ToTM: Cleansing

May's Topic of The Month is Cleansing and Purification!

There are many ways to go about this and it is used for many purposes. So share with the class on the ways in which you go about this and for what purpose you use if for. What kind of herbs do you use? Do you use dried or fresh herbs? If dried, do you dry them yourself or buy them that way? Do you burn them on a charcoal disk or in a cauldron? Do you use incense, candles, or essential oils? If so, which ones and for what purpose? Have you incorperated gemstones or feathers? What in particular do you normally cleanse? Is it yourself, your house, your altar, or one of your tools? Is there a particular religious connotation or way of going about any of it that you use? Lastly, do you use any particular phrase or mantra?

Hello, fellow coven members! Jaxies here.

What kind of herbs do you use?/Do you use dried or fresh herbs?

I don't really use herbs. However, if I did use herbs I would use fresh herbs because, in my opinion, fresh herbs have better energy.

Do you use incense, candles, or essential oils?

I do use incense and oils depending on what I am cleansing. I use incense such as sage and run the object I am cleansing through the smoke. I use oils by dropping a few drops on the object.

What in particular do you normally cleanse? Is it yourself, your house, your altar, or one of your tools?

I normally cleanse my Tarot Cards and my amulet also a buddha bracelet that I got. I do cleanse my house maybe once a week depending on how busy I am. However, I don't cleanse myself because I don't know how to but I would love to learn how people cleanse them self.

Do you use any particular phrase or mantra?

When I am cleansing I like to say a small prayer to it and contact my energy to object also.

( I answered the questions that I had an answerfor. )

Blessed Be.

~Jaxies~

I use cleansing rather a lot. Specially on myself and my office.

When cleansing my office I use candles, crystals, oils and incense. For the oils, I can add some water to them and heat them up so they evaporate and cleanse the space. I use white rose and peppermint to cleanse. As to incense, I use sage or dragon's blood. As to candles is always white or black, depending on what I'm feeling on using, I cover them in white rose oil and light them up near a Selenite and Quartz.

When I cleanse myself I use rosemary, sage and salt, all incorporated in water, so basically a bath. I rest there in the water and I close my eyes relaxing, feeling the negativity going away and I always feel lighter after it.

I always buy the herbs dried but I'm thinking about growing my own, recently.

I used to burn them, but last time, the house was so full of negativity, the cauldron let out an explosion that ruined the table and two big books, so I haven't used that method in a while. When I put them in a cauldron I always chant something, whatever comes to mind.

I find cleansing necessary, because my home is always full of negativity duo to my so called family. I am constantly cleansing my office to make sure they don't affect it. Sometimes I also cleanse my tarot cards, when they start to fall as I'm shuffling or when they jsut feel heavy or not as tuned to me, that's when I know it's time for a cleanse. I get my deck, a candle, some salt and a quartz. I bury the deck in the salt for a couple of minutes, and then hover the deck over the candle flame with care not to burn them cards or myself. After chanting and feeling it's good enough, I put them back in the box and set a Quartz on top of it.

I've never used herbs as my parents are a bit picky about what comes into our house, but once I move out I plan to start with sage.

I love using candles and incense. I love things that are either fruity, earthy, or sweet. My favorite incense is probably black cherry as of right now. The only essential oil I've used is lavender which was while I was taking a bath.It was quite relaxing. I typically use fragrances for luck or meditation/relaxation depending on the scent.

I have a peacock feather which some people think is bad luck, but I'm not quite sure how I could use it. Any advice would be appreciated! The only gemstone I've used multiple times is Rose Quartz. It just makes me feel happy and warm, y'know?

I like cleansing my mind, if that makes sense and my bedroom. I try to keep good vibes all the time.

My mantra for cleansing my mind is: Sometimes you have to blame the reason. To me, it means that everything happens for a reason and it can't be prevented so you must simply blame the reason.

Blessed be.
Lily

I use mainly candles, incents, oils (olive, differents nuts) and sometimes salt to cleanse and purify.

I've never used coco oil but I think I will try it out soon.

I mostly cleanse my stones/crystals and sometimes my candles if i feel it's needed. And the room with incents.

I use it to clear negative energy and to build a more positive and neutral ambiance, I feel it makes my purpose more clear and gives more weight to my intent.

I would be intrested in using herbs so I look forward to read what you use!! I do consider that drinking nice herb infusions is a king of person cleanse too.

• I use herbs, essential oils & sigils/charms
  
• I use both dry and fresh herbs. Particularly I like to use cedar, pine & sage to make bundles that I hang on eaves, windows and above doorways in the house. The freshness and vitality of evergreen plants go a long way for cleansing.
  
• For burning sage/cedar I collect, bless and pay respect to the plant, and dry the herbs out myself. Sadly, I do not make my own essential oils. I don't particularlyuse essential oils for ritual, I just like the smell, however, I do think that they tend to make a room more fresh and calm.
  
• Depending on which method I'm using, sometimes I'll use the feather of a hawk to spread the ritual smoke. Cleansing living and ritual spaces are very important to me. I like to keep my altar clean and my home pure! When I go about cleansing a space I start from the east and go clockwise for the opening ritual, this unclouds negative energyand oppressive presences. I make sure to visit heavily lived spaces such as the kitchen, beds and living room. I close by visiting the doorways, windows, and openings of the house in an anticlockwise direction. I don't use any particular mantras, but I will "talk to the space".

I feel like my reply is a bit late but here I go anyways!

When I cleanse my house, I go one room at a time.
I open all my windows, and usually put on music, anything light hearted that can get rid of negative energy.
After that I will move around the area while burning sage (I grow and dry myself), and I try to visualize the room clearing and filling with a white/clear light.
Sometimes I will place clear quartz in the parts of the room I am more anxious with or neglect.

For any object that it's safe to do so with, I will cleanse with sunlight, soak in water, or bury under my willow tree (which doesn't have any real significance, I just have grown fond of the spot).

Some personal things I do while I cleanse my altar for Aphrodite (which I try to cleanse every week), I will carefully mediate on each object, and if possible cleanse with holy water. I wipe down the surface. I then place tiny dishes of salt around it, for about a half hour.
Once I have placed everything in order again I usually light a tea candle in one of my oyster shells with sea water and wait for it to burn out.

Also before cleansing anything I make sure that I have cleansed Myself. I do so because I don't want to bring any of my own negative energies with me.
If possible I will shower (soon i will be taking baths), let sage smoke pass over my limbs, bind my hair and wrap it in a scarf.
And of course I generally take time to meditate and clear my head. Sometimes (most of the time) I will hold clear quartz, I focus on it and let the energy connect with my body. Become aware of myself and the space around me without judgment.
I implement practices from Dialectical Behavior Therapy often, noticing my emotions, letting them run their course while staying calm and non-judgmental of them and myself, so that while I cleanse I can leave them behind.

I use whatever I feel like at the time. Whether that be herbs dried of fresh, essential oils, etc. I have never actually used smudging sticks before but I would like to for New Years. I am growing sage so I intend to get some charchoal disks to use that. I'd also like a small cauldrin to carry burning herbs around in.

I think my most basic default is burning a dried bay leaf and throwing it into spring water which is called, "khernips" this means lustral water. Which I use to cleanse myself and my altar of miasma. That being spiritual dirt caused by death, birth, fornication, etc. It's not really something you get rid of but more manage. It has been stated by many sources that failure to do so does not come with judgement from the Theoi. The purpose of which is to help bring you closer by lessening the barrier and making communicating between the Divine and mortals easier.

So what I do is rub some of the lustral water on my face and hands. If I am wearing make up I at least do my hands. I sprinkle some of the water around and on the altar as well. I sometimes add salt since it has purifying properities as well. This is what I do before prayer. I know I can use verbena as well but I cannot find any vervain in town. I'm thinking I will have to order it online but I do like having other options. I also use Turkish bay leaves sometimes as well instead of the regular ones.

I will be making a cleansing wash in a spray bottle soon. I will use lemon juice which is purifying, sage, salt, and I might throw in a few other things. I have some patchouli essential oil of which I might add a few drops. I will update this with the exact measurements I use and a picture added to our Tumblr and then added to this thread when I have the finished product.