From many ancient traditions, herbs and plants are used to perform the sacred smoke blessing. Smudging is also a ritual of cleansing and purification for the physical and spiritual bodies. Smudging calls on the spirits of scared herbs and plants to drive away negative energies and to restore balance.
Smudging is often used to cleanse and balance the aura energies of people, and used to clear space energy within home and work environments. Smudging is also used to cleanse and remove negative energies from crystals, gemstones and other natural and healing objects.
Mixtures of sacred herbs and resins are burned in a special bowl or shell. Smudging sticks are now available, which are made from dried plants and herbs tied in a small bundle. Smudging is viewed as a way of shifting between the levels of the material, physical, and spirit realms. There are many methods of smudging. The most common method is by lighting the herb or plant, extinguishing the flame, and wafting the rising smoke around the person, area or object, while sending out a prayer or blessing.
Herbs most often used in smudging are white sage and sweet grass. Sage drives out negative thoughts, energies, spirits and influences. Sweet grass is used to attract positive energies, after the negative energies are banished. Other herbs and plants used in smudging are, lavender, copal, cedar, juniper and mugwort.
So today take some time and honor what is Sacred…. take time to cleanse and honor your day and all that is… SMUDGE!!!!
“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing the Native culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Mitakuye O’yasin
~bear Medicinewalker
“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”
Earth Dance by Chris Ferree and Brad Horne available at http://www.chrisferree.com
Im not sure if this is the proper place to post this, but hopefully Bear sees it and can help me…
I have recently been interested in learning to smudge my house. However, Im not sure what to say in a blessing while Im smudging. I want to cleanse my home of negative spirits/energies, but I dont want to accidentally “push away” any good spirits/energies if I say a blessing improperly. Could you (or anyone else) help me out and give me some ideas of what to say during smudging? Thank you.
Lita; watch you r inbox over the next couple days… I will send you a note…
Blessings ~ bear
Thank you kindly. I will patiently be awaiting your advice!
Sometimes we take a journey in life, However, I always come back to the essence of “Bear” Shared your info on Twitter. Good to see you 😉 Shelly @ Kozmickids Radio
Thank you, for your dedication, Bear Medicine Walker! ♡ A blessed day to you!