SMUDGE STICKS

To "Smudge" means to cleanse with smoke!

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.

Common herbs included in smudge sticks include: sage, cedar, lavendar, and mugwort.

You can smudge yourself, crystals, personal objects and home / office / healing space by dispersing the smoke around yourself, the object or room.  Put the smudge stick to flame using a match or candle.  Blow on or wave the flame out and allow the smudge stick to smoulder, freeing the smoke to circle the air.  Fan the swirls of smoke around your body's aura from head to toe, around your objects or home.  Best times to smudge are when your spirits are low, after being around someone who is sick or depressed, during meditation  or when in prayer.