What is smoke cleansing?
Smoke cleansing is used to rid a person, space, or object of negative energies, spirits, or influences. It is common in many cultures throughout the world and has been practiced for thousands of years. The smoke cleansing process involves burning dried sacred herbs, which are often wrapped together in twine. By repeating your intention in the form of an affirmation, mantra, or prayer, either out loud or in your own mind throughout the ritual, you can release negative energy and manifest positive changes.
What should I use to smudge?
Smudging it often performed with White Sage, Palo Santo, Cedar, Sweetgrass, Lavender and other herbs.
How often should I smudge?
Smudging can be performed as often as you feel it is needed. Some of the best times to smudge include: When you feel energetically drained, overwhelmed, or feel negative energy emitting from your aura, an object, or your environment. Moving into a new environment, whether that be a home or office space. During a full moon and new moon ritual, or during any form of healing practice. Celebrate a new beginning, relationship, or endeavor. After returning from a crowded space, or an environment where there was negative energies or influences.
How is smudging performed?
Smudging must be performed in a well-ventilated area in order to allow the negative energy and smoke to escape. It is important to smudge yourself prior to smudging another object, space, or person. Light the tip of your smudge stick and allow it to burn (approximately 3-10 seconds for White Sage, and up to 60 seconds for Palo Santo). Blow out the flame, allowing it to smolder and smoke. Move the smudge stick around, allowing the smoke to fill the space or object of focus. Allow the scent to bring peace, calmness, and clarity throughout your ritual, along with positive energy and feelings.
As you perform the cleansing ritual, repeat your intentions (either out loud or in your own mind), staying focused on the movement of the smoke and welcoming the shift of energy. When you’re finished, place the smudge stick on a fire-proof dish and allow it to cease smoking on its own.
What are the benefits of smudging?
Research has shown that scent is one of the most powerful senses to aid in reducing anxiety and stress by helping up remain in the present moment. Performing a cleansing ritual and focusing on positive thoughts and intentions can be directly linked to the practice of mindfulness and therefore, helpful in reducing stress levels. Smudging has also been found to balance levels of seretonin, promote restfulness, and enhance the quality of sleep.
WHITE SAGE
White Sage has long been considered a sacred, cleansing, purifying, and protective plant. It emits negative ions, while our aura holds positive ions. Through the smudging process, one can neutralize their aura or the energy of other spaces or objects to cleanse and renew. Studies have shown that White Sage can also boost memory and mental clarity, improve air quality, and decrease stress.
PALO SANTO
Palo Santo has a long history of use by the native people of South America as an essential tool in sacred rituals for its cleansing and medicinal healing properties. The calming and relaxing scent of Palo Santo releases negative energies, thoughts, and feelings. It raises one’s vibration and prepares the mind for meditation.
LAVENDER
Lavender has been used for centuries as an effective remedy in treating anxiety and depression. It reduces feelings of restlessness and has been shown to ease insomnia by promoting a deep and peaceful sleep. It enhances intuition, visualization, and imagination. The use of lavender is effective in soothing and calming the mind and one’s environment.
CEDAR
Cedar is a herb of protection. It is often used to cleanse a person, space, or object from unwanted influences. It works as both a purifier and as a way to attract positive energy. Cedar is said to be one of the quickest and most effective herbs for removing negative energy from within the home. It provides grounding, harmony, and joy, and allows one to remain in the present moment.
SWEETGRASS
Sweetgrass has a sweet vanilla-like scent and is said to be one of the first plants to grow on Mother Earth. Clippings of sweetgrass are typically braided and then dried prior to burning. When burned during a cleansing ritual, the smoke from the sweetgrass is believed to attract good spirits and positive energies. It cleanses auras, objects, and spaces of negativity.
Cleansing Affirmations
- Into this smoke, I release all the energies that do not serve me, all negativity that surrounds me, and all fears that limit me.
- May this sacred smoke cleanse away all negative energies. May it open my heart and home to love, light, peace, and harmony.
- I cleanse myself, this space, and the people within it of all negative thoughts and stagnant energy . May only energies of love, light, and peace surround me and this environment. So it is.