How to Perform a Pagan House Cleansing

Moving into a new place is an exciting time. If you want to start off on a clean slate by removing old or negative energy out of the home left by previous occupants, you'll want to perform a cleansing.

A house cleansing should be a celebration so invite your friends and family and ask them to join in blessing your new home. The following steps will explain how to perform a basic pagan house cleansing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Smudge stick
• Matches
• Salt

1. Clean the house. If this is a new home, leave your old cleaning supplies in the old house and start fresh.

2. Move the salt into the house. Salt brings good luck to the house and should always be the first item moved into your new home.

3. Now that the house is clean, it's time to cleanse. Light the smudge stick and begin at the front door. Move around the house in a clockwise motion holding the smudge in front of you.

4. When you reach a window circle the window counterclockwise asking that anyone or anything be barred from entering. Move the smudge over the window panes to make smoke "bars" across the window.

5. When you reach an outside door, ask that only those with good intentions be allowed to enter and that any negativity is left outside. Don't bar the door, but circle it counterclockwise with the smudge.

6. Throw a pinch of salt into dark corners or into rooms that you feel need more attention. Salt will help to remove negative energy.

7. When you enter a room, travel around the perimeter making sure the smoke enters each corner. It's a nice touch to ask your guests for their best wishes specifically for that room. For example, while smudging a kitchen you might ask that you wish this room to be a warm, inviting place for friends and family members to share good meals and company, and then invite your guests for their own blessings or wishes for the room.

8. If you have an attic or storage space, bar the entrance as you did to the windows, asking that no one be allowed to enter.

9. End your house cleansing at the front door where you started. Announce that the cleansing is complete and thank your guests for their participation.

10. It's customary to conclude a house blessing with a great feast, so bring out the food and drink and let love and laughter enter your new home.

Tips & Warnings

• You might want to turn off the smoke detectors before you light the smudge stick. Once the smudge gets going it can give off a lot of smoke. If you're unable or uncomfortable turning the smoke detectors off for a short while, try to avoid letting the smoke concentrate near a detector.
• Holding your smudge in an abalone shell is favourite way of keeping ashes off the floor, but a saucer or shallow bowl would work just as well.
• Cleansing isn't reserved for new homes. A cleansing is appropriate anytime you want to rid your surroundings of negative energy. Feel free to perform a cleansing ritual each season or anytime you feel your home needs a lift.

[KitchenWitch]

on 5/29/2008 This was very well written. Thank you. ~Donna

[revkayeberry]

on 3/12/2008 You should probably write down a short verse for all the windows, doors and rooms. Repeat the verse in each. When you get back to the front door, prceed outside and let the smudge stick go out on its own. You might want to leave it on the porch.