#house spirits

[dark-corner-cunning]

Honoring the Spirits of Home: Creating Sacred Spaces for the Unseen

Welcome back, Seekers! Within my local coven, we are journeying through the mysteries of Spirit until Winter Solstice. Today, I introduced the art of crafting Spirit Houses, and I thought it would be fitting to share a bit of that here. I like to keep these crafty posts simple and open-ended, leaving space for the practitioner to add their own touch. The best magick often arises from just diving in and letting your intuition guide the way. May this inspire you to connect, create, and explore! 🌙✨

As witches, we work with spirits every day, whether we realize it or not. Our homes, like ourselves, are steeped in the spirit world, alive with layers of unseen inhabitants that have their own roles, wisdom, and stories to tell. For many of us, it’s a quiet understanding that a witch’s home should be haunted—not in the fearful sense, but filled with life that pulses in harmony with our craft. From ancestral guides and house spirits, to the land’s ancient beings, these entities weave themselves into the very fabric of our spaces, enriching them with energy and presence.

Regardless of whether a home is newly built or weathered by decades, each dwelling becomes imbued with spirit. There’s an existing ecosystem of energies that connect to the land itself, the history of the area, and the layers of life that once lived or passed through. These spirits, sometimes subtle, sometimes profound, thrive within the space we call home, coexisting with us and enhancing our magick. But it is up to us to nurture a balanced and harmonious relationship with them.

Why Connect with the Spirits of Your Home?

Developing a deep, reciprocal relationship with the spirits of your home doesn’t just benefit your craft; it offers blessings for everyone under your roof. When these spirits feel acknowledged and respected, they offer protection, lend strength to your magickal workings, and create an atmosphere of peace and nourishment. A home can truly feel like a sanctuary when the spirits that dwell within it are in harmony with those who reside there in the flesh. This connection turns your space into an anchor—a place of personal power, healing, and resilience.

Building Friendships with Spirit

Nurturing relationships with spirits requires time, care, and a commitment to reciprocity. Just as with human friendships, there is a cycle of giving and receiving. Spirits respond to sincere attention and intention, as well as the gifts and gestures we offer them. One meaningful way to foster this connection is by creating a spirit house or a dedicated space where spirits can feel welcomed and honored.

A spirit house is both a physical symbol and a spiritual anchor. It becomes a place where offerings can be left, and it serves as a gateway for interaction with the spirit world in a respectful and clear manner. It’s a way of saying, “You are welcome here, I honor your presence, and I seek your guidance and protection.”

Creating Your Spirit House

Designing a spirit house is a creative, personal process. It need not be elaborate; sometimes, the simplest gestures carry the deepest respect. You may choose a small altar, a shelf, or even a discreet box placed in a peaceful corner of your home. Consider using natural materials—wood, clay, or stone—as they tend to resonate well with spirits of place. Personalize it with items like stones from your land, soil, dried herbs, or even water from a local stream. Each addition builds a bridge between your energy and the spirits you invite into your home.

When crafting your spirit house, remember that offerings and gifts can strengthen this relationship over time. Spirits, like friends, appreciate time, energy, love, and tokens of appreciation. Remember, spirits are aware of intention as much as they are of the physical offering, so approach this creative expression with reverence and sincerity.

For my spirit house, I’ve chosen to weave in unsea, or “old man’s beard,” gathered lovingly from my mother tree, a sacred link to the ancient and wise energies of the land. I've placed birds within the space, their forms standing as messengers and symbols of spirit, guiding and connecting with the unseen. Mushrooms, too, find their place here, embodying my bond with the natural world—grounded yet reaching into hidden realms. They carry the magick of spiritual growth, reminding me of the mystery and connection to realms beyond. Each piece breathes life into the space, deepening my relationship with the spirits I honor… and I placed a bell at the entrance, placed with the hope of hearing it softly chime as the spirits pass through.

[nous-teleios]

Remember to honour your local house and nature spirits! It might seem trivial, but forming a connection with the forces that you spend most of your time with will skyrocket the quality of your space and mood.

[a-single-white-crow]

Household Spirits

Household sprits are personal favorite of mine. There are many examples in media of homes being alive or sentient. A famous Slavic example is the walking home of the Baba Yaga. In Western culture, we have the Castle from Howl's Moving Castle; if not from the book, then from the famous Studio Ghibli film of the same name. And seen in an absolute favorite film of mine, the 2006 animated film Monster House.

Now, what is a household spirit?

Simply, an entity or energy that specifically protects the home and Household

(Some may see their home as an energy/feeling in the home. If this energy is truly a Spirit or just the energy given to the home I’m unsure. So, for the sake of this topic, I will also be calling this energy a Household Spirit.)

There are two main categories of this Spirit. That of Deities and those of lesser Spirits.

House Deities are much more powerful and grand. They focus not on one home but many or all.

An example of a household Deity could be the Greek Goddess of Hearth; Hestia.

As for the lesser forms, they are more local. Focused on individual homes and households. They are a Spirit for the people.

Some examples of these Spirits are...

Brownies, Scottish (also taken by Irish)

Kobold/Hobgoblin, German

Lares, Roman

Gasin, Korea

Domovoy, Slavic

Nissie, Norwegian

These Spirits, as one can assume, were worshiped in the home. Some would have a small Idol/Effigy to represent the Spirit on a shrine, while others were seen more as members of the family. Going as far as to even invite them for family meals.

Personally I find caring for a household Spirit to be a priority. If nothing else they help fill one's home with wanted healthy energy. As an ignored home and Household Spirit can become dull, ill, or tired. Leading the home to become more susceptible to unwanted hauntings and negative energy filling the space.

For myself, my Household Spirit is genuinely one of my favorites to work with. His personality is so full. He has given myself and my husband so much motivation when working on our home.

It's not always happiness and rainbows with him though. He has caused a bit of trouble when he feels the need to. When I first started working with him, I let him know immediately that my husband is autistic and has adhd while I have adhd and have minor hoarding tendencies. So we can struggle with simple chores sometimes. I was clear with what to expect from us as our household Spirit. And because of this, he sometimes needs to get creative. I had a bathroom mat that was so worn and used the bottom of it was peeling away and leaving rubber bits everywhere. I kept saying I should replace it but I just never did. Years I kept that same rug. A week into working with our Household Spirit that rug was nudged towards the bathroom trashcan, rolled up slightly, and just anyway he could he pointed myself and my husband towards getting rid of the old worn thing. We never did. Always getting distacted or forgetting about it. Until one day we went into the guest bathroom and the rug was stained beyond saving. Completely destroyed. This forced instant action. We couldn't put it aside and it gave me the push to actually toss it. Since then he hasn't acted so drastically. But even then, I appreciated his act as it was the final kick I needed to get rid of that rug.

The moral of this story is to say...

They know how to get a job done. Make sure to let them know they are appreciated, and they will make it worth your while. And remember, they aren't messing around.

Offerings

Food (ie. Bread, sweets, fruits, ect.)

Drink (ie. Wine, Water, tea, dairy, ect.)

Speaking with the Spirit: Saying “Hello” when you come home

Lighting a Candle

Coins and trinkets

Creating of getting an effigy/Idol for the Spirit

***Note for Brownies and Hobs- Although they wear rags or "peasant's clothes". Never give them clothes. It is an ultimate insult for them, and they will leave***

What does a Household Spirit do?

Helps clean your home- Both in a literal sense and in a spiritual sense

You can leave an offering to your House Spirit asking them to protect your home while you are away for long periods of time.

Bring good luck

Find lost things

Certain types are known to leave gifts- Kobold/Hobgoblin

Can be mischievous or down right evil if mistreated- Breaking items or stealing things

When moving away does a Household Spirit go with you?

Answer: Depends on the Spirit

Some House Spirits are more like a Household Spirit meaning family and not house specific.

Others like the Domovoy of Slavic folklore are a house specific spirit. Meaning, when you move that specific Spirit stays.

When leaving being a House Spirit (as the Domovoy) make sure to perform a Ritual of Thanks to show appreciation, allow the Spirit to understand why you are leaving, and so the House Spirit will treat the next family with respect.

If there are ever any questions about whether your House Spirit should come or stay don’t be afraid to ask. Sometimes, even just your intuition is an answer.

[sitting-1n-silence]

Laying the foundation ~House spirits 1~

Choosing to build a home, temple, or business somewhere takes thought and consideration. World wide people have devised practices around this, spiritual and otherwise. In some cases part of building practices might account for the learning, appeasing, clearing, and/or working with spirits that may already reside there.

Finding where to settle:

The Balkan region has many names for place -bound spirits (stiia, stihio, stuha, stoikeion) which could be understand as forgotten dead, fiery snakes, or house spirits. In Russian and Ukrainian lore there is the domovoy (domovoyk, domovoi) a house spirit associated with ancestral spirits, and the house addar/snake who resides behind the stove and brings blessings. There's the Greek Lares, the UK's brownies, and the German kobolds and dracs. Throughout Europe people have been naming these land spirits as well as practices for dealing with them.

Lots of thought was put into finding places to build a home, consideration was especially given to the dead or spirits already occupying a space. Making sure not to build where the dead are laid, and sometimes asking guidance or permissions from ancestors. Ukrainian mountaineers taught this, as well as to never build houses at crossroads or places pathways crossed, or build atop the old ruins of a heating stove (as this means there is already a spirit occupying this place). There was also an avoidance of building on a plot of a land with lots of tree stumps, with a focus on if the stumps were red after being cut, suggesting they were bleeding.

Certain spaces remained untouched and left sacred to spirits. Certain groves, mountains, or rivers were set aside to the spirits of the gods of these places. Special groves where a tall oak grew, rivers where spirits are said to bathe, or caves in the sides of mountains where trolls or dwarves were said to live. These places remain unbuilt on for a while out of respect for the beings already occupying them. Priests moving through the area encountered forests so sacred in rural Lithuania that you could not enter or touch certain woods with iron (tools for cutting). If someone did the penalty was death. The fear of place spirits was very present.

Some good omens to build in the Baltic region are where you find black ant hills, where a cow has loved to lay, and where the future house-owner dreams of a domestic animal. A new moon was also a good omen for construction. Romans would often favor the side of roads for building homes, as money and people flowed through here. Places away from others such as the edged of fields were avoided due to being away from the hum of life. The Romans also avoided building at crossroads or over cemeteries.

A few ways were utilized to find a spot to build. Sometimes the materials used in the building were used to divine a location, such as the case with the church of Siuxt (Kirkland, Russia) where a rock placed to begin building rolled down a hill in the night, so they continued building where the stone landed. The stone had been placed close to another property, and it seems the spirit already residing there didn't want company. Other times an animal would be allowed to wander until exhaustion an a building was built there, or a log was tossed into a river and where it stopped they built. Sometimes the throwing of logs or floor boards into water from a prior home was done in honor of a pagan god, letting their new home be decided by the divine.

When spirits occupied a place:

Sometimes a place is already occupied by spirits, so people have devised ways of laying claim to these spaces. This has been done similarly to using a piece of wood of from an old home, except with a coffin in the case of Kveldulf heading to Iceland. He was dying and asked that his coffin be tossed into the sea to show his son where to build there home. This was a way for his spirit in death to claim and become and rooted ancestor there for his future descendants. Other times a large staff/stick is driven into the ground and the land is declared to be where a son will build their home.

Fire was also a common element for claiming land from spirits, as it's solar properties was believed to drive away chthonic land spirits. In folklore it turns dwavres to stone, and stopped elven islands from sinking underwater. Norwegian king Harald Fairhair helped codified rites called "eldvigning" or "consecrations by fire", but there is reason to believe it predates him. In one example a fire is kindled and spread from sunrise to sunset, and the land in which the individual encircles with fire becomes theirs. A flaming arrow was another option, being shot over the land that is being claimed.

Circumambulation was also a common tactic and oldest forms for laying claim to space. As the act of encircling something is both protective (creating a barrier) and a declaration of sacredness of what is being protected inside. This holiness could be due to the presence of a god, saint or holy relic, spirit or dead relative. Circumambulation was combined with the use of fire and bells to excise claimed land and remove any unwanted spirits. Moving in a circle making noise to tare down protections can also be seen in the bible's story of Joshua, where the Israelite move in a circle around Jericho to tare down it's walls. Similar methods were used by witches in North Berwick England where they walked counter clockwise around a church to unlock it's door and preform their devlish rites in a once holy place.

In Thailand we see similar elements emerge. When a house-builder wishes to build a home he will approach an expert who is an architect, builder, and ritual specialist who is usually a former monk. This expert will decided when to begin building on an auspicious day (between harvest and the next first ploughing). The ritual expert is also responsible preforming various exorcisms of the materials and land, as well as for taking into account the nagas (serpent spirits who reside underground) so the posts being put into the earth can be laid parallel to them prior. Gunpowder is burned and the poles are washed with water to frighten away evil spirits.

House spirits in these contexts were called "sao phaya" to refer to the spirit of a single household, and "cao thi" for the spirit of a small community or ancestral shrine. Other names such as "phi" (which to my understanding means "ghost") also appear.

Beginning construction:

Now that you've made claim to the place you want to build it's time to begin the work of construction. Which often takes consideration of the land spirits and giving scarifies to them so they won't stand in the way of construction. These rituals scarifies and acts being understood as a type of contract with the spirits occupying this place. Throughout history the types of scarifies have changed. Going from young humans, to goats, oxen, dogs, and roosters. These bodies being found below building or inside the walls of homes, churches, and monasteries. These animals eventually replacing humans. Interestingly, these same animals used as sacrifices were also the common forms utilized by these guardian land spirits. Snakes were common forms too, and were believed to be a good omen to find a snake living in the walls of your home. Ancestors were also used as masks by these beings, which relates back to the burying of people or our dead below the home.

Specific trees or stones were also used as the place of these sacrifices. Forming a compact with the surrounding spirits, who revive them in place of the spirits of home. Scarifies in these cases could take the form of leftover food or gruel. These stones and trees were to be left undisturbed, or ill fortunes could befall the family.

The Carpathians used to lay loaves of bread and salt under the four corners of their future homes, as this was supposed to bring wealth. Bread and salt being important parts of inviting a domovoyk into a new dwelling. Again a pact is presented to the spirit, food and substance in return for blessings.

Other rituals in Polissia involve the holding of a feast when the foundation of a building is laid. During this feast guests were expected to not step on the doorstep of the new home, as this was sacred place for the spirit who protects the house which had to brought over. Another held superposition was not to whistle during this period of construction, as this could scare off the spirits here.

Other foundational rites in the Balkans include giving an offering to the future spirit that will live here through the foundation stone when it's laid. If a sacrificial animal is used it becomes the form of the guarding spirit of this home. On occasion someone sick or near death was used for this purpose. In some cases a person's shadow was measured with cotton, and that length of cotton was included in the foundation or walls of the home as a sacrifice. Believing that the individual who's shadow was measured would die soon.

Once the foundation is laid and the posts are set the rest of the building is swiftly put up and filled. From this moment on families will work to keep their house spirits happy thorough the observance of taboos and rituals. To keep good fortune and life flowing into the home.

Summary:

-Land that is already occupied by a spirit is hard to build on.

-Certain omens can signify good land for building.

-When a spirit does occupy a space there are ways of laying claim. Such as through fire, circumambulation, or pacting with them.

-Sacrifice and death helps establish a connection with a place.

-Spirits of the dead and place emerge through characteristics of the house spirit

Sources:

Demons and Spirits of the Land, by Claude Lecouteux

The tradition of household spirits, by Claude Lecouteux

Pagans in the Early Modern Baltic, Edited and translated from Latin by Francis Young

Architectural and political space in Thailand, by Andrew Turton

Stoikheion, stuha, zduhac: Guarding spirits, weather magicians and talisman magic on the Balkans, by Eva Pocs

[practical-hearthcraft]

Shit's going missing in the house again. Need to have a word with the house about acceptable behaviour.

[ivys-garden]

Important question: where do we draw the line between what is an isn't a Goblin?

Goblins are small mischievous tricksters and apart from that they have no other features that are consistent between versions.

So are Browies/Nisse/House Spirits Goblins? What about Gremlins? Leprechauns? Gnomes? Redcaps? Pixies? What makes these creatures different from Goblins?

Are Goblins Fae? Are all fae Goblins or are all Goblins Fae?

Are there any differences between Rural & City Goblins?

These are important and time sensitive questions please respond

[lunasapphire]

Today I have been hearing children like talking… there are no children in my house nor do I have kids here today… someone wanna tell me what spirit would try to connect with me that would sound like little kids talking or whining or laughing?

[jasper-pagan-witch]

Hey, any ideas on how to create a nice relationship with a house spirit of a house that has always given you bad vibes your whole life?

I was definitely going to cleanse, and maybe just talk allowed and introduce myself, but im not sure how im gonna make it feel like home.

I don't interact with house spirits, but let me just...

*vigorously shakes a bag of trail mix* I call upon my friends who know more about this than I do! @windvexer and @friend-crow, please reblog this with information if you wish!

Another buddy, Muinmos, had this to say when I asked who wanted to answer your inquiry:

Just to toss some of my thoughts in here; imo this is a case where it's important to distinguish whether the spirit themselves gave you "bad vibes" OR if you don't like the house for whatever reason, trauma related or otherwise. Distinguishing if the bad feeling is coming from yourself internally for whatever reason, or actually from the spirit themselves.

If it's really the spirit, then it's important to try explore what kind of bad vibes they are and why they might be there. (Is the spirit angry? Irritated? Sad? Gloomy? Etc) Because then that can be something to work on with the spirit if they're willing, smooth things out all that jazz.

I personally wouldn't cleanse outright or at all (I'm generally not keen on cleansing). To me in this particular case it kind of sends the message of like, "I want to get to know you but first of all you're faulty and dirty as you are, now let me give you a good wash before I touch you with a 10 ft stick", which I don't think is a very good basis for approaching someone. An introduction would be a much better first step ahaha.

I'd try to brainstorm & divine on what the spirit might like. It could also be connected to the very stare of the home. Like is it cluttered? Do small acts of the devotion by trying to declutter little by little to make the spirit feel more comfortable. Is the place bare? "Soulless"? How can you make it feel more homely in small ways? Scented candles, decorations, diy-ing things to make them work and look better, spending more time on upkeep or domestic activities, all of those are options. But while there's a general list of what you can do, ultimately the preference will lie in the spirit themselves and the specific circumstances of their home.

I'll definitely reblog any reblogs of this post, just to provide as much information from as many folks as possible. This is very much a case where we're not in that house with you and we don't know your practice, nor if anyone else lives with you who might have thoughts, so we're kind of just throwing some ideas at you which you can then take and adapt into something you can work with!

~Jasper

[pola-artist]

If I were a monster, I would most likely be a house spirit (or Домовой in Russian)

This creature keeps order in the house, runs a household and gets along with cats.

And here is a sign: If you left home, but forgot something and you had to come back, then you need to smile in the mirror or grimace so as not to anger the house spirit

[candorwitch]

Thinking about house/building spirits and where their shrines would be in a particular building. I've always operated on the idea that the heart of a house is at the hearth, which nowadays would be in the kitchen, more specifically, the oven or main cooking apparatus. Where would the heart be though in, say, an apartment building? My guess is the boiler/furnace room. But I don't know how much access the average joe would have to that kind of place, not to mention safety issues and maintenance being perturbed by strange things showing up near equipment.

Is there a spirit for each individual unit in an apartment building? Is there an "overspirit" in addition to these individual unit spirits? Does it vary building to building?

[crazycatsiren]

On this Agathos Daimon, I give thanks to the divine spectral noodle of our household for his guardianship and protection. I pray to him for looking after us with his most boopable snoot. 🐍

[lilyminer]

What do you mean I’m “incapable of accepting change?” No I’m just advocating for the house spirits! They don’t want you to modernize the kitchen either!

[ridingthehedge]

House Magic to Help Move Grief and Anxiety Through Your Home

- Open windows to let in the fresh air, pull aside curtains and shake out the dust. Open screen doors for extra breeze! 🌬️

- Dust surfaces and move from the front to the back of your house.

- Light incense, burn herbs, or spray cleansing spray to dispel stuck energy.

- Put crystals, talismans, spell bags, etc. in windowsills to cleanse and charge. 🌞

- Any other general house chores always help to clear the air and lighten the energy in your space.

- Leave offerings outside for the local spirits. They are great allies to protect and bless your space 💚

[a-single-white-crow]

I love my little house spirit. He is just so helpful!

I was carrying over the laundry basket over and when I got there the washing machine door popped all the way open for me! And it was just so nice because I had gotten stuck on the table on my way over and my motivation was just waning after the ordeal.

[i-make-my-journey]

sometimes taking care of Netjeri/spirits is watching television with a two-headed plastic dog skeleton in your lap

if things ever feel spooky in your home, I recommend checking if you’ve got any objects that seem to want attention. They could belong to a spirit who is feeling neglected!

Of course also bear in mind mundane issues like CO2 and any mental health issues you may have but!! If mundane issues can be easily ruled out, check with your house spirits!! Sometimes they need some extra love! Like the pair (?) that’s attached to one of my Halloween decorations! Sometimes, he/they just need a little attention 🥰

[practical-hearthcraft]

I spent the better part of my weekend cleaning the house and even my car. I still feel restless and like there's more than needs to be done. It's a bone deep feeling, so I spent some time meditating on what the source of this manic energy is, and as a precaution I also reached out to the house spirits and fucking hell.

You know when your house is a mess, and someone crucially, fundamentally and completely disproportionately important and powerful is coming by? So you just start cleaning like mad, as though someone lit a fire under your arse? That's the situation the house spirits are in. They're fucking frantic and I am both curious and concerned. Spent the evening clearing out and resetting the kitchen because it's the spiritual and physical hearth in my home, and I have plans for my entryway tomorrow but yeah. Something big is coming my way and I'm not sure if it's a good thing as of yet. I'll have to try find out more tomorrow when I'm not so wiped energy wise.