Out with the Old and In with the New
Many of us ring in the new year with celebrations, resolutions, or intentions. Other people choose to pray, meditate, or perform rituals releasing the old and welcoming the new. It doesn’t really matter what you do or if you do anything at all, but a lot of us find ourselves cleaning at the beginning of the year because we don’t know what to do with all the newly acquired goodies we received during the holidays. What do you think of when I mention the act of cleaning? I suspect most of you associate cleaning with picking things up and putting them back where they belong, decluttering closets and work areas, getting rid of unwanted clothes or items, reorganizing your living space and things of that nature. It’s all good. We instantly feel better when our environment is clear of clutter and things are in order. But have you ever given any thought to cleaning or clearing the energy that surrounds you? Don’t roll your eyes just yet, hear me out.
Energy is all around us and we are made up of energy, correct? It stands to reason that energy can get stuck or dirty just like we can. Negative or stagnant energy also affects our home or work environments. A quick way to understand this concept is the feeling you get when you walk into a room and can literally feel the tension in the air. You may not know any details about it but you can seriously sense something isn’t right. Now think back to a time when you walked into a room and everyone was laughing and enjoying their time together. Maybe it was a celebration of some sort or just a family dinner. Either way, you felt good while you were there. This is a simple explanation of how energy plays a role in our lives.
Energy Matters
Let’s go back to the idea of cleaning our home. When it’s dirty, we feel agitated. When it’s clean we feel calm. Energy works in the same way and responds to our own vibrations. We attract more of what we are feeling and thinking, which is why it is important to keep our vibrations higher rather than lower. If we are going through something challenging or traumatic, we are essentially inviting that frequency to seep into the energy fields around us if we are not mindful of how we let it affect us. We will carry it with us like an invisible cloak and it will eventually weigh us down. Energy is also manipulated by other people who enter our space. Have you ever heard someone say: Being around that person makes my skin crawl? This is how powerful energy is but don’t let it scare you. There are simple and easy things you can do to maintain balance in and around you.
When Should I Clear My Space?
Just like we clean our home, we can clean ourselves and the energetic spaces we live in. There are no rules for how often you should give your home’s energy a cleansing but here is a short list of suggestions:
After you or someone in your home has been ill
Feeling like your home isn’t your sanctuary anymore
After a fight with your partner
Following heartbreak or a painful experience
Following the loss of a loved one or pet
Feeling like you’re stuck and can’t get out of your own way
During major life transitions – good and bad
At the beginning of the new year
As the seasons change
When you wish to invite new opportunities into your life
Ways to Clear Your Space
My favorite way to cleanse my home and my body is by smudging. Smudging is an ancient ritual, which involves burning sacred herbs such as white sage or Palo Santo sticks to energetically cleanse a person or space. Herbs must be burned in a fire-safe bowl or shell. I typically walk around and gently blow or push the smoke around the room being mindful to address each corner of the room or the cardinal directions. If I am cleansing myself or someone else, I move the sage or Palo Santo around the body, above the head, and below the feet. As with any cleansing, set your intentions with positive thoughts and affirmations.
Crystals and stones carry powerful energy. They are so beautiful to look at and each one possesses unique properties. Research one that enhances or embodies the qualities you wish to attract into your home and strategically place them in the areas of your home you want to purify. If you aren’t sure where to start, crystal quartz has amazing qualities and is easily accessible. It can be used for multiple reasons and all you need to do is intend for it to be used for whatever purpose you need at the time. I use it for spiritual practices, to amplify and clarify my mental thoughts, for protection and warding off negative energy, and to aid with inspiration. Crystal quartz resonates with all the chakras, so it’s an overall excellent stone to own. Just be warned that once you enter the world of stones and crystals, you will certainly start acquiring more and more!
Burning incense is another fragrant way to enhance moods or clear space. Incense comes in many forms and fragrances. Choose one that pleases you or invokes the energy you want to experience. I use incense in the morning before I start my day. Sometimes I meditate and pray. Other times, I just watch the smoke as it rises into the room and allow whatever feelings and thoughts come to me.
Putting sea salt in shallow dishes in each of the cardinal directions or corners of your home is another way to purify and cleanse your space. If you have an altar, you may set a dish upon it as well. If you sense that your entire home needs to cleansed of negative energy, you can put a thin line of salt around the outside of your home and the doorway to your entrance. Himalayan salt lamps are another good choice. They create a soft ambiance in your room and may help to purify and improve the quality of air in the room.
None of these practices should feel like a chore and can easily be incorporated into your normal routines. With 2023 just beginning, you have some resources under your belt to help keep your mind, body, and living spaces protected, cleared, and cleansed of negativity and stagnant energy. See what works for you. I believe you will feel better when you try some of these options as the year unfolds.
