Smudge Sticks

The act of burning sacred herbs and florals for protection & to cleanse negative energy, is an ancient practice from Native American tradition, though now used in many other cultures such as Chinese Feng Shui.
Research has shown when the leaves are burned, the smoke acts as a purifier to remove negative energy from the space.
Smudging is traditionally practiced using white sage, a sacred plant that is native to California & Mexico & grown around the world. However, it is now on the watch list for species at risk. So we need to be mindful about our footprints on Earth. 

Smudging is a perfect little ritual for you to do whenever you want , daily, with meditation, when entering or moving into a new space (homes, office), after an argument, after a loss, before sleep and after someone has been unwell at home or you just feel bad juju. 

How to use 

Clear your mind of thoughts and distractions. It is important to keep your mind on task while cleansing.

Hold the lit stick in your hand and let the fire take hold for about 30 seconds, or until the herbs start producing a billow of smoke. Then blow it out, so the embers are glowing. 

Slowly purify yourself by fanning the smoke over your body starting with the area above your head and continuing down to your feet in a circular motion. Breathe!

Walk around the space you want to cleanse, moving in a clockwise direction. Move from corner to corner and let the smoke fill the room. A beautiful part of smudging is to use a feather to fan the smoke & have an abalone shell or fireproof dish under the stick to catch cinders as you walk. 

As you smudge your space – pick a mantra/intention that speaks to you. The power of your intention should never be underestimated.

After you feel you have cleansed your space gently extinguish your smudge, a little pressure on your dish or shell should do the trick. 

Creating Smudge Sticks

These beauties will hopefully get you out in nature, look at herbs & florals in a different way & harvest them sustainably.
Arrange your fresh bundles into whatever shape and varieties you like, remember after drying they will look different from when you first make them and then hang in a dry place for 4-6 weeks prior to burning.
Creating smudge sticks is a beautiful and richly sensory exploration, play with the different varieties of floral and herbs, create beautiful mandalas & shapes.

Sending you all Light and Love – Happy smudging