Lesson 5 - Smudging

[~Elise~]

This is a compliation of info I've gathered over the years:

Smudging is a sacred tradition that has its roots in the indigenous cultures of the world. As a tradition, it has been passed down for millennia and many ways and variations exist. The common thread is that, the smoke from sacred herbs can be used for purification and spiritual preparation.

We can smudge to clear and ground ourselves and our intentions before and after healing, initiation and ritual. The smoke will help purify our crystals and other sacred objects. We can clear rooms and create sacred space. The herbs can also be burned to give thanks and to aid us in our prayers.

Smudging can totally transform your life and luck. If you feel as though life is an uphill battle, as if fate is never on your side then smudging might just be the answer. Smudging is the art of cleansing your self and your environment using simple ritual and ceremony. For thousands of years it has been a part of Native American tradition but now the power of Smudging is available to everyone.

The effects of smudging can be swift and dramatic. It can help you banish stress and attract love; soothe you or give you energy. It can bring your family closer together and let you adjust to the healing seasonal rhythms of the year. Above all, it can turn any space, however humble, into a soothing sanctuary, a place of renewal. I have used smudging for many years and often combine it with techniques from other ancient traditions to provide a totally holistic approach.

But how can smudging be so powerful? The answer lies in the sub-atomic world of subtle or spiritual energy. Homes and bodies are not just made of purely physical matter; they also vibrate with subtle, invisible energy. Cleansing a space or our bodies with techniques such as smudging clears away all the emotional and psychic "garbage" that may have gathered over years or even hundreds of years. It's like spiritual spring-cleaning.

These ideas are not new-fangled nor are they airy-fairy New Age waffle. Native American tradition dates back millennia and most traditional cultures, from the Zulus to the Maoris, from the Chinese to the Balinese, have age-old forms of cleansing and blessing ritual. Even the West retains relics of it, although we have long forgotten the true purpose behind many of our rituals and ceremonies. The incense wafting through a church is cleansing the atmosphere just as surely as the medicine man's bowl of sacred smoke, or smudge. The bells that ring out on Sunday morning were originally intended to purify the whole parish through sound and lead the community from everyday space into worship - just as the shaman's drum can lead us on sacred journeys into the world of the spirits.

The act of smudging is done with a bowl, cauldron or Abalone Shell or a fireproof surface with the appropriate herbs directly lit or burned on a coal or Self lighting charcoal tablet, NOT THE BBQ kind. When using charcoal tablets the bowl or shell should be filled with sand or a flat stone to prevent over-heating the container. Smudging is also done with herbs tied in bundles called Smudge Sticks. In either case the smoke is “washed” over the person or object with a Feather or by fanning the smoke with one’s hand.

Using a smudging tool is part of many Native American traditions. The burning of herbs for emotional, psychic, and spiritual purification is also common practice among many religious, healing, and spiritual groups. The ritual of smudging can be defined as "spiritual house cleaning." In theory, the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as the smoke clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space where it will be regenerated into positive energy.

There are many ways to actually smudge. One ancient way is to start by drawing on the power of the five elements, by burning your smudging herbs in a shell. An abalone shell represents Water and the flowing and filling power this element offers us. The sacred herb is a gift of Earth and represents her creativity and strength. When we light the herb we are invoking the transmute element of Fire and the smoke that rises represents Air, carrying and releasing our cleared intentions and prayers. Through our deliberate action, we ourselves bring the fifth element: ether or life energy.

Next we offer the smoke to the seven directions: east, south, west, north and up, down and center. Returning to center we are now ready to purify ourselves. Start by holding the shell in front of you and gently fan the smoke up to your heart. Pass the shell up along the center of your body, encircling your head. Be aware of how you feel through out this process. Are there places that you feel a desire to clear and honor? It is important to follow your own inner guidance.

Passing them through the smoke, in a spiraling or a figure eight motion can clear Crystals and other sacred objects. Both are sacred symbolic movements: a spiral represents an ever expanding and focusing energy; a figure eight on its side is the symbol of infinity.
Sacred spaces are created by passing the smoke around the perimeter of the room, moving sunwise: east, south, west, and north.

As with all things this is only one of the ways. Trust your inner feelings and allow yourself to create what is sacred and meaningful to you. Explore and have fun!

Another view on smudging: To do a blessing of a person begin by looking into the eyes of the person for a moment to “greet” them, fan the smoke first at their heart and then up to the right side (your left) of the person’s head moving around clockwise (sun-wise), gently washing them with the smoke. Continue brushing smoke down over their left shoulder and the length of their arm and back up again to the shoulder. Wash the smoke down the left side of the torso, left leg and foot. Now smudge the right foot, up the left leg, torso and down the length of the right arm and back up to the shoulder. Now Turn the person around, turning to their right (sun-wise again) and repeat these movements as you smudge and bless the person’s back.

For objects, bless them moving sun-wise around them also.

Smudging and Blessing Herbs

Sage The use of sage is for healing, the smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object being smudged. Sage is used to “wash off” the outside world when one enters ceremony or other sacred space. Objects are likewise washed off with sage medicine smoke to rid them of unwanted influences.
True sages are in the genus of Salvia; this includes Salvia Officinalis (garden sage) and Salvia Apiana (White Sage). Many of the herbs called sage come from a completely different family of plants, the Asteracea family. This family brings us the genus of Artemisia from which come New Mexico Sage (Artemisia tridentada), and the sage from the Dakotas (Artemisia ludoviciana). All of these sages (Salvia and Artemisia) are used for healing and cleansing.

Cedar is a medicine of protection. Cedar trees are very old, wise and powerful spirits. Cedar is often used to cleanse a home or apartment when first moving in. Inviting unwanted spirits to leave and protecting a person, place or object from unwanted influences. Cedar is used as a name for a number of different genuses of trees and shrubs. The primary ones are Cedrus, Thuja, Libdocedrus and Juniperus. The Junipers are not truly Cedars (scientifically) but are used as such by many people. Keep in mind that these scientific names have little meaning to the people using them as medicine in traditional ways.

Sweetgrass Also called Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. This very special herb’s sweet vanilla-like scent is the breath of the Earth mother, bringing the blessing of Mother Earth’s love. Sweetgrass is burned to remind us of essence of the feminine and that the earth provides us with everything we need. Most commonly found as braids, Sweetgrass can be unbraided and lit, blown out and the smoke that follows washed over the subject of the blessing. This wonderful medicine can be cut with a scissors into small pieces and sprinkles on hot Charcoal.

Lavender This native of Europe is often used for invitation of the spirits. The name may be derived from the Latin lavare (to wash) or livendula (meaning bluish). In Ancient times lavender was an important herb used in mummification. There is a legend that the clothing of baby Jesus was laid upon a lavender bush and acquired the fragrance. Some Christians still regard the scent of lavender as a safeguard against evil.

Copal This is tree sap from Mexico that is similar to Frankincense. When burned it has a crisp, clean, sharp scent that is almost citrus-like. Copal is sacred to the native peoples of Mexico, as it is a gift “pleasing to the gods”. Because copal is the blood of trees it is offered to honor the enormous gift given to us by all of the tree people of our planet

Frankincense At one time both Frankincense and myrrh were considered to be more valuable than gold. Used to embalm the bodies of the Egyptian Pharaohs, this tree resin is considered to cleanse and protect the soul. Frankincense became important to most every major religion in the world and is still used in Muslim, Jewish and Catholic rituals. Frankincense is said to ease depression and promote clairvoyance.

Myrrh This tree resin is said to help one maintain a state of enlightenment. Also it connects one to the spirit of youth and clears the path of debris that stands in the way of one’s truth.

Pinon Resin Has a pleasant and meditative fragrance. Is cleansing, strengthening, warming, and used by Native American cultures for its spiritual and healing properties. Produces a thick stream of smoke, and is excellent for refreshing the senses and reviving a tired soul.

Juniper Has a sharp, piney scent. Excellent to stimulate and revive when tired in body, mind or Spirit. Used in ancient times for ritual purification of temples. Smoke believed to aid clairvoyance. Also useful for purification and to stimulate contact with other worlds. Burned during the Plague to resist disease.

Yerba Santa Leaves Traditionally used for enhancing psychic abilities, magical protection, healing and spiritual strength. Excellent for meditation and divination. Said to be ruled by the moon. One Native American tribe rolled the leaves into balls, dried it in the sun and chewed it for a natural mouthwash.

Hibiscus Flowers Produces a sharp, invigorating scent that lasts for a long time after burning. Excellent for rejuvenating the senses and restoring life force.

Rose Flowers and Petals Produces a heavy, warm, aromatic scent with just a hint of sharpness and scent lasts a long time after burning. Excellent for meditation, divination, increasing psychic abilities, contacting powers and beings in other dimensions ad psychic communication. Also traditionally associated with attracting love, conferring peace, stimulating sexual appetites and enhancing beauty.

Amber is a sweet resin that can be burned on charcoal to release fearful and painful energy. It is often crumbled into massage oil as a healer for the skin or it can be rubbed directly onto the skin as a sweet subtle perfume.

Mugwort is a versatile sacred herb. It can be used for spiritual cleansing, protection, healing, and consecration, and it can aid dream work, trance, and intuitive development, along with enhancing divination.


Smudging Feather It is traditional to use a bird’s feather to brush the smoke over the person or object being blessed. It is important to use the underside of the feather to wash the smoke over the object of blessing. It is the underside of the bird and its wings that face the Mother Earth as it flies and it is this surface of the feather that offers the blessing medicine of the bird.

[~Elise~]

Smudge yourself on separate occassions with different herbs and report the difference in results...as well as report on the actual smudging themselves.

A house cleansing and blessing ceremony is a good way to clear out stale and negative energies and bring Light into a home. This is especially helpful when moving into a new house or apartment, or for shifting and cleansing the energy in a present home. Do a house cleansing and report results.

[~Elise~]

House Cleansing Ritual

All areas where people live or work will "collect" energies - both positive and negative. Every person who visits or uses the space will leave their own imprint of their energy. Thoroughly cleansing and purifying the area will remove these energies and create a more harmonious space.

This ritual is especially useful when moving house - to remove all your energies from your old living space and also to cleanse your new living space in order to prevent living amongst the old occupant's emotional baggage.

Take a bunch of dried cleansing herbs, eg. sage, and light them holding them over a smudging bowl or other suitable vessel. Next smudge the entire house. Open ALL cabinets, closets and drawers, making sure smoke goes into each corner. Work around the house in a clockwise, deosil, direction room by room. Start at the front door and then end there as well, sending the negative energies out. Or you can send out the negative energies in each room by opening a window and directing the energies out it.

Light a protection incense, I use sweetgrass to bring in blessings, and fill a bowl with salt water. Go through each room and at every window, door, phone point, outlet, ventilation grill, every exit to the outside, draw an invoking pentagram using your finger dipped in the salt water. Draw the pentagram on the window, door or other exit and say:


With the powers of Water and Earth,
I consecrate and protect this space.


Wave the protection incense over the opening and say:


With the powers of Fire and Air,
I consecrate, protect and bring blessings into this space.


Repeat this throughout the house until all the rooms have been cleansed and protected in this way.

[RavensEye]

Sorry to sound like a Dunce here but when we do our smudging do we have to use the herbs in your list or can we just use what we have?

[~Elise~]

at heart I'm a practical witch...use what you have BUT make sure that the metaphysical properties are line with your purpose at hand.

Elise

[AstralMagick]

I know my house reeks with not too happy energy...I've thought of smudging before, but this encouraged me to do it (as it's homework I didn't really have a choice, now did I?). Tried sage, was planning on just smudging the room, but instead did only myself because it wasn't staying lit very well...I kept concentrating on keeping it lit, but from just the amount I had it burning I realized afterwards I felt a thousand times better. Any detail? Well, used a cup (was not plastic, or glass, didn't feel like porceline) put in sand from sand box (really wanted to do this imediately) and had a couple sage leaves. First two times matches weren't doing their jobs and third allowed me to get a bit of the smell with the smoke...will definately do this some more!

[Teresa]

Very informative lesson Elise! Some of the herbs on your list I have not used for smudging before.I am curious and think I am going to start with some new herbs from Your list and see what the differances are.I already use sage and cedar and lavender and sweet grass.

[bbnflpn]

i have been needing to do this for a while now. what a perfect time to start right. i have a few questions.

since i my burner doesnt have a handle and it gets hot it will not be prectical to walk around the house with it. would a smudge stick work as well.

most of the outlets in my house are accessable, but some are not they are behind things and well i cant move them because of my medical condition. is there an area where we can smudge around or near and invoke as well that would be appropriate.

also before when i did sort of smudge my house i was told to worry about the toilets, should they be included as an opening as well and possibly even the sinks.

when drawing the invoking pentagram, what element should we invoke. before i used earth for grounding and stablity.

i think thats all the q's i have so far. i was gonna stop by the indian store and get some sage but after reading your list i think that maybe cedar would be more appropriate.

thanks :-)

[~Elise~]

I know my house reeks with not too happy energy...I've thought of smudging before, but this encouraged me to do it (as it's homework I didn't really have a choice, now did I?). Tried sage, was planning on just smudging the room, but instead did only myself because it wasn't staying lit very well...I kept concentrating on keeping it lit, but from just the amount I had it burning I realized afterwards I felt a thousand times better. Any detail? Well, used a cup (was not plastic, or glass, didn't feel like porceline) put in sand from sand box (really wanted to do this imediately) and had a couple sage leaves. First two times matches weren't doing their jobs and third allowed me to get a bit of the smell with the smoke...will definately do this some more!

It is amazing how good you feel after even just a little sage.

As for your matches...there is a school of thought out there that the sulpher in matches brings in negative energy and is counterproductive to a spell. I DO NOT think that, but that is MY OPINION only. However, I use those long barbque lighters anyway, just for ease of lighting.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Very informative lesson Elise! Some of the herbs on your list I have not used for smudging before.I am curious and think I am going to start with some new herbs from Your list and see what the differances are.I already use sage and cedar and lavender and sweet grass.

Well--depending on the purpose of your smudge, there are quite a few herbs that could be used for smudging. You just have to know the metaphysical properties of the herbs that you have on hand. Scott Cunningham's book, Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a good reference among others,

[~Elise~]

i have been needing to do this for a while now. what a perfect time to start right. i have a few questions.

since i my burner doesnt have a handle and it gets hot it will not be prectical to walk around the house with it. would a smudge stick work as well.
Yes, a smudge stick would work...also consider putting some sand or ash in the bottom of the burner you do have. It should help with heat dispersion.
Depending on the brand of smdge stick, I've had problems keeping them lit. And getting into a frustrated mood because of a problematic smudge stick is counter productive and gets you out of the mind set you need. IMO, anyway.


most of the outlets in my house are accessable, but some are not they are behind things and well i cant move them because of my medical condition. is there an area where we can smudge around or near and invoke as well that would be appropriate. Yes...be practical.


also before when i did sort of smudge my house i was told to worry about the toilets, should they be included as an opening as well and possibly even the sinks.
Okay--that is becoming a bit anal about it...but I do understand that viewpoint. I've never done that and haven't had any problems. So I'd say it is truly up to you, if you want to do that then do so. MY opinion is that covering all the closets, corners, drawers, and cabinets is pretty sufficient. Great question!!


when drawing the invoking pentagram, what element should we invoke. before i used earth for grounding and stablity.


i think thats all the q's i have so far. i was gonna stop by the indian store and get some sage but after reading your list i think that maybe cedar would be more appropriate.

thanks :-)

Another great question...and you have already provided your own answer, as well, and one that I agree with.

This is JMO but I would follow up the smudging with a round of sweet grass to bring in blessings.

OHHH, one thought that just came to me...in some of the Native American schools of thought about smuding, flat cedar leaves are not used because they are thought to bring in ghosts.
Again, this is JMO, but I don't see that...cedar is cedar and the metaphyiscal properties wouldn't change that much. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Elise

[RavensEye]

[at heart I'm a practical witch...use what you have BUT make sure that the metaphysical properties are line with your purpose at hand.

Hmmmm ok that is going to be a challenge but I will see what I can find :D

[~Elise~]

I thought I'd give you a couple of house cleansing/blessing recipes that I've used in the past.

This one I used in a house spirit banishing I did for a client a few years back. I made this so long ago, I don't remember the proportions and that Herbal journal was lost in a move:

Frankincense
Rue
Vervain
Sage

This one is from Be A Goddess by Francesca DeGrandis and is for House Blessings. It is more of a offering potpourri but I've used it as a blessing drawing smudge:
It draws love, peace, sunny energy, abundance, good spirits, healing and the Lord and Lady into our homes.

1/4 oz orrisroot powder
1/2 oz cedar chips
1 oz wheat berries or bulgar wheat
27 drops sandalwood oil

Put the full amount that you've blended into a shell or attractive bowl. Even a jar will do. Place the container in your kitchen or another central location in your home. After three months, ritually dispose of the blend by burying it, and, if you choose, refill the container with a fresh mixture.

These are purification incense recipes from Scott Cunningham's The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews. My personal opinion is that this is a must have book for everyone if for nothing else the correspondence and substitution tables at the back of the book.

Purification Incense (caution)
4 parts Frankincense
2 parts Bay
1 part Camphor
1 pinch finely powered salt
1 pinch Sulfer*
Burn to purify the atmoshpere of a disturbed home. Leave the windows open and do not inhale the sulphurous fumes.

Purification Incense #2
2 parts sandalwood
1 part cinnamon

He says to leave the windows open...I don't see anything harmful in this one.

Purification Incense #3
3 Parts frankincense
1 part vervain


Just some ideas for you...

[bbnflpn]

thanks for the answers.

i do use salt in my burner and i know it gets some of the heat out but it is a iron chalice i mostly use it for small incence and havnt had much problems with heat.

as for the toilet question i brought it up because i have a negitive spirit that follows me (i hope i have rid my self of him) and i was told that when i clense my house that i need to be careful of the toilet and sink to make sure the drains are covered.

i thought of another question, it may seem out of place. last time i did this i also drew invoking pentagrams above my headboards above both my boyfriend and my sleeping areas. would this be a good time to redo that protection. (like i said i had a nasty spirit and he was giving me alot of problems through my dreams as well as influenceing things around me. i have asked him to leave and i havent heard much of him latly so he might be gone now)

[~Elise~]

i thought of another question, it may seem out of place. last time i did this i also drew invoking pentagrams above my headboards above both my boyfriend and my sleeping areas. would this be a good time to redo that protection. (like i said i had a nasty spirit and he was giving me alot of problems through my dreams as well as influenceing things around me. i have asked him to leave and i havent heard much of him latly so he might be gone now)

If drawing the pentagrams helped...do so again. We'll be doing a lesson on setting wards for protection around your house or workplace soon, that'll be a help, as well.


Elise

[bbnflpn]

cool, i think that i will do that again. im sorry but i do have another question.

i have never used a smudge stick before. do i burn it with or with out the string. it is not tired in such a way that you can burn it and the string will keep it tied its kind of looped around criss cross all the way around the bundle not in sections. i guess either way i would have to retie it. it is sage (mt shasta sage) and i also got some sweet grass. also how do you store these items after you are done with them. i dont have a real place for my "tools" other than on top of my entertainment hutch.

i also found some small charcols so that might help with my heat problem.

[Devi]

I will look around for the different herbs. I had bought sage before from a little african store in town but when I went back recently they had either moved or closed down. :sniffsnif
Can incense be used also?

[~Elise~]

cool, i think that i will do that again. im sorry but i do have another question.

i have never used a smudge stick before. do i burn it with or with out the string. it is not tired in such a way that you can burn it and the string will keep it tied its kind of looped around criss cross all the way around the bundle not in sections. i guess either way i would have to retie it. it is sage (mt shasta sage) and i also got some sweet grass. also how do you store these items after you are done with them. i dont have a real place for my "tools" other than on top of my entertainment hutch.

i also found some small charcols so that might help with my heat problem.

I burn mine with the string on it. Top of the entertainment hutch sounds great...if you start accumlating more stuff, then you might want to look at getting a small storage box.

Also...those charcoal tablets can be broken in half so you don't have to use it all at one time....BUT they do get very hot like incense, if not hotter, so be careful.

[~Elise~]

I will look around for the different herbs. I had bought sage before from a little african store in town but when I went back recently they had either moved or closed down. :sniffsnif
Can incense be used also?

That is what the herbs are...incense or that's what incense is...herbs. So the answer is yes, it can BUT make sure that it is good quality incense and has only natural ingredients.

JMO and YMMV

Elise

[~Elise~]

I would also like to reccommend another resource for incense for you:

Incense -- Crafting & Use of Magicakal Scents by Carl Neal. Awesome book, great recipes and for those of you who would like an label autographed to put into your book, let me know.
Carl lives here in my area.

He also has a new book out on making ritual tools, but I don't have that one yet. I'm sure it is awesome, as well.

[Devi]

That is what the herbs are...incense or that's what incense is...herbs. So the answer is yes, it can BUT make sure that it is good quality incense and has only natural ingredients.

JMO and YMMV

Elise



Thanks for the book recommendation :hearthear

Also the herbs and incense connection :o :bigblue:

[~Elise~]

Thanks for the book recommendation :hearthear

Also the herbs and incense connection :o :bigblue:

No problem...a lot of the time people don't get the connection...they think of incense as something that you buy. But--someone somewhere had to make it... :clapping:

It is very cool to make your own incense and use it in ritual. It makes it that much more your own, IMO anyway.

Elise

[Sage Rainsong]

Yester I smudged with cloves. I chose it because it has a very strong protective vibe to it. I really liked using it felt enegized and that I could take on the world. Ill have to report back when I smudge with something else.

[~Elise~]

very cool--thanks for sharing!

Elise

[wooleybob]

I did a smudging other day with my sage spirit sticks,and some lavender..Man my house need it with all the problems going on...I hope it worked,I went in a circle patern around through out the house and did my chants...Got some Sandlewood incences burning now.

[BrigidMoon]

Awesome lesson. I didn't understand the use of the charcoal, now I know. I have been smudging just with sage and cedar bundles. The charcoal helps keep it lit. Thank you!

[wooleybob]

Awesome lesson. I didn't understand the use of the charcoal, now I know. I have been smudging just with sage and cedar bundles. The charcoal helps keep it lit. Thank you!
But ya gotta becareful with the charcoal,cause it is poisonous gasses comming off it..It even says on the bag not to burn indoors,but maybe if you got windows open,I dont know..

[BrigidMoon]

But ya gotta becareful with the charcoal,cause it is poisonous gasses comming off it..It even says on the bag not to burn indoors,but maybe if you got windows open,I dont know..

Are you referring to the charcoal like to grill with?

Or this kind?

http://wholebodyhealing.bizland.com/store/media/swiftlight.jpg

[wooleybob]

either one..they both put off carbonmonoxide,and are not pure..if you cut some of your sage into finer pieces,(like building a camp fire using kindling) and place them in a small good size pinch,then light it,it should keep things burning longer.jmo..Thats what I do,sometimes i'll trim my sage a day ahead and let it dry more and use it then...

[~Elise~]

either one..they both put off carbonmonoxide,and are not pure..if you cut some of your sage into finer pieces,(like building a camp fire using kindling) and place them in a small good size pinch,then light it,it should keep things burning longer.jmo..Thats what I do,sometimes i'll trim my sage a day ahead and let it dry more and use it then...

The self lighting charcoal like she showed is safe to use indoors. The BBQ kind is not.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Plus -- you can use loose herbs as incense with charcoal tablets like shown above. AND if you only have a small amount of herbs/incense that you're going to use, you can break the tablets in half.

Elise

[wooleybob]

I thought it wasnt pure when doing things with chemicals in it?..Sorry if I'm wrong,I didnt know you could use them,because I never knew,I guess ya learn something new everyday..But then I'm a guy who use's Pringle potato chips to start a fire when camping...lol..YES they are flameable.!! Try lighting one and watch how fast it lights..little secret,its the embolmbing fluid in them that burns..My friend works for Pringles and told me. :shhhh:

[~Elise~]

EWWWWWW on the Pringles. As for chemicals...the thing that sets off the self lighting charcoal tables that were shown earlier in the thread is salt-peter, which is natural.
Yes, they do have a bit of a chemical smell once totally lit, but they are safe indoors,

[bbnflpn]

i havent been able to do this to my apt yet. i have the stuff i just havent had the time. i hope to beable to do it some time this week. i wanted to do it before this week is up i have a job interview, and my bf is almost walked out of his job the other day i think its time.

[eric2001]

I tried smudging myself with sage last night, after a stressful day at work. I definitely felt much better afterwards. I've thought about smudging before, but never got around to it. This homework gave me just the motivation I needed, and I'll be keeping this lesson in mind in the future.

[~Elise~]

House smudging...homework due by the weekend if possible.

There are a LOT of you I haven't heard from.

Elise

[~Elise~]

I tried smudging myself with sage last night, after a stressful day at work. I definitely felt much better afterwards. I've thought about smudging before, but never got around to it. This homework gave me just the motivation I needed, and I'll be keeping this lesson in mind in the future.

Cool--now try the house. You'll be amazed at the difference.

[PeleRising]

I have smudged myself with several different types of incense, sandalwood, sage, lavender, frankincense & Myrrh. My two favorites are lavender , and the other is the combination of frankincense and myrrh. Both are relaxing but the frankincense and myrrh was the most beneficial to me I feel. It made me not only feel relaxed and cleansed... but also spiritually calm if that makes sense :)

I have also smudged my house using a lavender/sage bundle. I circled the inside of my house making sure to blow the smoke into the corners of each room and at each window. I also sprinkled salt water in each room. The whole house felt lighter after I did this. It is definitely something I will try and get done at least several times through out the year, as well as when I feel the house needs it.

Thank you... very informative lesson.

[~Elise~]

Awesome work, PR. You did very well. This is something everyone would probably like to get into the habit of doing at least quarterly. You will be amazed at the difference.

Elise

[bbnflpn]

i finnaly had time to smudge tonight. i first passed over the house with a sage bundle and then i went and cleansed and consicrated the doors outlets and windows with salt water and sweet grass. i figured today is a good day to do this since it is our (my boyfriend and mine's) anniversary and i had a job interview today as well. he even helped me carry that hot incence burner around the house (with an ovin mit of corse) i will let you know how things turn out.

[RavensEye]

I am hoping to have mine done today provided I am not messed up on pain medication.

[wooleybob]

House smudging...homework due by the weekend if possible.

There are a LOT of you I haven't heard from.

Elise
Tryin my best due to the poblem I told ya..But still trying to get what I can done secretly..

[eric2001]

I followed the "House Cleansing Ritual" last night and went around the house smudging the rooms with sage, and tired to direct negative energies out an open door or window. I then went around and drew invoking pentagrams on the exits. I can say, the house definitely feels different now, like its lighter and more peaceful. I guess I never realized just how much negative energy was actually around it until now.

Cool--now try the house. You'll be amazed at the difference.

[~Elise~]

I followed the "House Cleansing Ritual" last night and went around the house smudging the rooms with sage, and tired to direct negative energies out an open door or window. I then went around and drew invoking pentagrams on the exits. I can say, the house definitely feels different now, like its lighter and more peaceful. I guess I never realized just how much negative energy was actually around it until now.

See...would the 'teach' steer ya wrong?

Seriously, good work.

Elise

[RavensEye]

Ok at 9m yesterday I used

Jasmine - magickal uses are to bring wealth prosperity and induces sleep
African Violet – for promoting spirituality and protection.

So with all the windows open I stared in Sylvan, Sakuras, down the hall and Cloeys room. I had the kids in each of their rooms while I was cleansing their rooms and did a cleansing on them each, which they thought was fun. (I focussed not so much oh chanting but getting all the crap out of the rooms visually.)


I did the laundry room, the kitchen and the sliding glass door that is in our kitchen, the Bathroom, our room and then started the living room and went all the way to the front door.

In the living room I I used the incense to trace the elemental pentagrams then sat down to mediate but due to my eldest I had to stop and then tried it again but instead I sat up on the couch started grounding and I felt the sharp painful enrgy leaving, then I think I feel asleep on the couch for a brief moment or two.

When I woke I then went back into my room tried meditating again and as I started to meditate I noticed the burning energy I had was gone and I totally felt relaxed and then went into a weird trance like state and when I came from it I felt very refreshed.. then I fell asleep again and it was a very peacful feeling the best I have felt in the pat two weeks.

And with that I am going to go back to sleep :D
And i hope this post made sense and if not I will edit it later today.:hugz:

[bbnflpn]

i did the second part of the homework as well and smudged my self.
i havent really felt the effects of the smudgeing of the house yet but there really hasnt been much going on, since i have been off work.

[~Elise~]

Ok at 9m yesterday I used

Jasmine - magickal uses are to bring wealth prosperity and induces sleep
African Violet – for promoting spirituality and protection.

So with all the windows open I stared in Sylvan, Sakuras, down the hall and Cloeys room. I had the kids in each of their rooms while I was cleansing their rooms and did a cleansing on them each, which they thought was fun. (I focussed not so much oh chanting but getting all the crap out of the rooms visually.)


I did the laundry room, the kitchen and the sliding glass door that is in our kitchen, the Bathroom, our room and then started the living room and went all the way to the front door.

In the living room I I used the incense to trace the elemental pentagrams then sat down to mediate but due to my eldest I had to stop and then tried it again but instead I sat up on the couch started grounding and I felt the sharp painful enrgy leaving, then I think I feel asleep on the couch for a brief moment or two.

When I woke I then went back into my room tried meditating again and as I started to meditate I noticed the burning energy I had was gone and I totally felt relaxed and then went into a weird trance like state and when I came from it I felt very refreshed.. then I fell asleep again and it was a very peacful feeling the best I have felt in the pat two weeks.

And with that I am going to go back to sleep :D
And i hope this post made sense and if not I will edit it later today.:hugz:

Great job. I know you have a lot going on right now and it really is the best time to smudge. I'm glad you got some good rest, that will be helpful for you.

Elise

[~Elise~]

i did the second part of the homework as well and smudged my self.
i havent really felt the effects of the smudgeing of the house yet but there really hasnt been much going on, since i have been off work.

Good for you on getting this completed.

Elise

[RavensEye]

Great job. I know you have a lot going on right now and it really is the best time to smudge. I'm glad you got some good rest, that will be helpful for you.

Elise Thanks Elise and yah it is good to feel a bit more human to :D

[Devi]

I used sage to smudge my room and self before I did a meditation/moon ritual for this past full moon. Right now I'm sharing a place with family so I kept the smudging ritual to my room.

I walk around the four corners of the room using circular motions and envisioning all negative energy that may be present dissolving. I then offered the burning sage to my deities that I was using in my meditation and then use it to smudge my body.

The room definitely had a peaceful yet energy charged feeling when I was done. I felt calm myself and it definitely help put me in the right mind set for my meditation. :flowers:

[~Elise~]

I used sage to smudge my room and self before I did a meditation/moon ritual for this past full moon. Right now I'm sharing a place with family so I kept the smudging ritual to my room.

I walk around the four corners of the room using circular motions and envisioning all negative energy that may be present dissolving. I then offered the burning sage to my deities that I was using in my meditation and then use it to smudge my body.

The room definitely had a peaceful yet energy charged feeling when I was done. I felt calm myself and it definitely help put me in the right mind set for my meditation. :flowers:

Good work!

Elise

[RavensEye]

Elise I have a question when you use smudging to cleanse yourself is it possible that when your do you can find wher energy blocks are with in your body? Sorry if I amn ot making sense but I noticed the other night when I did my smudging I could feel where my erengy blocks were and I was just wondering if this is just me or if others can feel this type of thing to.

[~Elise~]

Yes, it is entirely possible to find them at that time.

[RavensEye]

Ok that is good to know:)

[ShamanFeather]

I'm wondering if anyone has smudged using Mullien and Eucleplyts. I read that both are very good if you hvae respitory, which makes sense as Mullien can be taken internally for this and Eucalyptis oil is good also for it. So, how do you know what parts to use on these? Also I've had bad luck with charcoal blocks. Maybe I didn't have them going enough, but I put resin on them and it just melted into a charcoal copal block ;_;. I recently read you really have to get the blocks going really really well until they stop sparking before you use them.

Anyway, I really'd appreciate a response caue the last place I posted this on another list no one responded. :(

[bbnflpn]

you know i noticed something today, i guess it struck me in the mind because of this class. normaly when we are in ritual (tonight was our moon rite) they go around and cleanse and consicrate with water, salt, and incence. well this time one of the people in the circle requested to have the incence (it was sage) passed over him back and front. so i was paying attention to the others that were left in the circle (he was one of the last people sitting near the north and we start and end everything in the east)the next person after him waved the smoke over her longer than the others. i found it intresting that they would smudge them selfs in circle like this. next time we are in circle i will pay more attention to what the other people might do as well. i just never thought about it before.

[ShamanFeather]

you know i noticed something today, i guess it struck me in the mind because of this class. normaly when we are in ritual (tonight was our moon rite) they go around and cleanse and consicrate with water, salt, and incence. well this time one of the people in the circle requested to have the incence (it was sage) passed over him back and front. so i was paying attention to the others that were left in the circle (he was one of the last people sitting near the north and we start and end everything in the east)the next person after him waved the smoke over her longer than the others. i found it intresting that they would smudge them selfs in circle like this. next time we are in circle i will pay more attention to what the other people might do as well. i just never thought about it before.

Almost always when I do ritual I smudge myself with sage before and after. During rituals lead by other people I have been cleansed with Florida Water on the forehead, smudged and not cleansed at all.

But to give credit to Sage Spirit I have smudged a car that got in an accident the day before while blessing, cleansing and protecting it and its driver and me and the other two ppl with me felt these waves of stuff coming off of the car in thick shells. It was amazing. She felt much safer after. My oil was simply a sealer for the beautiful work of Sage.

[ShamanFeather]

Elise I have a question when you use smudging to cleanse yourself is it possible that when your do you can find wher energy blocks are with in your body? Sorry if I amn ot making sense but I noticed the other night when I did my smudging I could feel where my erengy blocks were and I was just wondering if this is just me or if others can feel this type of thing to.

I can feel it, but if there are those that can't or you are working with another, watch the smoke, and talk to the plant spirit you are working with, it has a lot to say often times, even when it bounces off of a person aura in places.

Hopefully no one minds me joining this discussion thread, I was going to start another for my original questions, but I had seen this thread repeatedly being bumped in COT so I thought it was a good place.

[~Elise~]

Hopefully no one minds me joining this discussion thread, I was going to start another for my original questions, but I had seen this thread repeatedly being bumped in COT so I thought it was a good place.

This isn't a discussion thread...this is part of an on-going teaching class. There are quite a few people who didn't sign up for the class who are reading along.

Elise

[~Elise~]

I'm wondering if anyone has smudged using Mullien and Eucleplyts. I read that both are very good if you hvae respitory, which makes sense as Mullien can be taken internally for this and Eucalyptis oil is good also for it. So, how do you know what parts to use on these? Also I've had bad luck with charcoal blocks. Maybe I didn't have them going enough, but I put resin on them and it just melted into a charcoal copal block ;_;. I recently read you really have to get the blocks going really really well until they stop sparking before you use them.

Anyway, I really'd appreciate a response caue the last place I posted this on another list no one responded. :(

I don't see why you couldn't smudge with these...I've not done it, but it could work.

Charcoal does have to have stopped sparking an glowing pretty well when you use a resin, or you do get a blob as you said, because the resin will suffocate the charcoal if it isn't totally lit. It's called Patience.

Mullien you could use leaves and stems for smudging...I would be VERY careful using eucalyptus leaves...they could have been treated with something if it is potpourri. Oil would burn away if you were using it on charcoal and you wouldn't get the needed smoke.

JMO however,

Elise

[~Elise~]

you know i noticed something today, i guess it struck me in the mind because of this class. normaly when we are in ritual (tonight was our moon rite) they go around and cleanse and consicrate with water, salt, and incence. well this time one of the people in the circle requested to have the incence (it was sage) passed over him back and front. so i was paying attention to the others that were left in the circle (he was one of the last people sitting near the north and we start and end everything in the east)the next person after him waved the smoke over her longer than the others. i found it intresting that they would smudge them selfs in circle like this. next time we are in circle i will pay more attention to what the other people might do as well. i just never thought about it before.

We smudge people one by one before they go into circle, it is part of the ritual. It keeps the yuckies out of circle and everyone just feels better.

People line up and we smudge front and back, as well as bottom of the feet THEN they enter circle space.

That is something you may want to start doing. MOST circles around here do it that way, I've found.

Elise

[wooleybob]

I did my smudging and cleansing of my body lastnight in the woods,as I stood by the campfire I built,and with my sage stick,I ran it around my body as I put myself in a trance,of relaxation as I stared into the fire.Feeling myself leave my body,floating freely and feeling relaxed.As I decided to return to my body,I focused my negitive energy into the fire,and returned feeling fresh.Then I contued my regular Rituals and things,cleansing my BOS,and tools..I just wish I could bring them back home. :ggrief:

[~Elise~]

Good work, wooleybob.

Elise

[ShamanFeather]

Charcoal does have to have stopped sparking an glowing pretty well when you use a resin, or you do get a blob as you said, because the resin will suffocate the charcoal if it isn't totally lit. It's called Patience.
Elise

Actually Its called inexperience, but you have answered my question and I will no longer bother you with questions in this thread as I am not part of your class and feel that I am not welcome as you said this is not a discussion thread.

Thank you for your clarification on the charcoal disks.

[~Elise~]

You are welcome to send PMs if you have questions...I don't want to not help anyone.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Okay--I didn't put a smilie in at the end of my post to shamanfeather about patience...that is one of the things I've had to learn. I am notorious for not waiting long enough on my charcoal when using resin. We've talked via PM and all is okay...

Homework -- you guys need to get stuff posted!!!!!!!!!!!

Elsie

[bbnflpn]

they have done the smudging before ritual, i am not in charge of the ritual so i really cant tell them what to do. i think that it depends on what work they plan on doing. since we are mostly a small group of people they dont usually do it, but i have noticed them doing it for large public rituals.

[Briana]

Sorry for the delay...I've been on holiday and just got back. I have been smudging for years...standard is Sage in a caldron with sand in it. If its really bad and I need to do a complete purge then I use Dragon's Blood, Frankinscense and Myrrh resin (along with other steps).

But I will try some different herbs for this exersize and see what the effect is. I probably will not have time to until this weekend.

Blessings,
Briana

[~Elise~]

Sorry for the delay...I've been on holiday and just got back. I have been smudging for years...standard is Sage in a caldron with sand in it. If its really bad and I need to do a complete purge then I use Dragon's Blood, Frankinscense and Myrrh resin (along with other steps).

But I will try some different herbs for this exersize and see what the effect is. I probably will not have time to until this weekend.

Blessings,
Briana

Will be interested to see how some of the different herbs affect you.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Oh, BTW...check out the link at the bottom of my signature line. We have handfasting pics up. Got new ones from Mol today. (link is on page 5 to the new ones from Mol) and I have a bunch coming from my dad tomorrow.

Elise

[bbnflpn]

those are wonderful pics you have there, and you were beautiful. i wish you much happiness with your hubby.

[~Elise~]

Thanks very much...

[Teresa]

For smudging myself,I tired the pinon resin and I can say that I felt revitalized after using it and like my energy was refreshed.As a result of that I rearranged my room around and did some things I was planning to do with my altar that I had been putting off. My next experiment is going to be with frankincense.

[~Elise~]

Good work, SS, Keep us posted on your results!

Elise

[wooleybob]

I will try to keep up with the homework as best as I can.I am having a major problem with things with in the home life.We have been hit with storms and I cant get accross the creek to my things.But I will do my best to keep up with the class.

[bbnflpn]

i thought i would give you some results, i actually got a job. i dont like it much and well i guess it will take a few days to get use to it. i have to be there at 7:30am which bothers me and that i wont get to see my bf (he works in the evening and by the time he gets home i need to be in bed, and by the time he leaves i am just getting of work and we miss each other by a few mins) it is more money than i was makeing. i might try smudging my self again after to see if i will feel more comfortable in this new job.

[AstralMagick]

I am now back from a two week vacation. Read all results of others.

I've tried smudging with sage again and as it was drier, got better results.

[~Elise~]

Great work and please keep posting results in here...I will try to get the next lesson up tonight, if not then by Wed night. I have job interviews tomorrow and an Herbal lesson to get prepared for a IRL class I start teaching Wed.

[bbnflpn]

good luck on your irl class. :-)

[Briana]

Awesome pictures from your handfasting!

Well, smudged myself and my apartment on Sunday. I gathered herbs that I had and used your information as well as info from Cunningham's Magical Herbs book. I ground together:
Sage
Frankincense resin
Myrrh resin
Bay Leaf
Lavender
Nettle leaves

After I finished smudging...I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I also am not so sleepy...I've been taking a 2 hour nap frequently after work and when I'm actually home on the weekends I sleep alot (okay, so I do stay up really late too). When I got back from holiday...as soon as I got home I felt SO tired...I thought it was my allergies...but after doing the smuding, I'm wondering if it was not the dust and pollen, but the energy in my apartment (I haven't smudged in eons). I'm going to pick up some more herbs hopefully this weekend to try Cunningham's recipe...and I wouldn't mind trying the Pinon...I just can't use Pine or Eucalyptus...allergic to those.

So next I warded my house with the example you had....whew...I recommend doing this when you move BEFORE you put the furniture in...arrgghh. And I have always just done the windows, doors and vents...so I also did the outlets ( or near the outlets). I do have a question. I didn't think of doing the wall switches and also what about overhead lights...if I draw a pent...depending on which direction it could be inverted...any thoughts?

Blessings,
Briana

[~Elise~]

Awesome pictures from your handfasting!

Well, smudged myself and my apartment on Sunday. I gathered herbs that I had and used your information as well as info from Cunningham's Magical Herbs book. I ground together:
Sage
Frankincense resin
Myrrh resin
Bay Leaf
Lavender
Nettle leaves

After I finished smudging...I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I also am not so sleepy...I've been taking a 2 hour nap frequently after work and when I'm actually home on the weekends I sleep alot (okay, so I do stay up really late too). When I got back from holiday...as soon as I got home I felt SO tired...I thought it was my allergies...but after doing the smuding, I'm wondering if it was not the dust and pollen, but the energy in my apartment (I haven't smudged in eons). I'm going to pick up some more herbs hopefully this weekend to try Cunningham's recipe...and I wouldn't mind trying the Pinon...I just can't use Pine or Eucalyptus...allergic to those.

So next I warded my house with the example you had....whew...I recommend doing this when you move BEFORE you put the furniture in...arrgghh. And I have always just done the windows, doors and vents...so I also did the outlets ( or near the outlets). I do have a question. I didn't think of doing the wall switches and also what about overhead lights...if I draw a pent...depending on which direction it could be inverted...any thoughts?

Blessings,
Briana

Thanks for the comment on the pics...

I think doing the overhead lights is a bit of overkill, but then also, it could be helpful. It is up to you on how detailed you want to get on something like this.

And yes, you could have been sleepy from the old energy...it could have been draining everything you had.

[RavensEye]

I tell you I did another smudging tonight with once type of incense this time and had the sliding door in t he kitchen open and it was great now I feel with the smudging and cool air a bit more chipper then I was before :D

[wooleybob]

I am so sorry I have to drop out of the class.I have no tools to work with now,and not aloud to even have a candle in my home.My ex got a order with the social workers and said I do witch craft and outher things..Few day ago a worker walked into my bedroom and saw my family BOS and picked it up an looked in it,I was told to get the stuff out of my house or loose kids,I did and they got a search order for my place to look,I took everything to my special spot in woods to hide it..Somebody must have been following me and never knew it..The other day the Sheriff came to my house,and told me they confiscated all my tools and BOS that was in the family handed down from Grandmother.Lots of history and love in that book along with years of family work,and now the police have it all..Gone to lawyer to try and get the family BOS back..So now my life is a hell cause i can not have anything that is magical in my house period.It was not right that they went to the woods and took my stuff,and then come knockin on door to tell me and show the warrant to search AFTER they took everything..I have been violated.And nothing I can do..Except maybe get BOS back and give it back to my mom,who said it would be best to destroy it..My faith of Wiccan,is not a religon only a belive is what they say...I say differant.!!!

[~Elise~]

This is a religion that does not need tools to observe it in our hearts and souls.

Elise

[wooleybob]

I'm not aloud to have my herbs or anything,how can I do my work here?

[~Elise~]

Your herbs can be kitchen spices ... you just have to improvise. it can be done. You don't have to drop out of the class.

[~Elise~]

we only have 3 more classes left...I don't see where you're going to need any tools to finish it up.

Elise

[Briana]

Hi Bob,

I read somewhere (here or on a website) that you actually don't need the tools. You can visualize everything. For example, you can meditate...picture a stone circle with altar and all your tools. You can do your magic there...in you own personal place. I thought this was an excellent idea as I live in cement jungle. And in this way you can do your 'magick' without child welfare getting involved. When I meditate at night, I imagine I open a rift with energy that comes out and that pulls all negative into it. I imagine it sweeping each room of my house...sucking all negativity into the void...and it going back into the void. I sweep this void portal open with my right hand to the right and then close moving my right hand to the left.

BTW...I would check into this...Wiccan is a Religion in the US. You might check their main website for help. However, if you are at risk of loosing your children...you may not want to pursue.

I wish you the best of luck. I will send energy your way.

Blessings,
Briana

[wicked_craft]

my problem is that i dont have many herbs that you are explaining in this homework.I dont really have anywheres to get thema nd lately ive been really busy with problems and thats why i havent been keeping up wiht all the homework, i apoligize for that. but i really dont have the herbs to do this, could you name things that i have that you know of like something easy to get to help me out a bit? :lilangel:

[~Elise~]

What do you have in the way of herbs or kitchen spices?

Elise

[wicked_craft]

What do you have in the way of herbs or kitchen spices?

Elise

well i dont really have everything ahah, but if you said soemthing im sure that i would have it. Could you just say some easyones and ill say yes or no. thanks!

[wooleybob]

Sorry for jumping in..I just wanted to tell everyone..I got my things back :abanana: ..Lawyer is still gonna do something because they screwd up big time.Will keep ya posted..Now back to my class work..

[bbnflpn]

im glad to hear that you got your things back. that is wonderful. im glad that things are turning around for you.

[AstralMagick]

I've again smudged and thought maybe I'd share.
Herb: Mint
Smudged: House
How'd it went: Not too well. Mint doesn't exactly smell the best. I can still feel a difference in the house though.:)