Preparing for Spring Equinox: what techniques can I use to clear and bless my home?

On Sunday, March 20th, the northern hemisphere will experience the Vernal Equinox. Around this time, many folks work on "Spring Cleaning" projects, including the switching over of wardrobes and the cleaning of homes.

from Wiki Commons

House Clearing Rituals are common at this time, and are an excellent way to move past the heaviness and solitude of Winter into the fresh, exciting projects of Spring. I've worked with numerous clients and their homes, and many are interested in learning how to create their own rituals and techniques. 

The following three methods are just a small example of a few things that you can try, to help reset the energy on your own:

• "Incense-bomb" the home. Purchase sticks of Frankincense and Myrrh incense (more powerful than Sage for House Clearing), light a stick in each room (or at least each major room), and let the sacred smoke go through the house. After you have lit all of them, you might like to say something, such as "At this time, we dis-invite all energies, entities, and thought-forms that pervade this house and land, and ask that the Helping Spirits return it to its original neutral energy."  It can get quite smoky, so don't forget to open the doors and windows after a reasonable period of time!
• Walk the property line with offerings of birdseed and/or cornmeal. Offerings are very important when working with the Nature Spirits and Spirits of Place, and by walking your own property line, you are creating your own Sanctuary. It also gives the Spirits the energy of the offerings to return a space to its natural energetic form; neutral and joyful.
• Ask a Tree or Plant near the Front Door to be a Guardian Spirit. This is from some of my German ancestors, who used to keep "Elder Plants" near the front door to the house to ward off nasty neighbors, solicitors, and other energetic things. By asking a plant (one with thorns is best, like a Rose or Holly) or a Tree (many trees will do the job nicely, but Oaks seem particularly great with this task) to guard the home, then you begin to establish a relationship with the Spirits of Place near you. Give this plant or tree an offering (beer, wine, honey, milk, etc) and thank it for its help. As you leave for work in the morning, or as you leave the property for chores or events, feel free to say a few small words to this new guardian, such as, "Thanks for keeping an eye on the house, please protect it from all negativity and intrusion."  

The three techniques together cover the main magical and energetic ideas of banishing/resetting, blessing, and guarding/warding. All three of these steps, in this order, form the basis of my own House Clearing work, and can do much to make a workplace, farm, house, and/or apartment feel like a safe and protected space.

What techniques do you use in your own practice to bless and protect your home?