Scarlet Sims - Lemon, 2026

9x12 gouache on canvas

Everyone seems to know to plant rosemary by your door to prevent theft or to put a violet in your shoe to ease your heartache, but lemons seem shamefully overlooked. Cleaning your home is the same thing as blessing your home, in my family, and a lemon added to your mopping water will absorb negative energy, remove toxic people, provide protection and brighten your space to positive spirits and love energy. First sweep out your house, just like how you would sweep a person (similar to smudging). Then, add one slice of lemon to your soaped mop water per room. You can either repeat what you want to happen as you mop, e.g. “Cleans my house of all negatively and prevent those who wish me ill from entering my home,” or use a Bible verse. My family’s favorites are The Our Father and Psalms 23. Once you finish, you should light at least one candle and repeat your prayer. (Added stuffs: Apple cider, white vinegar, and salt. You can also make your own tea with herbs and old tea bags. The tea helps wooden floors. And, similarly, my mother liked to add rose petals to bathwater for increasing feelings of love. Your mop and your bath water are both spells.)