Sage burning (aka, “smudging” or “sage-ing”) is one of the oldest rituals and methods for cleansing spaces and ridding oneself of negative energy. Sage can also be used to gain clarity, wisdom and promote healing.
Here are some easy steps to smudging your space:
1. Decide on your ritual and intention. Prior to your smudging ritual be clear on what your intentions are. Ask yourself what you're trying to release and the intention that you are trying to set in your space.
Great times to smudge
- When you move into a new living space
- When you begin a new job or start your own business
- Before and after a guest enters your home
- Before meditation
- After an argument or illness
2. Gather your supplies and prepare your space - Sage Wand, matches, and a heat resistant bowl or vessel. Abalone shells are often used because they are easy to hold when walking around and they can take the heat created from the burning sage. Remember, you are lighting something on fire so making sure you have the right container is important.
Remove any excess clutter so that negative energy does not become trapped within your space.
3. Open every door and window in your house, and turn on fans if you have them. This allows the negative energy to leave.
4. Light your wand, and when it catches fire, blow out the flames and allow the embers to start to smoke (as you would an incense).
5. Set your intention for your space.
6. Walk around the room, waving the sage stick so and allowing smoke to drift into corners, along walls and around windows.
Picture the smoke absorbing the negativity, toxicity and anything else that you want to go away. See the smoke dissipating and floating out the windows, and imagine that bad energy flowing out of your space, making room for positive, fresh energy.
7. Try burning incense directly after a saging session. Sage is known for its yang (male) aspect, and incense may lend a complementary yin (female) energy.
When do you smudge?
Leave a comment