A Guide to Energy Protection
In my last blog post, I talked extensively about different methods of energy cleansing. Today we’re going to be talking about energy protection, which is the other side of the coin. Energy cleansing removes unwanted energies whereas energy protection keeps your energy from leaking or being siphoned without your permission. Both are equally important and having knowledge and techniques on how to do both are going to be life-changing (it truly makes that big of a difference).
Like in my guide to energy cleansing, we’ll talk about setting intentions for energy protection, and I’ll share the intentions I use for myself. At the end, we’ll touch on energy vampires and also when to protect your energy.
Crystals
Crystals have been used throughout history for a number of purposes, including protection. There are many crystals that offer protective benefits. The ones I’ve included are affordable and widely accessible. Some of my favourite crystals for energy protection are black tourmaline, black obsidian, tiger’s eye, and amethyst.
I talked about black tourmaline’s properties of energy cleansing in my last blog post, but it’s also a very protective stone as well, warding off the evil eye, psychic attacks, and negative energy. Black obsidian’s reflective surface acts as a mirror, deflecting negative energies, evil eyes, and psychic attacks. Both of these crystals absorb negative energy and should be cleansed regularly to remain effective. Because of their other properties as well, these two crystals can be intense to use or work with (particularly black obsidian).
Tiger’s eye is a stone of protection and courage, and was carried by Roman soldiers and warriors in ancient times into battle. Amethyst is commonly used for psychic and spiritual protection, but is also known for its calming, peaceful, and intuition-enhancing properties as well.
These crystals can be set up around your home or office for protection against negative energies. For example, you can place them near doorways or next to your bed for peaceful sleep. Carry them with you while you’re out by keeping a piece in your purse or bag, or wear them as jewelry.
I recommend finding sources that mine crystals ethically and sustainably. Unfortunately there are a lot of places and people that sell fake crystals, but oftentimes you can tell based on the price (if it’s super cheap for a large or rare crystal, it’s likely fake) or the way it looks and feels. If you’re shopping in person, the crystal should have some weight to it (it’s a rock after all) and most crystals are naturally cold to the touch. Real crystals often have colour variations, inclusions, and imperfections. There are real crystals that are “perfect”— meaning it has no imperfections, but these are often more expensive, which should reflect in its price tag.
Charms and Talismans
Charms and talismans have existed through the ages as sigils and symbols of protection. I’ve included some of the most popular ones, which you’re probably already familiar with. The history of these symbols run deep and I encourage you to research the ones that interest you to learn more about them. These charms and talismans can be hung up around your home or worn as jewelry.
One of the most ancient symbols of protection found in various cultures, the symbol of the evil eye is known to protect against negative and evil energies, envy, and jealousy.
When positioned upright, the Hamsa is a symbol of divine protection and protects against the evil eye and negative energies, like a hand saying STOP.
Derived from ancient Egyptian mythology, the Eye of Horus is a protective symbol used to ward off evil and negative energies.
The pentagram’s meaning throughout history has varied significantly, with one of them being a symbol of protection. Its five points represent the elements (fire, air, water, earth, and spirit, being the top-most point). When enclosed in a circle, it represents the unity of the elements in the universe and is called a pentacle. Both are symbolic of protection.
Originating with the Ojibwe people before spreading to other Native tribes during the Pan-Indian Movement as a symbol of unity among Native Americans and First Nations peoples, dreamcatchers are an important symbol of protection. They are hung above beds to catch bad dreams and negative energies.
You can also choose any item and designate it to be a symbol of protection for you, the same way many people have a lucky shirt or a bracelet that serves as a good luck charm. You can take your object and program it with intentions (we’ll get into intentions later).
Headwear
Using headwear to protect your energy is common practice in some religions and cultures (though just one of the reasons why it’s used), and you may even realize it’s something you do without fully understanding why. Hair acts like an antennae, a receptacle for picking up energy. Covering your hair or wearing it in certain styles such as braids or a top knot helps to protect your energy by keeping it contained. Wearing hats, hoods, scarves, and wraps offer protection as well. It also protects your crown chakra, the energy centre located at the crown of your head. This chakra governs our minds, thoughts, and connection to Spirit. Keeping it covered acts as a veil, preventing energies from entering and your energy from leaking.
Visualization
Visualization is an incredible practice and tool because you can do it any time, any place. It’s also an excellent way to strengthen your third-eye chakra and clairvoyance. The most basic but effective method of protecting your energy through visualization is to begin by closing your eyes and taking a few slow, deep, grounding breaths. Picture a bubble of glowing white light, divine energy surrounding you and your aura entirely. This shield of light acts as a barrier between you and everything else— keeping your energy in, and external energy out.
Setting Boundaries
The previous methods and tools are all excellent ways to protect your energy, but I view them as supplementary boosters. The most important thing you can do for yourself in the longterm is to set boundaries. What does this involve? Well, it involves getting real with yourself. Deep down, you probably already intuitively know what drains your energy. If you don’t, start paying attention to how you feel as you go about your day. What people, activities, actions, food, music, etc. make you feel drained, tired, exhausted, or just downright crappy? These are things you want to protect your energy from. It doesn’t necessarily mean any of those things are bad, but it may not be good for you specifically. Conversely, it’s good to know what gives you energy. Pay attention to the things that make you feel energized, positive, uplifted, joyful, and fulfilled, those things or people that you lose track of time with because you’re having so much fun. Those are things you want to incorporate more of into your life.
Setting boundaries is going to be specific to you, but for example, it may look like telling yourself you’re not going to gossip with anyone. If there are certain foods you eat that you “enjoy” but then feel like crap later, you probably don’t actually enjoy it (like junk food or fast food). Setting a boundary can look like opting for something healthier that tastes great and makes you feel good after.
An important aspect of our lives to set boundaries for, that often gets overlooked, is what we allow ourselves to think about. I’m not saying you have to filter every thought you have, because that’s not possible, but for example, if you find yourself constantly worrying about something, you may set a boundary of nipping that thought in the bud when it comes up. If you’re always ruminating over a person who irritates you, you may set a boundary to not think about them. Energy flows where attention goes. So by constantly thinking about the things that worry or irritate or stress you out, you’re giving your energy away to those things. This isn’t about toxic positivity or ignoring problems. You may still have to deal with certain things, but that involves confronting what the real issue is, working through those feelings, and letting it go. To tell yourself: I’m not going to do X because it doesn’t make me feel good or I’m going to limit my interactions with this person because they don’t make me feel good is a good enough reason.
Energy Vampires
Energy vampires are people who drain you energetically and emotionally. Interactions with them leave you feeling annoyed, irritated, stressed, drained, or overwhelmed. Continuous energetic and emotional drain can lead to physical exhaustion too. Some people do this intentionally to others, because they themselves are energetically drained. Rather than working on themselves, they attach themselves like parasites to others and drain their energy. Most people aren’t trying to be malicious, but are unaware of how their behaviours and actions affect other people.
Energy vampires are people whose only interactions with you involve complaining, victimization, manipulation, blaming others, being critical, or being overall negative. It can feel confusing to deal with, because they may have genuine problems or difficult things they’re going through. But if the conversation is only based on those things, and you don’t get a chance to talk about yourself or life without them turning the conversation back to them about whatever complaints they have, they’re likely using you. That’s not an easy thing to accept or deal with. Energy vampires aren’t picky about who they take energy from as long as they’re getting it. Accepting the fact that they’re unable to give to the relationship in a positive or reciprocal way will help you with your expectations in the relationship.
Setting boundaries with an energy vampire can be difficult, especially if it’s someone close to you or who you’re around often. Have a conversation with them about how their behaviour affects you. Their reaction to that conversation will give you an indication of whether the relationship is worth maintaining. If they’re genuinely unaware they were having that affect on you and you see changes to their behaviour, then that’s likely a positive thing. If they react negatively, deny what they’re doing, try to place blame elsewhere, and don’t change their behaviour, then that gives you an answer too. Some examples of setting boundaries with them can look like:
Limiting interactions with them by only interacting when absolutely necessary
Saying no to invitations or requests
Avoiding arguments with them or giving them an emotional reaction
Cutting them off completely
It’s normal to feel guilt or shame (and they may try to make you feel that way) but you have every right to protect your energy and your peace. Your energy is sacred and it’s for you, first and foremost.
Intentions
Setting intentions is a vital aspect to doing energy work of any kind, including energy protection. Intentions are like the coding to a program that tells it what to do. We have to give energy a direction and an action to take, otherwise it just exists as potential.
The intentions I use for energy protection are pretty straightforward. Feel free to use them verbatim, make your own edits, or as inspiration to create your own. I’ll recite these intentions while using the visualization technique. For the protective objects, close your eyes and ground yourself with a few deep breaths while holding the object(s) in your hands while reciting the intention to program them. You don’t need to do it every time you use the object, but it’s a good idea to do it once in a while— like after cleansing them. Below is the full version of my protection intention, but I often use an abridged version.
I set the intention for this <object> to protect me from: OR
I set the intention for this bubble of white light surrounding me to protect me from:
All negative, toxic, evil, and malevolent energies,
All energies working against me,
All energies intent on harm,
All energies unaligned with my highest good,
All evil eyes, curses, hexes, black magic, psychic attacks, and evil entities.
So it is.
When to protect your energy
Like cleansing your energy, there’s no right or wrong time to protect your energy. It’s ideal to do it daily, at the beginning of the day before you jump on your phone or begin interacting with people. Setting intentions for the kinds of energies you’re allowing yourself to interact with will set the tone and guide you in the actions you take throughout the day. Certain instances I find necessary to use energy protection include:
If you know you’re going to be around someone/people that you know trigger you
If you know you’re going to be around energy vampire(s)
Being surrounded by a lot of people (e.g.: an airport, a shopping mall, a concert, a museum, etc.)
Being in an emotionally charged place (e.g.: a hospital, a funeral, a court room, mediation, a sporting event, etc.)
Particularly if you’re highly sensitive, an empath, psychic, or an energy worker/healer, protecting your energy is vital because you’re more susceptible to taking on other people’s energy.
Now that you know how to protect your energy and how to cleanse your energy, you can reclaim your energetic sovereignty and have the energy to go out into the world and do what you were born to do. Find what methods work best for you and implement them whenever you need to.