Sharon Renae - Article What is Smudging

What is Smudging?
by Sharon Renae

Smudging, as it is called, is a traditional purification rite meant to cleanse all negative energy from your environment. It is belief that this rite of cleansing blesses and restores harmony and positive energy. It is a good idea to have a new living quarters blessed before moving in. This helps cleanse the space of the previous occupants and make it feel more like home.

Smudging is the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath, which is used to purify people, ceremonial and ritual space, and ceremonial tools and objects. Many differing cultures and peoples have their own methods and herbal mixtures for this purpose.

Native American Indians use a variety of smudging mixtures in this way. The principle herbs used are sage, cedar or juniper, lavender and sweet grass. Pure tobacco is also used by some Plains tribes, and copal in South and Central America.

The herbs are burnt on their own or in mixtures, depending on tradition and required effect. Sage (Artemisia tridentia) is not the same as the European varieties and is indigenous to the Americas. It is used as a cleansing and purifying agent, the effect of the smoke is to banish negative energies. The powerful cleansing vibration it emits when burned, is used to purify the subtle energies of one”s aura, as well as personal and ceremonial space or healing and ceremonial tools, such as pipes and crystals.

Cleansing ceremonial or ritual space before and after the event is an essential part of spiritual hygiene. The initial smudging is for the purpose of purifying the space and participants and for banishing any unwanted energies. The final smudge is to cleans any negative vibrations and energies attracted or created during the proceedings. It is also a good thing to do on a regular basis for both one’s self and one’s living space, to maintain individual and domestic harmony. The smell of the mixture is wonderful and the effects are almost instantly noticeable.

Sharon Renae is a professional psychic with over forty years of applied experience. She has a passion for life and creativity. She is a minister of Divine Thought, a workshop facilitator, a published author, and a self proclaimed bohemian artist. She enjoys living life with passion and joy and hopes to empower others to believe in themselves, their goals and their dreams. She believes life should be lived, not feared.

I appreciate you not using my writings or pictures without first Contacting me and asking for my written permission. Thank you.