SOME OF OUR FAVORITE ESSENTIALS -- PALO SANTO & BLACK TOURMALINE. — SOME OF OUR FAVORITE ESSENTIALS -- PALO SANTO & BLACK TOURMALINE.

"I think a spiritual journey is not so much a journal of discovery. Its a journey of recovery. Its a journey of uncovering your own inner nature. Its already there." Billy Corgan

Spiritual hygiene has become a hot topic recently, many are becoming familiar with the term. In short, life is all about energy. We encounter all kinds of energy on a daily basis and it can be really overwhelming if you dont separate yourself from it. Especially, for those who are highly sensitive or have trouble setting boundaries. Take into account your own energy, relationships, work, stress and just everyday life in general. The burden of carrying the load can make it hard to function and can even make you feel depleted or drained. This is why clearing our space of energetic gunk on a routine basis is so important. Scroll down if you want to skip ahead and learn how to cleanse/purify your space.

Using smoke to purify is a sacred practice that has been used by our ancestors and shamans from around the globe for thousands of years. For many, the first plants that may come to mind are white sage and maybe palo santo. But every culture has its own practices and rituals. You may be familiar with certain herbs that were used in your lineage. For example, growing up in a Mexican household, we used rosemary, bay, sage, rue, and pirul to purify spaces and auric fields.

Once you start a routine, you will begin to feel when you need a shift in energy and when its time to purify your space again. We can start to feel down, “depleted” of energy, or even feel physically ill. It can also be helpful to do this after an altercation or unsettling interaction with someone. Those who are highly sensitive to energy will greatly benefit from clearing their energetic space on a routine basis as well. This is also a good way to release any unwanted energy that a visitor may have left behind. Clearing your energetic space is a great way to eliminate old, stagnant energy which is why its great to do before moving into a new home.

You can create a monthly ritual, doing it at the beginning of each month, during the full moon, or even new moon. Or, simply when you start to feel a sense of heaviness or in the air.

If you need scientific evidence — the smoke releases negative ions which help purify the air of negative energy or (low frequency energies), which in turn will create a lighter and more harmonious atmosphere so that we may carry on with a clear heart and mind. Per usual, feel free to do your own research on the subject while being mindful of the fact that ancestral knowledge has always been erased and dismissed as something that can not be proven even if results are inexplicably visible. Understand that just because its something you dont believe in, it doesn’t discredit the practice that many hold as sacred.

herbs to use:

There are many herbs you can use to clear your space but I always recommend working with herbs you share a connection with. Specifically, working with herbs that your ancestors might have used. This is a great way to establish a more intimate connection with your herbs and therefore you create a more genuine ritual that garners more personal power. Herbs I would recommend looking into:

Mugwort — for protection, to induce lucid dreaming, astral projection, and to enhance psychic powers, and prophetic dreams.
Rosemary — protection, wisdom, purification, healing and health, love, lust, sleep, helps release psychic and spiritual blockages
Rue — for hex breaking and for warding off evil eye, protection and to increase your psychic powers, clarity
Sage — wisdom, protection, good luck, prosperity, to attract money, seeking knowledge or guidance, to purify, courage, strength
Bay — manifestation, money, to open up psychic channels, for dreamwork, protection, purification, strength, wisdom, creativity, abundance, success
Chamomile — love, prosperity, peace, confidence, happiness, protection, dreamwork, purification, ward against psychic attack, money
Mint — protection, money, prosperity, happiness, healing, love , luck, travel, vitality, clarity, visions
Juniper — love/attraction, protection, good luck, increased visions, wisdom, prosperity, & clarity. attracts positive influences while warding off negative energy
Pine — healing, protection, fertility, prosperity, cleansing, reverse or send back spells
Lavender — love, protection, sleep, purification, happiness, peace, releases fear, positive energy, protects the spirit, psychic protection
Copal — intuition, inspiration, uplifting and calming, purification, protection, and spiritual communication, for meditation and spirit work. to remove negative energy from a space, in sweat lodge rituals, or to commemorate weddings and funerals, removes energy blocks
Rose — love, healing, divination, peace, harmony, psychic ability, spiritual growth, luck, beauty, passion, romance
Yarrow — courage, healing, love, protection, divination, communicating with loved ones who have passed

There are many other herbs you can use but this is a good place to start your own research.

tools you need:

Your choice of herbs
A candle
A shell or vessel to catch ashes
Feather (optional)

the ritual:

Before getting started, you want to set your intention. Say a prayer, ask for assistance from — the Universe, your spirit guides, allies, etc. Whoever you have a deep connection with. Give gratitude and ask to be cleared of any energy that does not serve you or your purpose. Ask to release any low frequency energy, obstacles, limitations that are holding you back and replace them with abundance, health, wealth, love, compassion and all the good things that life has to offer. The more personalized and specific the better.

Light your candle in a central location and use this as your fire source so you can come back here and refuel. Use the candle to light your herbs. Let it burn for a few seconds until you feel you can blow the fire out. Gently blow the fire out and start your ritual. Go clockwise and make sure to get every entrance, dark corners, behind doors, closets, anywhere that can be a good hiding spot for stagnant energy to hide. You can use a feather to move the smoke around but this is optional. Once done, open the doors and windows and let that old energy flow out of your space as you welcome in new energy. After about 10 minute or so you can close them. At this point you can spray some florida water, essential oils, or floral water to bring in loving energy. Give your gratitude and thank your guides for their support and guidance.

Clearing your space and auric field is a good way to keep yourself in a state of clarity so you can walk in alignment with your beliefs and you’ll learn to be more intentional about your actions and interactions. It also creates a warm, loving and positive atmosphere, for you and everyone else around. I hope you find this information helpful and that this supports you on your journey.