Clearing & Cleansing Your Space

Our working and living space are an extension of our energy field. Even though we greatly affect the energy of our space, it is a dynamic field that can be significantly impacted on by external influences, including pollution, and particularly other people entering our work and living space. For highly sensitive people and empaths the impact others can have on our work and living space could be quite severe and in some instances even contribute negatively to our health and wellbeing. It is therefore imperative to pay attention to the health and wellbeing of the environment within which you work and live.

I run my Reiki practice from my home and have found that a daily practice of space clearing and cleansing is essential – for the health and wellbeing of my family, my pets, and myself. There are many rituals and ceremonies one can use for space clearing and cleansing and these are usually highly effective. But for a daily practice it is more beneficial to have practical and simple ways of maintaining a cleared and cleansed space.

Space clearing and cleansing have many benefits.

It is not only about the energy clearing and cleansing of the space itself, but through to process we also tend to end up clearing and cleansing our own minds and hearts from many of the negative emotions and memories we hang on to and which attach itself to the items and objects in our work and living space. This is further compounded by all the negative energies, emotions, and memories of everyone else that also enters this space. And all this gunk builds up to energetically unhealthy levels.

Clearing and cleansing your work and living space is more than just smudging it – it is also imperative to look at all the “stuff” in your space and the energy these items and objects hold and represent. Decluttering and maintaining a decluttered space is probably the first step in the daily practice of clearing and cleaning your work and living space. I certainly make it part of my morning routine… before I get started and the day runs away with me. Tending to the physical cleansing, clearing, and decluttering of my space sets the tone for the day – peace, serenity, and tranquility instead of chaos.

From within the calm of my physical space I am much more likely to move into the rest of my day from a place of inner peace, lightness, and brightness. I usually find that my morning clearing and cleansing routine positively contributes to my own energy levels as well as that of the rest of the household and that I have an increase in creativity and motivation to tackle new projects and finish those I have been procrastinating about.

So, what does a daily or regular clearing and cleansing practice look like?

• Clearing away physical clutter, debris, rubbish, and dirt. This does not need to involve heavy-duty cleaning. Just tidying up and getting rid of anything that makes your space feel chaotic. Remember, anything and everything that do not positively contribute to the energy of your space is draining you and your work and living space.
• Open windows as much as you can. Airing your space can greatly contribute to moving stagnant energy from your space. I live in sunny South Africa where we do not have central heating and air-conditioning is a luxury that I definitely do not have. I also live in an area with very little city pollution. Opening windows and doors and allowing the air to move through my work and living space is part of my daily morning routine – even in winter.
• Smudging is a simple and effective ritual for space clearing and cleansing. With intent you can do a quick space clearing using your favorite smudge. When you are unable to perform a smudging ritual there is always the option of burning incense. Working from home entails a lot of “traffic” moving through a part of my living space. To ensure a cleared and cleansed space I have made a habit of burning high-quality incense throughout the day, paying particular attention to the periods when clients and students arrive and leave – Palo Santo, Sage, and some other clearing and protection blends are readily available for this purpose.
• Reiki and the use of the Reiki symbols together with an invocation is an amazingly effective way of clearing and cleansing space. Creating your Reiki symbol pyramid in your space also provides protection of your space and a simple invocation could be something like… “I thank my guides, spirit guides, healers, teachers, and inspirers for their guidance, presence, and protection of this space. I ask them to continue their guidance, presence, and protection of this space and to transform and transmute all unwanted, negative, and inappropriate energy into positive, healed, and loving energy. I ask this in love and light. So be it…”

When you have completed a space cleanse and clearing it is always a good idea to bless your space. Using the Koriki symbol is a wonderful way of bringing happiness and blessing into your space. You can honor and bless your space with crystals, plants, wind chimes, and an array of decorative talismans and ornaments.

Just as you would take care of and honor yourself – body, mind, and spirit, you should also take care of and honor the space within which you work, live, and play. And make it fun!

Article by Thea van der Merwe, Ph.D.

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Thea van der Merwe, Ph. D. is a nationally and internationally trained holistic energy, certified and experienced Master Reiki Practitioner, qualified in Usui Reiki, Reijukido, Karuna® Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Crystal Reiki, and Gendai Reiki. She obtained the title of Shihan (full master/teacher), the highest level in Gendai Reiki Ho. Besides her greatest passion which is Reiki, Thea is also a spiritual shaman, healer, and teacher, offering readings as a way of accessing spiritual guidance. Her journey of personal discovery, growth, and healing started back in 2005 when she was personally in need of healing and searching for something more than what conventional medicine and therapy could provide. Thea is currently nationally and internationally registered with the South African Reiki Masters Association and The Reiki Healing Association respectively – both professional associations for the local and global Reiki communities, working to promote the wide-reaching practice and healing effects of Reiki throughout the world and where the primary philosophy is that together, we can do so much more. You can get into contact with Thea van der Merwe at viterra.co.za, which is her website, and at facebook.com/viterrahealing on Facebook.