Why Spiritual Cleansing Is Important
When I first started on my mental health journey, I realized how important and powerful the act of spiritually cleansing your living space can be. A physically clean space makes a huge difference in moods, productivity, and more. A spiritually clean space allows for personal growth and should be on the list of things to do to help you on your self-improvement journey. See my post on self-care to get started on your own journey.
Imagine a room with dirty laundry everywhere, cups piling up the nightstand, papers strewn about. Now, imagine the feeling of this room suddenly clean! What was once overwhelming and repulsive becomes inviting. It now gives off a feeling of satisfaction and ease. We can say the same thing about energy or the spirit. Think about all of the things that happen in a single home or living space. Arguments, work, children, parents, among many other stressors, can affect your home’s energy. This also includes the energies that we pick up when we are out and about. Have you ever gone to the store, only to come back irritated? It’s because our bodies pick up and latch on to the energies around us! This is why it is so important to implement spiritual cleansing in your home!
I find that spiritually cleansing my space once a week usually keeps my home positive, but there are definitely times (especially working remotely) that I may need an extra boost. I usually like to cleanse after physically cleaning, but sometimes cleaning isn’t necessary to refresh the energy.
What Exactly Is “Spiritual Cleansing”?
Many people also refer to spiritual home cleansing as “smudging.” This is certainly a type of cleansing, which uses sage. Because smudging is typically done as a spiritual ritual in the Native American community, it is usually considered a “closed practice.” This means that only people who are specifically trained in the act of smudging are supposed to perform the smudging ritual.
Using sage to spiritually cleanse, however, does not mean you are smudging. There is a lot of debate on whether or not using sage in itself should be closed. Because of the popularity of cleansing rituals, white sage has been considered an endangered species and should be purchased cautiously. Some small farmers grow sage and sell it for spiritual practices, and if you want to purchase sage, this is the direction I would recommend. It is important to note that sage is similar to a spiritual bleach. It removes ALL energy from the space, where other methods remove negativity and replace it with positive and protecting qualities.
If I have you on the fence about sage, not to worry- There are other methods of spiritually cleansing your home that does not require the use of sage (or smoke at all)! I will explain below in my 3 ways to cleanse your living space! Don’t forget to scroll all the way down for extra tips!
Smoke Cleansing
This is probably the one that most people think of when spiritually cleansing a space. We already talked about the implications of sage, but there are other amazing herbs you can use that will get the job done!
Rosemary and lavender are great alternatives to sage. There are other herbs like sweetgrass that you can use for smoke cleansing, too! You can find bundles of these herbs off sites like Etsy or through local metaphysical shops. For the environmentally conscious, check the descriptions and reviews to make sure they are ethically sourced.
Palo Santo is another popular smoke cleansing tool. I prefer the smell of Palo Santo, and it also has elements of good energy and protection properties. There is some debate online if this is ethical because a species of Palo Santo is endangered. However, it is not the same species that you find for cleansing.
I love using incense as a way to cleanse the energy. Dragon’s Blood is popular for its protective qualities. Jasmine is a wonderful floral scent that also releases positive energy. Incense is also great because they make specific burners to help keep the cleanup easy and are generally safer than burning the herbs outright.
WARNING: With burning anything, always remember: safety first. Make sure any incense is in a proper burner, or if you are burning herbs to use something that is flame resistant to catch the ash. If you live in an apartment or dorm do not burn herbs or incense if it is against your lease.
Sound Cleansing
I love this method because it’s easy and cheap. Sound has proven effects on our bodies and mental states. Certain frequencies can program our brains to feel more at peace, energetic, or motivated. Sound is an amazing way to spiritually cleanse the energy in your home.
There are loads of youtube videos that have home cleansing frequencies. I love putting these on in the background while I clean and during meditation.
Some people use Himalayan singing bowls to create a frequency throughout their homes and living spaces. Other people may use bells or wind chimes. In fact, wind chimes used to be a way that people would ward off evil spirits.
Another, simpler way to clear out negative energy with sound is clapping your hands! Get the stagnant energy moving from room corners by loudly clapping or singing in those areas.
Auric Spray Cleansing
Auric sprays are a wonderful way to spiritually cleanse your space discreetly. Auric sprays use crystals and essential oils infused with water (use moon water to make it even more potent!) so you can spray and cleanse your aura. I love this method because not many people question a nice smelling spray! You can purchase pre-made auric sprays, but they are easy to make as well! I like to use moon water in mine to give it an extra boost of protection.
Here is an article on easy Auric Spray recipes.
Bonus Cleansing Tips:
When cleansing, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.
- Open a window- You have to let the negative energy out somehow. If you are cleansing and there is nowhere for the negative energy to go, it remains stagnant! Open doors and windows to release the negativity, and it will also bring fresh air back into the space.
- Safety first- as mentioned above, especially when working with fire, keep safety your top priority. This also goes with allergies. If you or someone in your home is sensitive to smoke or smells, the best route may be doing a sound ritual instead. If you have certain allergies, check the ingredients and essential oils in any Auric Spray or Incense. Small animals may be sensitive to smoke so be sure to have them exit the area before smoke cleansing. Certain essential oils may also be toxic to small animals, so make sure you research the ingredients around dogs and cats first.
- Have fun with it and make it your own- There is no “one way” to cleanse your space. What may feel liberating and freeing to one person can feel like a chore and an annoyance to another. Cleansing your energy should feel good and be something that you enjoy and look forward to. If you want to just sit and meditate on positive energy flowing through your home, and that works for you- then you already have your home cleansing ritual!
- Cleansing your space is the perfect way to begin a New Moon or Full Moon Ritual!
How do you cleanse your home’s energy? If you have any extra tips, let me know down in the comments below!
Oooo I love this. I don’t want to set off my smoke detector and didn’t know about the sprays. I’ll have to look more into that! 🙂
Yeah! You can also buy pre-made ones from metaphysical shops and online!