What is Sage Smudging? Goddess I AM has the answer!
Welcome to Goddess I AM! If you are new to us, I am so pleased that you have found us!! We are a conscious living metaphysical store dedicated to helping you to move into your best self.
Starting today, Beth Brown-Rinella, owner of Goddess I AM and Healer, will begin to offer simple ideas and uses for some of our favorite Spiritual tools and working with energy. Today, our topic is Smudging.
What is Smudging?
"What is smudging you ask?" It is the act of using smoking sage (or cedar sage, mugwort sage, Yerba Santa and a few other special sacred plants) to clear and release energies that are clinging to you or to a space. Smudging is the sacred smoke which clears and releases the negative energy.
As energetic beings we are swimming in energies all of the time. Some of these energies are resonant to our own energy and feel just fine. Other energies can be dissonant and feel "off" or "heavy." It is to our benefit to protect and ensure that the energies around us are in harmony and feel pleasant. As you learn to recognize and sense the energies around you, the need for clearing them will increase. My favorite tool to clear energies that are dissonant is burning sage.
How to Perform Sage Smudging
I love sage smudging! I prefer California white sage but there are several other varieties of smudge bundles that can be used. Some other common sage types include black sage or Palo Santo). Sage Smudging is an ancient method used by shamans, Native Americans (or other native peoples) and holy men around the globe.
There are a few tools you will need to gather before you begin the act of sage smudging.
- Bundle of white sage smudge sticks.
- Tool to light the sage. A match or lighter are the most common tools.
- Abalone shells or smudge bowl to collect the ash from the smudge sticks as you perform the home cleansing.
- Hand or a feather to spread the sacred smoke from the sage bundle.
Smudging involves lighting on fire the end of a tightly bundled group of sage leaves (aka smudge bundles) which are dried and readily burned. You are needing smoke, not fire--for it is in the smoke that the magic takes place!
We all have an energetic signature and we tend to imprint this wherever we go. If you come home and there have been other people hanging out, you may feel the energy is off-putting. Whip out your handy-dandy Sage Stick, light it, blow out the fire, make sure it is smoking and walk around the house.
You may wish to use the abalone shell or smudge bowl for any ash to drop into as you walk around your home. The last thing you want is for hot ash to fall on a surface which could light on fire. We highly recommend that you use a tool to collect the ash as you allow the sacred smoke to cleanse your home of a negative energy.
Some like to use a feather to move the smoke about their home as they wish. Some simply use their hand to wave the smoke from the smudge sticks around as it clears all of the energies that may be clinging to you or your space.
When you feel that you have completed the task of clearing the desired energy field, open the front door to allow all of the energies to move on out! There is no need to overthink this. Trust that the sage bundle will do all of the work, while you simply guide it into the areas of need.
How Often Should you Sage?
Beth likes to sage her house weekly, and this keeps her home feeling good and clear. If you have lots of kids and people coming over it may help to do this daily. Smudging doesn't hurt, and it won't get rid of good energy.
The answer to how often is simply, when you feel the negative energy seeping in--sage. Sage yourself and don’t be afraid to sage a friend. Perform a home cleansing as often as you like, whenever the energies no longer feel harmonious. Don’t forget to let the sacred smoke cleanse you. We carry so much of other’s energies from everywhere we have been, cleansing ourselves is also vital.
Stores that Sell Sage Bundles
Where can you buy Sage sticks? We sell many sizes and varieties at Goddessiam.com, You can also find sage in our brick and mortar shop in Naples FL.
On our website Goddessiam.com you’ll find the abalone shells, mermaid shell smudge bowls, and many types of smudge bundles (including the white sage Beth prefers). We invite you to visit our online Shop under Smoke to see all that we have to offer for Sage Smudging. Of course, the mugwort smudge, sage, and everything else you see can also be found in our physical store in Naples, Florida as well.