Page 51 - Kallima Spiritual Centre - Covid-19 Edition - April 2020

How to Start Burning Sage/Smudging
So you want to burn sage in your home?
Traditional users of sage believe that intentions matter when burning sage. For this reason, you should always purchase sage from someplace or from someone you trust.
The basic steps for burning sage in your home will be the same.
It’s also important to leave a window open before, during, and after smudging. This allows smoke to escape. Some believe smoke also takes impurities and negative energy with it — so don’t skip this step.
Steps for Burning Sage
• You will need something in which to burn the sage. This could be an incense tray or a bowl to catch the ashes as the sage burns. You could also purchase a sage burner. Fill it with earth or sand. Don't use a flammable container and keep water on hand.
• Open a window or door before you start burning the sage. This allows the smoke to exit your house.
• Put the sage in the burning container and light it. Let it burn for several seconds and then blow it out so that it keeps smoking. If it stops emitting smoke, try lighting it again.
• If you are using the sage for spiritual purposes, set an intention for what you are doing. This is kind of like saying that you are starting a new beginning. For example, you might say "Let this be the day that good changes start to take place."
• Walk to each room you wish to purify and let the smoke enter it. Do not allow any space to fill with too much smoke. Avoid inhaling the smoke directly.
How to smudge your living space, an object, and more
These steps apply whether you’re smudging yourself, your home or an object. You can smudge any of these as often as you’d like.
BODY:
• Light the end of a sage bundle with a match. Blow out
quickly if it catches on fire.
• The tips of the leaves should smoulder slowly, releasing thick smoke.
• Direct this smoke around your body and space with one hand while holding the bundle in the other.
• Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on. Using a fan or feather can also help direct the smoke, though this is optional.
• Allow the ash to collect in a ceramic bowl or shell.
Smudge your home or living space
• In this instance, direct sage smoke over all surfaces and spaces in your home or living area. Be thorough.
• Some recommend working in a clockwise direction around your home, ending back where you started, especially for spiritual purposes. Others recommend counter clockwise.
• Do what feels best for your situation and follow your intuition.
Smudge an object
• Direct smoke around and over the object of your choice.
• This can be done to a new item, such as jewellery, furniture or clothing, to protect or dispel it of negative energy. Items related to negative experiences or memories may also be smudged.
• Some people burn sage over special objects, to acknowledge the object with sacred meaning.
What to do after a smudge
• Make sure your smudge stick is completely extinguished. You can do this by dabbing the lit end into a small bowl of ash or sand.
• Check the end closely to make sure there are no more embers burning. Once it’s completely put out, store it in a safe, dry place out of the sun.
The bottom line
Burning sage has many benefits as a spiritual practice. Some research supports certain health benefits of sage, such as antimicrobial properties and enhanced alertness, but more research is needed.
There is very little research on smudging as a practice beyond the cultural practice of the ritual.
Keep in mind: Burning sage is a sacred religious practice in some Native American cultures. Treat the ritual with respect.
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