7 ways to cleanse without burning
Why do witches cleanse?
When performing magick or just going about daily life you can pick up a variety of energies. These are not always negative energies but can still become stagnant over time. Cleansing is performed to remove any energies from a person, object or space. This then allows you to practice your craft without interference giving your spells the best chance of success. This process helps you avoid bringing any negativity forward and allows you to let go of the past.
One of the most common ways witches choose to do this is through the burning of incense or certain cleansing herbs. The smoke will either be used to fill the space, or the items will be passed through the smoke. Smoke is scene in many cultures as a purifying agent with the power to carry away negative spirits and energy. The burning of certain herbs and scents are often associated with different intentions.
Cleansing without burning
The process of burning is not always appropriate especially if you live in a flat, have animals or conditions such as asthma. Although burning is often the most common way to cleanse this does not mean it is the only, or most powerful way, there are many other ways to cleanse.
Sound Cleansing
The bell has a long tradition in many religions. It can be used in rituals to clear negative energy but sounding the bell over the space you want to work it throughout your home, like you would a smudge stick. In some practices it is used to call spirits to each quarter, or compass point, when casting a circle. Used in hangings, such as witches’ bells, it becomes protective.
Other methods of sound cleansing include chanting or shouting. Imagine this sound is a physical barrier that is pushing away the negative energy. This type of cleansing is extremely useful as you only need yourself to be able to use it, no tools required. Some witches may write their own chants but if you want to give it a try you can use this one:
'Cycle anew, wheel of time,
Bless our path, bright and divine.
From shadows past to morning's glow,
Guide our hearts, let blessings flow.
From the ashes of the year now gone,
Rise the hopes of a brighter dawn.
With earth, fire, water, and air,
We weave intentions, a sacred prayer.'
Other methods of sound cleansing include, singing bowls, music (drumming) and clapping your hands
Cleansing Mists
Mists with certain herbs or oils can be excellent for clearing the space. These sprays can be as simple as taking a batch of moon water and adding it into an atomizer bottle. However, if you want to add more protection and cleansing qualities you may want to add a water safe crystal such as rose quartz or clear quartz, sea salt / moon salt or lemon/ lavender oil.
These mists can be used to cleanse yourself, your space and your magical tools, just make sure you are in no way breathing it in or damaging your tools/surfaces. Essential oils can be harmful to your skin and damage certain materials.
If you do not have a spray bottle, then create a bundle of fresh herbs such as rosemary and sage. Pour your liquid into a bowl, dip in your herb bundle and then flick the water around the space.
Cleansing Bags
Similar to a spell bag, you can create a cleansing bag to hang in your home to cleanse the space, you may even want to put one into each room depending on the energy you want to bring to that space.
Ingredients:
Bag (small bag that you can hang, you may want to choose a white bag to signify purity)
Cleansing herbs (bay, sage, rosemary, lavender)
Oils (lemon, ylang ylang, patchouli)
Selenite
In your small bag add in your herbs one by one and shake them together. Then add in your oils and selenite. Hold this bag in your hand, clearly visualising all the negative energies being pushed away until you see only a clear space in your mind. Select a place for this bag to hang, many choose to keep these bags above doorways or on their altars.
Salt
White sea salt has powerful cleansing properties and is thought to absorb negative energy. Although you can use processed salt, the more natural the better. There are 2 ways in which salt can be used to cleanse, the first is a salt circle. To do this get your sea salt and draw a circle around the space where you plan to perform a spell.
The second is to use a salt bowl, to do this find a small bowl and fill it with your sea salt, and other herbs and oils can be added if desired, but this is not necessary for it to work. Place this bowl in a space you will walk by often such as front door or other entrance ways around your home. Each time you walk by you may feel the need to touch the salt to cleanse your energy. Think carefully about how the salt feels if at any point it becomes stagnant change out the salt.
Remember: do not eat this salt and make sure it is out of reach from children and animals.
Sweeping
Besom brooms can be used to ‘sweep’ your magickal space to cleanse it. When using a broom to sweep, the broom and the surface should not actually touch, this is a symbolic gesture. Combine this action with a chant for a powerful cleansing method.
The Moon
The light of the moon is believed to have strong cleansing powers, a full moon is thought to be a time of heightened energy. On the night of a full moon leave any tools you wish to be cleansed in direct view of it, this can be for a few hours, but for the best results leave them overnight.
Crystal Grids
Crystal grids are a particularly underrated tool for cleansing. Although they may be perceived as a tool primarily used for intentions or manifestations they can also be used for cleansing. Simply select your favourite cleansing crystals such as selenite, clear quartz, hematite or amethyst. Place them in a pattern on your grid, it is important that your grid stays balanced so try and make sure it has an even amount on each side and the crystals are all of a similar size. Make sure your intentions are clear as you place down your crystals, visualise negativity moving away. This grid can then be kept in the space you need to cleanse.
Remember how to choose to perform your craft is up to you! None of these methods are any more powerful or valid than another, its about what you feel a connection with.