The connection to the universe and the Divine is with you from the moment of conception and stays with you through your death and return the beyond. Your body is comprised of energy and this energy is impacted by other people's energy. In particular, negative events and occurrences can cause issues with your energy. Energy can attach to the inanimate objects surrounding us as well.
Smudging is practiced all over the world and is most frequently associated with the Indigenous population.
What is Smudging?
Smudging is traditionally a ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or place. In North America, the Indigenous cultures base their smudging ceremonies on the concept of four elements, the Water, Mother Earth, Fire, Air Elements.
Water Element: this is represented by using an Abalone shell as the holder for the burning of the smudge.
Mother Earth Element: Select one of four sacred plants: cedar, sage, sweetgrass, tobacco to burn
Fire Element: This is represented by lighting the chosen plant sacred plant.
Air Element: This is represented by the smoke produced from the fire.
Traditionally, it is the best practice to use a wooden match to light the sacred plant on fire. The Indigenous people in Canada traditionally use an Eagle feather, while other cultures use a wild turkey feather or other similar large domesticated birds to gently waft the smoke across the person, object, or space being cleansed.
As part of the same tradition, ashes containing the negative thoughts and feelings are returned to Mother Earth to be reabsorbed into the great outdoors.
Smudging Recommendations
Before you begin the process, please ensure you have grounded yourself. Always burn the sacred smudge in a fire-safe container, like an Abalone shell.
Use a feather or your hand to waft the smoke. Try to ensure the smoke does not overwhelm the person or people you are smudging.
It is recommended that a wood match be used for lighting the smudge and that the ashes be returned to the dirt.
Smudging a Person
A person can smudge themselves, or, someone can lead a smudge by holding the container and directing the stream of smoke over others.
Smudging Someone Else
When smudging another person, ensure he/she is grounded before you begin.
Have the person sit comfortably in a chair with feet planted firmly on the ground.
Have the person picture tree roots extending from the base of his/her spine into the ground and a golden cord extending to the heavens.
Ask them to take a deep breath from their abdomen and have them exhale it all out. Have them repeat this twice more.
Now you are ready to gently waft the smoke over the person moving from the top of his/her body down the entire outline of the body, being careful not to overwhelm the person with smoke.
Smudging Yourself
Sit comfortably in a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Picture tree roots extending from the base of your spine down into the ground and a golden cord extending to the heavens.
Take a series of three deep breaths from your abdomen.
Gently waft the smoke from the Smudge over your head and around your body.
Arise and waft the smoke around any remaining portions of your body you were unable to reach.
Smudging an Object
Ensure you are grounded.
Set up your smudging materials in a fire-proof container (Abalone shell is recommended).
Prior to beginning, set an intention all negative energy will be cleared from the object.
Waft the smoke over the object until you feel the negative energy has been cleared from the object in question.
Smudging a Home or Space
Ensure you are grounded.
Set up your smudging materials in a fire-proof container (Abalone shell is recommended).
Prior to beginning, set an intention all negative energy will be cleared from the home or space you are clearing.
Start on the lowest floor in your home or space (e.g. basement or main level), ensure you include the closets and cubby spaces).
Options for Those Who Cannot Smudge
For those who cannot smudge as a result of allergies to one of the recommended woods, issues with smoke, or who have fire restrictions preventing the use of smudging there are alternatives.
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