Cleansing

We are surrounded by different energetic influences that can have a harmful or generally unwanted impact on our energy and lives. A common misconception is unwanted or harmful energies are evil or should be feared which I, personally, do not believe. Cleansing practices are less about removing an evil spirits/energy and more as clearing out any unhelpful energetic influences that are taking up space where more positive or supportive energy could be thriving. Spiritual/energetic cleansing practices allows us to remove those energetic influences by banishing the unwanted energy and purifying the energic field of whatever it is we are cleansing, whether that be our own energy, the energy of our environment, or any of the tools we use for divination, spell work, energy healing, etc.. These energetic influences can include energy from other people (either sent consciously or unconsciously), spirits, residual energies from places we’ve been or other energies encountered, and even the energy cultivated from our own fears, insecurities, unhealthy habits, and thought processes which can create a very unhealthy energetic environment within us and around us. There are many ways to cleanse ranging from more practical practices to more complex rituals, but regardless of your preferences, having a sustainable routine with cleansing is an important pillar to maintaining your spiritual health.

WHEN TO CLEANSE

Cleansing needs will vary depending on what you do, where you go, and what your protection practices look like. Those who are more energetically sensitive will benefit from a more regular cleansing routine as well as anyone doing any psychic or spiritual work to ensure a clear connection and disconnection from the energies involved. Some other important times to cleanse are:

• After visiting highly populated or spiritually active spaces - stores, concerts/events, hospitals, nursing homes, cemeteries

• Before and after spiritual/energy work - psychic work,  mediumship, energy healing, spell work, etc.

• Before and after using any spiritual tools - tarot/oracle cards, runes, pendulums, crystals, charms, and anything else used in magical workings and energy healings

• After any major expressions or purging of more difficult emotions - crying, arguments, etc.

• After having visitors in the home or visiting others outside the home, especially if they don’t have your best interest at heart.

Finding a cleansing routine that fits your lifestyle will ensure that the unwanted/harmful effects of these and any other energetic influence don’t impact you, especially when paired with other practices that help you maintain your spiritual health. If you aren’t sure how often you would benefit from cleansing, here are some signs that it’s time to cleanse yourself and your environment.

SIGNS TO CLEANSE

1. Feeling drained/low energy/unmotivated/uninspired

2. Unexplained emotional changes (randomly feeling down, irritable, etc.)

3. Insecurities/fears/intrusive thoughts heightened (anxiety/paranoia/self doubt)

4. Changes in sleep (too much or too little)

5. Feeling disconnected from intuition/guides

6. Inaccurate or unclear messages (divination tools, psychic senses, etc.)

7. String of unlucky events

8. Feeling blocked or stagnant

9. Seeing flies - especially if they seem to be bothering you or catching your attention a lot

Disclaimer: Spiritual health practices are intended to be in addition to standard mental/physical health care. Please tend to your physical/mental health first and foremost.

CLEANSING PRACTICES

Some circumstances will need a stronger cleansing practice in order to fully overcome or remove the unwanted energy but that’s not to imply that the simplest practices aren’t powerful; some energies are just more stubborn usually due to our own attachments. No matter what the circumstances are, it’s best to start simple and add from there until the energy is fully cleared. Some circumstances also benefit from a layered or more consistent approach like doing a practice a set amount of times or utilizing a set of practices in a certain order to fully clear out some energies. Regardless, it’s important to find cleansing practices that are sustainable and effective with your lifestyle. 

TIP: Before cleansing, take a moment to call your energy back and ground your energy and awareness in the present moment for a more thorough, powerful cleansing practice.

1. VISUALIZATION/MEDITATION

   Visualization and meditation practices are the most accessible method when it comes to cleansing and managing your spiritual health in general because it requires nothing besides your own power. There are many guided meditation and visualization practices available online to teach you how to do this for yourself which gives you a variety to choose from and can all be easily tailored to your preferences and needs.

2. SOUND CLEANSING

   A simple cleansing method is using sound from sound bowls, bells, or the ever accessible YouTube healing frequencies to help clear out old stagnant energy. I use this for cleansing my tools, to refresh my energy, to recenter and regulate, and as a layer or a step in my other cleansing practices to build up the energy of my intention.

3. SMOKE CLEANSING

   I use smoke cleansing the same way I do sound cleansing; to clean my spiritual tools, to renew my energy, to ground, and to add to other practices, like meditation, deeper purification practices, and to prepare for spiritual work. White sage and palo santo are commonly suggested for smoke cleansing, but I belief their virality have caused damage to those resources, which is why I suggest using rosemary, frankincense, and lavender for cleansing instead.

4. WATER/PURIFICATION BATHS

   Water is associated with purification and renewal on its own which makes it very helpful when it comes to cleansing practices, especially if you’re looking emotional renewal. Water is very easy to charge with intention by either speaking into it, or mixing it with other plants, salts, and herbal waters which can be used to make spiritual baths or cleansing washes for your home or spiritual tools. One of the simplest ways to use water for cleansing is to take an intentionally cleansing shower.

5. CLEANSING CANDLE

   Candle workings can be helpful for an extra thorough cleanse or when you’re trying to cleanse yourself of something more targeted or specific. You can prepare a candle with different herbs and oils to light when you need to refresh the energy or to light when doing other cleansing practices.

THANK YOU FOR READING!