Learn to Smoke Cleanse (Smudge)

See the little video on Loose leaf smudging-but Please- be safe around fire!

Smudging is the best known name for an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. I will also refer to it intermittently as Smoke Cleansing. It is basically burning aromatic herbs, woods, and resins to clear the energy in your aura and your space. Smoke cleansing is used in many cultures around the world; the choice of herbs is varied and a highly individual matter. But… Why has this tradition been and still is so strong?

Because it works! Today we like to use science to test everything, so I poked around the net and found research studies here: https://www.greenmedinfo.com/therapeutic-action/medicinal-smokeincensesmudging. These show that up to 94% of airborne bacteria in a closed room were cleared within an hour of smudging with cedar and sage. But it gets better: A day later, the closed room was still decontaminated and even a full month later the effects on the bacteria count were still noticeable. I did not find research supporting this but it is said that burning sage or other herbs neutralizes the positive ions in the air and releases large amounts of negative ions (positive ions make you feel tired and spent.  So having plenty of negative ions in your electromagnetic field (aura) will regenerate your energy.) And scent affects the limbic system (Google: “Limbic system-a complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood. It controls the basic emotions (fear, pleasure, anger) and drives (hunger, sex, dominance, care of offspring)”).

How to do this? There are two components to this: Burning the herbs AND your intention!

These are the physical steps to smudging: Step 1- get your dried herbs, a vessel (don’t use metal or glass, it will get too hot to hold and may leave a burn mark on the surface below it. Use a  stoneware vessel, a plate, or one of those beautiful abalone shells if you like. Find some matches or a lighter. Step 2. Light the herbs, let them burn for a little bit, then blow them out- GENTLY. If you are using loose herbs they can get airborne pretty easily. Less is more; start with a little, the smoke can smell pretty strong. You can always light the smudge again if it goes out. Step 3. Smudge yourself and/or your space as explained below. Step 4. Let the smudge burn out by itself. Step 5. Open a window to let out the smoke and let fresh energy in.

Now- here’s for the intention part of smudging: Hold the intention of creating a safe and nurturing space around you, clear from any negative energy or thought forms. Use this to create a clearing of your personal space before journeying (other ways to prepare for journeying include singing, humming, or toning) but don’t limit smudging to that. How often you will want to perform a smoke cleansing (smudging) is up to you, your intuition, and your current situation. Let me quantify that: Clearing your own energy is particularly useful, even called for after a stressful situation, one that has depleted you energetically; if you have been stressed out; made to feel uncomfortable; or if you have noticed that you have been around people that drain your energy. (Those pesky energy vampires).

Smudging your home: As above; but before turning out the herbs, walk around your home in a clockwise motion, wafting the smoke high and low while holding the vision and intention of a safe and nurturing space everywhere in your space, cleared of any negativity. (You may have to light the smudge several times as it may go out- that’s OK).  Call in your helping spirits and angels to help with this task if that feels right to you. They will be delighted to assist you. Give thanks for their help and the herbs as you watch the herbs burn out and stop smoking.

Which herbs to use: Experiment- try sage, cedar, sweetgrass, lavender, juniper, palo santo, to name a few. Cedar and/or sage bundles called smudge sticks are easy to find online or in healthfood stores- even Wal-mart online has a listing for a smudge stick. By Trial and error find out which you like; sage and cedar are traditional staples.

Or make your own smudge sticks. I found a link to a photo tutorial for making your own smudge sticks- I think it’s OK to share it here: https://freeplaycraft.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/diy-smudge-sticks-photo-tutorial/

Supplies Section

I did not add anything to the supplies list for this class so please refer to the list from last month for shopping. But in case you need it, here’s the Dick Blick link:

https://www.dickblick.com/lists/blicku/HR2J53GAJTUIR/publicview/

Instagram Prompt

Take pictures of different healing herbs and post to Instagram using #paintingonheartsideofbrain #herbs