Witches hold great store in cleansing. We cleanse space of bad energy. We perform ritual cleansing before major workings. We focus on cleansing our lives of things that don't serve us when we feel it is necessary for personal growth. We even cleanse our homes with an eye toward the spiritual. The simple act of scrubbing the toilet can shift the energy in your apartment enough to affect change in your life. I'm not being intentionally cheeky (ok, maybe a little bit) but I'm highlighting an earnest belief that washing that man (or whatever) right out of your hair (or whatever) can have powerful personal meaning and effect.

For a while I have hired a cleaning service to clean my apartment. It was an indulgence I allowed myself on the basis that it reduced my stress level to be able to just arrive home and - voila - the place is clean. This week I asked my cleaning people not to come because I spent all of my extra cash (and some not-so-extra cash!) on a pair of boots that I decided I simply had to have. So today, in the absence of my regular service, I set upon my apartment with determination and spent several hours cleaning.

What shouldn't have surprised me at all, but did, was how incredibly cathartic and therapeutic it felt to cleanse my home. Putting all of the energy that I've been devoting to being in a funk into cleaning my apartment instead was enormously satisfying. Not only do I feel a great sense of satisfaction at having a very clean place to dwell (cleaner than when the service comes, if truth be told) but my psyche feels a sense of relief. The burdens of last week are gone, washed down the drains and whisked away with the dust.

There is a reason why so many witches are good housekeepers, cooks and craftswomen. It's because we can see the magick in every act we do and we can use each one to help us in our lives. The simple act of cleaning the bedroom becomes a prayer for creating a clearer path to fulfilling love. Baking a cake to take to a friend is a spell for bringing sweetness into someone's life. Making an autumn wreath for the door becomes an offering to the harvest gods and recognition of the abundance we have had the grace to harvest in our lives this year.

No one really likes to scrub the toilet, but maybe by letting someone else clean my home I have been missing out on a regular opportunity to spiritually cleanse my space. Part of that need to take the reigns of my Chariot back into hand may be in details as simple as this.

Interestingly enough, when I took one of those silly (albeit fun) online quizzes Which Domestic Goddess Are You?, I came out equal parts Artemis, Penelope, Kuan Yin, Aphrodite, and Hera!

You scored 18.2% Artemis

Ruler of the wilderness, Artemis is the free spirit of the domestic goddesses. If you are ruled by Artemis, you are unconventional and secure in your own likes and dislikes. You are your own interior decorator, a collector, eclectic in your tastes. Those mix-and-matched plates and napkins you've been using forever reflect your individuality perfectly. Bright colors (think pinks and greens) in patterns and stripes appeal to your inner goddess. Your favorite room is apt to be lightest, brightest room with the largest windows -- no fussy curtains for you, just bright sunlight, the perfect place for a spur-of-the moment gathering. Trust your own individual flair -- remember, you had animal prints before they were in -- and let your spontaneity shine. Maintaining any easygoing approach to housekeeping and sharing your home with plants and animals appeal to Artemis' love of the energy of the outdoors. Even if you live in a small apartment, let the Artemis in you blossom with a small container herb garden to awaken your senses. You may sometimes put other, more conventional types off with your individual style. And you may also find it hard to sustain a committed relationship because you are attracted to so many different types of people. Take inspiration from Hestia to calm your Artemis side down and become more grounded. Or listen to Kuan Yin to let a different kind of energy into your life.

You scored 18.2% Penelope

The "weaver" and the most creative of the goddesses, Penelope inspires us to express our personalities and tastes by making things and trying new crafts. She is the part of us that loves working with a glue gun, buying a piece of fabric, stenciling borders on walls and refinishing furniture. If you are ruled by Penelope, you are skilled with your hands and get great satisfaction making things for yourself and others. You are open and free with your gifts and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. To express this inner goddess, decorate with soft, restful colors -- blues reminiscent of the skies and oceans, with a touch of green -- and focus on the handmade or rescued piece -- the homemade pillow, the updated flea market find. Penelope is unafraid to express her own tastes; don't be afraid to experiment with new ideas, new materials, new color combinations. To bring this goddess into your life, teach yourself a new skill or embark on a new project, such as making picture frames or starting a scrapbook. Be patient with yourself -- there's no particular rush to finish your project on a tight schedule. Sometimes, Penelope has us ignore our need for quiet; call on Kuan Yin to remind you of the simple pleasure of sitting alone, doing nothing. You may also become housebound if you're not careful -- working on something new -- so invite the spirit of Hera in and explore the outside world a bit. Your special talents will be well appreciated.

You scored 18.2% Kuan Yin

The domestic goddess of compassion and understanding, Kuan Yin is the necessary corrective to the busy and fast pace of everyday life. If you are ruled by Kuan Yin, you are introspective and spiritual by nature, focused on the essential things in life. You are the friend whom others turn to in times of turmoil and trouble. Simplicity is this goddess' hallmark, and your decorating style is open and uncluttered. Clean, classic lines appeal to you -- no ruffles or flounces. A single, beautiful object will give your eye a spot to linger, such as a tabletop fountain created in one of your favorite vases. Open up to this goddess's influence by choosing natural fabrics -- cottons and linens -- over synthetics and sticking with a color palette of wood tones, black and white, and the occasional jewel tone, such as amethyst or emerald. Set aside a place for meditation in your home -- it need only be a windowsill -- and choose objects with personal resonance, such as a beautiful seashell, a perfect flower or a candle to decorate it. Appealing to your inner goddess will awaken your spirit. Sometimes your need for perfection gets in your way and your unhurried nature has you running late or missing deadlines entirely. Quiet by temperament and inclination, you sometimes miss some of the opportunities afforded by the outside world. Call on adventurous Artemis or romantic Aphrodite to bring a little spice into your life.

You scored 18.2% Aphrodite

The goddess of love whose domain is the bedroom and garden, Aphrodite is the ultimate romantic spirit. If you are ruled by Aphrodite, you are energetic and spontaneous, emotional and romantic, a gifted decorator and a fine gardener. Small details and pretty touches are one of Aphrodite's trademarks -- scented soaps in the bathroom or a bowl of dried rose petals in the bedroom will bring your inner goddess to the fore. Rich floral prints, the look of layer upon layer in window treatments, the most delicate of laces, and soft velvets can make any room in your house or apartment a place of love and romance. Feel free to experiment with rich sensual colors -- the mossiest of greens, the deepest of pinks -- to bring a different kind of depth to your surroundings. (Aphrodite isn't shy about her wants.) Cut flowers or a small bowl filled with pebbles and a single daffodil bulb will bring the spirit of Aphrodite into the house, even in midwinter. Use candles, particularly scented ones, to let your inner Aphrodite free and follow your instincts. Keep in mind that your focus on love and romance might lead you to neglect some parts of your life that need tending. Take inspiration from Athena, and remember, being just a bit more organized will make your life that much easier.

You scored 18.2% Hera

The queen of the Greek goddess, the multitalented Hera is always on the run. If you are ruled by Hera, you are an assured multitasker who sees tending the home as just one part of a busy life. Decidedly down-to-earth, you're likely to be involved in lots of different activities -- anything from working, coaching a soccer team, tutoring or volunteering or pursuing your own interests -- and your decorating style is practical and low-maintenance. Easy-to-mop floors, washable fabrics and sturdy furniture help simplify your life, as does the latest in kitchen equipment. You favor darker colors that don't show wear and tear. Your favorite style of entertaining is a potluck dinner or a barbeque so that you can do what you like best: talking and listening to other people. Try a five-minute centerpiece to set a mood without a lot of fuss. Get in touch with your inner goddess by setting up a reading group or volunteering where you live. Sometimes, though, you spread yourself too thin and don't give yourself enough of the downtime you need and deserve. In moments like these, call on Kuan Yin for a bit of introspection or take a hint from Athena and do just one thing at a time.

Posted by Angela-Eloise at 6:16 PM