Clearing Energy and Honouring Sacred Land: A spiritual Encounter with an Indigenous Elder

A lovely client of mine, named Miss K,approached me with an urgent request to perform an energy clearing on her family’s holiday home, which also operates as an Airbnb. The home had recently been subjected to a robbery, leaving behind a palpable sense of intrusion and fear. Beyond the theft, Miss K confided her concerns about the energy lingering in the space, sensing layers of unease tied to previous occupants and incidents of misuse or abuse that had occurred within its walls.

As I stepped into the home, in my meditative state, I immediately felt the heavy vibrations of theft and invasion. These invasions leave energetic imprints that can disrupt the harmony of a space, often creating a lingering sense of vulnerability and disharmony. I began by grounding myself deeply, calling upon protective energies and invoking a clearing ritual to confront the layers of unease surrounding the robbery. I worked methodically, peeling back layers of intrusion, addressing the emotional residue left by the act, and restoring a sense of safety and balance to the home.

As I delved deeper, it became apparent that more than the robbery had left its mark on the space. The holiday home had seen numerous occupants over the years, and the echoes of misuse and abuse clung stubbornly to the energy of the house. I called upon healing energies to cleanse these layers of pain and harm, releasing them with mindfulness and compassion. As I worked through the clearing, I encountered another presence, or presences—a family of earthbound spirits who were among the early white settlers on this land. Their energy carried a mixture of sorrow and fear, tied deeply to the disruptions they had faced during their time here. While I will share their story in greater detail at another time, I felt called to assist them in finding peace and guiding them home to the light. This process brought an added layer of transformation to the space, as the release of their presence allowed for further healing and balance to be restored. Through this process, I freed the home of its past burdens, allowing it to breathe anew, unhindered by the weight of its history.

As the clearing unfolded, I was met spiritually by an Aboriginal Indigenous elder—a wise and reverent presence who shared a vision of the land’s deeper history. Through his guidance, I saw the land as it had once been: abundant, fertile, and rich with food and water. Communities thrived along the coast, living harmoniously in connection with the saltwater spirits that guided them.

He repeated the word “Kanangra,” though its meaning was unclear to me at the time. With great reverence, he explained the significance of the land, showing me its former role as a nursery. The area where the house now stands had been a communal space where women cared for children during tribal gatherings. It was a place of nurturing and belonging, central to the community’s life.

The elder shared names with me: “Awabakal” and “Darkinjung,” which I understood to be tribal names. He explained that the land was ceremonial, hosting annual gatherings for corroborees and celebrations. In the vision, I witnessed a spring or fertility ceremony, a scene imbued with joy and connection. There was dancing, feasting, fishing, coming-of-age rituals, and song—all reflecting the vibrant cultural life of the tribes.

He revealed that the street on which the house now stands had once been an ancient walkabout track. It was a road that connected the tribes, a path of travel and meeting for shared traditions and celebrations.

The elder then shared the tragic story of the land’s desecration after the arrival of white settlers. Word travelled up the coast, and many Indigenous people fled inland to escape. Those who stayed were met with violence: men were shot, women were violated, and children were stolen. Sacred land was desecrated, community life shattered, and the environment itself endured the scars of logging and clearing. The water spirits, integral to the saltwater people’s identity and survival, became distant as the tribes struggled inland.

The elder’s sorrow was palpable as he told me these truths. He emphasized that the land belongs to no one, a sacred truth that must be shared with the home’s owners. His message carried an urgent call for respect, acknowledgment, and reverence for the land’s history and its enduring spirit.

When the clearing was complete, the energy of the home felt lighter, renewed, and rebalanced. I shared the Elder’s vision with the client, including his message about the importance of respecting the land’s deep and sacred history. The transformation of the space was not merely about releasing negative energy—it was about honouring the land’s story, its people, and the wisdom that it holds.

The Elder also expressed a heartfelt request to the new occupants of the land: to honour the Ancestors by laying a small monument on their property in memory of the fallen or by planting a native tree as a living tribute. He spoke of the importance of moving forward as co-caretakers of  Country, nurturing its’ spirit while preserving its’ sacred history.

This experience served as a profound reminder of the resilience of both human and natural spirits. It was not only an act of clearing but also one of connecting, learning, and revering. The client’s holiday home was transformed into a space that honours its past while embracing its potential to nurture and heal. Each energy-clearing journey I undertake is unique, but this one stands out as a testament to the beauty and the weight of history, the enduring power of community, and the importance of connecting with the spirit of the land.

Later, I received an email from Miss K, who had taken the time to look up the words shared during the session. They informed me that “Kanangra” translates to “beautiful view”(The house has a waterview of the lake) and also denotes a “ceremonial corroboree meeting site” for the Awabakal and Darkinjung tribes. Their discovery left me deeply moved and profoundly grateful for the shared journey of understanding and reverence.