How to smudge

Preparing Your Smudge

• Choose Your Material: Select a smudge stick, such as sage or Palo Santo, based on your preference and traditional association.
• Gather Tools: You will need a heat-safe vessel, like an abalone shell, ceramic dish or clay pot, matches or a lighter, and optionally a smudging feather to help guide the smoke.

How to Smudge

1. Create Your Space: Ensure your area is clear of clutter and safe.
2. Light Your Smudge: Hold your smudge stick by the bottom end. Light the tip with a match or lighter, and let it burn for 10-20 seconds.
3. Establish an Ember: Gently blow or fan the flame to extinguish it. The tip should now have a steady ember.
4. Fan the Smoke: If using a feather, guide the smoke safely around your body with gentle strokes.
5. Guide the Smoke: Move purposefully around your space, fanning the smoke into all corners and intentionally cleansing the energy. Traditionally, you can move in a clockwise direction.
6. Extinguish Safely: When finished, extinguish the ember completely by gently pressing the smudge stick into your heat-safe dish until no smoke remains. Do not use water.