The purification of space

As humans we all occupy physical and energetic space - the places we live in, visit, or spend any time in, we leave our mark on them all.

Our energy can linger on for long periods of time even after we have left that space.

The things we buy, find or are given also have their own energy to them, and occupy their own space too. If these things have been passed down to us, they can often have the residual memories of all those people who have handled them before us.

Our energy is 'sticky', and it clings to the spaces that we - and our things - occupy.

In many magickal and spiritual practices there are various different purification of space rituals.

These techniques have been passed down through generations, since ancient times.

The myriad of rituals and practices are all done to purify, balance, charge and harmonise the vibrations within a physical space. From waving smouldering bundles of sage or rosemary, burning incense or sticks of palo Santo, to wind chimes, singing bowls and holy water, the purpose is always the same.

The advantages of these purifying techniques is twofold...

1) they cleanse and eliminate any lingering negative, hostile or harmful residual energy left over from a previous event or activity conducted within that space. This residual energy could’ve been left over from something as elaborate as a ritual or other magickal work, to something more mundane such as an argument that’s taken place in a room, or fights, the emptiness of a long unused place, or the dark history of an old and storied past.

2) these practices purify, protect, balance and charge a space with harmonious and uplifting energy. They completely transform the energy signature of a space to one of tranquility and harmony. These practices alter the vibrational energies of these spaces. This can then be felt by all of those people who enter that space, which has a knock on effect to their own energy, and in turn, uplifts them.

By performing these ancient practices, we are able to create a sanctuary for our energy.

A safe space from which to operate at our best in.

We are effectively consecrating our physical space in order to nourish our mind, body and soul, and these practices calm our nervous systems and bring our vibrational resonance into balance.

Here are a few of the common practices and why they are worth trying.

Purifying with smoke

This practice is one which has been done since ancient times. Witches and Native Americans, among other tribal peoples from all over the world, have used smoke to cleanse and purify their places of dwelling and worship for centuries.

Often referred to as ‘smudging’, this term has been used since the early 18th century and was mostly used to refer to the practice of using smoke to fumigate a space in order to rid it of vermin and insects.

The Native American practice of burning white sage - also what we now refer to as smudging - was and still is used as a method of ritual cleaning of physical spaces, both physically and energetically.

Burning incense is also a popular method of spacial cleansing.

Incense creates a sacred atmosphere. It alters the spacial resonance and can transform a space and how it’s used.

Traditionally, witches have really stepped into their own with the art of incense creation, and we craft incenses for all manner of magickal workings.

With a deep knowledge of herbalism, and lore, coupled with magickal correspondence, witches often use countless incense blends in spell work.

Each spell I craft, I put together a specific incense blend for that particular spell.

A blend of incense known as “church incense” uses frankincense, myrrh, and benzoin placed onto hot charcoals, to create a serene and powerful atmosphere.

Other herbal cleanses to use as dry incense are rosemary, sage, cloves, palo Santo, and cinnamon, among others.

With all incenses, the key is to allow the smoke to waft around into all of the corners, nooks and crannies in the space, cleansing all areas and shifting the spacial energy of that area.

Eau de Cologne

We often associate cologne with smelling good on an evening out, but this didn’t really come about until the 18th century.

Before this time, Eau de Cologne was used as a magickal spacial purifier. It was used to spray or sprinkle into a room or space in order to alter its energy.

It was only in the 18th century that people started to also sprinkle themselves with it too.

It was used to ward off disease, evil spirits and enchant their own energy.

In the 19th century this use of Eau de Cologne was expanded upon by the creation of a blend known as Florida water. This was mostly used in the States, but is still used today.

Verbena is another magickal blend - it’s very expensive and as such means it’s fairly limited in it’s use, but a good and far cheaper substitute for this is a blend of lemon grass, citronella and vetiver. This gives a similar fragrance.

The modern day use of this term used by perfumers isn’t the same product as the earlier version. But there are a few traditional Eau de Cologne blends that you can still buy.

These include Roger and Gallet Extra Vielle, Guerlain Eau de Coq, and Florida Water.

So don’t just be spraying your Chanel Number 5 everywhere...!

Sound purification

Sound has also been used for centuries to purify and alter the energy of a space.

Something as simple as a windchime can really create a calming atmosphere to an outdoor space - you only have to imagine its gentle chimes to feel instantly calm.

Drums, singing bowls, bells, horns and all manner of sound creation contraptions can be used, depending on the intention you’re going for. Even humming, chanting and singing, all can be used as spacial purifiers.

When we use sound energy to purify a space, we are physically disrupting the airwaves to shift old energy and move it out of the space, whilst also connecting deeply with the sound and space on an energetic level.

Sound vibrates through us and alters our inner being. As such, we often can feel a very deep connection to the sounds we hear.

Words and sound are power that alters our senses and disrupts our reality.

All of that power can be used in preparing and cleansing a space.

Salt

Salt has been used as a purifier since we’ve known about it.

Salt’s neutralising and presenting properties have been known about since ancient times.

It’s a simple and cheap method of cleansing and purifying a space, whether that be a room, door ways or ourselves as a part of a cleansing bath!

Salt is deeply rooted in magick, and is significant in magickal practice. It absorbs negative energy and traps it within its crystalline form. There are many kinds of salt we can use, from regular table salt, to sea salt, rock salt, Himalayan salt to herbal salts and black salt.

Black salt is a powerful type used by many witches in cleansing rituals and is often used in spell work.

Salt can be used in various ways. It can be sprinkled onto floors and carpets as a way of absorbing the negative energies of a room, before being hoovered up, or it can be placed in bowls in each room to absorb the energies more slowly. It can be sprinkled on thresholds of front and back doors to protect the inflow and outflow of energies, and can be used in spell bags and bottles. We can even use it in food as a part of kitchen witchery practices.

There are many ways of utilising these cleansing practices, and there are numerous other techniques we could use too, from water cleansing to using the element of fire.

Whichever method we use, the altering of our spatial energy to better align with our intention and peace of mind is a wonderful practice to undertake.

The act of cleansing and purifying can help a small space feel bigger, a big space feel cosier, a dark space feel brighter, a lonely space feel less lonely and a sad space feel uplifting.

Choose your method and have a go. You’ll be surprised just how a simple cleansing method can completely alter the feel of a room, and by extension, ourselves.

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