 | If you’re feeling stuck in life, feeling a tad negative, sluggish and lagging behind the eight ball, or even downright depressed, it may be due to some stagnant/negative energy that has attached to you or surrounds your field. Your field can include your emotional, energetic, mental, spiritual or physical body, and your environment—whether it’s your home, office, car, or other physical space. Stagnant or negative energy can have detrimental effects on not only your mental and physical state but that of your family and co-workers as well and is even believed to manifest into things like a lack of happiness and success in your life and business as well as physical/emotional pain and disease. |
Smudging or clearing with sage can help clear or remove this negativity, and help you start a brand new day much lighter and brighter. Smudging is an ancient ceremony in which you burn sacred plants that are often bound together with cotton or something similar. The most commonly used is sage, to allow the smoke to clear and bless a space or yourself.
Smudging can sound a bit intimidating to many people. It can also look j pretty unsafe or super complicated to be practiced often. Rest assured this is not true. Smudging is not complicated, not hard and totally safe when you follow several very simple and easy steps that even my children can do safely. What is important to keep in mind though, is that smudging is an ancient and sacred ceremony, so when you do give it a try, it is best to do it with full awareness and in a slow, mindful manner full of strong belief that what you are about to do is true, correct and for your highest good always with strong intent.
As even the happiest, bubbliest of homes accumulate in time negative energy, it is good to smudge your home thoroughly at least several times a year or whenever you get that gut hit that it's the right time. You can also smudge your car, any technology you use such as cell phones, computers and your office space (not during busy office hours!); as well as use smudging to clear your own energy or the energy of other people that cross your path frequently.
I will give you my simple instructions on how to do smudging, and then let you in on the most common concerns with smudging a house/office. You will also find here instructions on how to smudge yourself (or somebody else),
The most common smudging herbs.
SAGE - For driving out negativity and for healing, white sage is preferred.
The botanical name for sage is Salvia (e.g. Salvia officinalis, Garden Sage, or Salvia apiana, White Sage). It is interesting to note that Salvia comes from the Latin root salvare, which means "to heal" .
CEDAR - Drives out negative icky energy and brings in positive balanced influences.
Cedar is burned while praying or holding intent either aloud or silently. The prayers rise on the cedar smoke and are carried to your higher power (whoever that is for you personally). Cedar branches are brushed in the air to cleanse a home during the House Blessing Ceremony of many Northwest Indian nations. In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy, but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers.
Cedar is primarily considered a fire element, though it is often used for general, four-element purposes. It is known for its sharp, piney scent and is believed to aid clairvoyance, revive the tired mind, body, and spirit, and stimulate contact with other worlds. This one is one of my personal favorites for smudging my body as the smell is really nice.
SWEETGRASS - Sweetgrass is used for blessing after sage has been used. It brings in the good spirits and the good influences.
Sweetgrass is an important part of Sioux and Cherokee ceremonies. One of the most sacred plants for the Plains Indians, sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish base and perfume-like, musty odor. It grows mainly on the eastern side of the Rockies in Montana and adjacent Alberta, Canada. It also shows up in some small areas of Wyoming and South Dakota. Its botanical name is Hierochloe odorata. Some common names for it are Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. A nice smelling alternative to sage, however if you really want a good deep clearing definitely use sage first and then sweetgrass or use sweetgrass on you personally.
On the Plains, sweetgrass is usually braided together in bunches as a person's hair is braided, which is often how it looks when you are buying it from a store, although sometimes it is simply bunched and wrapped in cloth.. Either way, it is usually burned by shaving little bits over hot coals or lighting the end and waving it around, letting the smoke spread through the air. Elders teach that it is good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar has driven out the bad influences.
As with cedar, burn sweetgrass while praying or holding intent sends prayers up to your higher power (whatever that is for you personally) in the smoke. Sweetgrass is can also be put in pipe bundles and medicine bundles along with sage to purify and protect sacred objects.
MUGWORT - Mugwort is a variety of Sage (Artemisia vulgaris).
Mugwort is used to promote physical wellbeing, endurance and protection. This ancient herb can also encourage prophetic and happy dreams and act as an aid to astral travel.
Also, when you want to cleanse the atmosphere of your space and need something super-heavy-duty, beyond normal white sage smudging, Mugwort is indeed the herb to use.
Mugwort is perfect for anyone wishing to develop their conscious or lucid dreaming experience.
Smudging can sound a bit intimidating to many people. It can also look j pretty unsafe or super complicated to be practiced often. Rest assured this is not true. Smudging is not complicated, not hard and totally safe when you follow several very simple and easy steps that even my children can do safely. What is important to keep in mind though, is that smudging is an ancient and sacred ceremony, so when you do give it a try, it is best to do it with full awareness and in a slow, mindful manner full of strong belief that what you are about to do is true, correct and for your highest good always with strong intent.
As even the happiest, bubbliest of homes accumulate in time negative energy, it is good to smudge your home thoroughly at least several times a year or whenever you get that gut hit that it's the right time. You can also smudge your car, any technology you use such as cell phones, computers and your office space (not during busy office hours!); as well as use smudging to clear your own energy or the energy of other people that cross your path frequently.
I will give you my simple instructions on how to do smudging, and then let you in on the most common concerns with smudging a house/office. You will also find here instructions on how to smudge yourself (or somebody else),
The most common smudging herbs.
SAGE - For driving out negativity and for healing, white sage is preferred.
The botanical name for sage is Salvia (e.g. Salvia officinalis, Garden Sage, or Salvia apiana, White Sage). It is interesting to note that Salvia comes from the Latin root salvare, which means "to heal" .
CEDAR - Drives out negative icky energy and brings in positive balanced influences.
Cedar is burned while praying or holding intent either aloud or silently. The prayers rise on the cedar smoke and are carried to your higher power (whoever that is for you personally). Cedar branches are brushed in the air to cleanse a home during the House Blessing Ceremony of many Northwest Indian nations. In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy, but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers.
Cedar is primarily considered a fire element, though it is often used for general, four-element purposes. It is known for its sharp, piney scent and is believed to aid clairvoyance, revive the tired mind, body, and spirit, and stimulate contact with other worlds. This one is one of my personal favorites for smudging my body as the smell is really nice.
SWEETGRASS - Sweetgrass is used for blessing after sage has been used. It brings in the good spirits and the good influences.
Sweetgrass is an important part of Sioux and Cherokee ceremonies. One of the most sacred plants for the Plains Indians, sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish base and perfume-like, musty odor. It grows mainly on the eastern side of the Rockies in Montana and adjacent Alberta, Canada. It also shows up in some small areas of Wyoming and South Dakota. Its botanical name is Hierochloe odorata. Some common names for it are Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. A nice smelling alternative to sage, however if you really want a good deep clearing definitely use sage first and then sweetgrass or use sweetgrass on you personally.
On the Plains, sweetgrass is usually braided together in bunches as a person's hair is braided, which is often how it looks when you are buying it from a store, although sometimes it is simply bunched and wrapped in cloth.. Either way, it is usually burned by shaving little bits over hot coals or lighting the end and waving it around, letting the smoke spread through the air. Elders teach that it is good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar has driven out the bad influences.
As with cedar, burn sweetgrass while praying or holding intent sends prayers up to your higher power (whatever that is for you personally) in the smoke. Sweetgrass is can also be put in pipe bundles and medicine bundles along with sage to purify and protect sacred objects.
MUGWORT - Mugwort is a variety of Sage (Artemisia vulgaris).
Mugwort is used to promote physical wellbeing, endurance and protection. This ancient herb can also encourage prophetic and happy dreams and act as an aid to astral travel.
Also, when you want to cleanse the atmosphere of your space and need something super-heavy-duty, beyond normal white sage smudging, Mugwort is indeed the herb to use.
Mugwort is perfect for anyone wishing to develop their conscious or lucid dreaming experience.
What You Need
Clear your space of clutter and mess (a great time to salt your carpets and floors at the same time) and open up windows and curtains and allow for clean air to enter. Light your sage (or other herbs) on fire and then fan the smoke with your feather or slow clockwise circular motions around your body and anyone else in your space. Don't forget your pets, but respect their space, a little distance is fine when held with strong intent to clear their energy.
SMUDGING IN FIVE EASY STEPS
Clearing Your Body
Smudging is not only for spaces; it’s also for clearing your body, mind, and spirit of any negativity, stagnation, or energetic disturbances within or surrounding you. Make sure to invite the sacred smoke around your body from head to toe and front to back before smudging your space.
A Smudging Prayer for use on yourself -
May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things.
May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be.
May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly.
May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed.
May your eyes be cleansed, that you might see the signs and wonders of the world.
May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants.
And may that same smoke carry our prayers, spiraling, to the heavens.
Q: Do I really need to smudge my house to make myself and my family feel better?
A: Yes, it is always a good idea to smudge your house, as stagnant energy accumulates even before you were living in the house (past tenants owners don't always clear their energy before handing over the keys to the new owners. If smudging does not appeal to you at all, explore alternative ways to clear the energy it's worth it!
Q: How often do I need to smudge?
A: At least a few times a year (I tend to recommend to my clients to do it with each new season if they don't want to do it often OR when you change your tooth brush. Some people smudge every week while others might smudge less. Remember you can choose alternative ways to clear the energy, such as basic space clearing, using incense, etc.
Q: Can I make my very own smudge stick?
A: Absolutely you can! The herbs most commonly used in a smudge stick are sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and I often pop lavender in with mine because i love the smell. I often make my own little bundles with sage and lavender, and it works beautifully. You might choose to use a colorful string to hold the herbs together, I always use the color of the Chakra that i'd most love to bring balance to, but what you use is not really important as it will eventually burn anyway.
Q: Where can I buy smudge sticks?
A: You can buy sage smudge sticks in most new age bookstores, healing centers or crystal shops. You can also buy them online from many different sources.
- Sage or other sacred plants listed above. Sage represents the earth element and when burned, the smoke from it represents the air.
- Abalone shell. This is meant to hold and burn the plants. The shell represents the water element. And it's pretty not to mention practical.
- Matches or a lighter. These represent the fire element.
- Feather. This represents the air element. Although I tend to use my sage sticks in a circular, clockwise motion.
- Drum(s) or sacred drumming music, which represent the beat of the heart.
All though you could have all of these if you wanted to make it easier again all you need is a smudge stick, lighter and fireproof container.
Clear your space of clutter and mess (a great time to salt your carpets and floors at the same time) and open up windows and curtains and allow for clean air to enter. Light your sage (or other herbs) on fire and then fan the smoke with your feather or slow clockwise circular motions around your body and anyone else in your space. Don't forget your pets, but respect their space, a little distance is fine when held with strong intent to clear their energy.
SMUDGING IN FIVE EASY STEPS
- Place the candle/lighter/matches, the fireproof container, and the smudge stick on a table, desk or any other appropriate surface (I tend to use my fireplace because it's already fire-proofed in a way. It is best if you create a sense of ceremony when you smudge your house, as well as find time when you will not be disturbed; 10-15 min should be enough unless you have a really large house (don't forget the garage and car if you have time).
- Light the candle if you are using one and say a prayer or just focus your energy and set the intent of what you want to happen. Light the tip of your smudge stick with a candle light/lighter, then gently wave the stick in the air till the tip begins to smolder.
- Hold the smudge stick over the fireproof container at all times in order to avoid any lit herbs falling on the floor. You can use a feather if you have one, but usually just gently waving your hands to disperse the smoke is enough or rotating in a circular motion. Remind yourself to stay connected to your breathing throughout your smudging session staying present and calm (this is the energy you are manifesting into your house while removing the yucky, stuck energy.
- Stay connected to your breathing, keeping yourself calm as you smudge all areas in a clockwise motion around your house (usually starting at the front door), and gently wave the smoke into the air. Spend a bit more time smudging the room corners, as they tend to accumulate stagnant energy. Be sure to also open the closet doors and carefully smudge inside. Do not forget about spaces such as the attic, laundry room, the garage or the basement and cars.
- When you have smudged all areas of your house, come back to where you began and gently extinguish your smudge stick (dipping it into sand while applying a bit of pressure usually works well, it's best not to use water if at all possible). Wait a bit, then pack your smudge stick, as well as the container, till your next smudging session. You can leave the candle going, if you have used one, to continue to purify the energy.
Clearing Your Body
Smudging is not only for spaces; it’s also for clearing your body, mind, and spirit of any negativity, stagnation, or energetic disturbances within or surrounding you. Make sure to invite the sacred smoke around your body from head to toe and front to back before smudging your space.
A Smudging Prayer for use on yourself -
May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things.
May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be.
May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly.
May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed.
May your eyes be cleansed, that you might see the signs and wonders of the world.
May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants.
And may that same smoke carry our prayers, spiraling, to the heavens.
Q: Do I really need to smudge my house to make myself and my family feel better?
A: Yes, it is always a good idea to smudge your house, as stagnant energy accumulates even before you were living in the house (past tenants owners don't always clear their energy before handing over the keys to the new owners. If smudging does not appeal to you at all, explore alternative ways to clear the energy it's worth it!
Q: How often do I need to smudge?
A: At least a few times a year (I tend to recommend to my clients to do it with each new season if they don't want to do it often OR when you change your tooth brush. Some people smudge every week while others might smudge less. Remember you can choose alternative ways to clear the energy, such as basic space clearing, using incense, etc.
Q: Can I make my very own smudge stick?
A: Absolutely you can! The herbs most commonly used in a smudge stick are sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and I often pop lavender in with mine because i love the smell. I often make my own little bundles with sage and lavender, and it works beautifully. You might choose to use a colorful string to hold the herbs together, I always use the color of the Chakra that i'd most love to bring balance to, but what you use is not really important as it will eventually burn anyway.
Q: Where can I buy smudge sticks?
A: You can buy sage smudge sticks in most new age bookstores, healing centers or crystal shops. You can also buy them online from many different sources.
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