Programming crystals is another great topic, as it has recently come under some fire. But, before I talk a little bit about this recent controversy and reveal my stand, let's first discuss what programming is and does.
First of all, programming your crystals is NOT the same as cleansing. Cleansing (or re - tuning) is about ridding the crystal of all former vibes it has come into contact with and wiping its slate clean, setting its energy to neutral (check out my last blog post on cleansing if you would like to know more about this.) PROGRAMMING, however, is a little bit different, and less widely practiced. After cleansing your crystals and setting their energy to neutral, you can choose to "program" your crystal to help you accomplish something specific, and energetically prepare it to do so. So for example, say I just bought a new fluorite (sorry, I'm on a fluorite kick lately) specifically because a new college semester just started and I'm nervous about getting good grades, so I really want a stone that will help me with my studies. After cleansing my hypothetical new fluorite, I might "program" the stone, basically asking it to work with me to specifically help me focus, concentrate, and absorb/remember new information more easily, ultimately helping me maintain good grades throughout the semester.
A lot of the more practical crystal workers raise their eyebrows at this point and ask the same question that may very well be going through your head right now - is this really necessary? It might even be egotistical in a way - the suggestion that we have to "tell" the crystals to do something that is supposedly already ingrained within them. And, while I am a proud crystal programmer, I very much see this point, and encourage you NOT to practice this if you feel comfortable with a quick cleanse and leaving the rest to Mama Earth and the stone itself. Certainly, I don't belief that the crystal is LESS powerful if not programmed. Programming is especially unnecessary if you didn't have a specific agenda in mind when purchasing a crystal, but rather simply felt intuitively drawn to it, or drawn to its energies in general without any specific intention. I also believe that these properties are inherent within the crystal already, and that they do not need to be reminded of their energetic signature. So, if this just sounds way too new - agey or confusing to you, then by all means - just don't bother with programming at this point on your crystal path. One thing I firmly believe is that your crystals WILL NOT suffer in any way, or decrease in power, if you choose not to program them.
But as usual, I have more to say on the matter. TO ME, programming is not about "telling" the crystal anything - as I said, I fully trust that these babies know exactly what they're doing, and that their energy operates in a certain way independent of any instruction from us. For me, if I have a specific agenda in working with a crystal (which I don't always) then I like to program them not because I think they need to be instructed, but because for me, it is a CONVERSATION with my crystal; I am telling the guardian of the stone what I am hoping they will help me accomplish, and I am formally asking for their help. BUT, this is the witch in me emerging. Because it is part of my Pagan beliefs that crystals are, on some level, sentient beings, I feel it is important to ask for the guardian of the stone to work with me to help me achieve my specific goal. It is not at all an act of egotism, but in fact one of humility. But again, this is my love of crystals intermingling with the fact that I am a witch - just because you work with and enjoy crystals does not mean you necessarily believe in their sentience. But because I do, I find programming an important part of getting to know my crystals. Plus, they aren't necessarily mind readers - informing your little helper of HOW exactly you wish them to help you becomes a no - brainer if you believe they're listening.
I find programming to be especially important for making mojo bags. Just yesterday I made a mojo bag for a friend with a cold - I chose three of the best crystals for healing colds, which are carnelian, emerald, and fluorite (moss agates are great too, but I didn't have any extras handy.) However, because in this case there was something very SPECIFIC that I hoped the crystals would work together to help my friend accomplish, programming seemed necessary.
So now that you have probably decided whether or not you like the idea of programming, I suppose I should tell you how it's done (assuming you have jumped on board - if not, no judgment.) There are MANY books that tell you how to do this - in fact, pretty much every crystal book has a little note on programming somewhere in the beginning, with a little step - by - step ritual of how exactly to do it. However, in my opinion? IGNORE IT. I don't like to make my crystal programming too ritualistic - in fact, I feel it is most powerful when kept rather informal.
So, I'll stay with the example of the mojo bag I made yesterday for my friend's cold. I first place the three crystals (cleansed, of course) on a glass plate that I always use specifically for this purpose. In the center, I place a GREEN CHIME CANDLE - green, of course, is the color of healing - and anointed it with some PEPPERMINT OIL - an oil that is wonderful for general health and also specifically for healing colds. I sprinkled some dried lavender around the crystals as well, lavender being another nice herb for bringing general health. I lit the candle and sat for a moment, watching the crystals become empowered by each other, by the candle, by the oils and herbs, all helping to bring out the ONE THING I want these stones to really focus on for my friend. At this point, I pick up each crystal individually and rub it for a moment. I have no formula for HOW I talk to my crystals - typically, I say something like, "I ask the guardian of this carnelian stone to use its warming energy to restore complete health and vitality to _____ for her highest good. Thank you." See? Nothing too fancy.
Programming differs from cleansing in that it is a lot more versatile - the rules pretty much go out the window, and if you're more comfortable following a step - by - step ritual, as I said, there are MANY books that will offer you that. I, however, am a proponent for keeping things informal and specific to the crystal, the situation, and your preference. But now you have an idea of how I generally like to do it, so hopefully that helps!
One last thing. Since I earlier acknowledged that I don't feel crystals decrease in power when not programmed, you're probably wondering WHY I program mine. The answer is, while I don't think it takes anything away from them if you don't, I very much think it ADDS to their power if you do - again, particularly in a situation such as preparing them to go into a mojo bag, in which case there is a very specific way in which you hope they will work with you. Crystals respond really well to being treated with respect, and programming should never be thought of as telling the crystal how to do something it already knows how to do - it is simply asking them nicely to do it, and combining your personal magic with that of the crystal.
I know programming is a little bit of an abstract topic, and my particular dislike for ritualistic programming sessions make it even more so, so if you have any lingering confusion please feel free to bring this to my attention, and I'll try to clarify. Happy programming!
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