Smudging

Historically smudging has been used by indigenous people for centuries for multiple reasons.  These days there are non-indigenous people who use smudging mainly for cleansing and clearing. 

Smudging is the practice of burning dried herbs, incense or dried wood and using the smoke to either cleanse a space, people, or objects.  The idea behind smudging is to use the smudging smoke to transform stagnant energy of objects, people or space into an uplifting positive vibration.   

Smoke cleansing is also traditionally used to connect with the energy of the creator and gain spiritual understanding, protection, and blessings.  Different herbs and woods are used throughout the world to smudge. A person can smudge themselves, or someone can smudge you by fanning the smoke over others using a feather or hand. 

Apart from clearing vibrational energy smudging is also a great way to purify your home or space. Smudging with dried herbs like sage can clear the air of bacteria and viruses too. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94% of airborne bacteria and disinfect the air at the same time.  

Therefore it’s a great idea to include this practice in your general house cleaning routine. Sage is a member of the mint family and is an aromatic herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat viral infections. The antiviral properties of sage are mostly attributed to compounds called safficinolide which are both found in the leaves and stem of the plant. 

The most popular herb to use when smudging is White sage. This is traditionally used by American Indians. Other herbs like juniper, rosemary, Palo Santo, black sage (mugwort) and lavender can be used and even resins like frankincense and myrrh can be used.  

Sage smoke has amazing vibrational properties and rapidly clears negative ions in the air. Other herbs and woods like Palo Santo and Mugwort work just as well.   Depending on the scent you prefer you can mix or alternate which herbs you use.  The herbs will all burn differently and will have different frequencies that they vibrate to.  Different herb mixes can attract different energies.  For example burning Rose petal will attract love and burning mint will develop an uplifting mood.  

When smudging it is important to know that energy around us is constantly flowing and therefore never the same from one moment to the next. Therefore, there are many factors to take into consideration when deciding if you should smudge. For example, we may have a bad day or encounter someone who may be vibrating low for various reasons like stress, fear and grief.  These emotions can affect us and the energy around us and you may want to clear them by smudging. 

After smudging it is important to remember to build positive energy in that space otherwise constant smudging can leave an area feeling depleted and out of balance. Using different herbs, uplifting music, affirmations, prayers, or aromatherapy can help with this. 

People with epilepsy, asthma or other respiratory conditions may be sensitive to the smoke and may possibly have adverse reactions. Care needs to be taken if smudging in a home where people can have adverse reactions.  When smudging always leave a window open for the air to cycle through and clear itself as inhaling to much smoke can be hazardous to healthy people. 

If you smudge for only a short period of time it is unlikely to cause problems but if you have epilepsy, asthma or lung issues, please check with your doctor beforehand. If lung issues are a concern you can clear space with aromatherapy and flower essence mixes but people with epilepsy may still be effected by essential oils.  

How to Smudge

1.  Make sure you have a heat proof container on hand to hold the herb/wood or to catch the ashes as they fall when smoldering begins.

2. Open at least 1 door or window before beginning. This helps release any negative energy and cycles the air so new clean air enters your space.

3.  Have a feather, flower, or fan ready to use to help push the smoke to where you want it to go. 

4.  When you are ready light up the herb stick or wood. You don’t need to go overboard and have a huge flame. Just light it enough to create a small flame. Then blow out the flame and let the smoke begin to move through the room. If the smoldering stops re-light, blow out the flame and continue with the process from the place you left off. 

5.  Walk through the room moving in a clockwise direction. Being in the southern hemisphere I believe that here we need to move in a clockwise direction. In the northern hemisphere move in an anticlockwise direction. 

6.  Smoke all areas of the room including wardrobes, cupboards and ensure the smoke moves into the corners of the room before moving onto the next room.  Again, moving through each area of the home in a clockwise direction.

7.  While smudging you can repeat an affirmation, mantra or a prayer holding the intention of what you want to occur. For example, “cleanse my space and create a happy calm home”. This will help to manifest for a positive loving space. 

8.  When you are finished you can damp the herb or press out the herb or wood to snuff the smoke out in a heatproof container. Ensure you do not place the smudge stick in a place it can catch alight and always keep fire safety in mind when you smudge. 

9.  As you are smudging take relax and breath normally and feel the weight around you lift away. 

    If you are not sensitive spiritually you should still feel relaxed and calm after smudging. 

Smudging is an easy way to clear energy from your physical or personal space, but the same results can be achieved with the Protection room spray found available to purchase on this website.  This spray contains containing essential oil, crystal essences and flowers essences that are used specifically for clearing and protection.  .