Spring Space Clearing and Cleaning

Space clearing is a ritual found in almost every traditional or native culture in the world. It is a powerful skill that enables the practitioner to change the atmosphere of the home from one of stagnant energy to one of vibrant health, promoting a spiritually enhancing energy flow instead.

In the West, space clearing, or house clearing, is linked to having a good spring clean, or a housewarming party. There are as many different methods of space clearing as there are cultures of the world. What is usually consistent no matter what the culture are the following three steps involved in space clearing.

The rituals that have been used around the world for space clearing include the use of herbs, chants, potions, symbolism, spiritual ceremonies, blessings sacrifices, gifts, fruits, plants, holy water and sometimes the timing of the event to coincide with planets or moon cycles. Space clearing can be drawn from the Native American medicine wheel, Celtic ceremonies, early Christian ritual, and Balinese methods.

Step 1
Firstly, it is vital to give the home a really good spring clean and, at the same time, remove all the clutter. Following on from this is the use of ritual to further purify the space. This can involve any of the four elements: Water—holy water, energized water or purified water; Fire—candles or an open fire; Earth—plants, flowers, crystals or salt; Air—essential oils, incense, feathers, Native American smudge sticks, bells, drums, music or chanting.

Offerings are usually made by placing these elements in different parts of the home. A skilled practitioner will usually start at the front door, moving from room to room, using one of the Air elements, such as incense, drumming or chanting to move the energy, or chi.

Step 2
The second step, once the space has been cleared, is to refine and uplift the atmosphere of the home. This is usually done with a good quality bell, or with music, clapping, prayer or chanting.

Step 3
The third and equally vital step, is to set the “intention” of the space. Once the space has been cleared, it has been raised to a higher vibrational level and, rather like a void, is ready to be filled. This moment provides an opportunity to set the tone of the new space. Chi energy will always follow intention. Some kind of ceremony is important now to establish this. This is often carried out by standing at the centre of each room and allowing your energy to expand and fill the space while, at the same time, declaring your intention.

Read more: Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Adapted from Feng Shui For Life, by Jon Sandifer (Inner Traditions, 2000). Copyright (c) 2000 by Jon Sandifer. Reprinted by permission of Inner Traditions.
Adapted from Feng Shui For Life, by Jon Sandifer (Inner Traditions, 2000).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Edvanir L.

4:33PM PDT on Apr 7, 2013

Interesting.

April 7
send a green star

Rosemary H.

4:23PM PDT on Apr 7, 2013

I start moving towards this in the winter, doing various jobs that I'll never find time for in the summer. This time of year I feel underpressure to finish anything I don't want to leave until autumn, because there's precious little time in the summer.

Kathleen C.

12:53PM PDT on Apr 6, 2013

Thanks

April 6
send a green star

JL A.

9:27AM PDT on Apr 6, 2013

Sounds inherently rewarding

Aud N.

10:46AM PDT on Apr 5, 2013

April 5
send a green star

Val M.

4:09AM PDT on Apr 5, 2013

Dubravka T.

12:45AM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

I knew that, but somehow spring is too short nowadays. Thak you for the advice and the opportunity to realize that spring can be any time of the year.