What is Smudging?

Smudging is an ancient tradition practiced by various cultures around the world. It involves burning a smudge stick, resin, and/or wood. Some of the most common herbs, resins, and wood used in smudging practices around the world include white sage, lavender, frankincense, cedar, and palo santo. Each of these smudging tools has its own unique role in the smudging ceremony. Traditionally, smudging is a ceremony meant for purifying or cleansing a person, place, or object. The objective is to eliminate negative energy. 
White Sage: Burning white sage helps release negative energy. It releases negative ions, which has been associated with enhancing moods. It also neutralizes positive ions such as pollution, dust, mold, and pet dander, repels insects, and removes bacteria from the air. 
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Lavender: Brings a positive energy, calms the mind, and opens the heart chakra. Lavender is used for protection and love, and it adds a sense of calm and peace to the environment.

Palo Santo: Repels negative energy, fear, misfortune, and evil spirits. It assists with releasing you from the harmful effects that stagnant energy has on your mental/physical health. Palo Santo brings a deeper connection to the divine source, aids in physical healing, and inspires creativity.

Frankincense: Reduces headaches, stress, and eases tension. Best known for calming the spirit, relaxing the mind, and dissolving negative feelings. 

Cedar: Most commonly used for protection and grounding. Cedar is often used to cleanse a home when first moving in because it invites unwanted spirits to leave, and protects a person from unwelcome influences. 

Smudging Alternatives

Smoke produced from burning herbs can irritate people with allergies and/or sensitive respiratory systems, and may also cause anxiety in household pets. Our Clearing Negative Energy candles are made with all natural soy wax, frankincense, lavender, palo santo, and white sage. We use pure essential oils that are free from carcinogens, toxins, and other potentially hazardous chemicals. 
Salt water cleansing is an amazing technique to use for clearing tough stagnant or negative energies. This also serves as an incredible visual tool to detect negative energy in your environment. Our Salt Water Cleansing kits contain guided eBooks that provide more information on how to detect negative energies using this technique, and keep the energy cleared in your space.

Our smudging spray is a smokeless alternative to burning smudge sticks. It is made with all natural ingredients, and can be used on the body. The smudging spray produces a light herbal aroma that fades as it dries. It is an excellent tool for smudging 'undercover' as the aroma is undetectable within minutes. Wax Melts provide all the benefits of using the Clearing Negative Energy candle without the wick and flame. 

How to Smudge

  1. Before you smudge your home, make sure you clean and clear out all clutter. 
  2. You will need to determine what tools you will use before you decide how to smudge your home. If you are using tools that produce smoke, the first step is to open a few windows and doors so the negative energy and smoke can leave easily. 
  3. Calm the mind, and relax the spirit: Most importantly, never smudge when you are feeling strong negative feelings, fear, or anxiety. Some people like to spend 15 minutes in meditation prior to smudging. It helps with grounding, calming, and centering your focus on your intentions. 
  4. Set the Intention: Decide what exactly you intend to purify or release from  your space, and create a mantra that you can repeat while smudging. A common mantra used in some personal smudging practices is "I let go and release what no longer serves me". This is an example of what to use when smudging yourself or others. If you are clearing a home, a common mantra used is "I release all stagnant, negative, and unwanted energies from this space in the name of Jesus Christ".
  5. Prayer (optional): Some people prefer to include protection prayers prior to smudging. Choose a prayer (or say your own) that is best fit for your situation.
  6. Once you feel ready, light your sage (smudge stick) using a white candle or match. Let it burn for approximately 20 seconds, and gently blow out the flame. Always begin at the front door, and slowly walk around your space making sure you guide the smoke (using your hand or a feather) toward the open window so it can escape. Focus on areas in front of mirrors, in corners, doorways, and closed off spaces (closets/cabinets). Be careful not to let the burning embers fall on the ground. 
  7. When you are finished, extinguish your smudge stick by gently pressing the tip into the seashell, dirt, sand, or other fireproof tray. 

How to Smudge Using Alternatives

  1. Follow steps 1-5 from the instructions above (How to Smudge)
  2. Personal Smudging Spray: Please check the instructions before applying any spray directly to your skin. Our personal smudging spray is safe to apply directly to your skin. Start at the top of your head, and work your way down to the bottom of your feet. Be sure to cover every area of your entire body. 
  3. Candles/Wax Melts: Say your intentions/prayers while holding your candle or wax melts, then light the candle or place the wax melts in the warmer. Let the candle burn for up to 2 hours. Since the wax melts do not have a flame, they can be left turned on for longer periods. We recommend using 1 candle or 1 wax melt per room when used for cleansing a home. 
  4. Salt Water Cleansing: Follow the instructions provided in your kit (see eBook).

Intention Sticks

Intention sticks are powerful tools for enhancing your intentions. Their purpose is to improve your focus and reduce distractions during your smudging practice. Intention sticks are also used in meditation as manifestation tools.