How
to Perform a Cleaning Ritual
It's a good idea to cleanse the
psychic energy of your living space when you first move to a new place and a
few times throughout the year. If you or someone you know is having difficulty
in some area of their life, or had a traumatic or unsettling incident occur in
their home, a cleansing can also be beneficial.
Steps
·
Get
rid of clutter. Clutter is one of the major offenders when it comes to blocked
or sluggish energy in your home. Recycle that collection of old newspapers and
magazines (and consider cancelling subscriptions), clean out your closets and
drawers (get rid of anything you haven't worn or used for more than a year),
and weed through your collection of books, music, and other media.
·
Clean
the place thoroughly. Dust and dirt have an effect on the psyche. Break out the
vacuum cleaner, the broom, the dustpan, and the mop!
·
If
you have just moved to a new home that has a bad aura or a very negative feel,
wash any wood surfaces and floors with mild witch hazel diluted with water: 10
to 1 mix.
·
Move
in a circular motion through your home. Now that you've gotten rid of your
clutter, it should be easier to clean the floors -- always a good starting
point for a thorough housecleaning. You may choose to move in either a
clockwise (deosil) or counter-clockwise (widdershins) direction through your
home. If you move clockwise, concentrate on bringing in lightness, peace,
clarity, serenity, prosperity, or whatever positive energy you wish for into
your home: the emphasis for this direction is on invoking, or inviting in. If
you move counter clockwise, concentrate on banishing dirt, old memories,
dustiness, mustiness, and blocked energy: the emphasis is on banishing, or
pushing out.
·
Make
sure to sweep the doorways and steps of your front and back entrances.
·
Put
one of the following into the soapy water you use to mop your floors. If you
have carpets, consider making a small mixture and sprinkling or spraying it on
the floors after vacuuming. Just a few drops of the essential oils will
suffice: Salt (purifying and grounding); Sage essential oil (purifying); Lemon
essential oil (gives energy and a clean smell); Patchouli (brings prosperity --
go extra light on this); Pine (brings prosperity and love)
·
Don't
forget to wipe down surfaces, clean mirrors, and de-clutter your bureau and
desk. If necessary, get a box and place all your old mail and bills in it. You
can go through your papers later, but looking at them night and day can be a
constant source of stress.
·
Once
you've gotten rid of all the dust and clutter and your floors and surfaces are
shining and clean, you should already be feeling better. Use one or more of the
following methods to clean out any lingering stagnant energy:* Burn white sage
and waft the smoke around your house in a counter clockwise motion, banishing
old, stuck energy from your home. Always burn herbs with a fire safe container!
Ring a bell or a rattle through your home, again in counter clockwise motion.
Yell, clap your hands, stamp your feet, and laugh.
·
When
you feel that your home has been thoroughly cleansed, say in a strong, clear
voice, "My home is cleared of all negative energy. Let it be a place of
peace, serenity, love, and prosperity."
·
Seal
your home against negative energies by doing one or more of the following:
·
Using
a wand, sketch a pentacle in the invoking direction at each of your home's
entrances (windows, doors, etc). Don't forget the door to the basement or
garage!
·
Sprinkle
salt water around the outside walls of your home.
·
Place
a penny (right side up) in each of the outside corners of your home.
·
Place
a protective symbol--such as a mirror, a household god, or a broom - at or near
your front and back doors. It's best to use the symbol most closely aligned
with your own ethnic heritage.
Tips
I place a symbol of
happiness/spiritual at each entrance into the house
"Let no sadness come through
this door, Let no trouble come to this dwelling, Let no fear come through this
door, Let no conflict be in this place, Let this home be filled with the blessing
of joy, and peace."
Light the sage.
After a good cleaning, choose a
time when the energy is low, usually an early evening. Usually 2 or more people
should be present. Only positive energy is allowed during cleansing. Children
and pets should be removed.
If others are joining you in the
ceremony they must participate with you in kind. Do not permit negativity or scepticism
to cloud this ritual.
Envision the space within you and
around you filled with light, a protective, healing and positive light. Think
of the light as a shield against dark forces and negative energy. Send up a
prayer asking for what you wish to accomplish with the ceremony (e.g.
cleansing, harmony, protection, purification of self and/or space, healing,
blessing a new home).
As the smoke begins to lift, gently
circle your hands through the smoke toward you and around you. Then, slowly
carry the smudge to every part of the room, ensuring the smoke reaches every
corner. Be sure to allow the smoke to trace around the edges of the walls and
particularly around the frames of doors and windows; criss-cross the threshold.
While you do this, keep your mind
centered on positive thoughts and energy. Focus on what you seek with this
ritual. You may recite a special prayer or mantra to assist.
When you have completed the ritual
remove the smudge from the room and carefully extinguish what is left.
If you have a smudge stick with
remaining length, save it for future use. Or, if you have a fireplace, you may
allow any remaining loose sage or the end of a smudge stick to completely burn
out there.