Barridas & The Significance of Sweeping
Barridas and Sweeping Away Energies
Growing up I was always told to only sweep my home in the mornings or in daylight, as spirits settle in overnight and the act of sweeping clears them away just as we clear cobwebs and dust. Corners, under tables, behind the couch etc- the activated movement moves the energies away. This same practice was taught to me for my body, my temple and home on this earth. Using plants, foods, animals, water and other elements as a ‘Barrida’ or ‘sweep’ of my energy body was a common practice at home. This type of energy clearing goes back thouuuusands of years and is shared in cultures from the Aztecs to Shamans in Siberia. It is understood that anything with sacred, healing technologies can help us to remove and clear stagnant or heavy energies- these healing tools can also provide healing and sweetness back into our subtle energy bodies too.
This week, during the election, daylight savings and deep seasonal shifts, I wanted to offer 2 simple barrida practices. One for removal and clearing and one to call in sweetness and to offer lightness. You can use herbs from a grocery store, from your garden or anywhere you can source them with care. If you cannot find all of these herbs or if some of them are not your jam , please use only 1 or substitute what and where you feel called. These are suggestions, trust your intuition!
Barrida For Clearing
Tools Needed:
A handful of Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme and Peppermint
A rubber band or twine to hold the herbs together
A candle
Incense or Smudge
Turn on your candle calling in light from your ancestors, calling light into your home and into your body. Light the incense and cleanse the space, the herbs and your body. Take a small bunch of each herb and hold them close to your chest, smelling their scent, feeling their essence and thanking them for their medicine. As you connect with the herbs, ask them to remove any energies that are holding you back, keeping your energy heavy and low, ask them to remove any mal de ojo, limiting beliefs, negative self talk, any blockages or roadblocks and in that same breath, ask them to remove the things that our human eyes cannot see but are effecting us in a harsh way.
When you feel ready, bundle the herbs and hold the herbs at the top of your head - we will be sweeping from the crown of the head down to the bottoms of the feet. Once we begin, we cannot move the energy back up, so take your time. There is no rush, as you slowly sweep down your body pause in areas that may need extra attention- if you have an anxious mind, pause on your crown and ask for a cool head, if you find yourself feeling creatively blocked stop at your throat and breathe out any tightness in the area- if you are having a hard time sleeping spend some time sweeping the area of your skull and neck behind your head to ease your mind and body to find deep sleep—-take your time and speak aloud your prayers and requests.
When you are done you can take a few breaths to ground into your energy. This can be done at night before you turn in for bed or during a day when you can take it easy after the sweep.
You can take your herbs to a tree to return and transmute the energy through the earth. This can be done regularly for spiritual hygiene.
Barrida for Sweetening and Self Love
Tools needed:
Any flower bouquet or bunch that attracts you
A rubber band or twine to hold the herbs together
A candle
Incense or Smudge
Turn on your candle calling in light from your ancestors, calling light into your home and into your body. Light the incense and cleanse the space, the flowers and your body. Take the bouquet of flowers and hold them close to your chest, smelling their scent, feeling their essence and thanking them for their medicine. As you connect with the flowers, ask them to help you tap into your sweetness, activating your heart chakra and calling in support from them and their sacred technologies. This time when you are ready to begin, you start at your feet and sweep upwards, calling in and receiving. Similar to the herbal barrida, you take your time on your body. If your root chakra feels unbalanced, take a moment there and ask for stability, a strong foundation, feelings of security. Sacral chakra, ability to create effortlessly, connection to ancestors and community. Solar plexus, calling in more authentic light to be shone through, self confidence to shine through etc. Taking your time allows us to be more present and allows for us to be a channel for downloads to come through and to be received.
When you are done you can take a few breaths to ground into your energy. This can be done at night before you turn in for bed or during a day when you can take it easy after the sweep.
You can take your flowers to a tree to return and transmute the energy through the earth. This can be done regularly for spiritual hygiene also!
