The Smudge Effect

I thought that in keeping with my desire to try new things in 2014, I would take Smudging the apartment off the ol’ bucket list.

If you don’t know what Smudging is, it’s a tradition practiced in many ancient cultures where a bundle of sage grass is dried, tied together using cotton string, and burned. The smoke is said to be sacred and has cleansing effects on the environment in which it is burned.

Some people believe that it can clear the environment of spirits of the deceased, but that was not my intention (if, in fact, there were any hanging around to begin with). My intention was to see what the effect would be if any at all. Before I did it, I suspected that it might clear the environment of negative energy and feelings, although one must appreciate the irony that if one feels better after such a ceremony that it might have been all in one’s head to begin with. 😉

Nevertheless, I thought I would try it and dispel the mystery for myself.

I purchased my sage bundle at an awesome store called Harmony by Earthwinds in Jackson Square in downtown Hamilton. It’s a great store that I frequent for things that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Some bundles come mixed with other herbs such as lavender or sweet grass, and I suspect that this is due to the strong smell that sage gives off. Mine was sage only.

I’ve spent the last week or so cleaning and tidying the apartment to get it to a point where I felt that it was ready to be Smudged. Why? The way I see it, if I’m going to clear energy in my apartment, I should begin by clearing clutter.

So I tidied, cleaned, and got the place looking awesome before I began. I opened some doors and windows and turned some fans on, this is said to help the negative energy escape out the open doors and windows.

I took the sage out of the plastic packaging and placed it on a small plate, lit a match, and held it to the sage until it caught (it didn’t take long as the sage comes very dry). I blew out the flame and the smoke began. I first encircled myself in the smoke as per the instructions, and then I proceeded to walk through my apartment and get the smoke into every corner of every room, underneath and behind furniture, and closets (I even Smudged my cat who I’m sure thought I was nuts).

I kept my intentions and thoughts positive and clear and said some encouraging words that I came up with on the fly.

When I was finished I put it out using a bit of cold tap water because the bundle is made up of leaves and twigs so you can’t put it out the way you would a cigarette.

All in all, it was a fun experience and one that I would repeat.

I did feel different afterward: lighter and a little more clear.

Above is a picture of the sage bundle that I purchased from Harmony by Earthwinds; it was only $10 Canadian. The one pictured below is a mix of sage and lavender, whereas mine is sage only, but it’s the same brand.

Happy Smudging!