Give Your Home Good Vibes

Keep up the good vibes during family gatherings with our handy guide by Denise Linn and Amy Scher

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Easter or a birthday, annual gatherings can get fraught. The energy in your home can become unbalanced and lead to stress. Don’t worry – here are some top tips for creating a calm, serene sanctuary and for protecting your own energy while you’re at it.

BEFORE YOUR GUESTS ARRIVE

SET YOUR INTENTIONS Before getting started, “it’s important to decide exactly how you want your home to feel,” suggests feng shui expert, Denise Linn. “Do you want to create a passionate, energetic environment, or would you like to make your space feel peaceful and relaxing?” Setting the intention in your mind, before you get started on prepping your house, can help you achieve your desired goal.

PREPARE YOUR HOME Next, you should look to release any potential energy blockages in your house. For example, cleaning windows, windowsills and mantlepieces of clutter is not only a great way to let more light in, but it can also help to clear any trapped energy. What’s more, Denise suggests asking the universe to fill the hearts of each person who enters your home, when going about your household chores, to ensure that your guests are filled with love and energy when they come to visit.

Use this ritual… to shield yourself from unwanted negativity

First, place your hands in the prayer position and invite your spiritual source to be present. Then, imagine that your body is completely shielded in a veil, 10 inches from your body, while you repeat the following words: “I am safe, protected and well. Only positive, loving energy reaches me. My heart is open and I am protected.” – DENISE LINN

AFTER YOUR GUESTS HAVE LEFT

ENERGY MOVING Don’t worry if your gathering didn’t quite go to plan, or if you’re left feeling a little depleted – this can easily be rectified in an instant. “It’s important not to be fearful of any negative chi that could be in your house,” reassures energy expert, Amy Scher. “Energy doesn’t create a problem, as long as it’s able to move about. “One of my favourite techniques is to walk around the house weaving large figures of eight with my hands – this specific pattern helps to clear and harmonise energy. What’s more, you can do this around your own body as well. “Using incense, sage, a candle, or fresh air can also bring balance to the house. Open windows, let the smoke from incense waft through the home, or even just light a candle. These are all energy-moving items.”

CRYSTAL CARE After the party’s over, Denise recommends cleansing any crystals that you may have worn or dotted around your home. This can be done by running cold water over the crystal for at least 22 seconds, or leaving them outside, under the moon, overnight.

Use this ritual… to reclaim your space, once your guests have left

“Walk through the house and affirm ‘may only positive energy remain here’. I often do this with a stick of my favourite incense, or while weaving the figure of eight pattern with my hands.” – AMY SCHER

HOW TO ATTRACT THE RIGHT VIBES

Oils, stones and magical rituals can help invite the atmosphere you desire. Here are Denise’s top tips…

For a passionate, enthusiastic home, use:

Essential oils: orange, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit, pine, fir

Stones: clear quartz, fire opal, tiger’s eye, carnelian, agate

Try this ritual: walk around each room and clap vigorously in its corners

For a relaxing, peaceful home energy, use:

Essential oil: lavender, frankincense, myrrh, neroli

Stones: amethyst, selenite, pearl, sea shells

Try this ritual: light a candle in the centre of the room and walk slowly in a clockwise direction seven times, with your hands on your chest. Then, place the right hand over the left hand as you visualise gentle energy flowing through your home

GROUND YOUR ABODE

If you’re worried about absorbing the energies of certain visitors, or if you find particular friends or family members draining, Denise recommends trying the following…

Sprinkle salt in the corners of each room to create a circle of protection

Wear an amulet such as a necklace made of Tourmaline, Obsidian, Black Onyx, Smoky Quartz, or Apache tears

Keep a protection stone in your pocket, or place the stone(s) in the room where your guests will be

Our experts

DENISE LINN is a world-renowned feng shui and space clearing expert. For more information, check out Sacred Space: Enhancing the Energy of Your Home and Office (£9.99, Rider Books) and deniselinn.com

AMY SCHER is an energy therapist and mind-body healing expert. Check out Amy’s new book, How to Heal Yourself When No One Else Can (£12.99, Llewellyn). Find out more at amybscher.com