Smudging is an age-old Native American tradition that was performed by indigenous people by burning white sage or desert sage for blessing and space clearing. In Modern times sage smudging is used for various purposes and is combined with other dried herbs or plant.
How does Smudging work?
Smudging is a very ancient practice of burning sage for cleansing and purifying the space along with other dried herbs or dried plants.
The dense smoke from these sacred herbs lifts in the air fills and purifies the environment, absorbing and taking any negative ions along with it and leaving behind positive energy.
What are the benefits of Smudging?
The benefits of smudging are numerous. Smudging when done on a regular basis helps lift the energy of space and raise your vibrations too. When the vibrations around you are high you naturally feel more positive and motivated.
Smudging helps create an atmosphere of protection, positivity, and happiness. When the atmosphere is positive there is harmony in relationships.
Smudging helps create a soothing and calming ambience aiding in a relaxed mind and restful sleep.
Ways you can use Smudging
Smudging to cleanse your Aura
Smudging helps in the spiritual cleansing and purification of your aura and the space around you.
To perform a smudging ceremony for aura cleansing, light the bundle of sacred sage or a smudge stick and pass the smoke gently over each and every part of your body in a slow swiping motion to let the smoke absorb any unwanted energy and negativity and push it away from your energy field.
Smudging to clear negative energy
The primary objective of smudging is to purify the space from any unwanted negative energy. As the smoke from dried herbs ascends it pulls low vibration energy with it from the space and rises with it clearing the energy of the space below.
Smudging to cleanse Crystals
Smudging is the traditional way of cleansing crystals. The smoke of sacred herbs such as sage, cedar, frankincense, sandalwood, or Palo Santo is used to gently rid the crystal of accumulated unwanted energies.
Smudging to ground yourself
You can do smudging prior to meditation practice for space clearing and to ground and center yourself. Smudging helps you connect with the mother earth energy and the source.
How to do Smudging?
You can use a Smudge bundle or incense sticks and cones to do smudging.
Traditionally, people use an abalone shell to hold the sage or burning herbs and then use a feather to fan and spread the sage smoke around the space once it starts burning.
Steps to perform sage smudging ritual
- Light one end of your sage bundle or sage stick, till it catches fire, and let it burn for few seconds. Extinguish the flame and gently blow on the lit end to fan the embers till dense smoke starts coming out.
- Lay the smudge stick or bundle on a smudge bowl or any fireproof bowl, such as an abalone shell, to catch the ashes as it burns.
- Spread the smoke over and around yourself and your space using a large feather or just your fingers.
- As the smoke rises into the air imagine it taking all negative energy away with it. Then imagine the smoke cleansing any illness or injury. Letting your space be blessed with positive healing energy.
- You can say smudging ritual prayer or chant affirmations.
- Continue to guide the smoke over yourself and around your space till you feel the energy.
- When finished, extinguish your smudge or leave it in a safe place to burn out on its own.
Popular Smudging Herbs
Different plants carry different healing properties and benefits, so if you are performing the smudging ceremony for a specific purpose, you should select the right herbs that resonate with your purpose.
White Sage
White sage is the traditional sacred plant used for smudging. It is associated with purity and healing. Sage stick/sage bundle is used for meditation, cleansing, and purification.
Burning sage also has antimicrobial properties which help keep infectious bacteria and viruses away.
Palo Santo
Palo Santo is known as “Holy Wood” and has been used by shamans for centuries for deep healing and clearing energy
Lavender
The dried flower buds of lavender release a light, refreshing scent when burned. Lavender is known to be a calming soothing herb and used to bring peace, restful sleep, and happiness. Lavender can be burned to combat insomnia, depression, grief, sorrow, and anxiety.
Rose
This warm aromatic flower is traditionally associated with attracting love, conferring peace, stimulating sexual appetites, and enhancing beauty.
Cedar
Cedar is known as a powerful herb for enhancing psychic powers as well as removing any fears and negativity.
Juniper
Juniper has a sharp, piney scent which works as excellent rejuvenation for tired body, mind, or Spirit.
Myrrh
This resin is known for spirituality, meditation, enlightenment, healing, and grounding.
Frankincense
Frankincense is used extensively in meditation, healing, and divine practices.
Rosemary
Rosemary is known to remove negative energy from space and encourage a sense of peace within you and the environment.
Sweetgrass
Sweet grass is used for healing, peace, and spirituality by many Native people of indigenous culture.
Chamomile
Chamomile herb is used for protection and purification as well as happiness and comfort.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is known to have a sharp energizing scent that refreshes the mind and encourages Clarity and Focus to boost creativity.
Where to find Smudging Herbs?
Smudge stick, bundles, and smudging kits are available in spiritual shops and online stores. Incense cones and sticks are widely available in common stores and supermarkets.
Other Cleansing tools you can use with Smudging
Singing Bowls
Tibetan singing bowls are used in meditation for deep relaxation and also to clear the space of any negative energy and restore a state of balance and positivity. You can use the healing sound of these bowls to cleanse your aura and ground your energy.
Crystals
High Vibration crystals such as Clear Quartz, Selenite, and Smoky Quartz are popularly known as cleansing crystals and used for keeping negative energy away and raising vibrations of the space.
Himalayan Salt
Salt is known to be a natural cleanser. Himalayan salt or Pink Salt is popularly used in ritual baths for cleansing and purification. Placing salt crystals at home entrances helps absorb any negative energy from entering the space.
Final Thoughts
Make sure to include smudging in your daily spiritual practice to release any stagnant energy and make your home your sacred space filled with positive welcoming vibes. Check out our space for other such healing practices.
Like many people, I began to search for answers to the deep questions of life, and the meaning of existence.
I sought out answers to “Who am I,” “Why am I here,” and “What was I sent to do?” The answer I found, and continue to find, can be summed up in 2 words: LOVE and LIGHT.
There is love in everything and everyone, and each of us is here to share that love with the world.
I am a spiritual healer and intuitive who has been using my healing gifts to help others.