Songs aside. I’ve had some requests to make an empath shielding/tips/protection post and general information. So buckle in you witches because I’m about to unload a bunch of information: Shielding: your number one defence. As an empath, you are literally like a giant sponge. But instead of soaking up dirty dish water, you soak up negative energy. There a couple different ways that I shield. I shield 2x a day and try to do a weekly cleanse. My best shield I have found comes in the form of meditation. Focusing on me, myself, and I. I like to use an app called headspace. It’s easy to use and free. I have the full version of it so I have access to the short additional meditations. But honestly the free ones work too. They are usually 10-15 for the daily ones. And help you focus on your own energy. You can even cast a physical circle around yourself to push energy out. However, I rarely do this because I find focusing on myself brings my attention in and therefore blocks out other people’s energy and emotions. Protection: This is where the cleansing comes in. And I like the literal form of a bath. What a better way to wash away unwanted intrusive energies right? eyyy. okay. So here’s my ingredient list eucalyptus: good for a decongestant. Essentially it removes dirts and oils by opening the pores. I.e. you will flush out negativities. chamomile tea: I use a giant tea sachet. You can make these from cheese cloth. You just need to know how to sew a straight line or find one online somewhere, idk. The actual tea bags work too, but you need like a good handful equivalent. Anyway, Chamomile is calming and helps with focusing. Being surrounded by other people’s shit is distracting. Black Tea: Contains tanin, good for cleansing the skin and also helps with for focusing. Clean yo skin and that bitch Carol from your mind. (And then honestly I just like lavender, like so much lavender. I associate it with myself and is a “me” scent.) patchouli incense or sandalwood incense is pretty good: patchouli (grounding) sandalwood (cleansing) you choose. Not both though. They’re both really strong and both will make your house smell like a dirty dirty hippie (too bad I don’t care) 4 candles for the elements or whatever god/goddess you work with. I’m secular, so I don't have deities. anty-ways. I also like any stones that I feel like for whatever I need to focus on to cleanse me. Don’t know what to use? quarts my dudes. All the quarts. Line your bath tub with it. Or any sort of energy shape. Instant protection or whatever intent you want. It’s like rosemary. Universal. (Also I like to use kids bath crayons and draw sigil on my tub wall. I charge them by rinsing them off into my bath water when I'm ready to actually wash my body) Other than that I like to keep rubbing stones to help me ground myself in public and I have a variety of types. Glamour make up is also great for empath protection. You can incorporate colour magick and intent to make you feel fierce and shielded. Eye makeup is my favourite, since the eyes are the windows to the soul. Also I like to line my altar with magic related gifts from other people. Like seashells I received for yule, a feather from an emotional reading I did for a guy last year, anointing oils from a friend, etc. Let me know if you need any further explanations on anything or any other specific advice. My inbox is open. Thanks witches.