SMUDGING

Smudging is a ceremony in Native American tradition that cleanses bad feelings and negative vibrations from houses. Smudging may create a peaceful environment in your home or space and is done by burning specific dried herbs and letting the smoke float around the house. You can use dried herbs in a bowl or use a smudge stick to cleanse your house by smudging.

Tradition says that the oldest living member of your clan is the one who smudges your home AND gives you your Indian name.

My Uncle Gene gave me my name "RED BIRD" and smudged me during this ceremony and my mother came to 822 and smudged our home when we first moved in.  She let the smoke flow into each room and asked blessings from the North, South, East and West.  It was a very lovely moment to watch her do this for us.

When we travel to New Mexico, the countryside is covered in sage...so it is abundant for making smudge sticks.  These photos are from google but I do make my own...I thought you might enjoy the different ways you can make them.  It's very easy...you roll them up and tie them with string...and anyone can smudge... if you like that sort of thing!

add pretty flowers...don't these look so pretty?

I love the way lavender looks in a smudge stick

this also has sage...but fyi...they all smell like smoke when they burn...not fragrant like what's in them

they are so pretty just sitting around in a basket

AND

they really work...if you believe that  kind of thing!

what a lovely gift!

A smudge stick is a bundle of dried herbs. The leaves are usually bound with string in a small bundle and dried. Plants that are often used include sage, cedar, lavender, or mugwort.

The English term "smudge stick" is usually found in use among non-Indigenous people who believe they are practicing appropriated North American Native spiritual traditions. But the herbs used in commercial "smudge sticks", and the rituals performed with them by non-Natives, are rarely the actual materials or rituals used by traditional Native Americans. Using scent and scented smoke in religious rites is an element common to many religions and cultures, but the details and spiritual meanings vary with the specific cultures and ceremonies.

sometimes, when you have a bad day?  smudge

it can't hurt!

and in case you think it's only for Native Americans?

I'm not Catholic but I light prayer candles all the time