Smudge

Smudge sticks are bundle of dried herbs and they are most commonly composed of white sage. Along with white sage there are other herbs and plant materials added to this and the leaves are bound with a string in the bundle and then kept for drying. Additional spices and herbs that are used include lavender, cedar, cilantro, and mugwort. None of these are Native to Americans. They produce pleasant aroma when burnt. The term smudge stick comes from the indigenous American Indians, that includes the tradition of shamanism. The binding of smudge sticks has been a sacred practice for many different traditions. It is a sacred intentional process in itself. The use of scented smoke and other scents in rites of purification by burning incense or through smudging is common in many traditions. As per ethnographic literature it is a common practise in almost all the traditions around the world.

Composition

Smudge sticks can be made of one single herb or by combining several different herbs. Traditionally white sage is the most common herb used but white sage is not found among the Native Americans. Other popular plants that are used in place of white sage are cedar, yarrow, balsam, lavender, rosemary, juniper, silvr king artemesia or the mugwort. Smudge sticks can also be used from many other herbal materials and the burning sacred herbs still exists in many cultures for example the mugwort is used in Chinese cultures and incense is used in most of the Asiatic religions. According to neo-pagan context the main use of smudge sticks is to drive away negative energies and also as a component for crafting a magic spell in some other ritual. The herbs are bound together with the help of linen, hemp, or cotton. Smudge sticks are handmade by some of the spiritual practitioners. But people can also buy them from outlets specialising in religious and spiritual supplies.

Uses:

In the modern era smudging can be incorporated into many different belief systems. It includes new age spirituality where it is analogous to censing aspersion or thurible. It has its uses in meditation and rituals. Smudging helps in driving away the negative energy and brings the positive energy. Practitioners do the smudge ceremony by fanning smoke in the appropriate direction with bundle of other ritual tools like feathers.

The intent of the practitioners is considered to be the most important aspect of smudging. Care should be taken to determine the time, month or the day. It is considered to be respect to ask the plants before collecting them. For full potential people collect the white sage and make the smudge stick from it. Smudge stick practises are better and significant at solstices and equinoxes. Smudging is known for its ritual and medicinal correlations to spiritual beings. It is never complete without a smudge stick