| Smudging or "smoking" is a form of purification among | | | | and bodies and helps us to be grounded. While doing |
| the Native Americans. Typically white sage is used, but | | | | this, it is good to see the smoke carry away any |
| oftentimes other herbs are used as well, such as | | | | cares or physical injuries. |
| sweat grass and cedar. Many commercial smudge | | | | You can now smudge any objects that you might |
| sticks come in a combination of wrapped herbs like | | | | want to by passing them through the smoke from the |
| sage/cedar together. | | | | four directions, starting with the East. Ask that the |
| Once lit, the smoke from the smudge wand (or sage | | | | object be cleansed for your use or giveaway. If you |
| pieces if using a smudge pot), is used to cover the | | | | are smudging with other people, smudge yourself first |
| body or things ( scared objects: pipes, feathers, flutes, | | | | and then hold the shell by its edges for the others to |
| dance regalia, etc.) needing cleansed and purified. | | | | smudge. You can also smudge a house or room that |
| It is typical to use cupped hands to gather the smoke | | | | needs cleansing. Go around the room with the burning |
| and then smooth it over the "ethnic" body (the aura). | | | | smudge, and using your feather, push any negative |
| Also, feather fans are used assist in the smoke being | | | | energies out through an open door or window. When |
| spread over entire body or object. | | | | you are done, let the ashes cool and give them back |
| Smudge pots can be various items: clay pots, iron | | | | to the Earth with care. They are now going to be soil |
| holders, or the most common abalone shells. | | | | from which new life arises, so show respect for this |
| Smudging is viewed as a form of prayer, a great | | | | part of the ceremony also, and empty the ashes |
| connection to Spirit. Asking of a blessing, of a | | | | thoughtfully, again thanking the herbs and the fire. |
| protection. | | | | Many people smudge before any other ceremony, to |
| It is also very typical to smudge a house or car. When | | | | start the day, or before and after a serious discussion. |
| negative things have happened or have unwanted | | | | For us, this is a very real ceremony. After doing it, we |
| negative entities in your home. It is a good way to | | | | feel better, our energy feels lighter, and so the day |
| "clean the slate" and give it a fresh clean feeling. It | | | | goes better. And it is good to cleanse your house |
| helps to dissipate the energy and allow us to start | | | | occasionally to clear out any stagnant energy. Above |
| somewhat fresh. | | | | all, realize that with ceremony it is the sacred intent of |
| While smudging you can say a prayer to say while | | | | two-leggeds which opens the door for these powers |
| speaking with Spirit. Feel free to use it, knowing that | | | | to work with us. |
| once a story or prayer is given to someone it is theirs, | | | | The power of sage is the power to drive away |
| use this giving credit to Tina Michelle who is the author | | | | negative energies. California (broad leaves) and desert |
| of this Native American Prayer. | | | | (smaller leaves) sage are used interchangeably, or |
| Grandfather | | | | sometimes even together, but usually people prefer |
| When I think of the Great Spirit,of the Holy One, | | | | one or the other. |
| I think of the gentle love of a Grandfather. | | | | Sweet grass has the power to call in positive energies. |
| So, I ask you, Grandfather,to hear my prayers. | | | | Its sweet smell helps make us and our objects sweet |
| Bless my feet, Grandfather, so they may walk a good | | | | to spirit. It is sometimes called the hair of the Earth |
| path. | | | | Mother and is braided in the field, with love, before it is |
| Bless my knees, that they might be humble in prayer. | | | | harvested. |
| Bless my stomach, so I may never go hungry. | | | | The evergreens -- cedar, juniper and pinion pine -- |
| Bless my heart so I will always act with love. | | | | provide balance and harmony. |
| Bless my arms that I may carry the burdens of my | | | | Lavender has a calming and relaxing influence. |
| loved ones. | | | | Rose petals call in the power of the heart. |
| Bless my hands that they bring about the only good | | | | Author Unknown Too Me. |
| things. | | | | BASIC STEPS TO PERFORM A SMUDGING |
| Bless my shoulders that they may carry the weight of | | | | RITUAL. |
| my deeds. | | | | Needed: Sage, sweet grass, cedar, or tobacco, singly |
| Bless my throat that I may speak in kindness. | | | | or in combination, or other herbs; a shell or a |
| Bless my eyes so I can see beyond the horizon. | | | | natural-made bowl (clay, pottery); a feather or fan; |
| Bless my mind so that I can be open and forgiving. | | | | matches; sand or fine soil. |
| Grandfather, thank you for all these blessings. | | | | 1. Mix together the plants you will be using, placing them |
| It is good! | | | | in a shell or sturdy bowl, and light them. Some mixtures |
| Ah-ho. | | | | of herbs do not stay lit well. You may need to put a |
| Don't know where these quotes originated. most sent | | | | charcoal briquette in the bowl first. Before lighting either |
| via email. Many thanks to the original author(s). | | | | the charcoal or herbs, make sure there is some soil or |
| "According to what we have been taught, certain | | | | sand in the bottom of the bowl or shell. This will keep it |
| plants have entered into a sacred agreement with us | | | | from being too hot to hold. |
| two-leggeds: in exchange for our respectful treatment | | | | 2. When the herbs are lit, use a fan or feather from a |
| of them, they will give up their lives so that we can | | | | domestically raised bird* (chicken, turkey, pheasant or |
| have their purifying smoke to cleanse with and to pray | | | | duck) to fan out the flame. Throughout the ceremony |
| with, so that we might stay in balance and keep our | | | | you will need to fan the herbs to keep them |
| walk sacred. This means we are to pick the plants | | | | smoldering. |
| with honor, asking permission and giving thanks, taking | | | | *Non-Indians are not permitted to possess eagle |
| only what we need and not damaging the plant. " | | | | feathers. |
| "You can use the following smudging ceremony in | | | | 3. Once the herbs are smoldering, draw the smoke |
| manner, or you may create a way that is right to you. | | | | (not the bowl, just the smoke) to your heart, then over |
| No one way is right or wrong. Place the abalone shell | | | | your head, down your arms, and down the front of |
| in front of you and thank it, aloud or silently, for the life | | | | your body. Now move the smoke over the back of |
| that created it and for helping you in this ceremony. | | | | your body toward the ground. If you need special |
| Place the herb(s) that you will be using in the shell, | | | | balancing or healing in some part of your body, you |
| thanking each as you hold it. They have died so that | | | | can emphasize by pulling the smoke to the area. |
| you could have this smoke. That should not inspire guilt, | | | | 4. It is your responsibility to cleanse your own energy |
| but rather gratitude for the sacrifice. One day you will | | | | field. The plants help. They do not do it for you. |
| give your body for other beings of the Earth. | | | | 5. Next, offer smoke to the six directions: up to the |
| Next, light the smudge mix. As you bring forth the | | | | Creator, down to the Earth, and then to the north, east, |
| flame, thank Father Sun, from where all fires arise, and | | | | south and west, in that order. |
| also thank the spirit of Fire for coming to help you with | | | | 6. After you have smudged yourself and offered the |
| this ceremony. Make sure that some of each plant | | | | smudge, you can hold the bowl while others smudge |
| that you have put in the bowl gets lit. That way the | | | | themselves, or you may smudge them. They should |
| smoke will contain all the energies you have chosen to | | | | draw the smoke to themselves, first to the heart, over |
| work with. Fan the fire gently with your feather until the | | | | the head, down the arms, down the chest, and down |
| herbs are burning enough to create sufficient smoke. | | | | the back. |
| Then use the feather to put out the fire, with one or | | | | 7. You may now walk around the area you will be |
| two quick passes. If the smudge looks like it is going | | | | using, wafting the smoke as you go. If you are inside, |
| out, fan it vigorously until it is smoking again. If it does | | | | smudge around the walls of the room, paying particular |
| go out, it is fine to relight it. | | | | attention to the corners. |
| Now, using both your hands as a cup, catch some | | | | 8. Smudge any medicine tools you will be using during |
| smoke and bring it into your heart. Catch more smoke | | | | ceremonies. |
| and pass it over your head and down your neck. Then | | | | You can incorporate this Smudging Ceremony and |
| with each hand, one at a time, pass the smoke along | | | | make it your own to suit your cleansing needs at the |
| your opposite arm and hand. Then, using both hands, | | | | time. Make the adjustments for use to do a space |
| bring more smoke into your navel and down your legs | | | | clearing and cleansing for getting rid of negative entities |
| to the ground. This process cleanses our hearts, minds | | | | that are disruptive in your home and too your family. |