Smudging to Cleanse, Bless & Purify

Smudging is a long-established spiritual practice. It is said to connect one with higher realms, clear spiritual and emotional negativity, and promote healing. It is believed that before a person can be healed or heal another, he or she must be cleansed physically and spiritually to remove all bad feelings and negative thoughts. Smudging helps clear dense energies from individuals, objects, dwellings and one’s surroundings.

Smudging involves using the smoke from burning herbs and/or frankincense (tree resin) to cleanse, bless and purify. For thousands of years, it has been an integral part of the ceremonial practices of indigenous cultures around the globe.

Traditionally, smudging incorporates the four basic elements: water, air, earth, and fire.

·         Water: A shell (often an abalone shell) for holding the herb represents water.

·         Air: The burning smoke and the feather used to fan the smoke represent air.

·         Earth: The unlit herbs represent Mother Earth.

·         Fire: The lit match (preferably a wooden match) used to light the herb represents fire. (Today, lit candles are sometimes included in a smudge ceremony.)

Common smudging plants are included on the medicine wheel. Cedar represent the South. White sage represents the West. Sweetgrass represents the North, and tobacco represents the East. In many indigenous rituals, smudges often include a four-direction ceremony.

Sacred Smudging Herbs

Tobacco: Deemed a sacred plant by Indigenous People, tobacco is believed to open the door to the spirit world.

Sage: The smoke from burning sage is used to heal and purify a person, space or object. It attracts positive energy and beauty. The common names for types of sage include garden sage, sacred sage, and white sage (a.k.a. California white sage).

Cedar: The smoke of burning cedar attracts welcomed spiritual energies and eliminates negative energies.

Sweetgrass: Often used for blessing spaces, the sweet vanilla-like scent of sweetgrass invites love from Mother Earth and positive energy.

Frankincense: Used to cleanse and protect the soul, burning this sweet-smelling tree resin is said to ease depression and promote clairvoyance.

Myrrh: The earthy scent of this tree resin promotes enlightenment, healing and deepens one’s connection to the earth.

Lemon Grass: The refreshing and energizing smell of burning lemongrass increases clarity and focus.

Lavender: Burning lavender smoke is believed to safeguard against dense energy and invite spiritual blessings.

Be Mindful: If you are performing a smudge indoors, make certain the smoke can escape by opening doors and/or windows. If smudging outdoors, be mindful of flammable items such as dry leaves and bushes.

Intention: Before beginning a smudge, set an intention. For example, you might thank the unlit herb and ask that its smoke invite in your spirit guides for protection, healing and/or enlightenment, and that the space be cleared of negative energy.

Smudging Bowl: Place a small amount of sage, cedar or sweetgrass in a shell (often an abalone shell) and ignite it. After extinguishing the flame, move about slowly and with intention as you fan the smoke with a feather (or your hand), around the space, object, person, or people to be cleansed and blessed.

Smudging Wand/Stick: Purchase or make a smudge stick (wand) by securing dried herbs into a bundle using string. Light one end of the bundled herbs. As you move about slowly and with intention, allow the smoke to flow around the space, object, person, or people to be cleansed and blessed.

Smudge Wands & Feathers: The turkey is sometimes referred to as a land eagle and is known as a giver. Turkey feathers represent gratitude, abundance and fertility, and are often used in smudge wands. In shamanic rituals, peacock feathers are used as an aid in healing as they are believed to have protective powers. Hawk and other feathers are also used in smudge wands.

 Blessings,
Hannelore

Excerpt from my book, The Magic of Energy (not yet published)