For centuries both Eastern & Western traditions have used smudging as part of their spiritual practice. By smudging I mean, using the smoke of Sage, Palo Santo and sometimes Frankincense to begin their rituals.

I always remember growing up as a child in the Catholic church the priest walking with incense to the alter and cross at the start of mass.  In the Bible God told Moses to make an alter:

You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it . . . And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:1-10)

I remember in Hindu prayers (pujas) that were held at my home (my father was Hindu, my mother Catholic) there was a always some type of smoke, something burning as part of the tradition.  And then in Canada, learning of how the indigenous tribes used tobacco smoke for connecting humans to the spirit world.  It only seemed fitting that when it came time to cleanse my own space that sage be used.

I first moved to Bondi in 2008 and it was the owner of Sage Beauty in North Bondi across the street from where I lived gave me some sage and told me to use it to get rid of any negative energy in my place.  I had no idea what I was doing. I was smoking out the place, but I figured it had to do something good right?  So for you who are now reading this and have no idea what I’m getting at – stay with me. I was once in your shoes!

Smudging

Using dried Sage and Palo Santo are two of my absolutely favourite things to do every week.  I feel like I’m giving my home a good cleanse.

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Smudging has become my weekly ritual to attract and maintain good vibes in my home.  The clarifying smoke released from smudging with Sage & Palo Santo emits negative ions that can uplift your mood and purify your home, the peopel in it and even things such as crystals and jewellery from negative energy.

It’s very much like washing your hands before the start of a meal.   Smudging can help to cleanse your aura.