Smudging with Sage - Negative Energy Be Gone!
So you're in need of cleansing your home, body or some for or area around you... You've come to the right place.
Smudging has been around for centuries and is and ancient art form used by Native American Healers and it's still used by more people than you'd ever realise. Especially in yoga and meditation practices.
Notice the spirit animals hidden amongst the image above... how cool!
The feather is often from the magnificent eagle, but you can use any
To do this 'smudging' process you'll need the following:
1 X dried bunch of white sage (you can get it from health shops, crystal shops or even your own garden)
1 X bowl/abalone shell to catch the ash from the sage
A match or lighter of some sort
A feather is also really handy - it us used to waft the smoke around
Save this link if you don't have all the required goodies and come back to it once you’re ready..
NOTE: the feather is NOT essential - but it's pretty cool to use and makes you feel like a pro, even if you're not ;)
If you want to DIY your own sage sticks, follow these steps: (If not, scroll down)
Pick some longish stems of sage or cedar (not too many branches, sue mostly leaf bunches) from your herb patch. It doesn't really matter how thick you make it. The thicker the bunch, the longer it will last when smoking but it will take a little longer to 'dry out'.
Bunch them leaves/stems together and grab about 1.5 - 2 metres of cotton thread or thin twine. (something not too flammable)
Once the bunch has been tied together (I recommend doing a few at a time if you have enough sage)
Time to let the sage dry - this is where you need patience or a shop to buy your own in the meantime. It will take about 3 weeks or more, depending on your climate.
If you want to get fancy, you can even add a couple lavender stems and flowers into each bunch for a stunning aroma.
So now you're ready to cleanse yourself and/or your home of any negative energy around you.
GRAB YOUR:
Smudging stick (dried bunch of sage)
Plate/abalone shell to catch the ash
Lighter (and feather if you have one)
Let's begin...
GENERAL CLEANSING FOR YOUR BODY:
Place the plate/shell on a bench while you light the sage.
Hold the flame on the sage for a few seconds until it catches alight, then blow it out gently to allow it to smoke (without the flame - red embers are ok)
Grab your plate/shell in one hand - the sage in the other.
Start by cleaning yourself and preparing your mind for this cool experience. (feather not needed)
Starting at your feet working your way up... (twirl slowly in a circle so the smoke envelopes you from head to toe)
Repeat this affirmation to yourself as you spin around:
"I NOW CLEANSE ALL NEGATIVE ENERGY
FROM WITHIN ME AND ALL AROUND ME.
I LET GO OF ALL THAT NO LONGER SERVES ME.
I AM FREE FROM ANY NEGATIVE ENERGY HOLDING ME BACK
FROM BECOMING THE HIGHEST VERSION OF MYSELF."
(If you'd like to do a more thorough job, follow these next steps using the smudging prayer...)
SMUDGING PRAYER FOR YOUR BODY:
Repeat steps 1-5 in the steps above. If you have already let’s resume.
You might need to re-light the sage a couple times if it stops smoking.
Repeat this prayer to yourself as you waft the sage smoke around each body part:
"MAY MY HANDS BE CLEANSED TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL THINGS.
MAY MY FEETBE CLEANSED AND TAKE ME WHERE I NEED TO BE.
MAY MY HEART BE CLEANSED TO RECEIVE MESSAGES CLEARLY.
MAY MY THROATBE CLEANSED SO THAT I CAN SPEAK RIGHTLY.
MAY MY EYESBE CLEANSED SO I CAN SEE THE SIGNS IM GIVEN.
MAY MY BODY, MIND AND SOUL BE WASHED CLEAN BY THE SMOKE AND FRAGRANCE OF THIS SACRES SAGE AND PRACTICE.
MAY THE SMOKE CARRY MY PRAYERS SPIRALLING TO THE HEAVENS."
You might be thinking... "WOW. that was full on!"
BUT I promise this works!!
Just try it! You may even feel the presence of your handy work actual work!
Now for your home/space you wish to cleanse.
I recommend you do this when you're home alone if you don't want to be bothered during this process ;)
Repeat the steps of 1-5 again unless your smudging still is still smoking.
It might need a little helping hand to get smoking again.
CLEANSING YOUR HOME / MINDFULNESS SPACE:
Walk around your home starting in one room and repeat this mantra/affirmation in each room
This is where you can use your feather (if can, grab one from your chicken or one you've found on the ground somewhere - don't pluck it from your chicken though ;)
Use the feather to make circular motions over the smoke.
Use the affirmations below for EVERY room in your home for optimal cleansing. Ones you've don't that once, you'd only need to do it around your 'mindfulness' space every so often. You'll know by feel when it need to be done. (Otherwise, every couple of months will do)
"I CLEANSE THIS SPACE OF ANY HEAVINESS AND NEGATIVE ENERGY.
IF THERE ARE ANY ENERGIES HERE, NOT OF LIGHT.
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME. BE GONE AND DO NO RETURN.
I SURROUND THIS SPACE WITH POSITIVE ENERGY AND WHITE LIGHT.
THIS ROOM IS NOW CLEANSED OF ANY NEGATIVE ENERGY"
(For a quicker version say this whole affirmation as you walk around your home.You might need to repeat it a couple times if you have a big place.)
YOU DID IT!
I hope you have a sense of relief wash over your body, mind and house so you can move forward with your life and your mindfulness journey.
If you have any question, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you.
Sending you love and POSITIVE VIBES!
Namaste,
Leah