Moving out, house cleansing and altar relocation

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[Laramath]

In four days my life will change pretty much by moving with my boyfriend (after 6 years of relationship), and as i'm packing boxes and moving everything around I wonder what is the best thing to do about all my "wiccan supplies" and my permanent altar (a small wooden table with lots of drawers and plces to put books in). And also about when is the best time to clean and to bless the house.
The house was bought by my father and mother in law about 15 years ago. My boyfriend grew up in that house, went to another city after graduation from the university and one day their parents told him they were tired of living so far from de city (the house is in the forest, about 15 miles from de center fo the city, and about half a mile from the hopuse that I grew un in) and that they were going to leave the house for him -and I if we wanted so-. So he moved again to his original home, that was about 10 months ago. Two months ago we decided to live together, and the date was set for our 6th anniversary, so well, that's the story.

The question is: when is the best time for me to do a house cleansing and when a house blessing? Before or after I move in? The new moon has just passed and I lost that oportunity, when is the best time to do it? Is the cleansing first and then the blessing or at the same time?

Another question is, my altar is very grounded on my actual bedroom, and I don't know how to move it without dissipating all the power and energy that has been collecting through time. ¿is there a specific procedure that I could follow for altar moving?

And the last one, I'm not sure how it's in your country, but usually, here in Mexico the living room is commonly a visitors room, he have some sofas, music, maybe a bar... but I like those living rooms that really work as family rooms, (without a TV of course) we have a fireplace there and it's the perfect place for my altar and we have decided that room is going to be my "studio" with my altar, my books (I read a lot) some cd's and just about the place where I will meditate, read and celebrate the wheel of the year.... but what about when we have company? What about when his family comes to our home and see my altar and see all my witchy books, etc? I feel like it's the best place for me, it has a full view of the forest, and when the moon is full, a fireplace, and you can hear the river from the bay window, but what about when someone comes to the house that is not familiarized with my lifestyle? what does one do? Do I just let them know, and expect respect from them or should I put away all my stuff when they come? I think this is unfair and a bit of an insult of my deities and myself.  They don't come very often (like once every two years or so), but I feel exposed anyway because it's like the open area where anyone can come and sit...

Do you have any tips?

Thank you very much!

[Jenett]

The question is: when is the best time for me to do a house cleansing and when a house blessing? Before or after I move in? The new moon has just passed and I lost that oportunity, when is the best time to do it? Is the cleansing first and then the blessing or at the same time?

I'm of the opinion that doing the cleansing and blessing as close to the time you move in as you realistically can is preferable (in other words, not when you're totally exhausted from the actual move, but as soon as you've got a reasonable time and space.) I'll adjust the precise method and language of what I'm doing for the current moon phase and astrology if I feel like it's useful (sometimes I have, sometimes I haven't), but that's easy enough to do.

Another question is, my altar is very grounded on my actual bedroom, and I don't know how to move it without dissipating all the power and energy that has been collecting through time. ¿is there a specific procedure that I could follow for altar moving?

In my practice - don't know about yours - the altar is actually meant to do that: the energy of the altar is deliberately grounded down to the earth, and the altar itself acts as a tool. You're right that this complicates moves. My usual method is to remove all the items from the altar, and then work with the physical altar itself, drawing those connections and tendrils back up into the altar. When you get it into place in the new house, you release them again. (Sort of like transplanting a plant: you need a little attention and gentleness, you don't just yank it out of the ground. But at the same time, given half a chance, those connections will regrow and resettle themselves very easily.

If for some reason you're not moving the physical altar table, you can do something similar by picking an appropriate object from your altar and pulling all the energies into that. (Something made of rock or metal is probably ideal for this: I'd avoid anything breakable. A little sand from an incense brazier or earth from a plant on the altar would work fine in an appropriate container.)

The other thing to look at is whether you've put up any household protections or wards - either consciously or unconsciously. The last thing I do before I move out of a space is basically do an uncasting of all of those, using a technique in my training where that energy comes back into something I hold, rather than flows out into the world. (When it's a circle cast, it goes into the athame: that would be fine here, or a wand could work, or another object - stone, crystal, whatever - that made sense. Again, take it to the new space and let it free, and it'll resettle itself.

Or, if you'd rather start with a clean energetic slate in your new space, you can draw all of that energy into your hands (with either the altar or your space), and then let it flow free - I like the image of water running out from my cupped hands to fall onto the ground.

I feel like it's the best place for me, it has a full view of the forest, and when the moon is full, a fireplace, and you can hear the river from the bay window, but what about when someone comes to the house that is not familiarized with my lifestyle? what does one do? Do I just let them know, and expect respect from them or should I put away all my stuff when they come? I think this is unfair and a bit of an insult of my deities and myself.  They don't come very often (like once every two years or so), but I feel exposed anyway because it's like the open area where anyone can come and sit...

First, is it possible that you may have more people over once you move in together? It sounds like a very lovely space. You might want to think about whether you might have more people over more often when thinking through your plans.

The problem with altars in public space is actually two things, and they don't have the same solution necessarily.
1) People have this tendency to look at flat spaces and put things on them. Keys, glasses, the thing they brought you to show you, books, tech toys, whatever. That's fine when it's a side table, not so great when it's an altar. There are only three real solutions to this: don't have an altar in a public space, be okay with the fact it's going to happen occasionally, or be prepared to clear the space off before any social event (and deal with the fact people will treat the altar table itself like a table). Likewise, if you have breakables (glass, statues, etc.) you really need to plan for people to be about three times more clumsy than you'd hope. If you usual

2) The other problem is the 'revealing more of yourself than you might like' - in other words, other people figuring out that you're Pagan from just walking into your living room. Again, either you can have the material out, or you can tidy it up.

What I go for depends a lot on where I'm living: I've done stints where the altar was in the bedroom (and the Pagan books) because I wanted to be able to do work when my now ex-husband had people over, or when he was using his computer or watching a movie (all in the living room, as the apartment was a bedroom, bathroom, and then an open kitchen/living room space.) In my current home, which is very small, it's out in the open, because I don't need to work around anyone else's schedule.

However, if I end up with a job where socialising with co-workers occasionally is a good move, I'd probably keep the Pagan books at least somewhat out of sight (there are multiple ways to do this: either store them in a less public room, or consider things like cloth hangings over bookshelves or cabinets.) and keep my altar to objects that have a lot of meaning to me, but are not necessarily obviously Pagan. For example, I usually have various statues, images, and figures out, but they're not obviously of deities. I do not leave my athame out, or my altar fully set up for ritual: I do that when I'm doing specific work there.

[catherine]

What about when his family comes to our home and see my altar and see all my witchy books, etc? I feel like it's the best place for me, it has a full view of the forest, and when the moon is full, a fireplace, and you can hear the river from the bay window, but what about when someone comes to the house that is not familiarized with my lifestyle? what does one do? Do I just let them know, and expect respect from them or should I put away all my stuff when they come? I think this is unfair and a bit of an insult of my deities and myself.  They don't come very often (like once every two years or so), but I feel exposed anyway because it's like the open area where anyone can come and sit...

Do you have any tips?

Thank you very much!

Hi Laramath,
I'm sort of in the same situation. I can share what I do, though it may not work for you. I keep a permanent shrine in my bedroom for daily offerings and meditation. I also keep my books, journal, and basic supplies there. All of my ritual tools are kept in a nice box until I need them. When I'm doing a ritual that requires space to move around, I'll set up in my living room. I also have a lovely fireplace mantle and large windows with a great view of the moon, so I really enjoy doing ritual there.

I don't keep everything permanently set up on the mantle for several reasons. First, I don't want people touching my stuff. Only because many things were gifts and I don't want them to be damaged or broken. Second, I'm not the only one who lives here, and I want the common spaces of the house to be comfortable for everyone. I also don't want to worry about explaining myself if my landlord or a neighbor stops by. But mostly, I don't want the negativity that some of my things can draw from people who don't understand.

Sure it would be easy to say that they should respect my choices, and most of my family wouldn't say a word. However that doesn't mean they wouldn't feel uncomfortable and those negative feelings can linger. There are even statues that I'll put away when certain members of my family are coming over. For example, I have many pagany statues and plaques around my house. I had a birthday party here on Sunday. I have a lovely statue of Pan in all His, shall we say, "glory". He got put away because I know the sight of Pan with a giant phallus would be pretty upsetting for my 92 year old grandfather ! My statue of Gaia is a different thing. Most people really like it and don't find it to be threatening in any way, so she stays out.

Personally, I don't feel insulted by putting some of my things away. I'm pretty private anyway. I consider it more of a hospitality issue. When I have guests, I want them to feel welcome. I don't want to get into religious discussions when it's not appropriate, or have my family feel alienated in some way.

Now, if you only have visitors who would object, or not understand come by every once in a while, then maybe you could just put your things away when you're having company. But, this only works if you don't have folks popping in unexpectedly. Maybe you could take a little time and see what your lifestyle will be like in your new home before you decide. Also, talk with your boyfriend. He may be able to give you some insight into how often you'll be entertaining, and who will be coming over more regularly since he's already living there.

As always, YMMV, but I hope this helps a little. Good luck with your move!

[Nimue]

In four days my life will change pretty much by moving with my boyfriend (after 6 years of relationship), and as i'm packing boxes and moving everything around I wonder what is the best thing to do about all my "wiccan supplies" and my permanent altar (a small wooden table with lots of drawers and plces to put books in). And also about when is the best time to clean and to bless the house.
The house was bought by my father and mother in law about 15 years ago. My boyfriend grew up in that house, went to another city after graduation from the university and one day their parents told him they were tired of living so far from de city (the house is in the forest, about 15 miles from de center fo the city, and about half a mile from the hopuse that I grew un in) and that they were going to leave the house for him -and I if we wanted so-. So he moved again to his original home, that was about 10 months ago. Two months ago we decided to live together, and the date was set for our 6th anniversary, so well, that's the story.

The question is: when is the best time for me to do a house cleansing and when a house blessing? Before or after I move in? The new moon has just passed and I lost that oportunity, when is the best time to do it? Is the cleansing first and then the blessing or at the same time?

Another question is, my altar is very grounded on my actual bedroom, and I don't know how to move it without dissipating all the power and energy that has been collecting through time. ¿is there a specific procedure that I could follow for altar moving?

And the last one, I'm not sure how it's in your country, but usually, here in Mexico the living room is commonly a visitors room, he have some sofas, music, maybe a bar... but I like those living rooms that really work as family rooms, (without a TV of course) we have a fireplace there and it's the perfect place for my altar and we have decided that room is going to be my "studio" with my altar, my books (I read a lot) some cd's and just about the place where I will meditate, read and celebrate the wheel of the year.... but what about when we have company? What about when his family comes to our home and see my altar and see all my witchy books, etc? I feel like it's the best place for me, it has a full view of the forest, and when the moon is full, a fireplace, and you can hear the river from the bay window, but what about when someone comes to the house that is not familiarized with my lifestyle? what does one do? Do I just let them know, and expect respect from them or should I put away all my stuff when they come? I think this is unfair and a bit of an insult of my deities and myself.  They don't come very often (like once every two years or so), but I feel exposed anyway because it's like the open area where anyone can come and sit...

Do you have any tips?

Thank you very much!

I'm moving myself in two weeks, and since moving is always chaos, I try to keep things as simple as possible.  When I leave a place, I make sure to cleanse it after the cleaning.  Nothing to spectacular, I just visualize the place being filled with a white light and all my ties to the place vanishing. 
   When I move into a new place, I'm not too worried about cleansing it and getting everything set up until I'm mostly moved it.  Again, I keep things simple by just burning sage and placing my protective charms to their appropriate places.

[Laramath]

Well, thank so much for all your tips, all theese changes have hit me SO HARD that I haven't had the time to do the cleansing, Even the fisical cleaning is giving me real and literal nausea! Yesterday I feld horrible, it was some kind of a hell for me, I was REALLY home sick (I'm still homesick, but a little less now that i'm on my office al work) I'm having deep trouble coping with the new house, the new bed, the new everything. I need a little house warming, I haven't yet opened all the boxes with my witchy stuff, not even have I put my altar, nor the flowers I wanted to put, etc. ¿Is the answer putting something of mine in every room? I feel really lost in the house, I feel anxiety (at a lower level that yesterday, but I had to take some tafil).... ¿could I do something magickal for this? I'm feeling horrible! 

[Derek]

I'm having deep trouble coping with the new house, the new bed, the new everything. I need a little house warming, I haven't yet opened all the boxes with my witchy stuff, not even have I put my altar, nor the flowers I wanted to put, etc. ¿Is the answer putting something of mine in every room? I feel really lost in the house, I feel anxiety (at a lower level that yesterday, but I had to take some tafil).... ¿could I do something magickal for this? I'm feeling horrible! 

I'd recommend unpacking at least something.  Maybe ask him to help?  That way, he can be included in putting 'you' into the house.  It may help the house recognize you as part of it now, and not just a visitor.

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