Spiritual Spring Cleaning: Smudging

Smudging is a ceremony commonly associated with Native American traditions; however, the practice of burning herbs for spiritual cleansing/healing is a common practice throughout many religions/cultures/spirituality around the world. 

Smudging is ultimately a ceremony of cleansing spiritual energies. The burning of specific herbs, that are considered medicines, to create a ceremony that will take your prayers/blessings to the Universe and facilitate cleansing of energy. 

The smoke is the agent of cleansing which attaches to negative energy and sends it to the Light to be transformed for its Highest Good. After cleansing, the smoke re-establishes the energy within the space that was cleansed and promotes a space filled with positive, bright and balanced energy.

The Tools:

Smudging is all about creating balance. In a ceremony we call in all of the 5 elements to create this sacred wholeness.

Earth:

Medicines/herbs used in your medicine pot

Air:

Feather-this is a sacred gift from the spirit animal which is used as a tool. Make sure you always honour the spirit for its beautiful gift to you!

Fire:

 The fire used to burn the herbs and create the smoke...wooden matches are the most natural way to go but you can use a lighter

Water:

Abalone Shell- used as your smudge pot

Spirit:

The smoke created from the burning of herbs which carries prayers/blessings to the Universe. When the smoke begins you will also be calling in Creator/Spirit/Universe, Earth Mother, guides, angels, guides, /Gods/Goddesses, Faeries, all beings from the Light to be witness to the healing and cleansing. Always call them in with gratitude, respect and blessings. These are the beings who facilitate the healing and allow for the knowledge to provide cleansing.

Always honour the spirit of the element you are bringing into the ceremony. As you pick up each item, do so with a sense of sacredness and begin your prayers of thanks to each one.

The Medicines used:

Sage: This amazing medicine is used to cleanse a space of negative energies and provide a protective barrier around the space.

Sweetgrass: Sweetgrass welcomes in positive spirits to your space to fill it with positive light.

Tobacco: Sacred tobacco is used as an offering of thanks to the Earth for providing the tools to create the ceremony. Can’t find Sacred Tobacco? You can substitute with hand picked cedar.

Lavender:  This plant is not only healing it increases the vibrations of peace, love and joy in your home.

To smudge your home you will want to begin in one room and systematically work through the whole house. Do what feels right, you can start from the basement and work your way up or start from the top and make your way down....

Work your way through each room, ensure that the smoke covers ever inch and gets into every little nook and cranny! 

For more information on Smudging check out Danielle's online Shamanic Smudging Practitioner Class