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What Is Smudging?
A cleansing technique established by Native North American Tradition. Smudging is used to cleanse or ward off the negative energies while restoring balance. There are many different routines one may use when smudging and essentially uses the smoke of burning herbs that are wrapped or tied together with a string or thread.
Herbs can be added for extra benefit such as:
Sagebrush – most commonly used- transforms energy Sweet Grass – attracts positive energy Lavender- restores balance and creates peace Ceder – purifying and cleansing Mugwort – stimulates psychic awareness and banishes evil spirits Juniper – good to purify Rosemary – healing and promotes clarity How To Smudge Smudging can be done by way of burning herbs alone or in a heat safe bowl
like a large abalone shell and then allow the smoke to waft around whatever space that needs energetic cleansing.
You can check your local botanical or metaphysical shops for smudging or sage sticks that you can burn or even make your own with the herbs listed above. In Jacksonville, FL, check out Earth Gifts or Midnight Sun .
Light the sage or smudge stick and let the end burn a little bit until it starts to smoke. Then use the smoke and bring it to the areas in need of cleansing then fan the smoke with your hands or a large feather around your body or space. When cleansing a room or a space it is a good idea to first clear your space of clutter and mess and open up windows and curtains and allow for clean air to enter.
Walk to each of the 4 corners (East, South, West and North or clockwise direction) and then to the center, allowing the smoke to get everywhere. How you do it is up to what feels inherent to you.
Self Care Routine
Create a self care ritual for yourself with smudging by incorporating a few more things like: candles (fire, brings in light, purity and courage) + crystals (bringing their own healing properties to the environment) + essential oils (which ever feels right to you in the moment, lavender to inspire a calming effect or bergamot to uplift your mood).
Saging is used to cleanse the energy around you and within you like your womb space to rid of any traumatized or negative energy. Waft the smoke towards yourself by hand or with a featherand let it go over your body, head, legs, arms, back everywhere around you. While you are saging be mindful of your breathing and connect with spirit asking for assistance in ridding of the negative energy. While the smoke is surrounding you, visualize it cleansing all of the negativity away.
Smudging Prayer
Here is a sample prayer courtesy of chopra.com to assist you in this sacred cleansing act.
May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things. May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be. May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly. May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed. May your eyes be cleansed, that you might see the signs and wonders of the world. May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants. And may that same smoke carry our prayers, spiraling, to the heavens.
And so it is.
Peace & Blessings,
LG