HOW TO SMUDGE YOUR SPACE TO INVITE POSITIVE ENERGY

It’s always a divine time to start a smudging ritual.

Lighting sage, also known as smudging, is a traditional Native American method of burning particular herbs & wood to create a smoke cloud that purifies a specific space. This ceremony can be done with Palo Santo sticks, loose herbs & an abalone shell, or with herbs bound together, in a smudge stick. The herbs are burned, and the smoke that is created is fanned around the intended space with a feather or your hand. Commonly used in spiritual, cleansing or healing rituals, this practice can be done in your home to calm or clear out any old or unwanted vibes.

Sage is an aromatic herb used in the culinary and healing realms. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been used for natural healing since the ancient Egyptian period. When dried, if the plant is lit with fire, it produces a thick fragrant cleansing smoke used to move stagnant & negative energy from people, places & things.

A lot transpires in a home/office and all of those actions, have energy, which over time can build up and being to make a space feel “stuffy” or ‘draining’. This may present itself as a bad feeling or loss of energy when you walk into a certain area. Herbs, like our actions are also energy and help our bodies achieve balance when taken externally & topically. You can purchase sage in a pre-rolled bundle or create your own and include specific herbs to compliment any specific intentions you may have.

What The Smudge

Burning sage is an instant energy reset & mood booster that is encouraged for a number of instances such as; moving into a new home, bringing in the new year/a birthday or to lift the vibes after an argument . Good vibes feel great, be intentional in clearing the energy you no longer want to associate with. When you’re ready to cleanse yourself or your space you will need to decide what it is you want to burn, people most commonly choose from Sage bundles or Palo Santo sticks for this purpose.

1. Choose Your Cleanser

Sage- Is known for its grounding and protective energy, this herb is a great option when moving into a new home, when preparing for any type of spiritual healing or attunement or when one is aiming to clear a space of negative, unwanted vibrations. This herb will create a thick smoke that is great for cleansing larger areas.

Palo Santo- Also referred to as ‘Holy wood ‘ is a sweet aromatic wood used for keeping the environment light. Available in stick bundles, this choice works best for daily or weekly sessions, unlike Sage, it will create a smaller stream of smoke and is ideal for smaller spaces .

2. Gather Your Goods

After you decide on your sage or stick, you will need to gather a couple more things.

Abalone Shell is what you will use to catch the ashes in, available on amazon or in your favorite metaphysical store. Otherwise a regular ashtray should do the trick.
A lighter or matches
A feather to wave the smudge smoke around the room and/or yourself

3. Set Your Intention

Once you decide on what your smudging you will want to set an intention for the energy you hope to bring to yourself/space after doing so. Think about why you are wanting to clear the air in the first place, and then take a moment to visualize how you want the space (or yourself) to feel in the near future. Sit with those thoughts for a moment.

4. Smudge It Up Smudge It Up

Get to smudging! Start by opening a window in the room you are working in for ventilation and so all of the unwanted energy has a way to exit the room. Now gather your smudge of choice, tilt the stick or sage bundle away from your body and light the tip. Once the tip is lit, move the smudge in a circular motion so the flame fully lights the whole tip. If you do not have a feather : Grab your abalone shell and hold it underneath the now lit stick/bundle. While holding the slowly burning smudge move your arm around the room as though you’re holding a wand , allow the smoke to move into all of the rooms corners , doorways and objects.

If you have a feather, after lighting your smudge place it into the middle of the abalone shell and let it burn on it’s own. In your other hand grab the feather and begin to fan the smoke out and around the room until the desire area has been completed.

While you smudge, recite affirmations or speak love, light and positive energy into your space. Give yourself permission to release all the energy you feel in and around that is no longer serving you. Once you have completed your session, you will want to put your stick/sage out in the ashtray, and allow your space to air out shortly before closing the window. With a renewed space, you may feel inclined to cleanse further and find yourself taking a Sea Salt bath with Taila.Made Serenity bath salts . Go with the flow and do what feels best for you. Repeat this practice whenever you feel the need to clear the air or to simply be present.