Large Sage and Palo Santo with shell Smudging Kit

White sage is a herb held sacred by Native Americans for hundreds of years. Burning sage is a ritual known as smudging. Smudging is a cleansing ceremony used to help people, places, or even objects get rid of negative energy or even evil spirits. Burning sage is one of the oldest and purest methods of cleansing a person, group of people, or space and of getting rid of unwanted spirits. The practise dates back to prehistoric times and it’s been documented as having been used in every corner of the world by our ancestors.

White sage clears bacteria in the air. Sage smoke offers rapid delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 per cent of airborne bacteria and disinfect the air.

When the sage is burned, it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into a positive mood. The Latin word for sage salvia stems from the word heal. Other qualities believed to be associated with sage when burned are giving wisdom, clarity, and increasing spiritual awareness.

 

How to Perform a Smudging Ceremony We begin a smudging ceremony by expressing our intention for the ritual and sharing our gratitude to white sage for helping us on our journey.

Only after the intention is set is it possible to burn sage for your given purpose whether it be physical or spiritual healing.

Once your mind is clear of all but your intention for the ceremony, begin burning the sage.

 

To perform the ceremony, place a bundle of sage in a fireproof bowl (such as Abalone shell) and set it alight for a few seconds.

After a few seconds, blow the flame out to allow the smoke to billow up. If the sage is particularly dry, the flames will catch on quickly, so be prepared to blow it out just as quickly.

The smoke given off by white sage cleanses by attaching itself to the negativity in the space.

As the smoke spreads, so do it's cleansing and healing properties. White sage can be used to cleanse a person, an object or even your home by allowing the smoke to flow over the person, object or throughout your home.

The best way to cleanse your home is to: - Light the white sage and allow it to ember

- Walk around your home, allowing the smoke to enter each room, lift the white sage to every corner to ensure the smoke has touched each crevice of every room in your home.

- Once you have done this, you can light palo santo OR your favourite incense and open the windows to allow the negative energy to flow out with the smoke from the white sage.