Guide to Smudging

You'll want to use either Californian White Sage or a White Sage Smudge Stick. This is not a job for the sage you grow in your herb garden! Set your intention and look for ethically sourced, high-quality, sacred ceremonial sage.

Remember to open a door or a window before you light up so that the unwanted energy has a clear pathway to get out. Once the area is ventilated, ask the unwanted energy to leave your space.

Use this invitation: "Any energy that is not of my highest and greatest good get out, with love, but you are not welcome to stay here. Please leave through the open window/door."

When burning the sage, we use an abalone or paua shell to hold it. Then you can use a feather to fan and spread the smoke around the space. Paua shells are easy to carry when walking around and can take the heat. Keep in mind that you are lighting something on fire, so ensuring you have a suitable container keeps you safe.

Before you light your sage, set your intention for this cleansing ritual. You can do this by closing your eyes and expressing gratitude for the plants and the culture that brought forth this wisdom.

Hold the sage at the far end from the end you are burning. You'll want to be holding the stalk end so that you can light the leaves. Hold at a 45-degree angle, light the sage and let it burn for 20 seconds. Then gently blow out the flame so that only orange embers remain. Now you can start the process of clearing your space.

Start by wafting some of the smoke around you to cleanse your own energy. Then, if you are clearing your space, walk to each corner of the room and waft the smoke throughout, repeating your initial invitation for the energy to leave the space. If you are smudging your crystals, ensure the smoke surrounds them for 30 seconds.

If your Sage bundle is packed too tightly, you may struggle to keep the sage lit. Gently loosen the string or ribbon and gently press the end into your shell so that it can have some more breathing space. If the orange glow starts to dim, gently blow until it lights up again. Just be careful not to blow ash!

Remember, you are lighting something on fire, so take care of where you put your smudge stick. When you're finished smudging, squash the smoking sage in a ceramic dish or shell.