Smudging with Sage

Smudging with Sage is a cleansing ritual used to clear negative energy from a person, object, or space. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide on how to smudge with sage:

Materials Needed:
Smudging with sage, a traditional practice often used in various Indigenous cultures for purification and spiritual purposes, involves four elements represented as follows:

1. ABALONE SHELL (Water): Although less obvious, the water element is often represented by the bowl or shell used to hold the sage during smudging. Some traditions also include a small bowl of water nearby to signify the presence of this element.

2. SAGE (Earth): The sage itself represents the earth element. Sage is a plant that grows from the ground, connecting the practice to the earth and its natural healing properties.

3. FEATHER (Air): By fanning the smoke produced when sage is burned with a feather symbolises the air element. As the smoke rises, it is believed to carry prayers and intentions to the spiritual realm.

4. FLAME (Fire): The flame used to ignite the sage represents the fire element. Fire transforms the sage from its physical form into smoke, facilitating the smudging process.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preparation:
- Choose Your Sage: Ensure you have a sage kit, preferably from a sustainable and ethical source.
- Set Your Intention: Take a moment to think about why you are smudging. Whether it’s for cleansing negative energy, promoting healing, or purifying your space, having a clear intention will guide the process.

2. Keep windows and doors closed: This allows for the smoke to sit and transmute the energy from negative to positive. Once the smoke has dissipated, that's when you know the sage has done what it has needed to do.

3. Lighting the Sage:
- Hold the sage stick at a 45-degree angle.
- Light the sage stick using a lighter or match. Let it burn for a few seconds, then gently blow out the flame so that the embers are glowing and the sage stick is smoking.

4. Smudging Yourself:
- Begin by wafting the smoke around your body. Start at your feet and work your way up to your head. Use a feather, a fan or your hand to guide the smoke over your body, paying attention to areas that feel heavy or tense.

5. Smudging the Space:
- Entryway: Start at the main entrance of your home. Wave the smoke into all corners, along the doorframe, and in the entryway.
- Rooms: Move through your home methodically. In each room, start at the doorway and move clockwise. Pay special attention to corners, windows, and doorframes, as these areas tend to accumulate stagnant energy.
- Specific Objects: Open all draws and cupboards and allow the smudge to enter into these areas. Smudge specific objects, especially those that are second-hand or have sentimental value. Hold the object and let the smoke wash over it.

6. Setting Down the Sage:
- Once you have smudged all desired areas in your space, press the burning end of the sage stick into the shell or ceramic dish to smother the embers, making sure it has been fully extinguished. Make sure it is completely out before leaving it unattended. You can save the remaining stick for future use.

7. Closing the Ritual:
- Once you’ve completed the smudging, take a moment to express gratitude or say a prayer, thanking the sage and any spirits you may have invoked for their help in cleansing your space.

Tips:
- Safety: Always keep an eye on the burning sage to prevent accidental fires. Never leave it unattended.
- Respect: Remember that smudging is a sacred practice in many cultures. Approach the ritual with respect and mindfulness.

Important note:
If you have current or possible spirit activity and are unsure of your smudging abilities, I recommend having it professionally done as it can annoy negative entities, leading to an increase of activity.