Friday, August 16, 2013

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




8 comments:

Marina in Blue said...

Very interesting! I'm Catholic but I think there are good people and good habits in all the religions, all the political parties and everywhere. ( there are also bad people and bad habits, but I prefer don't think about it)

Marina

Anonymous said...

I have never saw them with the flowers! Thats so pretty, we have a large native population here and we can find smudge sticks for sale just down the street, in two shops, I love the smell of sage burning,

NanaDiana said...

We are surrounded by tribal lands here in WI and I love to see all the traditions they carry forth. And, really, aren't they just pretty? xo Diana

Ivy and Elephants said...

Love the pretty bundles. They do look so pretty displayed, and hey, some days it doesn't hurt the do something to wipe the bad away, right?
Great lesson.
Hugs,
Patti

Unknown said...

When we were in Providence last weekend and went to "Water Fire" (google it!!), there was a smudging ceremony before they lit the fires. it was really neat to see. Don't know if the fires burned better after the smudging, but they were certainly ablaze.

Unknown said...

I am familiar with these and have smudged my home! Our yoga studio sells them. What a lovely custom and a comfort to rid one's space of ill spirits. Can't hurt, right? Do you ear candle? We do- that is amazing. Hope youre having a lovely weekend Gina!
xo Nancy

Karena said...

This sounds just what kind of healing spirits I need right now. Very interesting!

All the Best!
Karena
2013 Designer Series

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

My sis in law is always smudging her house...trying to get rid of all the ex-husband mojo! I love how they look- my favorite is sage.