Bring in positive energy and blessings with a sacred smudging ritual
Smudging is a Native American tradition of burning sacred herbs to cleanse a space or person of negative energy. Here are some common herbs used for smudging but not always local.
White Sage: This is the most commonly used herb for smudging. It's believed to have a strong spiritual energy that can cleanse a space or person.
Cedar: Cedar has a sweet and spicy aroma that's very grounding. It's also said to promote balance and harmony.
Sweetgrass: Sweetgrass has a sweet, vanilla-like scent and is often burned after other herbs to bring in positive energy and blessings.
Palo Santo: This wood is from South America and has a sweet, woody scent. It's believed to have healing properties and can help clear negative energy.
Mugwort: Mugwort has a bittersweet scent and is believed to have powerful spiritual properties. It's often used for psychic work and dream enhancement.
It's important to source these herbs responsibly and ensure they have been sustainably harvested. It's also important to use caution when smudging, making sure to follow safety guidelines and avoid inhaling too much smoke.
There are some tools that you will need to make your smudge stick, these are:
Your Herbs the most important thing.
Kitchen scissors.
Natural string or twine (none plastic)
Here a list of other herbs you can use and their properties (including the list above)
Thyme: Healing, love, psychic knowledge and purification.
Lavender: Happiness, love, beauty, protection, purification, relaxation, sleep and psychic knowledge.
Sage: Ceremonial smudge plant, used for meditation, cleansing and purification.
Sweetgrass: Attracts positive energy into the space. Used for healing, purification (perfect to burn after smudging with a more potent energy cleanser)
Mugwort: Lucid dreaming, purification & calming.
Juniper: Cleansing & purification.
Basil: Purification & calming.
Rose petals: Meditation, calming & love.
Lemon balm: Spiritual cleansing & calming.
Mint: Healing & protection.
Rosemary: Protection & Cleansing.
Most of these herbs can be grown or sourced locally, whilst others can be bought from holistic stores, garden centres, local stores and on the internet. There are also other herbs that are not on this list that can be bought for the purpose of smudging.
Please feel free to do your own research and find herbs that resonate with you, make it personal to you and put what you like in your own smudge stick. Make sure they can be burnt and are of course none toxic.
Get creative, you can add flowers, make it as colourful as you like, add herbs that resonate with you. If your making it for a friend find out what qualities they want in their smudge Stick.
You can make a smudge Stick for different intentions, such as bringing in prosperity, love, peace, joy, cleansing and protecting. Check the properties of the herbs before using them, some herbs will do more than one thing. Remember to make your Smudge Stick with love and Joy, be thankful to the spirit of the plant for the joy and love it brings into your life.
For move information on smudging click the links below:
Smudging Others
https://www.themiwiplace.co.uk/single-post/2018/12/18/smudging-others-cleansing-ritual-using-sage
Make your own smudge stick
https://www.themiwiplace.co.uk/single-post/2018/12/18/how-to-make-your-own-smudge-stick
Jennifer Ben-Ali
