WITCHCRAFT 101 : CLEANSING
Hello everyone ! It is been a while since I posted something, so I decided to write an article about cleansing. However, everything I wrote is based by my own believes and my personnal practice : if you disagree with something I say or if you want to add something, feel free to leave a comment with your remarks. I am only starting to consider myself as an advanced witch and I am completely aware that I can do mistakes. My first desire is to learn from my mistakes.
What is cleansing and how it is different from cleaning ?
Cleansing is the act of purifying a space or an object from any negative, bad or unwanted energies that would interfere into your spellwork. This action aims to get rid of any residual energies, repulse unwanted guests such as entities from the other world, spirits, demons (although this won’t be enough alone)… It differs from cleaning.
Why is it important to cleanse ?
It is important as you don’t want any energy/entity/… to interfere during your spell or in your daily life. For example, when moving into a new house or before performing a spell. The reason is the same : to get rid off of any energies that would still be there. For the house, to repulse any energy left by the previous inhabitant of the said house, but also to prepare the space for a warding. When about to perform a spell, to let go of the previous energy I called upon during a spell I did before.
What are the different ways to cleanse ?
Each methods of cleansing has their own advantages but also their inconveniences. Here are some of the ways I learned about :
SMOKE OF HERBS AND INCENSE : One of the most well-known way to cleanse a space is to use the smoke from incense or herbs. Light the incense or burn the herbs then guide the smoke in the area.
Pros : It’s a popular practice and easy to do, the possibility to match the incense or herbs to your intents either purify a space or consecrate a space for the spell that will be cast, a good offering for deities and spirits. It also smell very good.
Cos : some herbs like Palo Santo and White Sage endangered other species and ecosystems due to their overuse. Also, there is practices from closed cultures such as smudging that cannot be done by people that do not belong to the culture. I urge you to do researches about cultural appropriation for this reason. If you live with some people that do not like the smell of incense or have medical breathing issues, this won’t be a good idea at all too.
CLEANING : Although there is a huge difference between cleansing a space before or after a ritual or a spell and tidying your room, cleaning -when intended to be a form of purification- can do wonders.
Pros : The perfect alternative for closet witches, discreet and not suspicious for non-witches. You can add certain oils in the water you use to mop the floor, grounded coffee to clean leather-made fourniture… You can pretend that you prefer more ecological ways to clean your house !
Cons : You must have some knowledge in the different ways to make your own cleaning products -if you want to make them yourself-, which can sometimes seem complicated depending of the recipe you chose. If you use essential oils, be careful about the one you want to use as some aren’t safe for skin and/or pets.
SPRAY : Another affordable way to cleanse a space is to create a water-based solution you will spray around you and the space you want to cleanse.
Pros :Easy to make, smells great too ; you can use essential oils, herbs and crystals that will match your intent.
Cons : Be cautious on the herbs, oils and crystals you use as not all of them are safe to use (selenite dissolves in water and becomes toxic, some herbs are poisonous, certain oils aren’t safe to be used around pets…). Always do some researches before making one !
MUSIC AND SOUNDS : Music and sounds are made out of the vibration of frequencies in the air. So, playing certains frequencies in a room you want to cleanse will also work of those energies. You can also use the chimes of a bell, your own voice in order to sing, or an instrument.
Pros : There is a great amount of playlists on Youtube, Spotify and Deezer compilig many songs made out of those perticular frequencies ; it helps also with meditation and… Everyone likes music, right ?
Cons : Not everyone likes music, in fact. And not everyone likes to meditate with sound too. If you live with your family or a roommate, they may not like it. Also, you may be self-conscious about your voice or your skill when playing an instrument which will make you nervous. (It is my case)
CRYSTALS : Some crystals are known to attract certains things to the owner of the stone (love and friedship for rose quartz, focus with tiger eyes…), and some others are known to help to purify and protect a space by absorbing energies such as clear quartz or obsidian.
Pros : They are elegantly pretty and various, some are affordable
Cons : Among the fact that some crystals can be pretty expensive or will need a bigger amount of cleansing -because crystals needs to be cleanse more or less often- it also require child labour and poor wages for the minners that collect them. Please, be cautious about that, inform yourself on the business behind and try to purchase from equitable suppliers as much as possible.
If I forgot to add a method or if I did a mistake somewhere, please do not hesitate to leave a comment or to send me a DM.
I hope that this will help some of you. May your days be blessed and your lives safe from any harm.
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