The Ritual + Practice of Saging

— The Basics —

The History

The ancient ritual of burning sage, otherwise known as “smudging”, has been rooted in indigenous communities dating back thousands of years. This ancient tradition is known to have been used by the Incas, Amazonian Shamans, Egyptians, Greeks, and Native Americans to manifest spiritual wisdom, clarity, and peace as well as medicinal uses to heal and protect against negative energies and disease. Spiritual saging is sacred with pure intentions with respect to nature and the universe. It is important to honor those that have come before us whom shared the practice of their culture and traditions.

What It Is

You know when something just feels “off”? As humans, our subconscious builds up toxic and stagnant energies, ultimately holding us back mentally and emotionally. We’re talking about internally, with our jobs, within our environment, and even with those we surround ourselves with. Whether it’s internal or external stress, it’s important to create a healthy space and lifestyle to maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Burning dried sage is considered a heavy duty cleanser and the basis of all smudging since it was first recorded. It an effective low-key practice that can be integrated into anyone’s lives — daily, weekly, monthly, or simply when you feel you need an energetic kick. Meditative sage burning is believed to drive away, or “cleanse”, negative energies, clearing the slate for positivity to enter your space. Setting your own intentions and unique mantra, each practice is catered towards releasing your own personal negative energies from your journey and filling those voids with stability, balance, and clarity. The ritual itself touches on the universe’s four elements - air, water, earth, fire - and you will find that the burning ritual of sage is often paired with other elements or balance, such as crystals, palo santo, and feathers. If you’re still a bit wary, burning sage does in fact have a proven record to change the ionic composition in the air. Sage specifically has antimicrobial properties, additionally cleansing your environment and equally and quickly absorbs into the body as a clearing agent. When you open up to unblocking these energies, you’re opening up to the the healing powers that flow with and within us.

— The Practice —

*We promise, these aren’t Bernie puns…unless you want them to be.

Before You Burn

  1. Uninterrupted and quiet environments are encouraged to immerse yourself within the practice. (Turn off cell phone, security notifications, etc.)

  2. Start with meditation and deep breathing to create head space to release negative energies and welcome positive energies.

  3. Think about a mantra that is personal and reflective of what you are looking to get out of this experience. Identify areas where you feel the need to rebalance and find peace.

  4. Crack the windows to allow negative energy to leave.

 

When to Burn

You can sage yourself and/or your home as often as you like, especially when you sense a build up of toxic and stagnant energy or stress holding you down. Times to cleanse your space:

  • moving into a new space

  • returning from a trip or large event

  • before, during, and after meditation or yoga practice

  • after personal conflict

  • before guests enter your home and after they leave.

 
 

How to Burn

  1. Listen to your intuition and set intentions for your practice. What type of clarity you are seeking? Decide on a mantra or prayer to guide you while you sage, putting your affirmations into the universe.

  2. Light your sage at a 45 degree angle for about 20 seconds. Gently blow out embers and wave slighting, releasing smoke.

  3. Slowly walk the perimeter of your space, waving the smoke into every corner of your home or around your body. Repeat your mantra, prayer, or intentions to the universe while cleansing your space. Spend more time in well trafficked areas, corners, and doorways.

  4. Pay attention and be present in your thoughts; thinking positively, breathing deeply, and letting go of what no longer serves you.

  5. Extinguish your sage by pressing into a fireproof vessel (preferably a natural element such as a saging bowl, abalone shell, or sand). Do not put out with water.

  6. You’re not done! Continue to “After You Burn” to reflect and learn how to conclude your practice.

 
 
 

After You Burn

Just like entering into the right mindset before smudging, post smudging requires an equal amount of attention.

  1. Take a minute to express gratitude to the universe and the thousands of years of sacred tradition that brought us this practice today. Allow yourself to feel connected, for your soul to engage in peace, and to welcome positivity in all it’s glory.

  2. Unlike sage, palo santo adds positivity back into your soul or space. Burning Palo Santo will help liven the atmosphere following.

  3. Turn on some of your favorite feel-good jams. Sing. Dance. Smile. Cuddle your cats - whatever gets you in a feel-good mood. Adding positivity back into your space will set the tone and mood moving forward.

The Fine Print:

Please do not use if sensitive to smoke. Take precautions when lighting + using sage. Always use in a well ventilated area. Never leave sage unattended. Keep away from children. Best used in a quiet meditative environment to welcome manifestation.

— Enhancing Your Smudging Experience —

Our bundles are geared towards maximizing your Ritual experience and include various other natural healing and energetically charged elements. We believe that the four elements (earth, wind, fire, water) provide balance and harmony to the universe. The natural energizing powers of sage are strengthened when paired with other healing elements representing earth, wind, fire, and water.

Palo Santo

Believed to have therapeutic healing powers, this “holy wood” actually remits positive vibes, unlike Sage in which clears negative vibes. It is great to burn following your saging practice.

Sea Shells

Shells share the power of the earth and sea, providing balance and rejuvenation. However, the mystical and rare abalone shell has been used for thousands of years as a grounding and releasing element.

Feathers

Combining the natural spirit with your inner spirit, feathers are used to waft healing smoke in short sweeping movements like a bird in flight, moving the negative energies away. Feathers represent the element of air in your practice.

Crystals

Crystals are known to have a variety of healing properties, such as balance, love, protection, and grounding energy. Pairing crystal strengthen your intentions during this ritual.

Selenite

Like sage, selenite is a very powerful purifier. It is ideal for meditation and spiritual introspection to be used before, during, or after your saging practice. It is self-cleansing stone and has intense energy to cleanse other stones. It is a calming stone providing tranquility and peace.

Dried Herbs/Flowers

Along with their many uses, dried flowers and herbs such as lavender, jasmine, and cedar provide fragrant aromatherapy and additional purification.