How to Perform a White Sage Smudging
Sage smudging ceremonies have been performed by Native Americans for centuries and, in fact, the practice dates back to ancient Babylon. During a sage smudging ceremony, a bundle of herbs is burned to drive out bad spirits, energies and influences that may be present. While cedar and sweetgrass may also be used in the ceremony, white sage (Salvia apiana) is the traditional choice. Sage smudging can be done to cleanse rooms, people or entire buildings.
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Instructions
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Light a match and bring the flame to the end of the sage stick. Allow the flame to burn the herbs.
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Watch as the flame takes hold of the sage. Once it is burning well, extinguish the flame by blowing it out.
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Blow into the hot, red embers in the sage stick. This should cause them to glow and smolder.
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Allow the embers to smolder until the smoke coming out of the stick is thick and constant. You want the sage stick to smolder, not burn. If the embers go out, relight the flame and start over.
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Announce your intentions for the sage smudging aloud or repeat a blessing of your choice. This step is optional; however, sage smudging is traditionally accompanied by a prayer.
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Direct the smoke to the areas you want to purify by moving the stick in smooth, circular motions to various areas.
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Cleanse rooms by tracing the frame of a doorway with the smoldering sage stick. Stay about an inch from the door frame to avoid burning it.
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Move into the room and trace the walls with your sage smoke. Move from corner to corner, allowing the smoke to billow out over the walls.
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Walk down the center of the room, spreading the sage smoke as you walk using circular motions.
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Cleanse your body by moving the sage smoke from your ankles to your head. Circle your body with the sage stick and allow the smoke to curl around you.
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Breathe in the smoke and focus on positive feelings. Repeat a prayer or blessing of your choice.
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Open the windows in the room you smudged to allow the smoke to exit. This completes the smudging process by allowing the smoke to carry negativity out and away.
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Tips & Warnings
Hold a tray or paper plate underneath the sage stick as you smudge, to collect the ash.
Always extinguish the smudge stick carefully once the ceremony is complete. Do this by grinding the tip of the stick into a heat-proof bowl until out.
References
- Photo Credit Sage at Night image by Gary Chorpenning from Fotolia.com
