Why Smudge?

Smudge is a word that you wouldn’t think could have a positive connotation to it. However, sage smudging is actually a very positive experience. Burning sage has many benefits that are both physical and spiritual. The process of burning sage (and other specific herbs/woods) in order to take advantage of these benefits is called, “smudging.” Smudging has been used for hundreds of years to cleanse spaces of negative energy, and to heal… With the help of modern science, we now know that this practice was not just superstition! Sage smoke has real antimicrobial, mood-boosting, and antibacterial properties that have been found in scientific studies. It has also been found that sage smudging can even help you sleep better.

So how can you burn sage yourself, and be able to use it to cleanse your own home? Fortunately, making sage bundles is actually very easy! All you need is some fresh sage, maybe some other herbs and flowers if you like (lavender and rosemary are great additions), and a strand of natural twine to wrap it up with. You want to keep the stems intact if possible; so that you can layer and wrap everything up easier. Gather all your ingredients into a bundle shape. Be sure to keep the base of all the stems even while you do this, so you have a good place to start wrapping your twine around. Once you have your bundle, measure out your twine to be about four times the length of the bundle. Tie one end to the stems you’ve kept evenly at the bottom, and then wrap it tightly in an upwards spiral, tucking in any stray leaves as you go. When you reach the top, keep wrapping in a downward spiral and secure the remaining twine to the knot you made at the bottom. There you have it! A beautiful sage bundle ready to be used fresh, or dried and used later.

If you are harvesting your herbs and/or flowers in the wild, it’s important to understand that you shouldn’t just take things from the earth without any acknowledgement. Our planet has many gifts to give us, so we must be responsible and not take them for granted… As you forage, you can ask the plants if you may take some of them home. After you have asked, take notice of the energy you feel coming from the plant. If you feel warm, then it has accepted your request, and you may take what you need. Just be sure not to damage or destroy it. You can also consider reciting this prayer of gratitude: “Thank you for this gift, and may you thrive as what I take be regrown three times over.” As an extra step, you can even care for certain plants that you find growing wild. Water them, make sure they are free of pests, and keep them as healthy as possible.

Sage smudging is a wonderful way to practice mindfulness, and to clear your home of negative energies and feelings. Please feel free to let me know below what you plan to put in your own sage bundles! 

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