Selenite is a crystallized form of the mineral gypsum, created when calcium-rich salt water evaporates. Some believe selenite can be used as a healing tool, but there is no scientific evidence to support this.

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In many traditions across the centuries, selenite is believed to have powerful healing benefits. Some consider selenite to be one of the most important crystals in an energy worker’s toolkit.

Not only is selenite believed to carry potent energy that can provide protection and improve well-being, it’s also said to cleanse unwanted energies from your surroundings.

Selenite is a crystallized form of gypsum that’s mostly commonly found in the form of a translucent, multifaceted stone. It’s formed when sulfate and calcium-rich saltwater evaporates, and it has a hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale.

Many people believe selenite is a powerful healer with multiple benefits, though there’s no scientific evidence to support this.

However, there is evidence that selenium — which is selenite’s trace element form — has multiple health benefits. A trace element is a chemical element found in a very small amount in living things.

Here are a some of the main purported healing benefits of a selenite crystal:

  • promotes peace and calm
  • provides clarity
  • clears blocked energy
  • elevates the spirit
  • helps you access your intuition
  • is an effective space cleanser
  • vibrates at a very high frequency
  • promotes connection and camaraderie
  • enhances powers of manifestation

Promotes peace and calm

“Selenite is a crystal that vibrates at a very fine vibration level,” says crystal healer Samantha Jayne. Because of this high frequency, “it’s one of the most powerful crystals in the universe.”

Jayne says that selenite carries an energy of peace and calm. This makes it an ideal crystal for any situation where peace needs to be restored.

Clears blocked energy

Crystal healer Charlotte Grace agrees.

“Selenite vibrates at a super-high frequency, meaning it’s a very powerful healer,” she says.

Grace also notes that selenite is effective at clearing heavy, blocked energy. This allows energy to flow at a high vibration, she says, elevating the spirit.

Grace recommends using selenite to cleanse:

  • your energy
  • your home
  • your belongings
  • other crystals

Provides clarity

Some people believe selenite can boost mental clarity and open the door to your intuition. Jayne agrees.

“From a healing perspective, it has the capacity to calm the mind, to bring the soul to peace, and to bring clarity to those who need it,” she says.

Increases positive energy

It’s also believed that selenite can increase positive energy.

“Selenite can be used to recharge you, your space, and your crystals,” Grace says.

It’s important to note that these reported benefits of selenite are based on anecdotal evidence only.

Selenite is connected to Greek mythology, with a history that dates back centuries. Its name comes from the Greek word for “moonstone,” and it’s associated with Selene, the Greek Goddess of the Moon.

That said, selenite isn’t related to the crystal known as moonstone.

Selenite “carries the imprint of all that has happened in this world,” Jayne explains. “It’s also believed to have been used to keep evil spirits out of sickrooms… priests would crush it into a paste to paint onto the doors of a house if someone was ill.”

Selenite is known by a number of other names including:

  • satin spar
  • desert rose
  • gypsum flower
  • butterfly selenite or golden phantom (a yellow-hued variety)
  • disodium selenite

Selenite can be found in many variations and colors. And each one is believed to have subtle differences in its properties and uses.

Shapes

  • Hourglass: used for grounding and raising awareness, and helps release negative patterns
  • Wand: used to cleanse the aura, move stagnant energy, and encourage flow
  • Tower: creates a protective shield, amplifies energy, dispels negative energy

Grace keeps a selenite wand by the front door to cleanse energy as she walks in. She also suggests using selenite to amplify the energy of other crystals.

“Selenite towers amplify energy, so if you put a selenite tower near other crystals, expect a huge increase,” she says.

Colors

White is the most common color of selenite, but it can be found in gold, peach, and rose hues. Some are designated with unique names.

  • White: used for clearing, cleansing, and communication with higher realms
  • Golden: lifts awareness and connects to outside energies
  • Peach: connects to the sacral chakra, helps balance emotions, and expresses high vibration sexuality
  • Rose: changes mental and emotional programming and connects to the third eye chakra, intuition, and manifestation

Cleansing is an important step when working with crystal energy. Grace notes that all crystals soak up negative energy.

Some believe selenite doesn’t need to be cleansed, but Grace disagrees. Cleansing is necessary even for selenite, despite its high vibration, she says.

To cleanse your selenite:

  • Use a smudge stick and pass the crystal through the smoke.
  • Place your crystal in a bowl of dry salt.
  • Use sound vibrations from a singing bowl or bell.
  • Place your crystal in sunlight for a maximum of 30 minutes.
  • Place it in moonlight overnight.

After cleansing, it’s time to recharge your crystal. You can use a crystal charging plate or place your crystal under the sun or moonlight to soak up additional energy.

“Once your crystal is cleansed, charging your crystals will give them energy to perform at their best,” Grace explains.

The final step is activating your selenite. Grace suggests the steps below:

  1. Hold your selenite in your hand, imagining a white light surrounding it.
  2. Inhale and exhale deeply.
  3. Repeat an affirmation out loud or in your head about what you want to manifest.
  4. Then use your selenite as desired.

Possible affirmations include “I am connected” or “My energy is high vibration and moving freely,” adds Grace.

There are many ways to use selenite, including:

  • meditating while holding it
  • wearing it
  • placing it over the chakras
  • using it to cleanse other crystals

“In my work as an angelic healer and entity clearer, I use selenite as a protective layer in my healing clinic,” says Jayne. “I have [selenite] placed on my shrines in my healing clinic and in my home, as they bring peace into the home.”

Grace uses a selenite bowl to charge her crystal jewelry each night.

“It can also be used around your home to renew energy and remove any toxic buildup,” she says.

Chakras are believed to be energy centers in your body that relate to psycho-emotional functions. Some believe crystals can influence these energy centers and remove blockages.

Grace notes that selenite is associated with the crown chakra, which has to do with:

  • higher consciousness
  • manifestation
  • creative energy

Jayne notes that selenite can help form connections with the spirit world and what she calls the angelic realm.

She encourages placement at the third eye, the crown chakra, and the soul star chakra, which is said to be a chakra located outside of the body.

Jayne also suggests using selenite to calm anxiety. To do so, she sometimes places it at the solar plexus.

“It brings a calming energy and slows down the chakra if it’s spiraling out of control,” she says.

While using selenite may be a supportive complementary practice for some, it is not a replacement for anxiety treatment. Talk with a healthcare professional if you have persistent anxiety that interferes with your quality of life.

However you choose to use selenite — or any other crystal for that matter — it’s important to do your research and buy from an ethical source.

Jayne recommends independent sellers to avoid fakes. She also suggests letting your intuition guide you.

“Always allow yourself to be drawn intuitively to the seller and the crystal. Let your soul steer you to the crystal it needs right now,” she says.

Grace recommends tracing your crystal back to its source. Look for a sustainable and ethical code of conduct posted on their storefront or website.

“If in doubt, ask,” she says.

Selenite is said to be a powerful healing crystal that promotes peace and calm, mental clarity, and well-being.

It’s also believed by some that this crystal can remove negative energy and help you connect to higher realms.

There’s no evidence to support the metaphysical or healing properties of crystals. Still, you may find subjective benefits from using them in rituals and meditation practices or wearing them as jewelry.

Many people swear by crystals, and there’s no harm in giving selenite a try.


Victoria Stokes is a writer from the United Kingdom. When she’s not writing about her favorite topics, personal development, and well-being, she usually has her nose stuck in a good book. Victoria lists coffee, cocktails, and the color pink among some of her favorite things. Find her on Instagram.