Smudging: The Origin, Effects, and How-To Guide!
Last week, a new ritual appeared in our webshop: the Medium Smudge Cleansing Ritual. It's a perfect moment to share more about smudging with you. How do you do it? Where does it come from? And does smudging really have an effect? In this blog, I'll give you all the details.
The Origin of Smudging
Smudging has its roots in various indigenous cultures around the world, with the Native Americans being the most well-known practitioners. They believed that this ancient ritual removed negative energies from the surroundings, creating space for positive energy and spiritual growth. They used a variety of dried herbs such as white sage, cedar, and palo santo for this purpose.
Today, smudging has found its way into the modern world and is used worldwide as a means of purification, protection, letting go of the old, and welcoming the new. It's no longer limited to specific religions or communities but is also embraced for personal use at home.
Does Smudging Really Have an Effect?
The effect of smudging can vary from person to person, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, I can share my experience with smudging.
I wasn't always on Team Smudge and only started doing it about ten years ago. For me, the effects are clear: it helps me consciously let go of something and create a new atmosphere, whether in a room at home or within myself when I want to change a certain mood or feeling. To me, the intention and creating a moment for change (big or small) are the most crucial elements. I believe that smoke can carry away certain energies, and some herbs can invoke new or positive energy, but the actions themselves matter most to me.
After smudging, I can feel that I've consciously chosen to shake off something and embark on a different path. At home, I might notice that the room feels a bit happier or lighter, or that I've managed to shed certain feelings or experiences, no longer carrying them with me. These are often subtle but noticeable differences.
I can get completely absorbed in smudging. I might need a little push to start, but once I'm in, I enthusiastically wave the feather back and forth, directing the smoke everywhere and sometimes even dancing around the room until every corner has been smudged.
How Does Smudging Work?
As with many things, preparation is half the battle, and it might seem more complicated than it actually is. In short, the smoke from the sage binds to negative and old energy, which you release by opening the windows or door to let it flow outside. Afterward, you create a new atmosphere using palo santo or incense, filling the space or surrounding yourself with positivity.
Here's a simple 4-step guide on how to smudge:
- Begin by tidying up the room or changing into fresh clothes (for personal cleansing). Prepare a fireproof dish or Abalone shell with a bit of sand or water in it. Open the windows or door for fresh air and to allow negative and old energy to exit. Tip: disable the smoke detectors during smudging; they're guaranteed to go off, as I've learned from experience. Don't forget to turn them back on when you're finished.
- Light the sage smudge stick and let it burn briefly. Blow out the direct flame, so it starts to smolder (be cautious as sparks may fly). Move the smoke into all corners of the room or around yourself, perhaps using a feather. Consider or state your intention, and what you want to release with the smoke.
- If you're smudging the entire house, always work from top to bottom. When you feel the smoke has reached all the areas you wish to "cleanse," extinguish the smudge stick and save it for the next time.
- Next, light the palo santo wood and blow it out when it begins to smolder. Move the smoke into all corners of the room or around yourself. Sing, dance, play music, or think about what new positive things you wish to attract and strengthen with the palo santo.
It's not so difficult, is it? I promise that once you've done it a few times, you'll get the hang of it and may find yourself waving your smudge stick or feather around just as enthusiastically as I do.
Want to buy a handy smudge set? Here's our Medium Smudge set and our Large Smudge set.
Happy Smudging!
Love,
Timco
