CLEARING YOUR SPACE
How To Make A Smudge Stick
by
Holly Beatie
Have you ever had the experience of someone coming into your home or office and leaving some unpleasant residue in his or her wake? That is when it's time to smudge!
Smudging has been an integral part of the Native American, Celt, and other ancient cultures as a way to cleanse, purify, clear, and release energy. It's used in many ceremonies and rituals, setting the mood, and preparing those involved emotionally, spiritually, and psychically. It's often employed before meditation, prayer, sweat lodge, when people are ill or depressed, or just to move out stale, stuck energy and create a renewed flow. Smudging can be performed in one's environment, on the physical body, and personal possessions.
The most popular herb in my region for smudging is sagebrush. Other common plants used for smudging include white sage, cedar, pine, pinion, juniper, sweetgrass, mugwort, tobacco, lavender, and various resins and roots.
Commonly, smudging is done with a bundle or stick. Another method is to put the herbs into a pot. Either way, the herbs are lit to form an ember that imparts a stream of smoke. This smoke is fanned or moved around the area, person or items, generally in a clockwise direction. While smudging, one might honor the four directions and elements, Mother Earth and Father Sky, Grandmother Moon and Grandfather Sun, or something else that feels appropriate. An invocation can be used for healing, clarity or other purpose and this is a good time to express gratitude and ask for guidance.
I have been making smudge sticks for quite a few years and would like to share my method. You can use any or a combination of the herbs mentioned. I have come to be partial to a cedar/sage combination because sage helps dissipate negative energy and cedar tends to invoke positive energy. Whatever mix you use, the smoke will work on transmuting non-beneficial energy.
The first step is to gather the plant branchlets. You should always ask permission from the plant devas and leave a "thank you" gift of hair, cornmeal, tobacco or the like behind. Some people say that it's best to harvest in the spring but I believe with the proper intention that a good smudge stick can be made any time of year.
The next thing you'll need is some natural twine like jute, hemp, or cotton. Cut about two yards of twine. Lay your herb cuttings out---cedar with sage on top forms a slight roll, making it easy to wrap. Use enough material for an eight to ten inch stick that is about 4 to 5 inches in circumference.
On one end of the twine, tie a loop, then thread the other end through it to make a slip knot. Next, pick up the herb pile, place the loop around the base and pull tight to anchor. Now, begin to wrap the twine around the stick keeping a moderate tension (if it's too tight it may not burn well). When you've wrapped all the way to the top, continue wrapping downward until there's just enough twine left to tie back on itself. I use a crotchet hook to pull the short thread back through. Voila---you now have a personalized smudge stick. Let it dry out completely before using
Smudging your space once a week is a good habit to get into or you can just light up your smudge stick and cleanse any time you feel like the energy needs a better flow.
The aromatherapy Room Refresher Atomizer "Air Repair" is a great alternative to smudging.
After 20 years as a world-class athlete, Holly Beatie's personal healing journey has led her to discover her inner gifts of ancient knowledge of the plant realm. She develops Flower Essences in the High Sierra Mountains and makes Flower Essence Formulas and other botanical products that utilize this ancient knowledge for profound transformation and natural healing support. For more information about High Sierra Light Flower Essences and High Sierra Botanicals contact Holly Beatie, PO Box 4275, Truckee, CA 96160. 530-550-0885.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2000 - 2011 Holly Beatie. The entire content of this article is the intellectual property of Holly Beatie.