How to Smudge: Complete Guide to Sage Cleansing & Space Clearing

By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst

Smudging is one of the oldest and most powerful cleansing practices. For thousands of years, indigenous cultures have used sacred smoke to clear negative energy, purify spaces, and create sacred atmosphere. When you smudge, you're not just clearing physical space—you're clearing energetic space, releasing what no longer serves, and inviting in fresh, positive energy.

This is your complete guide to smudging—what it is, how to do it respectfully, and when to use this powerful cleansing practice.

What Is Smudging?

Smudging is the practice of burning sacred herbs to produce smoke that cleanses and purifies people, objects, or spaces.

Origins

Smudging is a sacred practice from Indigenous North American cultures, particularly:

• Native American tribes
• First Nations peoples
• Indigenous Mexican traditions

Important: Approach smudging with respect for its sacred origins. This is a spiritual practice, not just an aesthetic trend.

What Smudging Does

• Clears negative energy: From spaces, objects, or auras
• Purifies: Creates clean energetic slate
• Protects: Creates sacred, protected space
• Raises vibration: Elevates energy of space
• Marks transitions: Moving, after conflict, new beginnings
• Prepares for ritual: Creates sacred space
• Cleanses crystals: Clears absorbed energy

Sacred Herbs for Smudging

White Sage (Most Common)

What: Sacred herb from California
Best for: Deep cleansing, clearing heavy energy
Energy: Powerful, purifying, protective
Note: Ethically sourced only—white sage is overharvested

Palo Santo (Holy Wood)

What: Sacred wood from South America
Best for: Clearing negativity, inviting positive energy
Energy: Sweet, uplifting, protective
Note: Use sustainably harvested only

Cedar

What: Sacred tree, traditional smudge
Best for: Protection, grounding, blessing
Energy: Grounding, protective, purifying

Sweetgrass

What: Sacred grass, often braided
Best for: Inviting positive energy, blessing
Energy: Sweet, inviting, positive
Use: After sage to invite good energy in

Lavender

What: Calming herb
Best for: Peace, calm, gentle cleansing
Energy: Peaceful, soothing, gentle

Rosemary

What: Protective herb
Best for: Protection, mental clarity
Energy: Protective, clarifying

What You Need for Smudging

Essential

• Smudge stick or loose herbs: Sage, palo santo, etc.
• Fire source: Lighter or matches
• Heat-proof container: Abalone shell, ceramic bowl, or plate

Optional but Helpful

• Feather: To direct smoke (traditional)
• Sand: In container to catch ashes
• Intention: Know why you're smudging

How to Smudge: Step-by-Step

Preparation

1. Open windows: Let negative energy escape
2. Set intention: Know what you're clearing and why
3. Gather supplies: Have everything ready
4. Ground yourself: Take deep breaths, center

Lighting the Smudge

1. Hold smudge stick at 45-degree angle
2. Light the tip until it flames
3. Let it burn for 10-20 seconds
4. Gently blow out flame (you want smoke, not fire)
5. Smudge stick should smolder and smoke
6. Place in heat-proof container

Smudging Yourself

1. Start at your feet
2. Use hand or feather to waft smoke up your body
3. Front, back, sides
4. Pay attention to solar plexus and heart
5. Over head and crown
6. Set intention: "I release all negative energy"

Smudging a Space

1. Start at entrance/doorway
2. Move clockwise around room
3. Waft smoke into corners (where energy stagnates)
4. Around windows and doors
5. Pay attention to areas that feel heavy
6. Say intention or prayer as you move
7. End at entrance
8. Let smoke exit through open window

Smudging Objects or Crystals

1. Hold object or place on surface
2. Pass through smoke several times
3. Set intention for cleansing
4. Visualize negative energy releasing

Extinguishing

1. Press smudge stick into sand or soil
2. Or run under water (if you won't reuse)
3. Make sure it's completely out
4. Store in dry place for next use

Smudging Prayers & Intentions

General Cleansing

"I cleanse this space of all negative energy. Only love and light may remain. I invite positive energy to fill this space."

Protection

"I create a sacred, protected space. Negative energy cannot enter here. This space is blessed and safe."

New Beginnings

"I release the old and welcome the new. I clear this space for fresh starts and new opportunities."

After Conflict

"I clear all negative energy from this conflict. I release anger, hurt, and resentment. Peace and harmony are restored."

When to Smudge

Regular Maintenance

• Weekly or monthly space cleansing
• After cleaning your home
• Seasonal changes

Special Occasions

• Moving into new home: Clear previous occupants' energy
• After illness: Clear sick energy
• After argument or conflict: Clear negative energy
• After guests leave: Reset your space
• Before ritual or ceremony: Create sacred space
• After nightmare or bad energy: Clear and protect
• New moon or full moon: Energetic reset

Personal Cleansing

• After being in crowds
• After absorbing negative energy
• Before meditation or spiritual work
• When feeling heavy or drained

Smudging Safety

Fire Safety

• Never leave burning smudge unattended
• Use heat-proof container
• Keep away from flammable materials
• Have water nearby
• Ensure completely extinguished

Smoke Safety

• Open windows for ventilation
• Don't smudge if you have respiratory issues
• Keep away from smoke detectors (or disable temporarily)
• Not safe for pets—remove them or use alternatives

Alternatives to Smoke

If you can't use smoke:

• Sound: Singing bowls, bells, clapping
• Salt: Sprinkle in corners, vacuum up
• Essential oils: Sage or palo santo oil in diffuser
• Visualization: Visualize white light cleansing
• Crystals: Selenite for space clearing

Cultural Respect & Appropriation

Important Considerations

• Acknowledge origins: Smudging is Indigenous practice
• Source ethically: Support Indigenous sellers when possible
• Don't claim to be doing "Native American ceremony": Unless you're part of that culture
• Use respectfully: This is sacred, not trendy
• Learn properly: Understand the practice
• Consider alternatives: If you're uncomfortable with cultural aspects

Ethical Sourcing

• Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses
• Choose sustainably harvested herbs
• Avoid overharvested white sage (or grow your own)
• Support ethical suppliers

Smudging with Crystals

Enhance smudging with crystals:

• Selenite: Place in room for continuous cleansing
• Black Tourmaline: Protection during and after
• Clear Quartz: Amplifies cleansing
• Amethyst: Spiritual purification

Common Smudging Questions

"How often should I smudge?"

As needed. Weekly for maintenance, or whenever space feels heavy.

"Can I smudge at night?"

Yes, but some prefer daytime so negative energy can exit into sunlight.

"Do I have to use sage?"

No. Use any sacred herb that resonates with you.

"Can I smudge someone else?"

With their permission, yes.

"What if my smoke detector goes off?"

Disable it temporarily or use less smoke/better ventilation.

Your Smudging Practice

Start today:

1. Get ethically sourced sage or palo santo
2. Gather heat-proof container
3. Set clear intention
4. Smudge yourself first
5. Then your space
6. Notice how different the energy feels

Final Thoughts

Smudging is a powerful, sacred practice for clearing energy and creating sacred space. When done with intention and respect, it transforms the energy of your environment and yourself.

The smoke carries away what no longer serves, leaving space for what does. It's simple, ancient, and profoundly effective.

Welcome to smudging. Your space is about to be cleared.

How do you smudge? What's your experience with this practice? I'd love to hear your smudging stories.