The Ancient Art of Smudging
The art of smudging goes as far back as documented human history. From the burnt offerings of the Old Testament and exotic incenses of the ancient temples the practice of burning sacred herbs, woods, flowers, and resins spans history far and wide. The practice we commonly refer to as smudging comes from Native American traditions where bundles of plants and herbs are burned in ceremony to invoke the presence of Spirit and enhance various intentions.
The most traditional form of smudge is the use of white sage which is used for purposes such as cleansing, protection and purification. Other herbs are used as well and carry a variety of intentions. When smudging it’s important to keep in mind the purpose of your ceremony and select the appropriate plant or herb to enhance those intentions.
Smudging Methods
The actual act of smudging varies with purpose. It’s important to always use a heat resistant surface as it is very easy to burn a table surface or melt through an inappropriately used vessel. Shells are commonly used as a smudging container but other beautiful decorative metal or stone containers can easily be found in retail stores and online.
When smudging, it is common to simply light the end of the stick and allow the smoke to fill the area. When cleansing the body and aura the stick can be gently waved over the surface of the body allowing the smoke to roll over the body and mingle with the aura. Some smudges, when used in meditation have been known to be lit and inhaled for their affects the consciousness. It’s highly important to beware and take into consideration possible allergies, side effects or breathing conditions when considering methods such as these.
When doing a thorough cleansing of a larger area such as a home, office or other area one would typically start at the area farthest from the most commonly used entrance. Using a hand, feather, a fan or your breath to move the smoke around the area filling every corner, high and low, making sure to fill the space, cleansing all negativity or unwanted energies. When banishing these unwanted energy form a space you will move around the room in a counterclockwise fashion. Repeat this motion in each room as you grow closer to the main entrance/exit where you will then send all of the negativity out of the home or building.
Similar to banishing, when drawing in energies or blessings you will work this pattern in reverse in a clockwise motion, winding up the energy. Rather than working from the farthest area from the entrance you will begin at the entrance and work your way through the home bringing in the intended energies and filling your space with purpose and intention. Often with this process one will use a prayer that compliments the purpose of the ceremony.
It is also possible to cleanse and purify objects with smudging. Smudging not only cleanses and purifies the air of airborne bacteria and pathogens but it cleanses the surface of objects unwanted bacteria as well reducing the spread of illness. It cleanses negative energy from tools and belongings or energies from previous ownership or surroundings. This is done easily by waving the item in the smoke allowing it to cover all surfaces or by taking the stick or container of loose burning herbs across larger items and allowing the smoke to cover the item being cleansed. Commonly smudged items might be:
- Crystals
- Divinary & magical tools
- Money
- Pre-owned items such as garage sale and thrift store finds
- Jewelry or other items you may want to charge with an intention
The potential is endless.
In all of these practices it’s important to keep a close eye on the ashes and keep a container underneath the burning stick at all times as falling ash are a dangerous hazard.
Smudging Materials
Herbs
White Sage
Cleansing, purification, protection, banishing negative energy and malevolent spirits.
Blue Sage
Known as grandmother sage, blue sage is used for cleansing, purification, banishing negative energy and malevolent spirits, strength, emotional balancing and healing.
Black Sage (Mugwort)
Beneficial in divination, dream work and lucid dreaming, insomnia, meditation, astral travel, visions and psychic abilities. Stimulates the third eye chakra.
Desert Sage
Used in blessings, cleansings and to heal the mind, body and spirit.
Lavender
Relaxations and releasing anxiety, peace of mind, happiness, sleep and reducing negativity.
Rosemary
Super high vibrational herb raises your own vibration, is soothing, peace bringing, encouraging, cleansing, purifying and consecrating.
Yerba Santa
Protect, purify, brings courage, enhances psychic abilities, love and peace, meditation, banishing and creating boundaries.
Eucalyptus
Decongestant, protection, health, energizing and purification.
Sweetgrass
Purification, healing, attracting good spirits and ancestors, positivity, blessings and celebration and used in lifting prayers to god.
Lilac
Soothing, relaxation, grounding.
Ginger
Protection and cleansing
Calendula
Purification and consecration
Catnip
Love, beauty, harmony, healing and peace within the home.
Lemongrass
Purifying and cleansing, provides clarity and understanding and brings an uplifted spirit.
Bay
Wishes, manifestation, uplifting, protection, healing, calming, success, anxiety, cleansing and purification.
Basil
Happiness, mental stability and peace within the sacred space.
Peppermint
Refreshing, soothing, promotes relaxation.
Chamomile
Happiness, comfort, peace of mind, relaxation, soothing energies.
Thyme
Removes obstacles and mental blockages, negative feelings and enhances the memory.
Dill
Protection and luck.
Dandelion
Divination and spirit connections.
Amaranth
Dissolves blockages, aids in healing and provided comfort to our sacred spaces.
Aspen
Protection, aids in managing stress and anxiety.
Evergreens
Cedar
Banishing, protection, grounding, healing, longevity and healing.
Juniper
Masculine energy, luck, protection, longevity, balance, meditation and cleansing the soul.
Pine
Healing, prosperity, confidence, protection and nurturing.
Blue Spruce
Cleansing, serenity, healing and blessings.
Woods
Palo Santo
Cleanse, sanctify, purify, combats negativity and promotes healing.
Sandalwood
Cleansing, soothing and grounding. Brings love, blessings and protection. Aids in meditation, astral travel, psychic abilities
Cinnamon
Cleansing energy. Brings abundance, prosperity, harmony, health and luck.
Clove
Banish hostility and negativity, enhances psychic ability, it amplifies personal vibrations and the aura.
Allspice
Attracting positivity, determination, strength, uplifting energies.
Resins
Frankincense
Cleansing, protection, clarity, harmony, positivity, release anxiety and depression. Masculine energy,
Myrrh
Feminine energy, enlightenment, intuition, psychic abilities, necromancy, nurturing and healing.
Copal
Attracts good spirits and ancestors, psychic abilities, divination and consecration
Benzoin
Purification, blessings and prosperity.
Amber
Blessings, love, purification, immortality and healing
Dragons Blood
Protection, clarity, enhancing sexuality and cleansing
Other commonly used items for cleansing
Selenite
A high vibrational stone cleanses and neutralizes negative energy.
Can be placed around the home, carried on the person or used in meditation.
Florida water
A high grade alcohol infused with the essence of a multitude of different flowers.
Cleanses negative energy, purifies the aura, cleanses the area of negative spirits.
Can be used as a spray, to anoint or if often added to cleaning solutions to cleanse an area of negativity during the cleaning process.
Has a very pleasant aroma.