Cleansing When You Have Roommates

"I live with my siblings and we're not comfortable with me smudging every time I do my magick. What can I do?"

Unfortunately, your problem is a common one; most people don't have the luxury of practicing their craft in perfect solitude. Besides the difficulty of having roommates to deal with, they might not even understand why on earth you want to burn sage or smudge with sweetgrass (or worse, they might actually think your new hobby is bizarre… ), and will probably feel like your space smells like a restaurant bathroom by the end of it.

It's important to cleanse and protect our spaces. It's also important to know that just because you have a roommate doesn't mean your personal space has to be compromised. Yes, there are times when it would be appropriate for you to ask for some alone time and cleanse your space, but there are also ways to get around having roommates entirely.

Here are ten easy and simple things to keep in mind when you live with others who don't understand or approve of what you do:

1. Cleanse your space before they see it

It's good practice for us witches to cleanse our spaces before we practice, before we go to sleep, just about every time we enter a new room. Even if you have the luxury of living alone or having your own space, this practise is still important because it effectively clears your mind and sends away any residual energy that might've been left behind by whatever/whoever has come in contact with your personal area. In other words, it's good practice for any situation because you're keeping your space clean and clear regardless of whether or not you have roommates.

2. Say a daily mantra

If you'd like to do a quick cleansing before leaving home or going to bed each night, take a few minutes to say a cleansing mantra or incantation. This will keep your space clear enough to allow positive energy to come in, but it won't be so powerful that you'll have to worry about negative entities pushing their way through.

3. Cleanse the air before you go to sleep

Aromatherapy is a popular way to fly under the radar. Get a diffuser and load it up with whatever scent you like; lavender is a great choice. If your roommate is sensitive to smells, let them know that the diffuser will be running at night and turn it off before they wake up in the morning (or whenever you go to sleep). It doesn't matter if your room still smells like lavender when you're done (so long as it's not overpowering); this is about making sure you feel comfortable and protected while you sleep.

4. Use salt

If worse comes to worst, you can always do a salt-cleansing ritual. It's a quick and easy way to cover your tracks without anyone ever knowing! Simply sprinkle the salt across thresholds and to absorb any negative energies. Do this once a month (or more if you find it necessary) and your roommates won't ever know that you're the cause of the positive energy in their home.

5. Use a broom

This one isn't as advanced as some of the others, but it's a good option for those of us who don't really have the time to pull out our tools and do a full meditation ritual or ceremony. If you're worried about coming off as strange or having your roommates find out that you practice magick, simply grab a broom and sweep it back and forth across doorways, windowsills, and thresholds. Say a protection mantra such as "This home is protected. Those who wish hard are not welcome."

6. Mirrors

Hang an enchanted mirror in front of the front door or bedroom. So that when an individual walks in the first thing they see is there reflection. This will act as another defense against negative energies, but it will also work to protect you by reflecting any negative energy back at the person who sent it your way. Be sure to empower the mirror with an intent for protection.

7. Natural things

Fountains, crystals, plants, and flowers are all good choices to set up in your home or room because they will absorb any negative energies you might be afraid of while allowing the positive energy to flow freely into that space. If you'd like, ask your spirit guides to help you choose an object meant to absorb negative energy or something that will aid in protecting you and your space.

8. Draw invisible runes and sigils

Make a jar of moon water for protection then dip your hand in the water and trace a protection sigil at your front door, windows and in front of your room. You can also trace the window and door frames.

9. Light a candle

Candles have been used by magicians for years. If your roommate doesn't mind you lighting a candle, then go ahead and do it in the living room or bedroom. You can do this inconspicuously by getting a white candle, lighting it, and then tracing a protection sigil in the air around you.

10. Leave an offering

This is a great option if you really don't want your roommates finding out that you practice magick. Simply leave a bowl of water and a glass of salt on your night stand (a fresh cup of tea, some chocolates, or even flowers work perfectly too.) Leave these items to your spirit guides or deity and ask for them to look over you and protect you. It's a great way to protect yourself and feed your spirit guides at the same time!

How do you cleanse your space when you have roommates or are a closet witch?