Smudging is the practice of purifying a person, space, or object with the use of a cleansing smoke bath that is produced by burning incense. In the Smudging ceremony, the smoke of the burning incense is rubbed over a person, space, or object by gathering it in the hands or wafting it with a feather. Using a feather is the preferred way for Native Americans as it acknowledges the winged ones who dwell in the sky and calls in the element of Air. Smudging can be performed alone or with other people and can be used as part of a healing and spiritual ritual, to cleanse and purify a home, or to rid negative energy and attract positive energy.
Widely varying cultures and religions throughout the world discovered the healing powers of incense smoke long ago and have been using the smoke from burning incense to purify, cleanse, and heal for thousands of years. Many cultures have an old tradition of driving animals through smoke to kill off pests and diseases. Modern science has proven that certain herbs and resins do indeed have cleansing powers, acting as strong pesticides.
The practice of burning incense is held sacred by many indigenous cultures. The term Smudging originated in the Native American culture and Smudging is therefore typically associated with Native Americans. The Native American smudging ceremony adds a dimension of ritual and respect for the plants that are burned. Native Americans respect all other living things and believe that humans have a sacred agreement with the plants: the plants give up their lives so that we can use their purifying smoke to cleanse with and pray with and in exchange we must respect them by picking the plants with honor, asking permission and giving thanks, taking only what we need, and not damaging the plant.
The principle herbs used for smudging are sage, cedar or juniper, lavender and sweet grass. Pure tobacco is also used by some Plains tribes, and copal in South and Central America. The herbs can be burnt on their own or in mixtures, depending on tradition and required effect. The herbs most often used in smudge sticks are sage and sweet grass. Sage drives out negative thoughts, energies, spirits, and influences. Sweet grass is used to attract positive energy after all the negative energies have been banished by sage.
The herbs used for smudging can either be tied in a bundle called a ’smudge stick’, formed into a braid, or used simply in their loose form. In olden times, the end of the smudge stick or braid was lit from the heating or cooking fire. Today, it is recommended that a candle is used instead of a match or lighter as it takes some time to get the stick smoking. Loose dried smudging herbs are burned just like other types of loose incense by crumbling a small amount over a piece of burning charcoal. The container used for the charcoal and herbs needs to be fireproof. Ceramic or glass bowls with a layer of sand, salt, or ash work well.
Many people like to use an Abalone shell for burning their smudge herbs as they can be very decorative and beautiful. Also, an Abalone shell brings in the element of water, from where life began, to balance the other elements of fire, air, and earth in the smudging ceremony. An abalone grows its shells in a spiral, and thus connects us to the first spiral that started all life. Some cultures, however, view the use of an Abalone shell as disrespectful. Also, an Abalone shell should not be used with charcoal because it may crack. Remember that whatever container is used for burning may become warm enough to scorch a surface or burn your hand so be careful and never leave burning smudge unattended!
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