A Mini Spiritual Journey: Samukawa Shrine (Clearing the Energy and Aura Alignment)
Body:
For the past couple of days, the Schumann resonance has been incredibly high, leaving me feeling deeply fatigued. For those of us who are highly sensitive to energy, symptoms often manifest a day before the peak hits—sudden exhaustion, brain fog, and scattered thoughts. Last night was no exception; the intense cosmic frequencies woke me up in the middle of the night, a recurring pattern for me lately.
Because the Schumann resonance is essentially electromagnetic energy, I felt a strong intuitive urge yesterday to create an energetic barrier in my space. I placed crystal quartz chips in the four corners of my room to establish a protective grid. Looking back, the moment I set the intention to shield my room, the universe was already perfectly orchestrating a path for me to visit Samukawa Shrine. I only realized this synchronicity while I was on my way there. It amazes me how beautifully everything aligns when you stop overthinking and let the natural flow take over.
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The sequence of events actually began yesterday morning when I woke up with a sudden flash of inspiration: "Discard your old pajamas, and buy a replacement in Chiba Prefecture (an area tied to Leo energy)." The intuitive download even specified the exact color—lavender—accompanied by a vivid mental image.
I wanted to get ready immediately, but lingering drowsiness left me hesitating. I figured if I was going to make the trip, I might as well visit a shrine in Chiba. I opened an astrology and shrine guide by YUJI and found Katori Jingu. It looked beautiful, but it was far too distant, sending me back into contemplation mode.
Flipping to another page, my eyes caught Mitsumine Shrine. It resonated deeply, but a quick check on their official website revealed recent bear sightings in the area. I immediately ruled it out—encountering a bear is a risk I am not willing to take. Interestingly, during my recent trip to Kyoto, the first shrine I intended to visit also had bear warnings, which led me to change my plans. I’ve come to learn that when a direction isn't meant for you, the universe naturally closes the door. When unexpected obstacles arise, gracefully shifting your course always steers you toward the absolute best destination.
This morning, as I flipped through the guide once more, my eyes locked onto Samukawa Shrine. I had actually planned a trip there once before, but had to cancel due to a typhoon and completely forgot about it. This time, I felt a clear green light, so I impulsively decided to go.
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I traveled through typhoon-like rain. I usually dislike visiting shrines in wet weather, and the pouring rain soaked my feet on the way, which was frustrating. Yet, the energy of the shrine quickly shifted my perspective. While I don't know what it looks like on a regular day, the grounds were beautifully quiet with very few people around. The scale of the shrine was magnificent, reminiscent of Meiji Jingu, but the atmosphere felt incredibly pure and high-vibrational. I could only imagine how breathtaking it would be on a clear, sunny day. Even the train station nearest to the shrine was unique, featuring just a single platform shared by both inbound and outbound trains.
Passing through the massive gate adorned with a giant lantern opens up to the main worship pavilion. The entire courtyard is enclosed in a square layout, creating a dedicated space that feels entirely consecrated for purification. Just standing there offered an intense sense of clearing. It carried the distinct, potent energy characteristic of a major ley line.
Everything on the grounds was built on a grand scale—from the torii gates and the guardian komainu statues to the lanterns. When I registered for the formal prayer ritual (Gokitō), I was surprised by how many people were waiting, almost like a bustling election venue. Many had traveled from very distant regions just to be there.
During the ritual, the priest chanted the Shinto prayers (Norito) with a rhythmic, undulating movement of his head, almost as if he were singing and dancing. My Higher Self instantly chimed in, saying, "That is exactly how it is supposed to be. The divine finds the greatest comfort in joy and pleasant sensations." Shinto rituals are fundamentally about celebrating that pure, joyful resonance, which made perfect sense to me.
The person seated next to me was incredibly kind, which I deeply appreciated. When it came time to offer the sacred sakaki branch (Tamagushi), my assigned seat placed me directly facing the sacred mirror of the inner sanctuary. It felt like a profound blessing.
This visit holds a specific significance in my recent spiritual journey. Up until now, I have always been called to shrines holding pure Yang (masculine/active) energy. However, during my recent time in Kyoto, I was guided to Yin (feminine/receptive) shrines, allowing me to integrate both polarities within myself. Following that inner integration, my guidance formed a sequence of high-dimensional shrines: Heitate Jingu to Kaiko no Yadoro Jingu and Hatsukashi Jingu. That high-dimensional lineage brought me straight to Samukawa Shrine, which is widely renowned for its profound purification and exorcism qualities.
As an empath, I naturally absorb external energies and ambient collective frequencies without realizing it. Right now, my astrological transits have dialed my energetic receptivity all the way up, making regular energetic maintenance essential. For anyone with planets occupying the 8th or 12th houses in their natal chart, regular purification is practically mandatory. I highly recommend receiving formal shrine blessings periodically. Exploring this level of structured purification is a new experiment for me, but the results speak for themselves.
Samukawa Shrine possesses a solemn, commanding presence, yet its frequency is entirely different from Meiji Jingu. Though it specializes in clearing heavy energies, I didn't feel a sharp, severing quality. Instead, it is an incredibly strong, profound kindness that purifies from the very roots. It feels exceptionally crisp, clean, and refreshing—almost like a mental burst of peppermint, completely devoid of any lingering heavy or dense notes, despite the rainy weather.
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On my way back, I stopped by Miyayama Shrine, a smaller sanctuary nearby. I had been wrestling with a particular decision, but right before paying my respects, I finally made up my mind on how to proceed. The moment I stepped up to pray, a beautiful gust of wind swept through, as if explicitly answering, "That is exactly right." Whenever I ask a question at a shrine, the answers almost always return as a physical breeze. It is a wonderfully reassuring sensation.
Miyayama Shrine feels gentle, breezy, and filled with a nurturing warmth. While it enshrines many deities, its atmosphere is completely distinct from the grand presence of Samukawa Shrine. If Samukawa Shrine feels like a major corporate headquarters, Miyayama Shrine feels like a warm, welcoming family business.
Right near the shrine, I unexpectedly crossed paths with someone deeply nostalgic from my past. It was an incredibly emotional, tear-jerking reunion, and I know it was a direct blessing from Miyayama Shrine.
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I ended up receiving a substantial number of sacred talismans (Ofuda). Upon returning home, I found myself mapping out where to place them all, realizing I need to factor proper placement and budget into future visits! I was also incredibly hungry when I got back, so I treated myself to some Rakugan (traditional dry sugar sweets) I bought there. They were so exceptionally delicious that I ended up eating them all in one sitting.
More importantly, the purification effects are undeniable. While brushing my teeth, I suddenly noticed that my vision felt remarkably sharp, clear, and bright. I realized that a heavy, static-like fog that had been lingering around my physical body and aura for the longest time was completely gone. The formal Gokitō ritual is, without a doubt, a profound aura-cleaning process. With this powerful protective grid of talismans now established in my home, I am looking forward to finally getting a full, uninterrupted night's sleep.
For anyone who is highly sensitive or easily picks up on external energies, I highly recommend the crystal quartz method. Simply placing quartz chips (sazare-ishi) in the four corners of a room instantly shifts the frequency. I purchased four small white cups from a 100-yen shop, filled them with the chips, and placed them high on my shelves to keep them clean from dust. It beautifully clears away any stagnant, heavy energy.
Along with the crystals, exchanging the air by opening the windows at least twice a day is essential to keep the energy moving, though I recommend keeping them closed at night. I also burn candles and incense daily to maintain a grounded, peaceful environment. Ultimately, the best spiritual practice is whatever brings you the greatest sense of comfort and personal alignment.
