Healing Your House

Home is where the heart is, a haven where we can escape the outside world and create our own environment. Possibly the most exciting thing about a home to me is the knowledge that inside those walls I have full power to create any Reality I choose. The keyword here is "power". Unfortunately, so many are unaware that this power is a real living thing, molded by thoughts, words and actions. As an illustration of this I want you to think of various homes you have visited. Some make you feel relaxed, others make you feel uptight. We often refer to this as "the air" of a place. Homes are magical places of energy because outside influences are fairly well controlled; "the air" is primarily created by its inhabitants. Even decorating sets the mood, thereby creating an air of response. Smudging is one way to cleanse your home. Many New Age shops or herbal stores will have smudge sticks for sale. You may even decide to make your own. Sage is a favorite of mine. Bundle the herb with the sticks tightly together and be careful when lighting. Make sure the herb has been dried thoroughly and appropriately. When you light the stick it causes a purifying smoke. I usually take the stick to each corner of every room in the house and either say a silent prayer or blessing to cleanse the home. I also do a general walk through of the whole house. Remember to do this in a relaxed state of mind. Get a mental picture of your home. Think about the different rooms in your house; what purpose does each room serve? What do you do there? How does each room make you feel? Doorways are more than just the means of getting from one room to another. They are neutral magical transition points. As you leave one room and enter another subtle changes occur in moods that you may not even be totally aware of. Consider using aromatherapy to neutralize this effect. You may do this by either purchasing oils or using herbs. If you are experiencing a lot of stress in your home, consider balancing it by using the same herb or oil in each room. Consider your selection carefully as aromatherapy works quickly and forcefully on the senses. Manufacturers have many sprays available at the local grocery store, drug store, etc., but personally the effect of "canned scents" do not achieve the same effect for me. Some outside influences that may affect you can come in the forms of unwelcome guests. For those of you who have insect problems I urge you to consider a natural approach. Commercial products often have ingredients harmful to the human body over time and can also affect household pets. While insects can be irritating to many of us they serve useful purposes as decomposers and also as traffic controllers for a wide array of pestilence. For ants, cockroaches, moths, etc.,try using bunches of sage around the house or sprinkling crumbled tansy along the edges inside and outside where the insects enter your home. Crumbled rue or rue water lightly spritzed around the house discourages fleas. For the human visitor that irritates you or refuses to leave there are a few options. Create a mental shield enveloping your house. Mentally visualize this as a huge energy field of cleansing white light. Envision it as only admitting those who have good intent. If someone comes into your home that refuses to take the polite hint and leave, try placing a broom by the door. This is an old folk method that seems to work surprisingly well. Last of all, a way to change the energy of your home is by feng shui, an ancient Asian method of detecting energy sources, how to open them and how to determine when they're blocked. There are many feng shui services these days where consultants will come into your home and help you to arrange furniture, etc., to allow energy points to open and flow more freely. There are also plenty of books on the market that teach you about feng shui. If you're willing to focus and feel the energy of your home, you can "feel" when a placement or arrangement is right. Don't be afraid to experiment with this. Try different arrangements and test them out for awhile to see how it feels. Homes are more than just places where we live, they are havens. The energy of our homes affect us greatly and can influence mental, physical and spiritual health.