Okay, I’ve decided to keep the blog going so I’ll be posting
here more often.:-)
Spiritual Fumigation (smudging)
Ask a handful of people and you’ll get a handful of
different answers...that’s my thought on spiritual fumigation. People call “smudging” many different
things. I have always called it
“spiritual fumigation” or simply “spiritual cleansing”. In a nutshell, smudging is purification by
smoke no matter what name you give it.
Spiritual cleansing can take on many forms and different
tools can be used to accomplish the same task. You can give a spiritual
cleansing (limpia) with different tools such as raw eggs, crucifixes, brass,
lemons, limes, fresh herbs, tobacco, special herbal liquids, smoke and several
other methods. So I thought I would write up something to help those of you who
are new to smudging.
When smudging certain plants are dried and burned. The smoke
from the burning plant is used as spiritual hygiene to clear away unwanted
clutter from your mind, body and spirit. The smoke bath is used for restoring
balance and to purify your entire being. It also helps you to connect with the
spirit and for protection purposes. Different cultures and belief systems have
their own methods for accomplishing this. People, homes, businesses, objects,
indoor, and outdoor spaces can be spiritually cleansed by this method.
When you take a smudge bath the smoke absorbs any negative
energy and releases it away from you.
Many Curanderas and other healers use this method to clear away
spiritual illnesses and the remains (energy) of real illnesses. This is even
used as a complimentary system to healing physical illnesses as well, to
enhance the person’s regular medical treatment. It isn’t uncommon to see a
smudging ceremony taking place after an event such as an argument, a long trip,
and even a death.
Smudge sticks are a form of incense. They are made from a
bundle of a single herb or a combination of herbs tied together and left to
dry. Once the plant material is dry it ignites creating a scared smoke. These
sticks come in different sizes and different widths.
Some of the most common plants for smudging are Sage, Cedar,
Lavender, or a combination of these. To burn a smudge stick you will need a
heat proof container to hold the burning plant material and to catch the
falling embers. Some people just use a simple heatproof plate, others use a
heatproof container filled with sand, and others may opt to use an abalone
shell (my favorite). Just keep in mind that the container will get hot. When
using them never all allow the stick to burn with open flames. You just want it
to smolder.
To use a smudge stick do not unwrap the string that is
holding the herbs together. Light one end of the stick and blow the flame. It
should begin to smolder, if not you may have to relight it. Once you see that
it’s releasing some smoke hold the stick firmly in one hand over the container
that you are holding in the other hand.
If you are cleansing a person try to allow the smoke to come
in contact with the entire body. You can either pass the smoldering stick all
around the person (holding the container underneath to catch the embers) or
hold the stick in one spot and use your hand to direct the smoke towards the
person. If you are cleansing a home or business begin at the back part of the
building and work your way towards the front entrance. Fumigate every single
room and pay attention to the corners. If you are cleansing an object you can
either set the smoldering plant on a heatproof surface and pass the object
through the smoke, turning it over and around until the smoke has come in
contact with all sides of the object. When you’re done extinguish the smudge
stick completely.
