Protection: First Things First
Today I want to address one of the most important topics related to ancestral work—possibly the most important: protection.
Why is this so important? Opinion differs on how directly the spirits can impact us here, in this world. Some believe that they can actually punch a hole through worlds and cause us direct harm. I don’t rule this out as a possibility, but that has never been my experience (though at some point I will discuss the famous “chair of death” and my experiences as a child at Baleroy Mansion), but what I do know without a doubt is that their energy can greatly affect us, for good or ill.
Back in April, I made my customary pilgrimage to Philadelphia, where I was raised and where both sides of my father’s family lived and died, for generations. I visited 10 cemeteries on that particular trip, some I’m very familiar with, some completely new to me. The one I always visit, without fail, is the Catholic cemetery where my lost grandmother is buried along with my great-grandparents and other close relations in the family plot. I am always extremely conscious and careful about protection when entering unfamiliar territory, especially cemeteries, but I had been to this spot countless times and knew its energy quite well. After I performed my customary blessings and offerings, did some ritual healing work, and spent time talking with them all, I found I still had a bit of time before my next commitment. I’d unearthed documents in the months prior that indicated that some more distant members of the same family line were buried in that graveyard, as well, on the other side of the cemetery, so we drove over there. I knew the section, but not the exact location of the two plots, so I left all but my pendulum in the car, not wanting to lug my basket of spirit tools around while I searched for them.
A few steps away from the car, I became tense and agitated. It intensified with every moment, as my husband and I wandered the rows of stones. My pendulum refused to answer me—a very unusual occurrence. Sweat began to pour from every pore, though it was quite chill out. An insidious dark sludge crept into my bones, and it was as if all the light had suddenly been sucked out of the world. Extremely lightheaded and unable to get a breath, I did my best to shout over the graves to my husband (he knew I meant business, as I almost never do that—I generally like to maintain an aura of quiet peacefulness when doing cemetery work) that we needed to leave—now—as I ran back to the car, desperately trying not to vomit. He jumped behind the wheel, and we peeled out of there.
“What the f#@& was that?” I said, as soon as we were clear of it. But after years of this work, I had my suspicions. I’m very sensitive to energy of this kind, but a response that dramatic and extreme was rare. I pulled out the iPad and pulled up findagrave.com (a very valuable resource that I’ll discuss in depth in a later post), looking for info on that particular cemetery. The results were even more dramatic and horrific than I had anticipated. Just yards from where we were wandering lay the grave of the man considered to be America’s first serial killer, Dr. Henry “HH” Holmes aka Herman Mudgett. Some call him the most prolific mass murderer in US history (tabloids of the time said that over 200 women and a handful of men and boys had fallen victim to his sadistic torture and dismemberment; he confessed to 27, though only a handful of these were ever confirmed and proven by authorities, including 3 children). He is the subject of many books and documentaries, including the well-known, award-winning Devil in the White City, which is currently being made into a feature film by Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese. He was hung in Philadelphia in 1896 for the murder of one of his con-man partners. And in 2017, just months before we had this experience, his body had been exhumed because of persistent rumors that he had somehow escaped the noose, in spite of the fact that onlookers watched for 20 minutes as he slowly suffocated on the gallows. It is indeed his body in that grave, as was confirmed by dental records. But he, his moustache, and his clothing were all apparently strangely preserved and intact, 121 years after his burial. He was quoted on April 11, 1896 in the Philadelphia North American as saying: “Yes I was born with the devil in me. I was born with the evil standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I was ushered into the world, and he has been with me since.”
Whoa. Okay. Lesson learned. Even if you’ve been somewhere a thousand and one times and think you know its energy like the back of your hand, do not shirk your important protective practices! And do not leave your tools in the car! Your ancestors may be the most peaceful spirits, but you never know who may be buried just a few rows away from them.
Although of crucial importance for on-site cemetery work, protection isn’t only for for the graveside aspect of the ancestral journey. Of course, you want to utilize ample protection for any ritual or ceremonial work, graveside or otherwise. But any time you are trying to connect, protective practices should be employed. Anytime something with a history, but is new to your space, enters that space, it should be immediately energetically cleansed. This is true of anything related to your own ancestry—photos, mementos, jewelry, etc. But I also feel it’s important for any antique or vintage items you acquire. You never know whose energy may be attached, especially with items that have been around for many generations.
When I finally received the photo of my grandmother in the mail, I threw caution to the wind in my excitement (I’m willing to cut myself some slack here, for my over-enthusiasm, as I had been waiting 37 years for it!), tore open the package, and pored through the pile of photos and documents within. The moment I opened it, I should have stopped. I felt it instantly. But I was too eager and too busy that day to take the time to do proper clearing and protection…wrong! Do as I say, not as I did! Protection comes first!
For the next week or so, I felt increasingly stressed and ill and a pervasive sense of hopelessness, like a dark cloud had settled in over my whole life. I tried unsuccessfully to shrug it off until my husband mentioned that he now felt such a heaviness around my ancestral/beloved dead altar that he felt uncomfortable even being in the same room. Only then did I remember the feelings I’d had upon opening the package. Something or things in that package had some very sad, heavy energy attached (again, I have my suspicions, but decided to be thorough and treat all of the items I received). I collected all of the items, wrapped them in black cloth, and locked them in a box (I’ve seen some very fancy and elaborate ones for this purpose, but in a pinch a black $28 cash box from Staples did the trick), along with a bunch of clearing and protective herbs and crystals. After one full moon cycle, I’ll open the box and see how things feel. If I don’t feel joy upon handling them, I’ll refresh the herbs, clean the crystals, and lock it all back up again until the heaviness is gone and the negative energy these items hold is neutralized.
Tools
Now that you hopefully get why this is so important, what are the protective tools and practices that can aid you in this work?
Crystals
Crystals are my personal favorite source of protection and the method I’ve found to be the most reliable. I always carry both fluorite and black tourmaline with me when doing cemetery work. Fluorite absorbs the negative energy and black tourmaline is highly protective and blocks negative energies. So whatever the tourmaline doesn’t block, hopefully the fluorite absorbs. Although black tourmaline is my personal favorite, there are other, primarily black, stones that can also serve this purpose, such as hematite, shungite, Apache tear, black onyx. Each have their own strengths, so investigate what feels good to you. Apache tear is particularly good for psychic attacks, shungite for dealing with EMF overload, and onyx helps combat fear. Hematite is my go-to stone when I need deep grounding (I’m also awaiting a shipment of Boytryoidal Goethite and am excited to test that out in practice for grounding and protective purposes). I’ve also found labradorite to be a powerful ally. It is known for assisting with spiritual and psychic opening, but also for protecting you while you are open and vulnerable.
We’ll go more in-depth with crystals for other aspects of ancestral work when I review Judy Hall’s books Crystal Prescriptions: Volume 6 And Crystal Grids.
Please remember to cleanse your crystals regularly. Some say smudging them is enough, and I do smudge my crystals before any ritual or ceremonial work. But honestly, I’ve never felt it’s enough on its own, especially when doing heavy-duty intentional work like this. So, I always cleanse them at least overnight (if your intuition tells you to leave it in there longer, listen) in pure salt or salt water. Which you use will depend on the crystal. If it’s part of a piece of jewelry or one of the water soluble crystals, like selenite, please do not put them in water, as it will damage them. I strongly prefer the most natural salt I can get, usually either Celtic sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. But if you’re on the road and all you can get your hands on is plain old table salt, go for it. I also believe in spiritual adaptability and flexibility. Flourite, in particular, needs to be cleansed after every use. If I’m on a cemetery trip, I always carry a container of salt with me, so that I can cleanse my fluorite each night, even when traveling, so it is clear of negativity and fresh for the next day’s work. Some also say that bathing them in the light of the full moon will clear and cleanse and charge them. I used to do this, leaving my tray out on the deck, until we attracted some clepto raccoons and squirrels! And I also cleanse much much more frequently than once a month. But if you’re fairly sure they’ll be safe, this can also work, as can burying them in the earth.
Salt
In addition to its use in crystal cleansing, I’ve also found salt to be a powerful tool to have with me for protection. I always carry a small bag of salt on me when doing cemetery work. It works much like fluorite to absorb negativity around you. Please make sure that the bag you are carrying it in is lined or tightly woven, or you will end up with salt all over the inside of your satchel! I generally discard the salt at the end of the day’s work, though if I’m going to multiple cemeteries and the energy at one feels particularly yucky, I may just dump it right away and refill before heading to the next. It won’t do you any good to be carrying that energy around with you.
Herbs
Herbs are the next category that I employ regularly. I use many dried and fresh herbs in my home-based rituals, but for cemetery work, I’ve found infused and essential-oil based sprays, oils, hydrosols, and other liquid formulations to be invaluable. They are easy to transport and can be very potent. I’ve used many over the years—some of my own formulation, some made by cottage-industry VT-based herbalists, and some commercially sold preparations. Here are the herbal products that I’m never without these days:
-Liquid smudge: Liquid smudge is a great traveling alternative to burning sage or palo alto to clear away the negative energy. My favorites at present are by 2 local Vermont herbalists: Bulk Witch Cleanse by Druid Genevieve Drutchas of Bee Haven Honey Farm and at our Inner Flame metaphysical pop-up shop; and Auntie Baba’s Liquid Smudge by Sandy Crow (both the sage-based and the palo alto-based versions), available at the Grindstone Cafe and Wellness Center in Lyndonville, VT. I know most of you out there probably won’t be geographically close enough to acquire these, but no worries. There are many good versions out there and almost any health food store, Coop, or metaphysical shop sells at least one formulation of liquid smudge.
-Rosewater: So simple, but beautifully powerful. It also helps to clear your energy and the energy of the space around you and raises your vibration.
-Kate’s Magik Purification and Protection spray: This has some similar power to smudge, but has the extra boost of Frankincense, Sandalwood and citrus notes. Kate’s Magik is an intentional fragrance company based in Arizona.
-Kate’s Magik Ghostbuster spray: The company says that this helps to allay fears and clear mental ghosts. I find it helps me to be focused and clear and chase away the anxieties that weaken my own energy field. It does contain sleep-inducing herbs, so don’t use copiously if you need to be alert!
-Some form of neroli: I’m currently carrying neroli hydrosol, as straight neroli oil is very costly. Neroli has many wonderful and soothing properties, but I find it particularly effective for easing trauma. Although not strictly protective, as such, ancestral trauma (and our own personal trauma that we bring to the table) can be one of the biggest blocks in this work, so I’ve begun incorporating neroli into my foundational protective practice at the beginning of any workings
The Kate’s Magic Uncrossing anointing oil is also a wonderful product and could be of use in this context, but I’ve personally found it to be more effective at remedying situations involving living persons who wish you ill than in working with the dead.
“Shields”
The last category of protective tools would be those worn as “shields.” This can certainly mean apparel. I have a number of intentionally-created, reiki-charged shawls for this purpose (crafted by medium Sali Crow). A simple black garment can also work, if worn with intention—if it’s reiki-charged, all the better. But it can also mean protective symbols worn on your person. My husband and I both wear the Celtic shield knot on us—his, a pendant, and mine a ring. Other protective symbols would include, but are certainly not limited to: the hamsa, sei he ki (if you are a reiki practitioner), Sheela-na-gig, or any of your own protective sigils. These can be incorporated into clothing, jewelry, bags or pouches you carry, or even hennaed on your skin.
You can also synthesize many of these elements into a protective pouch you carry with you. Mine contains crystals, herbs, and other small talismans in a small black velvet pouch which displays a large Celtic shield knot on the front and also has a hamsa charm and copper ring on the outside for extra fortitude and back up. Make sure to “feed” your pouch regularly with new added herbs or talismans and cleanse the crystals within periodically.
Practices
Smudge
As for practices, we’ve already touched on smudge, but I can’t stress it enough. The first thing I do is smudge both myself and the space in which I’ll be working, as well as spray with the Kate’s Magik Purification and Protection spray. I’ll. Also use the Ghostbuster spray if I sense anything particularly heavy or unpleasant or I need extra focus and calm
“Force field”
Next, I’ll do a quick meditation, visualizing my own personal protective force field around me. You can visualize whatever image is most powerful for you. Mine is a bubble of golden, sparkling light. But others have told me that they resonate and feel safer with images of concrete, steel, or stone as their protective barrier. If you’re having trouble generating this force field on your own, there are many meditations available online to assist. I highly recommend the ones by medium James van Praagh, but there are others, as well, so find one that clicks with you, and use it regularly until you feel you can raise that energetic shield on your own.
Clearing your energetic space
Alternately, at the end of the day, after my workings, I do a cleansing meditation to remove anyone else’s unwanted energies from my energetic body. I actually find this a hugely helpful practice to perform in the evenings, whether you are spending your days with the dead or the living! We pick up so much from others all day long and carry it with us. This releases their energy and sends it back to them. Again, I trust and personally employ James van Praagh’s clearing meditation for this. I don’t believe that it’s available on it’s own at this time, but it’s included in many of his courses, including his energy protection mini course, which is available here right now for only $14.44 (no, it’s not an affiliate link or anything like that. I’m just sharing what I use and trust).
“Gatekeeper”
This is relatively new to me, and I’ve only recently begun to call on my gatekeeper, since doing a spirit connection workshop with medium Sali Crow. Basically the “gatekeeper” or “doorman” is a helper spirit whose job it is to protect you when you are making direct contact with the spirit realm. It may very likely be someone you knew in this life or a past life, but possibly not. My gatekeeper is a man named Michael Timothy from Louisiana in the late 1700s, who I’m told was my romantic partner in a past life. Although I connect with spirit frequently, I am not a medium, and for me it took the assistance of an experienced multi-sensory medium to identify and call forth a spirit would was willing to serve in this role. Perhaps this could also be achieved through journey work or work in other altered states (make sure you’re taking protective and precautionary steps when working in altered states). But if you’re really eager to identify a gatekeeper, I’d recommend consulting with an experienced medium for assistance. For more on this, see Sali Crow’s book Jump Girl, especially chapter 35 (p, 180-184), where she introduces her doorman, Adam. We’ll be interviewing Sali in the coming months, here on the blog, and reviewing her memoir.
So, hopefully you now really embrace the essential importance of protection when performing this work and have a few tools and practices to draw from. Just like heading out into the wintry snow, it can be a really beautiful experience if you put on your protective layer first. If you forget and head out into the snow naked, well…you’re probably not going to feel too good, eh? It’s the same with ancestral work. Just remember to put on your protective layer before you head out there, and it can be a beautiful and deeply meaningful undertaking.
