HOW TO CLEANSE MAGICAL ITEMS.

When you buy or receive second-hand magical items and this can be quite a vast list that can include books, an athame, a Tibetan singing bowl, crystals, statues, a cauldron, jewelry, and more. It all has to be cleansed before you can use them. If you don't cleanse the residual energy from objects you use for energy work, you might unintentionally draw upon someone else's energy, or be drawn upon.

I've noticed that energetic residue doesn't occur as much with new objects, but they still have to be cleansed too. Here are my favourite ways to cleanse objects so that they can be used for ritual or energy work.

WATER

Water is and always has been an excellent cleansing element. List of cleansing Waters include spring water, river water, rain water, lake water, ocean water, moon water to cleanse and charge an item. Some fancy pagans might like to use rosewater, or another floral water to cleanse. The addition of a little vinegar might also be a good cleansing method; however it's not good for all crystals and stones. It might make the ones containing carbonates start to dissolve. Although this isn't a great method for books. I have washed covers before.

SALT

Salt is one of my favourite methods of cleaning, especially combined with water. Salt charges items too, but be careful that the item won't corrode. Salt doesn't work well with metals, as it makes them rust. I like to use it to cleanse crystals. Set the item in a dish of salt or sprinkle some salt over it and let it sit.

SOAP

If an item is greasy, contains leather or has been touched a lot, fingerprints and oils likely cover the object. Soap might be the only way to remove the grimy energy still clinging to it. Nothing else comes close to the power of a strong, natural soap to get rid of hard to kill energy. If all else had failed consider using soap.

FIRE

Fire cleansing works great for metal objects, especially after washing them with water (and possibly soap) light a candle and pass the item quickly over the flame, being careful to not let it get to hot. You might want to use tongs or an oven mitt to protect yourself from the heat. Do this several times until the energy feels different.

BURNING HERBS

Smudging is an ancient practice that cleanses air and objects. All manner of dried plants and herbs can be used, including Rosemary, Lavender, Sage, Thyme, Bay, Catnip, Mint, Pine and more. It can be used for cleansing virtually any object. It's a favourite method for cleansing tarot/oracle cards & books.

EARTH

Placing objects straight into the garden, getting rained on and being entrenched in the mud and Earth. After about a month the energy of something like a statue should feel different. Contact with the Earth cleanses most of the residual energy.

AIR, SUN AND MOON

Air cleansing is a good last step. It decompresses the remaining energy and can create an atmospheric shift that makes it more receptive to new energy. If there isn't a good place for cleansing objects by air, sun and moon outside, a window sill inside your home can work. Be aware, however, that some crystals and stones may be harmed by sunlight. It's best to do some research before leaving them outside for a long time. Likewise, you may wish for something to receive only a sunlight cleansing or only a moon cleansing, in accordance with the energy of the object.

Use your intuition to discern the best method to cleanse your new objects, but be sure to do your research so you don't harm the object. The goal of cleansing is to change the energy from the former use to a more neutral energy.