Sage
What is saging or smudging?
Prior to the arrival of European settlers, Native Americans already knew the benefits of burning Sage and used it routinely.
For thousands of years, Native American cultures and tribes understood that a person’s energy was not confined to their body. It could waft throughout a space or a home, much like a scent or like smoke. Burning Sage was a common tradition of using the smoke to keep bad vibes out, and good ones in, resulting in a wide range of mental health benefits and overall wellness.
Think about it. When you come in contact with someone else, it can sometimes feel like their energy is rubbing off on you. For example, if they are emitting a positive energy, this can provide you with an energy boost that might linger for a while. At the same time, if they have a negative energy, this can also linger in the room for a while. It feels like you’ve been sapped of your motivation and focus and good mood.
Burning Sage can help rectify those energy imbalances and bring restorative effects to your mind and body — and bring healthy, positive energy to your living space.
HOW CAN IT AFFECT YOUR ENERGY AND
WELLNESS IN YOUR LIVING SPACE?
Today, there is no shortage of people in our lives who emit negative energy. This is often because many people have stressful situations to deal with every day and can’t keep up with the demands on their time. Therefore, it is important for everyone to take a well-rounded approach to their overall health and wellness. This is where burning Sage in your living space can be helpful.
In order to get rid of negative vibes from other people, Native American shamans would burn Sage over a fire to produce an aromatic smoke. The resulting smoke was believed to promote several health and wellness benefits: Longevity, Wisdom and Healing.
This ritual is what led to the practice of burning Sage and smudging as we know it today — and in many ways it can deliver the same benefits when used properly.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD PEOPLE PERFORM SMUDGING WITH SAGE?
There is no right answer. The frequency of your smudging all depends on your unique situation, needs and goals and living space.
The most important thing that people need to remember when they decide to do Sage smudging is having proper intentions and expectations in mind. Those who simply burn Sage without reason may find that overburning / smudging (with no goal or purpose) could actually begin to irritate nasal passages and have a negative effect, instead of a positive one. Therefore, it is critical to have a clear intention when the smudging process begins – kind of like visualizing what you want to get out of it.
For example, many people burn Sage as they think about putting more positive, loving energy into the room. This can help everyone define their intention as the smudging practice begins.
HOW IT CAN HELP BY INCORPORATING IT
NATURALLY INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE
Once people find their reasons “why,” many choose to burn Sage sticks weekly or several times a week to bring a greater sense of energy and calmness to the area.
Many people prefer burning Sage in their office or home to remove negative energy and cleanse the area. In some medical settings, such as acupuncture, a doctor sometimes even asks permission from their clients to release some Sage before their treatment process begins. They often find that the smudging clears the patient’s mind and cleanses their thought processes as they undergo treatment, thus minimizing their sensitivity to pain. If patients have respiratory issues that would cause concern for inhaling too much smoke, the doctor can allow the smoke to clear before treatment, still leaving the powerful aroma.
GETTING STARTED – AT HOME OR IN ANY SPACE
First, light the smudge stick bundle at the very front tips of the leaves. Once the leaves are ignited, blow out the flames as quickly as possible. The leaves should still be smoldering and producing light smoke. This will allow the burn to proceed and produce the smoke without an open flame. All you need is for the Sage leaves to be smoldering. If you find that there is still a flame, you may need to blow them out again.
Try to use smooth movements to walk the smoke from the leaves around the space or throughout your home. This is where the feather can help. Use a simple motion, wafting back and forth to push the smoke throughout the space. You do not need to wave or fan very hard. If you fan too hard, then you may inject the smoldering leaves with oxygen, causing the fire to start again. Use a gentle motion and walk around the room, allowing the scent from the Sage to be dispersed appropriately.
Once you are done with the leaves, place the smudge stick bundle on the edge of the fire-safe bowl or vessel. This is also important because there are going to be some ashes falling from the Sage bundle. It is important to try to avoid dropping these ashes on the floor or anything else that might be flammable.
Even after the fire has been put out, it is also important that you do not leave the bundle unattended. Even though there might not be an open flame, do not leave the bundle unattended. If you want to leave the leaves smoldering, then you need to make sure they are attended to appropriately. Once you are completely done with the Sage, run water on the bundle to completely put out the heat. Then, place the Sage in an area to dry.
Once you are done, take the bowl and store it in a place that does not have any wind. One of the most common mistakes that people make is that they leave the bowl of ashes out in the open. As soon as a draft comes to the room, it can pick up the ashes and deposit them all over the place. Also, in addition to making a mess, this could also lead to a fire if the ashes are still warm. Therefore, place the bowl somewhere where a draft is not going to be an issue.
This guide illustrates a few of the most basic steps that everyone can take to get the most health and wellness benefits out of their Sage burning experience. Burning sage may take some practice to get this down in a smooth manner; however, this practice can also provide a wide array of benefits for your health and wellness.
It can help clear your mind, alleviate stress, push bad energy out of your home and even play an important role in a variety of health care treatments and benefits. Consider using a Sage smudging practice to help you, your friends or your loved ones benefit from enhanced health and wellness in their everyday lives and also to help them get through challenging times.