Cleansing Rituals for Hearth & Home

Today, a friend of mine - let’s call her Annie - told me that her sister was experiencing paranormal disturbances. An entity seems to have attached itself to her sister - mediums and laypeople alike have confirmed sensing a very specific male figure in her presence. Annie herself glimpsed this entity in the middle of the night while her sister was visiting. Now Annie is worried about the energetic state of her home - did her sister’s ghostly stalker leave dark residue behind? Is she safe? How does she rid her home of any lingering unsavory energy?

As Annie expressed her concerns, I thought about my own ritual toolkit and what I might recommend for her situation. Personally, I have placed multiple protective layers on my home. I also habitually enact cleansing rituals as part of my daily, weekly, and monthly routines. I take great care to make my living space as sanctuary-like as possible, and that compulsion has only intensified with the pandemic-induced quarantine. I do this for my own mental health and for my overall well-being - areas in which many of us are struggling.

Even if you’re unencumbered by paranormal entities and in excellent mental health, it is always a good idea to make the space that you inhabit as comfortable, clean, and safe as possible. After all, most of us are spending more time than ever at home and winter is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. In hopes that you might find a useful tidbit or two to explore further, I thought I would share some of my own best practices for hearth-cleansing. As always, take what serves you and leave the rest behind.

Holistic approach

First of all, I see the spiritual & physical realms as intricately woven together and this certainly applies to sacred space. A room or home can be immaculately clean and decluttered, but if someone with ill intentions or bad juju is present - you can feel it in the space. Conversely, you can be a cloistered nun who prays 8 times a day and is constantly enveloped in a cloud of frankincense, but if your monastic cell is unkempt, unease will seep into your spiritual life. Bodily hygiene is as important as spiritual & mental hygiene, all of which are directly related to spatial cleanliness. Those of you who are highly sensitive know what I mean. The energy of a space qualitatively changes based on who is present and how it is kept. 

De-cluttering

I’m not saying you have to be a minimalist. Be a maximalist if you like! Just make sure that whatever you have serves a purpose - even if that purpose is as simple as adding beauty or a sense of utility or safety to your life. Also note that you are in relationship with the objects and beings that cohabitate with you! That is one of the beautiful lessons that Marie Kondo teaches - we can develop reciprocity and intimacy with “things” in a similar way that we do with people. Just as you are mindful about who you allow into your inner circle, be intentional about the items you bring into and keep in your home. Treating them well is your way of thanking them for whatever they provide you. De-cluttering is an integral way of maintaining a healthy energetic and spatial ecosystem in your home.

Sidenote - did any of you notice that the Tidying Up With Marie Kondo Netflix series eschewed the words “magic” and “art” from the show title? The original book title (from which the TV show is derived) reflects that tidying is not merely an organizational system, but also a subtle art and magical methodology.

Daily cleansing

I cleanse my space multiple ways on a daily basis. Starting on a physical level - I sweep the floor and make sure that all surfaces are clean and tidy. I try to wash dishes as I use them. Benedictine monks and nuns infuse prayer into these mundane chores. Their motto is ora et labora (pray and work). You, too, can bring mindfulness and intention to your daily physical labors. There is a wonderful book on this topic called Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life.

On a more energetic level, I use smoke, steam, and sound to clear my home. I burn incense every morning - whatever I have on hand. I also like to let herbal steam sit on the stove throughout the day if I’m going to be at home. This usually means simmering a pot of water with fresh or dry aromatic herbs or even a few drops of essential oil. In the winter months, this aromatic moisture is especially welcome and beneficial to respiratory health. Lastly, I bring sound into my space intentionally. That can range from Gregorian chant, Spanish guitar, Tibetan sound bowls, healing frequencies, classical piano and Andean flute. On Sundays, I sing my favorite hymns, icaros, and chants. When I need to clear out negativity, I shake my gourd rattle as I walk the perimeter of my apartment. For fun, I say “vade retro Satana” - which is part of the Catholic exorcism rite.

I’ll add that I make a daily offering to my ancestor altar - which bolsters my sense of well-being, safety, and connectedness to all things.

Weekly cleansing

I like efficiency. When I clean on the weekends, I layer in my spiritual work. For example, I make my own cleaning solutions out of affordable, easily obtained ingredients like white vinegar, salt, and baking soda. I blend them into magical potions by adding cascarilla powder from saved eggshells, herbs from my own porch garden, flower essences, tinctures, citrus peels I’ve saved, etc. When I’m feeling inspired, I’ll even leave my floor wash or multipurpose cleaning spray outside in the moonlight or sunlight. As I clean, I dance and sing and bring vibrant energy into my space. I always clean from the back of my space to the front door. Everything is swept outside and away. I also tie a red cloth or ribbon around my dominant hand. I learned this from Mexican curandera Erika Buenaflor - it is a Mesoamerican ritual technology that keeps you from absorbing the dirt/negativity that you are clearing out. Red textiles and red jewelry are commonly used as protective amulets in Central and South American indigenous traditions.

On Sundays, I do most of my ritual labor. I enact a solo cacao ceremony, I do my weekly divination practices, and I spruce up my altar. I take the few crystals I have outside to sunbathe. I hold each one and ask it for specific support. For example, I keep a small amethyst and clear quartz on my bedside table. I ask them for easeful sleep and peaceful nights. 

Monthly cleansing

My menstruation and the moon’s cycles keep me attuned to the monthly rhythms. I honor full and new moons in different ways based on what’s going on in my life, but I consistently clean my space and my body in special ways on these days. Sometimes a ritual bath or sprinkling of holy water is in order. Sometimes I collect my menstrual blood, dilute it, and offer it to my plants. The full and new moon phases offer powerful magic in which you can infuse yourself, your potions, and your objects. Neopagan witches call this practice “drawing down the moon.” The energy of this monthly cycle is watery & deeply emotional.

Protection

I grew up in the presence of Mother Mary. She has always been my protector. There are icons and images of her in every room. My grandmothers kept Mary on their bedside tables, and rosaries in their bedrooms. I have Marian amulets everywhere. Additionally, I make my own holy water and keep some above every threshold. Salt is another powerful protective layer, as it absorbs negativity. I have a special dish by my front door containing salt, sage, and mandrake root. I also keep a Benedictine medal given to me by my Sisters at St. Scholastica Priory above my front door. I have a lance made of chonta wood from Ecuador that I charge regularly - it is also kept near the entrance to my home. Lastly, I have an evil eye on my front door - reflecting back any ill will (whether conscious or unconscious) that is directed toward me. And of course, when I moved into this space, I cleared it extensively. 

Relationship to Earth, Nature Spirits, and Surroundings

Being connected to your surroundings and rooted to the earth can only help you. Locating yourself in space and in relationship with all that sustains you will raise your energy and protect you. Greet the sun, whisper to the wind, deliberately compost your hair and nails, make offerings to local spirits as you’re inspired. Declare your intent to do no harm...and do your best to follow through. Course-correct and learn from your mistakes. Make new mistakes next time! Add beauty wherever you go; help things grow. Ask permission and move with humility. Grow a little herb garden, support local farmers and small businesses. This kind of community and relational self-care is a daily and lifelong practice that will bring you (and your space) immeasurable peace.

That’s all I can think of right now - stay safe and be well, my friends.