TW//Indigenous violence
When you can feel that the energy in a space, your home, or yourself feels…..off, energy cleansing can spruce up the vibes.
This is perfect to do when you’re first moving into a new place, after a stressful day, a bad argument, a bad breakup or when you feel a heaviness you can’t shake. Negativity, bad vibes, and stagnant energy can linger, but it’s easy to clear out with some simple steps and good intentions.
There have been many talks recently about the over-harvesting and cultural appropriation surrounding the usage of white sage and palo santo. I encourage you, before you purchase any products to do some digging into your ancestral background.
Do some research to decipher what methods and herbs your ancestors would have used for energy cleansing. Get creative, look up the different herbs and their purposes, and match them to whatever intention you’re aiming for.
Endangered-
White sage is currently being vastly over-harvested and sold, often by people who hold zero cultural or spiritual relations to the plant or rituals with which they are performed.
The brutal colonization of Indigenous people in North America stripped them of their land, culture, and spiritual practices. Children in residential schools would face severe punishments if they were caught practicing their culture, language, or spiritual rituals.
Therefore, it is unethical for those who are unaware of the history that was endured to keep these practices alive to profit off of something because it is currently viewed as trendy and commodifiable.
With so much information at our fingertips today it shouldn’t take you too long to figure out the perfect plants and herbs for you to use.
It can also help you to feel more connected to your own culture when you’re using herbs that are linked to your lineage. Another thing to consider is where you are purchasing from.
Are they gathering these supplies ethically and sustainably? If possible, could you grow herbs yourself and make bundles? You’ll want to approach energy cleansing in as respectful a way as possible without culturally appropriating and endangering the sacred plant.
Below are just some examples of the many other plant medicines available.
Alternatives to White Sage
-Cedar
-Lavender
-Mugwort
-Cinnamon
-Rosemary
-Mint
-Sandalwood
-Sweetgrass
-Tobacco
-Basil
-Frankincense
-Cloves
-Pine
-Juniper
Now let’s jump into how to properly perform an energy cleanse. When doing a ritual like this, it’s a good idea to prep yourself and the space around you. Taking a bit of time to prepare yourself and your environment will make for a more effective and energizing cleansing.
Give Yourself Time-
You won’t want to rush this process. Don’t do this if you’re pressed for time and will have to rush out after. You’ll want to have enough time so that you’re in a calm headspace and not checking the clock every five minutes. If you don’t feel like you’ll have enough time to perform the energy cleansing slowly and calmly, then plan to wait for another time when you do.
Tidy Up-
When doing energy work make sure your space is tidy. It doesn’t need to be spotless but clean in general. Beds should be made, things should be picked up off the floor and put into their place, dishes should be done, etc.
When a room is messy the energy feels messy. Therefore doing an energy cleansing won’t feel like it has the same effect. By taking it seriously it shows respect to the ritual.
Meditate-
Meditating daily is a great idea, especially right before doing energy work. You’ll want to have a calmer mind so that you can focus on your intention, affirmations, and breathing.
Your to-do list shouldn’t be your main thought while trying to create a more peaceful and harmonious environment. Meditating prior can help to settle your mind and raise your vibration to call in the positive vibes you’re trying to invoke into your space.
Check Fire Hazards-
If you’re working with smoke tie any long hair back, open up windows, and wear tight-fitting clothes. Take note of where your smoke alarms are located so that you steer clear of those areas as much as possible.
Nothing can kill the vibe during an energy cleansing like a smoke alarm. When working with smoke and fire always double check for any potential fire hazards so that you keep yourself and your space as safe as possible.
Intentions Intentions-
What are you hoping to gain from this ritual? Are you focused more on getting rid of negative energy, calling in abundance, or enhancing your intuition? Figure out your main intention for the energy cleansing before starting. It’s also good to have an affirmation that matches up with your intention.
Do a web search to find an affirmation that resonates with you or write your own. Write it down on a small piece of paper so you can read it out loud during the cleansing without forgetting. Keep it short and simple, something you can easily remember and repeat.
Mood-
If you want to go the extra step, take a couple of minutes to set up the perfect atmosphere. Play soft music, light candles, plug in your diffuser, light incense, and set out your favourite crystals (if you have them) to create a relaxing setting.
Ready to Cleanse-
Once you’ve done all your prepping, you’re ready to begin. Grab your fire-resistant bowl or shell to catch any dripping embers, a feather if you have one, and your herb bundle. Bring the lighter with you in case at any point the smoke goes out so you can easily relight wherever you are.
Begin first by clearing your energy. Start down by your feet, working up your legs, torso, arms, and head (please be careful) while repeating your affirmation.
Start at the door and work in a clockwise motion. If you have a basement, start at the lowest level of your home and work your way up. Get into all the nooks and crannies of your space like cupboards, closets, corners, etc. Repeat your affirmations out loud if possible while working around the rooms.
When finished either extinguish the stick in a bowl of sand or dirt or let the smoke die out on its own if you’ll be around to carefully watch. If you haven’t already, open up any closed windows or doors to let the smoke billow out.
After you’ve finished the energy cleansing take a moment to reflect. Sit down and journal about the experience or anything else on your mind. Do a few minutes of meditating, stretching, or take a bath. Now would be the perfect time to practice some self-care.
Conclusion-
There is no specific amount of times you should be doing energy cleansing. By listening to your body and soul you’ll know when the time is right. If you’re moving, going through a breakup, or finishing a stressful school semester are some examples of when it’s a good time to do this routine.
We can all benefit from doing energy work and cleansing any negative and/or stuck energy from our lives. But, with that being said, we must be practicing in a way that is respectful and does not further perpetuate cultural appropriation.
Life can get hard, people can argue, and energy can affect you. Any empaths or sensitive people out there know. Sometimes you can be taking on someone else energy and mistake it for your own without even realizing it. This practice will help to keep your energy your own.
Hopefully, you use these techniques whenever you feel called to perform an energy-cleansing ritual. I hope that it can help add some positive energy to your life!
