A house cleansing ritual is a way to remove any negative energies that might be lurking in your home, such as a Kakodaimon (Evil Daimon) or spirits who have sinned and are tied to the irrational part of their nature. Before one actually begins a house cleansing ritual, there are a few things to consider:

1. Are you sure it’s a not the spirit of a disaffected relative, or the spirit of your home trying to get your attention? Do you regularly honor your ancestors and the spirit of your dwelling?
2. Is this building new or old? In the American hemisphere, there’s always the possibility that the site was formerly home to or used by indigenous peoples. It may be advisable to honor the spirits of those who were in this place before you.
3. What events, if any, happened before you noticed the disturbances? House remodeling, something old or antique brought into the home?
4. Have you tried asking the spirit or entity what it wants, or telling it to move on, or stop whatever it’s doing? It might sound silly, but it never hurts to ask politely.
5. Has someone associated with the building, your family, or circle of friends and acquaintances passed away recently?
6. Is everyone in your family well? Do they have the necessities of life? Are they receiving proper care? Could there be a concealed abusive situation? This could be an attempt to let you know there is a serious but as yet unaddressed or unrecognized problem that requires attention.
7. Be aware that sensations of coldness, heaviness, depression, and shortness of breath can be attributed to blocked energy in a room.

 

Step 1: Clean

In general, the first step is to thoroughly clean the affected area – this could be a specific room or the entire property. You don’t have to do this alone – if you have willing family or friends, let them help! Clean the floor, windows, and doors, dust the walls and ceiling. Vacuum or dust the furniture, mirrors, picture frames and light fixtures. Pick up clutter and empty waste. Pay particular attention to any area that makes you feel uncomfortable; get rid of any objects that are no longer useful or pleasing to your senses, or recall bad memories. Don’t forget the attic and basement! Take as much time as you need to do a good job. Open the shades and curtains to let the light of the sovereign Sun enter into your home. Take a look at the outside of your home: does it need repairs? If you have a yard, a shed, a garage, make sure they are tidy and maintained.

Doing all this may solve the situation, but if not proceed to the following step.

 

Step 2: Bless the Home

This step is better done without pets or children in the house. You’ll need Frankincense and Myrrh incense, and khernips.

After you’ve made the khernips, purify your hands with a small amount. Light the incense, and ask for Hestia’s blessing:

“Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise – draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my dwelling.”

 

Then, using your fingers, a bundle of tied herbs, or even a spray bottle, bless the rooms of your living space, the windowsills, and doors with khernips. If you wish, burn some of the incense in each room. You might say something like this as you move through your home:

“Goddess Hestia, venerable guardian of the unwearying flame, bless my home. Blessed Hestia, first and last, strong, stable basis of the mortal race, banish negative energies and entities from this dwelling. May love and peace reside here always!”

This may remedy the problem, but if it persists move on to the next few steps.

 

Step 3: Clean Again

As before, clean your home thoroughly. You will need khernips, Frankincense and Myrrh incense, or an incense specifically made for Hekatê, or one labeled “for exorcism.” Also, some sea salt and, if possible, a 7-day candle.

(Note: If you have pets and/or children, or if it’s not safe to burn a 7-day candle for any reason, by all means, feel free to substitute a tealight because this is all about protecting your home.)

Again, this is better done with not children or pets at home. Set up a table or similar surface in the affected area, to be used as an altar.

When that’s done, bathe, and purify yourself with khernips, as one should always do before approaching the Gods.

 

Step 4: Prepare & Invoke

Open the windows; this is to provide egress for the spirit. Cover the altar with a clean cloth, and set out the incense, incense burner, and candle. Purify your hands and the altar with khernips, and proceed.

Call upon Hestia, repeating the words previously used:

“Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise – draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my dwelling.”

 

Invoke Hekatê (using the Orphic Hymn) and Hemes Psychopompos:

“Hekatê of the Path, I invoke Thee, Lovely Lady of the Triple Crossroads,
Celestial, Chthonian, and Marine One, Lady of the Saffron Robe.
Sepulchral One, celebrating the Bakchic Mysteries among the Souls of the Dead,
Daughter of Persês, Lover of Solitude, rejoicing in deer.
Nocturnal One, Lady of the Dogs, invincible Queen.
She of the Cry of the Beast, Ungirt One, having an irresistible Form.
Bullherder, Keeper of the Keys of All the Universe, Mistress,
Guide, Bride, Nurturer of Youths, Mountain Wanderer.
I pray Thee, Maiden, to be present with me now.

Hermes Pyschopompos, servant of the Morai, you guide spirits to the other world.  Bright and glorious, you lead the wretched, sodden with mud, to long rest in the soothing darkness. I pray thee, Guide of Souls, be present with me now.”

 

You should also invoke your patron deities, and ask them to protect you and your home.

Light the incense, and visualize fresh, clear, bright light covering and filling your entire property. Visualize the spirit not having a hiding place, since your home is flooded with light.

 

Step 5: Cleanse the area.

Cleanse the area. Strew the salt in the corners of the affected area (or throughout your home), and then, starting at the bottom of your house and covering each floor to the top, walk counter-clockwise around each room, carrying the incense and holding it close to the walls to cleanse them. Attend to every nook and cranny: cupboards, closets, showers, outside yards if necessary, etc.

When you’re done, return to the temporary altar. In a no-nonsense voice, say out loud, and without fear:

“You need to complete your journey, for your family and friends are awaiting you on the other side. Hekate and Hermes, kindly guides, are here to show you the way.”

 

Light the candle, and say out loud with certainty, three times:

“Go to the Light now!” [x3]

 

Then repeat:

“I ask Hekatê Cthonios and Hermes Psychopompos, who assist the transition of souls from this world to the next, to guide this entity to the River Styx. Journey well, fellow traveler! May peace be with you on your journey!”

 

After the Ritual

Thank Hestia, Hekatê, Hermes, and your patron deities.

Let the incense burn out, and leave the candle burning until the flame dies. The candle serves as a focus for Hekatê and Hermes to offer assistance to the entity as needed.

Continue to keep your home clean, open the curtains each day to let in as much sunlight as possible, and continue to invoke the protection of Hestia and your patrons at your altar each day. Take time to nurture family relationships, especially with older relatives.  If the problem persists, check the energy flow of your home again. You can also place bowls of sea salt in each room. If you feel it necessary, repeat the banishing ritual, which, considering Hekatê’s lunar association, may be more powerful at the dark of the moon.

If none of this works your next resort would be to consult a secular house clearing specialist or the local paranormal society. They can be found online, or through referrals at Pagan bookstores.

(Special thanks to HonorTheGods for this ritual! Used with permission.)

 

Bibliography

HonorTheGods. “Hellenic House Cleansing.” Honor the Gods. October 06, 2016. Accessed October 07, 2017. http://honorthegods.tumblr.com/post/151403960486/a-really-really-weird-question-that-i-am-unsure.