Smudging,
as it is called, is a traditional purification rite
meant to cleanse all negative energy from your body and your environment.
It is believed that this rite of cleansing blesses and restores harmony
and positive energy.
It is a good idea, for example, to have a new home blessed before
moving in.
This helps cleanse the space of the previous occupants and make it
feel more like your home.
It is a also a good idea to smudge your body or a friends body before
you or they start a ritual or embark on an intense adventure,
and afterwards smudge again to cleanse all negative energies that
have been released.
I
always start smudging by using a Prayer Fan or rattle and a smudge bundle
(stick)--
I go completely around the person being smudged to cleanse the Aura
and then start from the feet all the way to the head or Crown Chakra-
fanning the smudge stick with the Prayer Feather/Fan or simply with
the smudge stick alone-
sometimes I chant a mantra or a Prayer (depending on the situation or
intention of the smudging).
I end by smudging the Heart Chakra area and lightly touching the area
with the fan or rattle.
Om Shanti, Shakti, Om! LionHeart
June 2007
Smudging
is the burning of
certain herbs to create a cleansing "smoke bath", which is
used to purify people,
ceremonial and ritual space, and ceremonial tools and objects.
Many differing cultures and people have their own methods and herbal
mixtures for this purpose.
Native American’s use a variety of smudging mixtures in this way,
as do Hindu's, Buddhist's, and, of course Hippies and Pagans.
The principal
herbs used are Sage, Cedar, Juniper, White Sage,
Lavender, Sweet Grass and Pinion Pine Resin.
Pure tobacco is used to smudge, as well as to smoke a Sacred Pipe by
the Plains tribes.
The herbs
are burnt on their own or in mixtures and blends, depending on the tradition,
ritual or required effect.
Sage for instance, is used as a cleansing and
purifying agent,
the effect of the smoke is to banish negative energies and vibrations
and to purify the subtle energies of one’s Aura.
Cleansing
ceremonial or ritual space before and after an event is an essential
part of spiritual hygiene.
It is always good to smudge one’s body and living space regularly
to maintain individual and domestic harmony and especially on Full Moon
and New Moon days
and always for the different Phases of the Earth
Celebrations-festivities.
Smudging an environment is usually done with a censer and charcoal and
feather to disperse the smoke and energies.
The same is true when smudging your body or a friends, Smudge
sticks can also be used, sweet bundles of herbs tied with strings.
When smudging your body or another's, please.
always start at your feet and work your way up to the top of your head"
around your entire body, front and back. It's delicious and cleansing!
We offer
everything you need to get started or to restock your supply in our
Incense
Section of our Store.
We even sell in bulk quantities for the serious "Smudgers"
Make It So!
Techniques
of Burning Incense
Botanical
and herbal incense blends, resins, oils and aromatic woods and flowers
are best burned in a Censer and with Charcoal.
Many of the ingredients in incense blends are burned to create a higher
vibration and to release a beautiful aroma.
Some ingredients when burned are not fragrant, but are traditionally
burned to create a specific atmosphere.
When using these blends or single herbs be conscious of performing
the ritual.
They are not meant to just disguise the air but to create "Sacred
Space"
Take your time and enjoy the ritual of incense burning or smudging.
Remember,
fine incense and fresh herbs show their true beauty ‘after’
the smoke is gone.
It is appreciated by the scent and feeling it leaves and gives.
Small
tablets or disks of self-lighting charcoal are available in our store.
To light any type of charcoal it is recommended that you keep a candle
by your Censer.
Hold the tablet carefully with your fingers, over the candle flame
until the edge begins to sparkle and glow.
Then place the charcoal on a peak of ash or sand in your Censer.
*Important* before applying any incense, wait until the tablet is
red hot and covered with white ash.
This is very important, for if you place the incense or herbs on it
too soon the tablet may extinguish,
and you’ll have to start all over with a new one.
Coals from a fire can also be used.
Using a stick or fire tool, place a coal or smoldering piece of kindling
into your Censer.
When outdoors a flat or indented rock can be used as a Censer.
Then you can proceed to burn your incense or herbal blends on the
glowing embers as usual.
Always try to store your charcoal in an airtight container.
Censors
have been used for thousands of years and are found in the finest
museums all over the World.
They are containers which incense is safely burned.
They can be anything from a ceramic dish to an ornate work of art.
There are certain requirements for the proper Censer.
It should have a wide opening at the top to allow circulation,
it should be made of fire resistant material and should have an aesthetically
pleasing appearance.
It is
recommended to place some sand, ash or stones in the bottom of the
Censor.
This will absorb the intense heat of the charcoal and protect the
Censor and the surface upon which it rests.
Earth may also be used for this purpose.
I sometimes use a ‘sacred’ earth from Sanctuario de Chimayo
in New Mexico and special sands from my travels.
After many uses the sand or earth can be stirred to mix with the ashes,
keeping it clean and fragrant.
Libanomancy
is the very ancient art of divination through incense.
Signs are read in the flares, pops and crackling sounds as the incense
burns
upon the coals and also the shapes formed in the rising smoke.
Incense containing small seed (coriander, jessamine, fennel, sage)
or vesta powder (salt peter)
works well when asking a question of the "Oracle Censer"
As you ask your question aloud, listen for the answer in the popping
of the seeds
or the flashing of the powder or burning botanicals.
Signs can also be read in the smoke, watching its direction and can
be a beautiful focus for meditation.
If the smoke drifts toward you, for example, it can mean a positive
omen or Yes.
The ashes can also be read when the burning is complete,
finding shapes and symbols in the Censer much like reading tea leaves
in a cup.
Use your intuition if you do not have a teacher.
Wow-Magic!
Altars
An offering
on your altar signifies your gift to the universe.
Each culture has a variety of offerings which can be utilized.
A few suggestions are shown below.
Ashes --represent purification
and regeneration
Corn--in many cultures represents
harvest and abundance
Flowers--one of my favorites
which represents an emblem of the Divine
Fruit-- symbolizes the feminine
spirit and harvest
Grain--symbols of prosperity
and renewal
Rice--represents good fortune
Salt--symbols of purification
and resurrection
Tobacco--symbolizes a connection
to the spirit world
Water-- a representation of
cleansing and spiritual attunement
Wine--symbols of the blood of
life, eternal life
Whether you burn candles as part of your ritual or lay cloth on your
altar,
color does play a role in the creation of your sacred space.
