Smudging - Sage

White Sage (Salvia apiana) is often used in cleansing practices. Burning sage is one of the oldest methods of cleansing a space, and is used all over the world.  The act of burning sage is called smudging. There are many ways to cleanse, but we will be concentrating on smudging. 

As a ritual tool, sage is a spiritual enhancer. It helps to improve your overall well-being. And rids your space of negativity to help you achieve a healing state, and to solve or reflect on spiritual dilemmas. There is very little scientific research done on the practice of smudging, beyond using it as a ritual practice.

To begin a change in mindset, burning sage helps you to establish a positive environment for meditation and brings forth a sense of dedication to self-improvement. In 2016, University of Mississippi did a research project that documents that burning sage stimulates receptors in the brain that can literally lift one’s spirits and alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and pain.

Most types of sage have antimicrobial properties. Burning sage can help people with asthma, allergies, and respiratory conditions. It helps to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the air. Sage is thought to release negative ions, which will neutralize positive ones such as pet dander, pollution, dust, and mold.  

As with inhaling any smoke, burning sage can aggravate any existing condition and those with sensitive lungs like babies & animals.  In this case, you can work room to room letting the smoke clear before moving on to the next room.

When to cleanse:

• Any time you receive a second-hand item. Either buying new, received from a friend, or from a second-hand store.
• You may also want to cleanse an object that has an association with negativity from your past.
• You can cleanse a new home, or car to disperse any negative energy from past occupants.

When not to cleanse:

• If you received an item form a loved one, or from someone’s whose energy you trust.
• If the item gives you positive energy from the moment you acquired it.
• You may want to keep the energy the item came with, if it’s from someone who past or may be in the near future, and you want to preserve that energy.

How to perform a smudging:

• Open a window, so the negative energies can escape.
• Acquire a smudge stick or hand-rolled incense.
• Light the sage until it smoking.
• Using a feather, you can direct the smoke throughout the space you are cleansing. Or if you are cleansing an item, you can place the stick or incense in an abalone shell, and hold the item in the smoke.
• Say a blessing, voicing your intentions and ask for aid from your preferred deity or spirit guide. Then end the blessing saying thanks to the god & goddess, or to your spirit guide.
• It is a good idea to leave the window open until all smoke dissipates. Especially if someone in the home has a health condition, or is very young and cannot tolerate the smoke.