Smudging:
For Cleansing, Clearing, and Ceremony
Many religious and spiritual traditions practice the burning
of herbs for emotional, psychic, and spiritual purification.
Using a smudge stick is part of many American Indian traditions.
Smudging is a ritual way to cleanse a person, place or an object
of negative energies, spirits or influences.
The most common herb used is White Sage, this can be
in a blend with other herbs or by itself, you can use loose
leaf, bound smudge sticks or even a good quality incense stick,
it just depends on what feels right for you. You might want to
smudge when:
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You've been feeling depressed, angry, resentful.
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You've had an argument with someone.
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You're going to have a special ritual or ceremony.
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As part of a general spiritual housecleaning.
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To cleanse your crystals of any negative energy.
In Native societies the herbs used for smudging are
considered sacred. Treat your smudge stick with respect, and be
respectful about the act of smudging. Intent is also important
so fix into your mind what you wish to achieve.
For example, if you are feeling depressed visualize the smoke
carrying away all your feelings of depression. If there was an
argument imagine yourself and the person with whom you argued
being at peace with each other.
If you are cleansing your crystals prior to programming them
thank both them and the smudge stick for helping you to realize
your goals.
In smudging your room/house you may want to affirm that your
dwelling place is a temple for body/spirit.
Practical Notes
Smudge sticks are most easily lit from a candle flame or
lighter.
(Matches generally go out before the stick is lit). Once there's
a flame blow it out so that the smudge stick is smoldering, not
burning. The idea is to get curls of smoke, not to set the
smudge stick afire.
(Special note: Don't smudge while infants,
pregnant women, or people with respiratory diseases are in the
room.)
If you're smudging objects, such as crystals, you
can hold them in the smoke. If you're smudging a group of
crystals you can fan the smoke over them.
In smudging a room walk about the
perimeter, giving special attention to the corners and
the places behind doors. I like to wave the smudge stick
in a slow circle. You can also fan the smoke throughout
the room with a large feather. If doing your house
ensure all the rooms are smudged not just most of them. You
don't have to spend long in each room, I use a gentle walk with
an occasional pause in the bigger rooms.
If you're smudging yourself fan the smoke so that it
touches all parts of you. You may want to especially
focus on areas where you feel there are blockages or
where there has been or is physical, emotional, or
psychic pain.
If you're smudging someone else (a client for whom
you're doing healing work, for example) do the same.
Have a fireproof receptacle to put the smudge stick
in when you've finished, such as a shell or glass or
ceramic dish. It's ideal to put the stick out in sand,
if available; otherwise, press it against the bottom of
the receptacle. You can also use a SMALL amount of
water. |
