Burning Sage

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Preparing for this cleansing ritual is important and doing so with a calm state of mind helps with setting the intention. Meditation works well to achieve this state, and anybody who is present for this ritual must be included in this preparation process. 

Supplies needed

• Smudge stick of your choice
• Bowl or shell ( to catch ashes & extinguishing smudge stick )
• Feather (optional)
• matches

Now that you have all your tools and preparations in place, you can begin the smudging ritual. 

Start at the front door of the home and light your smudge stick. Then, begin to move around the home. Move mindfully and with care, walking clockwise around the entire perimeter of the home. Be sure to allow the smoke to drift into even the hidden spaces, like inside closets, basements and dark corners. If there are stairs, just go up or down when you encounter them. Then keep moving clockwise until you meet the stairs again. Then continue to go down or up the stairs and resume the main floor. 

Moving around a space like this is called “circumambulation”. It’s a practice that’s been done for centuries in ancient cultures to make a space more sacred. And, if it feels okay to you, it’s helpful to chant a mantra or a prayer that you’re connected to. I use the Tibetan Buddhist mantra “Om mani padme hum”, the mantra of compassion. This is a way to fill the space with more cleansing vibrations.

When you arrive back at the front door, chant your final mantra or prayer. Visualize the entire home is filled with bright white sunlight. Then speak your intention one last time to close the smudging ceremony.

Smudging rituals are a beautiful technique to clear a space. This can be done annually or more often. It’s especially powerful to perform a space clearing when you first move into a home, or on the lunar new year.