4 super-essential rituals you must do when you move house.

 
Last week, I moved into a big beautiful old mansion, in Nelson — New Zealand. It’s going to be home for the next 5 months or so.
 
I’ve moved house more times than I can count, or that I can remember, in my life. It’s been a lot. And because of the way I travel, I set up a new home, every 3-6 months. Which means that I have honed and defined some pretty essential rituals for creating a healthy, happy, peaceful space for myself, wherever I end up.
 
Cleansing your home, especially when you move into a new space, helps to break up and disperse any pockets of negativity, and unwanted energy that clings to the walls, the corners and objects in your house.
 
1. Clean away old energy using white vinegar.
White vinegar is an antifungal that also kills germs and bacteria. Plus, it’s useful in clearing out old, negative energies that might be lurking around from past occupants. As soon as I move into a new house, I wipe the counter-tops, tables, all surfaces, as well as mop the floors with a solution of white vinegar, hot water and essential oil.
I also make sure to cleanse the bed, as fibres, cloth and cushioning are all essentially textures known particularly for grabbing and holding negative energy. I put all the sheets, pillow covers etc in the washing machine, and add 1//2 cup of white vinegar to the load, and then make sure to dry them outside in the sun.
 
2. Smudge the space.
Smudging is a powerful cleansing technique from the Native American tradition and calls on the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies and put your space (and yourself) back into a state of balance, peace and harmony. The apparent benefits are steeped in science – when burned, sage and other herbs release negative ions, which research has linked to a more positive mood.
I use Palo Santo to smudge, because it’s a gift I have been carrying round with me for a while now, but you can use sage, incense sticks, or whatever you feel is  appropriate for you.
Palo Santo is wood from the rainforests in Central and South America, and is also considered by many to be a Holy Wood — burning Palo Santo has been used by the Incas since ancient times as a spiritual remedy, for purifying, and cleansing.
As I smudge, I visualise being surrounded by gentle, loving energy. I breathe in positivity, courage and love as I work my way around every corner of each room, voicing my positive intentions for the space.
I use my hand to drive the smoke into all corners of the room, again, holding the intention to purge the place of negative energy and invite in purity and light.
 
3. Speak your intentions for the space out loud.
As I walk around the new house, especially focusing on the bedroom, I verbally speak out my intentions for the space. I say things like “I invite peace, love, kindness, creativity, health and relaxation into this space”.
Whatever words feel appropriate for each room, and the kind of experiences that I would like to have on those spaces. The kitchen might be filled with nourishment, the living room with joy and entertainment, the office with creativity, inspiration and abundance. You know, what it is that you want to experience. Voice it to the corners of each room, and invite those experiences in.
 
4. Cultivate the positive energy with music.
Music is the easiest way to change the energy of any space. I often play a wide range of music when I am at home, and love the way it brings me and my space into a higher vibration. The positive energy that I have created through my first 3 rituals are the cultivated and enhanced through music. Now, as soon as I step back into my space after being out, I can feel a lightness and this beautiful feeling that has been created.
 
 
Image from FreePeople.com