Smudging

Smudging is an age old ceremony for cleansing that has been used in many traditions throughout history. Our sense of smell connects us to a deep, instinctual part of the brain, it has the power to change our energy and trigger our emotions.

The purpose of smudging is to cleanse. This may be yourself, objects and/or a place. It can be done before other ceremonies or by itself.

Depending on the tradition, some plants have made a sacred agreement that they will give up their lives so that we may have the purifying smoke for cleansing, praying and balance walking our sacred path. We are only required to respect them, asking their permission, giving thanks, taking only what we need, and never harming the plant.

Some traditions burn the herbs in an abalone shell. They see Abalone is a gift from the oceans. It connects and calls to the element of Water, where life began. An abalone grows its shells in a spiral, and thus connects us to the first spiral that started all life.
While other traditions use a braizer, they see using a shell as an insult to White Painted Woman (The Goddess), especially with the abalone shell which is especially sacred to Her. Again this choice is up to you. I personally use a braizer.
You will also need a Peyote (feather) to acknowledge the winged ones who dwell in the sky and to call in the element of Air.

The way I was taught to perform a smudging ceremony is one of many ways. No one way is right or wrong, it merely depends on your tradition.

If you choose to use a shell, place the abalone shell in front of you and thank it for the life that created it and for it's help in this ceremony.
Place the herb(s) that you will be using in the braizer/shell, thanking each for giving up its life so that you could have this sacred smoke.

Light your flame thanking Father Sun, from where all fires arise, and also thank the spirit of Fire for coming to help you with this sacred ceremony. Light the smudge mix Making sure that some of each plant that you have in the bowl is lit so the smoke will contain all the energies. Fan the fire gently with your feather until the herbs are burning well enough to create sufficient smoke. Then with one or two quick passes of the feather put the fire out. If the smudge looks like it is going out, fan it until it is smoking again. If it does go out you may relight it.

Forming both hands into a cup catch some smoke and bring it into your heart, see the smoke carry away any cares or physical injuries. Catch more smoke and passing it over your head and down your neck. Then one at a time with each hand, pass the smoke down your opposite arm and hand. Then, using both hands, bring smoke into your navel and down your legs to the ground. This cleanses our hearts, minds and bodies and helps to ground us. If you are smudging with others, smudge yourself first and then hold the braizer/shell by its edges for the others to smudge.

You may now smudge any objects by passing them through the smoke from the four directions, start with the East. Ask that the object be cleansed for its intended use.

You may smudge a house or room that needs cleansing by going around the room with the burning smudge, pushing any negative energies out through an open door or window with your feather. Cleansing your house occasionally clears out stagnant energy.

When you are done and the ashes have cooled, give them back to the Earth. They will now be the soil from which arises new life, so show the same respect for this part of the ceremony as you did the rest. Empty the ashes thanking the herbs and the fire again.

Many smudge before other ceremonies, at the start of the day, or before and after a serious discussion when they feel a need to be grounded and balanced. After smudging, you will feel better, your energy feels lighter, and your day seems go better.

Burning on Charcoal

Some choose to use a braizer but you don't need to buy the expensive charcoals to burn them on you can use charcoaled Mesquite (I believe it comes packaged for barbecue use under the brand name "Red Arrow") rather than the commercial charcoal cake.

Gather several fresh stalks of your chosen herbs.

Lay sheets of newspaper open. Gather the selected herb stalks together and hold them tightly in one hand. Bend them over towards the middle 6-8 inches from one end, keep bending the remaining lengths back over themselves again keeping the 6-8 inch length. Holding it tightly together place it on the corner of the newspaper at an angle. Roll it up tightly, and secure it snugly with string.

Place your newly created smudge sticks in a warm place, out of direct sun, to dry several days to a week. You may unwrap it in a day or two to check the dryness and re- wrap to tighten it up, it wont shrink much. Let it dry out thoroughly for a few more days. If it is very humid, it may take up to a couple of weeks to dry.

When the herbs are thoroughly dry remove the paper, and tie the herbs tightly with fine cotton cord or thread. Don't us a synthetic remember this string will burn with the smudge. To use, light one end and get it smoking. You can use this as a ceremonial smudge.

If you use this as a mosquito repellent, it may be placed upright in a clay pot or can containing a couple inches of sand. If you want to burn the smudge for only several minutes, you can

To put out turn it over and press the smoking end into the sand. NEVER use water to extinguish it.

Amber purifies and cleanses the physical body, relaxes and calms the mind and renews harmony and balance to the spirit.

Copal was used by the Aztecs in many of their purification ceremonies.
Black Copal - To Purify and Protect
Gum Copal - Love and Protection

Evergreens such as cedar, juniper and pinion pine provide balance and harmony. Purifies and attracts good energy.

Frankincense and Myrrh raise your energies and enhance meditation. Healing, Purification and Spirituality.

Lavender is a calming and relaxing influence.

Osha Root is used for protection. It also has many other uses.

Rose petals call in the power of the heart.

Sage drives away negative energies. California (broad leaves) and desert (smaller leaves) sage are often used interchangeably or together. Most people prefer one over the other.
Artemesia Fillifolia (Sacred Feather Sage) is cleansing, uplifting, earthy and feminine
Salvia Apiana (broad leaf sage) is unmistakable. A powerful cleansing smudge.
Artemesia Ludoviciana (Sedona Sage) is healing and balancing

Sandalwood aids in reaching a meditative state.

Sweetgrass calls in positive energies and makes things sweet to spirit. It is often braided in the field, with love, before it is harvesting and called the hair of the Earth Mother.

Tobacco can absorb our prayers and carry them to Creator. Its not often used as a smudge but is used in prayer pipe ceremonies and for making offerings. It is often used when you harvest another herb as a return offering to the plant.

Note: The gum resins (amber , copal, frankincense, myrrh, pinon pine and sandalwood) should be burned on charcoal, see Burning on charcoal. If you buy powdered resins you can sprinkle it onto the herbs before you tie them into smudges.

Other herbs for smudges include mugwort, sumac, osier, mesquite, tansy, thyme, rosemary, basil, mint, oregano, hyssop, or patchouli. Each has its own correspondences and some work well as a insect repellent and help to banish mildew.

Aloe Vera plants, though not to be burnt, are good for the cleansing. Keep one or more potted Aloe Veras in the house in organic (wood or ceramic, never plastic or metal) pots. When you transplant it, sprinkle the roots with corn meal and smudge it with cedar after it is transplanted to honor the plant. The spirit of Aloe Vera is a good protective spirit, and if you burn yourself, can also be used to heal your skin. BE SURE TO ASK THE PLANT'S PERMISSION before cutting part of the leaf off for the healing juice. If you don't, the protective power of the plant will cease, and you will be left with but an inert houseplant...and perhaps some bad karma to boot.