What is Smudging?
Smudging is a traditionally method used for spiritual cleansing and purification. The tradition rises from the Native Americans, and is a ritualistic way to cleanse a person, place, or object of negative energies.
Smudging a way to energetically cleanse a space to invite positive energy. When smudging a space, you burn plant material. The smoke fills and purifies the environment.
My personal go-to is Palo Santo which is a wood from South America. I find that it has a sweet, bright, and comforting energy that’s perfect for everyday use.
Smudge sticks can be used for cleansing of the aura, for example before meditation or prayer, or they are quite often used before meditation or many holistic therapists before treatments. Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition. Burning sage or smudge can lift one’s mood it could also be a great ally against stress.
The practice of burning smudging is fairly simple, a seashell or bowl, or glass to hold burning sage or capture ash, you then use the feather for fanning the smoke.
White sage is probably the most common and popular herb for smudging. It is associated with purity and has a strong and heavy presence. It's definitely useful for when you need a major space cleansing.
As the smoke ascends, our wishes and intentions rise and mingle into the universe, connecting heaven, earth, and humanity.
The practice of burning sage is sacred in many communities and deserves our respect. The ancient practice of burning dried sage for cleansing has roots in Native American tradition. Shamans burned sage over a fire to cleanse people of negativity and promote healing, wisdom, and longevity. It's something we should always be doing with intention, reverence, and deep gratitude to those who did it before us.
Smoke offerings are also found in Buddhism and many other spiritual religions. The smoke ceremony creates transformation and blesses a space and the inhabitants.
Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, take time to gather your materials. The mindfulness of a smoke ritual begins when you collect your supplies, so practice this with ease and care. Do your best to slow down and not rush through this first step.
Keep the ritual materials sacred by using them only for space clearing. You can store your other materials on your shrine or altar.
First and foremost, ensure you have all the above-mentioned tools handy and that you've opened a door or window before lighting up. After all, that negativity (not to mention smoke) needs to have a pathway to get out. Once you're ready, hold the sage or other sacred herbs of your choice at a 45-degree angle, light it using your match or candle, and let it burn for about 20 seconds. After that, gently blow out the flame so you see orange embers on one end.
The smoke should now billow up. Blow out quickly if it catches on fire. The tips of the leaves should smolder slowly, releasing thick smoke. Direct this smoke around your body and space with one hand while holding the bundle in the other.
Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on. Using a fan or feather can also help direct the smoke, though this is optional.
Allow the ash to collect in a sea shell or bowl.
Slowly walk around your space and allow the smoke to waft around. Guide the smoke—and the bad energy—toward the open windows or a door, so it can escape. "Give special attention to areas in front of mirrors, in corners, and in spaces like foyers, hallways, and doorways.
Smudge your home or living space
In this instance, direct sage smoke over all surfaces and spaces in your home or living area. Be thorough.
Some recommended working in a clockwise direction around your home, ending back where you started, especially for spiritual purposes. Others recommend counterclockwise.
Do what feels best for your situation and follow your intuition.
Smudge an object
Direct smoke around and over the object of your choice.
This can be done to a new item, such as jewellery, furniture, or clothing, to protect or dispel it of negative energy. Items related to negative experiences or memories may also be smudged.
Some people burn sage over special objects, to acknowledge the object with sacred meaning.
Candle and Matches
It’s recommended to have a candle nearby to relight the smudge stick during the smudging ceremony. Matches or a lighter is used to light the candle. I refer using a match to light the candle and you will light the smudge stick with the candle flame.
Fireproof Container
It's useful to have a fireproof container, like a small clay bowl, to hold underneath the smudge stick to catch any ashes or embers. Indigenous peoples often use an abalone shell for this which is my favourite too, bringing in a water element.
you can also use a container (bowl or plate) that you love and only use it for smudging ceremonies.
Bowl of Sand
A bowl of sand is a must. It is used to properly extinguish the smudge stick safely after the ritual is complete.
Before You Begin the Smudging Ceremony
Allow enough space and time for the ritual so you don’t feel rushed. If possible, meditate for at least five minutes to calm your mind and heart.
If anyone else is present during this smudging ceremony, you can include them in the ritual. Prepare some other space clearing tools that they can use while you are smudging. For instance they can work with sound like a drum or rattle or even ring bells.
You would also need some feathers to fane the smoke and keep the smudge stick burning.
Remember when performing a space clearing, intention is key. Before you start, take some time to contemplate what your wishes are for your home and family. When you clear your house, there’s a vacuum that’s created. You want to welcome your intentions into the newly cleared and open space.
Smudging the Space
Now that you have all your tools and preparations in place, you can begin the smudging ritual.
Mantras you can use while Smudging Yourself Or Your Home.
I cleanse my home of any heaviness and negativity.
I release all energies that do not serve me.
I live in harmony of mind, body, and spirit and I only invite good energy in.
I am grateful for health, abundance, and happiness.
I release conditioned patterns, and trust the Universe and my intuition to guide me.
Start at the front door of the home and light your smudge stick. Then, begin to move around the home. Move mindfully and with care, walking clockwise around the entire perimeter of the home. Be sure to allow the smoke to drift into even the hidden spaces, like inside closets, basements and dark corners. If there are stairs, just go up or down when you encounter them. Then keep moving clockwise until you meet the stairs again. Then continue to go down or up the stairs and resume the main floor.
Closing the Ceremony
When you arrive back at the front door, chant your final mantra or prayer. Visualise the entire home is filled with bright white sunlight. Then speak your intention one last time to close the smudging ceremony.
What to do after a smudge
Make sure your smudge stick is completely extinguished. You can do this by dabbing the lit end into a small bowl of ash or sand.
Check the end closely to make sure there are no more embers burning. Once it’s completely put out, store it in a safe, dry place out of the sun.
Smudging rituals are a beautiful technique to clear a space. This can be done as often you like. If someone has had an arguments it is good to smudge the space afterwards to clear the negatives in air.
Smudging Is especially powerful to perform a space clearing when you first move into a home, or on the full Moon.
With our large complete Beginner's Smudge Kit you will receive:
10 cm smudge stick Salvia mellifera, mugwort.
Salvia Mellifera, also known as black sage, is a well-known and widely used product among indigenous people of Central America, also known as the Natives, especially in shamanism. It is part of the purification ceremonies where these spicy plants are smoldered and their holy smoke is released. It stimulates the gain of visions and expels negative energy as well as bad entities. Scientific research has even shown that 94% of the bacteria in the room have been broken down after burning this herb.
Black sage is a purification method that also changes your state of consciousness. It is produced from the Artemisia vulgaris plant, which grows on the coast of Mexico and California.
Sage has a sharp, very pungent smell, to be described as spicy. Not everyone experiences this smell as pleasant. It is therefore more functional than a pleasant home fragrance.
Sheafed black sage
When the leaves are dry, they can be burned. This is bound black sage with a length of 10 cm. In this way it is easy to ignite. As soon as the top of the beam is lit you can wave it with a feather and spread the sacred smoke over objects, people and in all corners of a room.
White sage and sweet grams 10cm smudge stick
Sweetgrass attracts abundance, positive energy and protection.
White sage for example is used to get rid of negative influences, by burning the plant. During this process a sharp spicy aroma is released. It’s stronger than its counterpart Palo Santo, although sage is used more often. The original Latin name of this power plant is Salvia Apiana and it grows 100% naturally.
Sheafed copal 10 cm smudge stick
Copal Smudge is also called nectar for the gods. She triggers the heart to open herself to light and love. It’s a well-known and widely used product among indigenous people of Central America, also known as the Natives, especially in shamanism. It is part of the purification ceremonies where these spicy plants are smoldered and their holy smoke is released. It stimulates the gain of visions and expels negative energy as well as bad entities.
Copal is a product from Mexico and with its sharp fresh citrus-like scent looks very like Frankincense. This is a good choice for anyone who does energetic, purification or healing work. When the leaves are dry, they can be burned. This involves tied copal sage with a length of 10 cm. In this way it is easy to ignite. As soon as the top of the beam is lit you can wave it with a feather and spread the sacred smoke over objects, people and in all corners of a room. The copal is bound together by a 100% cotton cord.
A small Notebook with Leather Cover, closed with buckle.
Beautiful decorations on the cover add charm and make each each Notebook has its own unique style.
The product can be used as a notebook, write down you dreams or keep it as diary. It is easy to carry, you can take it in your bag or keep it by your bed.
Abalone Shell Smudging Bowl.
The shells have been carefully selected for size with a natural drainage holes, hand polished and varnished to bring out the natural beauty of the mother of pearl.
Selenite crystal
Selenite provides for clarity of the mind, expanding ones awareness of the self and of ones surroundings. It opens the crown and higher crown chakras and accesses angelic consciousness and higher guidance. It can be used to access past lives as well as future lives. Selenite is a calming stone that instils deep peace and is excellent for meditation or spiritual work. It assists judgement and insight. It clears confusion and aids in seeing the deeper picture.
Forage Pigeon feathers for fanning the smoke from the smudge stick
40cl soy wax candle
How to use your kit.
Light your smudge stick over your Abalone bowl using your candle while holding your smudge stick over the bowl, lightly blow on the flame until it goes out. Be very careful so that no embers can goes elsewhere. The smudge stick will then smoke gently like incense. Remember that it's the smoke that does the work and so the stick does not have to remain lit.
Some people like to wait 20-30 minutes to allow the sacred smoke to reach maximum potency. Then, open any windows and your front door to let all of that stuck energy out
You can also set your intention whilst sitting calmly for several minutes and then light the smudge stick at the thicker end with the Abalone Shell alongside to catch embers.
They are often quite difficult to light so you may need a few attempts. Blow on the embers to generate the smoke and then using the feather , waft the smoke into all areas of your home, starting on the ground floor, paying attention to corners and doorways whilst repeating your intention. The same process applies for cleansing your selenite crystal by passing the smoke over it whilst repeating your intention. Once complete extinguish the stick in the abalone shell to enable reuse.
How to smudge? Using the feather, spread the smoke all around yourself first, then over what it is you are cleansing. Next, walk about the area, person or object you are smudging, fanning the smoke. This clears negativity, cleanses, focuses and purifies that which is being smudged. Quick short movements with the feather breaks up blocked or stagnant energy, long flowing movements smooth out energy, creating a calm, balanced and harmonious energy flow.
All items in our smudge kit are real and natural products. Therefore please understand that variations are to be expected
There are many different plant materials you can use for smudging. Some common ones are: White sage, mugwort, cedar, sweet grass, and Palo Santo.
Note: The information and items presented and sold here are strictly for educational, recreational, and spiritual use. Items are sold as curios, and I DO NOT guarantee any effective outcome for legal, financial, health, love or any other advice.