HOUSE BLESSINGS

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HOUSE BLESSINGS for Clearing and Protecting Spaces

THE NEIGHBORHOOD’S HEALTHIEST LAWN® by Marlaina Donato

Moving into a house, office or dried, white sage, sweetgrass, pine or lilac any new space prompts us to flowers help dissolve unpleasant memories envision bright days ahead and energetic imprints from the past. filled with hope and joy. Perhaps this is Honoring the four elements of earth, why, from first-century Christians praying air, fire and water can create balance and to dissuade evil influences to the May- celebrate ancient customs. Adding one or ans smudging herbs to welcome positive more essential oils to a spray bottle filled energy, the act of blessing a house is such a with distilled water or culinary rose water time-honored tradition. is an easy way to mist the air and the space

Whether held in private or with a inside drawers, closets and cupboards group of kindred souls, with or without before filling or refilling them. Hanging religious elements, blessing a new dwelling fresh evergreens, leafy branches or tufts takes the concept of housewarming to a of blossoms over doorways evokes what sacred level. A house blessing can temper 10th-century mystic and healer Hildegard the hair-pulling stresses of a move and be a of Bingen called veriditas—the greening wonderful way to restore harmony after life energy of the Earth. Employing a crystal or gives us a jolt, be it a job loss, a broken rela- Tibetan singing bowl, beating a shamanic tionship, a loved one’s passing or an illness. drum or playing an instrument in select Simple gestures of intention, sprinkled rooms can charge the atmosphere with with some beauty, enable us to claim our fiery hope. Opening windows, even briefly space and sow a new beginning. during cooler seasons, invites in the fresh

Arranging seasonal blooms in jew- air of possibility. el-toned vases, scattering fresh rose petals Stepping into a new life—or revitalizing over the threshold or misting the air with an existing one—is one of the most beautiful ethereal scents consecrates what might oth- acts of caring for soul and self. Blessing our erwise seem mundane. Singing a favorite spaces is also an expression of gratitude, song, whispering a spontaneous prayer or something that can make any life wonderful. reciting a Buddhist chant during the flurry of unpacking invites calm and attracts Marlaina Donato is an author and recording benevolent influences. Pungent smudges of artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.