Natural Light

Crystals do plenty of things for us. From bringing us a sense of inner tranquility to protecting us from the ill intentions of others to manifesting our goals and dreams, crystals do non-stop work to improve our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. Thus, it’s no surprise that crystals soak excess energy from us and our surroundings.

While there are many ways of charging and cleansing stones, in this post, we will go over one of the most popular crystal charging methods of all: the use of natural light.

Natural light is one of the best ways to cleanse and charge your crystals.

Charging and cleansing crystals usually involve one of the five elements in crystal healing: fire, earth, water, wind, and storm or aether.

You can use three types of natural light for cleansing and charging your crystals: sunlight, moonlight, and eclipse light.

• Sunlight

  The sun is one of the most potent energy sources that can charge crystals. In fact, it’s powerful enough to recharge your crystals in just a few hours.

  However, a major caveat in using sunlight to replenish a crystal’s energy is that not all stones are safe under the sun. Vibrant stones like amethyst and citrine could fade, whereas soft stones like selenite and calcite could sustain damage that may be irreversible.

  Therefore, avoid putting crystals with vivid colors and those with a Mohs hardness level of 5 below under the sun. If you do, make sure not to leave them for hours. Several minutes will do for these types of stones.

  Alternatively, you can charge them during the morning when the sun isn’t as bright, and the weather isn’t as warm as it is at noon.

  Which crystals are good for charging with sunlight?

  It’s believed that abundance, success, and manifestation crystals benefit the most from direct sunlight. The sun has been always linked to the Yang energy, the masculine, and the active.

  Therefore, crystals with abilities related to these concepts: self-confidence, willpower, and wealth, could benefit from being charged under direct sunlight.

  Again, some crystals that exhibit these characteristics, like citrine, don’t do well under the sun. To be safe, put your citrine under the sun in short bursts, like a few minutes, so it can still receive some energy from the sun.

  You can also carry it with you whenever you go out to places of nature like the beach, park, or hiking trails.

• Moonlight

  Just as popular as the sunlight, moonlight is also believed to give restorative and healing energy. Its healing doesn’t only affect us, humans, but it also helps purify and recharge crystals as well.

  In contrast to the sun, the moon is associated with the opposite side of the spectrum. It’s been related to the Yin energy, the feminine, and the passive. Thus, it’s believed to work best for crystals that promote tranquility and intuition, and offer protection.

  Its powerful healing energies purify and renew crystals and charge them. Even though it’s said to have a slower effect than the sun, it’s effective enough to cleanse and charge crystals.

  The moon’s natural healing and purifying abilities could drive out negative energy from your crystals.

  Many people leave their crystals out on a windowsill. Others take it up a notch by putting them outdoors, placing their crystals on a wooden table or a selenite slab.

  You can choose whichever technique you prefer, as long as they get moonlight energy as much as possible and they are safe from disturbances.

  Which lunar phase is perfect for crystal charging?

  Most people prefer charging their crystals during a full moon. It’s been said that the moon’s natural energy during this lunar phase is the strongest. As the peak of the lunar cycle, it’s also the phase linked to letting go of things that don’t serve you.

  Which crystals are good for charging with Moonlight?

  Any crystal could be charged with moonlight because it’s relatively safe compared to the more intense solar energy. Crystals with the ability to bring balance to one’s overall well-being and protective stones benefit the most from the moon’s energies. Examples of this are moonstone, rose quartz, and smokey quartz.

Should I charge my crystals during solar and lunar eclipses?

I’d say that most people think it’s not a good idea to charge crystals during a solar or lunar eclipse.

While charging your crystals during an eclipse might sound “promising” as this phenomenon is rare and powerful, eclipses don’t bode well in many astrological and crystal practices. They are seen as erratic and chaotic. Charging and cleansing crystals, setting intentions during this time, could draw in those unsavory vibes that you will need to do a whole new cleansing and charging to restore your crystals.

Then again, everything comes down to personal preference. If you feel that charging crystals during an eclipse is an okay thing to do for you, then don’t let others stop you. I wouldn’t advise this to a beginner who hasn’t grasped their crystal powers yet.

However, if you have been working with crystals for quite some time now, charged them during an eclipse, and nothing ominous happened, then great. Again, it’s all a matter of preference and intuition.

Before charging your crystals, it’s important to cleanse them first. The process of cleansing is quite the same as charging, except that here you will be working to remove negative energy. Meanwhile, when charging crystals, you may need to program them by setting intentions.

There are many cleansing methods, which will vary from stone to stone. Look up your crystals and cleanse them accordingly. After cleansing, you will be able to charge them in natural light.

Sunlight

To charge your crystals with sunlight, do the following:

1. Step 1

   Prepare your crystals for charging. Only gather crystals that you know can withstand the heat and light of the sun. If possible, research each of your crystals to see if they interact well with sunlight.

2. Step 2

   Place your crystals where sunlight can reach them. You can place them on a windowsill or outdoor table. They are good to go if they won’t be disturbed by passersby, animals, or other elements.

3. Step 3

   Set your intentions. Say positive affirmations to connect your own energy to that of the crystals. Remember to say your needs rather than wants.

4. Step 4

   Let your crystals receive the light and energy of the sun for several hours.

5. Step 5

   Retrieve your crystals and return them to their sacred space.

That’s it! Your crystals should be charged by now and ready to be used again.

If you prefer, you can also let your crystals sit throughout the night so they can receive moonlight energies.

Moonlight

To charge your crystals with moonlight, do the following:

1. Step 1

   Find out when the next full moon will occur. You can use lunar phase tracker websites like Time and Date and apps like My Moon Phase, which are available both on iOS and Android devices.

2. Step 2

   Prepare your crystals for charging. Take note of which crystals aren’t safe in water or under the sun. To protect them from changing weather, you can also prepare a protective glass or transparent cover to keep them safe.

3. Step 3

   Lay out your crystals on a natural surface where the moonlight can reach them. This could be a wooden table, a windowsill, or a selenite slab. Make sure to give each crystal enough breathing space. Don’t lump them close together. If you want, you can arrange them in a grid.

4. Step 4

   Set intentions. Ask the crystals what you want them to help you with, then meditate.

5. Step 5

   Leave them until sunrise.

6. Step 6

   Retrieve your stones and put them back in their sacred space.

Some people also prefer charging their crystals for 24 hours. This is fine as long as none of your crystals would fade in the sunlight. To be safe, check which stones are safe under the sun and weather changes and which ones aren’t.

It depends on two factors: the type of natural light and the composition of that particular crystal.

Some crystals are safe under direct sunlight, while others could fade or lose their shine.

Meanwhile, all crystals are safe under direct moonlight, and you only have to worry about the changing weather. If it rains, then softer crystals might get damaged. Besides that, there’s no reason to worry about putting your crystals under the moonlight for a long time.

How Long Should Crystals Sit in Sunlight

To charge your crystals with sunlight, leave them for at least a few hours up to a whole day. Some crystals benefit from a 6-hour charge, while others should sit there for 12 to 24 hours.

For charging in short bursts, especially with crystals that don’t do well in the sun, let them sit for several minutes, from 30 minutes up to an hour.

How Long Should Crystals Sit in Moonlight

Crystals are safe under the moonlight so you can charge them for up to 12 hours or more.

Some people even charge their crystals for 24 hours to receive both the masculine and feminine energy of the sun and moon.

You will know your crystals have finished charging if they feel lighter to touch, physically and energetically.

In the same manner, you would know that crystals need charging if they seem heavier than usual or that they seem to be less effective than before; you will also know they have been charged if they feel lighter and it seems like their energy is restored.

Which one is better for charging crystals: sunlight or moonlight?

Sunlight charges faster than moonlight. However, not all crystals can withstand the sun’s energy. On the other hand, moonlight is very safe for all kinds of crystals.

Does LED light charge crystals?

Although some people charge their crystals under LED or artificial light, natural light is still a better option. Moreover, some crystals may be sensitive to direct light. But yes, some say artificial light could charge crystals but not cleanse them.

Can you charge crystals under UV light?

Avoid charging your crystals under UV light, as it might damage them. As much as possible, opt for a natural energy source like sunlight and moonlight when charging your crystals. If there are no other sources, you can use artificial light like LED lamps but never UV light.

Conclusion

Natural light is one of the most accessible ways to charge and cleanse your crystals. These sources are free, easy, and potent, too. Knowing how to use natural light would help make the process of charging and cleansing crystals convenient and effective.