Making a Sage Bundle to Smudge a Space
Sometimes a space seems to have bad energy, and smudging with sage can help improve the mood. Sage smudging is a ritualistic practice of burning dried sage leaves and other herbs, letting the smoke cleanse and purify a home, office, or even a person. Some people believe the smoke drifting from the herbs can help to replace negative energy with positive and healing vibes. It comes from a Native American traditional healing ceremony to help bad emotions and evil energy drift away.
How to Make a Sage Bundle
Take about 50 fresh sage leaves from a sage plant and bundle the leaves together with a piece of string. You can also add a few sprigs of rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and other herbs that you see fit to your bundle as you desire. Hang the herbs upside down to dry for about two weeks. Once dry, bundle all the herbs together into a stick like formation that is at least 8 inches long.
How to Smudge a House or Office Space with Your Sage Bundle
This is helpful to do when you are moving into a new space, or when you feel like someone or something with toxic energy has been in your space. It is even a good idea if there has been a negative occurrence such as an illness, divorce, or an ugly dispute, and you want to cleanse its bad energy. Some people may also choose to smudge a space before practicing yoga or meditation.
Here’s what to do with your sage bundle.
In a metal or glass bowl, light one end of the sage bundle you have made. If an actual flame appears, blow it out, so that it is only smoking and not burning. Pick up the unlit end, and carefully walk around your space, letting the smoke from the sage waft into the air. Imagine its smoke clearing away any negative or dark energies in the space. Continue to hold the bowl you lit your bundle in over the smoking herbs to catch any falling pieces. Be careful not to get the sage bundle or its ashes in close proximity to flammable items such as furniture and drapes. If the sage bundle stops smoking, you can relight it in your bowl, just make sure there is no flame in the herbs, only smoke. If the bundle smolders down close to your hand, put the bundle back into the bowl. Take the bowl to a sink and cover it with water to ensure any possible flame have been put out.
How to Smudge a Person
Sometimes an individual feels like they need to clear negative energy away from their body. Sage smudging a person is like giving them a metaphysically cleansing shower. First, ask the person being smudged to get in a calm meditative position. Light your sage bundle in a glass or metal bowl and blow out any possible flame, leaving only smoke coming from the bundle. Slowly move the sage smoke from the person’s feet, up towards their head, about two feet away from their body. Repeat this movement several times while you imagine the person’s energy being cleansed. Be careful not to get the burning sage bundle in close proximity to their hair, or clothing. When you are finished, put the sage bundle back into the bowl and take it to a sink to cover with water to put out any possible flames or embers.
By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, Registered Aromatherapist, LMT
Pictured Below: It is late May, and sage is growing in abundance in my frequently watered, buried pot that gets only morning full sun. Dallas, TX y’all.
