The Power of Smudging
Smudging is a practice that’s been around for centuries and is synonymous with native cultures around the world. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants such as tobacco, sage, cedar, lavender, palo santo and more to drive away negative energies, increase personal peace in addition to provide mental clarity.
These dried plants are burned and the smoke can be directed with a single feather or a fan/smudge fan made of several feathers. Combining this practice with a smudge fan or even a single feather is said to to direct the smudging smoke from the intended to higher spirits and beyond.
In native cultures birds are highly revered because of their closeness to Grandfather Creator in the heavens. It is believed the feather possesses the spirit qualities of the bird– to be the breath of life as well as connecting us to the heavens above and mother earth below. Because of the way they are constructed, it is believed that feathers have the ability to comb someones energy or aura of blockages therefore aiding in the cleansing smoke bath.
Smudging can be used on people, places/spaces, and objects.
I smudge at every change of season, when I need to reset and focus, and I feel energy that detracts from peace. I also smudge my meditation practitioners before we begin sessions.
Do you smudge? How do you incorporate this practice in your life?
I like to burn sage when I meditate I always felt it helped me focus so to hear it actually helps with that is pretty cool