Yesterday my sons and I were getting my new classroom ready for the start of school. My youngest was watching a movie in one corner of the room when he started saying (at first quietly and then with increasing frustration...)"knock it off!....knock it off!....knock it off, Sam!" (that's his brother) When I asked him what was wrong, he told me that Sam had been poking him. Well....there wasn't anyone near him when he started complaining of the feeling. Sam was unpacking boxes on the other side of the room and my oldest was working in a different area as well. A bit later as Adam (my oldest) was working on the closet door, I saw him turn quickly and look behind him. He, too, said he thought one of his brothers had been poking him in the shoulder. There wasn't anyone near him, either....
So here's my question...does anyone have an opinion on casting vs. smudging? I really feel the need to clear the energy but if the janitors found me smudging my room..well...they would think I was nuts!!! The building I moved into was built in 1967 and for the past couple of years, there's been a lot of tension due to personality conflicts, building new schools, and teachers not knowing whether they would have a job for the coming school year. My hope for this school year is that my classroom will be a place in which my students will feel safe, happy, and loved...a place they will want to come to..
If anybody has any other suggestions on clearing negativity and bringing peaceful, positive energy in, I'll take them!
Thanks!
Lizzie

That's a good question, Lizziegirl! I would suggest telling whatever was there to leave your classroom in a firm, authoritative voice and to let them know that you will be the one in charge and don't need any interference in doing your job.

Try that and see if it works. I agree, the janitors (and other teachers) would want to haul you away if you did the smudging while any of them were there. If the above suggestion doesn't work, I'd go up there really late at night and do the smudging. If you get caught, you can always use the excuse that you forgot something in your classroom.

Schools are notorious for being haunted. I worked in one place that was rumored to be, and we did have some unusual events in my classroom, like books flying off the shelves when no one was near them. One teacher reported seeing a figure float across the stage during a school dance. There was always a lot of turmoil at the place and one former administrator had murdered his wife and allegedly buried her on the property. Colorful place.

Have a great school year and let any nasties or unwanted visitors know you mean business!

First off I want to say that just because someone was trying to get the attention of your sons doesn't mean that they are a bad spirit. Or that bad things will happen. Or to what you said that it won't "be a place in which my students will feel safe, happy, and loved...a place they will want to come to.."
It's a classroom. Public buildings usually have lots of spirits because of all the people. The way you deal with the space is going to determine what the place will feel like for the most part. You are the authority in the classroom.

I agree with the way people look upon other people for beliefs in spirits, etc... . Especially for a teacher who is in a position to lead children. People are more likely to react negatively to things they don't understand or believe in when it comes to people who responsibility for young people. I really don't suggest smudging the place. Smoke and fire alarms don't mix.

Carrie, gives a good suggestion. I would also like to suggest something I do that is silent and requires no physical movement.

Take some time when you will not be disturbed. When no one is around and the building is quiet. Stand in the middle of the class room (doesn't have to be middle but it's easier for the mind and visualization), quiet your mind, center yourself, ground yourself. Keep you mood positive and light. Emit joy and love. Protection and strength. Think of how much you want to love and protect your students. And visualize that expanding outward. Like a bubble or sphere. Focus it on removing all negative beings, thoughts, spirits. And only allowing beings, thoughts and spirits with good intentions towards you and your students to remain. Send that bubble out as far as you can. And do it until you feel that it's done it's job. Then think of the intent that nothing or negative intent can enter the space you've cleared. It's been my belief not to clear the space of everything, just the negative things. Good spirits are welcome.

If anyone sees you, you'll just be standing in the middle of the classroom. If they say something tell them you were just daydreaming or thinking about a lesson or activity for your students.

I've used this clearing/smudging many times. It works pretty well for me.

P.S. I'm sending some white light your way. A little extra energy never hurts. =)

I totally agree with Nakis. If this doesn't work, just tell them that they're dead and to go home (to the light). I don't feel any negative impressions here just mischievious spirits who were playing around. I've seen spirits in the school that I work. I don't believe the kids are in any harms way.

Nakis, good point about the fire alarm. That completely slipped my mind. That would be a hard one to explain! LOL!

Thanks for all of the input, guys!
Nakis, I plan on taking your advice on the first day of school before my kiddos come in....and you're right, the way that I (or anyone for that matter) deal with personal space has a huge impact on the feel of the place. Now that the rest of the teachers have been in, classrooms are set up, the new administrator is there ( a real "warm, fuzzy" kind of guy!) there is an overwhelming sense of optimism and positive energy throughout the building! The huge black cloud that's been hanging over the building is gone.
As for the "friend" in my room who seems to like teasing my boys, I'm comfortable with them hanging out with us. I never did have a worry about that part...I was more concerned with the negativity that's been pervasive throughout the building in the past. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine who is a sensitive seems to feel that my "friend" is a cranky old female relative. I'm thinking it was my mom, who passed away almost 4 years ago. Loved her soooo much, but she could be cranky on occasions! It would stand to reason that she was just letting us know she was around because the night before I couldn't get her off my mind...missing her an awful lot, wishing she could be sharing in my life and that of my boys.... so I'm thinking it was Bessie stopping by to give a show of support!! =)

I'll keep you posted on how the school year goes...personally, I think it's going to be a great one!!!! :banana:

Lizzie

Thanks lizziegirl, I'm so curious as to what happens with this. =)