How to Activate Black Tourmaline

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: January 18, 2023 References

Black tourmaline is an incredible addition to your crystal collection. To optimize this crystal's power, it's important to activate it first. In this article, we'll cover all the best ways to activate black tourmaline and share different ways you can use it. We'll also note the benefits of black tourmaline and explain how to cleanse your crystal so it maintains its power. Read on to unlock the potential of black tourmaline!

Section 1 of 4:

How do I cleanse black tourmaline?

Perform a cleansing ritual to strip it of negative or residual energy. Remove any energy that your crystal has absorbed—others might've handled it or it may have been around negative forces. Light a smudge stick or incense and pass the crystal through the smoke to cleanse it.^{[1]
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- Cleanse your black tourmaline so you can access all its healing properties.
- Purify your crystal after anyone handles it or if you’ve been around toxic energy.
- Use a cleansing ritual at least once a month—purify a black tourmaline more frequently, like biweekly, if you rely on it for many spells.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 4:

Ways to Activate Black Tourmaline

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Place black tourmaline in sunlight for 20 minutes. Set it on the windowsill—it’ll receive sunlight even on a cloudy day. Avoid leaving it out for more than 20 minutes so your crystal won’t get sun bleached and lose its color. When you pick it up, your black tourmaline will be charged with the Sun's power.^{[3]
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2
Set black tourmaline in moonlight overnight. Wait for a lunar phase that's significant to you, like the full moon. Place your crystal on a windowsill where it can be bathed by the moonlight. Leave it there for an entire evening to charge it with the Moon’s power.^{[4]
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Bury your black tourmaline in soil for 1 day. Go outside, dig up a hole, and place your crystal inside it. Cover it with dirt, then mark where you left it so it's easy to find. For example, place a statuette of a deity next to it. After a day, scoop out the dirt over your crystal—it’ll be charged with grounding earth energy.^{[5]
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4
Rub black tourmaline in your hands for 1-5 minutes. Concentrate on your intention, clap, and rub your hands vigorously to summon your own energy. Then, pick up your crystal and hold it while you continue to focus on what to manifest. Warm it with your body heat to charge it with your inner power.^{[6]
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5
Smudge your black tourmaline with a sage stick for 20 seconds. Choose a smudge stick or make your own with properties you want to activate within your crystal. Pass it through smoke to charge it with protective energy.^{[7]
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- For example, light a lavender smudge stick to bless your crystal with serenity.

Section 3 of 4:

Benefits of Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline is best known for its protective magic. Not only does it ward off negative energy from others, but it also repels harmful forces in the environment around you. It's also associated with the "root chakra" and the element of earth, so it promotes balance. Black tourmaline is helpful for:^{[8]
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- Banishing negative thoughts
- Cleansing toxic energy
- Blessing a space
- Releasing stressors
- Increasing physical vitality
- Healing emotional wounds

Section 4 of 4:

How to Use Black Tourmaline

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Program black tourmaline with an intention so your crystal serves you. Close your eyes, hold your crystal, and reflect on how its special properties can support your goals. Declare what you’ll manifest with this stone of purification and direct it to aid you with your spiritual journey.^{[9]
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Research source} Once you complete this ritual, your black tourmaline will be bound to you. State an intention like:^{[10]
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- "I call on your calming properties to perfect my public speaking skills."
- "I ask for your balancing powers so I achieve harmony in my love life."
- "I seek your protective qualities to feel emotionally safe after my breakup."
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Wear your charged black tourmaline for a week to fully connect with it. Bring it along with you to strengthen its influence on your life. Place it in your pocket, keep it in a bag, or turn it into jewelry. When you carry it for seven days, you'll connect with your crystal so you can perform spells with it more easily.^{[11]
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Place black tourmaline on your body to promote wellness. Since the crystal is capable of profound healing, reflect on where you need this energy the most. An activated black tourmaline can support bodily health, or ward off psychological distress and helps help protect you from negative energy. Place your crystal:^{[12]
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- On your forehead to recover from headaches or negative thoughts.
- Over your heart to heal from a breakup or emotional distress.
- Over your lymph node to promote hormonal balance.
- On top of any sore spots or injuries to encourage recovery.
- Under your pillow to protect yourself from nightmares.
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Use black tourmaline to ward off bad energy from spaces. Channel this crystal’s protective powers and perform a simple shielding spell. All you have to do is set it down in a place where you’d like to call in safety and security. Put your black tourmaline:^{[13]
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- By your front door to ward off radiation and pollution.
- Near your devices to absorb electromagnetic frequencies.
- In your workspace to block out self-doubt.
- Inside your car to keep yourself safe as you drive.
5
Consecrate your crystal as a sacred tool so it carries divine energy. Find a place where you can clear your thoughts and give your spell all your attention. Hold up your black tourmaline and focus on it. Announce that it’s tied to your spiritual journey and dedicate it to a powerful force:^{[14]
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- "I make this offering to the forces of good so that I may always be kind and just."
- "May Artemis bless this crystal and allow me to be courageous in her honor."
- "Krishna, I honor you with this tribute so I may follow my bliss with a pure heart."

Expert Q&A

Question

How does black tourmaline work?

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Jennifer McVey is a Spiritualist, Seer, and the Spiritual Director of Spiritual Answers and Solutions. With more than 22 years of experience, she specializes in manifesting, ghosts and spirit attachments, hypnotherapy, channeling, and spiritually based life coaching. Jennifer has also published 13 Affirmation Image and six Word Search Puzzle books in spirituality and self-help and has produced over 600 audio sessions.

Jennifer McVey, Cht

Spiritual Director

Expert Answer

Think of it like a black hole: it soaks everything up. That's what you want black stones to do—to draw negative energy out or away from you (thereby protecting you).
Question

How can you tell if black tourmaline is real?

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Jennifer McVey is a Spiritualist, Seer, and the Spiritual Director of Spiritual Answers and Solutions. With more than 22 years of experience, she specializes in manifesting, ghosts and spirit attachments, hypnotherapy, channeling, and spiritually based life coaching. Jennifer has also published 13 Affirmation Image and six Word Search Puzzle books in spirituality and self-help and has produced over 600 audio sessions.

Jennifer McVey, Cht

Spiritual Director

Expert Answer

You should be able to feel the difference if you're in a store. Fake rocks (like rocks made with plastic or resin) have a different feel to them. Also, keep in mind that real stones never look perfect.