Working With Spirit Beings: Strong Energy Can Get Sticky

I’ve been able to sense spirit beings since early childhood. An ability which has developed into my becoming a Psychic Medium and Intuitive Tarot Reader. But sometimes the energy of the spirit beings with whom I interact can become a little “sticky” (for lack of a better word). I end up absorbing strong emotion or bringing that spiritual energy into my home. And even though I have wards in place, and cleanse my space on the regular, sometimes a little extra “shedding” is necessary. But first, let me tell you a little bit about growing up clairsentient/clairvoyant.

My first experience with spirit beings took place in my bedroom at the age of six. We’d moved from the suburbs to a house on five acres in a rural area. While playing with dolls in my room one day, I noticed “someone” standing in front of my closet. My child’s mind parced that while I could sense the “person”, no one else in my family would be able to see or feel their presence. So, I kept the information about my “visitor” to myself. For years.

I don’t remember feeling scared or threatened. I just ignored the spirit being and went about my business. This didn’t stop the spirit being from showing up. Always in front of my closet. Always a quiet observer to whatever shenanigans I got up to with my games and toys. Interestingly, I wanted to be a fortune teller when I grew up. Or a missionary. That second one was the religious upbringing’s influence. I assume interactions with spirit beings fueled the former. Hmmm. Considering what I do professionally…

Anyway, I grew up knowing and sensing the spirit world. Interacting with spirit beings in an innocent fashion, recognizing and then ignoring their presence, even as my interests were piqued and formed (ghosts, divination, psychics, witchcraft, etc.) Over time, however, my perception became skewed through the narrow worldview of a religious upbringing. Spirit beings became divided between two factions — good and evil. Angels and demons.

Which is why, I presume, when I was sixteen and the “spirit friend” of my childhood sat down on my bed and “breathed” out loud, I freaked out. Ran out of the room crying. Told my mom. A few days later, our pastor showed up and performed a cleansing. I’d never heard the term before. I observed the prayer/ritual with interest. And it worked. No more visitor to my bedroom.

The rest of the house, however, remained fair game.

Shadow people would walk from room to room. My grandfather, who died in the home, made multiple appearances. Random spirit beings would come and go. Experiences which I kept to myself. And yes, while their appearances were startling, and a little scary because ya know–ghosts –, nothing ever felt harmful. Curious. Playful at times. Like family. Some of the spirit beings were maybe a little intrusive. My mom labeled any activity she (got the gift from her side of the family) perceived as demonic. But no spirit appeared in my room after the pastor’s visit.

So, that was my first experience with cleansing and wards. Not that the pastor called what he did to prevent the spirit being’s return a ward. To him, the protection came as a “hedge” provided by god or the angels. As a Witch, a ward is something I construct through a spell, energy work, and with spirit/plant allies. The concepts, however, are the same.

Protection from unwanted or undesired energy/spirits.

Now, as a Witch and Psychic Medium, I cleanse my home and maintain wards on a regular basis. Sure. We have spirits in our home. There are house spirits, ancestors, deities and spirit guides who know they are invited into the home space. We have a good relationship with the land spirits of the plot where our home resides. They offer their own form of protection. And the wards we’ve set and maintain do a good job. I’ve got our front door set to act as a kind of “scrubber” so that “sticky” energy is brushed off before entering our home.

Even so, sometimes I’m reminded that a deeper cleanse is sometimes needed.

Last week, after coming home from a very heavy reading, our cat would have nothing to do with me. He shied away with back up and tail straight. Balthazar would go to Ode but not me. Immediately, I realized there must be residual emotional energy from the spirit being with whom I interacted and which the wards were not able to remove or repel. So, I grabbed my juniper bundle, lighted it, using the smoke to purify myself. The home space was fine. The sticky energy was attached to me. After purifying myself with juniper smoke, the cat allowed me to approach, pick him up, and pet him.

Without the cat’s reaction, I might not have noticed the sticky energy until later. Negativity enveloped this enegy from a place of deep wounding. The experience has reminded me that even with wards and other protections in place, sometimes spiritual energy or spirit beings (most often when fueled by deep emotion) can remain atttached after engaging in communication or work with them.

This is why I’m going to begin implementing an additional cleanse/purification element after working as a Psychic Medium and Intuitive Tarot Reader. Not all of my readings are as intense as what I experienced last week. However, it seems wise to ensure that personal cleansing or purification is a part of my routine as a reader. I figure there are other people out there who could benefit from this suggestion as well. So, here are a few suggestions on how to add an additional cleansing or purifying element to your spiritual/psychic self-care.

Smoke: This is an easy one to do. Keep a bundle of juniper, cedar, cypress, palo santo, or sage available to light and use the smoke upon entering your space.

Bath/Shower: There are wonderful soaps and salt scrubs available from a variety of Pagan vendors meant to cleanse and/or purify both the body and spirit. This is a little more involved but can be nice if stress relief is also a necessity.

Annoint with Oil: Another great way to do a quick cleansing/purification is to annoint yourself with essential oil (with a carrier oil of choice). A good option when staying in a hotel/motel, with family or friends, etc. Rollerball applicators are good and less messy for this option.

Body Spray: I’ve noticed this item becoming available from Pagan vendors. Sprays with cleansing or purification in mind for the spirit worker or magickal practitioner on the go. Carry a spray (2 or 4 oz) in your purse, bag, backpack or pocket and your set.

Everyone gets busy. And sometimes the energy around us sticks or the spirit being becomes attached. And it doesn’t matter if the energy or spirit being is positive or negative, clinging by accident or design. There are times when we need to take a bit of extra initiative on behalf of our own spirit or energy. Self-care is important whether it is emotional, physical or spiritual. Taking the extra step (in addition to wards and other protective measures) ensures that you have the energy and are able to do the work your gifts and abilities enable (whatever that may be).