Does Keeping Pet Ashes At Home Bring Bad Energy?
“Does keeping pet ashes at home bring bad energy?”. This a question that plucks at the heartstrings of those who have recently said goodbye to their beloved pets.
The practice of keeping a pet’s ashes at home is one that sparks both comfort and contemplation. But at the same time, is it actually good for the energy around us to have them at home? In this exploration, we embark on a spiritual journey, drawing insights from Vastu Shastra, Vedic Astrology (Jyotish), Feng Shui, and a tapestry of diverse perspectives.
We aim to unravel the layers of significance and symbolism surrounding the practice of keeping pet ashes at home. We will delve into the intricacies of an age-old question from the perspective of ancient knowledge.
Vastu Shastra and Keeping Pet Ashes at Home
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian architectural and design philosophy. It offers invaluable insights into the harmonious creation of living spaces. Its principles revolve around the alignment of structures with natural forces and cosmic energies, ensuring a positive environment.
Let’s take a look if, according to vastu, keeping pet ashes at home can bring bad energy to your living space.
Shalya Dosha: The Problems that Having Bones in the House Causes
In the intricate world of Vastu Shastra, there’s a concept known as “Shalya dosha.” The word “Shalya” originates from the Sanskrit language, signifying anything that torments or causes pain. It also means “bones”.
Shalya dosha refers to the problems that having remains of dead being in your house can cause.
The essence of Shalya dosha lies in the belief that bones, when associated with death, can emit negative energy. This can potentially lead to emotional disturbances, health issues, obstacles, financial challenges, and even death.
It’s important to note that Shalya dosha is commonly associated with bones being buried under a house, rather than the presence of ashes. But, ultimately, ashes are what remains of the bones.
Additionally, the pet ashes you choose to keep are not typically buried beneath the house. This situation could potentially have even more adverse effects.
According to vastu, if bones are buried more than 7 feet below the surface level, there are usually no negative effects. However, if they are closer to the surface, they are likely to bring negative energy.
In the case of pet ashes, the urn is typically kept within your living space, so it is probable that they may yield a similar effect.
The adverse effects that pet ashes can potentially bring to your home depend on several factors. One of these factors is the specific location of the ashes. For example, the effects will differ if the ashes are in the bedroom as opposed to the living rooms.
The placement direction (e.g., North East or South of the house) will also influence the resulting effects.
Dealing with Shalya Dosha
In cases where animal remains are already present within your home, addressing Shalya dosha may involve rituals and practices to mitigate the associated negative energy.
The core idea is to invite positivity into your abode by first removing any negative elements from the land or site. This process is akin to cleaning and purifying your house to ensure an environment that fosters well-being and balance.
Consulting a qualified Vastu expert or priest can provide accurate guidance on performing rituals related to Shalya dosha and its remedies, ensuring that you address the issue effectively.
However, these Vastu remedies will mostly apply when we talk about buried bones of animals. In the case of pet ashes, the remedy would be much more simple. Ideally, according to vastu, don’t keep your pet ashes at home.
Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) and the Energetic Impact of Pet Ashes at Home
Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish, is the Indian astrology system. It delves into the celestial influences that shape our lives, offering insights into the subtle energy patterns at play.
Vedic Astrology provides a comprehensive view of various aspects of life. These include the impact of death and the energy it carries. As a vedic astrologer myself, I find very interesting how having remains of dead being at home can affect our lives.
Pet Ashes and the 8th House in Vedic Astrology
According to vedic astrology, having death inside or near the house is considered very inauspicious. For example, this is the reason why it’s not good to live near a cementery or a cremation ground.
In Vedic Astrology, the energy associated with death is primarily linked to the 8th house, a significant aspect of an individual’s birth chart. This house governs transformation, regeneration, and the mysteries of life and death.
Besides death, the 8th house is often associated with unexpected events, accidents, and marital challenges. So if you “increase” this astrological house by having pet ashes at home (or any other kind of dead remains), or living near a cementery, you might also increase the chance of these effects happening.
Sometimes the effects don’t need to be so drastic. But you might notice, for example, depression or some health issues. The kind of effects that having pet ashes in your house will bring will be greatly related to the 8th house in your own birth chart.
Moreover, the planet Saturn is often linked to death in Vedic Astrology. The position of Saturn in an individual’s birth chart also plays a crucial role in determining how its energy will manifest.
If Saturn is well positioned, having pet ashes at home can possibly have a less negative impact. But if it’s in a bad or sensitive position, then keeping pet ashes at home can be more impactful than for other people.
The specific impact of keeping pet ashes is deeply personalized. It will vary from one individual to another based on their unique astrological configurations.
Feng Shui and the Energetic Flow of Pet Ashes
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice. It is centered on the concept that the arrangement and design of our surroundings can significantly impact our well-being and life’s energy, known as “qi.”
The ideas behind it are similar to those of Vastu, which we mentioned earlier. However, Feng Shui has Chinese origins, whereas Vastu has Indian origins.
When considering the presence of deceased remains, such as pet ashes, within a home, Feng Shui principles provide insight into how the energies associated with these elements might affect the overall energetic dynamics of a living space.
Pet Ashes: Extreme Yin Energy
In Feng Shui, there is a fundamental belief in the balance of yin and yang energies. They are opposite and complementary forces.
Life is associated with yang energy, while death is associated with yin energy.
The presence of deceased remains, like ashes, introduces a strong yin element into the living space. This can potentially disrupt the balance of energies, leading to imbalances that may manifest in various aspects of life within the household.
The impact of these imbalances is believed to encompass emotional disturbances, health issues, and potential obstacles.
In Feng Shui, the primary concern is that the presence of yin energy, particularly related to death, can create an environment that feels heavy, stagnant, or unsettling. This may contribute to a sense of discomfort, disharmony, or even stagnation within the home.
To address these potential imbalances, Feng Shui practitioners may recommend specific remedies. For example, ajusting the placement of deceased remains, incorporating elements associated with yang energy. Or using certain colors, materials, or symbols that promote a sense of balance and harmony.
Feng Shui acknowledges that the practice is adaptable and that individuals can make choices aligned with their beliefs and comfort.
But, the best, would be not to keep pet ashes at home, to stay away from those energies.
Other Spiritual Perspectives Regarding Animal Remains
Beyond Vastu Shastra, Vedic Astrology, and Feng Shui, various spiritual and cultural perspectives offer insights into the symbolism and significance of death, memorialization, and the presence of deceased elements in the home.
These perspectives may not specifically address pet ashes. But they shed light on broader notions of how deceased remains, in general, can influence the energy and symbolism of a living space.
- Native American Traditions: Native American cultures often have deeply spiritual connections to animals. They believe that the spirits of animals continue to influence the world after death. While the exact beliefs vary among tribes, the presence of animal remains, such as bones, may be considered a source of power or a connection to the spiritual world. The energy of such remains is believed to have a specific place in rituals and ceremonies.
- Hindu Traditions: In Hinduism, rituals related to death and cremation are fundamental parts of religious practice. The ashes of the deceased hold spiritual significance and are often scattered in sacred bodies of water. While the ashes themselves may not be kept within the home, the spiritual understanding of death in Hinduism highlights the importance of rituals and respect for the deceased.
- Buddhist Beliefs: In Buddhism, death is seen as a natural part of the cycle of life. The presence of deceased remains, including ashes, may serve as a reminder of impermanence and the transitory nature of existence. Buddhism emphasizes the importance of cultivating compassion and letting go of attachments. For this reason, Buddhists don’t generally keep ashes, but scatter them.
The common thread in these various spiritual and cultural perspectives is the recognition that the presence of deceased remains can carry symbolism and energy related to life, death, and the afterlife.
Final Relections
For many, keeping pet ashes at home after the cremation of a pet is a tribute to the cherished animals who have touched their lives.
At the same time, the presence of deceased remains in the home raises many questions. Many spiritual traditions of them coincide in the belief that it is not good to keep pet ashes at home.
There are many other things that you can do with the ashes of your dog or cat.
One common alternative is scattering the ashes in a place of significance. For example, a favorite park, beach, or natural setting. This practice allows the pet’s ashes to return to the elements, symbolizing a return to the earth and a sense of freedom.
Other options include memorializing pets through the planting of trees or flowers. Or even creating dedicated memorial gardens.
If you want to keep exploring what different spiritual traditions have to say about the topics of animals and death, we recommend you to read this post about reincarnation in animals.
