Smudge

Smudge

Smudging is a ritual that involves burning sacred herbs, such as sage, to purify a space, person, or object. This practice is used to cleanse negative energy, promote healing, and raise spiritual vibration. Smudging with sage has been a part of various indigenous cultures for centuries, used in rituals to connect with the spiritual realm and promote healing.

Why Use Sage in Smudging?

Sage is used in smudging for several reasons, primarily due to its purifying properties and spiritual significance. Sage, especially white sage, has antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay. This makes it a natural choice for cleansing spaces and objects.

Burning sage is important for spiritual cleansing, and is believed to clear out negative energy, past traumas, and bad experiences. This practice is rooted in Native American traditions and is used to create a positive environment for meditation, healing, and other spiritual activities.

Certain types of sage, like white prairie sage, contain compounds such as thujone, which are thought to enhance intuition and spiritual awareness.

How to use Smudge

The tradition of smudging is a sacred practice. Here we show you how you might wish to cleanse your home. To begin, you’ll need a smudge stick of either sage, palo santo, or sweetgrass, a lighter or matches, a fireproof container to catch ashes, and optionally, a feather or fan to help spread the smoke.

It’s important to set a clear intention for your smudging, such as cleansing the space of negative energy and filling it with positivity. Light the end of your smudge stick until it catches fire, then gently blow out the flame so it smolders and produces smoke.

Start at the front door of your house and move in a counter-clockwise direction (or clockwise, depending on your tradition) through each room. Use your hand, a feather, or a fan to direct the smoke into all corners, closets, and even inside cabinets, ensuring the smoke reaches every part of the room. As you move through each room, you can say a prayer or affirmation.

Keep windows and doors open to allow the negative energy to leave your home. Once you’ve finished, extinguish the smudge stick by pressing it into the fireproof container until it stops smoking.

Remember, be cautious with fire and keep a bowl of sand or water nearby to extinguish the smudge stick if needed. Remember to respect the tradition of smudging, as it is a sacred practice in many cultures.