A folk magic house cleansing is a traditional practice aimed at removing negative energy, spirits, and influences from a living space. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing a house cleansing:
Materials Needed
- Florida Water or Holy Water
- Chinese wash (pinesol will sub)
- 1/2 gallon of water to boil herbs
- Protective herbs and powders: hyssop, rue, and agrimony (rosemary will work in a pinch)
- Floor wash ingredients: Bluing, vinegar or ammonia (1 oz)
- Incense or smudging materials: Sage, frankincense, myrrh, or Palo Santo
- Candles: White or black for protection and purification
- Salt: Salt or sea salt
- Empty spray bottle
- Mop
- Broom
- Blessed or anointed oil: Olive oil or other suitable oil with protective herbs
- Prayer or Psalms: Psalm 23 or Psalm 91
Preparation
Clean your home physically before starting the spiritual cleansing. Declutter and remove any unnecessary items.
State your intent to remove all negative and unwanted energy out loud to your house.
Floor Wash
Prepare a floor wash by creating a deconcoction (boiling herbs in water for 15 min) with the protective herbs. Add a bit of bluing, vinegar or ammonia (1 oz) to the deconcoction after the infusion. To that add 1/4 cup chinese wash and 1/4 cup florida water.
Pray or recite Psalms over the mixture, asking for protection and purification. Fill a spray bottle up half way with the whole concoction then add warm water till full.
Clean all your windows, trim and window sills with the spary mixture. Also use spray on any carpeted floors instead of mopping.
Add the rest of the infusion to your mop water but reserve 1 cup for your cleansing bath after.
Continue by mopping the floors from the back of the house towards the front, symbolically pushing negative energies out the door.
Pay special attention to corners and hidden areas where negativity might linger.
Smudging or Incense
Light your incense or smudging material and carry it through the house, starting from the back and moving towards the front door.
Use a feather or your hand to waft the smoke into every corner, closet, and hidden space.
Recite prayers or Psalms as you go, asking for cleansing and protection.
Candles
After you finish with the mopping and smoke cleansing, light a white or black candle for protection and purification in the center of your home. Anoint the candle with protective oil and herbs before lighting it, praying for the removal of all negative influences.
Let the candle burn completely if possible. If not, burn it in intervals until it is done.
Protective Barriers
Sprinkle salt at all entry points (doors and windows) to create a protective barrier against negative energies.
You can also use protective powders like brick dust or red brick dust for added protection.
Anointing and Sealing
Anoint doorways and windows with a protective oil, making a small cross, pentacle or other protective symbol with the oil.
As you anoint, recite prayers for protection and affirm that no negative energy or entity may enter.
Final Prayer
Stand at the main entrance of your home and say a final prayer or recite a Psalm, affirming ongoing protection and blessing over your home and everyone within it.
Cleansing bath
After the House cleansing is complete, take that reserved cup of the infusion and add it to your bath water. Submerge yourself 3 times (even if you have to do seperate body parts). After you have completed that let yourself air dry if possible.
Maintenance Tips
Regularly cleanse your home by smudging, using protective floor washes, and keeping protective items like salt or protective herbs at entry points.
Consider repeating a full house cleansing periodically, especially after significant events or when you feel a build-up of negative energy.
This comprehensive cleansing ritual combines physical cleaning with spiritual practices to ensure your home is a space of positive energy and protection.
Remember that the power comes from your intention, the connection to your ancestors, spirit guides and Spirit. The complete cleansing ritual can be done with salt and water. Folk magic is about what's cheap and easy and widely available. Many of the ingredients listed are just part of the tradition but none are absolutely necessary. Move forward in confidence.