How to Smudge

The art of smudging is ancient. It’s been practiced by tribes in the Americas, as part of Buddhist tradition, ancient Rome and Egypt, even in Celtic traditions in the time of the Tuatha de Danann.

Today, we think of burning sage as a way to banish negative energy, but there are so many more benefits than just a spiritual reset. Smudging can reduce stress and anxiety, help with sleep, purify the air, boost cognitive function, and, yes, bring in positive vibes and positive energy.

The ritual is simple enough, and if you’ve been wanting to start, you’re in luck.! Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Prep your space. Before you gather your tools or take a lighter to that bundle of sage, open the windows of the rooms you’ll be working in. Be mindful of your space and map your path, starting and ending at the front door. Allow clean air in and give the negative energy a path out.

Step 2: Gather your tools. Make sure you give yourself enough time. This ritual is not something to be rushed. Energy matters. Intention matters. What you bring will expand. Feel free to take a few minutes to meditate for a calm mind and a calm heart. As to the tools themselves, you’ll need:

  • Sage or palo santo
  • An abalone shell or fire safe dish
  • A feather

Step 3: Set an intention. What are you trying to release with this ritual? What are you looking to invite in? This is your intention. Use a mantra or a prayer to repeat while the sage burns. It can be as simple as “I release that which no longer serves me.” Or, it can be more specific.

Step 4: Spark it up. With a candle or match, light the sage. Let it burn for 10 to 20 seconds then gently blow it out. The sage will glow and smoulder as it releases a thick smoke. Using the feather, wave the smoke throughout the room, including the corners and high spots. Don’t forget closets.

Step 5. Room by room. Move clockwise through each room, repeating your mantra. If you come to a set of stairs, go up or down and keep moving clockwise.

Step 6. Show them the door. Make your way to the front door and wave the last of the smoke out. Repeat the mantra or prayer one last time. Visualize your entire home or space filled with light.

Step 7. Closing ceremony. Extinguish the sage by pressing the burning tip firmly into a shell or fire safe dish. Repeat your intention and close out the ritual with a prayer of protection. Do not use water to put out the embers. Not only will this ruin the tip, the sage will be harder to light when you next use it. The shell is a good place to keep the remainder of your sage until your next smudging.

Everything you need for your first smudge — or your next — can be found in the Magic Shoppe. The tools are available separately, or get them all in a kit — and save even more.

You know what to do…

– B

“Is this the real life?”

Freddy Mercury is king.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, we can’t be friends. (Bohemian Rhapsody. Duh.)

This is the sort of email I’ve dreamed about writing. Hence the subject line…

Global healing is a large piece of our mission at Witchy Women. We are grateful to do our part to restore and protect Earth.

With that in mind, a new candle line and smudge kit is out NOW, handcrafted by us to directly benefit The White Feather Foundation, a charity established by Julian Lennon to conserve life and preserve the planet.

These products are completely organic, non-GMO, with ethically harvested ingredients, and are hand-poured in small batches. The same exceptional quality you’ve come to expect from us.

You can choose from five candle varieties in four different sizes. (We aim to please.) The candle line includes Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Dream — the five elements of life.

You will not find them anywhere else. Period.

Plus we put together a ceremonial smudge kit that includes sage, selenite, an Abalone shell with a wooden stand, and an ethically harvested feather to spread the smoke. Everything you need to cleanse, purify and heal.

Here’s the best part: 30% of every sale benefits conservation and environmental projects for The White Feather Foundation.

The TWFF logo is featured on the labels of all candles, which are infused with 100% therapeutic essential oils, organic herbs and ethically-harvested crystals.

Like all our candles, they also include cotton wicks and organic, clean-burning soy wax. The feathers for the smudge kits and the candles (yes, each candle has a white feather, too) come from my own flock of organic and free-range ducks and geese, who happily molt them all over my New Hampshire farm.

To view the full line of candles and the smudge kit, and to order, click here.

If you are a witch, you already know you are a steward of the land. Witches commune with nature. We know the elements are the roots by which all things come into being. And therefore, we know how important it is to protect our planet. Witchy Women is exceedingly proud to be part of a global solution.

If you are not a witch, know this: You are made up of the four elements. You are a living, breathing, walking, talking slice of consciousness – a piece of Earth, Herself – with the simultaneous ability to support a healthier Earth.

I cannot wait to see how THIS community chooses to co-create a better Earth by supporting TWFF and all its endeavors. I already know you will LOVE the new products.

Let’s show them how much we care about people and the planet, and get some amazing new candles and smudge kits, too.

Here’s that link again.