Reinigendes Räuchern
Die Wichtigkeit des Spirituellen Reinigens
Anybody
on a spiritual path, whether they be healers, psychic readers, energy
or light workers, meditators, Yogis, etc. will sooner or later come
across negativity in some form. "Why is this?" you may ask. Well, first
of all, opposites attract. But mostly, when you are putting out a really
positive vibration resistance will soon come up. Forces of negativity
will inevitably be drawn to you, attracted by your spiritual aura like
moths to a candle flame. These negative forces will try their best to
hinder you from getting more powerful and becoming an even greater force
for good. This shouldn't be reason for fear or worry, and certainly it
shouldn't deter you from doing your spiritual practices, after all your spirituality is your path back to Oneness.
Persevere with your spiritual practices but do not be in denial about the dark side. It needs to be dealt with. For when this negativity is not dealt with properly -- whether it be because of ignorance or of negligence -- it can build up to a point where it becomes very destructive. Regular cleansing and clearing of negative energies and vibrations is therefore very important for anybody on a spiritual path. If spiritual cleansing is neglected one may become very negative and bad luck, disease and a host of problems can haunt the spiritual practitioner. I cannot tell you how many people I have met who told me they started having serious problems after doing healing on others, or after association with negative people, sometimes even after starting the practice of meditation.
These desperate people frequently ask me for advice on how to get rid of negative energies or entities they have picked up. Whilst I am very happy to be of assistance with healing or extraction of entities, I feel it is important for every healer, magician, shaman, psychic or anybody on a spiritual path to take responsibility for their own protection and learn proper exorcisms and banishing rituals which will enable them to clear themselves, their ritual or healing space and their home.
Banishings and exorcism rituals may appear quite complex to beginners and some people find them difficult to start with. Others are prejudiced against such rituals and due to religious conditioning believe them to be "evil". Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact if you don't do any regular clearing, chances are that "evil" entities and demons will take a foothold in your environment and begin to affect you. Therefore I urge you for your own sake, if you are doing any kind of spiritual practices to really look into learning some form of banishing or exorcism to keep yourself and your environment in a pure state. Banishing should be done daily, a stronger exorcism or house clearing at least once a month. You will be surprised how much better you feel and how much smoother things will go in your life if you do that! In addition, working with your ancestors can give you protection and shield you from negativity. You may learn this on my Wisdom of the Ancestors Workshop.
Persevere with your spiritual practices but do not be in denial about the dark side. It needs to be dealt with. For when this negativity is not dealt with properly -- whether it be because of ignorance or of negligence -- it can build up to a point where it becomes very destructive. Regular cleansing and clearing of negative energies and vibrations is therefore very important for anybody on a spiritual path. If spiritual cleansing is neglected one may become very negative and bad luck, disease and a host of problems can haunt the spiritual practitioner. I cannot tell you how many people I have met who told me they started having serious problems after doing healing on others, or after association with negative people, sometimes even after starting the practice of meditation.
These desperate people frequently ask me for advice on how to get rid of negative energies or entities they have picked up. Whilst I am very happy to be of assistance with healing or extraction of entities, I feel it is important for every healer, magician, shaman, psychic or anybody on a spiritual path to take responsibility for their own protection and learn proper exorcisms and banishing rituals which will enable them to clear themselves, their ritual or healing space and their home.
Banishings and exorcism rituals may appear quite complex to beginners and some people find them difficult to start with. Others are prejudiced against such rituals and due to religious conditioning believe them to be "evil". Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact if you don't do any regular clearing, chances are that "evil" entities and demons will take a foothold in your environment and begin to affect you. Therefore I urge you for your own sake, if you are doing any kind of spiritual practices to really look into learning some form of banishing or exorcism to keep yourself and your environment in a pure state. Banishing should be done daily, a stronger exorcism or house clearing at least once a month. You will be surprised how much better you feel and how much smoother things will go in your life if you do that! In addition, working with your ancestors can give you protection and shield you from negativity. You may learn this on my Wisdom of the Ancestors Workshop.
Eine schnelle effektive Reinigungsmethode
Fortunately
there is a solution for those who look for a simple clearing and
cleansing technique, free from any religious association, or those who
fear magick and "witchcraft". And that solution is smudging. While not a
cure-all, smudging is a very simple yet effective technique of clearing
negative energies. It will get rid of some entities,
mostly those which are minor entities and those not yet deeply
entrenched in one's energy body. It will also get rid of negativity in a
house, such as negative thought forms and minor entities. However, it
is not a cure-all and it will not get rid of persistent or residential
spirits, hauntings and serious demons. Severe cases of entity
infestation or hauntings will need to be dealt with by magick or shamanism.
Smudging is really uncomplicated and anybody can learn to do. it It is very easy and pleasant and the benefits can be clearly felt by anyone who is psychically aware. Immediately after smudging you will feel better, clearer and more relaxed. I highly recommend the regular practice of smudging to anybody who heals, mixes with many people, lives in a crowded city, meditates, works magick etc. In fact smudging is truly beneficial for anyone who wants to stay positive and keep their environment and themselves free from foreign energies and negativity.
Smudging is really uncomplicated and anybody can learn to do. it It is very easy and pleasant and the benefits can be clearly felt by anyone who is psychically aware. Immediately after smudging you will feel better, clearer and more relaxed. I highly recommend the regular practice of smudging to anybody who heals, mixes with many people, lives in a crowded city, meditates, works magick etc. In fact smudging is truly beneficial for anyone who wants to stay positive and keep their environment and themselves free from foreign energies and negativity.
The Native American Way of Purification and Blessing
Smudging
is an ancient Native American practice of spiritual cleansing and
blessing and involves burning of certain dried herbs. The burning of
herbs and resins for purification or blessings has been used in many
cultures around the world. Smudging is the Native American way of using
the power of herbs for cleansing and blessing.
It is a very simple yet effective method of clearing a place, an object or a human being of negative energies. The most common plant used for smudging is sage, specifically white sage. Dried sage stems and leaves are bundled together and bound tightly into what is known as a smudge stick (see picture above). When lit up the smudge stick produces a very cleansing and pleasant smelling smoke. However, entities and negative astral beings dislike the scent of white sage and flee from it. Smudge is therefore perfect to purify and clear people, places and ritual tools from negativity.
Small objects needing cleansing or clearing of energies can simply be passed through the smoke rising from the smudge stick. Alternatively the smudge stick can be passed over larger objects or through somebody's energy field to cleanse them of negativity. The act of smudging is a sacred ritual and should be done in a meditative way and with sobriety. You can mentally pray while smudging. Charge the smudge with your intent of clearing negativity or bringing in positive vibrations and blessing.
It is a very simple yet effective method of clearing a place, an object or a human being of negative energies. The most common plant used for smudging is sage, specifically white sage. Dried sage stems and leaves are bundled together and bound tightly into what is known as a smudge stick (see picture above). When lit up the smudge stick produces a very cleansing and pleasant smelling smoke. However, entities and negative astral beings dislike the scent of white sage and flee from it. Smudge is therefore perfect to purify and clear people, places and ritual tools from negativity.
Small objects needing cleansing or clearing of energies can simply be passed through the smoke rising from the smudge stick. Alternatively the smudge stick can be passed over larger objects or through somebody's energy field to cleanse them of negativity. The act of smudging is a sacred ritual and should be done in a meditative way and with sobriety. You can mentally pray while smudging. Charge the smudge with your intent of clearing negativity or bringing in positive vibrations and blessing.
Smudging and the Five Elements
Applications
of herbs can work on our body, mind, emotions or spirit. The
preparation, method of application and the herb used determines the
effect of the herbs. These different application forms are connected
with the five elements known to the Wise Ones of old, which are employed
in many sacred paths, such as magick,
Ayurveda, Feng Shui, etc. These elements are: earth, air, fire, water
and ether or spirit, as symbolised by the ancient protection symbol of
the pentagram, a much misunderstood and vilified sacred symbol -- more
about this in another article, which I hope to write soon..
Back
to our herbs and the elements: as a general rule, when a herb gets
ingested it works on our physical body mostly. The herb,
representing the Earth element, gets taken into the physical body
(earth). There it may nourish us and build up new cells (creation of
matter = earth).
When a concoction or a brew of the herb is made which is then drunk it will work more on the emotional body, as liquids represent the element of Water which is connected to the emotions. Herbs taken as a brew or concoction are carried deeper into the tissues.
The burning of herbs and resins corresponds to the fire element which is less solid than the earth and water, and aligned with will. The fire element also rules our metabolic function and fiery qualities such as courage, determination etc.
The inhalation of a herb in powder form, would correspond to the element of air which is connected to the mind. In Ayurvedic medicine certain herbs get powdered and inhaled into the nose. This form of herbal application has very powerful effects on the brain, and mind.
We may also inhale the fragrance released by a herb, such as when inhaling aromatherapy oils. Essential oils are connected to the ether element, and thus to spirit. The sense of smell is very powerful and can often trigger the release of buried memories.
In case of smudging, the herb, in this case white sage, is burned. The burning itself lifts the herb to a higher vibration, from the dense physical earth plane to the subtler realm of fire, which is more closely linked to our spirit. Fire is the most purifying of all elements. The sun's rays, ultraviolet light, for example is a natural sterilizer! Heating an object such as metal, will destroy all bacteria and germs on it. Even a fever is nothing but the body's natural attempt to "boil" the bacteria and kill them off. Therefore the burning of herbs generally has a purifying effect.
The smoke released corresponds to the air element, thus working on the mental state. Sage is said to be ruled by the element of air, thus enhancing the effect. So when you are burning sage and wafting it through the air, and inhaling the scent, it will purify you, put your mind in a peaceful and meditative state and put you in touch with Spirit. You are going from the gross physical and material plane to the realm of will, of mind, and spirit, and align your mind, the individual self, with the cosmic mind, or Great Spirit, if you do it in the right attitude.
When a concoction or a brew of the herb is made which is then drunk it will work more on the emotional body, as liquids represent the element of Water which is connected to the emotions. Herbs taken as a brew or concoction are carried deeper into the tissues.
The burning of herbs and resins corresponds to the fire element which is less solid than the earth and water, and aligned with will. The fire element also rules our metabolic function and fiery qualities such as courage, determination etc.
The inhalation of a herb in powder form, would correspond to the element of air which is connected to the mind. In Ayurvedic medicine certain herbs get powdered and inhaled into the nose. This form of herbal application has very powerful effects on the brain, and mind.
We may also inhale the fragrance released by a herb, such as when inhaling aromatherapy oils. Essential oils are connected to the ether element, and thus to spirit. The sense of smell is very powerful and can often trigger the release of buried memories.
In case of smudging, the herb, in this case white sage, is burned. The burning itself lifts the herb to a higher vibration, from the dense physical earth plane to the subtler realm of fire, which is more closely linked to our spirit. Fire is the most purifying of all elements. The sun's rays, ultraviolet light, for example is a natural sterilizer! Heating an object such as metal, will destroy all bacteria and germs on it. Even a fever is nothing but the body's natural attempt to "boil" the bacteria and kill them off. Therefore the burning of herbs generally has a purifying effect.
The smoke released corresponds to the air element, thus working on the mental state. Sage is said to be ruled by the element of air, thus enhancing the effect. So when you are burning sage and wafting it through the air, and inhaling the scent, it will purify you, put your mind in a peaceful and meditative state and put you in touch with Spirit. You are going from the gross physical and material plane to the realm of will, of mind, and spirit, and align your mind, the individual self, with the cosmic mind, or Great Spirit, if you do it in the right attitude.
Different Types of Smudge
There
are different types of smudge sticks available on the market now. My
personal favourite is just plain white sage. All forms of sage are very
cleansing and purifying. Sage used to be burned in sickrooms in the old
times because it was believed to kill various pathogens and to reduce
risk of contamination. (It might be a good idea to do this nowadays as
well, especially when facing new man-made diseases such as the Swine Flu.)
Sage tea has been drunk for cough for hundreds of years. It helps to
dissolve mucus in the lungs. Sage is also used as a kitchen herb for
cooking. It is not toxic, unless you were to take enormous quantities --
but that is highly unlikely as it tastes quite bitter.
Likewise, sage smoke is not harmful to health, however some people are sensitive to it and have a reaction. It has been my experience that this type of reaction is often emotional. or tied to entities, Clients who had serious entities quite often hated sage, when the entities were cleared they liked it! As opposed to cigarette smoke which damages the lungs, the smoke of sage is actually beneficial for the lungs. And, the smoke of sage is deadly to certain insects such as mites, which makes it perfect for preserving feathers. Most shamans keep feathers for healing and ceremonial work. But feathers from wild birds often get eaten by mites with time. Simply passing newly found feathers through the smoke of a sage smudge stick will kill off mites and preserve the feathers. Note: never place a newly found not yet smudged feather near your older ceremonial feathers or you may infest all your feathers with mites and lose them all!
Sage smudge sticks are widely available but can be costly in Europe. You can in theory make your own smudge sticks from dried sage. However, it seems that white sage does not grow well in Northern Europe. The best white sage is from America. Other forms of sage can also be used for the smudge stick but the scent will be different and the cleansing effect maybe not quite as pronounced as with white sage.
Cedar is another plant frequently used for smudge sticks. The cedar tree is a sacred tree believed to have healing properties and hence cedar smudge sticks are used in healing and for ceremonial purposes. The cleansing effect of cedar is not quite as intense as that of white sage. But cedar smoke brings in a friendly, healing energy, and is a good alternative for those who have an aversion to sage.
Sometimes lavender is mixed into smudge sticks. Lavender has powers of protection and cleansing. It has traditionally been used in herbal medicine for many infectious diseases and has a soothing effect on the nervous system. Magically it is used for protection and also for love. Lavender brings a positive energy, opens the heart chakra and calms the mind. Again, there are people who really cannot stand the smell of lavender, though I personally find it very pleasant and relaxing.
Sweet grass is a traditional Native American herb that is also sometimes burned for smudging. However, sweet grass holds an energy of blessing rather than cleansing and should ideally be used after smudging with sage, to bring in positive energy after negativity has been released, rather than on its own. Sweet grass usually comes in a long braided strand rather than as a smudge stick.
Likewise, sage smoke is not harmful to health, however some people are sensitive to it and have a reaction. It has been my experience that this type of reaction is often emotional. or tied to entities, Clients who had serious entities quite often hated sage, when the entities were cleared they liked it! As opposed to cigarette smoke which damages the lungs, the smoke of sage is actually beneficial for the lungs. And, the smoke of sage is deadly to certain insects such as mites, which makes it perfect for preserving feathers. Most shamans keep feathers for healing and ceremonial work. But feathers from wild birds often get eaten by mites with time. Simply passing newly found feathers through the smoke of a sage smudge stick will kill off mites and preserve the feathers. Note: never place a newly found not yet smudged feather near your older ceremonial feathers or you may infest all your feathers with mites and lose them all!
Sage smudge sticks are widely available but can be costly in Europe. You can in theory make your own smudge sticks from dried sage. However, it seems that white sage does not grow well in Northern Europe. The best white sage is from America. Other forms of sage can also be used for the smudge stick but the scent will be different and the cleansing effect maybe not quite as pronounced as with white sage.
Cedar is another plant frequently used for smudge sticks. The cedar tree is a sacred tree believed to have healing properties and hence cedar smudge sticks are used in healing and for ceremonial purposes. The cleansing effect of cedar is not quite as intense as that of white sage. But cedar smoke brings in a friendly, healing energy, and is a good alternative for those who have an aversion to sage.
Sometimes lavender is mixed into smudge sticks. Lavender has powers of protection and cleansing. It has traditionally been used in herbal medicine for many infectious diseases and has a soothing effect on the nervous system. Magically it is used for protection and also for love. Lavender brings a positive energy, opens the heart chakra and calms the mind. Again, there are people who really cannot stand the smell of lavender, though I personally find it very pleasant and relaxing.
Sweet grass is a traditional Native American herb that is also sometimes burned for smudging. However, sweet grass holds an energy of blessing rather than cleansing and should ideally be used after smudging with sage, to bring in positive energy after negativity has been released, rather than on its own. Sweet grass usually comes in a long braided strand rather than as a smudge stick.
Choosing a Smudge Stick
When
buying a smudge stick consider that loosely bound sticks will burn much
faster, giving you less value for your money. Also, loosely bound
smudge sticks may crumble and shed a lot of burning embers, or even fall
totally apart. When you do smudging outdoors in windy conditions a
smudge stick can burn away very fast, even more so if it is loosely
bound. When working indoors you have to watch out not to burn or singe
carpets and textiles with dropping embers. To avoid burning holes into
your carpet, your sofa and cushions I recommend using the smudge stick
together with a bowl.
The Smudge Bowl
Using
a bowl to hold the smudge stick and to put it out after use makes
smudging that much easier and safer. Simply hold a smudge stick in one
hand and your bowl in the other beneath it. This way any dropping embers
will fall in the bowl saving your carpets and textiles. A bowl is also
useful to put out the smudge, and to store it when not in use. I
personally use a cast-iron smudging bowl, which has the advantage of
being fireproof. Its toughness makes it perfect to extinguish smudge
sticks in.
Alternatively you can also use an earthenware bowl for smudging. Earthenware pottery works beautifully for smudging because the energy of Earth goes well with herbs and earthenware is fireproof. If you know how to do pottery you may even make your own sacred smudge bowl from clay with your own hands and decorate it with your personal power designs.
Abalone shells are another option and are very popular for smudging. They certainly look pretty. However, there is a lot of controversy about abalone shells. Some Native American tribes apparently believe that using a seashell, such as abalone, to burn something in, is an insult to the Ocean Mother. It makes sense, as the fire and the water element clash. You may also have environmental considerations about the excessive harvesting of abalones. Whatever you decide, it is not very practical to extinguish a smudge stick in an abalone shell because the smudge stick gets extremely hot and the heat can damage the delicate shell. Never leave a burning smudge stick in the shell either, as it may crack the shell or darken and damage it.
Alternatively you can also use an earthenware bowl for smudging. Earthenware pottery works beautifully for smudging because the energy of Earth goes well with herbs and earthenware is fireproof. If you know how to do pottery you may even make your own sacred smudge bowl from clay with your own hands and decorate it with your personal power designs.
Abalone shells are another option and are very popular for smudging. They certainly look pretty. However, there is a lot of controversy about abalone shells. Some Native American tribes apparently believe that using a seashell, such as abalone, to burn something in, is an insult to the Ocean Mother. It makes sense, as the fire and the water element clash. You may also have environmental considerations about the excessive harvesting of abalones. Whatever you decide, it is not very practical to extinguish a smudge stick in an abalone shell because the smudge stick gets extremely hot and the heat can damage the delicate shell. Never leave a burning smudge stick in the shell either, as it may crack the shell or darken and damage it.
Lighting and Extinguishing Smudge
It
has been said that smudge is very difficult to light, but once it burns
it is hard to put out again. You will find it almost impossible to
light a smudge stick with a match and an ordinary lighter is not the
ideal solution either. It just takes too long to light smudge that way.
The best way of lighting smudge is to either use a blow torch lighter --
if you like technical gadgets -- or just hold the smudge stick over an
open flame such as over a candle. The only way to extinguish a smudge
stick is by suffocating the flames. Traditionally the smudge stick is
put out by pressing its burning surface firmly against stone until no
more smoke rises. This method is ideal for outdoors. Indoors you can can
easily and safely put out your smudge stick in a metal or earthenware
bowl. Keep it in a fireproof bowl and check after a few minutes that it
is really fully extinguished. If it still smoulders and you are unaware
of it, burning pieces may fall on the carpet or other inflammable
material and start a fire! So be careful!
Smudging a House
For a quick yet efficient cleansing of the energy in your home, sacred ritual space, teepee or healing
room, light a smudge stick and go around the place while waving the
smudge stick through the air. Do this gently because if you wave it too
vigorously it will cause many embers to break off and fall. To avoid
damage to your home hold a bowl or a fireproof vessel underneath the
smudge stick so that falling burning embers cannot damage furniture and
surfaces.
Do this is an quiet meditative state and allow yourself to be drawn to areas of heavy energy and negativity. You will soon get a feel of it. Typically, where the energy is heavy and negative you will be drawn to smudge longer. Sometimes the smudge stick will burn more intensely, when there is negative energy around emitting large quantities of smoke or making loud cracking sounds. When there is resistance to clearing or strong negativity the smudge stick may go off several times and may need to be relit. Move around the whole room or house smudging every corner and nook and cranny until you feel the energy is clear. Warning: in some houses this may set off your fire alarm. So take care of of your fire alarm before you begin.
Smudging is a wonderful cleansing ritual in itself or it can be used as the final phase of a more complex exorcism of banishing ritual.
Do this is an quiet meditative state and allow yourself to be drawn to areas of heavy energy and negativity. You will soon get a feel of it. Typically, where the energy is heavy and negative you will be drawn to smudge longer. Sometimes the smudge stick will burn more intensely, when there is negative energy around emitting large quantities of smoke or making loud cracking sounds. When there is resistance to clearing or strong negativity the smudge stick may go off several times and may need to be relit. Move around the whole room or house smudging every corner and nook and cranny until you feel the energy is clear. Warning: in some houses this may set off your fire alarm. So take care of of your fire alarm before you begin.
Smudging is a wonderful cleansing ritual in itself or it can be used as the final phase of a more complex exorcism of banishing ritual.
When to Smudge
You
should smudge your house regularly to keep the energy positive and the
vibration high. As I mentioned earlier, smudging is not as efficient as a
full exorcism ritual and will not get rid of very persistent entities,
major demons or spirits that are bound to a place and haunt it, or
firmly entrenched in somebody's energy field. However, smudging can take
care of smaller entities, or those that just happened to travel through
or linger, the so-called opportunists. Besides, smudging will raise the
spiritual vibrations of a place and make it less attractive for
negative entities to hang around.
It is advisable to smudge your place whenever there have been arguments or release of negative energy, or if you have been feeling depressed or in a bad mood. Smudging is quite effective at removing negative thought forms. Therefore, always smudge after negative people have visited your place. Always smudge after each healing you do on a client. Always smudge when there has been a release of emotional pain or trauma, whether this energy was released by yourself, a family members or a healing client. If you had a spell of bad luck, if anybody in your house is sick or has been sick, use smudge to clear the energy. If you have done a complete banishing ritual or an exorcism of a house you may want to complete it by smudging as well. It is advisable to do smudging at the beginning of any sacred ritual or group ceremony. It will repel any negativity participants might have brought with them while clearing the mind and bringing a peaceful energy in preparation for spiritual activities or meditation.
In particular smudging should be used before and after journeying. It prepares the atmosphere, clears the space of negativity so you won't be attacked while you are out, and puts you in a relaxed state of mind conducive to journeying. You will find journeying easier if you smudge yourself and your space before you begin. Whilst it is not absolutely necessary to smudge again after journeying it is advisable to do so anyway. You should definitely smudge yourself, your space and your drum whenever you feel you might have picked up something unpleasant during your journey, such as entities, or if you have come into contact with any form of sorcery or negative beings such as vampires, disembodied spirits etc, during your journey. You should always smudge after Middle World journeys as it is common for people, especially beginners in shamanism to pick up negativity during Middle World journeying!
It is advisable to smudge your place whenever there have been arguments or release of negative energy, or if you have been feeling depressed or in a bad mood. Smudging is quite effective at removing negative thought forms. Therefore, always smudge after negative people have visited your place. Always smudge after each healing you do on a client. Always smudge when there has been a release of emotional pain or trauma, whether this energy was released by yourself, a family members or a healing client. If you had a spell of bad luck, if anybody in your house is sick or has been sick, use smudge to clear the energy. If you have done a complete banishing ritual or an exorcism of a house you may want to complete it by smudging as well. It is advisable to do smudging at the beginning of any sacred ritual or group ceremony. It will repel any negativity participants might have brought with them while clearing the mind and bringing a peaceful energy in preparation for spiritual activities or meditation.
In particular smudging should be used before and after journeying. It prepares the atmosphere, clears the space of negativity so you won't be attacked while you are out, and puts you in a relaxed state of mind conducive to journeying. You will find journeying easier if you smudge yourself and your space before you begin. Whilst it is not absolutely necessary to smudge again after journeying it is advisable to do so anyway. You should definitely smudge yourself, your space and your drum whenever you feel you might have picked up something unpleasant during your journey, such as entities, or if you have come into contact with any form of sorcery or negative beings such as vampires, disembodied spirits etc, during your journey. You should always smudge after Middle World journeys as it is common for people, especially beginners in shamanism to pick up negativity during Middle World journeying!
Smudging Ritual Items
You can clear your crystals, personal jewellery, feathers you use for shamanic healing
work, your drum and rattle or any other ritual tools by passing them
through the smoke of white sage. Simply hold a smudge stick in one hand
and pass the items you want to clear through the rising smoke provided
they are small enough to do so. When smudging larger items such as your sacred drum place
the drum over the smudge stick and let the smoke flow into the inside
of the drum and all over the face of the drum. Don't forget to smudge
the drum beater also! You can also smudge your altars and shrines, deity statues, clothes, massage table, healing implements, your pendulum, tarot cards, etc.
Just move the smudge stick over and around the objects until you feel that all the negativity has been cleared. Always beware of falling embers that might burn delicate items. All healing tools should be smudged after each use. Or, if a personal ritual item has accidentally been touched by somebody else, smudge it!
Just move the smudge stick over and around the objects until you feel that all the negativity has been cleared. Always beware of falling embers that might burn delicate items. All healing tools should be smudged after each use. Or, if a personal ritual item has accidentally been touched by somebody else, smudge it!
Smudging People
This can
be done indoors or outdoors, while dressed or naked. The advantage of
outdoor smudging is that you do not have to worry about falling embers
so much unless of course you are in a place where there is a fire
hazard, such as during a draught in a forest on the grasslands. It is
logical that you would not want to use a burning smudge stick in a
situation like this. However smudge can be used safely outdoors whilst
standing on a piece of rock or on damp earth or in any place where
falling embers cannot do harm. The smudge stick generally burns very
well outdoors, because even a mild breeze will stimulate it to burn
faster.
When smudging yourself or others make sure you do not burn clothes. Some textiles are so sensitive to heat that the shortest contact with a tiny ember will immediately produce a large ugly hole in the garment. Your friends won't thank you if you burn a holes in their favourite blouse or silk scarf! Stay well away from clothes and hold a bowl under the burning smudge stick as you wave it around!
Naked smudging is said to be more intense and more cleansing. I feel that is true. Another advantage of naked smudging is that don't have to worry about burning holes in your clothes and the skin is generally tougher than polyester fabrics. Besides if you smudge yourself while standing any burning embers will usually immediately fall off your skin, leaving no marks at all. But if you are careful it should not come to this anyway. I have never burnt myself during smudging. The only disadvantage to this technique is that you probably won't be able to do this outdoors unless you are in a remote and sheltered area.
Smudging is best done in standing. Pass the smudge stick through your aura beginning from your feet and working your way up to the head or vice versa. Cover the whole front of your body, your sides and as much of the back of your body as you can reach if you are working on your own. It is much easier to do this with a partner who can help you with smudging your back. Or you simply take turns in smudging each other. There are certain areas entities particularly like to attach to. Generally these are areas of high energy or where entities can easily attach themselves. These favourites are: the soles of the feet, genital area, solar plexus, under the armpits, breasts, psychic gate (the hollow space at the base of your skull). Make sure you smudge these places thoroughly on yourself, but do it tactfully when working on a client or you might cause them untold embarrassment!
When smudging another please be very careful not to burn them with the smudge stick or falling embers. Hold the bowl under your smudge stick when working over the body of a client who is lying down. Never smudge over the face without protection of a bowl, and never over open eyes! Use your common sense, as with all things. The safest method is to have the one to be smudged standing up, with legs slightly apart and arms stretched out to the sides, so you can easily smudge under the armpits as well. To do the soles of the feet, do not tell them to stand on one leg, as they may fall over and possibly onto your hot smudge stick! Instead, tell them to stand one foot on the toes. That way you can safely smudge the sole of the foot without them losing their balance. Keep a safety distance of about 4 inches from the skin at least. Consider the client may suddenly sway! So be ready to withdraw the smudge stick quickly should this happen.
Do not chat while you smudge, be silent and focused, receptive to the energies of the one you are smudging. Areas of congested energy will feel different from healthy areas, and body parts holding entities and in need of clearing will feel distinctly different. For me the smudge stick is like a diagnostic tool. The moment I hold it, I begin to know things about the client. When smudging myself I can feel areas where I am holding trapped emotions or negativity. The relief is instantaneous and the uplifting feeling is incredible. You need to develop a relationship with the plant you use for smudging, be it sage, cedar, or any other herb. With regular practice your mind will automatically go in an altered state simply by smelling the familiar scent of smudge.
When smudging yourself or others make sure you do not burn clothes. Some textiles are so sensitive to heat that the shortest contact with a tiny ember will immediately produce a large ugly hole in the garment. Your friends won't thank you if you burn a holes in their favourite blouse or silk scarf! Stay well away from clothes and hold a bowl under the burning smudge stick as you wave it around!
Naked smudging is said to be more intense and more cleansing. I feel that is true. Another advantage of naked smudging is that don't have to worry about burning holes in your clothes and the skin is generally tougher than polyester fabrics. Besides if you smudge yourself while standing any burning embers will usually immediately fall off your skin, leaving no marks at all. But if you are careful it should not come to this anyway. I have never burnt myself during smudging. The only disadvantage to this technique is that you probably won't be able to do this outdoors unless you are in a remote and sheltered area.
Smudging is best done in standing. Pass the smudge stick through your aura beginning from your feet and working your way up to the head or vice versa. Cover the whole front of your body, your sides and as much of the back of your body as you can reach if you are working on your own. It is much easier to do this with a partner who can help you with smudging your back. Or you simply take turns in smudging each other. There are certain areas entities particularly like to attach to. Generally these are areas of high energy or where entities can easily attach themselves. These favourites are: the soles of the feet, genital area, solar plexus, under the armpits, breasts, psychic gate (the hollow space at the base of your skull). Make sure you smudge these places thoroughly on yourself, but do it tactfully when working on a client or you might cause them untold embarrassment!
When smudging another please be very careful not to burn them with the smudge stick or falling embers. Hold the bowl under your smudge stick when working over the body of a client who is lying down. Never smudge over the face without protection of a bowl, and never over open eyes! Use your common sense, as with all things. The safest method is to have the one to be smudged standing up, with legs slightly apart and arms stretched out to the sides, so you can easily smudge under the armpits as well. To do the soles of the feet, do not tell them to stand on one leg, as they may fall over and possibly onto your hot smudge stick! Instead, tell them to stand one foot on the toes. That way you can safely smudge the sole of the foot without them losing their balance. Keep a safety distance of about 4 inches from the skin at least. Consider the client may suddenly sway! So be ready to withdraw the smudge stick quickly should this happen.
Do not chat while you smudge, be silent and focused, receptive to the energies of the one you are smudging. Areas of congested energy will feel different from healthy areas, and body parts holding entities and in need of clearing will feel distinctly different. For me the smudge stick is like a diagnostic tool. The moment I hold it, I begin to know things about the client. When smudging myself I can feel areas where I am holding trapped emotions or negativity. The relief is instantaneous and the uplifting feeling is incredible. You need to develop a relationship with the plant you use for smudging, be it sage, cedar, or any other herb. With regular practice your mind will automatically go in an altered state simply by smelling the familiar scent of smudge.
Deep Cleansing Course
Smudging
can be used as a course of treatment for deeper spiritual cleansing. To
do this, smudge yourself daily for a number of days, such as 3, 7. or 9
days, or even for several weeks. This will help you get rid of
persistent negativity and deeper issues. The number of days is usually a
magickal number. 41 days is what it takes to change one's DNA / release
a problem form the DNA completely. 41 days of continuous smudging and
cleansing can bring great transformation. To further increase the effect
of smudging you may do it after a nice herbal cleansing bath, or after
using magickal bath salts. Smudging is especially powerful that
way. Smudging can also be used as a complementary to uncrossing or curse
breaking rituals. (Please check out my hand made uncrossing bath salts for this purpose. )
Be Blessed
The
use of smudge is so versatile and is really only limited by your
imagination. Smudging is an important spiritual practice that can help
you stay positive and bring good energies into your home and your life.
For maximum benefits it should be approached like a sacred sacrament.
Purity of intent is the most important factor in smudging. Hold your
smudge and the smudging bowl sacred and treat them with respect always,
and you will be rewarded with blessings and good vibrations!
Peace and blessings,
Avalon Sakti
Avalon Sakti
Copyright © Avalon Sakti Tiamat, 14.10.2009
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