Sage can used to clear the body, mind and spirit of any negativity by circulating the sacred smoke around the body before smudging your space. And it’s an ancient Native American ceremony that dates back to prehistoric times.
why is smudging effective?
More recently, science has proven that smudging is actually one of the most powerful antiseptic technologies ever discovered. In fact, a 2007 scientific study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that smudging with “medicinal smoke” for one hour reduces airborne bacteria by more than 94%. It also found that the purification or disinfection could be maintained for up to 24 hours if the room stays closed.
That’s because, when burned, sage and other herbs actually release negative ions that can purify a space.
how to clear your energy with smudging
STEP 1: When smudging, light one end of the sage bundle or palo santo stick with a fire source and make sure to gently blow out the flame while keeping the end lit.
STEP 2: Fan the medicinal smoke with a feather in four directions to honor the indigenous prayers going out to the elements of earth, water, air and fire.
STEP 3: To set down the lit or still-hot smudge, place it in an abalone shell, on fireproof glass or in a clay bowl. And, don’t forget to give your feather a final pass through the sacred smoke to clear away any energies it absorbed before using it again for your next smudging ceremony.