Cleansing vs. Purifying: Master the Art of Spiritual Energy Protection

In recent years, smudging has become a popular trend in spiritual practices. Many people turn to sage to "clear the energy" of their homes or personal space, but there’s an important difference between cleansing and purifying the environment, and it's vital to understand what these terms mean in the context of spiritual practices. By knowing the distinction and the appropriate herbs to use, you can ensure that you are doing what is best for you and the energy around you.

The Difference Between Cleansing and Purifying

While both cleansing and purifying aim to remove low vibrational energy, they are very different practices, and each has its own impact on the spiritual realm. Here’s a breakdown of both:

Cleansing the Environment

Cleansing is an energetic practice designed to remove unwanted, low vibrational energies or opportunistic spirits from a space or individual. This practice is often intense, and it goes beyond simply shifting energy—it is about clearing out everything that doesn’t belong, including spirits that may not be considered harmful but are part of the environment.

One of the most common tools used in cleansing is sage (often white sage), which has long been used in many cultures for spiritual purification. When you burn sage, it is said to purify the space by removing low vibrational energy and opportunistic spirits. However, it’s important to note that sage is a very strong herb, and its use tends to drive out all spirits, including those that may not be harmful. This means that while sage is excellent for cleansing a space that has heavy or stagnant energy, it can also disturb spirits that are just present and neutral.

It’s also worth mentioning that sage can be helpful in healing—for example, if you're sick or going through a major emotional cleansing, sage can help reset your energy and create a fresh space for healing.

Purifying the Environment

On the other hand, purification is a gentler process that involves balancing and harmonizing the energy within a space. The goal is to bring the energy into alignment without expelling or disturbing the spirits around us. It’s about creating peace, restoring calm, and raising the vibrational frequency of your surroundings.

Herbs such as rosemary and mugwort are excellent for spiritual purification. Unlike sage, these herbs do not have an intoxicating effect on spirits. Instead, they help purify the environment in a way that maintains energetic balance. Rosemary, for example, has been used for centuries as a protection herb, while mugwort is known for its ability to promote spiritual awareness and harmony. Purification helps to bring balance without causing disruption to the energies present, making it ideal for when you want to enhance the peaceful energy in a space without pushing things away.

Just like the sound of a Tibetan singing bowl, which uses resonant vibrations to clear and purify the energy field, purification works to smooth out energetic imbalances without expelling or harming any spirits. The focus is on restoring harmony and elevating the vibrational state of the space or individual.

The Role of Frankincense and Myrrh

In addition to sage, frankincense, and myrrh are two other sacred substances often used in spiritual practices. While they are both types of resin, they serve different purposes when it comes to cleansing and protection.

• Frankincense is traditionally used for cleansing. Its strong, aromatic smoke clears away low vibrational energy and opportunistic spirits from a space or individual. Frankincense is known for its ability to open up energetic pathways and purify the environment. It’s often used in rituals or ceremonies to cleanse the space, creating an energetic reset and welcoming in positive energy.

• Myrrh, on the other hand, is used more for protection, blessing, and honoring. It has a grounding, soothing effect that helps to maintain a balanced, high vibrational energy field. Myrrh is used to create a spiritual shield around you or your space, offering protection from low vibrational energy or intrusive spirits. It’s often burned during times of deep prayer, meditation, or when seeking a spiritual blessing or offering.

My Personal Journey with Smoke and Energy Protection

I’ve personally incorporated smoke into my rituals and ceremonies for years. For me, smoke is not just a way to connect with the 4th dimension, but it also serves as a form of protection and energy stabilization. It is a tool I use daily to keep my energy field clear and protected from low vibrational influences.

Whenever I feel stressed, overwhelmed, or in need of a reset, I create raw incense by blending natural herbs such as rosemary, or mugwort, and myrrh and light it with a specific intention in mind. I pass the smoke over my body to clear any low vibrational energy and opportunistic spirits, ensuring my energy field remains strong and aligned. If I feel it’s needed, I’ll also use the smoke to purify my home, filling the space with cleansing and protective vibrations.

However, I’m not the type to suggest smudging every day. Cleansing with sage or other herbs should be approached with discernment. You’ll know when it’s truly necessary. While regularly cleansing your space with sage can be powerful, it’s essential to remember that doing so means removing all types of spirits, not just those that are bothersome. This includes both opportunistic entities and those that are neutral or even benevolent. This is why purification practices, like using rosemary or mugwort, are gentler options for when you need balance without removing everything from the space.

It's important to consider this before diving into a cleanse, as it can disrupt the energy of the spirits that inhabit your space—whether they are there to help or just to coexist. This perspective comes from my desire to maintain harmony with the unseen world, and I believe in valuing all energies, not just the disruptive ones.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Just keep in mind that intention and discernment are crucial. Recognize when it’s time to cleanse and when it might be more beneficial to simply purify and balance the energies around you.

When It's Really Essential to Smudge Cleanse

While I encourage the mindful use of cleansing herbs like sage, there are specific moments when it becomes essential to smudge cleanse your space. These are situations where the energy around you or in your environment has become particularly heavy, stagnant, or charged with low vibrational energy or opportunistic spirits. In these cases, cleansing your space with sage can help clear out these energies and reset the environment.

Here are some situations when smudging is particularly important:

After Conflict or Intense Emotions

If you've had an argument, experienced intense emotional outbursts, or gone through a challenging time, the energy of those emotions can linger in the space. These emotional imprints can create low vibrational energy, which may attract opportunistic spirits or cause you to feel drained. In these moments, smudging with sage can help clear out any negative residue and restore balance.

When You Feel Physically or Spiritually Drained

If you’ve been feeling physically exhausted, mentally foggy, or spiritually drained for no apparent reason, it could be an indication that your energy field is compromised. Opportunistic spirits or energetic attachments might have entered your space, causing an imbalance. Smudging with sage can help cleanse the energy around you and restore vitality.

Moving Into a New Space or After Renovations

When you move into a new home or apartment, the energy of the previous inhabitants or the energy from renovations can linger. Smudging the space upon arrival ensures that you remove any leftover low vibrational energy and create a fresh, clean space for your new journey. Sage can be particularly helpful in resetting the energy in such circumstances.

During or After Illness

If you’ve been ill, whether physically or emotionally, your energy field may be weakened. This creates an opening for low vibrational energy or opportunistic spirits to take advantage of the situation. Smudging with sage can help cleanse the energy around you, removing the stagnant energy associated with sickness and helping you to heal.

After Spending Time in Heavily Charged Environments

Being in places where there is a lot of emotional or spiritual disturbance (such as hospitals, crowded public spaces, or places of heavy grief) can leave you feeling drained or affected by opportunistic spirits. Smudging your body and your environment can clear out any energy you may have picked up, ensuring that your energy field is reset and protected.

Deciding When to Smudge

Remember, smudging with sage is a powerful form of cleansing, and it’s important to be discerning. Use it when it’s needed, and understand that it expels all energies, not just low vibrational ones. This means that it can be disruptive to the energy of spirits that are neutral or peaceful.

Specific Steps to Perform a Cleansing or Purification Ceremony Effectively

1. Set Your Intention: Clearly state your purpose for cleansing or purifying the space.

2. Choose the Right Herbs: Use sage for cleansing and rosemary or mugwort for purification.

3. Prepare the Space: Open windows and doors to allow negative energy to exit.

4. Light the Herb or Resin: Use a fireproof bowl and light the herbs with care.

5. Move Mindfully: Walk through the space, allowing the smoke to reach corners and hidden areas.

6. Focus on Your Energy Field: Pass the smoke over your body to clear personal energy.

7. Close the Ritual: Thank the herbs and spirits for their assistance and ground yourself.

Potential Risks Associated with Using Sage or Other Herbs

• Over-cleansing: Sage can remove all energies, including positive ones.

• Allergic Reactions: Some people are sensitive to smoke.

• Cultural Appropriation: White sage is sacred in Indigenous cultures. Use respectfully and ethically.

• Fire Hazard: Always handle burning herbs safely.

How to Determine Whether to Cleanse or Purify a Space

• Cleansing: Use when there is heavy, stagnant energy or after conflict.

• Purifying: Use when you want to enhance peaceful, harmonious energy.

• Listen to Your Intuition: Trust your inner guidance on what your space needs

Protection Tips for Spiritual Balance

In addition to choosing the right cleansing or purification method for your environment, it’s important to maintain a strong energy field around yourself. Here are some extra tips to support your spiritual protection:

1. Ground Yourself Regularly

Grounding is essential to maintaining your energetic balance and staying connected to Earth’s stabilizing energy. Spend time in nature, meditate with focus on your root chakra, or walk barefoot to strengthen your connection.

2. Use Protective Stones and Crystals

Crystals such as Black Tourmaline, Amethyst, and Obsidian can help absorb low vibrational energy and shield you from psychic intrusions. Carry them with you or place them around your living or work space.

3. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful tool for raising your vibration. By consistently focusing on the positive, you naturally protect your energy and stay aligned with higher frequencies.

4. Call on Spirit Guides and Angels

If you believe in spiritual guides or angels, don’t hesitate to ask for their assistance in protecting your energy. They can help create a protective shield around you and offer guidance when needed.

5. Avoid Negative Environments

Protecting your energy also means being mindful of where you spend your time. Stay away from environments or people that drain your energy and avoid situations that leave you feeling unsafe or emotionally compromised.

6. Create your Own Protection Shield

For a deeper understanding of how to create your personal protection shield, you can read my other article here on this topic or book a session with me to learn the practice and confidently implement it on your own.

Ready to Create Your Own Protection Shield?

Understanding the difference between cleansing and purifying your space is just the beginning of learning how to protect and strengthen your spiritual energy. If you want to take your spiritual protection to the next level and learn how to create a personal protection shield that you can use every day, I’m here to guide you.

Book a session with me today, and together we’ll explore how to create a strong, resilient energy shield tailored to your needs. Through this practice, you’ll learn how to protect yourself and maintain a peaceful, balanced energy field on your spiritual journey.

With love and light,
Bituon

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