Spring.  Such a time of renewal!  Four times a year, at the start of each new season, it’s a great idea to clear out the clutter from our surroundings to make room for fresh new energy.  By purging our excesses and clearing out the “stuff” in our living space that no longer serves us, we consciously invite abundance into our lives.  Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to clear the air!

We all know that no matter how much we clean, dust and cobwebs inevitably accumulate in spaces that we live in.  Under the sofa, high up in the corners of the ceiling…it’s a fact of life.  Until someone comes by to sweep away the cobwebs and clean the dust away, it will sit right where it is, accumulating more as time goes on.  Have you ever thought about residual energy hanging out where you live? 

A Native American spiritual tradition, smudging is an energy cleansing technique that uses sacred herbs to help remove the “cobwebs” of stagnant or negative energy left behind  by our day to day living.  Through smudging, the old energy is broken up and released into the atmosphere, clearing the way for fresh new energy to be created and enjoyed.  Think of it as a “spiritual housecleaning”!  Here is what you need to know to effectively cleanse your home:

Out with the old
The first step in any cleansing is to clear away the clutter.  Go through the infamous "junk drawer", the closets, the cabinets.  Determine what items are no longer useful and donate, recycle or throw it away.  All that should remain is things that serve you in some way, for practical or sentimental purposes.  Don’t keep anything out of guilt!  If you still have that bright orange throw blanket that was knitted by Great Aunt Miriam but matches nothing in your home (and you don’t want, need or enjoy it), this is keeping something out of guilt:  you feel obligated to keep it only because the memory of someone you love is “attached” to it.  Look for creative ways to keep the object in some form…maybe take a photo of it then dispose of it or donate it to charity, or see if someone else might enjoy having it.  If your home is truly your haven then it should surround you only with things you use, love and enjoy.

Clean
Once you have decluttered, it’s time for a thorough cleaning.  Put on some uplifting music, light a scented candle, and start cleaning!  Wash windows, shampoo carpets, clean your home like your favorite celebrity were coming by for a visit.  Don’t cut corners, the key here is that YOU have to know it’s truly clean.  Try to stay away from using harsh toxic cleansers…there are many environmentally friendly products on the market that are inexpensive and safe to use.  Vinegar and baking soda also work wonders for so many cleaning uses.

Now that everything is physically clean, it’s time to get rid of those energy cobwebs.  You’ll need to assemble the following items beforehand:

1  sage smudge stick. 
This can be purchased for a dollar or two at any new age shop. A smudge stick is dried sage that has been wrapped up into a small bundle and tied with cotton string.  Sometimes additional herbs (such as cedar or sweetgrass) are added.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Make sure that the smudge stick you are using is intended for indoor use.  There are larger versions for outdoor use only that will produce more smoke and may set off smoke detectors.
 
1 large feather.
The feather will be used to fan and direct the smoke during your cleansing.

1 abalone shell. 
This is used to contain the smudge stick when it is lit and also to extinguish it when you are finished smudging.  You may want to add a few spoonfuls of sand to the bottom of the shell to avoid heat transfer to your hand as the smudge burns.

Alone time of about an hour.
Try to schedule your smudging session during a time that you can be alone and focus on what you are doing.

When lit, the sage represents the element of fire. The feather represents the element of air and the shell represents the element of water.  When you complete the cleansing, you should return any remaining smudge ashes to the earth in a garden if possible, so that all elements are represented.

Time to Smudge
I like to begin at the lowest point of the home and work my way upward.  The most important thing to remember during a cleansing  is to allow the stale energy a way out of the home.  That means opening a window or a door as the designated exit and directing all energy outward towards that exit.   Put on some soft classical or new age music in the background if you like.  Light the tip of the smudge stick and allow it to burn for just a moment until it is well lit, then blow out the flame so that the stick continues to smolder.  Place the smoldering smudge stick  into the shell and using the feather, fan the smoke outward as you walk around the room.  Pay close attention to doorways and corners, as these areas tend to hold more energy.  As you fan the smoke, visualize it as white light breaking up the energy and carrying it out towards the designated exit.  You will probably feel the area changing as you work; it may feel lighter to you.  If one particular area feels like it needs more cleansing, go back again and continue to work there until you feel like it is clean.  Continue to visualize the smoke breaking up the energy patterns and removing them.  If the smudge stops smoldering light it again as you did in the beginning and continue. 

Once you have finished cleansing a room, move on to the next room and continue until all areas have been cleansed.  When the entire home is finished you can then take a step back and know that the whole home feels clean, light and harmoniously balanced.  SUCH a great feeling!  

If you find the smell of smudge smoke offensive, you can light some incense or a scented candle.  I also like to leave the windows open for a little while afterward.

In with the new!
You have just cleaned and energetically cleansed your home, and in doing so you may have depleted your own energy.  Head to the bathroom and treat yourself to a nice long soak in a very warm salt bath to cleanse and re-energize your aura.  Be sure to drink plenty of cold water after the bath as salt can be very drying.  Now comes the best part…relax and enjoy your fresh, clean surroundings…the fruit of your efforts!