Smudging: A How to Guide for Properly Using Your Sage

Sage smudging, or cleansing, is an ancient practice used to purify and cleanse spaces and people of negative energy. It’s believed to create a sense of peace, harmony, and spiritual renewal. If you’re new to sage smudging, this guide will walk you through the process.

Supplies:

• Dried sage bundle: White sage is commonly used, but other varieties like palo santo or cedar are also good to use.

• Feather (or your hand): To direct the smoke- kind of fan it to direct.

• Fire-safe container: To catch any ashes, make sure you have a plate, ash tray, bowl, or dish of some kind. Many people use an Abalone Shell.

  • Abalone shells are the most commonly used ash catcher for sage smudging. Their beautiful iridescent colors and bowl-like shape make them perfect for catching the ashes from the burning sage. Plus, there are cultural ties, as many Indigenous cultures have used abalone shells in spiritual ceremonies.

• Optional, but recommended to allow negative or stagnant energy to leave: Open windows or a door: To allow the smoke to escape.

Let’s Get Cleansing!!!

The Steps:

1. Set Your Intention: Before you begin, take a moment to set your intention for the smudging. What do you hope to achieve? Are you looking to cleanse your space of negative energy, promote relaxation, or invite positive energy?

2. Prepare Your Space: Open windows or a door to allow the smoke to escape. Clear any clutter or obstacles that might hinder the smoke’s flow.

3. Light the Sage: Hold the sage at a 45-degree angle above a flame, like a candle, and light the thick end. Let it burn for about 20 seconds, then gently blow out the flame so that it smolders and produces orange embers. If the sage doesn’t stay lit, you can try loosening the ribbon around it and smashing the tip on a surface to allow more oxygen in. Gently blow out the flame to create a smoldering ember.

4. Create Smoke: Waft the sage bundle with your feather or hand to produce smoke.

5. Cleansing Your Space: Start at the entrance of your space and work your way around, moving the smoke into every corner and room. Pay attention to areas where energy might linger, such as doorways, windows, and corners.

6. Direct: Use a feather or your hand to move the smoke around the person, room, or object you want to cleanse. You can start in a corner and move the smoke up and down, then move to the center of the room and over furniture and electronics. Pay special attention to areas where energy might stagnate, like corners, behind doors, and underused spaces. You can also cleanse your hands with the smoke, then draw it over your head, eyes, ears, mouth, and body.

7. Focus on Specific Areas: If you feel drawn to a particular area, spend extra time there.

8. Extinguish the Sage: Once you’ve finished, carefully extinguish the sage in your fire-safe container.

I always replace the energy with positive after a big cleanse, so I play music and dance and sing in the space to get good things flowing! You can choose to do this, or not, but if you do, make sure you pick something that makes YOU vibe high!

Happy Cleansing!