House Warding Ritual

SPECIAL NOTES: There are times when you're going to feel the need to do a cleansing and/or warding of your home. Perhaps you've been under a lot of stress and you feel like that negative energy is spilling over into your living space. Maybe you've just had an unwelcome visitor whose presence contaminated the tranquillity of your home. Or maybe there's been negative energy or crime in your neighborhood, and you feel the need to ward your home as an extra protection against what's "out there". Whatever the case this generic House Warding Ritual can help. You can use it as is, or adapt it to fit a specific situation. For instance, you might want to turn it into a "New Home Blessing", or use it as a purification ritual at Imbolc. Don't be afraid to turn it into a ritual that will fit your needs at the moment. This ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you wish it to be. You might feel the need for a formal ceremony, where you cast a circle, call the quarters, bless the elements, etc. Or you might just want to call the Lord and Lady and tell them you have a need, tell them what it is, and ask them to make your ritual successful. SUPPLIES: A bell. (More than one if you have several children and they want a part to perform.) Incense. Can be a stick or a smudge pot, just make sure you carry it safely so there's no chance of burning ashes falling out. Strong scents like patchouli and sandalwood are good for cleansing and warding. I also like flower scents, like lilac and rose. They mean protection to me because their warm, comforting scent make the house really feel like a home. A container of water (Make sure the container is deep enough so the water doesn't slosh over as it's being carried.) A tablespoon of salt. Matches or safety-lighter. If this is to be a family ritual have the adult carry the smoking incense just to be on the safe side. Let the children carry the water and the bell.

Begin the ritual in the room where you usually do ritual. The adult takes the container of water in both hands and says:

Ancient Ones of the West,

Charge this Water by your powers,

That it may serve us well in our ritual.

Hand the bowl to the child, who will then dump in the salt. Have them use their finger to stir the water until the salt is mixed in. The child now says:

Ancient Ones of the North,

Charge this symbol of Earth by your powers,

That it may serve us well in our ritual.

Take the incense next. Because it hasn't been lit yet, a child can do this part. Have him or her say:

Ancient Ones of the East,

Charge this symbol of Air by your powers,

That it may serve us well in our ritual.

Now the adult takes the match of safety lighter and strikes a flame. S/he says:

Ancient Ones of the South,

Charge this Fire by your powers,

That it may serve us well in our ritual.

Then light the incense and set it to smoking. Now you are ready to proceed. You're going to make a trek through every room in your apartment or house, including closets, attic and basement. Stop in each room and walk the perimeter, letting the smoke float around to create a boundary of sorts. The adult carrying the incense says:

With the help of Air and Fire

I cleanse this room of all negative energy.

By the powers of Air and Fire

I create a barrier of protection,

So that none who would seek to do us harm may enter here.

The child carrying the pot of water now walks around the perimeter of the room sprinkling a few drops as s/he goes, saying:

With the help of Earth and Water

I cleanse this room of all negative energy.

By the powers of Earth and Water

I create a barrier of protection

So that none who would seek to do us harm may enter here.

A final touch is to dip your finger in the salt water and draw a pentagram of protection on each window frame and on any doorways or vents that may lead to the outside. This is a perfect example of adapting ritual forms so they best serve your purposes. You might want to draw an "invoking" pentagram while imagining yourself drawing in strong, protective energy. An "invoking" pentagram is drawn by starting at the top and moving down to the left, ending back at the top. Or you might feel more secure drawing a "banishing" pentagram, envisioning a deep blue light that will dispel negative energy and turn away those who would do you harm. A "banishing" pentagram is drawn by starting at the bottom left and going up, ending back at the bottom left. Teach your children how to draw a pentagram and let them do the drawing.

Once you have finished calling on the powers of Earth, Air, Fire and Water and your room is all nicely cleansed and warded, have the child carrying the bell give it a good, long ring. As it rings someone says:

This room is now safe and secure.

As I wish it, as I will it

So mote it be.

Again, adapt this ritual to call on specific entities as you need them. If it's Imbolc you can say, "In the name of Brigid, Goddess of Fire, this room is now safe and secure." Or if you're cleansing a new home, try calling on Vesta or one of the other Hearth Goddesses for your ceremony. Any ritual you do will be stronger and more effective if you adapt it to your own needs and your own beliefs, so it really speaks to your heart, soul and imagination.

Now go from room to room throughout your house, repeating the ritual. When you've finished your house will not only feel clean and safe, an air of peace and serenity should pervade it as well.

Excerpts from: A Wiccan Primer: Rituals for Children. Copyright 1996 by Wind*Dancer