The practice of burning sage, also known as smudging, is an ancient spiritual ritual. For healers in traditional cultures, smudging is used to achieve a healing state, or to solve or reflect upon dilemmas. It can also be used as a ritual tool to rid yourself of negativity, including past traumas, bad experiences or negative energies from others. Ridding the body of bad energy can help welcome in newer, fresher, and more positive energies.
The practice of burning sage or smudging is fairly simple.
You will need:
- Asage bundle (or smudge stick)
- A bowl (ceramic, clay or glass) to hold burning sage or capture ash
- Matches
- Optional feather or fan for fanning smoke
Before burning sage, you might want to set some intentions if smudging for spiritual, energetic, and negativity-clearing purposes.
It’s also important to leave a window open before, during, and after smudging. This allows smoke to escape, along with the impurities and negative energies you want to get rid of.
General practice:
Light the end of a sage bundle with a match. Blow out quickly if it catches on fire.
The tips of the leaves should smoulder slowly, releasing thick smoke. Direct this smoke around your body and space with one hand while holding the bundle in the other.
Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on. Using a fan or feather can also help direct the smoke.
Allow the ash to collect in a bowl.
Choose the places you want to smudge, whether that’s areas in your home, particular objects, or parts of your body. Do what feels best for your situation and follow your intuition.
Whenever I practise smudging in my home, it feels ‘light and right’. I often burn sage when others have been into my home. Some people are unaware of what they are carrying. This then comes into your space. Keep your aura cleansed and your space pure. When I smudge myself, it leaves me feeling incredibly grounded and cleansed in body and mind. I find it a great way to release a lot of negative chatter in my head and bring me back to a more positive place.
All my love (and bringing you more) Hope xoxo
Pin - 700126