Sage is the most common and powerful material used for smudging and removing negative energies. One can smudge with sage, cedar, lavender, and many other herbs. Sage comes in several different forms but the best one is white desert sage rather than the green garden sage.

Smudging is the process of burning the dried plant and fanning the smoke over the body with sacred intention. One should also smudge the area in and around the place where he intends to do his sacred work. Smudging is most common in Native American ritual, but it is followed in other cultures as well.

There are many different forms of smudges; but the most common is the leaf of white sage. Sage can be burnt in a shell or a piece of pottery. Bundles of sage also come with several kinds of sage mixed together but the bundles are not considered to be right as they also contain sweet grass which is a nest builder. It provides a nest for the “spirits” to live in. If the area is not cleared of negative energy, it can build a nest there too. If one is going to use sweet grass, then he should first cleanse the area with white sage and then use sweet grass.

While using the sage, one should place a few leaves in the censer and light them or light the bundle. The flame will go out in a short time and the sage will begin to smoulder. Then fan the smoke with hands or feather. The traditional way is to offer the smoke to the four directions before starting the process. Then one must fan the smoke around himself imagining it passing through him. It flows through the person drawing out all of the junk that he has collected in the aura. Smudge is different from tobacco so one can breath in the smoke he will feel the cleansing properties.

This process only takes a few minutes and when it is done one will feel the clarity of the room and the area he is in. One can either rub out the sage stick or just let it burn out on its own. The stick can be used many times. Leaves are just let to burn out on their own. Sage can also be used to clean crystals before the process starts and always smudge crystals after their use to remove the negative energy they many have absorbed.

Smudge is one of the most powerful tools that can be used for this process. It should be used prior to any spiritual event that one undertakes. Meditation, Reiki, Crystal Healing, Tarot Readings should all have smudging prior their use. Whenever one opens himself for energy transfer he must make sure that negative energy is cleared from that area. Smudge is the easiest way of doing that.

The process of smudging involves placing the individual herb or mixture of herbs into a shell, or fireproof bowl or dish. The mixture can become very hot so it is important that whatever is used can take the heat without cracking. Some traditions don’t use shells as they feel the water element of the shell nullifies the fire element. Others use the shell to bring in the balance of the elements.

The mixture is lit and helped to burn by the use of a feather or fan. One should not blow into the mixture as it is said that he might blow his own negative energy into the mixture. The mixture is then wafted around one’s self like a smoke bath. There are different ways of doing this and one can find variety of techniques depending on traditions and teachings. The way for someone not attached to a particular tradition is a matter of personal preference and intuition.
One way would be to start at the left foot as left is considered to be the receiving part of the body and to move the smoke up the left leg with the use of the fan or feather. Then proceed up the central chakra line and around the top of the head, back down the centre of the body, moving the smoke outwards to the sides and around the back. Finish off by wafting the smoke down the right leg as right is the giving side of the body and out and away from the right foot. Many traditions do these four times as four is considered to be the number of balance and harmony.

Feathers and wing fans aid in the cleansing process and have the effect of combing the human aura, therefore adding to the cleansing. Particular feathers bring in the qualities and medicine of the bird of origin. Some people insist that the feather should be moved in the direction that is similar to the movement of a particular bird while it is flying.

Cleansing ceremonial or ritual space before and after the event is an essential part of spiritual hygiene. The initial smudging is for the purpose of purifying the space and other participants and for banishing any unwanted energies. The final smudging is done to cleanse any negative energy attracted or created during the smudging process. It is always nice to perform smudging on a regular basis as it helps in maintaining domestic and individual harmony.

There are many healers, masseurs, therapists and others involved in similar occupations that do not use this or similar cleansing techniques in their workspace and for themselves, before and after the healing process.
Good practice for the use of smudge when healing is to smudge the space, the people in the space, including one’s self, the patient and any tools, When the healing process is completed, smudge self, any other assistant, tools, patient and finish with the space. In this way one deals with negative energies and vibrations in much the same way as antiseptic and disinfectant deals with germs. The aroma of the mixture is wonderful and the effects are instantly noticeable.