The act of saging or smudging is both symbolic and transformative. The burning of various medicine plants to make a smudge or cleansing smoke is used by a majority of Native North American peoples. It is a ritual cleansing, as the smoke rises, our prayers rise to the spirit world where our Grandfathers, Grandmothers and Creator (whatever your belief is) reside. As the smoke rises, negative energy, feelings and emotions are lifted away with it.
Types of smudging and blessing herbs.
Sage – The use of sage for healing and cleansing Cedar – cedar is a medicine of protection Sweet grass – also called Seneca grass Lavender – This native plant of Europe is often used for invitation of the spirit. Copal, Frankincense, Myrrh.
Items needed for Smudging:
Sage (Bundle or loose), wood or paper matches, natural bowl (pottery, seashell, leaded crystal), feather You can also use a combination of sage, cedar and sweetgrass... place them together in your bowl and burn them with only a smoke rising off them.
How to Smudge:
Smudging should be all natural. As in the materials used should be all from mother earth.
Dried white sage bundle can be lit as a bundle, or pieces broken off and lit. The smudge should only be lit with wood or paper matches, fire that is created by the burning of sulfur. While a lighter can be used in a pinch, it is not recommended. Why go through the trouble of saging and not making it as effective as possible?
If you decide to break off pieces, always burn them in a natural container. Such as a conch shell or a sea shell, in an earthenware bowl or lead crystal, When the smudge is lit, it may flare. Do not blow it out; let it burn itself out until a smoke is produced. It is believed that the heavier the smoke, the more negative energy in the space. If it flares into flame, wait for the flame to burn down until you have just a smoke coming off the smudge.
Starting in the basement or the corner of your home, you want to smudge every room, open every closet, and cupboard. The goal is to remove all negative energy by the filling that space with sage smoke.
Create a mantra/prayer that is meaningful to you. Such as "fill this space with love, peace and prosperity". Repeat this mantra/prayer as you go through the space you are smudging.
You can use a feather to waft the smoke around or use your hand. It is up to you, Let the sage burn itself out. Do not extinguish.
Open a window or a door, as sage is quite strong.
Any pets should be moved outdoors or away from the sage, as it can be quite irritating to them.
You may decide to smudge yourself. It’s the same procedure; just make sure you do your entire body, including the bottoms of your feet, as you never know where you will walk and in whose space you will walk.
Once you have finished smudging, tradition tells us that the ashes of the spent herb should be brought outside and returned to the soil. Call it superstition if you'd like, but many tribes believe that the charred residue carries its own energy and must be given back to the Earth.
When in doubt, ask your Northern Alberta Paranormal Society Case manager for advice,
or look up other sites on the internet as there are many that explain smudging and cleansing and the materials to use
The most important thing to remember.... there is no wrong way to smudge.... it all goes to the intent in your heart and if your intentions are good and clear you will be successful.
The prayer I always use when I smudge is: "Dear Lord, please clean and clear this home of all negative energy, bring love, peace and calm to this home and allow only those who truly walk in the light to enter here".