Smudging is the common name given to the Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing, a powerful spiritual cleansing technique which calls upon the spirits of various sacred plants to drive away negative energy and to restore balance to an individual, a group, a space, or all three. The practice of burning incense or herbs to purify sacred space, create positive energy, or remove negative energy goes back beyond recorded history. Burning smoke was often thought to help carry prayers to the Gods, the Great Spirit or to Heaven, depending on which tradition was performing the ritual. The ancient use of aromatic plants goes back through traditions found around the world. When burned, these dried plants change their form into various chemicals of carbon, tar, oils and ash that form the smoke and cleanse the spirit and purify sacred space. Aromatic oils and resins in dried wood, bark leaves or herbs can provide a pleasant odor while spreading antibacterial elements to purify spaces. One of the oldest recorded plants used for medicinal and cleansing properties is Sage.
Sage and other herbs used for smudging are considered to affect both our physical body and spirit. Smudging is commonly believed to uplift and purify our spiritual energy and our state of mind, making us more receptive to the work of spirit. The purification process is thought to transform old, stagnate, or negative energy and bring a sense of clarity and renewal to people and their surroundings. Cleansing a space or our bodies clears away residual emotional and psychic energy that may have gathered overtime, especially when done with intention. The clearing allows us to start again from a blank canvas and build up the new positive energy.
There’s no right or wrong way or day of doing a smudge cleansing. Smudging is about releasing and healing the cleaning properties, but it is also about internally centering and grounding. Smudging remind us to release things that no longer serve us and connect to our Higher Selves. However, there are key times I like to smudge:
Essentially there’s no wrong day or way to smudge, but those are the key times you should do it to get the most benefits from it.
There’s a few things you should keep in mind prior to beginning. It’s a good idea to have a door or a window open while smudging. The negative energy has to have someplace. To go. Of there isn’t a door or window open, the negativity isn’t going to leave. It will find some nice cozy spot to hide and come back later.
Another good reason to have ventilation is to keep anyone in the home or space with breathing issues safe. Yes, Sage and other herbs are medicinal but in concentrated form during lengthy rituals might be too much for some people. It’s useful to have a fire proof container, like a small clay bowl or Abalone shell, to hold underneath the smudge stick to catch any ashes or embers. Keep in mins that the Abalone shell or clay bowl is going to get hot so it’s a good idea to put sand or dirt in the container as an insulator and to properly extinguish the smudge stick safely after the ritual is complete.
Allow enough space and time for the ritual so you don’t feel rushed. If possible meditate for at least five minutes to calm your mind and heart. Remember when performing a space clearing, intention is the key. Before you start, take sometime to contemplate what your wishes are. You want to welcome your intentions into the space. Think about the energy you want to surround yourself with and what you want to create and cultivate in your space. Clear any clutter from the areas that are being smudged. This will open the area and not give negativity place to hide.
Now that you have all your tools and preparations in place, you can begin the smudging ritual. Start at the front door of the home and light your smudge stick or loose herbs. You’ll want to create as much smoke and as little flame as possible. Smudge yourself first. When the smudge gets good and going cleanse the front of you, the top of your head and the back of you. Pay special attention to the intestinal area, the heart, and the head. Now that you’re clean you can proceed with your space.
Move around mindfully and with care, walking clockwise around the entire perimeter of the space. Be sure to allow the smoke to drift into the hidden spaces, like inside closets, behind doors, basements, dark corners and behind curtains. If there are stairs, just go up and down and resume at the main floor. Moving around a space like this is called “circumambulation”. It’s a practice that’s been done for centuries in ancient cultures to make a space more sacred. Maker sure that while doing the ritual you chant a mantra, prayer or intentions that you’re connected to. This is a way to fill the space with more cleansing vibrations. When you arrive back at the front door, chant your final mantra, prayer or intention. Visualize the entire space is filled with bright white sunlight and finalize your ritual.
Below and in our shop section you will find products that can help you get started with your smudging ritual.
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