Smudge sticks
What is Smudging?
Smudge sticks are dried herbs, plants and flowers bound together. These have been used since ancient times by the ancestors of Indigenous peoples such as the Native Americans (Indians) because of the cleansing effect. By smudging you can energetically clean a space, object and yourself. The dried herbs, plants and flowers give a wonderful scent that invigorates, relaxes and helps you to be in the here and now.
You can burn a smudge stick in a refractory bowl or Abalone shell. The Abalone shell has the colors of the rainbow, which means it has a harmonizing effect on the chakras and aura. You can use a feather to spread the smoke. If you work in this way, you use all 4 elements from nature: fire, air, earth and water.
How can you smudge?
While smudging, follow your intuition, try to follow your gut feeling when it's good to stay on point and when you can move on. Take some time off and take time for the process, possibly with some soothing music.
General
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Use a refractory dish or Abalone shell with a little sand if necessary. Sand also helps so that the dish does not get as hot.
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Light the top of the Smudge stick with fire and immediately blow it out again so that it smolders and smokes.
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If necessary, fan with a feather to spread the smoke. You can also do this with your hand (watch out for the smoldering stick).
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Walk quietly through the room, or use it quietly around yourself.
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You can extinguish the smudge stick in the sand again.
House
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Open windows so that the energy can be released (you can do this before or after). If you do not like too much smoke in the house, it is best to open it in advance.
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Smudge from top to bottom (floor) and towards a door.
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Slowly walk along the walls with your smudge stick, making sure it gets into all corners.
Yourself
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Smudge around yourself down your arms towards the floor.
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Draw the smoke towards you at the level of your heart, use a feather if necessary.
NB
Always be careful when using fire and a smoldering smudge stick. These get very hot. Never let smoldering smudge sticks burn when no one is around. The sand in the shell or bowl helps it to become less hot. Sparks can be released so take extra care that they do not end up on you, a person, the room or the object. Smudging during pregnancy is not recommended