Cleansing

Mar 5

We are surrounded by different energetic influences that can have a harmful or generally unwanted impact on our energy and lives, including the energies we cultivate ourselves through our thoughts and actions. Spiritual/energetic cleansing practices allows us to remove those energetic influences by banishing the unwanted energy and purifying the energy of whatever it is we are cleansing, whether that be our own energy, the energy of our environment, or any of the tools we use for divination, spell work, energy healing, etc.. These energetic influences can include energy from other people (either sent consciously or unconsciously), spirits, residual energies from places we’ve been or other energies encountered, and even the energy cultivated from our own fears, insecurities, unhealthy habits, and thought processes which can create a very unhealthy energetic environment within us and around us. A common misconception is unwanted or harmful energies are evil or should be feared which I, personally, do not believe. Cleansing practices are less about removing an evil spirits/energy and more as clearing out any unhelpful energetic influences that are taking up space where more positive or supportive energy could be thriving. There are many ways to cleanse ranging from more practical practices to more complex rituals, but regardless of your preferences, having a sustainable routine with cleansing is an important pillar to maintaining your spiritual health.

WHEN TO CLEANSE

Cleansing needs will vary depending on what you do, where you go, and what your protection practices look like. Those more open psychically or empathically will benefit from a more regular cleansing routine as well as anyone doing any psychic or spiritual work to ensure a clear connection and disconnection from the energies involved so nothing lingers and negatively affects you moving forward. Some other notable times where cleansing is important and/or beneficial would be:

After visiting highly populated or spiritually active spaces - stores, concerts/events, hospitals, nursing homes, cemeteries
Before and after spiritual/energy work - psychic work, mediumship, energy healing, spell work, etc.
Before and after using any spiritual tools - tarot/oracle cards, runes, pendulums, crystals, charms, and anything else used in magical workings and energy healings
After any major expressions or purging of more difficult emotions - crying, arguments, etc.
After having visitors in the home or visiting others outside the home, especially if they don’t have your best interest at heart.

Finding a cleansing routine that fits your lifestyle will ensure that the unwanted/harmful effects of these and any other energetic influence don’t impact you, especially when paired with other practices that help you maintain your spiritual health. If you aren’t sure how often you would benefit from cleansing, here are some signs that it’s time to cleanse yourself and your environment.

SIGNS TO CLEANSE

Feeling drained/low energy/unmotivated/uninspired
Unexplained emotional changes (randomly feeling down, irritable, etc.)
Insecurities/fears/intrusive thoughts heightened (anxiety/paranoia/self doubt)
Changes in sleep (too much or too little)
Feeling disconnected from intuition/guides
Inaccurate or unclear messages (divination tools, psychic senses, etc.)
String of unlucky events
Feeling blocked or stagnant
Seeing fruit flies - especially if they seem to be bothering you or highlighted to you in some way

Disclaimer: Spiritual health practices are intended to be in addition to standard mental/physical health care. Please tend to your physical/mental health first and foremost.

CLEANSING PRACTICES

Some circumstances will need a stronger cleansing practice in order to fully overcome or remove the unwanted energy but that’s not to imply that the simplest practices aren’t powerful; some energies are just more stubborn usually due to our own attachments. No matter what the circumstances are, it’s best to start simple and add from there until the energy is fully cleared. Some circumstances also benefit from a layered or more consistent approach like doing a practice a set amount of times or utilizing a set of practices in a certain order to fully clear out some energies. Regardless, it’s important to find cleansing practices that are sustainable and effective with your lifestyle.

TIP: Before cleansing, take a moment to call your energy back and ground your energy and awareness in the present moment for a more thorough, powerful cleansing practice.

Here are some common cleansing tools and practices:

VISUALIZATION/MEDITATION
Visualization and meditation practices are the most accessible method when it comes to cleansing and managing your spiritual health in general because it requires nothing besides your own power. There are many guided meditation and visualization practices available online to teach you how to do this for yourself which gives you a variety to choose from and can all be easily tailored to your preferences and needs.
SMOKE CLEANSING
Smoke cleansing is simple cleansing practice that can be used to cleanse yourself, your environment, and spiritual tools. Smoke cleansing can commonly be referred to as smudging which is actually a closed Native American practice along with the use of white sage, sweetgrass, and some uses of tobacco. There are many options to use in place of other closed medicines live frankincense, rosemary, and lavender to name a few.
For those with children and pets in the home, smoke cleansing can be irritating and even poisonous to them. If smoke cleansing doesn’t work for you living or family situations, I suggest sound cleansing in place of using smoke. Some suggestions for sound cleansing include bells, sound bowls, or 417hz frequencies.
CLEANSING BATHS/SHOWERS
Purification baths and showers are a very practical practice to cleanse your personal energy as it makes the most out of time already spent tending to yourself. These practices can be as simple or luxurious as you prefer and can be tailored to fit your personal preferences and needs at that time with the use of different plants, crystals, salts, and more.
For step by step instructions on how to do a cleansing shower practice, click here.
CANDLE WORKINGS
Candle workings can be helpful for a very thorough cleanse and can be less labor intensive physically as opposed to smoke cleansing or purification baths and showers. It can also be a more supportive practice for those who struggle with settling into meditations and would prefer a more hands on practice. There are quite a few different candle workings that would fall under the very general term of cleansing, including:

Banishment
Purification
Cord Cuttings
Return to Senders
Energy Removals

There are cleansing practices and tools that fit everyone’s needs and preferences. Be sure to do your own research to find the one’s that fit you best. Here are some other suggestions to add or support whatever cleansing practice you choose!

1. Black or white candles
2. 417 hz frequencies
3. Cleansing Crystals
  1. Clear Quartz
  2. Obsidian/Black Tourmaline
  3. Selenite
4. Cleansing herbs
  1. Frankincense
  2. Rosemary
  3. Lavender
  4. Nettle