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Smudging
A Way of Cleansing
Smudging yourself on a daily basis can be very helpful in keeping yourself balanced and maintaining a peaceful state of being. However, you should definitely use shamanic smudging techniques when you've been around people who are ill, depressed, fearful, angry or generally emotionally unbalanced; before meditating to create a calm state of being; when you're feeling blue or depressed; or when you've been under a lot of stress, before ceremony.
Smudging yourself is easy. If you're using a smudge stick, light the smudge stick on a candle flame. Hold the stick in the flame until there is a lot of smoke and the stick is burning well (that's why a candle is better than a matching can take a while to get the stick really smoking). Using a feather (or feather fan) or your hand, gently fan the smoke onto your body, starting at the top of the body and moving downward. Get the back of your body as best you can (it is often easier to use a smudge pot and loose herbs for this). When you're done, inhale a little of the smoke (just a little!) to purify your insides.
If you're using a smudge pot or Fireball and loose herbs, light the herbs (using self-lighting charcoal the barbecue kind!) until it is smoking well. Then, put the Fireball on the ground and stand over it with your legs spread and feet on either side. Weave back and forth in the smoke until you have been thoroughly cleansed. Clothing is optional for this approach, and smudging in the nude is recommended for a more thorough cleansing. Again, when you're done, inhale a little of the smoke to purify your insides. People often feel more relaxed, lighter and brighter after smudging.
Using a smudging tool is part of many Native American traditions. The burning of herbs for emotional, psychic, and spiritual purification is also common practice among many religious, healing, and spiritual groups. The ritual of smudging can be defined as "spiritual house cleaning." In theory, the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as the smoke clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space where it will be regenerated into positive energy.
Smudging is a way of using the smoke from burning herbs as a way to cleanse the body, an object, or a given area of negative influences.
 
Sage
Is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts and feelings, and to keep Gan'n (negative entities) away from areas where ceremonies take place.
Cedar
It works both as a purifier and as a way to attract good energy in your direction. It is usually available in herb stores in chipped form, which must be sprinkled over a charcoal in a brazier. I like a piece of charcoaled mesquite for this purpose, rather than the commercial charcoal cake.
Sweetgrass
Is burnt after smudging with sage, to welcome in good influences after the bad had been driven out. Sweetgrass is very rare today, and traditional Plains people have been attempting to protect the last of it.
The Purposes of Smudging
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Ceremony / Ritual, Cleansing / Purification
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Clearing / Freeing / Releasing/Protection
What To Smudge
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Yourself, Crystals, Personal Objects/Altar
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Home / Office / Healing Space
When To Smudge Yourself
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When your spirits are low, after being around someone who is sick or depressed
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During meditation / When in prayer
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Before ceremony
These are the herbs used in many Smudging Sticks:
California white sage - Salvia Apiana (cleansing, clears negative energy)
Big Basin or Desert sage - Artemesia tridentata (calling spirits)
Sacred feather sage - Artemesia Fillifolia
Sedona sage - Artemesia ludoviciana
Mugwort - Atemesia vulgarus (stimulates mind, protection)
Lavender - Lavandula officianalis (balance, peace)
Pinon - Pinus edulis
Sweetgrass - Hierochloe odorata (positive energy, welcoming)
Cedar - (purifying, healing)
Juniper - (purifying, protection)
Rosemary - (protection, clarity, healing)
Bay Leaf (protection, purifying)
Fennel (protection)
Mullien (protection, sleep time)
Copal (protection, peace)
Remember when you pick sacred plants you must always give an offering to the plant and give thanks for its blessings and never pick more than you need!
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