In a society where everything that was once considered good is labeled as "evil," the impact on individuals who are naturally drawn to healing, the earth, mother nature, homeopathic remedies, and esoteric wisdom can be profound. This shift in societal perception not only challenges their beliefs and values but also undermines their ability to contribute positively to the world.
When a society dismisses or demonizes practices that promote healing and connection with nature, it creates a disconnect between individuals and their innate inclination toward holistic well-being. Those who seek alternative methods of healing or rely on traditional remedies may feel marginalized or misunderstood. Their knowledge and expertise in areas such as homeopathy or esoteric wisdom are undervalued or even ridiculed.
This societal conditioning can have detrimental effects on both individuals and the collective consciousness. People who are naturally drawn to these practices may suppress their true selves out of fear of judgment or rejection. They might feel isolated and struggle to find acceptance within mainstream society.
Moreover, when societies disregard the importance of nurturing our relationship with the earth and its resources, they risk damaging the very foundation that sustains life. The consequences can be seen in environmental degradation and an overall disregard for sustainable practices.
It is crucial for societies to recognize the value of diverse perspectives and alternative approaches to well-being. Embracing a more inclusive mindset allows for a harmonious coexistence between traditional medical practices and holistic healing methods. By honoring both scientific advancements and ancient wisdom rooted in nature's principles, we can create a more balanced society that prioritizes individual well-being alongside environmental sustainability.
At the core of its definition lies the understanding that what we call magick is the energy that flows through everything in the universe. It’s this power, if you will, that allows us to heal, learn, grow, and evolve. To say that magick is inherently evil is to say that energy is evil, which would make our existence itself evil—and while that may be the conclusion some have come to, I’ll certainly never in good conscience be able to take a stance that plants, trees, water, blood, animals, or any other thing that has life flowing through it is evil because it has an energetic component. We “practice magick” every time we think, breathe, pray, meditate, make tea, care for others, cook, clean, dance, and everything in between. Magick is as interconnected to us as water is to the ocean.
The ancient origins of the title “witch” far pre-date the ideas of treachery muddied up in Halloween, spooky stories, and sermons of fire and brimstone. The word at its essence means someone who works with or is devoted to the pursuit of wisdom or is a wise person. So to condemn witches as being "evil" means you would also have to condemn every priest, pastor, saint, angel, nun, teacher, mystic, healer, doctor, scientist, researcher, or philosopher — after all, philosophy literally means “lover of wisdom.” Witches, or wise people, understand that wisdom is found in nature, in ourselves, and all throughout the universe, not in man-made buildings labeled holy by people who prey on their congregations' pocketbooks and fears of eternal punishment.
Having found its place in modern times as the opposite of “traditional” religious paths, such as Christianity, paganism is a way of living free from dogma and doctrine. To be pagan is to see the sacredness of life found all throughout nature, people, animals, and the elements. Paganism sees the energy woven into all of existence and says I respect and honor each aspect as having a unique place in our universe. While individual paths can vary greatly from pagan to pagan, most are connected to god/deity/source and see the different forms or personified ways that this energy can be understood through gods, goddesses, and divine beings across cultures, time periods, and lifetimes. While anyone can use their belief system to cause harm to others, there is nothing inherently evil about paganism itself.
The wisdom that is hidden or not available to the masses is often frightening to those in positions of power who aim to control what people know and have access to. Esotericism is the pursuit of the hidden mysteries of the universe that are tucked away in places we’re often taught not to look, but just because we’ve been told something is “evil” or “wrong” doesn’t make it so. Esoteric beliefs sit at the core of all religions where some teachings or rituals are only for a select group so to condemn those who pursue esotericism would require all people who study life’s mysteries and the divine to be labeled evil as well. Christian faiths have this with only certain priests or pastors being allowed to do things on behalf of the congregation because not everyone would be willing and/or capable of taking on such a role themselves. While people with access to this type of knowledge or wisdom can certainly use what they’ve learned to cause harm, that isn’t because esotericism is evil but because people can choose to misuse what they’ve tapped into. So, why not pursue what you’re drawn to?
While there are certainly parasitic entities in existence that are malevolent in nature, the term “demons” is a bastardization of the original word daemon which simply meant spirit. The collective of beings often referred to as demons in the spiritual space, such as the goetic infernal beings found in texts such as the Lesser Key of Solomon and other grimoires are heavily slanted based on confused religious ideologies and take gods, goddesses, and other divine beings of old and have reshaped them into occult demons of modern day. Not only is the portrayal of many of these beings entirely disrespectful but it is also inaccurate as to who these beings were originally before religious bias was added to their stories and lore. For example, the Canaanite god Ba’el (which meant lord or lord of EL) was divided into multiple “demonic” beings with cruel-intended names including Beelzebub (lord of filth, flies, or dung), Belial (worthless), etc., the Egyptian goddess Isis was converted into the “demon” Paimon, and the Canaanite goddess Astarte or Asherah was changed into the “demon” Astaroth. These were beings of compassion, wisdom, and death & rebirth long before they were diminished to Christianity’s man-made boxes of evil. In fact, I'd even be willing to argue that El, Astarte, and Ba'el of the Canaanite pantheon were the original divine trinity.
Put simply, divination is connecting with the divine. While some may use it for knowing certain aspects of what’s to come in the future, most practitioners use it specifically for communicating with god/gods and goddesses, divine beings the spiritual realm, etc., and growing in wisdom. There are countless forms and methods for receiving messages from the divine, such as prayer, meditation, tarot cards or oracle cards, scrying or gazing, pendulums or spirit boards, runes, and so on. Whether you are asking god for a sign through prayer or speaking with a divine being through a pendulum, both are intended to connect you with the spiritual realm and give you insight.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on spirit communication, specifically with ancestors or deceased loved ones, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
What exactly is the veil? The veil refers to the liminal space or "in-between" energetic barrier that separates the physical world from other spiritual realms, such as the realm of the ancestors, the realm of the gods and goddesses, the realm of the fae, and so on.
During certain times of the year (and even certain times of day, such as dawn or dusk), the veil is often described as being "thinner" than other times of year, resulting in heightened energetic happenings as spirits come and go more freely than at other points during the year. While this may not impact practitioners who are more accustomed to interacting with spirit realms, for those who are less in tune with other realms or newer to interacting with energy, it can be incredibly intense to experience.
Life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, meaning that spirit never dies, just as physics teaches us that energy is never destroyed only transformed. The family unit is composed of both the living and the departed, the essence of the departed is ever-present and as such can be activated anytime. Whilst the ancestors are no longer present in the physical they still can communicate and act as spiritual guardians to their descendants by offering support and guidance along their life to help overcome challenges and tap into one’s potential.
While countless ancestors have come before us and are a part of our heritage and family lineage, that does not mean that they are all inherently good people, have our best interests in mind, or are energy that we want to carry forward with us. Ancestors who perpetuated patterns of abuse, trauma, and harm, not only do we want to be intentional to avoid carrying the negative aspects forward with us, but we also want to ultimately unwind and break the generational cycles that have been created. That doesn’t mean that those who were not good people should be discarded, as they are still a part of us. But instead, we can send them love, cleansing, and healing energies while maintaining boundaries to protect ourselves and future generations.
This is why, as practitioners, we are intentional about calling forward our protective ancestors or protective loved ones in our workings, communications, and rituals. This communication can take place in various ways including through meditations, dreams, visions, synchronicities, nature, signs, sounds, and so on. The most important thing to understand about connecting to and communicating with your ancestors is the power of your intention. Once you make the decision to connect with your protective ancestors or loved ones, you will find that the pathway of communication opened.
Below I have put together a simple ritual for connecting with your protective ancestors or loved ones. As with most rituals I perform, I start with protective and grounding exercises and then carry out the ritual using a form of representation of the spirit(s) being connected with, a beacon or fuel source to guide and honor the spirit(s), and the magickal power of my intentions to carry out the actual working.
What you'll need:
While there are many methods for carrying out the below ritual, I am only going to highlight how I perform this ritual myself. You are welcome to replicate it in its entirety or modify it using your own preferred methods of protection, representation for your ancestors and loved ones, preferred candle method, and so on.
Protection
Start with sitting on the ground. If you have a designated altar space for the deceased and/or your ancestors, sit in front of that setup with your representative item, candle, and offering. Close your eyes and envision a bright light surrounding you completely. Let this light permeate every inch of you until you feel warm, safe, and grounded.
Welcoming
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Representation
Place the item (I'll be using my grandmother's class ring that is engraved with her initials) that represents your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) beside the black candle and offering.
Beacon
Light the black candle intended to guide your ancestors to you and place the cup or bowl of water beside this beacon.
Offering
Place out the offering (I'll be using red wine and pie since that was my grandmother's favorite thing to make) for your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) around/beside the black candle to feed them and honor them.
Connecting
Sitting and closing your eyes, envision a doorway opening and your protective ancestor(s) or loved one(s) coming through the gate toward you. Ask that any messages they may have for you be clearly received and state any other intentions you may have, such as honoring them, getting to know them better, etc.
Once you feel that they are with you, allow any messages they have to flow toward you. If you are not yet skilled at receiving messages through clairaudience, claircognizance, or the like, focus on how the present energy feels. Sit quietly with these feelings, allowing your body to take it all in and then gently release it. If you feel drawn to use a form of divination to communicate with your ancestor(s) or loved one(s), you may do that as well.
Closing
When you are ready to end the ritual and communication with your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) for now, thank those who came forward and allowed you to connect with them, and then visualize them all leaving through the same gate they came through. Once gone, envision the doorway closing and fading away.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
For a more in-depth resource for accessing ancestral realms and clearing patterns of abuse from your lineage, check out the Accessing Ancestral Realms foundational course. May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
The human body is composed of various energy centers, also known as chakras, which are associated with different colors and aspects of our being. Understanding these energy sources can provide valuable insights into our overall well-being and help us achieve balance in our lives.
Crystals have long been used for their healing properties and can be a powerful tool in balancing and harmonizing the energy sources in our bodies. Each energy source, also known as a chakra, corresponds to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Root Energy Source
The first energy source is the root energy source, which is linked to the color red. It represents our sense of stability, security, and connection to the physical world. This energy center governs our basic survival needs and grounds us in the present moment. This energy source is located at the base of the spine, and crystals such as carnelian can be placed over this area to promote grounding and stability. Red carnelian is believed to enhance courage and motivation. An easy way to remember this is by utilizing the rainbow order of colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) since these match up with the order of the energy sources in the body (sometimes clear or white is used alternatively to violet). Crystals that correspond with these colors are an easy way to link to energetic properties of the crystal with the body—so since red represents the root energy source in the body, it’s easy to remember that crystals like red carnelian or red jasper can help bring healing and balance.
Sacral Energy Source
The sacral energy source is associated with the color orange and relates to our creativity, passion, and emotional well-being. It influences our ability to experience pleasure, form healthy relationships, and embrace change. Located just below the navel, crystals like orange calcite, citrine, orange carnelian, or sunstone can be used to stimulate creativity and passion in the sacral energy source. These crystals are thought to help balance emotions and increase vitality.
Solar Plexus Energy Source
Moving up the body, we have the solar plexus energy source represented by the color yellow. This center is connected to our personal power, self-esteem, and confidence. It influences how we assert ourselves in the world and take control of our lives. The solar plexus energy source, found in the upper abdomen area, can benefit from crystals like citrine, yellow jade, yellow tiger's eye, or golden quartz. These stones are said to boost self-confidence and personal power.
Heart Energy Source
The heart energy source corresponds to the color green. It represents love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance. This center governs our ability to give and receive love unconditionally while fostering harmonious relationships with others. For the heart energy source located in the center of the chest, chrysoprase, green aventurine, and green calcite are popular choices. It is known as the stone of love and compassion, promoting emotional healing and harmony.
Throat Energy Source
Next is the throat energy source associated with light blue or turquoise. It relates to communication, self-expression, truthfulness, and authenticity. This center enables us to express ourselves clearly while listening attentively to others. The throat energy source corresponds to communication and self-expression. Crystals such as blue sodalite, blue lace agate, or lapis lazuli can be placed over this area to support clear communication and enhance self-confidence.
Third Eye Energy Source
Moving further up is the third eye energy source represented by indigo or deep blue. This center connects us to intuition, wisdom, inner guidance, and spiritual insight. It allows us to tap into higher consciousness and perceive beyond what meets the eye. This energy source is located between the eyebrows, lepidolite or amethyst crystals are often used. These stones are believed to enhance intuition and spiritual insight.
Crown Energy Source
Finally, we have the crown energy source at the top of the head symbolized by violet or white light. This center represents a spiritual connection with universal consciousness or higher power. It transcends individuality as it connects us with divine wisdom and cosmic awareness. Located at the top of our heads, clear quartz or amethyst can also be used to strengthen this energy source in the body. These crystals are associated with higher consciousness and spiritual connection.
Understanding these seven energy sources and their corresponding colors can help us identify areas of imbalance or blockages in our lives. By harmonizing and balancing these energy centers, we can enhance our overall well-being, emotional stability, and spiritual growth.
New to using crystals? Here are a few simple ways you can incorporate crystals into your daily life to bring about energetic balance, healing, and an overall sense of well-being. Crystals have long been used for their healing properties, and they can be a powerful tool for energy healing.
One popular method is to place crystals directly on the body. This allows the crystal's energy to directly interact with your own energy field. For example, if you want to balance the root energy source in the body, you might feel drawn to place carnelian or red jasper directly on this part of the body while meditating or listening to healing sound frequencies. You can also wear crystal jewelry that promotes energy balance in the body.
For many people, they may intuitively choose a crystal either being drawn to it energetically or based on its appearance. Black crystals, such as obsidian or tourmaline, are often used to protect your energy and shield a person from negative energy. Clear crystals, such as quartz and selenite, can help neutralize, cleanse, and charge energy, including other crystals. Other colorful crystals may be chosen based on which energy sources in the body need balancing, strengthening, etc.
We have multiple crystal products available for sale! All of our crystals are ethically sourced and each order is sound-cleansed before it is shipped out to ensure that you receive your metaphysical tools in a neutral energetic state ready to be used in your practice. Shop here.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on crystals, and specifically within the energy work category, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
When we hear the word "crystals," we usually think of pretty colored minerals. But those are not the only types of crystals. Graphite in pencils, table salt, and snow are crystals, too. What all crystals have in common, though, is an extremely well-organized molecular structure.
Believe it or not, we rely on crystals every single day of our lives. We use crystals to write, keep time, season our food, operate our phones and laptops, build our homes, and tons more. Throughout history, people have used crystals in ancient medicine and spiritual practices, believing they could balance the body’s energy centers or chakras, and they are also used in magickal ways to this day beyond their mundane uses.
Scientifically speaking, all matter, including crystals and the human body, is composed of atoms vibrating at specific frequencies. These vibrations, often referred to as Dominant Oscillatory Rates (DORs), determine the energetic signature of each entity. In the case of humans, our bodies consist of trillions of cells, each vibrating at its own unique frequency, collectively contributing to our overall vibrational state.
This intricate interplay of cellular vibrations represents the biological processes essential for life. In contrast, crystals exhibit a remarkable simplicity in their vibrational makeup, typically resonating at a single dominant frequency. This uniformity in DORs allows crystals to maintain a stable energetic signature, making them potent tools for harnessing and amplifying specific energies within their environment.
The molecules in a crystal are arranged in a fixed repeating pattern. Unlike humans, this structure makes crystal energy highly stable allowing them to easily maintain their DOR. When we bring crystals into our energy field the process of entrainment begins. Entrainment is when the rhythm of a more stable energy causes another to gradually synchronize with it. This is the Universe’s way of bringing energies into balance.
Crystals, with their stable molecular structures and precise vibrational frequencies, serve as incredible resonators and transducers of electromagnetic energies. But what exactly does that mean?
A resonator is like a tuning fork for energy. It vibrates at a specific frequency when energy is applied to it. This helps to amplify or enhance that energy. Imagine them as organized blocks vibrating in harmony, creating stability. When introduced to our energy field, they synchronize vibrations, a process called entrainment. This alignment mirrors the balance and harmony in nature.
A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another. In the case of electromagnetic energies, a transducer can take electromagnetic waves and convert them into another form of energy, such as sound or mechanical movement, or vice versa. Essentially, it's like a translator between different types of energy.
Because of their stability, crystals are used in various everyday technologies, from timekeeping in watches to transmitting data via radio waves and powering solar panels. They're essential as resonators and transducers of electromagnetic energies in numerous applications.
There are many ways to use crystals. Many people choose to carry them or wear them to keep the energetic frequency of the crystal near their energy field to embrace its metaphysical properties. Others may choose to meditate with them or use them in their home or sacred spaces to create a certain atmosphere that aligns with their intentions and craft. For example, someone who wants to embrace a greater degree of self-love or attract love into their life may choose to wear or work with rose quartz. Here are a few quick reference guides for crystals and some of their metaphysical benefits.
A lot of this comes down to personal preference. Like any spiritual or energetic practice, crystals are best used in a way that feels supportive and healing for you. Here are some ideas:
There are countless ways to cleanse your crystals (and none of them are "right" or "wrong" but the main piece of advice we have is checking if your crystals are water safe so they don't deteriorate).
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources for people who are new to spirituality and feel like they're drowning in the overwhelming number of "resources" on the internet and things to research, so this article aims to simplify things as much as possible, while still giving helpful direction as you embark on your wisdom journey.
Spirituality is a deeply personal journey of seeking meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. It involves exploring one's inner self, values, beliefs, and understanding of the universe. Unlike religion or other modern constructs, spirituality is not bound by specific dogmas or rituals. It transcends boundaries and invites individuals to explore their own unique paths toward enlightenment and self-discovery.
Spirituality is a life-long learning and growth endeavor because it is a continuous process of self-reflection, introspection, and evolution. It involves exploring different philosophies, practices, and experiences that help individuals deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. This journey often leads to personal transformation, increased self-awareness, empathy, compassion, and a greater sense of interconnectedness with all living beings.
By embracing spirituality as a way of life, individuals open themselves up to new perspectives, insights, and possibilities that can enrich their lives in profound ways. It encourages a sense of wonder, curiosity, and openness to the mysteries of existence, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world we inhabit.
What types of spiritual paths are there?
Eclectic Witchcraft — A personalized approach to witchcraft that combines elements from various traditions, such as herbalism, divination, spellwork, and energy healing instead of being labeled with any one particular path. Other labels/paths that witches may identify with if they prefer a singular focus to their craft include Green Witchcraft (plant-based), Kitchen Witchcraft (cooking and herb-based), Hedge Witchcraft (liminal space-based), Death Witchcraft (cycles and rebirth-based), Hearth Witchcraft (home-based), Astral Witchcraft (astral realms-based), Astrology Witchcraft (celestial bodies-based), Crystal Witchcraft (crystals and minerals-based), Art Witchcraft (color and creativity-based), and countless more.
Solitary Practitioner — Some individuals prefer to practice spirituality or witchcraft on their own, without belonging to a specific tradition or coven. Solitary practitioners often tailor their practice to suit their individual needs and beliefs. Similar to eclectic witchcraft, they simply focus on whatever resonates and fits their needs in a given season without the input of other practitioners.
Paganism — A diverse umbrella term encompassing various nature-based belief systems, such as Polytheistic religions, Witchcraft, Wicca, Druidry, and Heathenry. Paganism typically honors the Earth and its cycles and often involves rituals, ceremonies, and a deep connection to nature. Anyone can choose to be pagan and paganism can be practiced in conjunction with countless other paths and belief systems if so desired.
Buddhism — An ancient tradition originating in India, Buddhism emphasizes mindfulness, meditation, and the pursuit of enlightenment. It teaches individuals to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and inner peace through the Noble Eightfold Path.
Hermeticism — Rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, Hermeticism explores the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material worlds. It often incorporates practices like alchemy, astrology, and esoteric symbolism to facilitate personal transformation.
Gnosticism — A mystical tradition that focuses on attaining direct spiritual knowledge or gnosis. Gnosticism emphasizes the importance of transcending the material world to reach higher realms of consciousness and understanding.
Wicca — A modern pagan religion that focuses on the worship of nature and the practice of ritual magick. Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede, which emphasizes harm none and do what you will. Note this is a modern religion, and though Wicca practices witchcraft, most witches are not Wiccan as they strive to embrace the older ways.
Druidry — An ancient Celtic spiritual tradition that honors nature, ancestors, and the cycles of the seasons. Druids often work with trees, plants, and sacred sites in their practice.
Shamanism — A spiritual practice found in various cultures around the world, shamanism involves connecting with the spirit world to heal, gain wisdom, and commune with nature spirits.
Heathenry — A modern revival of Norse paganism that honors the gods and goddesses of the Norse pantheon, as well as the spirits of land and ancestors.
It will feel right. It will feel like it's something that's always been a part of you or that you've always longed for or known. If you dabble in something and it doesn't feel quite right, that's okay, keep on exploring new paths until you find what sits well with you. Labels are entirely unnecessary, so don't feel like you have to know exactly what category you fit into, enjoy the journey of learning, growing, and exploring, and if it's meant to have a label, you'll find it when the time is right.
In all honesty, you should research and explore whatever you feel naturally drawn to. I'm a firm believer that we are drawn to certain topics because they either hold wisdom that can aid us on our path or they somehow play a role in who we are on a grander scale.
If you begin researching something you feel drawn to and then deem it unhelpful or not in alignment with your path, that's perfectly fine too. There's no harm in the research portion, as you can easily put down whatever you've picked up and carry on to whatever calls to you next.
If this leaves things too wide open for your taste, I've assembled some topics below that I feel are critical to ensuring safety in any spiritual endeavors, as they lay a foundation for everything else you may find yourself dabbling in later on.
Regardless of your beliefs, culture, traditions, or heritage, somewhere along the way, you've most likely been confronted with the idea that otherworldly beings exist, whether it be God/gods/goddesses, angels and demons, spirits, or some variation or adaptation of these general concepts. With so many different energies at play in the universe, it is important that anyone learning to navigate spirituality and spiritual realms understand four basic principles: grounding, cleansing, protection, and banishing.
Grounding — Grounding helps keep us balanced, and connected to our bodies, and avoid the negative repercussions of allowing our minds to venture too far off into the clouds, so to speak. We've all most likely encountered someone at some point in our lives who experienced psychosis, and it can be quite alarming. This makes grounding practices incredibly important for our mental health, as well as our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Learn more about the fundamentals of grounding here.
Cleansing — Cleansing helps keep our energy and our space in a fairly neutral state. Though both positively and negatively charged energy have important roles to play in the universe, learning to keep things in equilibrium is necessary as we dive into the spiritual aspects of life. You'll realize just how important this is when you learn how being around certain people, places, or things can impact you in the short term and long term. Learn more about the fundamentals of cleansing here.
Protection — Protection helps keep our energy and space safeguarded from unwanted energies entering, lingering, or impacting us. While there are a lot of things constantly taking place amongst the unseen realms that you'll want to learn to protect against, there are also a lot of unwanted energies that human beings carry with them that we may encounter at any given point if people come and go from our home, we spend time in large crowds, or even in toxic office spaces. Learn more about the fundamentals of protection here.
Banishing — Banishing helps remove entities or energies that have managed to find their way into our space despite our regular grounding, cleansing, and protection efforts. Though banishing is not something that will need to be done all that frequently, it's certainly important to learn and understand, so that if and when the day comes that it needs to be done, you can do so swiftly and confidently. Learn more about the fundamentals of banishing here.
From there, there are countless paths you can journey down based on what interests you, whether it be learning about divination, spellcasting, rituals, magick, energy work, dream work, astral travel or projection, lunar cycles, astrology, solar cycles, pagan celebrations, and more.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on spiritual awakening, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
Spiritual awakening can be described as a profound shift in consciousness and awareness that leads to a deep understanding of oneself and the world around us. It often involves a heightened sense of connection to something greater than ourselves, whether it be a higher power, the universe, or simply a collective energy.
During a spiritual awakening, individuals may experience a range of emotions, insights, and revelations that challenge their existing beliefs and perspectives. This process can be both transformative and challenging, as it often involves confronting unresolved emotions, letting go of limiting beliefs, and seeking greater meaning and purpose in life.
It's important to note, though, that what many people describe as a spiritual awakening is actually only the beginning of the process—and a person who is truly spiritually awakened has already moved through behaviors of acting superior or more intelligent than others, have found balance in both light and darkness, have managed to keep their ego in check, and so on.
Sudden Awakening — This type of spiritual awakening occurs abruptly and can be triggered by a profound experience or realization. It often leads to a significant shift in perspective and a newfound sense of clarity.
Gradual Awakening — Unlike sudden awakenings, gradual awakenings unfold over time and involve a series of smaller revelations or insights. This type of awakening allows for a more gentle and steady transformation.
Existential Awakening — This type of awakening involves questioning the deeper meaning and purpose of one's existence. It often leads to a search for greater spiritual connection and understanding.
Emotional Awakening — Emotional awakenings involve becoming more attuned to one's emotions, feelings, and innermost desires. This type of awakening can lead to increased self-awareness and emotional healing.
Intuitive Awakening — Intuitive awakenings involve tapping into one's intuition and inner wisdom. This type of awakening can lead to greater trust in one's instincts and a deeper connection to the universe.
Awakening through Crisis — Sometimes, spiritual awakenings are triggered by challenging life events or crises that force individuals to reevaluate their beliefs and priorities. These awakenings often lead to profound personal growth and transformation.
Who typically experiences spiritual awakening?
People from all walks of life can experience spiritual awakenings, but there are certain types of individuals who may be more predisposed to such profound experiences. Those who are introspective and reflective by nature often find themselves on a spiritual journey, seeking deeper meaning and connection in their lives. Additionally, individuals who have experienced significant life changes or challenges, such as loss, trauma, or a near-death experience, may be more open to a spiritual awakening as they search for healing and understanding.
People who are curious about different belief systems and philosophies, and who are open-minded to exploring new ideas and perspectives, are also more likely to experience spiritual awakenings. Those who have a strong sense of empathy and compassion towards others may find themselves drawn to spirituality as a way to connect with something greater than themselves and cultivate a sense of purpose and interconnectedness.
After experiencing a spiritual awakening, individuals often report feeling a profound sense of inner peace, clarity, and purpose. They may feel more connected to the world around them, as well as to a higher power or universal energy. Emotions such as love, joy, and gratitude tend to become more prevalent in their daily lives.
On a mental level, those who have undergone a spiritual awakening often find that their perspective on life shifts dramatically. They may experience heightened levels of intuition, creativity, and insight into their own thoughts and emotions. This newfound clarity can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and personal growth.
Spiritually awakened individuals also tend to experience a deep sense of interconnectedness with all living beings. They may feel more compassionate towards others and develop a strong desire to contribute positively to the world. This can result in a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in their relationships and activities.
Overall, the aftermath of a spiritual awakening is often described as a transformative and enlightening experience that brings about a profound sense of peace, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself.
Absolutely not. Can it be difficult and uncomfortable? Yes, of course. Can the new wisdom and knowledge you have access to be used to cause destruction and harm to others? Certainly. But is it inherently dangerous or evil? No, not at all.
Spiritual awakening can be seen as a deep inner shift in consciousness, leading to a profound sense of connection to oneself, others, and the universe. It often involves a heightened awareness of one's true self and purpose in life. This awakening is a personal and transformative experience that goes beyond religious or spiritual practices.
Practicing religion or spirituality, on the other hand, typically involves following established beliefs, rituals, and traditions within a specific framework or community. While these practices can also lead to personal growth and connection to the divine, spiritual awakening is more about an individual's direct experience of spiritual truths and insights.
In essence, spiritual awakening is a journey of self-realization and enlightenment that transcends external structures and dogma, allowing individuals to tap into their inner wisdom and connect with the deeper aspects of existence. It can be a profound and life-changing process that opens up new perspectives and possibilities for growth and evolution.
While it can sound scary to go through such a major paradigm shift and the aftermath of seeing the world in such a different way, it's also really beautiful and exciting too. Though change can be frightening, it's equally worth it.
If you're ready to welcome all that comes with a spiritual awakening, the following ritual is one you can perform to align your intentions with the transformative energy that comes through connecting with your higher self, the universe, and the wisdom that is in and all around you.
When people begin the process of spiritual awakening, they can quickly become susceptible to ideas of grandeur, thought processes that can evolve into psychosis-like behaviors, and welcoming energies into their space out of ignorance that is not aligned with their highest good. In order to mitigate and minimize these pitfalls, I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of grounding, cleansing, protection, banishing, and parasitic entities before proceeding.
Grounding before any form of spiritual awakening ritual is incredibly important as it ensures that you are connected to your body, the material realm, and very much present for everything that is to follow. You can ground your energy in several ways including, spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagining roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, and more. Remember that grounding is a personal practice, so feel free to explore different techniques and find what works best for you.
To cleanse the energy of your space before performing any type of spiritual awakening ritual, you can smoke cleanse with sacred dried herbs, sound cleanse with bells or singing bowls, or utilize energy-clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends. Each method has its unique way of clearing negative energy and creating a positive environment for your spiritual awakening ritual, so use whatever method is easily doable and works best for you. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing the space you’ll be working in of any negative or stagnant energy so that you have a neutral starting point.
After cleansing the space to bring it to a neutral state energetically speaking, you’ll then want to protect yourself and the space from any additional unwanted energies from entering. This is a critical step as it helps minimize the risk of parasitic entities or malevolent beings from sneaking their way into your space while spiritual doorways or portals are "open" — do not ever skip protective steps when performing any type of spiritual awakening ritual, even if it's a seemingly simple or straightforward practice. Protection can be implemented by setting an energetic boundary, such as casting a circle, if this aligns with your spiritual path and beliefs, wearing protective crystals, such as black obsidian, black tourmaline, or hematite, or casting a protection spell, or utilizing a protective ward.
You can protect your space and create a protective circle with the support of the elements using the steps below.
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
After effectively grounding yourself and cleansing and protecting the space you’ll be working in, here are a few different methods that I have personally used to welcome a spiritual awakening, whether it be for the very first time or to take you to a deeper/higher level from your current state, as taught to me by my deities and spirit guides. Remember, after the spiritual awakening ritual is performed, you will want to close out the ritual in reverse order by re-protecting yourself and your space, re-cleansing yourself and your space from any lingering negative or stagnant energy, and re-grounding yourself to diffuse built-up energy from the working itself.
After the spiritual awakening ritual, you’ll want to re-protect your energetic field to repair any places where vulnerabilities may have arisen following welcoming the spiritual awakening transitionary energy into your life. Take a moment to visualize your energy being slowly mended and strengthened before closing out the protective circle that was created with the support of the elements. These steps will be done in reverse order from how they were first performed.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me through this spiritual awakening ritual and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Be intentional going forward to protect your energy. Find what works best for you, whether it be veiling (wearing a head covering), wearing protective crystals, wearing a protective talisman or amulet, shielding through glamour magick, or whatever your preferred method is.
To cleanse your energy (and space if you feel it’s necessary) after performing this spiritual awakening ritual, you can utilize the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as smoke cleansing with sacred dried herbs, using sound cleansing with bells or singing bowls, or utilizing energy clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends.
Alternatively, you also might opt for something that’s more personal to cleanse yourself, such as a ritual cleansing shower or bath. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs again, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around yourself or your space, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing your energy so that you feel clean, refreshed, and energized.
Grounding after a spiritual awakening ritual is incredibly important as it ensures that any excess energy is redirected back to the ground/earth. You can ground your energy utilizing the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, etc.
Remember, just as we tend to our physical bodies with care and attention, so too must we nurture our spiritual well-being. By cultivating a practice of grounding, cleansing, and protecting ourselves we can fortify our energetic boundaries and safeguard our essence from anything who seeks to drain it.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on death work, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
Death work is a vast topic in the spiritual space and covers everything pertaining to the death and rebirth cycle that we go through either as human beings or as spiritual beings. From a human perspective, this may look like literally dying and crossing over to the next portion of our lives after our current material existence. In a spiritual context though, we go through many deaths and rebirths at various stages throughout our journey when we release what's no longer serving us, heal, embrace change, and so on. Death work may include any of the following: working with ancestors (those who walked our path before us and have already departed the material plane of existence), helping humans nearing death peacefully transition from this life to the next, helping those who are already deceased cross over if they're unable to move forward on their own, healing generational patterns of abuse and trauma,
Death Energy — Though many people exclusively think of death energy as the "end" of one thing, it is better understood as the force of change or transition. It is the shedding of the old to make way for new beginnings. The Ouroboros symbol is one of the best representations of this energy, depicted as a serpent eating its own tail. This imagery showcases the concept of infinity, wholeness, and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. As the serpent consumes itself, it symbolizes the endless nature of creation and destruction, where death is not an end but a part of a continuous cycle.
Death Workers — These are individuals who work with death energy on a recurring basis to bring about change in their lives and in the lives of others.
Death Doulas — These are individuals who help human beings prepare for and transition from the material realm to what awaits them on the other side. They may take on roles as hospice workers, home-based palliative care workers, and funeral or end-of-life planners. Their goal is typically to bring peace of mind to the individual nearing the end of their life and comfort to their families to ease the transition.
Death Walkers — These are individuals who help deceased people spiritually cross over. They may work in paranormal investigator roles, make house calls for "hauntings", or host seances or mediumship sessions to communicate with the deceased. Their goal is typically to receive messages from the spirits of the deceased and help them find closure so they do not remain trapped in limbo but are able to move forward spiritually speaking.
Death Witches/Practitioners — These are individuals who work with death energy and use its force in their intentions and spiritual practices to heal themselves, transmute energy for the purposes of growth, and unwind generational patterns of abuse, trauma, and more. They may simultaneously take on roles as death walkers, death doulas, and death workers too.
People who understand that death is a transition of one thing ending in order for something new to begin and who do not fear death itself, but rather recognize its important role in the universe. For without death, we cannot have life; and without endings, we cannot have beginnings.
Clairvoyant Individuals — Those who are naturally gifted with or who have worked to develop their clairvoyant abilities, have the capability to see things spiritually that the majority of people are blind to. That can make working with the liminal and transitionary energy of death a natural draw for clairvoyance individuals.
Mediumship-gifted Individuals — Those who are able to see and communicate with spirits and beings on "the other side" in a mediumship capacity, may be naturally drawn to death work as they are already able to make contact with the dead.
Empathic Individuals — Those who are naturally empathic or sensitive to energy and spiritual activity, may be particularly drawn to various forms of death work as it allows them to help others in times of confusion and frustration, whether it be helping humans at the end of their life, or helping those who are already deceased cross over if their death occurred unexpectedly, tragically, or under extreme circumstances.
Healthcare-focused or Healer-type Individuals — Individuals who are drawn to working in healthcare or healer-type lines of work are often drawn to helping people in times of sickness and crisis, which often naturally overlaps with working with death energy, even if the person is not physically dying. Death energy is tapped into every time a person releases what is no longer serving them and welcomes in healing and rebirth energy.
Imagine shedding old, heavy layers of the self, like a snake shedding its skin, making way for new growth and healing energy to flow in.
As you walk this path, you may feel a sense of liberation as you let go of emotional baggage and limiting beliefs. It’s like standing in a dark forest, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, only to emerge into a clearing bathed in moonlight, feeling lighter and more connected to your true self.
Remember, this is just the beginning of your journey toward healing and self-discovery. There are infinite layers to explore and mysteries to uncover as you continue your exploration of death work. Embrace the process with an open heart and a curious mind, for there is always more wisdom waiting to be revealed.
Absolutely not. Can it be difficult and uncomfortable? Yes, of course. Can it be used to cause destruction and harm to others? Certainly. But is it inherently dangerous or evil? No, not at all.
Death work and necromancy are two distinct practices that involve working with the dead, but they have different intentions and methods.
Death work typically involves rituals and practices aimed at honoring, communicating with, and assisting the deceased. On the other hand, necromancy (necromancy also should not be confused with the word necrophilia which is to engage sexually with the deceased and is completely unaffiliated with everything we are discussing on this page) is a form of magick that focuses on summoning and controlling the spirits of the dead for personal gain or power through manipulation.
While death work often involves showing respect and reverence for the dead, necromancy is commonly associated with darker intentions and may be viewed as unethical or dangerous by some practitioners. It's important to approach both practices with caution and respect for the boundaries between the living and the dead.
Most definitely. Though the intentions for how death work is used is ultimately up to the spiritual practitioner, if your goals are to heal and grow personally and help others as well, then it can certainly be used for good. Alternatively, as with any spiritual practice, the knowledge and wisdom that comes with dabbling in death work can certainly be used to bring about greater destruction and harm to both the living and the dead.
While it can sound scary to dabble with something so deeply misunderstood, like death energy, we do not need to fear death work itself, as long as we are educated on what it is, know how to properly ground, cleanse, and protect ourselves before practicing, and are clear on our intentions.
As with any spiritual practice that aims to connect with the other side, spirits, or the deceased, it is important to understand that there are beings in existence that are malicious or malevolent in nature. If at any point you find yourself dealing with an entity that is parasitic, know that this is NOT the spirit of a deceased person, commonly referred to as ghosts, the dead, apparitions, etc. but rather an entity whose only intention is to feed off the lifeforce of whatever host it can latch onto. If you are unfamiliar with these types of entities, I would strongly caution you against dabbling in death work until you are well-educated on them, as you can put an unnecessary target on yourself. You can learn more about parasitic entities here.
If you're already familiar with the fundamentals of grounding, cleansing, protection, banishing, and parasitic entities, you'll have a good basis for everything that we'll dive into relating to death work.
Grounding before any form of death work is incredibly important as it ensures that you are connected to your body, the material realm, and very much present for everything that is to follow. You can ground your energy in several ways including, spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagining roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, and more. Remember that grounding is a personal practice, so feel free to explore different techniques and find what works best for you.
To cleanse the energy of your space before performing any type of death work, you can smoke cleanse with sacred dried herbs, sound cleanse with bells or singing bowls, or utilize energy-clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends. Each method has its unique way of clearing negative energy and creating a positive environment for your death energy work, so use whatever method is easily doable and works best for you. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing the space you’ll be working in of any negative or stagnant energy so that you have a neutral starting point.
After cleansing the space to bring it to a neutral state energetically speaking, you’ll then want to protect yourself and the space from any additional unwanted energies from entering. This is a critical step as it helps minimize the risk of parasitic entities or malevolent beings from sneaking their way into your space while spiritual doorways or portals are "open" — do not ever skip protective steps when performing any type of death working, even if it's a seemingly simple or straightforward practice. Protection can be implemented by setting an energetic boundary, such as casting a circle, if this aligns with your spiritual path and beliefs, wearing protective crystals, such as black obsidian, black tourmaline, or hematite, or casting a protection spell, or utilizing a protective ward.
You can protect your space and create a protective circle with the support of the elements using the steps below.
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Hail and welcome!"
After effectively grounding yourself and cleansing and protecting the space you’ll be working in, here are a few different methods that I have personally used to practice death work as taught to me by my deities and spirit guides. Remember, after the death working is performed, you will want to close out the ritual in reverse order by re-protecting yourself and your space, re-cleansing yourself and your space from any lingering negative or stagnant energy, and re-grounding yourself to diffuse built-up energy from the working itself.
After the death working, you’ll want to re-protect your energetic field to repair any places where vulnerabilities may have arisen following connecting with death energy and liminal space. Take a moment to visualize your energy being slowly mended and strengthened before closing out the protective circle that was created with the support of the elements. These steps will be done in reverse order from how they were first performed.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me through this death working and preventing any energies that aren't aligned with my highest good from entering this sacred space. Thank you and farewell."
Be intentional going forward to protect your energy. Find what works best for you, whether it be veiling (wearing a head covering), wearing protective crystals, wearing a protective talisman or amulet, shielding through glamour magick, or whatever your preferred method is.
To cleanse your energy (and space if you feel it’s necessary) after performing this death working, you can utilize the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as smoke cleansing with sacred dried herbs, using sound cleansing with bells or singing bowls, or utilizing energy clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends.
Alternatively, you also might opt for something that’s more personal to cleanse yourself, such as a ritual cleansing shower or bath. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs again, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around yourself or your space, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing your energy so that you feel clean, refreshed, and energized.
Grounding after a death working is incredibly important as it ensures that any excess energy is redirected back to the ground/earth. You can ground your energy utilizing the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, etc.
Remember, just as we tend to our physical bodies with care and attention, so too must we nurture our spiritual well-being. By cultivating a practice of grounding, cleansing, and protecting ourselves we can fortify our energetic boundaries and safeguard our essence from anything who seeks to drain it.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
One of the fundamentals of paganism and esoteric wisdom is banishing. Here is a brief overview of what this means within esotericism and how you can practice banishing.
Banishing removes energies that are not welcome in your space from staying there. Banishing is a broad term that can have many different purposes and be carried out via a plethora of methods.
If at any point during your routine, you encounter unwelcome energies or spirits in your space that aren’t aligned with your intentions or highest good, banishing is necessary. These may be energies or spirits that are draining your energy, have mischievous or malicious intentions, or are around for nefarious reasons, and as a result interfere with your own health, healing, and well-being.
You may already be practicing banishing or cleansing when you feel the need to sweep after someone leaves your home, open the windows when you enter a room that feels stuffy, or take a few moments by yourself to regroup after being in a large crowd.
When our energy is interfered with in any way, it can inhibit our creativity, inspiration, and ability to think clearly, bring down our mood, and cause feelings of fatigue, sickness, and exhaustion. Banishing these unwanted energies allows us to keep everything in order and balance within ourselves and our space so that we are able to continue thriving physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The methods for banishing are as vast as every other topic in esotericism. Common methods of banishing are:
The key with each of these methods is the individual’s intentions and mindset. Even mundane activities, such as sweeping or dusting, can be methods of banishing. For example, sweeping or dusting may be done with the intention of banishing dirt, dust, or debris from your home. Your intentions could also be banishing stagnant energy that is no longer serving you and your household.
Bear in mind that the permanence or efficacy of banishings is partially dependent on what you are banishing. Some banishings will be permanent and irreversible. Some banishings will aid mundane efforts at removing difficult things that are a struggle to get rid of. Some banishings will need to be refreshed and recharged regularly in order to continue warding off ongoing things. Some banishings will help to reduce the frequency or intensity of occurrences, especially if it is something that is pervasive and unavoidable. Some banishings are simply not going to work, because what you want is not possible. For example, banishing can remove toxic people from your life, but cannot make it like it never happened – you still have to do the work to process the trauma and heal.
One of the fundamentals of paganism and esoteric wisdom is grounding. Here is a brief overview of what this means within esotericism and how you can practice grounding.
Grounding keeps your energy rooted and connected to the appropriate surrounding sphere. Grounding physically means we are maintaining a connection with our body and the earth around us. Grounding emotionally means we are maintaining a connection with our feelings and the realm of emotions around us. Grounding spiritually means we are staying connected with our spiritual self and the realm of energy.
Grounding keeps us anchored in a way that can minimize the risks of having our heads too far in the clouds, so to speak. While it is important to remain open-minded throughout this process, it is also necessary that we move forward in a manner that is also logical and rational, which requires a degree of grounding. Just because we have an idea or thought pop into our head doesn’t make it true or reliable information. Grounding helps us process incoming information and navigate how to appropriately sort the information so that we can best observe and analyze it. If at any point during your routine or studies, you feel disconnected from your physical body or the surrounding world, disengaged from your emotional self or the realm of feelings, or out of touch with your spiritual self and the energies around you, it’s a good idea to ground.
Grounding with earth
This is most people’s default understanding of grounding and often looks like walking barefoot in nature or sitting on the floor. Spending time outdoors, in the sunshine, or with plants and animals can all be forms of grounding as well.
Grounding with water
This can be done by bathing or wading in a body of water and feeling the water all around you similar to how feeling the earth under your bare feet can ground you.
Grounding with fire
This can be done through heat or warmth, or creative or artistic exercises. Spending time in the sun, a sauna, or with a heated or warm fuzzy blanket can help ground you. Painting, drawing, coloring, journaling, or writing can be creative outlets that can ground you as well.
Grounding with air
This can be done through breathing exercises, listening to grounding frequencies, or meditating to balance the root and sacral chakras. Spending time focusing on your breath, expressing gratitude for the air you inhale and exhale, and allowing the sounds you hear to keep you grounded can make a tremendous difference.
Grounding with spirit
This can be done through visualization and meditation, such as envisioning your spirit sprouting roots like a tree and growing deeply into the earth beneath you.
One of the fundamentals of paganism and esoteric wisdom is cleansing. Here is a brief overview of what this means within esotericism and how you can practice cleansing.
Cleansing neutralizes the energy of a person, object, or place. It can be thought of similarly to the idea of purification where any energies associated with or linked to a person, object, or place are brought to a balanced middle ground of sorts. The goal of cleansing is to mitigate the influence or attachment of any positively or negatively charged energy on its subject, wherever this be a person, an object, or a particular area.
You may already be practicing cleansing if you've ever been around a person who felt like they were draining you and you had to take a shower/bath after being with them or when the Spring season rolls around and you feel motivated to deep-clean the whole house.
All day, every day energy is in motion and comes into contact with people, objects, and space. In relation to ourselves, cleansing allows us to bring our energy back to a neutral state after we’ve been exposed to other people’s energy. For example, cleansing after a long day at work or being around lots of people can help eliminate any lingering energy of others from yourself.
In relation to objects, cleansing things that have been given to you, that you’re bringing into your home, or that you’re using in your daily routine can help eliminate any energy still connected to the item from its previous owner, the creation process, etc. For example, if you’ve purchased jewelry, home decor, clothing, and the like, these objects may still hold the energy of the person who created it, previously owned it, or came into contact with it before you bought it. Cleansing these items can help bring them back to neutral before you incorporate them into your dwelling.
When it comes to space that needs to be cleansed, this is related to lingering stagnant energy that could potentially influence the place as a whole. People may want to cleanse a space before they sleep there, such as a hotel room, or a house before they move into it and call it home. Others may cleanse a specific circle of space before meditating or performing a ritual so the outcome isn’t influenced by anything other than their own energy, and so on.
On a fundamental level, you can think of cleansing in five basic categories that align with the elements. This is an easy way to remember methods of cleansing and can be expounded upon vastly within each general category. Remember, no matter which element or method you’re using, your intentions and mindset are everything. Set your intentions on cleansing and with a mindset of gratitude to the element(s) you’re using for cleansing.
Earth cleansing
When working with the earth element for cleansing, some common methods include clear quartz, selenite, and salt. Selenite is a particularly simple and easily accessible method for neutralizing energy. Pieces of selenite can be stored with other objects, placed over doorways or in the corners of a room or house, or worn as jewelry on your person.
Water cleansing
When working with the water element for cleansing, some common methods include showers, baths, rinsing, or soaking depending on what’s being cleansed. A shower or bath can cleanse you of any lingering energetic influences, objects (if water safe) can be rinsed or soaked in water to cleanse them, and water charged with your intentions (such as moon water, sun water, crystal water, Florida water, etc.) can be sprayed in an area to cleanse it.
Air cleansing
When working with the air element for cleansing, some common methods include incense, smoke cleansing, and sound. Yourself, objects, or any open space can be cleansed by utilizing the smoke from incense or herbal bundles or playing the sound of cleansing frequencies (such as crystal singing bowls, music, etc.)
Fire cleansing
When working with the fire element for cleansing, some common methods overlap with air cleansing due to the nature of burning resin, incense, or herbs to cleanse yourself, an object, or a place. You can also fire cleanse using candles charged with your intentions, writing down the energy you want to release and burning it, and so on.
Spirit cleansing
When working with the spirit element for cleansing, some common methods include visualization and meditation. The easiest way to go about this is by closing your eyes and visualizing the energy you want to release and then envisioning a bright light purifying the energy of yourself, a particular object, or a specific place.
Different methods will prove to work better in various situations based on the energy being cleansed, your connection with the given method and element, and your intentions. If a particular method doesn’t feel aligned with your intentions, don’t hesitate to try something different. Your intuition is one of your greatest resources when it comes to your healing and growth journey.
