‘Smudging’, the art of using burning bundles of dried herbs, usually sage, is very common – particularly in the US.
Every day see a new beginner try smudging.
Most modern versions of this practice come from the rituals of Indigenous Americans, but the burning of herbs and incense for cleansing dates back thousands of years and is found all over the world.
Smudging for beginners is a great way to start your spiritual journey. It’s simple, straightforward, and very powerful.
Sage itself is an herb with a long history of use in magic and ritual.
Some sources suggest that the burning of sage is a practice dating back over four millennia, and we have written records from Ancient Greece and Rome that use Salvia officinalis for medicinal purposes.
According to 16th Century writer John Gerard, it “is singularly good for the head and brain, it quickeneth the senses and memory, strengtheneth the sinews [and] restoreth health”.
In Britain, it is regarded as one of the four ‘essential’ herbs along with Parsley, Rosemary, and Thyme – as in the song ‘Scarborough Fair’.
What is Smudging?
Smudging itself is an old ritual practice of the Indigenous people of the North American continent used to cleanse homes and sacred spaces of negative energy.
It serves the dual purpose of both cleansing and ‘sanctifying’ – preparing a space for sacred purposes.
In the modern-day, smudging is also viewed as a way to raise positive energy by banishing the negative energies of a space.
Sage itself is a natural antimicrobial and has been used as a mild disinfectant on a physical as well as spiritual level throughout history.
Smudging does not have to be done with sage, although bundles of dried white sage are most common, particularly in North America.
You can also smudge with other herbs and resins, or even a combination of the two.
Cedar, sweetgrass, and rosemary are sometimes used in place of – or in combination with – sage.
Supplies Needed for Smudging
The only absolute essential you will need is the smudge stick itself – and something to light it with.
In the Indigenous American tradition, you would have a sacred bundle that also contained an eagle feather and an abalone shell.
However, with both eagles and abalone in sharp decline worldwide, many people prefer to substitute a bowl made of clay or copper for the shell and large feather or bundle of feathers from a more common bird – or one with a special meaning to them.
A fan will also work for this.
For safety reasons, it is important that your shell or bowl be able to contain your burning smudge, either for burning completely or to extinguish the embers.
Some choose to line the container with earth or sand to both put out the smudge and to ground any lingering energies at the end of the process.
The Smudging Process For Beginners
Step 1: Preparation
Begin by opening doors and windows in the space you are cleansing, including cupboards and storage spaces.
This is important on a physical and spiritual level as it both prevents a build-up of smoke and allows negative energies to escape or be forced out by the process.
Collect your materials and lay them out deliberately.
Where possible you should aim to avoid lighting your smudge from a lighter or matches, so having a small candle pre-lit, or lighting one is a good starting point as a ritual act.
Step 2: Intention
Not everybody sets an intention when smudging since the process itself is already intentional.
However, should you want to focus your mind on the task at hand, setting an intention or saying a small prayer can be a good way of elevating your mind to a higher state while staying present in the act of cleansing.
If you do choose to set an intention, this should always be phrased in a positive way – “Let this place be cleansed” is much better than “Get rid of negative energy”.
Step 3: Ignition
Hold your smudge stick over your fire-proof shell or bowl.
Using you candle (or other fire lighting source), set fire to the end of the stick furthest from your hand.
Let the fire kindle the whole end of the stick. Blow out the flame gently, leaving the embers glowing.
The stick will now start to release a cloud of smoke that will start to move on the air currents in your room.
Step 4: Dispersal
Start by wafting some of the smoke towards you with your feathers or fan to first anoint yourself.
Removing the negative energies from around yourself should always be a first step towards cleansing a space.
Move around the space you want to cleanse, if it is a single room or a whole building, take your time to wave the smoke into corners and dark places where negativity might linger.
Many prefer to move clockwise around a room for the positive intentions this creates…
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