When I was a boy growing up, major house cleaning always took place in May before Memorial Day (spring cleaning) and again in September after Labor Day (fall cleaning). My home would be a frenzy of chaotic, emptied rooms — walls stripped bare, furniture rearranged, and clean curtains put up. This was all done for spring cleaning or fall cleaning. These were the times of year when you decluttered your homes, got rid of all the dust and dirt that had been hiding behind furniture, and rearranged your rooms to give even wear and tear on the floors. When it was all done, your house not only sparkled, but also smelled amazing for days after. Unfortunately, this is not a custom that has survived, or, at least, not to this extreme.
Did you know when you clean your home, you are getting rid of all that unwanted energy and bringing in fresh, new energy? Smudging is a wonderful thing, and I use it from time to time, as well. But when you clean your home — and I mean deep “Spring Clean” your home — you remove all of that icky energy that smudging may not fully get rid of.
To do a proper spring cleaning, you literally clean everything: ceilings, walls, furniture, knick-knacks, even electrical cords, everything. This is also a good time to clean out the closets and get rid of any old clothes or anything else that is not needed. The less clutter we have in our lives, the better the energy that we wish to work with can flow to us. Let’s get rid of all that unnecessary stuff and move on to the new.
Some wonderful cleaning supplies that you may want to try not only for deep cleaning, but also for weekly cleaning are China Wash, Four Thieves Vinegar, and Florida Water. China Wash is a Hoodoo cleaner that can be made or purchased. It generally has a fresh lemon scent and helps get rid of those unwanted energies.
Four Thieves’ Vinegar was created during plague times. Four thieves whose family had a background in Alchemy / Chemistry created a vinegar in which they would soak a cloth in, then cover their nose and mouth with it, allowing them to walk among the dead and steal from them. Unfortunately, the original formula has been lost with the thieves. But you can still find recipes online to make one very close to the original vinegar.
Florida Water isn’t water at all, but a cologne that can be used to wash the doors of your home to bring forth blessings and encourage those good vibes. You can purchase Florida Water very easily online, and I have seen it in some grocery stores in the Latin section from time to time.
After you have your entire home clean and sparkly and smelling amazing, this is the time to do a house blessing. You should do this if you live in a house or apartment, rent or own. This helps ward your home by way of your intentions and fills your home with good vibes. This can be as simple or involved as you like. You can use all four Elements, asking each to bless and protect your home, or just a light candle to represent all four Elements. After you ask the Elements to bless your home, you can seal all the doors and windows with a pentagram drawn with anointing oil. You can use just plain extra virgin olive oil that you have blessed for this, or you can use purchased or homemade anointing oil. As you draw the pentagram, thank the Elements and ask your patron deity to bless and watch over your home for you.
Once all of that is done, you can sit back and relax, enjoying all the fresh, new energy that is entering your home, bringing you new ideas and blessings. After all the hard work, you can now enjoy your fresh, new spring!
Blessings!
High Elder Redhawk
