Safe Smudging in your City Home
How can we reap the benefits the smudging without letting the flame be a threat? Today, we take a quick but important look at smudging for the modern city dweller.
What is Smudging?
Smudging quite simply means to burn sacred plants (such as sage and Palo Santo) to purify and cleanse a person or place of negative energy and thoughts. It is a traditional ceremony with a long history and ties to Native American culture, among others.
Traditionally, smudging involves a shell, sacred plants, fire, and smoke. Together, these four represents the four elements of water, earth, fire and air, respectively. During the ritual, the plants are placed into the shell and then lit with a wooden match. After red ambers start t show, the flames are blown out. The resultant smoke, which is believed to heal and cleanse the mind, body and space that it touches, is wafted over the area (by hand or by a large feather).
Of course, smoke offerings are also important to other religions and cultures such as Buddhism. Nowadays, smudging is regaining popularity as a way to cleanse the home (and person) of negative energy, especially during a new move / change or after a trying ordeal.
Why Smudge?
Naturally, with the involvement of smoke, flames, so on and forth, there are questions about the safety of smudging. In particular, controversy around smudging question whether frequent inhalation of the smoke produced is good for our bodies.
We are no experts here so please refer to a licensed professional healthcare practitioner for details (just cool nerds), but according to Healthline, there are definite benefits to smudging. For one, sage, which is one of the most popular smudging herb, has antimicrobial properties. For another, a study published by the Iztapalapa Metropolitan Autonomous University explored smudging as a traditional remedy for mood disorders. A more recent study by the University of Mississippi also showed how white sage activates receptors in the brain that are responsible for reducing stress.
That being said, it is best not to inhale the smoke directly at close proximity, due to the heat and intensity of the smoke, which could irritate the mucous lining of our lungs. Our lungs are delicate and crucial to healthy living, so treat them well.
How to Smudge Safely?
Firstly, do note that different religions and cultures use different materials. Above, we explored the four traditional elements used in Native American cultures. For Tibetan Buddhists, juniper is important, whereas in Feng Shui, orange peels are commonly used.
Nowadays, beautiful smudge sticks made of rose, lavender, rosemary as well as your traditional palo santo and sage are also increasing in popularity. Whichever it is that catches your fancy, be sure to use one that appeals to you and satisfies your needs.
Today, we'd talk about the most basic tools and procedures for the basic smudging practice.
Ventilation
We begin with something that is a little controversial. People debate whether the windows should be closed or open during a smudging ritual. Personally, I prefer the windows open. One, although I do like the scent of Palo Santo, my preferred sacred plant, I have dogs and it is not pleasant for their sensitive doggy noses when the scent is too potent.
Some also believe that opening your windows also helps the negative energy leave the room.
Intention
Decide your intention / mantra / prayer before you begin. Be it to cleanse the surroundings, to programme your crystals, or as part of your meditation practice. Repeating your mantra while smudging is also a good way to focus your intentions.
Candles / Small Heat Source (e.g. Matches)
Work with a small candle (instead of a large flame). Hold your smudge stick at 45-degrees, and hold it to your flame. Let it burn until you see orange-red embers (should take around 20 seconds).
Blow out the flame. At this point, you should see the smoke wafting though the air.
Take a Peaceful Walk
Let the smoke envelop you and then move around your space, beginning at the front door. Move carefully while holding on to a fireproof container or a bowl of sand or dirt so that the embers do not drop onto the floor and cause damage (more on it later). Ensure that the smoke drifts into all corners and spaces. As you do so, you could repeat your mantra, e.g. "I let go of this negativity.", or prayer. Let your prayers and mantra fill your space — this also focuses your mind onto the mantra, invigorating and motivating you.
Move around the house and end back at the front door. Visualize the home as a place of light and, voila, the ritual is complete.
Bowl of Sand / Dirt
To extinguish the flames after you have cleansed your home, bury the tip in a bowl of sand (my preferred bowl) or dirt. Do NOT use water as that ruins the smudge stick and makes it difficult to light up the next time. A smudge stick lasts quite a while, so do take care of it.
Fireproof Container or a Smudge Stick Holder
Once you are sure that smudge stick is extinguished, store it safely (perhaps like this crescent brass holder?) until you need to use it again.
A Final Word or Two...
Many debate over how often to smudge. My personal take is that you should smudge whenever you feel clouded, stressed out, or stuck. At these moments when you're weighed down, smudging and visualizing your obstacles being cleared from your surroundings is really helpful!
With all our Love
Ren
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute of any kind for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. Please seek immediate medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative or homeopathic medicine or making a change to your lifestyle and regimen.
