Recently, I had the pleasure of taking a backstage tour of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Florida, with the Sarasota Newcomers Club. Our guide, Justin Gomlak, Director of Education and Community Engagement, shared some fascinating theatrical history, including the tradition of the ghost light, pictured above.
For those unfamiliar with the practice, a ghost light is a light left burning onstage when a theater is otherwise empty. There are practical reasons for keeping a light on, particularly to prevent someone from stumbling into scenery or falling off the stage in the dark. However, theatrical folklore also associates the tradition with ghosts, including the belief that spirits appreciate having a light left on.
Justin's discussion reminded me of theaters that I have cleared as a spiritual healer.
I've had some interesting experiences clearing theaters and other properties of lingering spiritual and energetic influences. Although I wasn't there to work, the conversation brought several memories to mind.
When the Past Remains on the Property
Years ago, a client asked me to spiritually clear a theater where her husband worked. During the clearing, I noticed the energetic remnants of an Indian massacre.
In my spiritual healing practice, I work with the understanding that land and buildings can retain energetic imprints from events that occurred there, sometimes long before the current occupants arrived. These may involve trauma, violence, grief, fear, or other unresolved experiences.
A building may have changed ownership or purpose many times, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything associated with its past has been released.
This is why I don't limit property clearing to what happened within the current owner's lifetime. Depending on what arises during a session, I may explore the property's history, the people who occupied it, and what I perceive to be spiritual influences associated with the location.
Darress Theater, Boonton, New Jersey
"They Were MY Ghosts!"
On a recent trip to New Jersey, I was reminded of another experience from years earlier.
I was visiting an old vaudeville theater that had since become a movie theater. While there, I unexpectedly saw a woman and child. I wasn't looking for ghosts or conducting a formal clearing, but I felt moved to help them return to the light.
Afterward, when I spoke with the theater owner, I mentioned having cleared a couple of ghosts.
His response startled me. "They were MY ghosts!"
I had heard of ghosts possessing people, but this was the first time I'd encountered someone who was possessive of ghosts!
As it turned out, his theater was featured on a local ghost tour, so I could see why he'd be disappointed to hear that two of its resident spirits had apparently moved on. Of course, I hadn't set out to interfere with his ghostly attractions, nor had I thoroughly cleared the building. I was more compassionate toward the earthbound ghosts who needed my help.
Ghost energy often remains after trauma. Sometimes they remain stuck and don't know how to move on. When I worked with clients, I sometimes became, or created, a portal for energy to leave. It wasn't unusual for ghosts to use it as an opportunity to go to the light.
Still, his reaction has stayed with me all these years. It raises an interesting question: If people believe spirits remain in a building, do they necessarily want them to leave?
For some, ghosts are frightening. For others, they're part of a property's history, character, or even its appeal.
What About the Energy of a Performance?
Coincidentally, a couple who joined us on the backstage tour had also accompanied me to see Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on Broadway in New York. Their presence reminded me of something unusual that happened during that performance.
Given the musical's dark subject matter, involving murder and revenge, I wondered what kinds of spiritual energies might be attracted to the production. It inspired me to open a portal of light to release any darkness that did not belong in the theater.
When I checked with my spiritual team afterward, I received the extraordinary report that approximately 9,500 demonic entities and others had been released.
That number came through my spiritual guidance, rather than any physical means of verification. Nevertheless, it was a memorable experience that reinforced my understanding of how spiritual influences may gather around places and activities.
When I conduct a broad clearing, I don't limit my intention to identifying individual ghosts or entities. I ask that whatever is ready and appropriate to be released be assisted into the light.
Even the Audience May Not Be Entirely Visible
Another memory came from seeing the movie Cocoon. I noticed spirits also watching the movie.
That experience made me consider whether ghosts might be attracted to entertainment just as living people are. After all, if a spirit remains attached to earthly experiences, why wouldn't a movie or theatrical performance hold some interest?
It also made me wonder whether darker productions might attract other types of spiritual influences.
Having worked in Hollywood earlier in my career, I've seen how much emotion, intention, and energy go into creating entertainment. From my spiritual perspective, I believe a production's subject matter can also influence the energetic environment around it.
That doesn't mean every production involving violence, fear, or tragedy is spiritually compromised. It does mean I consider a venue's energetic atmosphere another dimension worth exploring.
Your Home or Business Has a History
Theater buildings aren't the only places where I have encountered lingering energies.
Over the years, I've worked remotely with clients seeking spiritual clearing for homes, offices, businesses, and other properties. Sometimes concerns focus on a particular room or an unsettling atmosphere. Other times, clients feel that something about a property has changed, even though they can't explain why.
In my practice, I explore whether unresolved experiences, previous occupants, significant events, or other spiritual influences may be contributing to what they're noticing.
Not every uncomfortable feeling or property problem has a spiritual cause. Physical conditions, maintenance issues, environmental factors, and ordinary human circumstances also deserve attention.
However, for those who want to explore the spiritual dimension, property clearing offers another avenue.
What I find particularly interesting is that the people currently occupying a property may know nothing about its earlier history. Yet, within my spiritual framework, that history can sometimes be relevant to the clearing work.
A building doesn't have to be famous, historic, or featured on a ghost tour for someone to want to address the atmosphere within it.
When the Curtain Falls
I thoroughly enjoyed the backstage tour of the Van Wezel. It gave me a greater appreciation for the history, traditions, and work that go into theatrical productions overall as well as the uniqueness of this particular venue.
Thanks to Justin's discussion of the ghost light, I revisited experiences I hadn't thought about in years.
Who would have imagined that a pleasant afternoon exploring a performing arts hall would bring back memories of ghosts, spiritual clearings, and a theater owner who wanted his ghosts back?
Perhaps that's one of the things I enjoy most about my work. Ordinary experiences can remind me of the extraordinary possibilities I've explored throughout my spiritual healing career.
The next time you see a ghost light burning on an empty stage, you might wonder who, if anyone, is enjoying the illumination.
Could Your Home or Business Benefit From Spiritual Clearing?
Sometimes people sense that something feels unsettled in a home, office, or other property without knowing why. Others may want to address a space’s energetic history and create an environment that feels more peaceful and supportive.
I offer remote spiritual and energetic property clearing, exploring what may be shaping a property's atmosphere and addressing the influences I identify through my healing practice.
Whether you're moving into a new home, facing challenges in a business location, or wish to uplevel the energy of your environment, you are welcome to book a private session.
Learn more or schedule a private spiritual healing session at
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a home or business retain energy from previous occupants?
A property can retain the energy and emotions of current and past occupants, including visitors. Memories and energies of significant events and unresolved experiences can be retained within an object or property.. A property may have changed ownership many times, yet its earlier history may still be relevant to the spiritual clearing process.
2. How do I know if my home or business needs spiritual clearing?
Some people seek spiritual clearing because a property feels unusually heavy, uncomfortable, or unsettled. Others notice changes in how they feel within certain spaces or simply want a fresh start after difficult circumstances. These experiences don't necessarily indicate a spiritual cause, but they may prompt someone to explore that possibility after considering practical explanations. Personally I think all property needs to be cleared periodically. Just like you go out and bring back dirt on your shoes, you or others can bring the energy of hte outside or others back with you.
3. Can spiritual property clearing be done remotely?
Yes. I have conducted remote spiritual and energetic clearings for homes, businesses, and other properties worldwide. My approach involves working through spiritual guidance to identify and release all relevant energetic influences.
4. What is the purpose of spiritual property clearing?
Property and objects hold energy until released. My intention is to address spiritual and energetic influences that may be contributing to an unsettled environment and support a greater sense of peace, harmony, and alignment. Depending on what arises, the clearing may involve historical energetic imprints, unresolved emotional patterns, or what I perceive as earthbound spirits. Every property and situation is different, and individual experiences and outcomes may vary.
