Balinese bells are extraordinary. There are no other bells in the world that come close to their beautifully pure, resonant tones or that are so effective for space clearing purposes.
Balinese bells are extraordinary. There are no other bells in the world that come close to the beautifully pure, resonant tones they have, or that can be used so effectively for space clearing. Each is handcrafted and has its own unique sound. It feels very special to own one.
If you’re considering buying a Balinese space clearing bell or already have one, here’s some helpful information about the best way to care for it.
Treat your bell respectfully
Equipment that is used for purification needs to be treated respectfully and used only for its intended purpose. For this reason, it is best to wash your hands before touching your bell, place it in an elevated position on a bell stand instead of directly on a table, and always use it with clear intent.
How to welcome your Balinese bell into your life
When you first receive your bell, I recommend that you create your own personal ceremony to welcome it into your life. This is best done alone and in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted. It does not need to be elaborate — just something that is meaningful to you, using some flower heads of your choice and candles. If possible, don’t even open the box until you are ready to do this, and don’t ring the bell until you do this ceremony.
How to store your Balinese bell
Each Balinese bell comes in its own satin-lined box that it can be kept in when not in use. The best place to store it is in an elevated position, such as the top shelf of a cupboard or closet. The rest of your kit (bell stand, altar cloth, colourizers, harmony balls, etc) can be stored in the same location if you have enough space there, or elsewhere and at a lower level if that is more practical.
Be discerning about who touches your bell
Bells are much more effective when used only by one person whose energies they become attuned to. I therefore recommend that you are selective about who touches your bell and why. Certainly don’t leave it in a place where any curious visitor to your home can pick it up and ring it, or where children can play with it.
How to clean your bell
The dome of a Balinese bell is made of high-quality bronze. This material, and the remarkable crafting skills of Balinese bell makers that have been handed down from generation to generation, is what gives Balinese bells their excellent sound and space clearing capabilities. However, it also means that they do tarnish a little when exposed to air.
As part of preparing for a space clearing ceremony, polish the dome of your bell with a metal cleaner and a soft cloth. You can use a brass polish such as Brasso, a multi-purpose metal polish or an odour-free alternative such as Wiener Kalk (made of kaolinite and ground quartz and available in German-speaking countries and in the UK). Apply the cleaner with a clean, soft cotton cloth, then gently buff to a shine using another clean, soft cotton cloth. If needed, the wooden handle can be cleaned with a damp cloth. To limit tarnishing, store your bell in its box between space clearing ceremonies.
How to safeguard your bell
Once in a while – thankfully extremely rarely – I get a mournful email from someone who has dropped their Balinese bell and it has lost its ring. They write to ask how to get it repaired.
The information sheet that is sent out with each bell explains that if it is dropped or banged against a hard surface, this may cause a hairline fracture in the bronze casting and the bell will never ring again. The only way to repair it is to ship it back to Bali and have it reforged, which takes such a long time and costs so much more than buying a new bell that no one ever does it.
We think of metal as being strong and durable, so it’s something of a surprise to discover that bells need such careful handling. The type that are made of cheap metal alloys and mass-produced in factories are usually hardier, but the unremarkable quality of sound they produce means they are no use at all for space clearing. Hand-crafted Balinese bells are made from a unique type of bronze that puts them in a completely different league, so even though they are more fragile, they are well worth the extra care that is required.
Copyright © Clear Space Living Ltd 2016, updated 2022
Related articles
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The history of Balinese space clearing bells
Why Balinese bells are the best kind to use for space clearing
Resources
Where to buy a Balinese space clearing bell
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I have a Bali bell I ordered from you many years ago. I like leaving it out (now in my bedroom) as it is so beautiful. Is this ok?
Yes, that’s absolutely fine. However it is made of bronze so will tarnish when exposed to the air, so I recommend you polish it at least once a month to keep it looking at its best.
Thank you for your kind response. I am pulling out your book again and continuing to work on yet another new dwelling. Most grateful!
I have such a bell, after being asked to assist on one of your courses. I keep it in an engraved wooden box, but wondering if I should keep it out on an elevated shelf instead? I no longer have the lovely cloth I used to drape it in.
Hi Peter
In Chapter 8 of Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui there is a section titled Caring for bells, in which I explain:
‘If you have a bell that is special to you, create a special place to keep it when not in use. In keeping with Balinese tradition, I keep mine in an elevated position, away from where anyone habitually lies or sleeps with their feet pointing in that direction.’
Balinese bells are made of bronze. This means they will tarnish if left in the open air for extended periods of time. It’s easy to clean a bell, if this happens, using any good quality metal polish and a soft cloth, but it’s a good idea to keep it in a box so that you don’t have to do this so often. These days, each bell sold through our website comes in a satin-lined palm-leaf box that it can be kept in.
So, would there be a case where you would NOT want to use the bell to space clear an object, piece of furniture for example that already had good energy, that already made you happy? I have a chest of drawers from my grandmother that always makes me smile and feel good. Would the bell disturb that happy imprint?
The space clearing techniques I have developed clear out low-level energies while leaving happier and higher frequencies intact.