The Power of Smudging

The powerful cleansing technique called smudging has been a tradition of the Native American people for many thousands of years.

Sacred herbs are burned with the intention of calling upon the spirit of the plants to help clear away negative or stagnant energy from yourself and your environment. As we know we are not just made of physical matter, but vibrate with invisible, subatomic energy. Smudging is so powerful because it affects the subtle bodies of spiritual energy, purifying psychic and emotional energy that might have accumulated over a length of time. The effects of smudging can be felt quickly and dramatically, leaving you with a greater sense of calm and clarity.

The tradition of cleansing a space of negative energy using smoke is not just a Native American ritual, but has been used by many cultures around the world like China, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The burning of incense in the temples of Hinduism and Buddhism, the smoldering of frankincense and myrrh in the catholic churches, the three wise man who brought sacred resins to Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the time of his birth.

The herbs most often used in smudging are sage; my favorite by far is the coastal white sage, as well as sweet grass and cedar. For those of you who are allergic or sensitive to smoke, white sage spray is also available and effective.

The potent spirit of sage has the power to drive away negative energies, spirits and influences. It is used to attract positive energy, healing and revive the human aura and environment.

You will need:
Loose white sage or a smudge stick
A ceramic bowl or a shell
Matches or lighter
A large feather

Self clearing:
Light the leaves of your bowl of sage or smudge stick letting it burn for a few moments until the leaves begin to smolder. You might have to extinguish the flames so that the smudge smokes and not burns.

Ground and center yourself taking a few cleansing breaths. Call upon the spirit of the sacred smudge to purify and protect you saying something like: "sacred sage, clear away all negative energy from my mind, body, heart and spirit. Purify my soul, recharge me with positive energy and protect me from all negativity. "

First waft the smoke toward your heart, holding the smudge away from you, use your hand or feather to waft the smoke towards you. Next bring the smudge over your head, down your arms, down the front of your body towards your feet. Visualize all negative emotions, thoughts and energies being cleansed and lifted. Next, bring the smudge back to your head, gently and careful breath in the smoke to purify your body from within. Then bring the smudge to the back of your body and toward the ground, visualize all impurities being cleared away immediately.

To smudge someone else:
You can use the same technique as above with the other person standing or sitting in front of you. You can ask them to repeat the words after you.

You can also clear your own or another persons chakras by smudging them starting at the level of the root chakra moving gently towards the upper chakras. You can visualize your aura being filled and recharged with the brilliant light and color of each chakra.

If you own crystals or crystal jewelry, I recommend you use smudge to clear your crystals on a regular basis.

Space clearing:
Just like cleaning your space physically, your space needs clearing of negative and stagnant energy. If you feel stuck, fatigued, or are not sleeping well, smudging your space might just bring some relief. To clear your space - first clear yourself as described above. Center yourself with a few cleansing and grounding breaths. Now begin to walk clockwise around the room wafting the smoke of the smudge into every corner, call upon the spirit of sage you clear away all negative and unbalanced energy in the room. When finished place yourself in the center of the room and ask your spirit guides and angels to fill your space with love, protect your family and loved ones with their light and guard your space from above. Move from room to room repeating the same ceremony. When finished thank the spirit of sage and your spirit helpers for their clearing and protection.

I hope you will find this information helpful.

Many good blessings,

Dorothea Delgado