Smudging for health and emotional comfort

My son, the physicist, calls it “witchcraft” but I’ve been smudging for several years and have found the practice to be not only spiritually comforting but effective in eliminating negative energy and airborne pollutants my home. Now recent articles and studies are showing that there is science behind the positive effects of smudging.

Smudging is an ancient practice. Native Americans considered smudging a sacred act. Buddhists use it for purification. Along with some simple items and understanding the procedure, I believe that intention is one of the greatest tools you can use with smudging to clear your environment. As the smoke ascends during the practice, you send your good thoughts and wishes out into the universe. Be mindful, slow down, and enjoy the process.

While the science focuses mainly on how smudging eliminates pollutants and bacteria from the air, my main intention with smudging has always been to clear negative energy which can accumulate and stagnate. I tend to smudge more often in the autumn and winter when windows and doors are closed up, but smudging can be done whenever you feel the need.

So what happens when we smudge? Burning sage neutralizes positive ions. (The negative ions in our shower is what gives us that “feel good” vibe and has been said to be why we often feel like singing in the shower.) As the smudge stick releases negative ions into the atmosphere, we begin to feel less fatigued and stressed out. Brain fog clears. Sluggishness dissipates. Known as medicinal smoke, smudging is also a powerful antiseptic that can purify the air of 94% of harmful bacteria for up to 24 hours.

What you need to begin smudging

Herbs: There are a number of herbs you can experiment with. Sage and cedar are the most popular, but sweetgrass, lavender, juniper, and tobacco can also be used. The herbs represent the earth element. They often come bundled and tied together with cotton string. Sage is used to clear a space from stagnant energy and negativity, cedar is used to welcome positive energy into the cleared space. Often sage and cedar are combined in one bundle.
Abalone shell: This is to be used to either hold the smudge stick after use or to burn the plants. Carry the shell along with you to collect ash from the smudge stick. The shell represents the water element. A beautiful bowl of pure sand can also be used to safely extinguish your smudge stick after use.
Matches: I use wooden matches to light my sage stick. This seems more in line with my intention to use natural non-manufactured items in my practice rather than using a BIC lighter. The matches represent the fire element. A candle can also be incorporated into your practice as sometimes you may find the smudge stick goes out. Light the candle with matches and if needed relight the smudge stick using the candle flame.
Feather: Feathers are used to spread the smoke from the smudge stick through your home. Fanning the smoke helps move it into corners, closets, and nooks and crannies. The feather represents the air element.

The smudging process

Before we begin, it is recommended that we clean our home. Remember smudging is a practice, so time and planning are required. I mop the floors, change my sheets, wash my laundry, dust the bookshelves. I like everything to be as clean as possible and clutter-free so that the sage smoke moves around freely without unnecessary impediments.

Once you’ve completed your housecleaning, light the sage stick and begin moving around your home in a clockwise fashion. Some people prefer to move North to South, East to West, but I begin at what I consider the “top” of my home (the second or third floors) moving room to room in a clockwise manner making my way through the house right down to the basement.

Fan the smoke into corners, under the bed, into the tops of closets, and stairwells. Negativity loves to hide in dark corners. You can also use the burning smudge stick as a tool by making circles in the air (clockwise always) as you walk. Feel free to move your body through the smoke or let it encircle you to clear negativity and anxiety from your person.

Smudging intentions

During your practice fill your home with good intentions. Some say a mantra or prayer as they move. “Om mani padme hum” is a Buddhist mantra for transformation. Here is a Native American Prayer I picked up from the Chopra Center that you can also use. I think it to be quite lovely.

May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things.
May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be.
May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly.
May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed.
May your eyes be cleansed, that you might see the signs and wonders of the world.
May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants.
And may that same smoke carry our prayers, spiraling, to the heavens.

When your practice is complete, extinguish the smudge stick in the bowl of sand, and then place it in the Abalone shell.