If you don’t intend to burn the bundle then
there are many other possibilities open to you.
Bundles can be bound with colour, feeling and
meaning. Oils will add energy and aroma. You
can use spices, fruits, fragrant wood, minerals,
crystals, resins or flowers like rose, marigold or
lavender. Depending on how you plan to
display the bundle, you can use pretty much
anything that has meaning and fragrance
Smudge sticks are moved to where the fragrant smoke
is needed. In rituals, you would use the cardinal
points. Walk around slowly, wafting the smoke into
the corners of the room as you do so. (You may have to
keep blowing on the lit end to keep it burning.) As you
blow, remember that you are using the principle of Air.
You can also direct the smoke with either of your
hands, the small branch of a plant, or even a special
crystal or stone. Amber can also be used – especially
appropriate as it is a resin from a plant. This action
should get rid of any negative vibrations at the same
time as energizing the protective frequencies.
If you want to smudge a friend (or yourself),
waft the smoke all around the body, starting at
the head and gradually moving down to the feet.
Move in a clockwise direction because this
creates positivity. You can direct the smoke with
your hand or a feather or whatever feels good
for you. A seashell is a good idea since it
represents the Goddess. You can also chant or
sing at this time. Whatever you do, do it with a
pure mind and spirit. When you have finished,
keep the bundle safe until it has extinguished
itself and then open a window to clear the space.
The first thing to remember when you are
making your own smudge sticks is that, as with
any spiritual intent, be sure to wash and cleanse
yourself – deliberately getting rid of any
negative energy in the process – before you
begin. There are also a few other guidelines
you’ll need to follow.
Wormwood In Native American culture
Artemisia spinescens is occasionally used for
smudge sticks. Artemesias, sometimes called
sage, belong to the wormwood family; they have
no connection to the sage we know in Europe.
Sweet grass Sometimes called vanilla grass,
this is a tall green grass that turns yellow when
dried. The aroma of sweet grass is more
pungent when the plant is dried.
Sage There are many different types of sage –
Salvia apiana and Salvia columbarne are two of
the best-known. Most grow very tall and have
long lives. (Sage brush is not a part of the sage
family – it belongs to the wormwood clan,
although this too is used for smudging.)
Some so-called cedars are actually
members of the juniper family. Many types of
cedar needles are used for smudge sticks.
Anyone who works with herbs knows that they
can work on very subtle levels, particularly the
spiritual. ‘Smudging’ is traditionally a Native
American spiritual practice, which is used to
clear an atmosphere of spiritual contamination
and negativity. Smudge sticks are long bundles
of sweet-smelling plant substance, which are
wound tightly then lit at one end until they
catch fire. It is then blown out so it continues to
glow as it releases the smoke.
The Native Americans would use plants such
as sage, cedar, sweet grass or wormwood. A
plant called prairie lavender is also used in
some places as a smudge stick, although it is not
the same type of lavender we know in Europe.
Smudging Herbs will drive out negative energies, spirits and influences. Use this as a smudge to purify people and places before any sacred ceremony. There are many varieties of sage, and most have been used in smudging.
This sage is used just like desert sage, but many people prefer White Sage because of the sweeter aroma it gives off.
This plant can also be used to purify, especially for negative emotions. Cedar needles are used in a similar way to cleanse and bring balance to the emotions and to the male/female (yin/yang) elements. To clear one’s actions and to promote forgiveness, lavender flowers can be added to the mixture to bring the quality of spiritual blessing.
This is one of the most sacred herbs used for smudging. This herb is used to bring in positive energy after negative energies are banished by using sage. Sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish bas and perfume-like, musty odor. We were taught that it was good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar had driven out the bad influences. Sweetgrass brings in the good spirits and the good influences. As with cedar, burning sweetgrass while praying sends prayers up to the Creator in the smoke.
This herb will restore balance and create a peaceful atmosphere. It will also draws loving energy and spirits.
This herb can used to stimulate psychic awareness and prophetic dreams. The Lakota also believe that when Mugwort is burned it “makes the bad spirits sick”, and they move away from it.
This resin was used by the Mayans as a food for the Gods. They believe that as the smoke of the Copal would rise, it would carry their prayers to the ears of the Gods. Copal is used in divination and in purification ceremonies. Copal is the Frankincense of the Western Hemisphere.
This herb is also used to purify and to create a safe and sacred space. Juniper was often carried in a medicine pouch or a pocket for protection.
This herb can be used to purify and to set and protect boundaries. The name of this plant reflects its nature: “Yerba Santa” means sacred herb.
The root of this plant can be burned as an incense or carried for good luck and protection from bad influences. Osha is also a preferred gift for Native American elders.