Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Energetic Cleansing – Part 1

Energetic cleansing is one of those basic skills that every witch or spiritual practitioner should have a good handle on. There are an almost unlimited number of possible situations where it may become necessary. You can cleanse yourself, your surroundings, or things that are nearby (including other people). And there are a ton of different ways to go about doing it.

In this series, we’re going to examine all things related to energetic cleansing, including when, why, and how to do it.

What Is Cleansing?

What does it really mean to cleanse something? Are we just talking about cleaning it? Is it the same as dusting a shelf, mopping a floor, or vacuuming?

Well, no. Although the word itself quite literally means “to make thoroughly clean,” we’re dealing with things on an energetic, spiritual, or intangible level. This is a type of dirt that you can’t see with the naked eye. It’s astral dirt.

For most of us, what we’re really talking about is neutralizing energy in some way, shape, or form. A better word for this might actually be “purification,” but some folks have issues with that word because of Christianity. So let’s say it another way…

When we cleanse energy, we’re doing some woowoo to get rid of the bad juju.

Is that simple enough?

A Common Situation

Here’s a very common example that pretty much anyone who defines themselves as pagan, wiccan, or witch should be able to relate to.

You just bought a new crystal from your local metaphysical shop. Before you do anything with that crystal — before you even leave it out on the self to look pretty — you need to cleanse that crystal!

Most of us can agree that crystals are good conductors of energy, even on a purely physical and mundane level (and if you don’t agree with that, by the way, we can have a separate conversation, but you’re probably browsing the wrong website). Taking this just one logical step further means that they can store energy, too.

[Side Note: The ability to conduct energy in this manner actually means that crystals are fluid condensers. Please have fun reading that entire series or wait for my upcoming book.]

But I digress. Let’s return to our example. You bought a new crystal.

You’re not in control of what energy it might have picked up in the past. Think of how many hands may have touched that one crystal over the scope of its trip from the ground to the store. And think of how many other customers may have held it before you. Somewhere along its journey, it might have picked up some negative energy.

And you don’t want those bad vibes hanging out in your house.

A Long List

Don’t worry. It’s not hard to energetically cleanse something. Over the years, I’ve tried out dozens of different techniques… and I’m going to share a bunch of them with you now.

1. Selenite

Selenite is widely regarded as “self-cleansing.” That means it requires no maintenance and can be used to cleanse other things just by proximity. Selene and I keep a small Selenite plate on one of our bookshelves. When new crystals or other small magickal trinkets come home from a shop, they usually spend their first night there.

This is an easy technique for small, solid objects and dry goods, but be sure to keep your liquids away. Selenite, which is in the gypsum family, will dissolve in water.

2. Incense

Grab that censer, light a charcoal, and throw some resin. Incense is a fantastic way to reorient energy. But if you prefer the stick or cone varieties, that’s okay too! They all work. Oh, and if you’re looking for something new in this realm, try burning some kyphi (which, full disclosure, Selene and I make by hand).

3. Smoke

But smoke comes in plenty of forms other than just incense, right?

White Sage bundles and smudge sticks have slightly decreased in popularity over the years due to concerns regarding unethical harvesting procedures and cultural appropriation (which I am not touching in this post), but you can still find them at pretty much any store that sells crystals, metaphysical books, or witchy items.

Of course, you don’t really need white sage. You can use smoke from just about anything. Something I learned from lucumi is that cigars, in fact, are very effective at cleansing. I don’t particularly like cigar smoke — but then again, I don’t particularly like the smell of sage either. And I think that’s sometimes the point…

And if all of those things bother you, then tie some rosemary sprigs together, light the bundle on fire, and use that smoke to cleanse something. Be creative. Just understand that smoke it its many forms can have cleansing effects.

4. Salt

Salt is cheap and abundant. Although it comes in many different varieties, they pretty much all share the same quality of being excellent at neutralizing energy. There is pink salt, bamboo salt, flavored salts, and more. You can even get large chunks of Himalayan rock salt in the form of a lamp.

But when it comes down to it, all you need is standard issue table salt. It’ll get the job done and it’s usually enough to just sprinkle it on top of whatever you’re cleansing. If you’ve got a heavy-duty job, however, you might consider covering things completely in salt.

5. Salt and Water

We make this combination at the beginning of every ritual during the consecration of the elements. For whatever reason, lots of folks don’t realize that it can also be used outside of ritual. Sprinkle this around your house — hit all the thresholds, doorways, and windows for a deep cleanse.

Word of caution: If you’re cleansing metal, just be aware that saltwater causes rust more quickly than freshwater.

6. Water (Especially Running Water)

Even by itself, water is pretty powerful. Large, moving bodies of water are especially great for cleansing. One of my most powerful spiritual cleansing moments involved the ocean.

Running water works wonders. If you have natural running water near you, then you are blessed. Streams or rivers are amazing. In a pinch, however, you can use running water from a faucet or shower head.

Cautions: Many crystals dissolve in water.

Oh, and just FYI — still or standing water can be used but is generally seen to be not as effective — the whole idea is letting the current or flow carry things away.

7. Fire

Fire is a powerful element for things like change and catharsis, but is also pretty much universally recognized as an agent of purification. You can cleanse things by quickly passing them through the flame of a candle — just make sure they aren’t flammable. Please do not start fires.

Proximity to a fire also has a cleansing effect. You can walk by or jump over a flame (which is common practice during some sabbats) for a bit of spiritual cleansing. This is especially fun when you have a large bonfire going.

8. Burying

Never underestimate the magickal potential of digging a hole, throwing something inside, and covering it back up. It’s almost like a symbolic death and resurrection, right?

You don’t have to leave it there forever. Give it an odd number of nights (like 3, 5, or 7) or even a full moon cycle, then dig it back up. It’ll be like new again… well, maybe after you dust off the dirt.

Although it probably should go without saying, please don’t bury things that are bad for the earth, like plastic, even if your intention is to return to it later.

9. Sunlight

The sun is powerful! Not only does it prevent us from freezing to death, but its rays can be used to cleanse items. This one is pretty simple: just set your item out at the height of midday for a few hours. Let the sun do the work!

But it’s important to understand that prolonged exposure to the sun can cause damage to some items — it can even fade the color on certain crystals. Be sure what you’re cleansing isn’t sensitive to UV radiation if you’re going to use this method.

10. Moonlight

Similar to sunlight, the light of the moon can also cleanse things. In fact, all forms of light can be effective. The reason they are split up into two different categories here is because sunlight and moonlight have a significantly different feel.

While the sun’s light is more intense, the moon’s light can be much gentler. And since it’s gentler, it’s much less likely to cause damage or fading.

Until Next Time…

That’s just the beginning of the list. There’s still plenty more to say on this topic, but it’ll have to wait until the next installment. In the meantime, feel free to let me know your personal favorite way to cleanse.

Hello friends. I’m suprised you made it down here, honestly. Okay, listen… since this article covers a wide variety of topics, I littered it with links to further reading, related topics, and even products. Some of those links are Amazon affiliate links. If you use one of those links to make a purchase, like buying a box of incense or something, Amazon will pay me a microscopic commission. That’s all.