Do you sometimes notice that when you enter a room, it feels ‘heavy’ or ‘sticky’? Or perhaps it feels ‘dark’ even though the room is well lit or it is a sunny day outside? We often feel something when we enter different environments, be it a comfortable feeling or an uncomfortable one. Many people attribute this only to the physical visual surroundings such as the décor of the place, unaware that there is also a deeper underlying explanation which relates to energy.

Some environments promote an energy that is uplifting or soothing, whereas some environments can drain you and make you feel tired, ill, moody, agitated or tensed. An environment which is heavy in negative energies that are never cleared may also lead to arguments, accidents, or things just never going smoothly.

What is Space Clearing?

Space clearing is a simple and powerful ritual way to cleanse a person, place or object of negative energies, spirits or influences, and invoking divine energy, through the use of ceremony and ritual. It involves the burning of sacred plants and resins, passing an object through the smoke, or fanning the smoke around a person or place using your hands or ideally, a feather. Space clearing techniques have been practiced throughout ancient history by many cultures that give it a different name and use different tools but the intent is the same – to cleanse and purify a space to create balance and harmony.

Native Indian Americans use drums, rattles and burn herbs in their space clearing ritual, otherwise known as smudging. White Sage, Desert Sage, Cedar, Lavender and Sweetgrass are often used during their smudging ceremonies. The Chinese use gongs, ring bells, chant and burn incense. Other cultures use salt and prayers. In the Middle East, resins such as frankincense, myrrh and benzoin are popular. Whichever way is adopted, the result is the same after a space cleanse – you will feel that your space is immediately lighter, clearer and fresher!

When should I do a Space Clearing?

• When you move into a new accommodation
• When you run a business
• When there has been arguments in your space
• When there has been illness in your space
• When you feel you have had a psychic attack
• When you are having a bout of bad dreams
• When you have ended a relationship and after your partner has moved out
• When you feel you are having a run of bad luck or things just aren’t running smoothly in your life lately

How do I perform a Space Clearing?

There is no one particular method that must be adopted – though I do believe that focus and intent is important. Make sure that you are clean, calm and have eaten something. It is good to be grounded before you start, and wearing a crystal for protection is also preferable. Perform the ritual on a nice sunny day when natural light is strong.

De-clutter your space and make sure it is clean; this includes under the beds. Visualise and plan out, in your mind, the areas that you will be space clearing so that you will move around the rooms smoothly. Open all doors and windows before you begin – to allow old energy to flow out, and new energy to flow in.

Have your space clearing tools ready in a box so that everything is handy for immediate use – in my box, I have a terraccota holder, lighter, charcoal, a pair of tongs, herbs, blossoms and resins. These are just the basics to start you off with. When I perform a space clearing for a client’s home, more tools are added for the ritual and can take an hour or more to complete.

Space Clearing steps

Use the tongs to hold the charcoal, and light the charcoal. Place a teaspoon of herbs and blossoms on the charcoal till it catches and smokes nicely. You may add resins if you wish. Some resins cannot be put immediately because they are slightly moist and will therefore dampen the charcoal and reduce its heat and smoke. You want a strong smoky result in space clearing, unlike the gentle waft of incense.

Begin at your front main entrance and walk in a clockwise motion around your room, stopping at corners and allowing the strong smoke to move the stagnant energies that are there (ever notice how cobwebs like to gather in corners because the energy there is so still?). As I move around my space, I like to say “I remove all negative energies from this space, and fill it with pure Light, pure Love, and pure Healing energies”…and repeat it like a mantra. You can of course make up your own words. Do room by room, starting at its entrance, walking in a clockwise motion, and ending at its entrance again. Think of it as moving the energy ‘forward & out’.

Once all the rooms are done, return to your front main entrance and seal your intent and ceremony with the infinity symbol (horizontal 8) three times. As I do this, I like to say “I seal this space with pure Light and pure Love, and invoke my Guardian Angels, Spirit Guides and all that is good, to be with me in my space. So mote it be to the power of three”. Here again, you can make up your own words. Choose something that is easy to remember; clear, concise and to the point. You do not want to stammer as you’re thinking of what to say.

How often should I do a Space Clearing?

For homes, it is important to do a space clearing when you first move into a new accommodation, as previous tenants would have left their energy imprint in that space. I find that a combination of smudging, bells or singing bowls, and a chant CD works well for me. Thereafter, depending on your home situation, I suggest one repeat this process every quarter, 6 months, or yearly to maintain a high vibration in that space.

For businesses, I suggest space clearing once a week or once a month, depending on the nature of your business. Business environments welcome many different people with different energies into their space, so it is essential to clear often and keep the vibrations high and positive. In my workplace, we perform different forms of space clearing daily, be it using incense, playing mantras, diffusing pure essential oils, and/or burning Native Indian American smudge, resins, and lavender blossoms.

What if there is a negative entity in my space, or I am under psychic attacks?

Never attempt to do space clearings if you are afraid. If you are not well grounded or are suffering an illness and your energy vibration is weak, then seeking professional help is best. You may either go to your local religious leader/teacher who will have their own ritual ceremonies; or you may consult us at This Wonderful Life…the new age shop.