The Air Witch &Smudging Ceremonies

Smudging involves burning herbs and using the herbalsmoke to cleanse and bless areas or people. It is a common and sacred practice.

Native Americans make use of three primary herbs forsmudging: white sage, cedar, and sweet grass. The sage removes negativeinfluences, the cedar cleanses the area, and the sweet grass calls in positiveinfluences. The prayers said during the ceremony are lifted to the gods uponthe smoke.

To smudge, place sand or salt in the bottom of afireproof dish. If you are using a smudging wand, you can carry this dishbeneath it to catch any hot ashes. If you are using a dried, crumbled herbalmixture, light a charcoal tablet and place it in the center of the bed of sand.Sprinkle the herbs over the charcoal as you move clockwise from area to area.

As you moved around the space wafting the smoke, sayaloud, “Only love and light may dwell here. All other vibrations must leavethis house {person, etc.}.” You may direct the smoke into corners and creviceswith a feather, a fan, your breath, or your hand. When you have smudged thewhole area, sweep the negative vibrations out the door and call in the positivevibrations that you want. Try something along the lines of, “Be gone, worry,pain, misery, and strife! Welcome, healing comfort, love and light!”