- Sage to clear negative energy (use first)
- Sweet grass to infuse positive energy (optional but use second)
The ritual of smudging can be defined as “spiritual house cleaning.” In theory, the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as the smoke clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space where it will be regenerated into positive energy.
Smudging is the common name given to the sacred smoke bowl blessing.
Saging is a powerful cleansing technique from the Native North American Tradition. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies and restore balance. It is the art of cleansing yourself and your environment using simple ritual and ceremony.
THE POWER OF SMUDGING
Smudging is a very powerful form of energy clearing. Quantum Physics explains that we, our possessions and homes are not just made of purely physical matter. Everything is alive and vibrating with quiet, invisible energy.
Cleansing a space with smudging clears away the emotional and psychic ‘energy debris’ that tends to collect. It is a like spiritual spring cleaning.
The effects of smudging can be surprisingly swift and dramatic. The ritual can help banish stress, attract love, sooth, or give you energy. Smudging can bring people and families closer together and adjust to new environments and seasonal rhythms. It can turn any space into a calm and peaceful sanctuary.
ANCIENT TRADITION
Early civilizations used smudging probably through sheer trial and error. Realizing that smoke generated by particular herbs had beneficial effects on humans. Many cultures have a tradition of driving animals through smoke to kill off pests and diseases. Nowadays modern science has proven that certain herbs do indeed have cleansing powers, acting as strong pesticides.
The idea of purification through smoke is certainly not the sole preserve of the Native North Americans.
Most rituals have some element of cleansing, and incense or herbal smoke mixtures that are burned. Around the world – from China, India, and Southeast Asia, to Europe and the Western world- many countries have used some form of smoke or smudging for ritual and clearing.
NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION
The herbs most often used in smudge sticks are sage and sweet grass. Sage drives out negative thoughts, energies, spirits, and all influences. Sweet grass is used to attract positive energy after all the negative energies have been banished by sage.
HOW TO SMUDGE
A stone or clay/ceramic bowl (or abalone shell) is the common Native American vessel to use for holding the sage. However, any small, flat, heat-proof (aluminum) container will do.
Leave the sage as is, tied with the string in the bundle. Light the sage and let it flame for a minute or so. Extinguish the flame so the sage is smoldering and smoking.
Take the smudge container and using circular clockwise movements, encircle yourself with the smoke. The Native American custom is to use a very large feather from a poultry bird, such as a turkey. Using the feather, fan the smoke all around the room going around windows and doorways. Try not to use your bare hand as the negative energy will stick to it. Ask for all negativity to be released even if it’s quietly in your mind, open some windows and doors to allow the smoke to leave.
To do your house; start at the most northerly room and work clockwise, through your home, let the smoke from the sage permeate throughout. Try and finish off the smudging process by ending up at an open door. You should have come full circle around your home. Circles are very important in Native American tradition as well as Chinese Feng Shui.
Note: it usually never sets off smoke alarms, but prepared to disconnect it during your smudging and be SURE to re-engage it upon completion of your smudging.
Say a little prayer over and over while smudging, asking the ‘powers that be’ (Spirit of the sage) to remove all negativity and unwanted energies.
IT WORKS!!!!…when first doing this, you may find yourself feeling agitated or uneasy and not sure why. It is because you are ‘clearing’ with the help of the smudging. This would indicate that there are a lot of ‘negative’ energies in your environment. There is no set number of times to smudge. You will find your own feel for how often or if you might need to do it more than once. You may have to do it many times.
Enjoy your new found source of clearing yourself and your environment!
OTHER FORMS OF CLEARING
- Frankincense and Myrrh cones using a (brass cone burner) or incense
- Nag Champa or Sandalwood Incense
- Smudge is a very easy and effective way of clearing energy. Especially for health workers who need to clear a room after every patient.
- Rose Water spray is associated with Goddess and Feminine Energy; it brings a sweet and calming atmosphere. Roses carry the highest of the flower vibrations.
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