Spring Cleaning, Cleansing, Clearing
As winter turns to spring in much of the northern hemisphere, the desire to toss open the windows and clear out winter’s debris is an urge difficult to ignore. The concept of “spring cleaning” predates modern thinking, and is a cultural tradition deeply rooted in spiritual preparation and rebirth.
Khāne-takānī, which literally means “shaking the house” in Persian, is the Iranian tradition of cleaning the home as part of Nowruz, the Persian New Year which falls on the Spring Equinox. This encompasses a complete cleaning of houses to usher in the new year. Nowruz, which dates back more than 3,000 years, is one of the oldest known traditions and represents renewal and a readiness to start anew.
In Jewish culture, spring cleaning is associated with the festival of Passover. Homes are thoroughly cleaned before Passover to eliminate any trace of chametz (leavened foods). Traditions such as these extend to Christianity, as well. Catholic practices often include cleaning the altar ahead of Good Friday, while Greek Orthodox perform a thorough house cleaning during Clean Week in Lent. All of these traditions highlight the tradition of physical cleaning as spiritual preparation.
In Northern Europe, spring cleaning was a term associated with agricultural practices. During this time of year, stubble was cleared and fields were prepared for planting. The term was later adapted to domestic cleaning, as well. During the cold winter months, windows were sealed tightly to prevent the cold from entering the home. As the home was heated with coal and wood, a substantial amount of soot would collect on most surfaces. In months like March and April, it’s warm enough to open the windows, but still cool enough not to worry about bugs. Opening the home to clean out winter’s accumulation and breathe fresh air into her rooms, signaled the end of the dark months. The return of longer days means the reawakening of nature, and the abundance she provides.
Ritual Floor Cleansing
Ritual floor cleansing can be used as part of, or in addition to, your regular cleaning routine or spiritual/energetic cleansing of your space. Similar to smoke cleansing, the addition of botanicals to your sweeping or mopping can serve a variety of purposes; from purifying spaces and clearing energy, to creating a sacred environment, and supporting physical and/or mental wellness.
To begin adding this ritual to your domestic work, think first about your intention. Looking to do a general clearing and reset? Cleansing herbs like vervain and juniper are an option. Perhaps you’d like to rid your home of negative or stagnant energy. Protective herbs like lavender and mugwort may be helpful. Hoping to invite prosperity into your home? Abundance herbs like cinnamon and bay leaf may be nice additions.
I encourage you to use herbs and plants that resonate with your own practice, are available within your local ecosystem, and speak to your cultural heritage.
When I do this ritual myself, I spend a great deal of time speaking with, and listening to, my home. The purpose of ritual cleansing is not just self-serving. It’s a way to more deeply connect with your home and her spirit. While I do my regular cleaning, I may ask her how she is and what she needs. Listening for the response takes practice, but in stillness, your home will speak with you.
After regular cleaning, I intentionally spread my floor cleanse and let it do its work. After several hours have passed, or if I’ve left it overnight, I sweep. I use the meditative pace to ask my home for what I need. If I’m sweeping my kitchen, I may ask that this space be filled with nourishment, warmth, and abundance. When I sweep my workshop, I might ask that creativity flourish there.
There are innumerable ways to incorporate ritual elements into your domestic work. I hope this example will help you in your own house magic practices.
Making a botanical floor cleanse:
Select your herbs and plant ingredients. You may choose to break larger plant matter into smaller pieces, though it is unnecessary for them to be extremely fine (it’s also way more annoying to try to sweep up dust than larger debris).
Combine ingredients in equal parts and mix well.
Botanical floor cleanses can be used dry or wet.
To use dry:
After regular cleaning, spread your botanical mixture over floors, paying close attention to corners where stagnant energy tends to collect, and thresholds. You can use this time to set some intention, or to simply give thanks to your home.
Let sit for several hours, ideally overnight. If pets are present and they are too curious for comfort, this can be done room by room.
Open your front door and your back door (or rear-most window if you don’t have a back door).
Before you begin sweeping, take a moment to breathe, set your intention, and greet your home. If your botanical sweep was made with general cleansing or abundance/prosperity/peace in mind, sweep from the front of your home to the back, in order to welcome that energy into your home. If your botanical cleanse was made with banishment in mind, sweep from the back of the home to the front to coax unwanted energy (or visitors) out.
You may choose to meditate during this activity, or you may choose to speak with your home. This is an excellent time to ask her for what you need.
Collect the botanical mixture in a dust pan and dispose of it outside of your home. Remember that if your floor cleanse contains salt, it will need to be thrown in your outdoor trashcan and not in your garden or compost.
To use wet:
Put your botanical mixture in a French press or ceramic bowl and cover with hot water. Let steep 10-12 minutes.
While steeping, fill your mop bucket with hot water. You can also use white vinegar or add a few drops of Florida water. Strain your botanical mixture after steeping and add to your mop bucket.
Mop your floors, following steps 3-5 above.