I recommend using a smudge stick that s approximately 3 to 5 inches long for a small space or to keep handy in your personal ritual kit.
What do smudge sticks do.
The smaller size also helps avoid being overcome by.
Basically a smudge stick is a small bundle of plants and herbs bound with string that will be lit on fire careful to release positive energy and likewise dissipate the negative vibes.
You then light the tip blow out the flame and allow the fragrant smoke to waft through a space.
Be sure to allow the smoke to drift into even the hidden spaces like inside closets basements and dark corners.
Smudge sticks are simply a bundle of dried herbs that have been wrapped together into a stick.
Once the smudge stick has a steady flame blow it out so it is smoldering and smoking.
First light one end of your smudge allowing it to catch fire and burn for several seconds.
Nowadays smudging is still used for spiritual practices but also energy work and even everyday energetic clearing of spaces e g homes and offices.
Light the tip of the smudge stick with a lighter match or candle.
Move mindfully and with care walking clockwise around the entire perimeter of the home.
Start at the front door of the home and light your smudge stick.
Smudging is an ancient method purifying and clearing negative energy from a room scared space object or person adding certain herbs like juniper berry to smudge creates a positive and protective space.
When in doubt burn less you can.
Once the flame extinguishes gently blow on the lit end to fan the embers.
Check the end closely to make sure there are no more embers burning.
Juniper berry in smudge.
This is something you ll need to experiment with a bit but it s a lot easier than it sounds.
Let it burn out.
Set the smudge stick to dry in a basket or on a drying screen for 7 10 days or as long as necessary.
The smudge will begin to glow and smoke.
Lay the smudge on a heatproof dish such as an abalone shell to catch the ashes as it burns.
Smudge sticks seem to die pretty quickly unless you ve really torched the sucker at the start.
The term smudging refers to a ceremonial or ritual practice of burning herbs to purify and cleanse a space or other people.
The idea here is burning what you need and hopefully having it self extinguish by the time you re done.
Smudging or other rites involving the burning of sacred herbs e g white sage or resins is a ceremony practiced by some indigenous peoples of the americas in some cases the ceremony is for spiritual cleansing or blessing but the purposes and particulars of the ceremonies and the substances used can vary widely between tribes bands and nations.
