[AlternativeAnswers] Smudging

SPECIAL TIMES TO SMUDGE

by Drake Bear Stephen

Smudge at the new moon when you are starting a new project or celebrating a new beginning. Smudge at the first quarter moon when you are expanding your capabilities, increasing your prosperity, or taking action to change something in your life. Smudge at the full moon when you are leaving something or somewhere, moving, ending a relationship, or removing negative energies. Smudge at the last quarter moon to end a project, let go of a relationship, release karmic actions, or clear unwanted/unneeded energies.

TYPES OF SMUDGE

There are two main types of smudging materials: smoking (such as burning herbs and resins) and smokeless (such as sprays or unlit plants). Below is a list of materials traditionally used for smudging:

SMOKING

Sage is used to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts and feelings, and to keep negative entities away. It is used as a smudge to purify the mind, body, and spirit before prayer, meditation, ritual, divination, or ceremony. Sage is also used to purify sacred items such as pipes, magical tools, tarot decks, crystals, and feathers. It can be used for individuals, vehicles, structures, and land. Sage can also be carried in a pocket or medicine pouch for personal and spiritual safety. White sage is considered the king if all sages because it has the strongest aromatic properties of all the sages.

Sweetgrass is used to bring positive energy in after negative energies are banished by using sage. Sweetgrass invites the good spirits, ancestors, and spirit helpers. It is sometimes called the hair of Earth Mother and is braided before it is harvested.

The Evergreens (cedar, juniper and pinion pine) generally provide balance and harmony.

Cedar is used as a purifier, to attract good energy, for protection, and to decrease negativity.

Juniper restores balance; purifies and stimulates; attracts peace, happiness, and restful sleep; and aids in meditation, clairvoyance, and manifestation. Juniper can be used to call in loving energy and spirits. It was used to purify temples and to resist disease in ancient times.

Pinon is used to bring protection and to clear spaces of negative energy. A pile of needles can be burned in an abalone shell.

Tobacco is a very sacred botanical in the Native American tradition. It amplifies prayers, provides healing and purification, extracts negativity in spiritual healings, and allows communication with spirits. It is used in healing by lighting and blowing smoke over the client. Lighting tobacco should always be done in a ceremonial manner.

Palo Santo (holy wood) is a tree that inhabits the South American Gran Chaco region (northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil) and Ecuador. The tree belongs to the same family as frankincense and myrrh. Palo Santo is burned to guard against bad energy and in extraction of foreign energies from the energy body.

HERBS and FLOWERS can also be burned in smudging ceremony. Although less commonly seen, these plants all have beneficial properties:

SMUDGING DIRECTIONS

LIGHTING SMOKING SMUDGES

1. Light the plant and wait for it to smolder, letting the smoke start to rise as it begins to carry your prayers to Great Spirit.

2. If using a smudge bowl, rub your hands in the smoke to cleanse them. If using a smudge stick, use a feather to direct the smoke.

3. Scoop the smoke in the following pattern to the 9 Directions:

To the 4 directions starting with the East, turning clockwise to the South, to the West and to the North.
Downwards to Mother Earth.
Upwards to Father Sky, Great Spirit, Grandmother Moon, Father Sun, Star Sisters and Brothers.
Inwards to your heart welcoming Connection, Presence, Balance, and Oneness.
Over the left shoulder to the Spirits.
Over the right shoulder to the Ancestors.

4. Say a prayer asking Great Spirit to remove all negativity and unwanted energies (see prayer section below).

SMUDGING YOURSELF

1. Breathe in the smudge, visualizing the smoke purifying your body from the inside.

2. Scoop the smoke to the following:

To the head, so you will think good thoughts.
To the eyes, so you see the truth.
To the throat so you will speak always speak in truth, in kindness, and in non-judgmental ways.
To the ears, so that you will truly listen and hear only the truth.
To the heart so you feel connected to all living beings in a loving way.
To the solar plexus so your emotions connect with the Earth Mother.
[if female] To the womb, so your life giving energies go out into the world in balance and harmony.
Under the feet to the dark side of your soul and to walk in peace.

SMUDGING OTHERS

1. The individual to be smudged should stand with feet slightly apart and arms spread slightly. They should remove hats. When you reach their feet, they should raise each one consecutively so that the smoke can swirl beneath the foot. Some individuals literally soak or bathe in the smoke.

2. With a feather, fan smoke towards the individual. Begin at the front at the head and work your way to the feet.

3. Repeat the process on the back of the individual.

4. You may want to end with a short prayer to Great Spirit for the individual.

SMUDGING STRUCTURES

1. Begin at the front door and work clockwise around the structure, through all rooms, opening all drawers and closets. Finish off the smudging process at the open front door. OR:

2. Come to the center of the room. Turn to the East and fan smudge out into that direction 4 times, saying: Spirit of the East, Great Spirit of Air, cleanse and inspire this space.

3. Turn to the South and smudge 4 times, saying: Spirit of the South, Great Spirit of Fire, strengthen and bring peace to this space.

4. Now turn to the West and smudge 4 times, saying: Spirit of the West, Great Spirit of Water, energize and protect this space.

5. Turn to the North and smudge 4 times, saying: Spirit of the North, Great Spirit of Earth, ground and cleanse this space.

6. Squat towards the floor and send smudge down to the floor 4 times, saying: Great Mother Earth, nurture this space from below.

7. Return to your center position and look upwards, sending smudge up to the ceiling 4 times. Say: Great Father Sky, guard this space from above.

AVOID

Do not smudge where infants, pregnant women, asthmatic or allergy-prone individuals are present.

Avoid fire hazards by never leaving burning smudge or charcoal unattended.

Do not blow into a burning smudge mixture as it is seen as blowing in your one's own negativity.

To extinguish a smudge stick quickly, tamp the end out in sand or soil. Do not use water.

FLORIDA WATER SMUDGE

1. Pour a small amount into your hand. Rub your hands together and clap loudly 3 times.

2. Inhale the vapors saying a prayer into your hands. Then brush these prayers over your body.

3. When done, blow the energy off your hands upwards towards Great Spirit.

Diane

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Posted by: Boonight@aol.com

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