SMUDGE STICKS: DIFFERENT TYPES & SMUDGE BOWLS

The herb most commonly used in Smudge Sticks is Sage, however there are different herbs and plants that can be utilized in a Smudge Stick that can add additional energies into the space.


SAGE: most common is California White Sage- the sprit of sage has the power to drive out negative energies, spirits, and influences. It transforms energy and brings change.

A great article about how Smudging can help to eliminate dangerous bacteria in the air HERE

SWEETGRASS: the powerful spirit of sweetgrass is used to attract positive energy, and to aid healing after all of the negativity has been banished by the sage.

LAVENDER: restores balance and creates a peaceful atmostphere. Lavender also attracts loving energy and spirits.

CEDAR: deeply purifying, especially useful for clearning negative emotions and healing.

MUGWORT: stimulates psychic awareness and prophetic dreams. It also banishes evil sprits.

JUNIPER: used to purify and create a safe and sacred space.

YERBA SANTA: used to purify and to set and protect boundaries.

ROSEMARY: a powerful healer that brings clarity.

SMUDGE BOWLS:

Native American Shamans do not always use smudge sticks. A common use is a loose smudge mixture that is placed in a bowl or shell and lit.  This is easy to make. All you need is your choice of dried herbs and resins, a bowl or shell that can withstand the heat of the burning charcoal, self-igniting charcoal, large feather.

A Basic smudge mix would include a tablespoon of crumbled sage, plus a teaspoon each of cedar bark and lavender. Mix the herbs together.  Place the charcoal in your container and light it. Wait until the charcoal stops sparking and has turned white-grey. Add a few pinches of your smudge mixture. Use your smudge bowl in the same way you would use your smudge stick-hold up the bowl and use the feather to direct the smoke. Add more smudge from time to time is necessary. Please make sure to use caution as well as keep out of reach of children and pets.

SMUDGE BOWL MIXES:

Powerful Cleansing Mix: (for clearing a new home) sage, sweetgrass, juniper

Emotional Cleansing Mix: (after arguments) sage, cedar, lavender, borage (optional)

Mental Clearning Mix: (when you need clarity) rosemary, juniper, sweetgrass

Healing Mix: (for sickness of both mind and body) sage, cedar, lavender, echinacea (optional)

Spiritual Mix: (for calling on spirit, intuition, and divination) sage, mugwort, copal or frankincense (resins), lavender

SMUDGING: HOW TO

What is smudging and how do you do it?

Smudging is the common name given to the sacred smoke bowl blessing, 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 cleanings yourself and your environment using simple ritual and intention. For thousands of years smudging has been a part of Native American tradition but now its power of cleansing is available to everyone.

How can smudging be so powerful? The answer lies in the subatomic world of subtle or spiritual energy. Homes and bodies are not just made of purely physical matter; they also vibrate with quite invisible subtle energy. Cleansing a space or our bodies with techniques such as smudging, clears away all of the emotional and psychic "garbage" that may have gathered over the years or even hundreds of years. It's like spiritual spring cleaning!

I smudge after all of my clients or when I feel something may be "off". Use your intuition to guide you to when you need to smudge. Good times to smudge are: when moving into a home, after illness, after a disagreement, break-up, emotional upheaval, or trauma. Anytime you detect negative or unwanted energy in your space, or between clients.

HOW TO:

Make sure you have a safe heat-resistant bowl or dish to extinguish the sage at the end. Also a large feather can help direct the smoke into corners. It is good to start in the farthest room of the house from the front door. Pass the smoke over the shape of the doorways, going to the farthest corner of the room setting the intention and asking that the room be cleansed. Any prayer (of your choice and what resonates with you) where you ask that the house and rooms be cleansed of all negative energies, thought forms, ideas, or attachments, and to never return can be used. I also set the intention that as the space is being cleared it is also being filled with divine light and love.

Walking to each corner of the room, wave the smoke up and down, also over and around each window, closets, or opening in the room like vents to spiritually seal them. I would say the prayer in each room (aloud or in your mind) just to bless it with your energy.  When you reach the doorway ask that the room be sealed and protected from this point on while you smudge the outline of the doorway as you pass through it to keep anymore energy from passing by while you conduct the clearing.  Then start to move directly into the next room. The idea is to walk from the farthest room to the entrance clearing each room so that you are pushing all the negative energy out towards the front entrance.

Once you have sealed each room and headed to the front door, say another prayer asking that the entrance of your home be safeguarded and sealed form this moment on, sending any negative energy, or thought-forms back to its source and never to return.

You can buy sage at most metaphysical stores in your area or online. I will be posting another article on the different types of herbs you can burn and their uses. You can also make your own by following this link DIY SMUDGE STICKS

If you work or live in a place where you cannot burn sage you can also use a Smudge Spray that can assist in clearing out the space. I bring this with me when I travel when I cannot burn sage, like a hotel room or other space.

To purchase a spray you can visit my ETSY.

Please be safe when smudging and make sure to properly extinguish the sage after use! Happy smudging!!