Clearing The New Year

Clearing the home with sage

The hubs and I have been fighting some long lasting cold for a little over a week now. It has me feeling sluggish and less than motivated to kick-start 2014 in high gear. I can tell we are at the tail-end of this sickness and today I plan to give it a final shove out the door. 

As soon as this blog is published, I am going to clear Chigger Chalet of any impurities, negativity, or lingering illness with a good saging. See, Native Americans have long known that sage is a powerful and magical herb. It has many uses and clearing (cleansing/smudging) is probably one of the most well known. As a culinary herb, sage is great to keep in the kitchen garden for use in cooking and spiritual/magical purposes. Growing, drying, and binding your own sage lends to the connection you have with the plant and can strengthen its abilities. After all, if you breathe the same air, drink the same water and have your home on the same soil as a plant you grow yourself, it helps match-up your overall vibrations. Working with local herbs and plants is always the best way. Of course, you may not want to wait until harvest to have sage to work with. It is widely available at health food stores, herb and tea shops, spiritual bookstores, and online. There are several types of sage (my favorite is White Sage) and they  each contain unique qualities. Have fun experimenting until you find your favorite. 

Beautiful sage bundles

Smudging/clearing your home (or self, pet, jewelry/object) with sage is simple. You'll need a wand of sage, a lighter or match, a fire-safe plate or bowl and maybe a fan, feather or something to spread the smoke about. After lighting the wand and getting it smoldering nicely, hold it over the plate and walk through your house or the place you intend to clear. Waft the smoke about in corners, around windows and doors, and near places that store a lot of energy like the kitchen table or the bed. You may wish to set your intention with a simple chant:

"All negativity now disperse. May this house be cleansed, free of all bad forces, thoughts and energies. May it remain so."

After you're done make sure to snuff out the sage wand completely and let it cool on the plate before putting it away. 

After Chigger Chalet has been cleared, it's my turn. Most of you know the health benefits of epsom salt. Used by athletes to soothe sore muscles, epsom salts are also great for pulling toxins from the body and can help speed recovery from cold and flu. You can find epsom salt at any good supermarket or drug store.

Epsom Salt

The following is the recipe for the bath I'll be taking today.

Leanne's Healing Soak

Add to a hot bath:

1 cup Epsom Salt

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

1/2 cup Baking Soda

Soak in this bath for at least 20 minutes to draw out toxins, lower stress-related hormones, and balance your pH levels. Light some candles, toss flowers in the water and play soothing music. Make the time to love and care for yourself. I'm off to do just that! 

~ Love & Light ~