Cleanse and Protect Your Space: A Ritual for the New Year ✨
The end of the year always sneaks up on me. There’s something to magical about these last few days of the year. There’s that natural pull to reflect on everything I’ve done or dealt with that year and also an itch to shed what’s been weighing me down. To me, welcoming a new year isn’t just about resolutions or celebrations; it’s about creating space (literally and spiritually) for the energy I want to attract.
Around here,”cleansing and protecting your space” can feel like a bit of an adventure when you live in a house with four dogs, a cat, and tufts of leftover hair from the 120 pound malamute we fostered for a year! It doesn’t always look like the picture-perfect altar setups you see on Instagram. But that’s what makes it so meaningful. It’s real, and it’s mine.
Every December, without fail, I roll up my sleeves, put on some music (I’m a sucker for Taylor Swift), and get to work. So, if you’re feeling the urge to kick out the cobwebs, both literal and metaphorical, here’s my guide to starting the new year on the right energetic foot.

Step 1: Sweep Out the Stagnant Energy
Let’s start with the basics: cleaning. I’m not going to pretend I’m some domestic goddess. I’m more of a “do it because it has to be done” kind of person. But there’s something about sweeping the floors at the end of the year that feels different. It’s not just about the crumbs and dog hair (so much dog hair); it’s about clearing out all the energy that’s been hanging around, uninvited, like that one guest who never knows when to leave.
I always start at the back of the house and sweep toward the front door, imagining myself gathering up all the stress, tension, and heaviness that’s settled in my space. Each sweep feels like a release, like I’m saying, “Thank you, but it’s time for you to go.”
One year, I was sweeping out my living room when I stumbled across an old notebook under the couch. It was from a time in my life when I felt stuck and unsure of who I was. Finding it reminded me of how far I’d come, but also how much I was still holding onto. As part of my cleansing ritual that year, and the sense of relief was indescribable. Sometimes, it’s the little things we don’t realize we’re carrying that make the biggest difference when we let them go.

Step 2: Burn Herbs to Purify Your Space
After the physical space is tidy, it’s time to work on the energetic layer. Burning herbs has always been one of my favorite ways to cleanse a space, if you’ve been to the shop or my house you’re likely to smell SOMETHING. My go-to is eucalyptus. You can also use herbs like rosemary, cedar, or basically anything that smells fresh!
If you don’t love burning things (or have a smoke alarm that’s a little too enthusiastic), a spray bottle with essential oils works just as well.
Step 3: Refresh Your Protection Wards
Now that your space is cleansed, it’s time to lock in all that fresh energy with some protection magic. I like to think of this step as creating an energetic force field around my home—a little bubble of safety and good vibes.
One of my favorite tools for this is black salt. I make my own by mixing coarse sea salt with ashes from my herb burn, which always feels extra personal and powerful. I sprinkle it at the thresholds of my home, imagining it as an invisible barrier.
There are crystals that deserve to be refreshed during this time too! Obsidian is my ride-or-die when it comes to protection. I have a large silver sheen obsidian tower by my front door and a selenite wand above our doorways for clearing energy as people walk through!
I also love placing small charms or tokens around the house. Sometimes I’ll add a touch of rose quartz or something soft and loving to honor Aphrodite—because protection doesn’t have to feel heavy or harsh.

Step 4: Set an Intention for 2025
With everything cleansed and protected, the final step is my favorite: setting intentions for the new year. This is where I pause, light a candle, and really think about what I want the next year to feel like. Not just what I want to achieve, but how I want to be.
Last year, I sat with Aphrodite and reflected on love—not just romantic love, but self-love, love for my home, and love for the life I’ve built. This year, I find myself thinking about growth, especially as my husband and I dream of starting a family. I write down my intentions in my journal, and sometimes I’ll burn them, letting the smoke carry them into the universe. Other times, I simply sit with them, holding them close and trusting they’ll take root.
This ritual has become a cornerstone of my year-end traditions. It’s not just about the actions—it’s about the mindset. Every sweep, every puff of smoke, every sprinkle of salt is a reminder that I have the power to create the space and energy I want in my life.
So, as we prepare to welcome 2025, I invite you to try this ritual for yourself. Let go of the old, invite in the new, and step into the new year feeling lighter, stronger, and more aligned than ever.
What are your favorite ways to cleanse and protect your space? Do you have any year-end traditions you swear by? Let’s chat about them in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories! 🖤✨