A Favorite Movie And Its Impact In My Life

Hello,

I just finished watching one of my favoirite movies, “Powder”.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_(film)  .

I always, come away feeling very sad and yet hopeful.  It is an odd mixture of feelings. 

I am amazed at the underlying meanings and philosophies this movie conveys.
The movie cultivates a natural curiosity for our futures and how we connect to each other and everything around us.

I find one particular scene as being very powerful and helps me to connect  with my compassion and inner drive to help others.
The scene is when Jeff Goldburg extends his friendship and comforts Powder.  Its a very simple yet powerful moment. It shows the need for kindness and basic touch. That we all crave and need to be touched by another. Even if it is as simple as a hand laid on another in a show of compassion and caring.

This movie highlights the basic need for all of us to be accepted for who we are. To not be feared or hated just because we are different from what is considered “normal”.

I have always felt like I did not fit in and that I was different,even before I knew I was a psi.
Being a young child with abilites to sense things and the odd experiences I have had throughout my life, have created the feeling of separation.  Maybe, that is why I enjoy this movie so much and why it holds such meaning for me.

Powder is a symbol that we may identify with in our lives.

It is easy to replace the movie concept with something more specific that we identify with or feel strongly about.  Wether we see ourselves as Powder or one of the other roles is irrelevant.  It is a way to see ourselves and others in a new light and decide if we like who we have become. 
Do we embrace our differences and allow others to be treated with respect and tenderness or do we find hatred and cruelty as our behavior of choice?

Do we feel these things about one another or direct it at ourselves?
If others accept or approve of us or not, does not change the simple fact that we are who we are.

The question is: How do we treat ourselves? How do we come to grips with our own inner fears and insecurities?
 
I am beginning to relax and embrace that I am a psi vampire.  That no matter what I want or how hard I try to hide what I am,does not matter. I have to accept my own reality and allow myself to feel good about it. 
 
I believe that we all feel different in some way or another and that we do not fit into our own cultural norms. (Whatever,normal is.) *grins*
Knowing that,  helps me to accept these differences within myself. I believe, that is where communities can be of help and may offer needed support and connection.  The feeling that we are not alone and its ok to be who we were meant to be.

I hope you get a chance  to watch this wonderful movie and find it as inspirational as I have. *smiles*

Sweet dreams,
Angel

Odd Feelings And A Change In Plans

Salutations,

My husband and I had an interesting experience recently.

We had gone to the movies and saw Harry Potter. Which, was wonderful and also, sad. Knowing it is the last of the series.but, that is not what my post is about.*grins*

We left the movie theatre  and headed for a local chain restaurant that we have been to before.

We walk in the doors and instantly notice a very odd sensation. The energy in the whole place felt completely off. I am not sure how to describe it but, it was so thick and heavy with foreboding that it felt unbearable.

As we stood there we both noticed there were not many people and we were guessing it was due to how late it was.

I sense we are being watched and see two young women sitting at a table near the door. They are blatantly staring at my husband and I.  We just ignore them since, that happens sometimes. Not sure why but we notice people will stare sometimes. Would love to know why someday.*smiles*

Back to my tale.

We look at each other trying to figure out where the hostess is and if we should keep waiting or not. Meanwhile, we are still being stared at. Weird.

As we look around, a couple at a booth near us, tells us that they have not seen the hostess in quite some time and that it seems we will need to seat ourselves. 

We decide to go and find a table.  We locate a booth but, it has not been wiped off and I notice that most of the tables are in this state.Which, to me seems odd as well.  There are only three or four other tables with people sitting at them.  It strikes me as unusal that the tables are not wiped off. Im not sue why it bothers me so much. Just one more thing to add to the list of weirdness.*grins*

We sit for a few minutes and still do not see anyone except the bartender and a waitress at the other end of the restaurant.
I am getting the feeling that we need to leave and it intensifies as each second passes.  I cannot explain why I am feeling this way, just that it is getting stronger by the moment.

I ask my husband if we should go, he is not sure but, I can tell he is feeling the odd atmoshere as well.  I decide, to listen to my instincts and leave.  We get up and leave.

As we walk to the door, I look at the couple who advised us to seat ourselves and I say to them that we decided to go.
I really wanted to tell them to get out. That it felt wrong but, that sounded insane, even to me.*grins* 

We walked out into the warm summer night and as soon as we step though the entrance, I feel the sensation lift. Its as though a huge weight is lifted and that we somehow missed being involved in something horrible.

We get in the car and look at each other wondering what exactly is going on. My husband proceeds to describe what he felt and its pretty much the same things I experienced.

We drove to another location and were very relieved to walk into a perfectly normal atmosphere with no foreboding or intensity.

We are both perplexed as to what we just experienced. To say it was surreal would be an understatement.

I would not be surprised if we learn later,that something terrible happened that night. Not sure what, but I had the distinct feeling it would not be good.

I think, this is what people feel when, for no reason , they are compelled to cancel or take a different flight only to find out later that the plane they were meant to be on, crashed.

I sincerely hope that nothing occured at the restaurant but, it would not surprise me in the least.  I will watch the news to see if anything is reported.

I wish I could understand the reason for the way we felt. 
Why did we both experience such a strong sense of doom? As though a horrible event was about to be played out? I am a firm believer in that things happen for a reason, we just may not understand why.  This, I think, will be end up being just one more mystery in my life.*grins*

Sweet dreams, 

Angel

Sekhmet And The Cosmic Lost And Found

Good Evening,

I am inspired to share my story after reading my good friend  Cheshirecatman most recent posting. Synchronicity is truly an amazing thing. Thank you, Cheshirecatman.*grins*

My story actually began more than a month ago when I lost a very powerful and somewhat new crystal. I had it for less than 6 months when it went missing. The crystal was a Tangerine Lemurian Seed crystal.  Which, I found at a local metaphysical store. It was one of those, gotta have it, moments.

A Lemurian Seed Crystal,as I was told and what I found online about them, are crystals that were planted all over the earth by the Lemurians. An ancient people that are steeped in myth and lore.  These Seed crystals are meant to aid mankind and only be found when we are ready for them.  From what I understand, these have only been discovered in the last ten years or so.
They are of the quartz family and some can have an orange tint to them. Here are a few  links I found.
http://www.dynamicenergycrystalsonline.com/pages/Lemurian-Seed-Crystals.html 

http://seraphinite44.blogspot.com/2010/09/discovering-lemurian-crystals.html

The instant I held it in my hands ,I experienced what I call a wooshing sensation that started in my toes and moved up to the top of my head.  Its a very distinct feeling that can only be described as electrical in nature and for me, extremely rare.
I have owned many types of crystals and have never had this strong of a reaction ,as I had to this one. I never even heard of this type till the day I found it.

After purchasing this item (like I had a choice.*grins*)
I began connecting with it everyday.  To the point that it would travel with me to work each day.
 
Note to self. Never carry important items in a unzippered section of a purse. *grins*

The day I lost it was a sad day for me. 
I went to reach for it and felt my stomach drop.  My amazing crystal had dissappeared without a trace.  No clue when or how. This began my somewhat intensive search.
My husband can attest to my ability to focus in such a manner as to drive others a bit crazy. I will go over an area in such detail as to make a CSI team proud.*grins*

Yet, even after my detailed and exhaustive search,it still remained lost.  

I even dreamt it was in my vehicle. In my dream I saw my purse fall over and the crystal fall and end up in the back of my vehicle. My dream inspired me to conduct another CSI style sweep. 

On a side note.
During the initial search of my vehicle, I concluded that my dog has an amazing collection of assorted bones and treats. Which,seem to have ended up in every nook and crannie throughout my vehicle. I own a large SUV and for a dog that weighs only 20lbs, the amount of bones and small dog biscuits found, does not seem proportionate to his size. *smiles*

Back to my story*smiles*

During the quest for my lost crystal,my husband and I both found ourselves practically lying on the floor in my SUV with flashlights to be sure my dream was not a reality.  I believed it was a message but, then had to chalk it up to “wishful thinking” since we came up empty handed.

On a side note:

I have learned over the years that crystals will mysteriously get lost at times.  I have come to interpret these moments as:
The crystal is no longer something I need or someone else needs it more than I do. Its as though there are hidden agendas programmed into them . Some are meant for a lifetime and others for only a specific time span.
I decided that I need to face facts after a month of not finding it.

During the time it was lost, during a moment of feeling sad about losing it,I mentioned (out loud and in a half joking manner to Sekhmet) how I would much rather have lost  one of my very favorite pieces of jewelry ( a custom bracelet made out of lapis,freshwater pearls and austrian crystal) than losing my crystal.

I believe, Sekhmet heard me.

I was wearing my bracelet one evening and I  was walking from the kitchen to our frontroom, when I heard the sound of beads falling onto the hardwood floor.  It was my bracelet. The oddest part of this is that it had magnets for the clasp and would always just come apart if I snagged it. I did not catch it on anything yet, it broke.

I retrieved all the pieces from the floor and found that over half was still missing.  I could only find half the wire and barely a quarter of the beads.  Even the magnetic clasp was gone. I searched the whole floor yet,they were nowhere to be found. 
I was thinking I would have a friend re-string it, but with most of the beads gone that was not going to happen.

The next day, after work .

I was sitting in my car and decided to change the cd in my player.  I opened my leather cd case which, holds quite a few cds and as I was opening it..a cd went flying out.  I could not find it anywhere in the front and figured it must have somehow ended up in the back seat.  I had the thought of, “What if the cd fell out in order to show me where my crystal is?” I of course dismissed that thought as impossible. There was no way my crystal was in my truck.

I give up finding the cd and drive out of the parking lot.
I decide to take the opportunty in the bumper to bumper traffic to try one last time of locating my cd.  I reach back with my right arm into the backseat, directly behind my chair.  I cannot even look since I am on the road at this point.  As I blindly extend my arm, I feel my fingertips connect with material. I know instantly what it is.  It is the bag that I had carried my crystal in!  I grasp it and look at my long lost crystal now clutched in my hand.  I had found my crystal!
I am elated and also, a bit shocked.

I drove all the way home with the crystal held firmly in my hand. I think I was afraid to let go of it.*smiles*
I pull up in my driveway and get out and open the back door since I am curious as to where my cd is and exactly where my crystal was for all this time.  Lo and behold, the cd is sitting on the floor directly behind my seat and  in front of where I found the crystal.  I had to reach across the cd to find my crystal. 

Now, if the crystal had been way under the seat, I may have thought that we somehow missed it. Not, that I know how..but it would be more plausable.  The truth of the matter, is that the crystal was not under the seat.  It was laying against the bar that runs the width of the truck and is the bottom support for the bench seat.  It was barely, two inches in from the edge of the seat.   There is no way that we both could have missed it. 

I called my husband and told him what happened and he was as mystified as I was.

The voice in my head ..telling me the cd was to find the crystal,was odd as well.  Then it hit me.  The remark I made about the bracelet!  I only found it after the bracelet broke!

It all began to click.

I made that remark a few weeks back  and Sekhmet took me up on my deal.  She even made sure it was a true sacrifice by, not letting me recover all of the beads.  She knew I would have had it rebuilt and then it would not have been a true exchange.*smiles*
Sekhmet Held up her end of the deal,which I did not realize I had even made. I think she made sure I made the connection between the broken bracelet and finding the crystal. 

I have taken the lesson to heart and take it as proof that she listens to my thoughts and spoken words. Needless to say, I thanked her for bringing my crystal back to me.
I gladly, made the exchange and paid with the loss of my bracelet.  I got exactly what I wished for.
This taught me to be careful what I wish for and that words hold more power than we can imagine.

I know it could all be chalked up to one huge coincidence and nothing mystical about it.  But, if there is one thing I have learned in my life, is that there are no coincidences. *smiles*
I have had too many of these sort of “coincidences” to ever think they are that simple. There is always, a bigger picture.

I hope my experience helps to bring hope and a belief that we are not alone and that our prayers and wishes are heard.
We may not always, get what we want but, we do get what we need. Of course, this is all just my opinion.  You need to prove it to yourself and allow synchronicity to occur in your own life.  
The fact that Cheshirecatman had a similar experience and at almost the same time was just more proof of her influence in our lives. I was debating on sharing my experience and took his post as a sign for me to write about my own.

Coincidence?  I think not. *grins*

Sweet dreams,

Angel
 

Hunter and the hunted.

Hello,

Predator versus prey.
The hunter and the hunted.
The primal need to take and /or to give.
This makes a truly powerful and natural relationship for Vamps and Donors.

Its the give and take and the intensity that comes with it that makes these connections so very powerful.

I think some of it stems from blood and energy being a need versus a desire.
Another part of it may be  the very nature of who and what we are. That at some very deep level we are driven to be takers or givers. That as vamps and donors, we have this almost innate need and ability to fit these roles and is a part of who we are. 

In a purely energetic sense as example:

I believe I was born not being able to create my own energy.
I do not have full access within my body to create the lifeforce needed to live a life free of illness. I am forced to harvest energy from other sources and in response to this need I think I was given certain talents to compensate.
For example:.
I was seeing auras at age 8 and sensing energy. I was consumed with the need to know all I could about energy and anything beyond the five basic senses.  A driving force that pushed me to read and learn about energy and manipulation way before I had ever been told about it.  I was do healing work at a very young age without really knowing how or why.  
I believe this is not an accident but, a type of natural condition for me as a survival tool. That my skills at manipulating energy is in direct response to my deficiency.

Others are born with too much and need to find ways to use the energy or give it away. They have as much of a need to give as we have to take.

It makes sense to me that if some people are born with a lack of energy then the balance are people born with an excess of energy. The yin and the yang. The cosmic balance of things.*smiles*

I feel, we all have roles that we have either chosen prior to birth or is simply a part of our natural makeup. Its what makes us who we are at a very basic and primal level.

My own struggle has been with the very need and taking from others.  I repressed and denied my inner need for so long that it is a work in progress for me to completely let go of it.
I built this perception about who I was and how I wanted to live my life so strongly that it is was a shock to me when I discovered the truth.  To realize that I require energy and cannot live a healthy life without taking it from others was quite a life altering moment. To say the least*smiles*

We as vampires have to accept this part of who we are or spend a lifetime physically and mentally ill and at odds with our own bodies and minds.

I spent a lifetime battling chronic illness. 
Now that I understand my need and accept it and fulfill these needs I can begin to fully live.   I have been given a second life.  A life of health and contentment. The gift of understanding my true nature and how I fit in the universe and with others.
My only regret, is that I wish I had learned about this much sooner.Yet, I also, believe things happen when they are supposed to.*smiles*

I accept that now. That in experiencing these things,  I am able to be a better healer and to feel compassion and understanding for other people living with chronic illness. It gives me a perspective that I would not have had otherwise.
 
I am learning to let go of my inner struggles and discovering the  peace that comes with acceptance and understanding.
That, who I am is not wrong or evil.  I am a part of the natural order.

Which, brings me back to vamp and donor dynamics.

I have found that my need to take is matched by my donors in their need to give.  That we are two sides of the same coin.
Not good,not bad.  Just is.

My deficiency does not make me evil. My choices in life and who I am determines my character. 
Wether, my need is blood or energy does not change who I am. Sangs and Psi’s can be very different yet, it is the need that makes us brothers and sisters. 
I know, sounding a bit cliche here.*grins*

I truly feel a bond for Sang’s and Psi’s alike.  That we all have this deep predator/hunter within us that connects us to one another.  The words predator and hunter can sound very harsh yet, it is what best describes this deep pull. It is like the need for food and feeling a deep hunger.
It is more than just a desire.
 
I feel the primal need to survive and energy is how I do that.  It would be very easy to feed from unsuspecting people but, then it would go against everything I am as a person.  So, I do not make that choice.  I am stronger for it.  The struggle has made me a better person. A bit like being forged in fire.

I am curious how other vamps and donors feel about their donor/vampire relationships.

Feel free to leave a comment ot contact me.

Sweet dreams,
Angel

Donors,Vamps And New Beginnings

Greetings,

To eat or to feed.

They both share similar definitions when the words have no specific context.
Yet, they can be as different as night and day if one is seeing them from a different perspective.
A vampires perspective to be exact.*smiles*

The words ” to feed” can conjure a few different emotions for sang and psi vamps alike.
The strongest possibly, being the underlying drive for energy or blood. Which, inevitably leads us to the next question.

When will we be able “feed” again and from who?

The who may not apply for all psi’s since some of you do not require pranic energy and some sang’s may find a substitute as well. (The purchase of animal blood is one I have heard about.Though I must admit that even to me, that does not sound very appealing but, to each his own.)*grins*
 
The rest of us that rely on donors will need to deal with the complexities that come with it.

On a side note.

There are wonderful web sites out there, dedicated to helping donors and vamps. I have found that they can be an  important resource for some of  us. Thank you, to any of the websites dedicated to helping donors and vampires come together.
I think of these sites as a sort of “V-Harmony”. *grins*

Its amazing what can be found by googling “real vampire” or “psi / sang donor”. Needless to say, use common sense and safety when choosing to meet someone you do not know.
(Those axe murderers our parents warned us about are out there.)*grins*

We can also, utilize word of mouth or sheer luck in finding someone that is willing to donate.  I have found most of my donors this way.*smiles*

If you are so blessed as to find a donor, then there are few things I feel the need to mention.

Always respect and care for your donors.
They give of themselves by choice.
Even if they enjoy or benefit from donating does not give us the right to  take advantage of their generosity. 
I personally, have come to cherish and feel a strong friendship with my donors. You know who you are.*smiles*

Ok, enough with the overly protective vampire stance. *grins* 

I will now speak from my own experiences and from a purely psi perspective. *smiles*

First step:
Be open and honest. 
Be clear on what you are comfortable with and your expectations.  Your donor should do the same.

Once everyone is in agreement, the fun part begins.*grins*

This is also, the hardest part for some psi vamps.
When you feel low on energy and want to feed…what is the best way to ask? Is there some sort of diplomacy to follow?

I like to first, get a feel for my donors state of mind and energy level. Are they energized and abundant in life-force or are they tired or ill? What amount can I take? 
A deep feed or a snack?*grins*

Next basic question is how?

Long distance or in person?
 
Is your donor local or in another country?
Depending on the vamps ability to link with a donor, the connection felt during a long distance feed can be extremely strong and satisfying.

Proximity feeding:
If the vamp and donor live near each other and choose to meet in person, then what method or style of feeding will work best and still be within each others comfort zone?
What sort of intimacy level is acceptable?
Do you physcially touch or just sit/stand near each other?
There are many styles and techniques that can be adopted.
Usually it is through trial and error that the most effective and practical way to proximity feed can be discovered.

Long distance feeding:

This is probably more common than not. The odds alone, seem to lean towards this sort of connection.  Its not easy to find a donor and when we do, they will most likely not live nearby. 
At least that has been my own experience.

I also, would like to mention that I never turn down a prospective donor due to physical location. I may turn them down for other reasons but never due to where they live.*grins*

There are many variables that can effect the quality of a long distance feed. Don’t feel discouraged if it does not work at first or is not as strong as you would like.  There is something to be said about practice.*smiles*

I have found that there is a natural resonance between people which, can make it easier or harder to connect.
Some energies do not mesh as well and can be a challenge.
Its not that one persons energy is better than another,just different.
If you think of energy as vibrations and imagine that each person has a natural rate or setting that they vibrate in.
If the donor vibrates at a much higher or lower rate than the psi vamp.  The psi will need to adjust for this  and try to bring them closer in allignment.
I will either raise or lower my own vibration/energy  rate in order to facilitate a feed.  This is normal to some extent but, sometimes it can create a barrier that is very difficult to overcome.
I believe that is why some people just click and seem to naturally mesh while others don’t. Energetically speaking.*smiles*

Once you figure out your feeding style and the best way to establish a link/connection with your donor then you are well on your way.

That brings us to my favorite question.
This is a basic question yet, can be the most complex part of a vamp/donor relationship.

How do we (vampires) communicate our need?

I tend to be a bit shy about this. 
I have to force myself to ask. 
I always, feel as though asking is somehow rude or offensive. 
No matter how much my donors like donating or tell me to ask and assure me it is ok.  I still have reservations.
I think its natural to feel a bit awkward asking someone to give you their life energy.
(This may be more my own issue and may not reflect the majority of psi’s. I am not sure what the general consensus is regarding this topic.)*smiles*

I think it is something I will always struggle with. 
I certainly don’t expect someone to donate just because I ask. There will be times that it is not possible. 
Which, is why I try to always,have more than one donor.
It not only helps to ensure that I will be able to sustain regular feedings but, will help alleviate or prevent any undue stress on a single donor.

Another critical area for most vamps and donors is confidentiality.
 
There are more than a few reasons for wanting to keep identities and information from being revealed.
Bad ending to the vamp/donor relationship.
Spiteful or vengeful behaviors.
Political or cultural pressures.
Religious or personal issues.
Divorce
All of these have the potential to destroy lives and be used to to tip the scales.  Examples would be:
Child custody.
Loans.
Standing in the community.
Discrimination.
Prosecution.
The list goes on.

I have been witness to some of these tragedies.
It not only hurts the parties involved but, our image to others. The last thing the Vampire Community needs is more negativity for the “muggles” to use against us.
(Thank you, Harry Potter.)*smiles*

I personally, have been discriminated against for my spiritual views. Pagans are not very well accepted in some circles. 
I can only imagine if that same group had found out about my vamparism.  Is that burning wood I smell? 

I truly believe that it would not take much to sway people to embrace the  mob mentality and rationalize a modern day witch hunt. Scary but, true.

With that being said.
I still feel that my life would be less complicated if I was more open about my vamparism. I know…I must be crazy.*grins*

I truly feel that my closest friends and family will learn to accept what I am.  I may not shout it from the rooftops anytime soon but, I hope one day to be able to do that. *smiles* 
Let me clarify that statement.
To be able to shout it from the rooftops and NOT be locked up. *grins*

Back from my tangent now.  Where was I?  Oh yes.
I was talking about confidentiality.*grins*

My own rule of thumb is:

I do not discuss my donors or share any information  with other vamps or donors.   I find it is best to keep my relationships seperate and neutral.
Plus, it assures that my donors can feel safe with me and that I offer a drama free relationship.*smiles*

I hope my advice helps someone take some of the fear and worry out of finding a donor.  Everyone has their own ways to go about starting new vamp/donor relationships.  These are just my own personal guidelines. 
I would love to hear how other vamps and donors go about this.*smiles*

Good luck and sweet dreams,

Angel

More Signs Of Sekhmet

Hello,

In a few posts back I talked about my connection to Sekhmet and how she has come back into my life.
I suppose I should clarify that statement.  
Sekhmet never left so much as I did. Any disconnect is due to my own life travels.

I called Sekhmet into my life and asked to reconnect with her.
I opened my life and my spirit to her energy.

The day I opened up to her I lost a very special crystal.
It was a crystal that I had a very strong connection to.
I had been developing a very strong reliance on this crystal. It is not typical of me to become so attached but, it was a very powerful crystal. 

I truly feel that it was Sekhmet’s way of teaching me to not rely on tools for my connections.  That I do not need them.
That the tools are just that…tools. That the connections come from within me.

I have learned my lesson. Thank you Sekhmet.*grins*

I do not think she is opposed to my using tools but, that I should not rely on them.  To remind me to not let myself become so attached.
Though, I must admit to buying a few new ones to replace the one I lost.
*smiles*   I promised Sekhmet that I would not let myself feel like I need them to connect.
Hopefully, these will not go missing.

I am glad she is in my life again. I will keep you posted on any  new experiences/lessons  .

Sweet dreams,
Angel

House clearing 101

Salutations, 

I had a friend ask me to help her learn how to clear her home.
I decided that this topic may be of interest to other people as well.*smiles*

So here it is.  I hope you enjoy.

House clearing:

The words themselves conjure some sort of mystical or mysterious practice.
The usual Hollywood mental image of a woman with a long skirt ,peasant blouse and loads of jewelry. 
Waving around crystals and being overly dramatic.  Pronouncing to all within the household, in a very serious and grimm voice, “This home has now been cleansed!” *grins*

I would like to dispel this image and try to shed a bit of light on this topic.

I am not sure how I ended up doing house clearings.
It seemed to just evolve on its own.  I helped a friend and word of mouth did the rest.

I mostly get asked to help when someone is  dealing with paranormal activity.   Once in awhile I get to do a regular clearing for an apartment or house.  I clear out any leftover” vibes” or residual energy . These sort of energy imprints seem to be more of an echo from the previous inhabitants. 

My favorite and most challenging type of clearing is when there is spirit activity.

I will go over both of these scenarios.

On a side note.
These are my own personal techniques that I have found work for me.  You will want to figure out what style or tools work best for you. Each house is different and each person doing the clearing brings a different energy and style. 
Please, do not be afraid to be creative and listen to your instincts.  *smiles

I would also, like to say:

Know your own comfort zone and if you are afraid of spirits or the paranormal then you may not want to do this sort of work.
Fear can spark more negativity and some spirits can grow stronger by feeding on this energy.
We all will have moments of what I call the” uh oh! Factor”.  Its that moment when you realize things are going to  get a whole lot more challenging.*grins* 
For me it is  usually when dealing with negative or territorial entities. The key is to not let them shake your resolve or frighten you with their sometimes,dramatic tantrums. 

My last words of wisdom regarding the issue of fear.*smiles*

Never let them see you sweat.  Dont show fear. 
Its important to always remain calm and in charge of a situation no matter how crazy it gets.
The spirits and the living are watching.
The homeowners need to see that they can be empowered and strong .  You are their example.  The spirits are looking to see if you are to be taken seriously or not. 
Know your own fears and triggers and be prepared to face them head on and trust that you will come out stronger for it.

Ok, enough of the pep talk *grins*

Be willing to go the distance.
Come back if needed.
Sometimes, a space will need more than one visit. I have found that one visit is usually enough but, there is always the challenging space that will need a few visits. 
That’s ok.  It is what it is. Hauntings do not occur overnight and can have years and years of history.
Sometimes there are layers of energy that will come out and play. As you clear out one layer another will become active and take its place.  Don’t give up.*smiles*
 
Standard clearing:

I usually like to walk through and get a sense of what type of energy or spirits are present.
Do I feel a heaviness or a sense of being watched or unwelcome? Do I sense a sentient spirit and if so, is it angry,scared,lonely or in need of help?
Unexplained emotions and chills can point to some sort of presence as well.
Get a feel for the way the owners view things paranormal. What are their beliefs? 
If I am in a religious home or if they are not open to different beliefs ….it helps me to understand the best way to explain what I find and how I will handle it. I try to speak in terms the homeowners will understand and can relate to the best.  I keep my more pagan tools and terms to a minimum if I know someone may be uncomfortable. 
Most of the people I have helped have been very open and just want the clearing to work. Its amazing how open minded someone can be when they are dealing with the paranormal.*smiles*

Once I determine the type of activity ….spirit, residual or mundane then I know how to handle the space.
Not all activity is paranormal. Sometimes, there is another explanation. I try to rule those out as well.
I like to sweep the area for high EMF (electro Magnetice fields) and use a digital recorder for EVP’s. (Electronic Voice Phenomena ). I am always amazed at the information that can be gleaned from EVP’s.

Then the fun part begins.

If you are psychic or a medium then this is where your abilities will help you the most. If you are not a sensitive then watch for other signs. I believe we are all psychic to some degree or another. We just need to tap into our own abilities.  We have to learn the way our bodies let us know.
Goosebumps,emotions that do not make sense.  It is not uncommon for spirits to evoke emotions in us in an attempt to communicate.  It also, may be that you are picking up on the spirits emotions in an empathic way.

If I find there is a sentient presence then I will ask if they need help crossing over or if they will leave of their own accord.(its amazing how often just asking works).
Some spirits are not fond of communicating. Some will not approach or make contact.
Depending on if I find a spirit happy to move on or if it is human or non-human with no intention of leaving then I will handle it accordingly. I have found that the majority of spirits just need help and are no different than you and I.

If there is not an intelligent entity present, then I will continue with the basic cleansing.

I like to  begin at the lowest part of a house or the back of the house.  I like to push the energy towards the front door if possible. If there is a really negative and intense part of the house I will sometimes start there.

Again, use your instincts. There is no one exclusive way of clearing spaces.

I use a smudge stick and/or a tibetan singing bowl.  They are both wonderful for breaking up energy and raising the vibrations.

I like to light incense as an added layer to help change the energy in the home.
Frankincense and Myrrh or Sandalwood are some of my favorites.  There are many types of incense and many books regarding its use.  Many indigenous people have used incense. The burning of aromatic herbs is a very old tradition predating organized religion.

Once I have smudged or used the bowl (or both)  I will use sea salt. It is used to create sacred space..and purify the energy. 
I will just use a pinch at a time.  The goal is to purify the home not cover the floors in salt.  The homeowners will not appreciate having to vacuum later.*smiles*

Back to the clearing:

I then envision a large silver sphere of energy growing mid-air in front of me.  I use my energy to slowly expand its size untill it fills every space of the home. Depending on the comfort level of the owners, I will ask them to help me. I believe it helps when you can have them play an active role in the clearing. When dealing with a haunting it helps if the owners claim their space and ask/demand the spirits to leave. As you enlarge the sphere imagine all the negative or heavy energies being pushed back and out of the home.

Be sure when you do the walk through that you do not forget any small or hidden spaces.  The attic is sometimes a place spirits will retreat to. Storage spaces as well.  
Please, dont go into these places unless, its safe to do so.  (Last thing anyone needs is someone crashing down through the ceiling.*grins*) 
Include the spaces you cannot enter…using your intent and a few well tossed pinches of salt and it will clear those areas along with the rest.

My final step:

Go around with protection oil and draw protection symbols on all the windows ,doors and walls.
Imagine as you do this, that they are endowed with protective  energy and glow a royal blue . (my color choice..you may feel stronger about another.) The oil should not stain the surfaces or leave obvious streaks..the oil is just a slight wetting of the finger,do not use too much.

The symbols I like to use:
The pentacle -five pointed star with a circle around it. (A very old symbol that predates Christianity so please, do not let Hollywood ruin the true meaning of this wonderful symbol.  Tewiaz – a simple arrow drawn pointing up. It is a runic symbol that symbolizes the spiritual warrior and is a protective sigil.

I call on deity and whatever higher powers seem right for the clearing to add another level of effectiveness.
Sometimes the homeowner will have a personal preference.
I ask them to call on their perosnal protectors as well (if they are comfortable with this ).
Again, always good to let the owners participate.

I do a last walk through and makes sure all feels well.

The owners usually notice the atmosphere has changed and it feels lighter. The most dramatic changes occur after a negative spirit has left. Many report that the air seems less thick and they feel like they can breath easier. Any anger or melancholy once experienced by the homeowners seems to dissipate with the entity. It is like a deep peace settles through the house.  Its not to say all depression or anger is due to spiritual attack but, it can be some of the symptoms.

Clearing when spirits are involved. 

Pretty much the same steps as a standard clearing but, I will usually need to devote time and energy to connecting with the spirits and helping them.
I don’t usually get angry or attack the spirit …I only respond strongly if they attempt to harm anyone in the home. 
I try to council the person to crossover since I have found that most human spirits are just afraid to crossover and need some help. I will open a portal to allow them to crossover.
If its not a nice spirit or is something darker..then I will resort to a bit more persuasion.  Not my first choice.*smiles*

My first choice is to flood the space with love,peace and protective energy.
I know, a bit new agey but, very effective. Basically, raising the vibrations. If the haunting is of a lower vibration then it will make them very uncomfortable and help peersuade them to choose to go on their own.  *smiles*

I have found that most spirits and even non-human entities are not strictly evil or out to always hurt someone.  Most of them are just doing what they do. 
Some are what I call bottom feeders and are just looking for a place or people to feed from and they will create fear or anger in some instances to help create more energy to feed on.

There are times when these entities are full of hate and malice. These are the ones that can really wreak havoc and from my own experience, are very resistant to leaving. 
The good news is that they usually leave once a bit of pressure is applied.  Even the angriest ones leave when they see they no longer have a free ride and the owners are no longer going to allow them to stay.

Your job is done.  I usually, followup in a few days then in a few weeks I never want to leave someone without some sort of support.

I could talk about this topic a lot more but, this post is already longer than I intended.  I may further discuss the ways to get resistant entities to leave but, that is for another post.*smiles*

Time for me to go.
Let me know if you are able to try out these techniques. 
I would love to hear of your experiences.

Sweet dreams,

Angel