People are decorating eggs around this time. In Hoodoo and Santeria, two paths with West African roots, ground eggshells called cascarilla ("cas-ka-Ree-yah") are used for different purposes, including banishing spirits, clearing, and protection.

To create cascarilla, set your oven to 225 degrees F. Grind a dozen clean, dry eggshells, preferably from a black hen. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake until brittle and crumbly. Remove from the oven, let cool, then grind with a mortar and pestle to pulverize.

Place the cascarilla powder in a bowl. Add a little spring water (just enough to make a paste). Use this paste to draw a tiny x on each of your windows and make a thin line on each of your thresholds. This will keep harmful spirits away from your home.