A Fun SPRING Ritual, Space Clearing

So in preparation for the Aries new moon (this thursday), which symbolizes the astrological new year, I highly recommend doing a space clearing in your home. If you can do one in your work space (on a small scale if you share an office) I recommend that too. Why our work spaces? Remember we spend many ours of our lives in our there. Our work spaces symbolize value, what we bring to the world and probably more importantly a big dose of self actualization. Can't burn sage in an office? Get an optimizer and spray good quality rose water 9from a health food store) and put out a bowl of salt and rice (let sit for at least 24 hours me thinks) This is a piece that a very close friend shared with me: SPACE CLEARING Space clearing is an a process that you can do to rid your home of negative energy and to invite balance, harmony and good chi into your home. You should do a very thorough space clearing at least twice a year, but it also important when you move into a new home, after an argument, a major renovation, or a death. Aaron Koch of AmeriChi Feng Shui taught this particular type of space clearing to me. When doing your space clearing you should wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes. I also recommend taking a shower prior to so that you aren't bringing in any energy baggage. Supplies:

• Large grain salt (1.5 cups)
• Rice (1 cup)
• A metal bell, symbols, or singing bowl You can also use a bell. The important thing is that the noisemaker of choice be all metal and have a resonant sound. A singing bowl is made with seven metals associated with the charkas. Tibetan stores are excellent sources of singing bowls. Lastly, you can also use ting shas, which are like Chinese symbols and are made of metals.
• A picture or statue of heavenly support like the 8 immortals, Jesus, a saint, as angel or a laughing Buddha. If you have an aversion to any such picture, I might suggest writing God, or Love, or Peace in beautiful lettering on a white piece of paper.
• A sage smudge stick or incense

There are 4 steps to a space clearing: purifying, offering, smudging and sound. Before beginning your clearing set up an altar with a supportive spiritual figure, a candle. The altar should be near the chi center of your home and need only on 1 floor. In front of support symbol place candle and leave lit while space clearing. The best place for a permanent altar is facing the main entrance or in the northwest sector of your home. Purifying the Perimeter Take large grain salt and place in the sunlight early in the morning for the whole day. Salt acts a purifier, and placing it in the sun magnifies this property. Once the salt is activated, walk around the outside of your home gently spreading the salt around the perimeter of the house. In the city you can walk around the block or your building. While spreading the salt, use your intention for everyone who is living in the house live in peace and harmony and protection. The Offering: Before beginning the offering open up the windows and doors as much and as many as possible. Personally, I recommend doing this before you begin space clearing at all. But it definitely must be done before the offering. Take the remainder of the salt and mix it 50/50 with rice. Salt is for purifying, rice is for the offering. Walk clockwise around each room 3 times spreading a light amount of the mixture while using your intention. Let this sit for 24 hours. While walking around you may want to affirm you are clearing the space, requesting that negative energy leave, ask for protection, harmony, and peace. Whatever sings to you you should say. Also, I should mention it is the Buddhist belief that the are 6 levels of entities, and some people believe it is good to request that we all live together in harmony. *My personal modification to the offering, with such small children around is I do not spread the rice and salt around. I leave the bowl of rice and salt on the altar. The Smudging: Light smudge stick in the candle in front of the stature. To light the smudge stick I use the candle itself since they require a lot of patience to light with matches. Walk around each room clockwise with smudge stick to get lots of smoke get around. Make sure you reach into each corner with the smudge stick 3 times, under big furniture and in closets. Use the stick with aluminum foil or a metal bowl to catches ashes or burning embers. The Sound: Once smudging is complete the use singing bowl or whatever sound instrument you have. The point is to make a lot of racket and stir up the chi. Hit bowl 3 times in each room letting sound resonant. Then move around the room clockwise using your instrument to make noise. The more noise the more energy is moved in the room. The Closing: Thank the higher power you praise and blow out the candle.rnEnjoy this great Spring Ritual. rnWith love and respect, Denise Spatafora (www.BornClear.com soon to be www.Betterbirthbook.com launching April 5th---Spring of course!!)