The Benefits of Smudging: Sage and Palo Santo

Invite happiness and power into  your life.

What is smudging?

Smudging is an ancient practice that has been used within various cultures and demographics. Smudging is the act of burning sage or Palo Santo to cleanse a space, an object, or your aura. Cleansing your aura, your crystals, and your home is very important. The point of smudging is to  get rid of negative energies within that space. You never know what kind of energies you invite into your space or what kind of energies were there before you. Many people utilize their own unique methods of cleansing. While some people create an everyday ritual, you can choose to repeat your smudging session at whichever rate works best for you and your space.  

Your intention can be anything you would like to enter (or be removed) from your space, whether it be wealth, protection, abundance, prosperity, healing, forgiveness, love, happiness, etc. When you choose your intention, keep it clear in your mind. I prefer to say my intentions out loud. One of the most important things to note about smudging is that you control everything. Your smudging session can change as it is normal for your intentions to change as your needs do.

Why

Our physical eyes cannot perceive the toxins and energies that are floating around in the air, but our emotional soul and body can feel it. Smudging can be useful if you are feeling depressed, anxious, unwell, resentful or after negative energy has entered your house (ie. an argument w/ someone, someone with bad vibes has entered your space or feel unwanted energies in your space). Additionally, recent research has shown that smudging kills bacteria in the air by up to 90%. Clean air is a necessity for good health and can prevent and lessen symptoms of asthma, cough, headaches, dizziness, and respiratory infections. A published article by medical researchers also showed that smudging sage is a powerful antiseptic.

how

To smudge any space, ignite your smudging object of choice then let the flames dull to a smoke.  Make sure if you are smudging your apartment or home that you ventilate well, leave a window open to allow the smoke to carry out the negative energies. This is especially important for those individuals with asthma or bronchitis. 

As you are lighting your smudging object I recommend saying aloud your intentions. Walk slowly around your home letting the smoke get everywhere, behind every door, in corners and small spaces, especially where you sleep all while repeating your intentions out loud. Take deep breaths in between repeating your intentions. The smoke is not dangerous and will not harm you or your pets (just make sure to leave a window open). There is no need to purposely inhale the smoke. When smudging, let your intuition guide you, it knows what needs more or less smudging. If you are smudging yourself, fan the smoke towards you focusing on your energy centers (chakras), hands, and feet. 

Be careful when smudging. If you are holding the sage in your hands be mindful of falling embers.  It’s important to remember to use a heat proof container for your Palo Santo or sage, as it is burning, it could also burn your hands or what it is being held in. A plant pot, an Abalone Shell, or a heatproof bowl will work well.

What's the difference between Sage and Palo Santo?

Sage and Palo Santo are both used to cleanse your space of negative energies, there is no true difference between the two besides their smell. Palo Santo has a more aromatic, woodsy smell while sage has a herbaceous smell. There is a variety of sage and sage-herb combos that you can smudge with, though I prefer to smudge solely using White Sage. Palo Santo only comes in one form. Palo Santo, also known as "Holy Wood", is derived from a sacred tree native to South America and can be found in the Amazon. Sage can be found growing wild in a variety of places, including the United States.

General
​smudging prayer

Smudging Prayer for Abundance

From The Light of God that I Am.
From The Love of God that I Am.
From The Power of God that I Am.
From The Heart of God that I Am.

I Decree-
I dwell in the midst of Infinite Abundance. The Abundance of God is my Infinite Source.
The River of Life never stops flowing. It flows through me into lavish expression. 

Good comes to me through unexpected avenues and God works in a myriad of ways to bless me.

I now open my mind to receive my good.

Nothing is too good to be true. Nothing is too wonderful to have happen. With God as my Source, Nothing amazes me. I am not burdened by thoughts of past or future. One is gone. The other is yet to come. By the power of my belief, coupled with my purposeful fearless actions and my deep rapport with God, my future is created and my abundance made manifest.
I ask and accept that I am lifted in this and every moment into Higher Truth. My mind is quiet.
From this day forward I give freely and fearlessly into life and Life gives back to me with magnificent increase.  Blessings come in expected and unexpected ways. God provides for me in wondrous ways. 

I AM indeed grateful. And I let it be so.

You do not have to pray while smudging, but if you are religious, this would be the perfect time. If not, saying your intentions out loud will do the trick.

I smudge my space and aura all the time , especially after a long day or when I feel like my life needs it. It has been exponentially beneficial to my mental health and has kept me centered. Setting my intentions, speaking them out loud and even writing them down while smudging has also been a success. Everything will manifest and your life will be more fruitful when you set your intentions. 

As always, let me know if and how smudging has worked for you in the comments below. What are you experiencing with smudging? 

Till next time,

​Chérie Jade

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