Smudging with sage is one of the most popular ways beginners start exploring energy cleansing, intention setting, and spiritual purification. Whether you’re clearing out negativity, preparing for a ritual, or simply wanting fresh, peaceful energy in your home, sage can be a powerful ally.

Before you begin, it’s helpful to understand the history, purpose, and best practices behind this sacred ritual.

---

🌙 What Is Smudging?

Smudging is the practice of burning herbs—commonly sage—to cleanse energy, invite positivity, and create a spiritually grounded atmosphere. The smoke is believed to clear emotional heaviness, stagnant energy, and unwanted influences.

It can be used to cleanse:

• Your home
• Your altar or ritual tools
• Yourself (aura cleansing)
• Crystals
• Sacred spaces
• Emotional energy after conflict or stress

You can absolutely practice energy cleansing—but it’s mindful to source your herbs ethically and understand the tradition behind them.

If possible, look for sage labeled:
✔️ Ethically sourced
✔️ Sustainably harvested
✔️ Grown by Indigenous or small ethical farmers

• Purification
• Protection
• Clarity
• Emotional release
• Resetting energy

Its scent is earthy, calming, and deeply grounding, making it ideal for clearing spaces before rituals, meditation, or major life changes.

Before lighting the sage, decide what you want to release and what you want to invite in.
Intentions might include:

• “Remove negativity from this space.”
• “Bring peace and clarity.”
• “Protect my home and my energy.”

Your intention is the most powerful part of the ritual.

---

2. Light the Sage Bundle

Hold the bundle at a slight angle and light the tip using:

• A match
• A candle
• A lighter

Let it flame for a few seconds, then gently blow it out so it smolders.

---

3. Allow the Smoke to Rise

Use a feather, your hand, or a slow wave to guide the smoke where you want it to go.
You can also use:

• A fireproof bowl
• An abalone shell
• A ceramic dish

This catches ash and keeps things safe.

---

4. Cleanse Your Space

Walk slowly through your home, letting smoke drift into:

• Doorways
• Corners
• Windows
• Hallways
• Around furniture

Move clockwise for inviting positive energy, and counterclockwise for banishing or removing energy.

---

5. Cleanse Yourself (Optional)

Fan smoke around your body, beginning at the feet and moving upward.
Imagine the smoke lifting away stress, heaviness, and lingering negativity.

---

6. Extinguish Safely

Press the tip of the sage bundle into:

• Sand
• Dirt
• A fireproof dish

Never run it under water unless you’re ready to dry it for future use.

✨ New moon rituals
✨ After conflict or emotional heaviness
✨ Moving into a new home
✨ Before meditation or spellwork
✨ When you feel drained or unfocused
✨ Seasonal transitions
✨ After guests have visited

If the energy feels “off,” smudging is a great reset.

• Lavender — calming & balancing
• Rosemary — powerful protection
• Cedar — grounding & ancestral connection
• Palo Santo (ethically sourced only) — spiritual uplift
• Incense sticks or resins — easy, smoke-friendly options
• Sound cleansing — bells, chimes, singing bowls

Magic is flexible — choose what feels right.

Remember:
Your intention is the true magic.
The smoke is simply the pathway.