down what’s most important in your life. Don’t rush to charge your crystal with the first intention that pops into your head. Instead, take some time to reflect on your life so you can develop a clear and accurate intention. Here’s a good way to start: grab a sheet of paper and write down the 5 biggest priorities in your life right now. Your list should be uniquely yours, but could include things like the following:^{[15]
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- Starting on a new and more fulfilling career path.
- Being a better friend, spouse, parent, child, sibling, etc.
- Overcoming an addiction.
- Becoming more dedicated to your spiritual or religious practices.
- Supporting an important social cause.
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Identify a goal based on your priorities. Look at your list of priorities and see if there’s a common theme in most or all of them. You might, for instance, see that several of your priorities demand a high level of compassion and empathy. Alternatively, focus on your number-one priority and set a goal based strictly on it. Write down this goal.^{[16]
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- For example: “My goal is to be a more compassionate person.”
- Or: “My goal is to quit smoking.”
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Specify what you can do to achieve your goal. Once you’ve identified a goal, it’s time to figure out how to reach it. To start this part of the process, write down a list of several things you can do to help you reach your goal. Then, either pick out a single, vital option from the list or draw out a common thread you find running through the list.^{[17]
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- If your goal is to be more compassionate, for example, you may find that several of your ideas for getting there revolve around becoming a better listener. Or, if your goal is to quit smoking, you may want to investigate different smoking cessation aids to try out.
4
Define your intention in a single sentence. If you charge your crystal with a vague or confusing intention, you should expect to get vague or confusing results! Instead, use the work you’ve done so far to write down a specific, straightforward intention that reflects the key priorities and goals in your life right now. For example:^{[18]
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- “I intend to become a better listener.”
- “I intend to quit smoking with the help of nicotine patches.”
- “I intend to resume communication with my sister.”
- “I intend to become vegan.”

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Performing Charging Rituals

1
Repeat your intention 3 times while standing and holding the crystal. Find a calm, quiet place where you can focus. Stand with the crystal in one or both hands, focusing on the feel of the crystal and any vibrations it may make. Breathe deeply a few times, then say your intention out loud 3 times, similarly to one of the following:^{[19]
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- “I program this crystal for improving my listening skills.”
- “I program this crystal for cutting red meat from my diet.”
- “I program this crystal for discovering a new career path.”
2
Meditate on your intention with the crystal in your hand. This is a great way to start your morning. Once you get comfortable in a distraction-free location, close your eyes and focus on taking slow, steady breaths. Hold the crystal in your hand and feel its presence. Turn your focus toward your intention, repeating it calmly in your head.^{[20]
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- Aim to meditate for 10 minutes, especially if you’re a novice at meditation. Set a timer, but put it somewhere where you won’t be tempted to look at it!
3
Develop your own charging ceremony ritual. Charging a crystal is a very personal and individual experience, so feel free to make the ceremony uniquely yours! You might, for instance, do yoga while keeping the crystal nearby and softly stating your intention. Or, you might lie down with the crystal resting on your heart, especially if your intention is love-related.^{[21]
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- Your rituals might include burning incense, playing music, or any number of other activities. So long as your routine helps you to express your intention and connect with your crystal, it should work.
4
Carry your intention-charged crystal with you or keep it close by. Now that the crystal is charged with positive energy and your specific intention, it can slowly release that energy back to you. Most crystal enthusiasts believe this happens most effectively if you keep the crystal with you as much as possible. Here are some ideas for keeping your crystal close:^{[22]
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- Put the crystal in your pocket as you go about your daily business. If you can’t use a pocket, put it in your purse or bag.
- Hold the crystal in your hand frequently throughout the day, especially when you feel like you need a boost from the crystal’s energy. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, roll the crystal around in your hand when you get a craving.
- Attach the crystal to a necklace, if desired, so you can wear it all the time.
- Put the crystal on your home office desk while you work, on your nightstand while you sleep, or even on the sink while you shower!
5
Cleanse and recharge your crystal as often as you feel it needs done. The connection between you and your crystal is unique, so there’s no way to say how often a recharge is required. Trust your feelings! If it seems like the impact of the crystal’s energy is waning, cleanse it and charge it with positive energy and your intention—either the same one or a new one.
- If you prefer to use moonlight to charge your crystal, you might plan to do a cleansing process and recharging ceremony with each full moon. But don’t allow a set schedule to overrule your instincts—when you feel it’s time for a recharge, do a recharge.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you cleanse crystals with salt?

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Emily Christensen is a Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and the Founder of Rainbow Raaja based in Southern California and now King County, Washington. Emily has over six years of experience as a Massage Therapist and in using tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), and shamanic healing. She received Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church.

Emily Christensen

Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

Expert Answer

Fill a small bowl or pan with sea salt, Himalayan salt, or coarse, normal salt. Then, place your crystals into the salt bath.