According to Hanekamp, the power of sage comes from its spirit. The first step is making sure that your windows are open (you want to give that negative energy an escape route, duh!). Btw, you don’t have to use white sage to cleanse your home (it's your place, after all), but it is the herb most commonly associated with the practice, she says. For smudging purposes, it is probably best to stick with White Sage, which has been dried and bundled specifically for smudging rituals. Sage burning, or ‘smudging,’ is a form of sorcery or witchcraft, and throughout the Bible God specifically commands his people not to practice any form of sorcery, witchcraft, divination, spell conjuring, or anything of the like. (Hey, I can stand behind Gwyneth on some things.) Smudging is a name given for burning sage or other herbs when you are depressed, hurt, angry, or used as a spiritual house cleaning. You don't need to keep to a regular sched with saging your house—it's really something you can do whenever you want to feel a little more calm and protected in your life. Working Out Based On Your Menstrual Cycle Is Legit, 7 Pro Athletes’ Top Hair Hacks For Summer, The 15 Best Essential Oils For Aromatherapy, Use This Simple Technique To Calm Down Anywhere. The Benefits And Uses of White Sage White sage smudging is an ancient practice used for healing, ceremonial, and energy clearing work. And that’s where sage smudging comes in. It spread among Native American cultures and was incorporated into their religious practices. Choose Your Burner. Sage drives away negative energies and influence, and sweetgrass attracts positive energy to the space from which the negative energy was banished. Smudging is a symbolic exercise found in feng shui practice, many native American traditions, and alternative healing practices. Fumigation has millenary origins. It is also antibacterial and can help mitigate the effects of exposure to dust, pollen, and mold (perfect for all those allergy sufferers out there!). The combination of these elements makes this smudge ideal for finding relaxation and inner peace. Some people also use smudging as a first step in setting sacred space. If you live in the Northeast, Hanekamp suggests also giving mugwort a try, since it grows abundantly in the region and would give you the opportunity to do a little DIY cleansing. Who Is Ben Smith On 'The Bachelorette' In 2020? We use cookies to give you the best experience, as detailed in our privacy policy. The herb was supposedly used to help clear the air of germs. Native American ceremonies begin by sprinkling the floor with loose sage. Here are a few of the Plant Medicines used for Smudging and the symbolic meaning behind them: Sage. A practice old as time, developed by indigenous peoples, burning sage — also known as “smudging” — has been traditionally used to help clear negative energy. Black sage is widely known for its spiritual and esoteric properties, so if you are dealing with nightmares and sleeps paralysis and you think it’s because of some dark entities, black sage is the right ingredient. The smudges of desert sage are burned to purify environments and raise thoughts; tradition has it that it can instill pleasant thoughts and a sense of relaxation, ward off worries and pessimistic visions, and stimulate inner strength. Just make sure to blow out the flame once the bundle starts smoking. To purify, protect, and refresh the energy around you White sage is the most popular and... Common sage (Salvia officianalis). Other forms of sage can also be used for the smudge stick but the scent will be different and the cleansing effect maybe not quite as pronounced as with white sage. Many new age folks are drawn to sage pots and abalone shells. Burning sage is a ritual known as smudging. While it might seem like a New Age practice your cool aunt basically invented in the '60s, people have been burning sage for spiritual-cleansing purposes for centuries. Traditionally, it was used for healing rituals. “Smudging” with sage is an ancient practice from Native American and other indigenous cultures. Sage smudging is the solution. Traditionally, sage and sweetgrass are used. (Yes, please.). Common sage, lavender sage, blue … Every morning, when we wake up, we usually open the windows in the rooms where we slept to change the air. So it kind of has to go out the window.". The use of white sage incense is especially useful in times of great change in our lives when we can end up intoxicated by stagnant energies or negative and obsolete thought patterns. Use Code: break10 for 10% Discount >>, What Kind of Feather is Used for Smudging? White sage is the most common Native American smudging herb, but not the only one. It’s known as a purifier. The most popular herbs used for smudging are white sage, sweet grass, cedar, and lavender. White sage is also very beneficial when taken as an infusion, as it serves as a natural sedative, calming the nervous system and controlling anxiety. ], Does Smudging Kill Germs? Allowing oxygen in and sending out the stagnation of carbon dioxide of the night cleans up the environment: it’s like a burst of energy to start the day in the best possible way. It’s also a common tool that many spiritual practitioners and seekers use today to energetically clear and even protect spaces. Sage comes in several varieties. Women's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) [Colors Explained], What to do With Sage Ashes or Stick after Smudging? Try to focus on this and choose the perfect kind of sage to smudge and cleanse! White sage is ideal to burn as incense. It turns out that sage may help clear the air of … It is one of the most used medicinal plants in the world of natural medicine since it maintains all kinds of benefits and no contraindications. Today smudging is popular with many neo-pagan groups and Wicca followers. Whether you just had the absolute worst day at work or a middle school–esque fight with your bestie, sometimes you just need to take a moment to cleanse the bad energy out of your life. According to Hanekamp, saging not only helps to expel any bad vibes in a space, but will also leave you feeling calmer and more at peace. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Painting, thorough cleaning, and washing may not be enough! A smudge of desert sage lasts for several smudging rituals. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies. Smudging and Blessing Herbs. To perform smudging, people generally use a plate or a bowl during t If you have been toying with the idea of buying a smudging bowl and not quite sure of the type of bowl to buy, this article might just help you make a … smudging} has become one of the most powerful ways for me to experience their blessing. Meghan And Harry Comment On Tabloid Report. When you’re ready, light the sage. Sage offers clarity, vision, strength and wisdom; it is known as a medicine for Women. Most of the medicinal properties of white sage are in its leaves, which absorb the energy of the sun and produce a large number of essential oils that aromatize the plant. (Dry your own sage or find sage smudge sticks here.) You’re looking for a steady smolder, not a wildfire, here. Once the smudge is lit, you can purify the house by entering each room and walking around the perimeter of the rooms in a counter-clockwise direction; when you want to act on yourself or someone else, wrap your body up with smoke. What is Smudging? Hanekamp says saging can be used in all kinds of situations, including ones as routine as simply wanting to shift your energy after a rough day, as well as significant, life-changing or milestone circumstances, like moving into a new home or dealing with a bad breakup. Do you want to purify a new house? And it’s not just your spirit that will benefit: A 2007 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacol linked burning sage (a.k.a. Burning it before each ritual helps to drive out negative energy and restore balance to a particular space. Are ‘Bachelorette’ Clare And Dale Still Together? We all know sage has strong, powerful cleansing properties, but did you know that there are many different varieties of sage and each one of them has special properties for certain spiritual goals? Who Went Home On ‘The Bachelorette’ Last Night? You will often find them for sale next to the sage smudge sticks. Think about the energy you want to surround yourself with and what you want to create and cultivate in your space.