How to Charge Crystals: The Ultimate Guide to 5 Powerful Methods

Oct 05, 2025Stu R

Welcome to the vibrant world of crystals! Whether you're holding your very first piece of Rose Quartz or you have a cherished collection, you already know the special energy they bring into our lives. But have you ever noticed a favourite crystal feeling a little… dull? Just like the battery on your phone, crystals work hard and their energy can get depleted over time. To keep their vibrations high and their healing properties at their peak, they need to be regularly charged.

Learning how to charge crystals is one of the most important and rewarding parts of working with them. It’s the process of refilling your crystal’s energetic battery with fresh, vibrant energy. However, before you can charge them, you must cleanse them. This guide will walk you through five powerful charging methods, but first, let's cover that essential first step.

First, An Essential Step: Cleanse Before You Charge

Before you pour new energy into your crystals, you must first clear out the old. Imagine trying to pour fresh water into a cup that’s already full of stale, murky water—it just won’t work properly. The same is true for crystals. Cleansing removes any stagnant or unwanted energy a crystal may have absorbed, creating a clean slate ready to be charged. You must always cleanse before you charge.

For a detailed walkthrough of the foundational cleansing techniques, you can read our companion article: Your Complete Guide to the 5 Ways How to Cleanse Crystals.

Once your crystal feels energetically clean and clear, it’s ready for the main event: charging!

1. Charge with Reiki Energy

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique that uses universal life force energy. This is, without a doubt, one of the fastest and most powerful ways to charge a crystal. Because you are channelling pure, high-vibrational energy directly from the universe, it infuses the crystal with an incredibly potent and intelligent healing force.

This method can be used by anyone with a loving intention, but it is especially powerful for those who are attuned to Reiki. The channelled energy is more focused and amplified, making the process quicker and more profound.

Time Scale: 5 - 10 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Find a Quiet Space: Sit comfortably where you won’t be disturbed. Take a few deep breaths to centre yourself and clear your mind.
Hold Your Crystal: Take your cleansed crystal and hold it in your non-dominant hand (your receptive hand), or place it on a table in front of you.
Activate Energy Flow: Intend to connect with the flow of healing energy. If you are Reiki attuned, activate the flow as you were taught. If you are not, simply set the intention to be a channel for pure, loving, universal energy.
Channel the Energy: Place your dominant (projective) hand over the crystal, without touching it. Begin to visualise a brilliant, pure white light flowing down from the universe, entering the top of your head (your crown chakra), travelling down your neck and shoulder, through your arm, and out of your palm.
Fill the Crystal: See this powerful light pouring into the crystal. Imagine it filling every part of the stone, pushing out any last shadows and making it glow from the inside out. Visualise the energy expanding beyond the physical stone, charging its aura—the energetic field that surrounds it.
Use Reiki Symbols (For Attuned Practitioners): To amplify the charge, you can draw or visualise Reiki symbols over the crystal.
- Cho Ku Rei (The Power Symbol): Use this symbol first to supercharge the energy flow. Think of it as turning up the power level. It will cleanse any remaining negativity and magnify the charge.
- Sei He Ki (The Harmony Symbol): Use this symbol to bring the crystal’s vibration into a state of perfect harmony and balance. It’s wonderful for aligning emotional healing stones like Rose Quartz or Moonstone.
Know When It's Done: Continue channelling the energy until you intuitively feel a shift. The crystal may feel lighter, warmer, or you might simply get a sense that the process is complete. Thank the universe for the beautiful energy.

2. Charge with Your Hands and Intention

This method is beautifully simple and accessible to everyone, no matter your experience level. It uses the power of your own personal energy and focused intention to charge the crystal. It’s a wonderful way to build a deep, personal connection with your stones.

The key to this technique is understanding how energy flows through our hands. In many traditions, the left hand is considered receptive (it receives energy and information), while the right hand is projective (it gives or sends energy and intention). So, to charge a crystal, you will use your right hand to send your intention into it.

Time Scale: 10 - 15 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Ground Yourself: Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit. Close your eyes and take a few deep, grounding breaths. Imagine roots growing from your feet deep into the Earth, anchoring you.
Hold the Crystal in Your Right Hand: Take your cleansed crystal and place it in the palm of your right hand. Feel its weight, its texture, and its shape.
Set Your Intention: Decide what energy you want to charge the crystal with. Be clear and specific. For example, your intention might be: "I charge this crystal with the energy of unconditional love and compassion." or "I charge this crystal with protective energy to keep me safe." Hold this intention clearly in your mind.
Begin the Visualization: This process is very similar to the Reiki visualization. Close your eyes and picture a brilliant, pure white light forming above your head. This light represents pure, positive energy.
Channel the Light: Imagine this light streaming down into the top of your head (your crown chakra). Feel its warmth and purity as it flows down your neck, across your shoulder, and down your right arm.
Fill the Crystal: As the light reaches your right palm, visualise it pouring out and completely enveloping the crystal. See the crystal soaking up this energy like a sponge, glowing brighter and brighter with your specific intention. Imagine its aura, the energy field around it, expanding and becoming strong and vibrant.
Seal the Intention: Hold this visualisation until you feel the crystal’s energy has peaked. You might feel a tingling or warmth in your hand. To finish, say your intention out loud or in your mind one last time to "seal" the charge. Thank your crystal for its partnership.

3. Charge with a Selenite Plate

Selenite is a powerhouse crystal. It is one of the few minerals that has the unique ability to cleanse and charge other crystals without needing to be cleansed or charged itself. Its vibration is incredibly high and pure, connecting to divine light. Using a Selenite charging plate, slab, or bowl is perhaps the easiest and most effortless way to keep your crystals in perfect condition.

Time Scale: A minimum of 6 hours, or simply leave them overnight.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Get a Piece of Selenite: You will need a piece of Selenite that is large enough to hold the crystals you want to charge. A flat charging plate or a carved bowl are the most popular options.
Place Your Crystals on the Selenite: Take your cleansed crystals and simply place them directly onto the surface of the Selenite.
Let the Selenite Work Its Magic: Leave the crystals on the plate for at least six hours. Leaving them overnight is a great practice, as it ensures they are fully charged and ready for you in the morning.
That’s It! There is no step four. Selenite does all the work for you. It’s a constant source of pure, cleansing energy. Many people use a Selenite plate as the permanent "home" for their most-used crystals, so they are always ready to go.

4. Charge with Moonlight and Sunlight

Using the natural, powerful energy of celestial bodies is an ancient and sacred way to charge crystals. The Moon and the Sun each provide a unique and potent type of energy.

Moonlight Charging 🌕

The Moon provides a gentle, feminine, and intuitive energy. It is connected to cycles, emotions, and the subconscious. Charging your crystals in moonlight is a beautiful, soft, and safe method for all types of stones. This method is especially powerful during the Full Moon, when the lunar energy is at its absolute peak, but the energy of the New Moon (for setting new intentions) is also wonderful.

Time Scale: Overnight

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Check the Moon Phase: While any moonlight will work, aim for the three days leading up to, during, and after the Full Moon for the most powerful charge.
Place Your Crystals Outside: Find a safe place outside where your crystals can bathe in the moonlight. This could be on a patio table, on the grass, or even on a tree branch.
Use a Windowsill: If you cannot place them outside, a windowsill that receives direct moonlight is also a perfect spot. The energy will still reach them.
Set an Intention (Optional): As you place your crystals out, you can set an intention for them to release all that no longer serves them and to absorb the beautiful, healing energy of the moon.
Collect in the Morning: Bring your crystals inside in the morning. They will feel refreshed, clear, and full of gentle power.

Sunlight Charging ☀️

The Sun provides a strong, vibrant, masculine energy. It is associated with life force, vitality, action, and growth. Sunlight can give your crystals a powerful and energizing boost.

Time Scale: 30 minutes to a maximum of a few hours.

A Word of Caution About Sunlight

Sunlight is powerful, but it is not safe for all crystals. Just as the sun can fade fabrics or photographs, it can permanently fade the beautiful colours of many popular stones.

Crystals that SHOULD NOT be placed in direct sunlight for long periods include: Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Fluorite, Aquamarine, Celestite, Kunzite, Opal, Citrine (especially pale varieties), and many more.

When in doubt, always choose moonlight. It is gentle and safe for every single crystal.

5. Charge with Sound Healing

Everything in the universe is in a state of vibration, including crystals. Sound healing is the practice of using specific frequencies and tones to shift energy. When you use sound, the vibrations literally break up any stagnant energy in the crystal and tune it back to its natural, perfect frequency. It’s like hitting a reset button.

Time Scale: 5 - 10 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Choose Your Sound Tool: There are many wonderful options for sound healing. Some popular choices include:
- Tibetan Singing Bowls: The rich, sustained tones are perfect for deep charging.
- Tingshas (Tibetan Cymbals): Create a high-pitched, pure ring.
- Bells or Chimes: A simple bell with a clear tone works beautifully.
- Solfeggio Frequencies: You can find these healing frequencies on platforms like YouTube. Search for frequencies like 528 Hz (the love frequency) or 432 Hz (universal harmony).
Arrange Your Crystals: Place your cleansed crystals on a table or cloth in front of you. You can charge many at once with this method.
Create the Sound:
- For a Singing Bowl: Gently strike the side of the bowl, then run the mallet around the rim to make it "sing." Move the bowl around your crystals so they are fully bathed in the sound waves.
- For Tingshas or Bells: Hold them directly over the crystals and ring them, letting the sound wash over the stones.
- For a Recording: Simply play the frequency or music at a comfortable volume.
Focus Your Intention: As the sound fills the space, hold the intention for the vibrations to cleanse and charge your crystals fully.
Continue for Several Minutes: Allow the sound to continue for 5-10 minutes, or until you feel the atmosphere in the room has shifted and feels lighter and clearer.

Conclusion: Trust Your Intuition

Learning how to charge your crystals is a personal and intuitive practice. While these five methods are powerful and effective, the best method is always the one that feels right to you. Experiment with different techniques. Maybe your Moonstone loves the moonlight, while your Carnelian feels most vibrant after a sound bath.

Listen to your crystals and trust your feelings. By regularly cleansing and charging them, you are not just maintaining a tool; you are nurturing a relationship with a living piece of the Earth's energy. You are honouring their spirit and ensuring they can support you to their fullest potential.

Ready to expand your collection or find the perfect tool to support your practice? Explore our hand-picked, ethically sourced crystals and Selenite charging plates in our shop today.