Grounding and Clearing: Energetic Hygiene

You know when you attend an event, party, or gathering where the energy + vibes were just right? The people, the music, the sensory environment left you feeling recharged, refreshed, and more alive? You were likely immersed in a symbiotic frequency or vibratory match of your frequency. Conversely, have you ever left a busy event and just felt….off? Off, as in, more than simply overwhelmed? In this situation, there was likely a vibratory mismatch.

You can pick up energy from others, simply put, in the grocery store, on public transportation, at parties, concerts, or events. When the frequency or vibe is a match, you may feel elevated and happy. When the frequency or vibe is not a match, or, off, you may feel drained, angry, depressed, or highly emotional. It is possible to pick up a “mood” from others, whether positive or negative.

Actually, we do this all of the time, and you may not have considered that your mood is actually not yours. You might have picked it up from another. Now—it may be “your mood”—someone might have triggered a latent suppressed emotion in you. But how to know? What is mine? What is theirs?

Modern times having us exposed to A LOT of information at higher rates than our human bodies have had to process in the past. We have accelerated transportation, taking us to other cities, countries and continents in very little time. We consume news and media about events all over the world. Our human bodies are not meant to carry the fast paced global load of constant information through media and travel.

First off, let’s discuss how to find out if it’s you, or them. If a sudden mood or feeling seems to arise suddenly, or “out of nowhere”, you can intend that any energy that is in your body or energetic field be released. You can do this when washing your hands, or when bathing or showering. If the mood releases, it wasn’t yours. If it persists, it may be something that needs more attention. You can practice automatic writing, journaling, or talking with your therapist. Make sure that you take the time to process any emotions that need processing; when you do this, you are not bypassing.

Now, let’s talk about the importance of regular clearing practices. I think that regular clearing practices should be used like personal body hygiene. Just as you need to wash your body, clothes, and dwelling regularly, you need to clear your energetic field and living spaces with regularity.

I think that there is a collective perception that you need to call in another person for this. This is absolutely not the case—anyone can do this, yes, anyone. The biggest takeaway I’d like for you to have is that it’s all about your intention. Intention is everything in the energetic realms, so make sure to get very clear about what you are doing. I have both daily and weekly practices that support myself, my home, my vehicle, and my work spaces.

Here are some simple techniques to clear your energy field and body (do any or all of these things with the intention of releasing all energy that does not belong to you):

• wash your hands

• take a bath or shower (add salt for an added boost)

• snap your fingers or clap your hands around your body

• use smoke like dried herbs (sage, palo santo, mugwort, etc.) around your body

• ring a bell or tuning fork around your body

• use essential oils

I suggest using the personal clearing practices daily, or multiple times a day if needed. Build this practice into existing routines so that you have a better chance of remembering. For example, when you arrive home, every time you wash your hands, etc.

Our dwellings hold a lot of energy as well, especially with multiple people under one roof. I like to make a practice of clearing my home and vehicle once a week, and like to do it in the morning. I will not hesitate to do a clearing more than once a week if I feel it is needed. How do you know? It may feel off, or heavy. You may notice people having more arguments if the energetics in your home are off—and it is certainly good to clear after an argument.

I do like to have a couple of windows open on each level when clearing my spaces. Here are some simple techniques and considerations that you can use to clear the energy from your home (again, use any or all of these techniques with the intention to clear anything that needs to be cleared from your dwelling as you do this):

• good old fashioned cleaning (washing floorboards, baseboards, cleaning surfaces and textiles)

• use dried herbs in a fire proof bowl, and get to the corners of each room

• use an energetically charged spray with essential oils

• carry a white candle with you

• use a bell or a tuning fork

• take special care to clean around the internet router/WiFi

• clear devices (phones, iPads, computers)

• clear your car

Make sure to go through each space holding the intention to release the energy that is not yours, or that needs to be released. As you begin to practice these techniques with regularity, notice how you feel. Notice your moods. Notice if you see any differences with internal and external peace. These practices are vital to me, and I definitely see a difference when I skip it for a bit, or have gone lackadaisical with my personal practices.

Grounding is just as important as clearing your body, field, and living spaces. Grounding allows you to feel more connected to the Earth, to yourself, and to others. It can help to bolster embodied care for self. There are many things that you can do to ground your energy. This is good if you are feeling dissociated, or in any way outside of your body. There are many simple ways to get grounded:

• lie on a cotton blanket on the grass

• walk barefoot outside

• eat root vegetables, meat/protein, and dark chocolate

• rub oil or lotion into your body with care

• swim in natural water sources (lakes, rivers, ponds)

• take a salt bath

• practice Forest Bathing (slow walking in the forest, meditative)

• meditate and visualize your body rooting into the Earth

• engage in activities that require muscle work to get into your body

With regular engagement, these practices can fortify your wellbeing. If you feel like you can benefit from more support with these techniques, I’m teaching an in person class this month, June 24 on Grounding and Clearing at The Energetic Heart studio in Atlanta. I’d love to see you there!