Space Clearing Techniques with Gourd Rattles

Your home is your Sanctuary, a place of Renewal, Hope, and Healing. It reflects who you are, what you believe, and your aspirations.When our homes are in harmony, they are a center of energy that we draw from. 

Space Clearing helps us to readjust the energy of our homes and can be a beneficial tool to:

• Clear negativity
• Balance energies
• Cleanse after illnesses or arguments
• Increase vitality
• Attract abundance and prosperity

Many tools can be used for Space Clearing such as : Smudging Herbs, Bells, Gongs, Tuning Forks, Singing Bowls, Wind chimes, Drums, Rattles, Clap Sticks, Clapping, Chanting, Singing/Music, Flutes, Salt, and Aromatherapy are some of the most popular. Today I am going to talk about using Gourd Rattles as a tool, and the technique that I use for Space Clearing. There are no "absolutes" when space clearing, as much of the process is focused on intention, but symbolism is beneficial. 

Rattles come in many shapes and sizes and can be created out of many different mediums, although we create our Ceremony Rattles out of Gourd and Wood, with Wrapped Handles. Whatever tool you use for Space Clearing, will bring a different aspect in the cleansing. Gourd Rattles create a gentle energy field and help the use stay Grounded with its connection to the Earth.

My Personal Space Clearing Ceremony ~

The Day Before: Clean and Straighten Home

The Night Before: Prepare Tools, Choose and Cleanse (I decide which tools I will be using to Space Clear and will cleanse them, either by smudging with Sage or Incense)

The Morning Of: I Bathe, eat lightly (usually fruit and granola) and drink plenty of water

Setting Intentions:  This is when you Offer Prayer - Clearly state your intentions for the Space Clearing (i.e. clearing negativity or blockages, attracting prosperity, etc).

The Cleansing Pass: 

Using the Gourd Rattle in your right hand in a continual shaking motion, use your left hand to "energy-feel" as you are walking. Be aware of areas that energetically feel dense, thick, or muffled. Pay extra attention to corners or darker areas, as negative energy can gather there. Work your way through each room, starting in the East and working clockwise through the room until finished. Space Clear each room until complete. (You can spend extra time in areas where someone has been sick, or where there has been an argument)

Calling in or Setting  Positive Energy: Many different tools can be used for this. Particularly beneficial ones would be flutes, wind chimes, small bells, sweetgrass smudge, or aromatherapy. I will often create a Lavender Room Mist, being one of my favorite tools. Room mists can be purchased, but are quite easy to make using a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil diluted in water  in a dedicated water mist bottle. You work through each room, just as you did during the cleansing pass, and mist occasionally.

When finished, you can set the ceremony with prayer. The following is one of the  prayers that I use, or you can create your own.

"I ask that the Creator bless this home so that it may continue to be a Sanctuary for my family and me, that it be filled with inspiration and positive thoughts that foster positive actions. May it hold Sacred Healing and Comfort for our bodies and our spirits, allowing us to stay balanced, healthy, and content. May it Nurture us to be beings of Light and Love that can attract our Wants and Needs easily. We ask this in the spirit of Gratefulness and are thankful for our Guardians and Angels that continue to watch over us."   Aho

There are many many ways to Space Clear, and you can be creative with your process. Again, it is focused on Intention.

We create Gourd Ceremony Rattles that can be used for Space Clearing, Prayer or Meditation. 

Fox Totem Symbolic Meaning

The Fox is often misunderstood and is an amazing totem to work with. I consider them the teachers of "street smarts", useful when you know where you want to be but need to figure out how to "get there". This beautiful world is full of miracles and opportunities, but that does not take away its ability to be challenging and competitive. We also learn when we get out into the world, that not everyone thinks like we do, and that there are people who do not live with every one's higher good in mind. The Fox totem can help us learn to navigate those waters, not by changing the essence of our own spirit, but by using subtle tools. 

For instance, the Fox is symbolic for camouflage and blending into his environment. Sometimes the act of being still or quiet and blending in allows us to be able to see and hear things that we might not notice otherwise...things that are important to know about our journey. It takes us out of our "me" oriented mode and fosters an opportunity to see the bigger picture or more aspects of a situation. 

When the Fox runs, his tail extends straight out from his body. This is an aspect of Balance. It allows the fox to run and turn with and ease and flow, while staying on course...no distractions, no breaking of the focus, just determined on the "getting there". 

They are perceptive and keen, relying heavily on their senses and their intuition. When they combine this with the capability of camouflage, they can be a mighty hunter. Their hunting mode is also one of their unique aspects -  being a smaller animal they can use a "charming" technique, that throws their prey off. While they are part of the canine family, their mannerisms are more likened to the feline family and the feminine. 

The Fox protect themselves with their large fluffy tail, wrapping it around themselves to guard against the elements. This symbolism can be taken further teaching one to be diligent in protecting themselves from the harshness of others by creating a protective field around themselves. 

All of these things that define the Fox allow him to reach his wants and needs, doing so in a bit more subtle yet defined manner, focused on the goal while being aware, being immensely creative and intuitive, and all the while knowing when they need to shield themselves. 

The Spiritual Journey - Gourd Art Vessel

This week as I was creating a new Gourd Art Vessel, my mind was drifting. I was painting a geometric design on the front of the Gourd, in soft soothing colors of dusty periwinkle and cream. As I painted the shapes I noticed they began facing different directions. Along the side of the Gourd I had adorned the lacing with a strand of oval wood beads. While the wood beads hung in a straight line, the geometric shapes had a more diverse path. 

It made me think of our Spiritual Journeys, and how each one is our own. There is no right way or wrong way....when they are focused on the Higher Good for all. It is a journey of twists and turns, learning and growing, compassion and love. 

And along the way, reminding ourselves to enjoy each and every Moment.